Derbyshire County Birding (1 Viewer)

[Daniel Martin]

3 Sand Martins down Wyver Lane yesterday morning. The first this year unless someone knows any different. Also a Chiff Chaff singing near the hide. The Grey Herons are getting very territorial around the woods and I saw at least 6 although there could well have been double figures.

Wigeon and Teal numbers are gradually dropping off with 28 and 14 seen respectively. Also of note was at least 5 Stock Doves, and c80 Fieldfare heading east.

Dave, re Herons I was reliably informed sunday that there are 5 occupied nests. they should be well on the way now with young due to hatch very soon.
Early birds Herons, like the local Ravens and Tawnies - some great pics of 4 young Tawnies in Norfolk on Surfbirds at the mo.

 

[Daniel Martin]

Tim has a pair of Red Crested Pochard on Butterley this morning for anyone passing......

 

[DaveN]

No sign of the Red-throated Diver that was seen last night at Carsington. Not surprising as RTD's very rarely stay more than a day. The adult Great Northern Diver still remains though. Several Snipe and Redshank from the Wildlife Centre.

From Sheepwash there were 2 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Raven, 12+ Goldeneye, 5+ Oystercatchers, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Buzzards and a Kestrel. A brief walk about and a single Meadow Pipit flew over, also 2 Chiff Chaffs singing.

 

[Dog]

make s it even better when you get paid to see em did you find your mega breakfast then??

Found a good cafe in Hucknall & the Breakfast showed well but briefly.

Mike.

 

[Clive A]

Up at Carsington again today, the adult Med Gull was seen from Sheepwash at 13:30 and then again at 17:20 in the roost from Lane End. Little else of note, though other birders reported 3 Swallows over Sheepwash.

 

[DaveN]

For those of you that are unaware the Peregrines at Derby Cathedral laid their first egg of the year yesterday. Catch up with the goings on here.

http://derbyperegrines.blogspot.com/

 

[DaveN]

For anyone interested I've just received a call that there's a Red-throated Diver and an Osprey at Carsington.

 

[Clive A]

I am interested Dave, but it is a bit dark now:-O and am at work until monday. Don't suppose this is the same Red throat as earlier in the week? Round about the same date that I had an Osprey a couple of years ago.

 

[DaveN]

I am interested Dave, but it is a bit dark now:-O and am at work until monday. Don't suppose this is the same Red throat as earlier in the week? Round about the same date that I had an Osprey a couple of years ago.

I got the phone call from Mark and although it wasn't him who had it he reckons it could well be the same bird. Not sure where its been hiding since last monday though if it is.

 

[BarryH]

Help with possible I.D. please.

Something took a Dunnock out of my hedge this morning, at first I thought it was a Kestrel but as I've looked in the books I have, I'm now not sure.

When the bird was hooded over the Dunnock, the back was grey in colour, then as it stood over the bird it seemed to have a barred chest were I thought the Kestrel had a chest sort of "flecked with black ".

 

[DaveN]

Help with possible I.D. please.

Something took a Dunnock out of my hedge this morning, at first I thought it was a Kestrel but as I've looked in the books I have, I'm now not sure.

When the bird was hooded over the Dunnock, the back was grey in colour, then as it stood over the bird it seemed to have a barred chest were I thought the Kestrel had a chest sort of "flecked with black ".

More than likely it was a male Sparrowhawk. They will catch prey and stand over it with wings outstretched. Although not unheard of, Kestrels rarely take birds and your description sums up Sparrowhawk perfectly.

 

[BarryH]

Thanks for the help Dave, never seen a Sparrowhawk before and now I have one in my own back garden.

After watching for what seemed minutes, my wife had had enough and because the Dunnock was still alive under the bird's foot she went out to help the "poor little" Dunnock. No chance the bigger bird easily carried it off.

 

[DaveN]

Thanks for the help Dave, never seen a Sparrowhawk before and now I have one in my own back garden.

After watching for what seemed minutes, my wife had had enough and because the Dunnock was still alive under the bird's foot she went out to help the "poor little" Dunnock. No chance the bigger bird easily carried it off.

Well done on your first Sparrowhawk.

As hard as it can be to watch the Dunnock succumb to the Sparrowhawk I'd rather watch nature take its course. The Sparrowhawk has to eat too and by providing food for your garden birds you are also supplying food to any potential predator.

 

[ChrisLuv]

Erewash Meadows

Glad to see spring has finally arrived, had my first Wheatear and Chiffchaffs of the year last week while on holiday in the Yorkshire Dales. After birding at Leighton Moss then returning to local patchwork was pretty daunting but it was very enjoyable - almost summery at times in the sunshine. Small chance of snow in the Midlands on Tuesday apparently - so if that comes it will soon kill off any talk of spring.

Sightings at Erewash Meadows today:

Birds: Railway Flash: 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Reed Bunting (lots of singing in this area from tits and chaffinch). Kennels Flash: c100 Fieldfare, several Reed Bunting (singing), Dunnock (singing), Wren (singing), Greater Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 2 Grey Partridge, Song Thrush (singing). Big Marsh: Mistle Thrush, Bullfinch, Jay, Buzzard, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Greenfinch, 11 Goldfinch, 2 Cormorant. Aldercar Flash: 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, c30 Teal, Green Woodpecker. Erewash River – Langley Mill: Willow Tit, Green Woodpecker, Redshank, Goldfinch.

Butterflies: Small Tortoiseshell at Langley Mill

 

[Daniel Martin]

Saturday morning provided an early opportunity for Peckers at Allestree - found a Great Spot nest and a Treecreepers, and heard Green, but the elusive Lessers eluded us this morning.
We moved on to an undsiclosed site for Goshawk and had a quiet half hour just counting Buzzards (8 in all). At mid day the sun broke through and a fine male Gos had a sparring session with two Buzzards before drifting off. We had 6 Buzzards up soon after with 4 Raven moving through and finally a female Goshawk got up close by to join a pair of Saprrowhawks making the most of the warmth.
We moved on to the moors above Matlock eventually and scanning widely at Wraggs produced 22 Buzzards in the air together, spread over quite a vista. Fantastic numbers around at the moment, with birds over the house every day too.

Tim has more reward at Butterley today with an Osprey for a few mins following the Rouzel last week and Kite and Peregrine before.

Poor weather due may hold further migrants back still.

 

[arniemonkey]

Hi all,

Female Merlin at Etwall Farm today - elusive but occasionally alighting and showing well on the small brick structure in the middle of the largest field South of Boundary Road. Was looking for early Wheaters but this was a very nice surprise instead - and more in keeping with the bleakness of the conditions!

6 Sand Martins at Chaddesden Sidings with a drake Goosander on the Derwent by the Derby Evening Telegraph offices.

Best Wishes,

Matt

the female merlin is still at boundary road exactly where you said thanks for that info best views ive had

 

[tom mckinney]

undsiclosed site for Goshawk

Without mentioning sites, is it true that there are no longer any breeding Goshawks in north-west Derbyshire/Derwent valley?

 

[Daniel Martin]

Without mentioning sites, is it true that there are no longer any breeding Goshawks in north-west Derbyshire/Derwent valley?

Eyup Tom. Speaking with a few birders who monitor that population and yes its quite possible that Goshawk is no longer present around Derwentdale/Howden/Strines. I understand nests were destroyed last year and adult birds disappeared without reason.

I havent been up there for the last few years as there seems no need putting pressure on any remaining as they are doing so well in mid Derbyshire away from game keepers etc.

Its a real shame that the dark peak is becoming raptor free but this is tempered by success further south. Peregrines and Raven seem to be doing much better down here and as for Buzzards, bloody hell!

I know of 5 Goshawk terriories within 15 square miles of home and given the right weather conditions they have been showing well. They must be due to go quiet any time now when on eggs however.

What is being done to counter the problem further North I dont know - any up your way?

By the way I hear Eagle Owl are breeding on a large RSPB reserve at the moment - any thoughts on that money spinner?!

 

[tom mckinney]

By the way I hear Eagle Owl are breeding on a large RSPB reserve at the moment - any thoughts on that money spinner?!

I did hear that, but I didn't think it was in Derbyshire?

I've been checking decent looking sites for Gos around Glossop for a couple of years and nada.

Regarding other raptors: Buzzards are certainly increasing up here in the north Dark Peak, and Peregrines are still breeding. There's also a good chance that Hobby will be colonising - regular sightings, but I don't think breeding yet confirmed. Merlin numbers small, but I think stable. Sparrowhawk and Kestrel both common. And Hen Harriers, well I think everyone knows all about what happens to them [insert unhappy face]. Since I've lived here I've also seen Marsh Harrier and Red Kite, so it's not too bad. B

Ravens are also doing well, I see pairs regularly and I had a very promising flock of 9 tumblers a couple of weeks ago on Bleaklow.

 

[DaveN]

I gave Wyver a right good go today spending over 6 hours down there in the hope of getting a few goodies. Walking down the lane I could see that there wasn't a great deal on the main pool....only 4 Mute Swan (3 juvs and an adult), female Pochard, drake Tuftie and a few Canadas and Greylags.

I sat in the hide and eventually picked out a pair of Shoveler, 40+ Canadas, 20+ Greylags and 5+ Grey Heron. I made my way to the viewing mound before the rain came and had 24 Wigeon, 16 Teal and a single Meadow Pipit over. Back to the hide and there were at least 15 Swallows and 5 Sand Martins. Raptors today include 4 Buzzards, a pair of Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk. Also 8 Fieldfare, Redwing, GS Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Chiff Chaff and my first Blackcap of the year with a singing male on the lane.