Derbyshire County Birding (1 Viewer)

[michael23]

Sounds like a nice evening..................did you just park on the triangle? Hobbies get attracted to Northern Eggers when on the wing (though not sure if they are yet).
Will PM you about other bits.

Hi daniel, yes we were just at the triangle.

 

[BarryH]

Please excuse the ignorance, but is the "Beeley Triangle" the area of land just off Beeley Lane?

Or am I looking for something much larger?

 

[ChrisLuv]

Please excuse the ignorance, but is the "Beeley Triangle" the area of land just off Beeley Lane?

Or am I looking for something much larger?

Hi Barry, its the triangle of roads east of Beeley at SK 295 675. There are a few places to park alongside the road (especially the north end of the "triangle") and look out over the moor, there are also a further two good watchpoints if you take the road north-east, one by a conifer woodland.

I was up there on Saturday night as I was passing that way, but I didn't see a thing, it can be a frustrating place to watch in my experience - patience is needed.

If you're up there late then its worth being aware that the area is used by "unsavoury types" who aren't really up there for the wildlife - well unless you count shags. But don't let that put you off, there was hardly a soul up there on Saturday.

Chris

 

[peter hill]

Re wood warblers in goyt valley i have not heard or seen any but 1 was reported on the D O S website for the 16th of may also a spotted fly that i have not seen in the valley this year yet i think the wood warbler may have moved on

 

[BarryH]

Hi Barry, its the triangle of roads east of Beeley at SK 295 675. There are a few places to park alongside the road (especially the north end of the "triangle") and look out over the moor, there are also a further two good watchpoints if you take the road north-east, one by a conifer woodland.

I was up there on Saturday night as I was passing that way, but I didn't see a thing, it can be a frustrating place to watch in my experience - patience is needed.

If you're up there late then its worth being aware that the area is used by "unsavoury types" who aren't really up there for the wildlife - well unless you count shags. But don't let that put you off, there was hardly a soul up there on Saturday.

Chris

Not wanting to see to many "Shags" I took a quick ride up there this afternoon, I live not to far away. Hopefully I was in the general area of Chris's directions, not to far from Flash Lane.

As soon as I arrived, I did notice a bird I'd not seen before. Quite pointed wings that were swept forward in the centre, once it took off it moved quite quickly. I also saw two Kestrels hovering in the same location.

Apologies for the poor description, I'm not the best birdwatcher in the area, come to think of it, I'm probably not even the best in our house, I was in the process of scrambling around for my binoculars when the bird was pointed out to me.

Thanks for the help Chris.

 

[DarkPeakBirder2]

Hi Steph,

As far as I know they've not come back to Shire Hill in Glossop this year - I've been in a few times since mid April and I know a couple of other people have as well. No idea why, the wood hasn't changed, if anything it's better because the quarry is no longer being worked. Still Tree Pipits, Spot and Pied Fly there though, Cuckoo from time to time as well.

There's a Hobby near Shire Hill at the moment. Directions are pretty long winded, so if anyone wants to know more send me a PM.

T

Hello Tom

I live close to Shire Hill and can confirm that the Cuckoo has been calling again this morning.

I saw the Spotted Flycatcher last week and I have to agree about the Wood Warbler - there was a day when I thought I heard a distant call but never since.

I have heard Wood Warble today though in the small wood directly across the Longdendale Trail at Torside and caught a glimpse of it in the same place when it was calling strongly last week.

I'd love to hear more about the Hobby so will send you a PM - Thanks
Colin
Regards
Colin

 

[Shirley W]

Re wood warblers in goyt valley i have not heard or seen any but 1 was reported on the D O S website for the 16th of may also a spotted fly that i have not seen in the valley this year yet i think the wood warbler may have moved on

Heard one and saw another singing 17th May but not where I have seen them before ie from the riverside walk path. These were lower down in the narrow strips of wood that come down to Errwood Res. Also Sp Flycatcher. Cuckoos were very vocal - one on each side of the valley.

Excellent day today walking in the Ladybower area. Highlights were green woodpecker at Rowlee Bridge and woodcock in Blackley Hey Wood. Never seen woodcock before in the day - only roding in evening - so had never seen what a lovely colour they are!

 

[michael23]

Hi Barry, what was the approximate size and colour of the bird you saw. And where exactly was it?

 

[DaveN]

An impressive 12 Grey Herons down Wyver Lane around the upper pool today including 3 juveniles. So despite the reservations regarding the archery club taking over the woods and disturbing nesting birds the Herons at least have bred successfully.

Also around the upper pool was a female Teal, 4 Lapwings, Oystercatcher and a Grey Wagtail. 8 Tufted Duck were on the main pool together with 2 Mute Swans and 3 broods of Mallard. Several Moorhens and Coots are sitting on nests but no sign of any young as yet.

At least 3 Common Whitethroats have been singing and a pair have been reported feeding young. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing alongside the river and is the first record for several years.

 

[Clive A]

Hi Barry, what was the approximate size and colour of the bird you saw. And where exactly was it?

Be careful people, things are sensitive up there for obvious reasons.

 

[BarryH]

Hi Barry, what was the approximate size and colour of the bird you saw. And where exactly was it?

PM sent.

 

[jonlowes]

Wood Warbler sites

re Wood Warblers, Goyt valley anyone?

I've not had Wood Warbler in the Goyt for about 3 years now although according to the DOS website one was at the Hillbridge Reserve bit on 23rd May. I had one singing at Coppice Wood which is near to Padley on 4th May. Win Hill is also another reasonably reliable site but I've not had chance to visit so far this year. I also had one singing at Barbrook plantation last year but didn't find any on a single visit on 18th May this year.

 

[Gomphus]

Its true then, Wood Warblers do seem scarce, especially in the more southern sites.... I was talking on the subject with several birders and a few theories have been put forward, mostly involving the obvious retraction of the breeding grounds in Derbys towards the north. The most popular I've heard the most is a temperature thing, of course it could be a change in food type/supply linked perhaps to the temperature? Or a combination of factors, as most of the woods don't seem to have changed to us...

Long gone are the days of hearing several at Cromford/Black Rocks etc.....

ATB

Steph'

 

[Clive A]

Its true then, Wood Warblers do seem scarce, especially in the more southern sites.... I was talking on the subject with several birders and a few theories have been put forward, mostly involving the obvious retraction of the breeding grounds in Derbys towards the north. The most popular I've heard the most is a temperature thing, of course it could be a change in food type/supply linked perhaps to the temperature? Or a combination of factors, as most of the woods don't seem to have changed to us...

Long gone are the days of hearing several at Cromford/Black Rocks etc.....

ATB

Steph'

PM also sent.

 

[mick.ball]

Wood Warblers

Its true then, Wood Warblers do seem scarce, especially in the more southern sites.... I was talking on the subject with several birders and a few theories have been put forward, mostly involving the obvious retraction of the breeding grounds in Derbys towards the north. The most popular I've heard the most is a temperature thing, of course it could be a change in food type/supply linked perhaps to the temperature? Or a combination of factors, as most of the woods don't seem to have changed to us...

Long gone are the days of hearing several at Cromford/Black Rocks etc.....

ATB

Steph'

But still present at Trentabank,Macclesfield,Cheshire and Cannock Chase,South Staffs.Cannock is certainly not an upland and is warmer than North Derbys. so the temperature theory can go out of the window.IMO it's
another example of a trans-saharan migrant dipping in numbers-hopefully like Whitethroat and Willow Warbler only temporary.
Mick
Mick

 

[DaveN]

Went to Carsington today and walked the Dam Wall early morning and had a Sanderling and Dunlin both in near summer plumage. Oystercatchers with 2 well grown young on Millfields Island. Little Ringed Plover on Horseshoe Island. Also 2 broods of Lapwings, 2 fresh ones and 4 around 2 weeks old.

A Lesser Whitethroat singing by Lane End. From Sheepwash there were 110 Housemartins, 100 Swifts with smaller numbers of Swallows and 5 Sand Martins. Common Terns nesting on Flat Island. I was scanning the buoys looking for Terns when I spotted a large bird on the large blue buoy towards Millfields. Bearing in mind it's about a mile away I couldn't quite id it at first as it had its back to me. Eventually it turned and I realised it was an Osprey which also had a fish. It sat there for over half an hour eating the fish before flying down Fishtail Creek. 3 Lesser-black Backed Gulls and a 1st summer Common Gull flew through.

Walking along the Wildlife Centre creek a Swallow landed on the path right in front of me. It stayed there long enough for me to set up my scope and camera to take a few shots.

 

[Clive A]

Went to Carsington today and walked the Dam Wall early morning and had a Sanderling and Dunlin both in near summer plumage. Oystercatchers with 2 well grown young on Millfields Island. Little Ringed Plover on Horseshoe Island. Also 2 broods of Lapwings, 2 fresh ones and 4 around 2 weeks old.

A Lesser Whitethroat singing by Lane End. From Sheepwash there were 110 Housemartins, 100 Swifts with smaller numbers of Swallows and 5 Sand Martins. Common Terns nesting on Flat Island. I was scanning the buoys looking for Terns when I spotted a large bird on the large blue buoy towards Millfields. Bearing in mind it's about a mile away I couldn't quite id it at first as it had its back to me. Eventually it turned and I realised it was an Osprey which also had a fish. It sat there for over half an hour eating the fish before flying down Fishtail Creek. 3 Lesser-black Backed Gulls and a 1st summer Common Gull flew through.

Walking along the Wildlife Centre creek a Swallow landed on the path right in front of me. It stayed there long enough for me to set up my scope and camera to take a few shots.

Jammy sod,how come you get all these Ospreys and I never get one?:-O
Seriously quite a sight, pity you were not closer. That must be the 4th Sanderling you have had on the dam wall this spring, obviously a good spot for them.Like the Swallow.

 

[DaveN]

Yes I wait years for an Osprey in Derbyshire and now I've had 4 since August. None better than the Wyver one though. Yep 4 Sanderling this year....1 on April 28th, 2 on 12th May and the one yesterday.

 

[Daniel Martin]

Young Owls

Finally managed to load the Owlets reported to me - big hole in an old Ash on a farm, only 8 - 10 feet up.
I plan to revisit as they get older.

 

[Daniel Martin]

For Chris and other Erewash bods, Dave Sneap has had a female Marsh Harrier at Erewash Meadows this morning with prey.
Coincience as I was talking with Des last night whilst looking for other Harriers, and he was reliving the first Marsh Harrier ever down there some years ago................