Today has been a funny sort of day really. Any day that includes Peregrine, Merlin, Med Gull, Yellow-legged Gull and Yellowhammer can't really be seen as a bit of a let down. But after we had left Carsington and had arrived on the moors only to hear that there had been a Snow Bunting back at Carsington we were both a bit pissed off.
When I say we I mean Clive and myself. We had met up as usual on the Dam Wall which was to be the location the Snow Bunting was reported. Snow Bunt or Lap Bunt are just 2 of the birds that we are always looking out for on the Dam Wall at this time of the year. But with only 3 records of Lap Bunt and 2 of Snow in 20 years we know it's a long shot.
However, undeterred by the scarcity of these birds we again walked the Dam without success. Forgetting Buntings just for a moment, I'm sure a Purple Sand is just around the corner.
We had had a steady few hours without anything too exciting so decided for a drive out. We went up to a small pool a few miles north of Carsington to try our luck at a Jack Snipe. No Jack Snipe but 4 Common Snipe, a Peregrine and a Raven.
Next stop was Cromford to try for Hawfinch. Clive did get one a couple of weeks back although still quite early and no sign today.
A little bit further North and we had a Merlin chasing a small passerine. We never did see the outcome of that one. I wont reveal the location of the Merlin just in case any unsavoury wankers are reading this. We walked across a field bordering the moors where there was c70 Skylark, several hundred Lapwing, several Yellowhammers, 6 Partridge (probably Grey), Buzzard, Kestrel and some Starlings and Chaffinches.
We had just gotten onto Beeley when a mate sent me a text 'have you seen the Snow Bunt'. I immediately rang him up to find out where. I was then mortified to find out it was Carsington where we had left just over an hour ago. We were both very fucked off to say the least. We immediately turned around and headed back to Carsi in the vain hope the bird was still present. We knew it was along shot but walked the Dam (again) but saw nothing.
With our tails between our legs we buggered off round to Sheepwash for the last 2 hours to do the Gull roost. Actually it wasn't a bad couple of hours. 2 Med Gulls (adult and 1st winter), 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 1st winter GBB Gull and several Herring Gulls.
So, like I said. A good selection of birds but the Snow Bunt would have topped it off very nicely. Not that I'm bitter.
A couple of tracks from Billy Bragg. First one is called Sulk. The second is Days like these.
Monday, 28 November 2011
Sunday, 27 November 2011
A very sad day
I've been a football fan for most of my nearly 40 years and have seen some great players in that time. There are not many players though who I can honestly say always gave their all throughout their careers. I was shocked and saddened today to hear about the death of Gary Speed. Gary was without doubt one of those players who always wore his heart on his sleeve and was held in very high esteem where ever he played or managed.
I remember when he played for Leeds in the ealry 90's when they won the First Division Title in a midfield alongside Gordon Strachan, Gary Mcallister and David Batty. That was one hell of a midfield!
I think all footbal fans, not just the ones of the teams he played for will be very saddened today.
Can't be bothered to write about birds.
R.I.P, Gary.
I remember when he played for Leeds in the ealry 90's when they won the First Division Title in a midfield alongside Gordon Strachan, Gary Mcallister and David Batty. That was one hell of a midfield!
I think all footbal fans, not just the ones of the teams he played for will be very saddened today.
Can't be bothered to write about birds.
R.I.P, Gary.
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Just the usual....
The week just gone has been more of the same.....Wyver, Carsington, The Moors, Carsington and back to Wyver. Pretty boring stuff but somebody's got to do it. Although a couple of decent birds have been thrown in for good measure. On Tuesday morning I went down Wyver only to be greeted by thick fog which doesn't really seem to have shifted for the past couple of weeks. Maybe because of the fog the 117th specie of bird for the year was recorded when Golden Plover was heard calling . 117 maybe doesn't sound much, but for a small reserve like Wyver which is relatively under watched except for a couple of dedicated birders I think it's quite impressive.
After a few hours Chris came down and we decided to go up to the moors mainly with Jack Snipe in mind. On the way we decided to give the Gourmet a miss and try Mrs Robinson's Tasty Whoppers. Not bad, but not a patch on The Gourmet. One gripe though was not having any bacon when It wasn't even 12.00. And the only cold drinks they had was Lucozade. Do we look like we drink Lucozade?
Our quest for Jack Snipe led us to a particular spot where several have already been seen this Autumn. I must admit to feeling slightly uneasy in flushing a bird, but, with the habits of Jack Snipe as they are unless you're extremely lucky then it's probably the only way to see one. The first spot we tried was without success although it did look ideal. The second spot we tried and Bingo! We split up and I wasn't getting any joy but then Chris came up trumps. Whether it was his big frame I don't know but all of a sudden a Jack Snipe popped up and flew a short distance before dropping in again in typical Jack Snipe fashion. A Common Snipe would have flown up high calling and would have continued flying for some time. As we walked back we flushed it for a second time and again it was up and down within a couple of seconds.
As we were walking towards the car I received a text that there was a Black Redstart at Carsington Water. Coincidentally a Black Redstart turned up at the same location and at the same time last year. As the Moors was relatively quiet we decided to go for it. There was no sign at first but after a short walk up the Dam we re-located the Black Red. It was for more mobile than previous Black Reds I had seen but I still managed to get a few shots.
As it was getting late we hadn't really got time to go around to the hides so we just stayed on the Dam Wall. Quite a productive hour produced 112 Golden Plover, 6 Snipe, 7 Dunlin, 3 Herring Gulls and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Wednesday was more of the same but this time I was meeting up with Clive. Carsington wasn't really any different so it was up to the moors again. Screetham Lane was alive today and there was well over 100 Skylark and a couple of hundred Lapwing. Slatepit Lane was similarly alive with Golden Plovers, Skylarks, Linnets, Yellowhammers and Starlings. There was also 100's of Fieldfare seemingly everywhere we went.
After a few hours Chris came down and we decided to go up to the moors mainly with Jack Snipe in mind. On the way we decided to give the Gourmet a miss and try Mrs Robinson's Tasty Whoppers. Not bad, but not a patch on The Gourmet. One gripe though was not having any bacon when It wasn't even 12.00. And the only cold drinks they had was Lucozade. Do we look like we drink Lucozade?
Our quest for Jack Snipe led us to a particular spot where several have already been seen this Autumn. I must admit to feeling slightly uneasy in flushing a bird, but, with the habits of Jack Snipe as they are unless you're extremely lucky then it's probably the only way to see one. The first spot we tried was without success although it did look ideal. The second spot we tried and Bingo! We split up and I wasn't getting any joy but then Chris came up trumps. Whether it was his big frame I don't know but all of a sudden a Jack Snipe popped up and flew a short distance before dropping in again in typical Jack Snipe fashion. A Common Snipe would have flown up high calling and would have continued flying for some time. As we walked back we flushed it for a second time and again it was up and down within a couple of seconds.
As we were walking towards the car I received a text that there was a Black Redstart at Carsington Water. Coincidentally a Black Redstart turned up at the same location and at the same time last year. As the Moors was relatively quiet we decided to go for it. There was no sign at first but after a short walk up the Dam we re-located the Black Red. It was for more mobile than previous Black Reds I had seen but I still managed to get a few shots.
Wednesday was more of the same but this time I was meeting up with Clive. Carsington wasn't really any different so it was up to the moors again. Screetham Lane was alive today and there was well over 100 Skylark and a couple of hundred Lapwing. Slatepit Lane was similarly alive with Golden Plovers, Skylarks, Linnets, Yellowhammers and Starlings. There was also 100's of Fieldfare seemingly everywhere we went.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Lots of Fungi
Went on a walk today where at the right time of year is good for Lesser Pecker, Redstart, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Green Wood, Raven and Raptors. The only one out of that lot that we actually saw was Green Woodpecker though. In fact there was very little birdlife around. What we did get was loads of Fungi which I managed to photograph. I know a couple of these but if anybody has a clue then feel free to post.
Very late Housemartin and Bean Geese.
There we were in full winter mode standing on the viewing mound down Wyver Lane. So what chance on a coldish mid November morning is there of seeing a Housemartin. Well most of us would say just like the name of that horse that somebody almost duped me into betting on in the Grand National many moons back 'Norfolk Enchance'
Well in the normal scheme of things I would have had to agree that the chances of seeing one was as remote as Mrs Cant' be Arsed cooking the kids' Pasta without setting the smoke alarm off.
We were standing there on Thursday morning watching a few Skylarks and Wood Pigeons go over when I started scoping a tree that held Stock Doves, Goldfinches and Siskins. Through the back of the tree I noticed a small bird fluttering about. I looked at it for a split second and couldn't quite work it out. I did a double take and thought it looked good for a Hirundine. When It got nearer and then turned I could see its white rump and then realised it was a Housemartin.
I shouted out 'Housemartin'. There may have been a swear word in there too.....I can't remember. Chris said 'no way'. Again there was probably a swear word in there. Unfortunately the bird disappeared and I think Chris thought I was seeing things. Any other time of the year there wouldn't have been a problem, but on November 17th in Derbyshire surely not.
We kept on looking but there was no sign. I did start doubting it but then thought to myself hang on a minute, it was a fuckin' Housemartin, I know what a Housemartin looks like! After about 15 minutes Chris got onto it and we then both watched it for a while happily feeding before it then disappeared.
A very late record but to me that's what birding is all about. You just never know. Later that evening I found out it wasn't the latest ever for the county. That honour goes to Drakelow which had one on November 23rd in 1997.
After we left Wyver we went up to Barbrook which was a little quiet apart from some Fieldfare and a couple of flyover Redpoll and Reed Bunting. Whilst we were there we got news of some Bean Geese down at Willington. We were a long way off, but Chris, as I, was keen on seeing these Derbyshire rarities. So we set off down to Willington...a total of 43 miles. We got to platform 4 just after 14.00 but there was no sign and hadn't been for quite a while. We stuck it out until dusk hoping they might come into roost but they never did.
The following morning I again met up with Chris and headed down to Willington in hope the Geese were still knocking about. We couldn't have timed it any better. We arrived on platform 4 where there were already several birders. We'd not been there 5 minutes when not 6 that had been there the previous day but 7 (Tundra) Bean Geese dropped in. Having never seen Bean Geese before mainly due to them being quite scarce in Derbyshire and me not doing much birding outside Derbyshire in Winter it was nice to study these birds at close range. A cracking little Goose!
As I've been doing a lot of dawn till dusk birding lately I thought this was a good choice. When the evening sun goes down, from the legendary Half man half biscuit.
And if our plans (that's me and Chris) to try out every roadside cafe in the county comes true then maybe this song will become quite apt. Some might say it already has. Carter USM singing You Fat Bastard!.
Well in the normal scheme of things I would have had to agree that the chances of seeing one was as remote as Mrs Cant' be Arsed cooking the kids' Pasta without setting the smoke alarm off.
We were standing there on Thursday morning watching a few Skylarks and Wood Pigeons go over when I started scoping a tree that held Stock Doves, Goldfinches and Siskins. Through the back of the tree I noticed a small bird fluttering about. I looked at it for a split second and couldn't quite work it out. I did a double take and thought it looked good for a Hirundine. When It got nearer and then turned I could see its white rump and then realised it was a Housemartin.
I shouted out 'Housemartin'. There may have been a swear word in there too.....I can't remember. Chris said 'no way'. Again there was probably a swear word in there. Unfortunately the bird disappeared and I think Chris thought I was seeing things. Any other time of the year there wouldn't have been a problem, but on November 17th in Derbyshire surely not.
We kept on looking but there was no sign. I did start doubting it but then thought to myself hang on a minute, it was a fuckin' Housemartin, I know what a Housemartin looks like! After about 15 minutes Chris got onto it and we then both watched it for a while happily feeding before it then disappeared.
A very late record but to me that's what birding is all about. You just never know. Later that evening I found out it wasn't the latest ever for the county. That honour goes to Drakelow which had one on November 23rd in 1997.
After we left Wyver we went up to Barbrook which was a little quiet apart from some Fieldfare and a couple of flyover Redpoll and Reed Bunting. Whilst we were there we got news of some Bean Geese down at Willington. We were a long way off, but Chris, as I, was keen on seeing these Derbyshire rarities. So we set off down to Willington...a total of 43 miles. We got to platform 4 just after 14.00 but there was no sign and hadn't been for quite a while. We stuck it out until dusk hoping they might come into roost but they never did.
The following morning I again met up with Chris and headed down to Willington in hope the Geese were still knocking about. We couldn't have timed it any better. We arrived on platform 4 where there were already several birders. We'd not been there 5 minutes when not 6 that had been there the previous day but 7 (Tundra) Bean Geese dropped in. Having never seen Bean Geese before mainly due to them being quite scarce in Derbyshire and me not doing much birding outside Derbyshire in Winter it was nice to study these birds at close range. A cracking little Goose!
As I've been doing a lot of dawn till dusk birding lately I thought this was a good choice. When the evening sun goes down, from the legendary Half man half biscuit.
And if our plans (that's me and Chris) to try out every roadside cafe in the county comes true then maybe this song will become quite apt. Some might say it already has. Carter USM singing You Fat Bastard!.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Of dodgy origin?
Clive told me yesterday that he had seen a Great (Intentional posting of Great intimating that it probaby aint that great due to its origin...especially for Clive) Partridge drop in near Sheepwash Hide and that another birder had seen a very obliging one on Stones Island. Yes, it or they probably are dodgy, but unless somebody can catergorically tell me 100% that they have been released from somewhere then I'm sticking 'em on me list. The fact that it got within about 6ft of me and was expecting me to throw some grain down isn't gonna make me untick it either. A few dodgy photos of it below......
There I was sitting in the hide readying myself for the Gull roost....something you wouldn't have heard me say a few years back. The Gulls were building up nicely in front of the hide and there were literally 1000's already in around 14.30. I'd already picked out 5 Yellow-legged Gulls and I thought I could be in for a bumper count. That was until some twats with guns started blasting the hell out of whatever they were shooting at the North end of the res. The Gulls understandably not wanting to get peppered with shot then buggered off to the south of the res. I walked down to Lane End hide but with distant views and in fog I was wasting my time.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Bewick's photos
Here's a few photos of the Wyver Lane Bewick's Swans courtesy of Richard Taylor. Many thanks, Richard.
The first two were taken this morning on the main pool. The third is of them not on the main pool.
Some good 'local' Birding
It's something I've probably mentioned in several of my posts, but birding in Derbyshire can be hard bloody work at the best of times. However, the last few days have been quite productive and has even included a site tick....but only just. It hasn't included any megas or even rares but just some good solid birds.
I'll start off with Saturday down Wyver Lane and a bit of vis migging again. Every time I type/or write down the word migging I keep wanting to type/write Mrs Miggins from Blackadder. During the couple of hours I was watching/listening I didn't get many specie, but did have 950 Wood Pigeons, 33 Skylark and 2 Yellowhammer. The latter being a quite a scarcity for Wyver. The funny thing about Yellowhammer is that despite me having been going down Wyver for about 10 years all my Yellowhammer records have been over the past 12 months. Simply because now I'm more than confident with the call whereas before I hadn't really got a clue.
The following day (Sunday) is a day I rarely get out birding because Mrs Can't be Arsed always finds things for me to do. Now I don't mind as a rule but if something half decent turns up then I'm generally buggered. This Sunday however was different because Mrs Can't be Arsed was taking our lad to some Remembrance thing to do with Cubs and then taking our girl to a party. I hope she got them the right way round because I had visions of our daughter singing 'If you're happy and you know it' during the two minutes silence. So with a pass out Chris picked me up and we headed down Wyver lane.
We were greeted with thick fog on our arrival and before we went to the viewing mound we had a count of what was on the main pool......68 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon and c300 BH Gull. We had a couple of good bits from the mound. Firstly a Sparrowhawk appeared followed by a Peregrine. Then the Sparrowhawk was chasing the Peregrine. Then 2 Ravens appeared and had a battle with the Peregrine. All good stuff.
After the fog had cleared we attempted to go up to the moors. Although we didn't quite make it to the moors because it was still a pea souper up there we did get a nice surprise on the way. We were heading through North Matlock when just under the fog flew 11 Bewick's Swans. What was probably less surprising was that 11 Bewick's Swans had been at Carsington and had left flying North.
Because of the fog we turned around and headed for the afore mentioned Carsington. Again we had a good selection of birds....Female Pintail, Common Scoter, 350+ Golden Plover, 21 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, Oystercatcher, adult Med Gull and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls.
Yesterday was another trip to Carsington and a meet up with Clive. As Clive had a slight hangover I gave him a few hours off so It was down to me to find all the birds. I didn't really notice anything different to be honest. There were tons of Golden Plover near the Sailing Club so with a joint effort we got to 349...I think Clive got the 9. There was also 27 Dunlin and 6 Snipe there. We had a quick amble around Stones Island which was a good choice when we heard and saw a Greenshank...the first ever November record of Greenshank at Carsington.
We made our way around to Sheepwash where we (well I) picked out 3 Whooper Swans. Also 3 Pintail, Common Scoter, 2 Goosander, 6 Goldeneye, 92 Linnets, a few more Golden Plover and a Peregrine. The Whooper Swans buggered off around 10.30. The Gull roost held the adult Med Gull, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and a Herring Gull.
Whilst I was there I got a text that there was 2 Bewick's Swans at Wyver Lane. With Wyver being my local patch I was more than keen on checking them out. Especially as they would be a site tick. Trouble was I wasn't getting picked up until about 16.10 and with little light left it was a race against time. I have to say that I was a little sceptical at first because of some of the crap that gets spouted down there but I had to check them out. We raced down there with it getting darker and darker and by the time I jumped out of the car which was still moving I could just make out 4 Swans on the main pool. The first two I set eyes on were Mute Swans, but there were 2 more at the back of the pool fast asleep. I had a bit of a dilemma, there was no way I could ID them with their heads tucked in. So I clapped my hands twice and they woke up revealing themselves. Yes, get in! They were indeed Bewick's Swans, a site tick and the first record for Wyver since 1990 when I was a wee teenager and when there was only one type of bird I was interested in.
I'm gonna cut this post off very soon 'cos I'm getting bored, I want my tea and England are on soon. I was heading down Wyver again this morning in the hope that the Bewick's would still be there giving me a chance for some photos. Unfortunately I received a text that they were still there until being flushed by a JCB and had left. Oh well, I'll have to wait another 21 years for the next ones. By which time I'll be 60 and probably being helped down there by my carer. Today was notable for a very high Teal count. 144 in total and 7 Shoveler and a Gadwall.
I'll start off with Saturday down Wyver Lane and a bit of vis migging again. Every time I type/or write down the word migging I keep wanting to type/write Mrs Miggins from Blackadder. During the couple of hours I was watching/listening I didn't get many specie, but did have 950 Wood Pigeons, 33 Skylark and 2 Yellowhammer. The latter being a quite a scarcity for Wyver. The funny thing about Yellowhammer is that despite me having been going down Wyver for about 10 years all my Yellowhammer records have been over the past 12 months. Simply because now I'm more than confident with the call whereas before I hadn't really got a clue.
The following day (Sunday) is a day I rarely get out birding because Mrs Can't be Arsed always finds things for me to do. Now I don't mind as a rule but if something half decent turns up then I'm generally buggered. This Sunday however was different because Mrs Can't be Arsed was taking our lad to some Remembrance thing to do with Cubs and then taking our girl to a party. I hope she got them the right way round because I had visions of our daughter singing 'If you're happy and you know it' during the two minutes silence. So with a pass out Chris picked me up and we headed down Wyver lane.
We were greeted with thick fog on our arrival and before we went to the viewing mound we had a count of what was on the main pool......68 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 3 Wigeon and c300 BH Gull. We had a couple of good bits from the mound. Firstly a Sparrowhawk appeared followed by a Peregrine. Then the Sparrowhawk was chasing the Peregrine. Then 2 Ravens appeared and had a battle with the Peregrine. All good stuff.
After the fog had cleared we attempted to go up to the moors. Although we didn't quite make it to the moors because it was still a pea souper up there we did get a nice surprise on the way. We were heading through North Matlock when just under the fog flew 11 Bewick's Swans. What was probably less surprising was that 11 Bewick's Swans had been at Carsington and had left flying North.
Because of the fog we turned around and headed for the afore mentioned Carsington. Again we had a good selection of birds....Female Pintail, Common Scoter, 350+ Golden Plover, 21 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, Oystercatcher, adult Med Gull and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls.
Yesterday was another trip to Carsington and a meet up with Clive. As Clive had a slight hangover I gave him a few hours off so It was down to me to find all the birds. I didn't really notice anything different to be honest. There were tons of Golden Plover near the Sailing Club so with a joint effort we got to 349...I think Clive got the 9. There was also 27 Dunlin and 6 Snipe there. We had a quick amble around Stones Island which was a good choice when we heard and saw a Greenshank...the first ever November record of Greenshank at Carsington.
We made our way around to Sheepwash where we (well I) picked out 3 Whooper Swans. Also 3 Pintail, Common Scoter, 2 Goosander, 6 Goldeneye, 92 Linnets, a few more Golden Plover and a Peregrine. The Whooper Swans buggered off around 10.30. The Gull roost held the adult Med Gull, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and a Herring Gull.
Whilst I was there I got a text that there was 2 Bewick's Swans at Wyver Lane. With Wyver being my local patch I was more than keen on checking them out. Especially as they would be a site tick. Trouble was I wasn't getting picked up until about 16.10 and with little light left it was a race against time. I have to say that I was a little sceptical at first because of some of the crap that gets spouted down there but I had to check them out. We raced down there with it getting darker and darker and by the time I jumped out of the car which was still moving I could just make out 4 Swans on the main pool. The first two I set eyes on were Mute Swans, but there were 2 more at the back of the pool fast asleep. I had a bit of a dilemma, there was no way I could ID them with their heads tucked in. So I clapped my hands twice and they woke up revealing themselves. Yes, get in! They were indeed Bewick's Swans, a site tick and the first record for Wyver since 1990 when I was a wee teenager and when there was only one type of bird I was interested in.
I'm gonna cut this post off very soon 'cos I'm getting bored, I want my tea and England are on soon. I was heading down Wyver again this morning in the hope that the Bewick's would still be there giving me a chance for some photos. Unfortunately I received a text that they were still there until being flushed by a JCB and had left. Oh well, I'll have to wait another 21 years for the next ones. By which time I'll be 60 and probably being helped down there by my carer. Today was notable for a very high Teal count. 144 in total and 7 Shoveler and a Gadwall.
Saturday, 12 November 2011
The humble Skylark
I can't really put my finger on what it is about the Skylark that makes me feel good to be alive. But, on the many occasions over the Autumn that I've been vis migging down Wyver Lane, the Skylark always give me the most pleasure whenever I hear them overhead. It's been a very good Autumn for me personally with some very big counts of Meadow Pipits (540+ in late September), Stock Dove (86 only last week), Wood Pigeon (almost a 1000 today), Skylark (101 back in October) and another 33 Skylark today. But regardless of figures it's always the Skylark that appeals most.
With the numbers that have been recorded over the Autumn, not just by me but across the UK it's easy to forget how much the Skylark has declined as a breeding bird in Britain. However, most of the birds that have been passing over head recently will be migrants from Northern and Eastern Europe.
When vis migging, I, like most others I guess are listening out for that little gem. Whether it be a Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, a rare Pipit or something else, but the humble Skylark will always do it for me.
Anyway, nice to see England beat the current World and European Champions, Spain tonight. England have only lost 6 out of our last 42 games. But I guess it's the games that matter that counts.
A couple of classics from the Cockney Rejects and The4 Skins.
With the numbers that have been recorded over the Autumn, not just by me but across the UK it's easy to forget how much the Skylark has declined as a breeding bird in Britain. However, most of the birds that have been passing over head recently will be migrants from Northern and Eastern Europe.
When vis migging, I, like most others I guess are listening out for that little gem. Whether it be a Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, a rare Pipit or something else, but the humble Skylark will always do it for me.
Anyway, nice to see England beat the current World and European Champions, Spain tonight. England have only lost 6 out of our last 42 games. But I guess it's the games that matter that counts.
A couple of classics from the Cockney Rejects and The4 Skins.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Quality over Quantity
There's really no excuse for the lack of posts for the past few days especially with it getting dark about lunchtime, but as the title of the blog says....sometimes I just Can't be Arsed. What a miserable week it's been. I still don't know if fog and mist are the same thing but if not then we've had both all week.
I often say that the Moors is more about Quality than Quantity and that was more than evident yesterday. We had a quick look at the Great Grey Shrike down at Wragg's and then headed off to Beeley. On Saturday there had been a Lapland Bunting and a Woodlark there...both good county birds. Anyway, we took a walk up and in an hour all we had was 2 Stonechats and a Skylark. On our way back we both stopped, I looked round to see a Raptor heading our way. As it got closer we could clearly see that it was a cream headed Marsh Harrier. It drifted over us and then over the road towards Harland Edge. We then lost it in the gloom and didn't see it again.
Carsington this week has been steady if nothing else. The one notable thing has been the increase in Golden Plover. Yesterday we had 276 which is the highest count since 2002 when there was 400. The only other better figures are c1'100 in 1992 and 544 in 1996.
Talking of good counts I was down Wyver with Chris on Tuesday who was on form again...the less said about that the better and we had a site record of 86 Stock Doves. The previous best was 56 on New Years Eve 1977. The same year as that fat burger eating twat Elvis died. That's another couple of readers I've lost.
Today down Wyver again I got a bit of a shock as I was walking down the lane towards the viewing mound. I was about 15 yards or so from the mound and I could hear a bit of a commotion in the undergrowth. I stopped dead to have a closer look when a female Sparrohawk shot out with a very pissed off looking Blackbird. The Sparrowhawk not knowing I was there flew towards me and then realised my large frame was in the way so made a quick detour over the hedge. Very nearly a brown trouser moment.
As I shall be consuming some Alcohol later on today I thought I would post a song about it. Peter and the Test Tube Babies singing Alcohol. Also, as I mentioned Elvis I may aswell post Elvis is dead by the same band.
I often say that the Moors is more about Quality than Quantity and that was more than evident yesterday. We had a quick look at the Great Grey Shrike down at Wragg's and then headed off to Beeley. On Saturday there had been a Lapland Bunting and a Woodlark there...both good county birds. Anyway, we took a walk up and in an hour all we had was 2 Stonechats and a Skylark. On our way back we both stopped, I looked round to see a Raptor heading our way. As it got closer we could clearly see that it was a cream headed Marsh Harrier. It drifted over us and then over the road towards Harland Edge. We then lost it in the gloom and didn't see it again.
Carsington this week has been steady if nothing else. The one notable thing has been the increase in Golden Plover. Yesterday we had 276 which is the highest count since 2002 when there was 400. The only other better figures are c1'100 in 1992 and 544 in 1996.
Talking of good counts I was down Wyver with Chris on Tuesday who was on form again...the less said about that the better and we had a site record of 86 Stock Doves. The previous best was 56 on New Years Eve 1977. The same year as that fat burger eating twat Elvis died. That's another couple of readers I've lost.
Today down Wyver again I got a bit of a shock as I was walking down the lane towards the viewing mound. I was about 15 yards or so from the mound and I could hear a bit of a commotion in the undergrowth. I stopped dead to have a closer look when a female Sparrohawk shot out with a very pissed off looking Blackbird. The Sparrowhawk not knowing I was there flew towards me and then realised my large frame was in the way so made a quick detour over the hedge. Very nearly a brown trouser moment.
As I shall be consuming some Alcohol later on today I thought I would post a song about it. Peter and the Test Tube Babies singing Alcohol. Also, as I mentioned Elvis I may aswell post Elvis is dead by the same band.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Squacco in Derbyshire!
Although I was more than happy in seeing my first ever Squacco Heron early last week I never saw in Notts so I went with Chris on Thursday for another look and hopefully see it in Derbyshire. Luckily for us and unlike Tuesday it was showing when we arrived.....although on the Notts side again. After a while it flew up river and out of sight. After another while Chris who was standing slightly down the bank to the right spotted it perched up in a bush on the Deryshire side of the river. I quickly made my way down to see it for a few seconds before it flew back onto the Notts side.
I'd probably never have lived it down if i'd not seen it in Derbyshire as nearly everybody else had. And with the last one being in 1874 I doubt I'll get another chance again. 1874 was in fact a great year, it was the year that the mighty Aston Villa were formed. But whilst the mighty Aston Villa still lives on, the 1874 Squacco wasn't so lucky and was shot on the banks of the River Dove.
The Heron takes me to 207 for Derbyshire. Not bad considering this time last year I hadn't even got to 200. One of the birds I've had since I reached 200 is Great White Egret. I missed the one at Wyver Lane in 2005 which still pisses me off but managed to see one at Carr Vale earlier in the year. I saw a second one the other day when I went to Barrow GP's with Chris. Also 2 Little Egrets.
I was out with Chris again on Friday and our first port of call was Wyver Lane. Nothing of note so I'll move swiftly on. We went up to Leash Fen/Ramsley Res but no sign of the Great Grey Shrike. In fact it was very quiet up there apart from a Stonechat.
Right then the next bit has pissed me off a lot. We moved on to Wragg's Quarry near Beeley to hopefully see the Shrike that has been there, and as we pulled up it was sitting in one of its usual perches. However, by the time we had gotten out of the car there was no sign. We had a good look around but there was no sign except for a Stonechat. Beyond the trees where it usualy sits the moor drops away so can't be seen from the road so we guessed it might have gone there. Approximately 50 yards further up the road past the layby there is a gate and a public footpath. Although it's onto the moor it's obviously a well used footpath. We went through the gate and walked a little way.....say about 30 yards but there was no sign of the Shrike so walked back.
We then heard that it had flown across the road and was feeding there. It had obviously done this prior to us going through the gate. We walked back to the road and watched it distantly for a while before it flew back to its original spot. We watched it for a while there and then we left. So despite us walking a little way on a public footpath how fucked off was I when I read on Bird Forum that we'd been accused of 'chasing' the bird and 'tresspassing' too. I'm not having a go at the poster as such but the person or persons who told them that we were 'chasing' and tresspassing'.
If the person or persons that were there had a problem then why didn't they say something to us. Probably because they really knew that we were doing nothing wrong. I can't ever recall me or the person I was with ever breaking the 'Birdwatchers' Code' and we have no intention of doing so in the future and certainly didn't on Friday.
Morrissey singing Why don't you find out for yourself
We had the last hour or so down Harewood Moor and the only thing of note was small flocks of Fieldfare, Redwing and Lesser Redpoll.
I'd probably never have lived it down if i'd not seen it in Derbyshire as nearly everybody else had. And with the last one being in 1874 I doubt I'll get another chance again. 1874 was in fact a great year, it was the year that the mighty Aston Villa were formed. But whilst the mighty Aston Villa still lives on, the 1874 Squacco wasn't so lucky and was shot on the banks of the River Dove.
The Heron takes me to 207 for Derbyshire. Not bad considering this time last year I hadn't even got to 200. One of the birds I've had since I reached 200 is Great White Egret. I missed the one at Wyver Lane in 2005 which still pisses me off but managed to see one at Carr Vale earlier in the year. I saw a second one the other day when I went to Barrow GP's with Chris. Also 2 Little Egrets.
I was out with Chris again on Friday and our first port of call was Wyver Lane. Nothing of note so I'll move swiftly on. We went up to Leash Fen/Ramsley Res but no sign of the Great Grey Shrike. In fact it was very quiet up there apart from a Stonechat.
Right then the next bit has pissed me off a lot. We moved on to Wragg's Quarry near Beeley to hopefully see the Shrike that has been there, and as we pulled up it was sitting in one of its usual perches. However, by the time we had gotten out of the car there was no sign. We had a good look around but there was no sign except for a Stonechat. Beyond the trees where it usualy sits the moor drops away so can't be seen from the road so we guessed it might have gone there. Approximately 50 yards further up the road past the layby there is a gate and a public footpath. Although it's onto the moor it's obviously a well used footpath. We went through the gate and walked a little way.....say about 30 yards but there was no sign of the Shrike so walked back.
We then heard that it had flown across the road and was feeding there. It had obviously done this prior to us going through the gate. We walked back to the road and watched it distantly for a while before it flew back to its original spot. We watched it for a while there and then we left. So despite us walking a little way on a public footpath how fucked off was I when I read on Bird Forum that we'd been accused of 'chasing' the bird and 'tresspassing' too. I'm not having a go at the poster as such but the person or persons who told them that we were 'chasing' and tresspassing'.
If the person or persons that were there had a problem then why didn't they say something to us. Probably because they really knew that we were doing nothing wrong. I can't ever recall me or the person I was with ever breaking the 'Birdwatchers' Code' and we have no intention of doing so in the future and certainly didn't on Friday.
Morrissey singing Why don't you find out for yourself
We had the last hour or so down Harewood Moor and the only thing of note was small flocks of Fieldfare, Redwing and Lesser Redpoll.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Squacco Heron Part 2
With the Squacco Heron now having been there for 5 days I was more than keen to get over and see it. The trouble being, Karen was busy and Clive had cried off with man flu. So I went down Wyver Lane fully expecting to be there for the duration and to be bored shitless. Luckily for me around 10.00 a dosed up on Ibuprofen Clive turned up. So we made our way to Attenborough and arrived on site at around 11.15 to be told that it had just flown up river.
We heard murmurings that it often did this but would eventually come back to its favoured feeding area. It did but after almost 3 hours. In fact, depsite there being a 30+ strong crowd it was Clive who first spotted it. Simply because anybody who was over 5ft, which was everybobdy except Clive could not have seen it as it appeared in the distance but just viewable under the bridge.
There was only a small gap where the bird was viewable so a few at a time took it turns either on their knees or squatting down. It must have made Clive feel quite lofty. After a while it flew a little nearer enabling us all to getting better clearer views. My second lifer in less than a week following the Isabelline Shrike on Friday. The disappointing aspect of it was 1. I never did see it actually in Derbyshire, and 2. I left my camera at my brother's house at the weekend. I did manage a few useless shots with my phone through my scope which are very crap record shots at best.
We heard murmurings that it often did this but would eventually come back to its favoured feeding area. It did but after almost 3 hours. In fact, depsite there being a 30+ strong crowd it was Clive who first spotted it. Simply because anybody who was over 5ft, which was everybobdy except Clive could not have seen it as it appeared in the distance but just viewable under the bridge.
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