Recommended sites in the midlands. (1 Viewer)

[She’ll not av feathers on]

Hi everyone.

I’ve been to Attenborough in long Eaton half a dozen times or so now and I absolutely love it. But I’d also like to take in a few other places to give me chance to see different species and try the cake at other cafes😄

What are others peoples favourite places in the midlands? I work shifts and after finishing nights tomorrow I’ve got a few days to spend getting some quality birding in!

I really enjoy the waterfowl at Attenborough but would like to be able to see some waders and raptors elsewhere if possible!

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. If it has a nice cafe as well even better🙂

Thanks.

Gareth.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Probably easiest if you define 'Midlands'!

 

[She’ll not av feathers on]

Ok Phil.

The far north of Scotland!

What would you describe as midlands? I’d personally say the middle of the country!

I’m in Derby. So places in and around an hour from there.

 

[GreenRooky]

You can probably do five or six species of raptor at Willington at the moment, north of the city, Keddleston, Locko Park and Shipley park can all be good for raptors

Calke abbey can be good for woodland birds

Carsington has a good mixture of everything

Branston gravel pits is probably the best place locally for waders but it is a scope only job as everything is miles away

Out of these only carsington and calke hit the cake criteria

 

[She’ll not av feathers on]

You can probably do five or six species of raptor at Willington at the moment, north of the city, Keddleston, Locko Park and Shipley park can all be good for raptors

Calke abbey can be good for woodland birds

Carsington has a good mixture of everything

Branston gravel pits is probably the best place locally for waders but it is a scope only job as everything is miles away

Out of these only carsington and calke hit the cake criteria

Which raptors would be there at this time of year mate?

Exciting times😁

 

[GreenRooky]

Which raptors would be there at this time of year mate?

Exciting times😁

Currently you'll get buzzard, kestrel,sparrowhawk, reasonable chance of peregrine and red kite, sometimes marsh harrier. In the summer hobby is regular. If you go later in the day, good chance of barn owl, there is also a small starling murmuration. The lane has been under water for months, so is very muddy.

You can get a good idea of what is around from the DOS site if you don't already look at it

 

[MikeInPA]

Hi everyone.

I’ve been to Attenborough in long Eaton half a dozen times or so now and I absolutely love it. But I’d also like to take in a few other places to give me chance to see different species and try the cake at other cafes😄

What are others peoples favourite places in the midlands? I work shifts and after finishing nights tomorrow I’ve got a few days to spend getting some quality birding in!

I really enjoy the waterfowl at Attenborough but would like to be able to see some waders and raptors elsewhere if possible!

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. If it has a nice cafe as well even better🙂

Thanks.

Gareth.

Rutland Water is pretty good. Eyebrook Reservoir is not far away, has easy viewing of the wildfowl this time of year.

Use eBird to see where to go and what's there. Here's Rutland Water eBird for Rutland Water.

 

[She’ll not av feathers on]

Currently you'll get buzzard, kestrel,sparrowhawk, reasonable chance of peregrine and red kite, sometimes marsh harrier. In the summer hobby is regular. If you go later in the day, good chance of barn owl, there is also a small starling murmuration. The lane has been under water for months, so is very muddy.

You can get a good idea of what is around from the DOS site if you don't already look at it

Sorry for my ignorance but what’s the DOS?

 

[She’ll not av feathers on]

Rutland Water is pretty good. Eyebrook Reservoir is not far away, has easy viewing of the wildfowl this time of year.

Use eBird to see where to go and what's there. Here's Rutland Water eBird for Rutland Water.

That looks like the place for me!

Rutland here we come😁

 

[GreenRooky]

Sorry for my ignorance but what’s the DOS?

Latest Bird News

County Recorder's Page

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[wheatearlp]

What would you describe as midlands? I’d personally say the middle of the country!

I’m in Derby. So places in and around an hour from there.

A fair chunk of the attached is considerably over an hour from Derby 🙂

 

[Phil Andrews]

Much of Midlands' birding in reservoir dominated with the likes of Rutland Water, Eyebrook, Stanford, Belvide, Blithfield, Ogston etc all productive for wildfowl. Many of these are good for waders, along with the likes of Branston Gravel Pits on your doorstep, Middleton Lakes, Idle Valley etc.

Other targets would be heathland for Nightjar, LE Owl etc (Cannock Chase is the go to site in the West Mids; am sure there must be sites in and around Sherwood Forest) and traditional deciduous woodland for Pied Fly / Wood Warbler / Redstart etc (Wyre Forest is the go-to site in the West Mids but again I am sure there are sites innthe East Mids).

Finally there would be specialist target bird sites such as Honey Buzzard at Wellbeck or Hawfinch at Clumber Park.

 

[Patudo]

There's apparently a pair of peregrines on Derby Cathedral, if you want to do something different. Find a good viewpoint nearby on a nice day and you should have a good chance of seeing them in the air, in which case they'll likely do some display flying, which is brilliant to watch. If you can watch at daybreak you'll likely see some hunting too. Good luck.