Latest Sightings 20/11/2013

Carsington Water: Adult Great Northern Diver still, also adult Kittiwake briefly.

Latest Sightings 14/11/2013

Carsington Water: Adult Great Northern Diver, 2 Grey Herons, 15 Cormorants, 4 Bewick's Swans, 2 Shoveler, 154 Pochard, Peregrine, Buzzard, Kestrel, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Herring Gull, Tawny Owl, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, 290 Starlings, 2 Ravens, c50 Rooks.

Kedleston Park: 5 Whooper Swans, Kingfisher.

Padfield: 60 Pink-footed Geese.

Latest Sightings 13/11/2013

Carsington Water: Adult Great Northern Diver, 2 Grey Herons, 15 Cormorants, 2 Gadwall, 149 Pochard, 12 Goldeneye, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, 237 Lapwings, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Herring Gull, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, 16 Collared Doves, 250 Starlings, Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 3 Greenfinches, 18 Blackbirds, 34 Redwings.

Linacre Res: Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Cormorant, 28 Mandarin, 37 Wigeon, 45 Tufted Ducks, 2 Buzzards, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Grey Wagtails, 300 Fieldfares, 15 Redwings, 11 Crossbills.

Hurst Res: Whooper Swan.

Ogston Res: Female Common Scoter.

Latest Sightings 12/11/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Little Grebe, 2 Cormorants, c50 Greylag Geese, Shoveler, 18 Teal, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Water Rail, 164 BH Gulls, 7 Stock Doves, 6 Meadow Pipits, 2 Skylarks, 6 Fieldfares, Grey Wagtail, Willow Tit, 49 Starlings, 2 Song Thrush, 7 Blackbirds, 2 Jays, Treecreeper, 3 Reed Buntings.

Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, Green Sandpiper, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 4 Skylark.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at Wragg's Quarry.

Willington GP's: Female Common Scoter this afternoon.

Drakelow NR: 98 Cormorants, 485 Starlings.

Avenue Washlands: 2 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 10 Teal, 13 Snipe, 2 Yellowhammers, 6 Reed Buntings.

Thulston: 2 Kestrels, 2 Red-legged Partridges, 7 Grey Partridge, 145 Fieldfares, 13 Redwings, 24 Starlings.

Latest Sightings 11/11/2013

Carsington Water: Adult Great Northern Diver, 2 Grey Herons, 14 Cormorants, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 11 Goldeneye, Sparrowhawk, 7 Snipe, Redshank, 2 Kittiwakes in the roost (ad & 1st w), 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, 1st w GBB Gull, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, 400 Starlings.

Willington GP's: Spotted Redshank flew SW this morning.

Latest Sightings 10/11/2013

Derby: 8 Whooper Swans over Derby Bus Station.

Ogston Res: Short-eared Owl through this morning.

Willington GP's: Glossy Ibis briefly this morning before flying towards the River Trent.

Latest Sightings 09/11/2013

Carsington Water: Adult Great Northern Diver.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at Wragg's Quarry.

Willington GP's: Juv Gannet flew SW at 10.45hrs. Little Egret, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 350 Starlings, 3 Lesser Redpoll.

Drakelow NR: 128 Cormorants, Peregrine, Water Rail, 2 Tawny Owls, Chiffchaff, 385 Starling.

Willington PS: 2 Peregrines on cooling towers.

Latest Sightings 08/11/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 12 Canada Geese, Cormorant, 35 Teal, 4 Shoveler, Mandarin, 2 Tufted Ducks, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, 2 Water Rails, 12 Moorhens, 278 BH Gulls, male Stonechat, 2 Skylarks, 4 Meadow Pipits, 10 Wrens, Grey Wagtail, 13 Long-tailed Tits, Brambling, 2 Jays, G.S.Woodpecker, Redpoll, 2 Reed Buntings, Raven.

Ogston Res: Glossy Ibis this afternoon then flushed and no sign by dusk.

Greave's Piece: 1110 Fieldfares, 23 Brambling, 6 Jays.

Leash Fen: 200 Pink-footed Geese over E, 2 Ravens.

Latest Sightings 07/11/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Little Grebes, 9 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 39 Canada Geese, 6 Shoveler, 5 Mandarin, 61 Mallards, 59 Teal, 3 Water Rails, 13 Moorhens, 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, 9 Snipe, 203 BH Gulls, Little Owl, 2 Grey Wagtails, 7 Great Tits, 11 Blue Tits, 10 Wrens, 6 Blackbirds, 3 Dunnocks, 6 Robins, Green Woodpecker, G.S.Woodpecker, Song Thrush, 29 Stock Doves, Meadow Pipit, Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail, 2 Jays, Goldcrest, 4 Goldfinches, Redpoll, 2 Reed Buntings.

Abbey Hill Flash: 3 Grey Herons, Goosander, 17 Teal, Wigeon, 12 Tufted Ducks, 15 Coots, Moorhen, Muscovy Duck, 47 Mallards, 68 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Sparrowhawks, Kestrel, 2 Buzzards, c30 Linnets, 144 BH Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, and just for Chris.....111 Feral Pigeons.

Goyt Valley: Snow Bunting for 4th day at Stake Side Farm near Shining Tor at c.SK000729.

Ogston Reservoir: Glossy Ibis early morning only.

Latest Sightings 06/11/2013

Carsington Water: 2 Grey Herons, 14 Cormorants, 2 Goldeneye, 81 Pochard, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Green Sandpiper, 'Brutus' the Yellow-legged Gull killed and ate a 1st winter BH Gull, 2 Kingfishers, 20+ Meadow Pipits, 485 Wood Pigeons, 270 Starlings, 12 Fieldfares.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike at Wragg's Quarry.

Ogston Res: Glossy Ibis arrived and landed on the west bank late afternoon.

Latest Sightings 05/11/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Adult Whooper Swan briefly late morning, 9 Cormorants, 2 Little Grebes, Grey Heron, 56 Canada Geese, 24 Greylag Geese, 47 Teal, 7 Shoveler, Tufted Duck, 3 Goosanders, Buzzard, Kestrel, 13 Moorhens, 66 BH Gulls, 7 Herring Gulls, 30 Starlings, 9 Fieldfares, Raven.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at Wragg's Quarry.

Latest Sightings 04/11/2013

Carsington Water: 3 Grey Herons, 14 Cormorants, Pintail, 5 Goldeneye, 100 Pochard, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 204 Lapwings, Redshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 106 Common Gulls, 2 GBB Gulls, Herring Gull, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, 11 Meadow Pipits, 13 Bullfinch, Raven.

Staunton Harold Res: Adult Caspian Gull, also adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike at Wragg's Quarry.

Shooters Clough: Snow Bunting on Stakeside Path, Peregrine.

Chapel-en-le-Frith: 130 Pink-footed Geese.

Barrow-on-Trent: 89 Greylag Geese, 205 Canada Geese.

Littleover: 78 Pied Wagtails.

Beeley Moor: Merlin.

Bumper Castle: 24 Brambling.

Drakelow NR: 106 Cormorants, Little Egret, Peregrine.

Latest Sightings 03/11/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Little Grebes, 5 Cormorants, 48 Teal, 8 Shoveler, Grey Wagtail, Green Woodpecker.
 
Bakewell: Glossy Ibis again in flooded field by A6; park in Bakewell and walk south for about half a mile, please do not park by A6. Still around the area late afternoon but mobile.

Wragg's Quarry: Great Grey Shrike present today.

Hayfield: 150 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Ravens, Kingfisher.

Drakelow NR: Little Egret, 36 Shoveler, Peregrine, Kestrel, 3 Sparrowhawk, 6 Buzzards, 11 Snipe, Jack Snipe, Curlew, Whinchat, 2 Goldcrests.

Latest Sightings 02/11/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebes, Cormorant, 25 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Snipe, 108 BH Gulls, 22 LBB Gulls, Common Gull, Grey Wagtail, 2 Treecreepers, 13 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Jays, 6 Magpies, 145 Wood Pigeons, 5 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 192 Fieldfares, 13 Redwings, Brambling.

Carsington Water: Immature Scaup off Stones Island.

Bakewell: Glossy Ibis flew over flooded field by River Wye late morning then flew southeast c.SK218689. Then flew south over town centre mid-afternoon at 14.20hrs.

Middleton Moor: Merlin, Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, Stonechat.

Cathole: 190 Fieldfare, 43 Redwing, 4 Bullfinch.

Harewood Grange: 14 Brambling.

Willington GP's: Marsh Harrier still present.

Latest Sightings 01/11/2013

Carsington Water: 5 Goldeneye, Dunlin, Snipe, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, 3+ Brambling.

Middleton Moor: 115 Teal, 4 Golden Plover, 32 Snipe.

Padfield: 170 Pink-footed Geese, 3400 Wood Pigeons.

Linacre Res: 31 Mandarin, 107 Mallards, 50 Tufted Ducks, 16 Crossbills.

Goyt Valley: 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Nuthatches, 2 Ravens, 30 Chaffinches, 4 Brambling, 25 Crossbills.

Latest Sightings 31/10/2013

Willington GP's: Male Marsh Harrier still present.

Latest Sightings 30/10/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Cormorant, 2 Little Grebes, Grey Heron, Water Rail, 5 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 30 Tea, Goosander, 3 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, Sparrowhawk, 78 BH Gulls, Common Gull, Grey Wagtail, 8 Stock Doves, 13 Goldfinches. Visible Migration= 149 Wood Pigeons, 5 Meadow Pipits, 29 Skylarks, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 9 Redpoll, Brambling, 14 Siskins, 11 Fieldfares.

Willington GP's: Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 4 Water Rails, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 32 Redwing, 4 Cetti's Warblers, Blackcap, raven.

Drakelow NR: 91 Cormorants.

Latest Sightings 29/10/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Little Grebe, 26 Canada Geese, imm Mute Swan, Cormorant, 8 Mandarin, 4 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 7 Moorhens, 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 9 Snipe, 56 Lapwings, 152 BH Gulls, Grey Wagtail, Green Woodpecker, 56 Meadow Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 37 Fieldfares, 164 Wood Pigeons, 8 Chaffinches, 6 Linnets, 3 Greenfinches, 11 Skylarks, Brambling, 4 Siskins, 2 Redpoll, 2 Crossbills, Reed Bunting, Goldcrest.

Carsington Water: 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Herring Gull, Grey Wagtail.

Latest Sightings 28/10/2013

Carsington Water: Green-winged Teal, Garganey, 2 Shelduck, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, 18 Cormorants, Kestrel, Buzzard, 3 Dunlin, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, Grey Wagtail, 5 Ravens.

Drakelow NR: 137 Cormorants, 11 Goosanders, 350 BH Gulls.

Latest Sightings 27/10/2013

Carsington Water: Drake Green-winged Teal still at the Wildlife Centre.

Willington GP's: Male Marsh Harrier from Platform 4 this morning.

Drakelow NR: 131 Cormorants, 12 Litte Egrets, 54 Tufted Ducks, 80 Stock Doves, 150 Jackdaws, 300 Carrion Crows.

Crumbling Economy

It is with great regret that I give you this sombre news this evening. The Chancellor of the Exchequer The Rt. Hon. George Osbourne, MP said it was a dark day for the UK and a recession was inevitable. The London Stock Exchange (FTSE) finished at its lowest value ever this evening since the index was started in January 1984. And the Bank Of England's Governor Mark Carney said there were very worrying times ahead. Even the Dow Jones in the USA is starting to feel the pinch.

The reason behind these worrying times is that Chris hasn't been birding for a couple of weeks and many establishments like The Gourmet Wagon and Mcdonalds have seen their profits tumble. A spokesperson for The Gourmet Wagon was quoted tonight as saying 'If Mr Brown doesn't get a car soon and get back into birding then we will have to relieve many members of staff of their duties. Our profits have fallen by over 50% and we find that on an almost daily basis we are throwing away tons of Bacon and Sausage which is criminal when there are millions of starving people across the world'. 'If Mr Brown doesn't start to visit us again soon then I'm afraid redundancies are inevitable'.

There was similar reaction at a nearby Mcdonalds today when assistant manager and mother of 9, Tracy Smith said. 'Since Mr Brown has stopped coming to our restaurants buying our extra large meals we have unfortunately had to close several premises which has resulted in the loss of over 30 jobs'. 'Although on a more positive note the Chicken population has increased ten fold due to the lack of Chicken Nuggets being bought. 'But British Farmers are also another group which are losing out with field after a field of potatoes rotting away due to Mr Brown not buying our fries'. A Farmer's spokesperson said tonight. 'Oooh ahhh, I am a cider drinker'

Latest Sightings 26/10/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 7 Cormorants, c400 Pink-footed Geese SE at 10.29hrs, 38 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 11 Shoveler, 8 Moorhens, Water Rail, Buzzard, Kestrel, 72 Lapwings, Grey Wagtail, 2 Jays, Chiffchaff, 18 Siskins, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 207 Wood Pigeons, 7 Meadow Pipits, 84 Redwings, 86 Fieldfares, 4 Skylarks, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Chaffinch. 4 Redpoll, 3 Mistle Thrush.

Carsington Water: Drake Green-winged Teal at Paul Stanley Hide.

Beresford Dale: 12 Bramblings.

Kedleston Hall: Peregrine.

Carr Vale NR: Marsh Harrier, also 6 Crossbills over.

Drakelow NR: Little Egret, 250 Greylag Geese, 48 Gadwall, Peregrine.

Willington GP's: Marsh Harrier p.m, 2 Black-tailed Godwits.

Latest Sightings 25/10/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 96 Greylag Geese, Mute Swan, 3 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 4 Mandarin, 33 Teal, 74 Mallards, 8 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, Goosander, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 4 Snipe, 65 Lapwings, 170 BH Gulls, 6 LBB Gulls, Common Gull, 11 Stock Doves, 122 Starlings, 45 Redwings, 20 Fieldfares, 2 Grey Wagtails, 7 'alba' Wagtails, 114 Wood Pigeons, 16 Meadow Pipits, 3 Skylarks, 2 Bramblings, 10 Siskins, 17 Goldfinches, 2 Ravens, Treecreeper.

Carsington Water: Drake Green-winged Teal still at the Wildlife Centre.

Drakelow NR: 129 Cormorants, 36 Gadwall, Peregrine,14 Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, 70 Stock Doves.  

Latest Sightings 24/10/2013

Carsington Water: Drake Green-winged Teal still at the Wildlife Centre, juv Garganey at Sheepwash, 12 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 8 Greylag Geese, 3 Goosanders, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 2 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, c250 Lapwings, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, Herring Gull, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Skylark, 15 Meadow Pipits, 85 Starlings, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Siskins, Raven.

Latest Sightings 23/10/2013

Carsington Water: Drake Green-winged Teal at the Wildlife Centre, Juv Garganey at Sheepwash, Grey Heron, 14 Cormorants, 150 Canada Geese, 17 Greylag Geese, 8 Gadwall, 2 Goosanders, Goldeneye, 255 Pochard, 3 Buzzards, 5 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, c300 Lapwings, Ringed Plover, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, 4 Skylarks, Kingfisher, 21 Meadow Pipits, Stonechat, 125 Starlings.

Axe Edge: 30 Fieldfares, 2 Ravens, 86 Goldfinches.

High Edge: 45 Golden Plovers.

Drakelow NR: 142 Cormorants, 80 Stock Doves.

Willington GP's: Black-tailed Godwit.

Carr Vale NR: 48 Teal, 165 Mallards, 31 Gadwall, 66 Wigeon, Shoveler, Pochard, 4 Snipe, 15 Golden Plovers.  

Latest Sightings 22/10/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Cormorants, Grey Herons, 46 Mallards, 18 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 3 Mandarin, 2 Buzzards, 3 Snipe, Common Gull, 70 Redwings, Jay, 17 Siskins.

Carsington Water: Drake Green-winged Teal from Sheepwash Hide. The juv Garganey also there but distant. Male Stonechat on WLC Creek.

Ogston Reservoir: Rock Pipit.

Latest Sightings 21/10/2013

Carsington Water: Drake Green-winged Teal still at the Wildlife Centre, 280 Canada Geese, 4 presumed Canada/Greylag hybrids, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Shoveler, 2 Goldeneye, 74 Pochard, Buzzard, Kestrel, 2 Ringed Plovers, Yellow-legged Gull, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Stonechat, Chiffchaff, c250 Starlings, c40 Redwings, c35 Goldfinches.

Middleton Moor: 80 Teal, 19 Lapwings, Dunlin, 42 Snipe, 5 Ravens, 1'200 Starlings.

Drakelow NR: 126 Cormorants, 9 Goosanders, 55 Meadow Pipits.  

Latest Sightings 20/10/2013

Carsington Water: Drake Green-winged Teal still present this morning near Watersports Island, also the Garganey there, 30 Greylag Geese, Arctic Tern, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 2 Sparrowhawks, Rock Pipit, 4 Golden Plovers, 465 Redwings, 200 Starlings, 63 Fieldfare, 7 Skylarks, 5 Greenfinches, 2 Redpoll, 2 Linnets.

Latest Sightings 19/10/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 57 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 35 Mallards, 9 Moorhens, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 Snipe, 278 BH Gulls, 22 LBB Gulls, 8 Stock Doves, 5 Bullfinches, Grey Wagtail, 15 Long-tailed Tits, G.S.Woodpecker,  Raven. Visible Migration: 2 Swallows, 4 'alba' Wagtails, 220 Redwings, 210 Starlings, 28 Lapwings, Fieldfare, 11 Chaffinches, Greenfinch, 3 Skylarks, 15 Crossbills.  

Carsington Water: Drake Green-winged Teal at the Wildlife Centre. Grey Phalarope seen from either Sheepwash or Lane End Hides. Also a Whooper Swan, 2 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plovers.

Latest Sightings 18/10/2013

Carsington Water: Immature Gannet from early morning up until 12.30hrs with no sign after then, Grey Heron, 15 Gadwall, Buzzard, Kestrel, 60 Lapwings, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Snipe, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, Kingfisher, c15 Meadow Pipits, 17 Fieldfares, Redpoll, c150 Jackdaws, Raven.

Latest Sightings 17/10/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Cormorant, 3 Grey Herons, 27 Greylag Geese, 7 Canada Geese, 65 Teal, 49 Mallards, 3 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 4 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 8 Moorhens, 11 Snipe, 10 Lapwings, 106 BH Gulls, 55 LBB Gulls, Common Gull, 16 'alba' Wags, Grey Wagtail, 6 Siskins, Little Owl, 20 Goldfinches, 4 Blackbirds, 7 Skylarks, 2 Jays, Kingfisher, 11 Meadow Pipits, 5 Greenfinches, 16 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Chaffinches, Brambling, Green Woodpecker, G.S.Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Stock Dove, Treecreeper. Reed Bunting.

Shiningcliffe Woods: 6 Bramblings.

Latest Sightings 16/10/2013

Carsington Water: Grey Heron, 29 Barnacle Geese, 2 Pintail, 2 Goldeneye, 6 Gadwall, 95 Pochard, Sparrowhawk, 2 Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Willow Tits, 16 Redwings.

Back on the patch today........

and it was really shit!

Latest Sightings 15/10/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Grey Herons, 110 Teal, 5 Gadwall, 2 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, Peregrine, 124 Lapwings, 5 Snipe, 350 BH Gulls, Common Gull, 23 LBB Gulls, 2 Skylarks, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Redpoll, Reed Bunting.

Carsington Water: 27 Mute Swans, Greylag Goose, Garganey, 4 Shoveler. 266 Wigeon, 14 Gadwall, 462 Teal, 100 Mallards, 176 Pochard, 448 Tufted Ducks, 2 Grey Herons, 21 Little Grebes, 34 Great  Crested Grebes, 61 Lapwings, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Kingfishers, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 8 Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher.

Latest Sightings 14/10/2013

Carsington Water: 2 Grey Herons, 15 Cormorants, 3 Pheasants, 4 Greylag Geese, Pintail, Shoveler, 4 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, 75 Common Gulls, Arctic Tern, 2 Kingfishers, Grey Wagtail, at least 2 Crossbills heard over Sheepwash Hide.

Matlock: 130 Pink-footed Geese south.

Carr Vale NR: 18 Whooper Swans.

Drakelow NR: 292 Cormorants, 65 Shoveler, Water Rail, 85 Stock Doves.

Latest Sightings 13/10/2013

Carsington Water: Great Skua from just after 10.00 until just before 12.00 when it flew NE, 3 Grey Herons, 17 Cormorants, Whooper Swan, 2 Shoveler, Pintail, Goldeneye, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 1st winter Little Gull, 2 GBB Gulls, Herring Gull, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher, Stock Dove, 3 Ravens.

Ogston Res: 6 Tundra Bean Geese arrived with Canada Geese at 13.5hrs and after circling the reservoir several times appeared to be dropping into fields N of the res but could not be relocated. 8 Whooper Swans were present from daybreak until 08.52hrs when they flew S, 2 Rock Pipits flew N at 10.03hrs, an imm drake Red-breasted Merganser flew in at 13.20hrs and remained until flushed by boats at 13.48hrs. Also 1 Barnacle Goose and 2 probable Barnacle/Canada Goose hybrids, 4 Wigeon, Shoveler, Peregrine, 1st w Yellow-legged Gull, c200 Redwings and c20 Fieldfares flew W, several Chiffchaffs and 1 Brambling.

Chesterfield: 2 Gannets flew NW over Inkerman Park at 14.50.

Long Eaton: Gannet over East at 17.50.

Tibshelf: 8 Whooper Swans over Doe Hill Flash.

Drakelow NR: 233 Cormorants, 67 Stock Doves.

Latest Sightings 12/10/2013

Carsington Water: Immature Gannet this morning, also Common Scoter, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, 19 Redwings and 3 Chiffchaffs.

Ogston Res: Juv Great Skua this afternoon between 13.50 and 14.38 when it flew into Chapel Bay and not relocated, also a juv Arctic Tern present for over an hour from 10.50, Shoveler, 3 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, Dunlin, 10+ Snipe, juv GBB Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Blackcap.

Pleasley Pit CP: Great Skua at 15.30 then flew NE.

Skua Spectacular

I haven't posted much lately but I figured that the last couple of days birding that I have had warranted at least a little mention. On Monday I went to Norfolk with Clive for a few days. Yes we got a bit of stuff but the weather was completely against us in the rarity stakes so the first few days weren't that great.

However, having looked at the forecast for our last day (thursday)  the wind was picking up considerably and changing direction so we thought seawatching could be good. 'Good' is a little understated as it was fucking mind blowing.

We knew it was gonna be good when even before we reached the beach we had 2 Arctic Skuas fly over our heads. Me being 5ft 10" I got cracking views but Clive being near ground level had to use his scope.

We got to the beach and the wind was that strong we could hardly stand up. So we managed to tuck ourselves in behind the dunes to give us a bit of protection from the worst of the elements. I don't think I've ever seen the sea quite like it was....huge wave after wave crashing onto the beach.

We started seawatching at 07.45 and carried on right through to 15.00hrs. Over 7 hours and even then it was difficult to tear ourselves away.  In that period we had amassed 140 Bonxies, 12 Arctics, adult Pom, 4+ Leach's storm Petrels, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 7 Kittiwakes, 2 Little Gulls, numerous Gannets and a Little Tern. Even 3 Lapland Buntings were obliging as they flew in and landed on the beach just in front of us. A truly mind blowing days birding and certainly up there with one of my best birding days ever.

And today really was the icing on the cake. I went up Carsi, a far cry from yesterdays Skua fest on the east coast. Well not quite. Sitting in Sheepwash Hide at c11.20hrs 2 Bonxies flew in and landed on the water. Un fuckin' believable! They sat there for about 15 mins before flying towards me where they flew around in front of the hide for a few minutes before disappearing SW. Not only a Carsington tick but also a Derbys tick. A great end to the week!

Latest Sightings 11/10/2013

Carsington Water: 2 Great Skuas flew in c11.20hrs and stayed on the water for 15 mins before flying SW, 27 Mute Swans, 18 Cormorants, 19 Little Grebes, 14 Greylag Geese, 3 Grey Herons, 324 Wigeon, 19 Gadwall, Pintail, Yellow-legged Gull, 1st w GBB Gull, Buzzard, 15 Goldfinch.

Wyver Lane NR: 16 Whooper Swans from c13.00hrs until 15.25hrs.

Ogston Res: Arctic Skua flew through S at 15.35hrs, ad Med Gull flew in at 16.18hrs, 2 Mute Swans, 4 Wigeon, Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 6+ Snipe, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, a few Redwings and Fieldfares passing through.

Willington GP's: Black-tailed Godwit, Yellow-legged Gull.

Staunton Harold Res: 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Foremark Res: Arctic Skua through and a juv Gannet.

Weston Underwood: 6 Whooper Swans.

Drakelow NR: 49 Shoveler, 4 Goosander, 2 Water Rails, House Martin, 28 Blackbirds, 918 Redwings NW, 7 Fieldfares NW, Chiffchaff, 18 Siskins.

Latest Sightings 06/10/2013

These will be last latest sightings until next Friday at least.

Wyver Lane NR: Little Egret present this evening for ten minutes.

Drakelow NR: 19 Little Egrets leaving roost SW, Pintail, 50 Shoveler, Green Sandpiper, 12 Golden Plover W, 55 Meadow Pipits, Stonechat, 40 Robins, 2 Redwing, Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests, 80 Linnets, Siskin.

Tibshelf: Jack Snipe to the southwest at Doehill Flash flew from west bank.

Latest Sightings 05/10/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Shelduck.

Ogston Res: 16 Mandarin, 5 Wigeon, 336 Mallards, 7 Ravens, migrants passing over Highoredish up until 12.00hrs include imm Merlin, 21 Crossbills, 7 Bramblings, 42 Redwings, 4 Song Thrushes, 26 Skylarks, 728 Meadow Pipits, 31 alba Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 11 Swallows (+6 later), House Martin, 7 Redpolls, 34 Siskins, 41 Linnets, 39 Chaffinches, 12 Goldfinches, 5 Greenfinches, Tree Sparrow.

Latest Sightings 04/10/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 4 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Canada Geese, 232 Mallards, 112 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 15 Moorhens, 2 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, Sparrowhawk, 136 Lapwings, 11 Snipe, 251 BH Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 2 LBB Gulls, 59 Meadow Pipits, 8 'alba' Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Stock Doves, 3 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap, 2 Pheasants, 4 Coal, Tits, 11 Blue Tits, 5 Swallows, 55 House Martins, 2 Jays, 2 Ravens, G.S.Woodpecker, Goldcrest, 11 Goldfinches, 7 Mistle Thrushes, Linnet, Greenfinch, Treecreeper, Nuthatch.

Carsington Water: Pink-footed Goose, Garganey, 4 Pintail, 250+ Wigeon, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Ogston Res: Adult Herring Gull flew S, 4th w Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Common Gulls, 7 Swallows through, c6 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap.

Middleton Moor: Little Grebe, 107 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 3 Snipe.

Latest Sightings 03/10/2013

Carsington Water: 19 Cormorants, 30 Mute Swans, 4 Grey Herons, 300+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, Pink-footed Goose, 9 Gadwall, Garganey, 4 Pintail, 69 Pochard, Buzzard, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plovers, Oystercatcher, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher, 15 Meadow Pipits, 2 Chiffchaffs, 18 Goldfinches, 8 Linnets, 2 Ravens.

Ogston Res: Rock Pipit flew SW at 11.30hrs, 24 Mandarins, 4 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, c220 Lapwings, 2 Redwings over, 8+ Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps.

Latest Sightings 02/10/2013

Carsington Water: Pink-footed Goose, 30 Mute Swans, 23 Cormorants, Grey Heron, Garganey, 4 Pintail, 10 Gadwall, 2 Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Buzzard, Kestrel, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, 3 Redwings.

Pleasley Pit CP: Grey Phalarope until 11.00hrs until it flew NE.

Carr Vale NR: Rock Pipit.

Ogston Res: 21 Mandarins, 5 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, 8 Swallows south.

Drakelow NR: 319 Cormorants, 11 Little Egrets.

Latest Sightings 01/10/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Cormorants, 7 Grey Herons, 22 Canada Geese, 72 Mallards, 89 Teal, Wigeon, 13 Moorhens, 4 Buzzards, Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Snipe, 16 Lapwings, 470 BH Gulls, 13 Common Gulls, LBB Gull, 2 Chiffchaffs, Meadow Pipit, 2 Redwings.

Carsington Water: Garganey, Brent Goose, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Pintail, Rock Pipit.

Latest Sightings 30/09/2013

Carsington Water: 5 Grey Herons, 3 Pintail, Shoveler, 9 Gadwall, 302 Wigeon, Garganey, 109 Pochard, 14+ Little Grebes, 4 Buzzards, 2 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, Redshank, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Rock Pipits, 4+ Chiffchaffs, Kingfisher.

Ogston Reservoir: Rock Pipit flew along the west bank then headed west, Mandarin, 6 Wigeon, Dunlin flew through, 4th winter Yellow-legged Gull.

Drakelow NR: 13 Little Egrets, 4 Snipe.

Spondon: Willow Warbler.

Latest Sightings 29/09/2013

Carsington Water: Yellow-legged Gull.

Linacre Res: 11 Crossbills.

Middleton Moor: 3 Wigeon, 3 Snipe, 115 LBB Gulls, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Ogston Res: Rock Pipit, Pink-footed Goose, 3 Mandarin, 2 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, Golden Plover, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Ravens, 333 Swallows S, 3 Redwings.

Latest Sightings 28/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 3 Grey Herons, 87 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 182 Lapwings, Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Snipe, Chiffchaff, 3 Pied Wagtails.

Ogston Reservoir: 1+ Rock Pipit, 2 Shovelers, 4 Wigeon, 4th w Yellow-legged Gull, 16+ Swallows south.

Dove Hole Quarry: Wheatear.

Allestree: 45 Pink-footed Geese over.

Drakelow NR: 270 Cormorants.

Latest Sightings 27/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 4 Grey Herons, 57 Greylag Geese, 3 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 92 Teal, 152 Mallards, 23 Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, 180 Lapwings, 60 BH Gulls, 3 Meadow Pipits, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker.

Carsington Water: c100 Pink-footed Geese over at 08.50hrs, 5 Grey Herons, 362 Canada Geese, Greylag Goose, Garganey, 3 Pintail, 3 Gadwall, Ruff, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, Curlew, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Kinder Res: 2 Stonechats.

Froggatt: 23 Mandarin, 7 Goosander.

Middleton Moor: 5 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 4 Swallows, Chiffchaff, 3 Ravens, 30 Goldfinch.

Hayfield: 5 Ravens.

Latest Sightings 26/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Grey Herons, Wigeon, 87 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 10 Moorhens, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, 180 Lapwings, 16 Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, 39 BH Gulls, Meadow Pipit, G.S.Woodpecker, 17 Long-tailed Tits, 15 Siskins, Greenfinch, Pied Wag, Jay, 2 Chiffchaffs.

Carsington Water: 20 Little Grebes, 23 Cormorants, 30 Mute Swans, 3 Grey Herons, Garganey, 6 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 266 Wigeon, 26 Pochard, Grey Plover, Redshank, Curlew, 6 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 8+ Yellow-legged Gulls.

Williamthorpe: Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 164 Canada Geese, 70 Lapwing, Grey Wagtail.

Ogston Reservoir: 6 Wigeon, 4th w Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Ravens.  

Latest Sightings 25/09/2013

Carsington Water: 10+ Little Grebes, 25 Mute Swans, 25 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 10 Gadwall, 164 Wigeon, Garganey, 4+ Pintail, 2 Shoveler, 32 Pochard, male Sparrowhawk, Grey Plover, 24 Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, 57 Pied Wagtails, 30+ Meadow Pipits, 19 Siskins, Kingfisher, several Chiffchaffs, Blackcap in song, 3 Linnets.

Carr Vale NR: Grey Plover flew south, also a Red Kite over.

Ogston Reservoir: 2 Shoveler, 7 Wigeon, Yellow-legged Gull, Reed Warbler, 5 Tree Sparrows.

Latest Sightings 24/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Cormorant, 3 Grey Herons, 91 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel, 22 Snipe, 179 Lapwings, Black-tailed Godwit, 38 BH Gulls, 23 Swallows, 23 House Martins, 3 Chiffchaffs, 9 Goldfinch, Treecreeper, Jay, Raven.

Ogston Reservoir: Pintail, 2 Shoveler, 8 Wigeon, fem Pochard, 25 White/Pied Wagtails over Highoredish, 2 Tree Sparrows, 5 Crossbills over Highoredish.

Latest Sightings 23/09/2013

Carsington Water: 20 Little Grebes, 27 Cormorants, 5 Grey Herons, 29 Mute Swans, 400+ Canada Geese, 11 Greylag Geese, 180 Wigeon, Garganey, 9 Gadwall, 3 Pintail, Shoveler, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 10 Ringed Plovers, 7 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 4+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, Grey Wagtail, 2 Kingfishers, 4 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap, 11 Meadow Pipits, 3 Willow Tits, Raven.

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Black-tailed Godwits.

Willington GP's: 9 Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Treecreepers.

Drakelow NR: 9 Little Egrets, 26 Shoveler, Water Rail.

Wormhill: 1500 Rooks.  

Ogston Reservoir: 1 possibly 2 Stonechats in Bean Field opposite the West Bank briefly, 3 fem/imm Pintail, 2 Shoveler, 6 Wigeon, c50 Teal, c15 Snipe, 3rds/4thw Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Common Gulls, Green Woodpecker, 150+ Chaffinches.

Latest Sightings 22/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Cormorant, 2 Grey Herons, 10 Moorhens, 3 Coots, 98 Teal, 6 Shoveler, Wigeon, Hobby, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Snipe, 182 Lapwings, Grey Wagtail, 9 BH Gulls, 29 Meadow Pipits, Skylark, Green Woodpecker, c50 House Martins, c20 Swallows, Chiffchaff, Linnet.

Carsington Water: Juv Garganey, 5 Shoveler, 10 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plover, 4 Yellow Wagtails, Wheatear.

Latest Sightings 21/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 5 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 24 Greylag Geese, 78 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel, Black-tailed Godwit, 184 Lapwings, 14 Snipe, 21 BH Gulls, 106 LBB Gulls, Grey Wagtail, 2 'alba' Wagtails, 90 Meadow Pipits, G.S.Woodpecker, c50 House Martins, 35 Swallows, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Little Owl.

Carsington Water: Juv Garganey, 7 Pintail, 12 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 69 Pied Wagtails, Wheatear, Kingfisher.

Ogston Res: Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, Green Sandpiper, 3rd summer Yellow-legged Gull, Yellow Wagtail flew SE, 222 Meadow Pipits flew SW up until 10.20hrs, 15+ Siskins.

Latest Sightings 20/09/2013

Carsington Water: Diver sp over NE this morning was almost certainly a Red-throated Diver, 4 Grey Herons, 25 Cormorants, 29 Pink-footed Geese East at 10.00hrs, 450+ Canada Geese, 22 Greylag Geese, 16 Barnacle Geese, escaped Cackling Goose (minima), 13 Little Grebes, 32 Mute Swans, 156 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, juvenile Garganey, 29 Pochard, 4 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 14 Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plover, Snipe, 7 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 47 Lapwings, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, 100+ Swallows, c50 House Martins, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, 28 Meadow Pipits, 2 Ravens, Yellowhammer.  

Ogston Reservoir: 2 Shovelers, 4 Wigeon, 3rd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 6 Snipe flew W and 1 flew SE, 2 Ravens, 5+ Siskins.

Middleton Moor: Peregrine, 8 Golden Plover, Dunlin, 4 Snipe, 3 Curlew.

Stanage Edge: 2 Ravens.

Drakelow NR: 3 Goosanders.

Willington GP's: 2 Hobby, 2 Black-tailed Godwits.

Long Eaton GP's: Female Red-crested Pochard on the pit at the end of Pasture Lane.

Latest Sightings 19/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 4 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Shoveler, 134 Mallards, 2 Gadwall, 82 Teal, 3 Goosander, 3 Tufted Ducks, Buzzard, Kestrel, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Black-tailed Godwit, 172 Lapwings, 8 Snipe, 2 Stock Doves, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail, 108 Meadow Pipits over between 07.10-08.40, 3 'alba' Wagtails, c150 House Martins, 12 Starlings.

Carsington Water: 2 Grey Herons, 25 Cormorants, 33 Mute Swans, 22 Little Grebes, 134 Wigeon, 9 Gadwall, 7 Pintail, Shoveler, 43 Pochard, Common Sandpiper, 10 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, Grey Wagtail, Sand Martin, Siskin.

Willington GP's: Snipe, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Ravens.

Ogston Reservoir: 2 Shoveler, Wigeon, 3rd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 150+ Chaffinches, 3 Siskins.  

Latest Sightings 18/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Water Pipit for around 40 minutes this morning (first record for Wyver), 5 Shoveler, 67 Teal, 47 Mallards, Black-tailed Godwit, 169 Lapwings, Snipe, Sparrowhawk.

Carsington Water: 30 Cormorants, 23+ Mute Swans, 2 Grey Herons, 11 Little Grebes, 450 Canada Geese, 19 Greylag Geese, Pink-footed Goose, 283 Teal, 124 Wigeon, 9 Gadwall, 33 Pochard, 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 8 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plovers, Ruff, Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Yellow-legged Gull, 33 Meadow Pipits, 2 Kingfishers, c50 Goldfinch, 8 Chiffchaffs, c50 House Martins, c75 Swallows, Sand Martin, Yellow Wagtail, 28 Pied Wagtails, 2 Ravens.

Drakelow NR: Black-tailed Godwit.

Willington GP's: Black-tailed Godwit, 80 Lapwings, 4 Snipe.

Ogston Res: 2 Mandarins, 2 Shovelers, 2 Ravens.

Latest Sightings 17/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Grey Herons, 6 Shoveler, 64 Teal, 12 Moorhens, 3 Coots, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, juv Black-tailed Godwit (first record since July 12th 2010), 9 Snipe, 172 Lapwings, 2 Common Gulls, 11 BH Gulls, c50 Swallows, c50 House Martins, 2 Stock Doves, 13 Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtail, 100+ Starlings, Chiffchaff.

Belper River Gardens: 15+ Grey Wagtails, Kingfisher.

Carsington Water: 2 Bar-tailed Godwits at Paul Stanley hide.

Ogston Reservoir: 7 Mandarin, 2 Wigeon, 2 Ravens, c800 House Martins, c150 Swallows, c10 Sand Martins.

Staunton Harold Reservoir: Juvenile drake Scaup, also adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Latest Sightings 16/09/2013

Carsington Water: 27 Pink-footed Geese over this morning, 38 Cormorants, 19 Little Grebes, 2 Grey Herons, c25 Barnacle Geese, 14 Gadwall, juvenile Garganey, 3 Shoveler, 122 Wigeon, 29 Pochard, Goosander, 10 Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin, Ruff, Common Sandpiper, 2 Sand Martins, Yellow-legged Gull, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Ravens.

Ogston Reservoir: fem/imm Pintail, 2 fem/imm Shovelers, Mandarin, c1000 House Martins, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, 5 Blackcaps.

Drakelow NR: Little Egret, 8 Greylag Geese, 150 Canada Geese, Mandarin, 25 Shoveler, Hobby, Black-tailed Godwit, Yellow-legged Gull.

Latest Sightings 15/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Grey Herons, Cormorant, 2 Shoveler, 61 Teal, 86 Mallards, 2 redhead Goosanders, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel, 169 Lapwings, 8 Snipe, 46 BH Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 260 House Martins, 60 Swallows, 63 Meadow Pipits through between 06.45-08.15, 4 'alba' Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 3 Stock Doves, Chiffchaff, G.S.Woodpecker, Reed Bunting.

Carsington Water: 15 Little Grebes, 31 Cormorant, 527 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag Geese, Pink-footed Goose, 29 Mute Swans, 118 Wigeon, 16 Gadwall, 22 Pochard, Ruff, 8 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Buzzard, 2 Ravens.

Ogston Reservoir: Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, 42 Teal, Mandarin, Redshank, c10 Sand Martins, c280 House Martins, c90 Swallows.

Latest Sightings 14/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Grey Herons, 2 Cormorants, 43 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 4 Buzzards, Kestrel, 8 Snipe, 169 Lapwings, 31 BH Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 4 Meadow Pipits, 20 Swallows, 105 House Martins, Chiffchaff, 2 Jays, 2 Ravens.

Ogston Reservoir: 4 Shoveler, 4  Wigeon, 30 Teal, 2 Mandarin, juv Peregrine, 3rd summer Yellow-legged Gull, Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail.

Staunton Harold Reservoir: Female Common Scoter still.

Latest Sightings 13/09/2013

Carsington Water: 590 Canada Geese, 7 Greylag Geese, 26 Barnacle Geese, 33 Cormorants, 26 Mute Swans, 12 Little Grebes, 6 Grey Herons, 4 Shoveler, 90 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 298 Teal, 9 Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, 2 Hobbies, 7 Buzzards, 11 Ringed Plovers, 4 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, Ruff, Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, 70 Swallows, 15 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap, 9 Meadow Pipits, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Ravens, 90 Goldfinch, 4 Willow Tits, Wheatear.

Ogston Reservoir: 4 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 31 Teal, 6+ Snipe, 2 Ravens, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Yellow Wagtail.

Staunton Harold Reservoir: Female Common Scoter, adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Latest Sightings 12/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Cormorant, 2 Grey Herons, 40 Canada Geese, 4 Shoveler, 52 Teal, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 5 Coots, 14 Moorhens, Green Sandpiper, 9 Snipe, 168 Lapwings, 37 BH Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 200+ House Martins, 180+ Swallows, 4 Meadow Pipits, Whinchat, 18 Goldfinch, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, Kingfisher, Goldcrest, Reed Bunting, 2 Ravens.

Carsington Water: 5 Greylag Geese, 464 Canada Geese, Pink-footed Goose, Red-crested Pochard, 25 Mute Swans, 32 Cormorants, 7 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin, Redshank, Ruff, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, c4000 LBB Gulls, Yellow Wagtail, Tree Pipit, Crossbill, 4 Linnets.

Ogston Reservoir: Peregrine, 2 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 3 Mandarin, 20+ Teal.

Willington GP's: 8 Snipe, 2 Greenshank.  

Latest Sightings 11/09/2013

Carsington Water: 3 Grey Herons, 7 Greylag Geese, 33 Cormorants, 252 Teal, 73 Wigeon, Red-crested Pochard, 17 Pochard, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Greenshank, 8 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, Snipe, Redshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 100+ Swallows, 100+ House Martins, 2 Blackcaps, 17 Chiffchaffs, 2 Kingfishers, Grey Wagtail, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Ravens, 30 Meadow Pipits.

Ogston Reservoir: Osprey through early morning.

Latest Sightings 10/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Shoveler, 54 Teal, 4 Buzzards, 9 Moorhens, 6 Coots, 167 Lapwings, 8 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 35 BH Gulls, 100+ House Martins, Whinchat, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Meadow Pipits, 8 Swallows, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, 12 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Buntings.

Carsington Water: Peregrine, 6 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plovers.

Ogston Reservoir: Shoveler, Wigeon, 3 Mandarins, 20+ Teal, Yellow Wagtail.

Latest Sightings 09/09/2013

Carsington Water: 15 Little Grebes, 34 Cormorants, 8 Grey Herons, 400+ Canada Geese, Greylag Goose, 33 Mute Swans, 98 Wigeon, 206 Teal, 5 Gadwall, 11 Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, 5 Buzzards, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, 37 Lapwings, 3 Ringed Plovers, 5 Dunlin, Ruff, Snipe, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, 500+ LBB Gulls, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 58 Pied Wagtails, 5 singing Chiffchaffs, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, juv Song Thrush, 3 Meadow Pipits, 4 Sand Martins, 50+ House Martins, 5 Willow Tits, 3 Linnets.

Ogston Reservoir: 2 fem/imm Shovelers, Wigeon, 15+ Teal, Pochard, Mandarin, 11 Buzzards, Common Sandpiper, 2 Ravens, Yellow Wagtail, 30+ Meadow Pipits flew S, Garden Warbler, 6 Spotted Flycatchers.

Carr Vale NR: Juvenile Honey Buzzard flew South, also a Tree Pipit.

Long Eaton GP's: Arctic Skua flew S mid morning.

Dove Hole Quarry: Little Grebe, 50 Teal, 2 Wheatear.

Latest Sightings 08/09/2013

Carsington Water: 68 Wigeon, 4 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers, Ruff.

Foremark Reservoir: Juvenile Little Stint on the sandy point this evening.

Drakelow NR: 14 Little Egrets out of roost to SW, 1'150 Canada Geese, 230 Greylag Geese, 18 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, Goosander, 18 Sand Martins, 32 Robins, Reed Warbler, 3 Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 8 Chiffchaffs, 4 Linnets.

Hayfield: Little Owl, Tawny Owl, 3 Ravens, 60 Linnets.

Fernilee Reservoir: 6 Cormorants, Buzzard, Spotted Flycatcher.  

Going away.....

until next weekend so don't find anything rare whilst I'm away. And don't string any crap out like certain people do.

Latest Sightings 01/09/2013

Wyver Lane NR: No sign of Spotted Crake today. 52 Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, 162 Mallards, 3 Shoveler, 35 Teal, Buzzard, 165 Lapwings, 75 House Martins, 3 Whinchats, Chiffchaff in song.

Ogston Res: 3rd summer Yellow-legged Gull, Snipe, c8 Teal, Mandarin, 2 Ravens, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipits over.

Drakelow NR: 13 Little Egrets, 348 Canada Geese, Pochard, Hobby, 2 Peregrines, 3 Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzards, 2 Water Rail, Greenshank, Tawny Owl, 2 Kingfisher, 152 House Martins, 9 Blackcaps, 13 Chiffchaffs, Nuthatch, 7 Crossbills.

Latest Sightings 31/08/2013

Wyver Lane NR: JUVENILE SPOTTED CRAKE still showing on and off around the main pool today. Grey Heron, 2 Shoveler, 61 Teal, 3 Buzzards, female Sparrowhawk, 160 Lapwings, 3 Whinchats, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Redstarts, 60 House Martins.

Latest Sightings 30/08/2013

Wyver Lane NR: JUVENILE SPOTTED CRAKE still present but sometimes elusive, 50 Greylag Geese, 82 Canada Geese, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Cormorants, 3 Shoveler, 77 Mallards, Wigeon, 64 Teal, 3 Buzzards, 172 Lapwings, 2 Snipe, 2 Whinchat.

Carsington Water: Dunlin, Common Sandpiper.

Ogston Reservoir: Tree Pipit dropped onto the scrapes by the hide briefly, c20 Crossbills flew W at 11.55hrs, 3rd summer Yellow-legged Gull, Snipe, c5 Teal, 4 Ravens, Garden Warbler.

Latest Sightings 29/08/2013

Wyver Lane NR: SPOTTED CRAKE at the southern end of the main pool this evening. 3 Whinchats from the viewing mound.

Ogston Reservoir: 2rd summer Yellow-legged Gull, Mandarin, 5 Teal.

Aston-on-Trent GP's (No general access): Presumed escape Marbled Duck.

Latest Sightings 28/08/2013

Carsington Water: 11 Little Grebes, 34 Mute Swans, 45 Cormorants, 5 Grey Herons, 90 Teal, 27 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 10 Pochard, 2 Red-crested Pochards, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Greenshank, Ringed Plover, 4 Snipe, 2 Buzzards, 2 Peregrines, Kestrel, Yellow-legged Gull, Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtails, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher.

Wyver Lane NR: Greenshank, Whinchat.

Ogston Reservoir: 3rd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Teal, 2 Ravens flew SE, Kingfisher.

Longstone Edge: Grey Partridge, 6 Buzzards, 11 Redstart, 7 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Jays, 4 Ravens.

Latest Sightings 27/08/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 4 Grey Herons, Cormorant, 127 Canada Geese, 38 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 26 Mallards, 3 Shoveler, 12 Moorhens, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel,  Hobby, 170 Lapwings, Greenshank, 64 BH Gulls, Green Woodpecker, 2 Whinchats, Redstart, 30 House Martins, 50+ Swallows, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Whitethroats, Blackcap, Song Thrush, 3 Reed Buntings.

Carsington Water: Greenshank.

Willington GP's: Black Tern.

Long Eaton GP's: Red-crested Pochard on Pylon Pit.

Latest Sightings 26/08/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Grey Herons, Cormorant, 26 Greylag Geese, 114 Canada Geese, 45 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, Mandarin, 37 Mallards, 2 Tufted Ducks, 4 Buzzards, Hobby, Peregrine, 2 Kestrel, 162 Lapwings, 79 BH Gulls, 12 LBB Gulls, Whinchat, Redstart, Kingfisher, 3 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaffs, Willow Tit, 2 Bullfinch.

Willington GP's: Little Egret, 3 Buzzards, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Kingfisher, 15 Swallows.

Drakelow NR: Marsh Harrier, Peregrine.

Combs Res: Black Tern still, also Kingfisher.

Barrow GP's: Either viewed from the public pit or the River Trent at Ingelby: 16 Mute Swans, 6 Grey Herons, 3 Egyptian Geese, 107 Mallards, 76 Tufted Duck, 13 Teal, 41 Coots, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Little Grebes, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 2 Buzzards.

Carr Vale NR: 2 Greenshank briefly this morning then flew SE. Reported Jack Snipe yesterday was a Common Snipe.

Latest Sightings 25/08/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, 180 Canada Geese, 50 Greylag Geese, 58 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 56 Mallards, Snipe, 161 Lapwings, 14 BH Gulls, Hobby, 50 House Martins.

Carsington Water: 31 Mute Swans, 152 Canada Geese, 8 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 94 Teal, 2 Red-crested Pochards, 12 Pochard, 28 Cormorants, 5 Grey Herons, 8 Little Grebes, Yellow-legged Gull, Arctic Tern, Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrines.

Combs Res: Black Tern.

Dove Hole Quarry: Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wheatear, Raven.

Drakelow NR: 4 Mandarin, 13 Goosander, Hobby, 2 Peregrine, 2 Water Rail, Common Sandpiper, 3 Kingfisher, Reed Warbler, 8 Blackcaps, 17 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Tit.

Foremark Res: Black Tern this evening.

Carr Vale NR: Black Tern, Jack Snipe, 2 Ruff through + 6 Ringed Plover.  

Latest Sightings 24/08/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Little Egrets through this evening, 92 Canada Geese, 50+ Greylag Geese, 2 Grey Herons, Little Grebe, 59 Teal, 61 Mallards, 3 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 3 Goosander, Tufted Duck, Buzzard, 2 Hobbies, Redshank, 3 Snipe, Common Sandpiper, 172 Lapwings, 30 BH Gulls, 50+ House Martins, 4 Swallows, Whinchat.

Carsington Water: 6 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 50+ Teal, Common Scoter, 2 Red-crested Pochard, 8 Goosander, 6 Pochard,  6 Black Terns, Arctic Tern, Whimbrel, Dunlin, 15 Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher.

Long Eaton GP's: 10 Little Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 9 Mute Swans, 10 Mallards, 110 Tufted Ducks, 29 Moorhen, Common Sandpiper, 18 Coots, 8 Common Terns, 3 Linnets.

Carr Vale NR: 44 Whimbrel over south this morning. Also a juvenile Cuckoo.

Latest Sightings 23/08/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 181 Canada Geese, 15 Greylag Geese, 2 Grey Herons, 13 Gadwall, 47 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 35 Mallards, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 16 Moorhens, 8 Coots, 161 Lapwings, 44 BH Gulls, LBB Gull, Whinchat, 20 Swallows.

Carsington Water: Drake Mandarin, drake Red-crested Pochard, 50+ Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, 31 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, Common Sandpiper, juv Redshank.

Staunton Harold Res: 35 Arctic Terns through, 40 LBB Gulls through, 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, Little Egret, 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 Yellow Wagtails.  

Latest Sightings 22/08/2013

Rowsley: Osprey: adult circling low over the River Wye on the east side of Haddon Hall SK237663 this afternoon.

Belper River Gardens: 2 Ravens over.

Latest Sightings 21/08/2013

Staunton Harold Res: 3 Little Egrets, 2 Egyptian Geese, 5 Mandarin, 2 Common Sandpipers, juv Ringed Plover, 2 Common Terns.

Dove Hole Quarry: 5 Shelduck, 40 Teal, 70 Mallards, 2 Buzzards, Peregrine, Snipe, Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers.

Allestree: Hobby, Peregrine.

Long Eaton GP's: Osprey flew south over Erewash Pit at 10.15hrs.

Latest Sightings 20/08/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Grey Herons, Cormorant, Little Grebe, 99 Greylag Geese, 91 Canada Geese, Water Rail, 15 Coots, 12 Coots, 12 Gadwall, 24 Teal, 20 Mallards, 5 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby, 156 Lapwings, 3 Snipe, 226 BH Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, Whinchat, Redstart, Green Woodpecker, G.S.Woodpecker, 2 Jays, 6 Chiffchaffs, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 150 Swallows, 25 House Martins.

Staunton Harold Res: Adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Egyptian Geese, Little Egret, Common Tern.

Ogston Reservoir: Mandarin, 2 Teal, 3rd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Ravens, Yellow Wagtail flew S.

Latest Sightings 25/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Cormorant, Grey Heron, 2 Teal, 4 drake Tufteds and a female with 4 young, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 3 Oystercatchers, 19 Lapwings, 85 BH Gulls, 19 LBB Gulls, Herring Gull, 3 Sedge Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 8 Reed Buntings inc 2 juvs.

Cromford Canal: Spotted Flycatcher.

Ogston Reservoir: Dipper on the River Amber downstream of the reservoir, 15 Lapwings, Kingfisher.

Kinder Res: 4 Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Green Woodpecker, Ring Ouzel.

Drakelow NR: Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawks.

Latest Sightings 24/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 3 Cormorants, 9 Greylag Geese, 2 Teal, Gadwall, 2 broods of Mallard 5 & 5, 2 drake Tufted Ducks and the female with 5 young, Hobby, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 5 Oystercatchers, 10 Lapwings, 44 BH Gulls inc 4 juvs, LBB Gull, 12 Swifts, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warblers, Redstart, 3 Reed Buntings.

Ogston Reservoir: 2 Common Terns with 1 chick, Kingfisher.

Latest Sightings 23/06/2013

Ogston Reservoir: Green Sandpiper arrived at 11.15hrs and landed on the scrapes in front of the hide, Kingfisher, Gadwall, 2 Teal.

Willington GP's: 26 Canada Geese, 5 Shoveler, Sparrowhawk, 2 Redshank, Kingfisher, Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler.

Latest Sightings 22/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Cormorants, pair of Canada Geese with 3 young, 4 Teal, female Gadwall, 5 drake Tufted Ducks and a female with 5 young, 2 Buzzards Kestrel, 41 Lapwings, 3 Oystercatchers, 24 BH Gulls, Redstart, Green Woodpecker, 20+ House Martins, 5 Swifts, 5 Swallows, Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Buntings.

Ogston Reservoir: Gadwall, 2 Teal.

Kinder Reservoir: 92 Canada Geese, 2 Common Sandpipers, Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, Redstart, 6 Treecreepers.

Latest Sightings 21/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 3 Grey Herons, 2 Cormorants, 5 Teal, Gadwall, Mandarin, 3 Tufted Ducks, 12 Lapwings, Sparrowhawk, Redstart, 22 BH Gull, 2 Common Terns, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat.

Carsington Water: Ruddy Shelduck still present at the Wildlife Centre.

Ogston Reservoir: Green Sandpiper present for about an hour late morning then flew NNE at 11.56hrs, 1 Cuckoo by the west bank, Gadwall, Curlew, 1st summer Common Gull, 1st summer Great Black Backed Gull.

Drakelow NR: 6 Great Crested Grebes, Little Egret, 25 Gadwall, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards.

Latest Sightings 20/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, 88 Canada Geese inc 70 young, Mallard broods of 1 & 5, 5 Teal, Gadwall, 3 Tufted Ducks, Coots with 2 young, Moorhen broods of 2 & 3, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 12 Lapwings, pair of Oystercatchers with 1 flighted juv, 26 BH Gulls inc pair with 3 flighted juvs, 2 Redstarts, 10+ Swifts, Green Woodpecker, 3 Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat, 2 Stock Doves, 6 Reed Buntings.

Carsington Water: Ruddy Shelduck.

Ogston Reservoir: Teal, 35 Tufted Ducks, Snipe, Curlew, 2nd s Great Black Backed Gull.

Allestree Park: 2 Common Terns.

    

Latest Sightings 19/06/2013

Carsington Water: Ruddy Shelduck with 13 Barnacle Geese.

Aston-on-Trent: A White Stork flew west and low beside the A50 at 09.00hrs.

Swarkestone to Stenson Fields canal: Moorhen broods of 1, 2 & 6, Mallard broods of 2, 4, 6 & 6, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 10 Whitethroats, 5 Yellowhammers, 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Skylarks, Pied Wagtail, 2 Buzzards.

Ogston Reservoir: 14 Common Scoters (6 drakes) off the west bank, 3 Teal, 86 Canada Geese, 1st summer Great Black-backed Gull, 6 Common Terns.

High Peak Junction: Spotted Flycatcher.

Foremark Reservoir: 4 Common Scoter.

Latest Sightings 18/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, Cormorant, 6 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Ducks, 16 Lapwings, pair of Oystercatchers with 1 well grown chick, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 23 BH Gulls inc pair with 3 young, 1st s Common Gull, Stock Dove, 3 Redstarts, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Green Woodpecker, 3 Reed Buntings.

Ogston Reservoir: Peregrine, female Gadwall, 1st summer Common Gull, Grasshopper Warbler.  

Latest Sightings 17/06/2013

Woodhead Reservoir (Longendale): 6 Tufted Ducks, 73 Canada Geese, pair of Oystercatchers with 1 young, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, 349 BH Gulls, 4 LBB Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls.

Longendale Reservoirs: 48 Canada Geese, 11 Common Sandpipers including 3 juveniles, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Grey Wagtail.

Drakelow NR: Little Egret, Shelduck, 2 Oystercatchers.

Ogston Reservoir: Pair of Mute Swans and 2 chicks, Gadwall, pair of Oystercatchers with 1 young, newly fledged Grey Heron, 3 Curlews through.

Latest Sightings 16/06/2013

Ogston Reservoir: Avocet on the West Bank, pair of Mute Swans with 2 cygnets (first breeding record for Ogston), 1 imm (1st/2nd s) Arctic Tern, Grasshopper Warbler reeling.

Swarkestone: Turtle Dove by canal.

Melbourne: Red Kite over.

Latest Sightings 15/06/2013

Padley Gorge: Pair of GOLDEN ORIOLES reported this morning at top of gorge in wood on left hand side.

Latest Sightings 14/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Cormorants, 42 Canada Geese inc pair with 3 young, 2 Mallard broods of 2 & 6, 3 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Ducks, Coots with 2 young, 2 Moorhen broods of 2 & 4, 13 Lapwings, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 13 BH Gulls inc pair & 3 young, 4 LBB Gulls, 2 Redstarts (adult & juv), Spotted Flycatcher, 20 House Martins, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat  Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, adult and juv Robin, Green Woodpecker, G.S.Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Pied Wagtail, 13 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Reed Buntings.

Carsington Water: 2 Common Terns, 4 juv Willow Tits.  

Latest Sightings 13/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 4 Cormorants, 85 Canada Geese inc 50+ young, Egyptian Goose, 2 Mallard broods of 2 and 6, 4 drake Teal, 2 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Ducks, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby, Coot pair and 2 young, 4 young Moorhens,  and Oystercatcher, 6 Lapwings, BH Gull pair with 3 young, Redstart, 12 House Martins, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, Green Woodpecker, 3 Reed Buntings, Great Tits feeding 4 young near hide.

Ogston Reservoir: 1st summer Yellow-legged Gull, Curlew, Grasshopper Warbler.

Latest Sightings 12/06/2013

Carsington Water: Great Crested Grebes with 1 young, 8 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 7 Mute Swans, 3 Mallard broods of 6/7 & 11, 6 Greylag Geese, 217 adult and 69 young Canada Geese, 19 Barnacle Geese inc 2 pairs with 1 young each, Coots with 6 young, 4 Buzzards, male Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshank, 5+ Oystercatchers, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 20 LBB Gulls, 17 BH Gull chicks, 60 Swifts, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, Sedge Warbler, 4 Redstarts, Great Spotted Woodpeckers feeding young in nest hole in Brown Ale Bay.

Ogston Reservoir: Little Egret until 10.35hrs then flew S, 27 Greylag Geese, 23 Tufted Ducks, 7 Common Terns, Grasshopper Warbler.

Latest Sightings 11/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 12 Greylag Geese, c50 Canada Geese inc 17 young, Mandarin, 2 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Ducks, Buzzard, Coots with 2 chicks, Moorhens with 4 chicks, 2 Lapwings, pair of Oystercatchers with 1 chick (now 3 weeks old), 11 BH Gulls inc pair with 3 young (now 17 days old), 6 LBB Gulls, Herring Gull, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, Sedge Warbler, 20+ House Martins, 4 Stock Doves, G.S.Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 5 Blackbirds, Bullfinch, Song Thrush, Great Tits feeding 3+ recently fledged young, 3 Reed Buntings.

Carsington Water: Osprey this evening eating a fish on the platform at Lane End. No sign of Marsh Warbler today.

Kedleston Park: 8 Mute Swans (pair with 1 cygnet and a pair with 3), 2 Great Crested Grebes, Grey Heron, 4 Gadwall, 7 Mandarin, 8 Tufted Ducks, Shelduck, 7 Oystercatchers, 4 Ravens, Kestrel, 5 Buzzards, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Ogston Reservoir: Little Egret arrived at 11.30hrs, female Mandarin with 10 chicks, 23 Tufted Ducks, Curlew.

Marsh Warbler-Carsington

I needed something today to cheer me up. It was a pretty crap end to the weekend last night having to have our 18 year old cat put to sleep. I had had her since the summer of 1995 when she was a mere 3 weeks old. 18 years on and she was starting to suffer and had no quality of life, so there was really only one option, as painful as it was.

I was upset, the mrs was upset and the kids were naturally upset. So the kids said their goodbyes and we put her in the cat carrier and set off to the vets. Normally, the cat would be wailing in the carrier but, it was as if she knew her time was up and she was relatively quiet.

She was deaf, arthritic, had difficulty even standing up, found it hard to pee and poo and there was blood in her urine, and we knew her time was up. The vet agreed that euthanization was the best thing for her. So with a very heavy heart we agreed. We said our goodbyes and the vet then administered the injection. Within 15 seconds she was limp and no longer with us. We lay her on the table, said one final goodbye and left.

Many people will say 'it's only a cat', 'get over it', or similar. But no, a pet for as long as 18 years isn't just a pet. It becomes part of the family, part of the fixtures and fittings. The kids have been brought up from birth with the cat around them. Even I had her for nearly half of my life. So if somebody says to me 'it's only a cat' I'll probably punch them in the face.

That's why I needed cheering up this morning. I was down Wyver (where else) when I received a call from Clive that he reckoned he had a Marsh Warbler at Carsington. A would be first for the site and only the 6th for Derbyshire. Clive, as I has little experience with Marsh Warbler so was loathed to commit. It's always best to err on the side of caution, just in case. Afterall, it's a big call to make.

He was fairly happy what it was but contacted other birders who turned up and confirmed his sighting. A cracking find! After a nervous few hours wait I managed to get a lift and saw the bird. I would not have liked to have missed out on a Carsington first. Now to find one at Wyver.Here's a few photos taken by Clive himself.

Latest Sightings 10/06/2013

Carsington Water: MARSH WARBLER (it deserves capitals) 1 singing and showing just past the toilet block on the approach to Stones Island (first for the site). Also an Osprey this evening and a 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull.

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, Cormorant, 32 Canada Geese inc 16 young, 38 Mallards inc broods of 3/4 & 7, 2 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 2 Tufted Ducks, 6 redhead Goosanders, Buzzard, Kestrel, male Sparrowhawk with prey, Coots with 2 young, Moorhen broods of 2 & 3, pair of Oystercatchers with 1 young, 2 Lapwings, 2 Curlews flew East at 15.50hrs, BH Gulls with 3 young, LBB Gull, 3 Whitethroats, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 20 Swifts, 25 House Martins, Greenfinch, Mistle Thrush, 4 Blackbirds, Green Woodpecker, 3 Reed Buntings.  

Latest Sightings 09/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, 35+ Greylag Geese, 3 Gadwall, 3 Oystercatchers (2 adults and 1 young), 3 Lapwings, Buzzard, Kestrel, 9 BH Gulls inc pair and 3 young, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats.

Ogston Reservoir: 24 Arctic Terns flew through this morning, 4 Common Terns flew East, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (1st s & 2nd s), female Gadwall, drake Teal, drake Pochard.

Monyash: Red Kite.

Hayfield: Red Kite.

Moorway Lane Pond: Little Grebe, 4 Mute Swan, 55 Mallards, 4 Tufted Ducks, 12 Coots, 10 House Martins, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting.

Holymoorside: Stock Dove, Whitethroat, Dipper, Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Nuthatch.

Kinder Bank: Cuckoo, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, Pied Flycatcher.

Kinder Res: Great Crested Grebe, Common Sandpiper, Redstart.

Drakelow NR: 2 Little Egrets, 7 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, escaped Cape Barren Goose, 2 Hobby, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Kingfisher, 3 Cuckoos ( inc female bubbling), Grey Wagtail, Cetti's Warbler, 26 Reed Warblers, 5 Sedge Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 11 Garden Warblers, 22 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warblers, 3 Linnets, 15 Reed Buntings.

Latest Sightings 08/06/2013

Ogston Reservoir: Tree Pipit singing at Highoredish, 2 Ravens.

Latest Sightings 07/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, Cormorant, 4 Gadwall, 38 Mallards including broods of 3/4 & 7, 6 Tufted Ducks, Moorhen broods of 3 & 4, Coot brood of 2, 8 Lapwings, 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 13 BH Gulls inc 3 young, 3 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, Sedge Warbler, 5 Robins, 7 Wrens, 3 Reed Buntings.

Ogston Reservoir: Cuckoo in hedgerow opposite the oak tree, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull, drake Pochard.  

Latest Sightings 06/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, Cormorant, 81 Canada Geese inc 3 young, 28 Greylag Geese, Coot broods of 2 & 5,  Moorhen broods of 2 & 4, Mandarin, 4 Gadwall, Mallard broods of 2/4/7 & 12, 6 Tufted Ducks, Oystercatchers with 1 young, 9 Lapwings, Red Kite at the southern end of the reserve at 12.12hrs, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, BH Gulls with 3 young,  20 House Martins, 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, 13 Wrens, 6 Reed Buntings, G.S.Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush, Linnet.

Carsington Water: Spotted Flycatcher, Redshanks with 3 young, Oystercatchers with 2 young, 2 Teal, 178 Canada Geese including 88 young.

Ogston Reservoir: 10 Common Terns, drake Pochard.  

Latest Sightings 05/06/2013

Carsington Water: 148 Canada Geese including 37 young, Greylag Goose, Great Crested Grebe with 1 young, several Redshank, 7+ Oystercatchers, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 10+ BH Gull young, 2 Common Terns, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 19 Goldfinch, 47 Chiffchaffs, 49 Blackcaps, 35 Willow Warblers, 11 Garden Warblers, 24 Whitethroats, 2 Reed Warblers, Sedge Warbler, 13 Long-tailed Tits, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Wagtails, 38 Wrens, 32 Robins, 11 Dunnocks, 23 Song Thrush, 6 Mistle Thrush, 22 Blue Tits, 24 Great Tits, 59 Blackbirds, 45 Chaffinch, 5 Redstarts, 24 Magpies, 10 Reed Buntings.

Ogston Reservoir: 40 Canada Geese + 2 goslings, female Mandarin with 10 young, 4 Gadwall, 4 Teal, drake Pochard, adult Common Gull, 4 Common Terns.

Derwent Meadows DWT: 200 Swifts.

Ambergate: Red Kite.

Latest Sightings 04/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, 62 Canada Geese, 5 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Ducks, Coots with 3 young, 5+ young Moorhens, Red Kite, 4 Buzzards, Kestrel, pair of Oystercatchers with 1 young, 5 Lapwings, 3 Stock Doves, pair of BH Gulls with 3 young, 18 Swifts, 5 House Martins, 5 Swallows, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Pheasants, Green Woodpecker, G.S.Woodpecker, 7 Wrens, 5 Robins, 4 Goldfinches, 21 Starlings, Mistle Thrush.

Ogston Reservoir: 4 Common Terns, Lesser Whitethroat, Hummingbird Hawkmoth around West Bank car park mid morning.

Latest Sightings 03/06/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Cormorant, Grey Heron, 61 Canada Geese including 18 young, Shelduck, 7 Gadwall, 40 Mallards including broods of 3/4 and 7, 4 Buzzards, Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite south at 16.25hrs, 12 Coots including pair with 3 young, 16 Moorhens including broods of 2/4 & 4, pair of Oystercatchers with 1 young, 5 Lapwings, 3 Pheasants, 10 BH Gulls including pair with 3 young, 2 Stock Doves, 9 Swallows, House Martin, 5 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 4 Sedge Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, 9 Wrens, 6 Blackbirds, Green Woodpecker, G.S.Woodpecker, Jay, Greenfinch, 7 Reed Buntings.

Ogston Reservoir: 32 Greylag Geese, drake Pochard, 4 Common Terns.

Latest Sightings 02/06/2013

Carsington Water: 4 Common Scoter, 5 Shelduck, Spotted Flycatcher, Grey Heron, 5 Greylag Geese, several Redshanks and Oystercatchers, Little Ringed Plover, 8 BH Gull chicks, 55 LBB Gulls.

Ogston Reservoir: Little Owl sat in road at South Hill early morning, 2 Gadwall, 2 1st summer Common Gulls flew west.

Linacre Res: Red Kite.

Willington GP's: 3 Common Terns, 5 Reed Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Reed Buntings.

Latest Sightings 01/06/2013

Willington GP's: 2 Grey Herons, 12 Cormorants, 23 Mute Swans, Greylag Goose, 23 adult and 22 young Canada Geese, 9 Great Crested Grebes including 1 young, 35 Mallards inc 4 young, 2 Gadwall, drake Teal, drake Shoveler, 14 Tufted Ducks, 4 Moorhens, 15 Coots inc 2 young, 2 Buzzards, 3 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 28 Lapwings, 8 Oystercatchers inc 2 young, 10 BH Gulls, 4 LBB Gulls, 11 Common Terns, c70 Swifts, 4 Sand Martins, House Martin, Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, 2 Stock Doves, Grasshopper Warbler, 14 Reed Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 8 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, Whitethroat, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Linnets, 11 Reed Buntings.

Ogston Reservoir: 9 Shelduck flew SE at 08.00hrs, drake Mandarin, 2 Gadwall, drake Pochard, Curlew, c200 Swifts.

Langley Mill: Great White Egret still present on flashes early morning then flushed by dog walker and flew north. Appeared to land on north marsh but no further sign.

Avenue Washlands NR: Great White Egret flew out of the reedbed this morning and flew off high to the west.

Latest Sightings 31/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 70 Canada Geese inc 33 young, 3 Cormorants, 3 Gadwall, female Mallard with 7 young, Coots with 3 young, BH Gulls with 3 young, Oystercatchers with 1 young, 2 Lapwings, Buzzard, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Buntings.

Carsington Water: Osprey flew West over the dam at 13.40hrs.

Ogston Reservoir: 25 Greylag Geese, 2 Mandarins and 12 chicks, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, drake Pochard, 4 Common Terns.

Latest Sightings 30/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, Cormorant, 52 Canada Geese, 40+ Greylag Geese, Mallard with 7 young, 3 Gadwall, 2 Mandarin, Tufted Duck, female Goosander, Coots with 3 young, Oystercatchers with 1 young, Buzzard, Peregrine, BH Gulls with 3 young, 2 Stock Doves, Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, Chiffchaff, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Blackbirds, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Greenfinch, 3 Reed Buntings.

Carsington Water: Little Egret, 1st summer Common Gull, Mallard with 12 young, drake Pochard, Lapwings with 2 young, 2 Reed Warblers.

Ogston Reservoir: Ringed Plover, 2 Common Terns, female Mandarin with 12 chicks, drake Pochard, c300 House Martins.

Langley Mill: Great White Egret on the flashes off Plumtree Avenue at 17:15. Take footpath under A610 to railway to view.

Church Wilne Reservoir (permit only): Little Tern still this morning, also an Arctic Tern.

Latest Sightings 29/05/2013

Carsington Water: Little Egret on Stones Island, Redstart.

Ogston Reservoir: 7 Arctic Terns flew NE at 06.35hrs, and 1  imm (1st or 2nd s) present this afternoon, 3 Common Terns, Ringed Plover, 2 Gadwall, 2 Teal, Pochard.

Carr Vale NR: 1st summer Caspian Gull until 09.00hrs.

Church Wilne Reservoir (permit only): Little Tern this evening.

Latest Sightings 28/05/2013

Ogston Reservoir: Arctic Tern flew NE at 08.35hrs, Ringed Plover, 2 Gadwall, Pochard, c190 House Martins, c450 Swallows.

Latest Sightings 27/05/2013

Belper: Red Kite over Crich Lane this evening.

Ogston Reservoir: Little Egret still present and showing well in front of the main members hide, Ringed Plover, 4 Common Terns.

Whitwell: Hoopoe at Whitwell Quarry flew northwest over Peter More Copse towards Whitwell Common at 08:06.

Latest Sightings 26/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR:  Cormorant, 4 Gadwall, female Mallards with 4 and 7 young, Coots with 3 young, Moorhens with 5 young, Buzzard, 3 Lapwings, pair of Oystercatchers with 1 young, 3 Pheasants, Green Woodpecker, Redstart, Whitethroat.  

Ogston Reservoir: Little Egret on West Bank in front of hide, Arctic Tern, 4 Common Terns, Ringed Plover, Snipe, 5 Reed Warblers.

Latest Sightings 25/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Cormorant, Grey Heron, female Mallards with 4 and 7 young, 8 Gadwall, Canada Geese with 3 young, Moorhens with 6 young, Coots with 3 young, Buzzard, Peregrine, 2 Kestrels, Sparrowhawk, Oystercatchers with 1 young, 5 Lapwings, BHG's with 3 young, 4 Pheasants, Green Woodpecker, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Reed Buntings.

Ramsley Res/Leash Fen: Report of a Purple Sandpiper late afternoon. (No sign 26/05).

Ogston Reservoir: Red Kite flew SE between 11.19-11.26hrs, a Whimbrel flew E as 09.48hrs, Arctic Tern, 4 Common Terns, Ringed Plover, Curlew, 2 Gadwall, 1st summer Yellow-legged Gull flew S, Lesser Whitethroat.

Carr Vale NR: Wood Sandpiper until 11.07 then flew NW.

Mapperley Res: 5 Common Terns.

Shipley Lake: Cuckoo.

Padley Gorge: 4 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Treecreepers, 2 Tree Pipits, Reed Bunting.

Latest Sightings 24/05/2013

Carsington Water: 37+ Canada Geese young, 2 Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, 8 Mute Swans, 6 Cormorants, 3 Redshank, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Hobby, Buzzard, 100's of Swallows and House Martins, 6 Sand Martins.

Middleton Moor: 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 Coots, Black Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, Curlew, 2 Wheatears, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, 40 BH Gulls, 8 LBB Gulls.

Ogston Reservoir: Arctic Tern arrived at 10.55hrs and still present mid afternoon, 2 Common Terns, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew, 2 Gadwall, 2 1st summer Yellow-legged Gulls flew through, Mandarin, Lesser Whitethroat.

Latest Sightings 23/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 72 Greylag Geese, 6 Gadwall, 2 Mandarin, female Goosander, Grey Heron, Cormorant, 5 Oystercatchers including 1 young, 3 Lapwings, 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, Moorhens with 6 young, Coots with 4 young, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 10 Swifts, 40 House Martins, 25 Swallows, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap.

Willington GP's: 2 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Cormorants, 30 Canada Geese, 4 Gadwall, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, Jay, 3 Linnets, Bullfinch.

Church Wilne Res (permit only): Arctic Tern.

Etwall Farm: 2 Yellow Wagtails.

Raynesway: Common Sandpiper.

Hilton GP's: Little Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Cormorants, 3 Greylag Geese, 10 BH Gulls, 4 Common Terns.

Not so Natural England

I've been having a bad couple of days this week and that was only confounded this morning when I awoke to this shocking news. Nearly a year one from the last debacle, the Government have granted licenses to those pesky shooting estates to destroy Buzzard nests.

Like I said, this comes a year on from this when DEFRA was going to massacre god knows how many Buzzards. But due to a public backlash the cull was culled. So here we are in May 2013 and behind our backs licenses were granted to destroy Buzzard nests to prevent predation of young Pheasants.

I'm sure that these applications for licenses that are being talked about here are just the tip of the iceberg. How many licenses have been issued that we don't know about? A precedent has been set now, I believe.

I'm still trying to get my head around (like I was last year) the idea that a native bird Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) should have eggs and nests destroyed just so the non native Pheasant ( Phasianus colchicus) can be reared in ridiculously large numbers just to be blown to pieces by the shooting fraternity.

Coming in the same week as the state of nature report that suggests 60% of our plants and animals have declined over the past 50 years, we need to fight even more vigorously to preserve our heritage and defend our native wildlife. This sort of nonsense can not go on and I would ask everybody who reads this to contact their MP, Environment Secretary and/or Richard Benyon MP to express your concerns.

Before I sign off, I would just like to post these stats that I have nicked from somewhere else. One applicant provided 35 Pheasant corpses that they attributed to either Buzzard or Sparrowhawk predation. Of the 35 corpses analysed ONLY 5 showed signs of avian predation. So 84% of the evidence provided in this case was totally wrong. Yet Natural England still issued licenses. 

Latest Sightings 22/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 69 Canada Geese inc 16 young, 36 adult Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, 3 broods of Mallard 7/10 & 12, 7 Gadwall, 2 Mandarin, 2 Tufted Ducks, Coots with 4 young, Moorhens with 6 young, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, pair of Oystercatchers with 1 young, 4 Lapwings, Common Tern, Green Woodpecker, G.S.Woodpecker, 20+ House Martins, few Swifts and Swallows, 7 Blackbirds, 6 Blackcaps, 2 Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Reed Buntings.

Willington GP's: 11 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Cormorants, 20 Canada Geese + broods of 2/3/4/4/5 & 6, Teal, Gadwall, Oystercatcher, 3 Lapwings, Redshank, 14 Common Terns, 4 BH Gulls, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Water Rail, Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler.

Ogston Reservoir: 2 Red Kites flew S together between 11.20-11.35, imm Peregrine, Mandarin, 2 Gadwall, Curlew, 1st summer Common Gull, Common Tern.

Latest Sightings 21/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 3 Cormorants, 2 broods of Mallards (7 & 10), 5 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Ducks, Coots and 4 young, 3 Sparrowhawks, 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, 2 Peregrines, Oystercatchers with 1 young, Pied Wagtail, 40+ House Martins, 2 Stock Doves, 2 Green Woodpeckers, G.S.Woodpecker, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, Jay.

Carsington Water: Oystercatchers with 4 young, Common Sandpiper.

Ogston Reservoir: 4 Arctic Terns flew N, a Whimbrel flew N, 3 Ringed Plovers, Curlew, 4 Gadwall, 4 Common Terns, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull flew S.

Latest Sightings 20/05/2013

Carsington Water: 4 Cormorants, 6 Greylag Geese, 9 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Buzzards, Turnstone, 9 Redshank, 11 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, Curlew, Common Tern, Sand Martin, Redstart, 2 Sedge Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, Lesser Redpoll in song.

Ogston Reservoir: 4 Gadwall, 3 Ringed Plovers, Curlew, Kingfisher, Lesser Whitethroat.

Latest Sightings 19/05/2013

Ogston Reservoir: 2 Peregrines, 2 Ringed Plovers, White Wagtail, 3 Common Terns, 2 Kingfishers, Spotted Flycatcher.

Latest Sightings 18/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Cormorants, 2 Mute Swans, 4 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Ducks, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 5 Reed Buntings.

Middleton Moor: Sanderling, 8 Wheatear.

Ogston Reservoir: Ringed Plover, 2 Curlews, 8 imm GBB Gulls, 3 Mandarins, 2 Common Terns, Kingfisher, c1000 Swifts, Spotted Flycatcher.

Drakelow NR: 2 Garganey, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Terns, Cetti's Warbler.

Dove Dale: Spotted Flycatcher.

Latest Sightings 17/05/2013

Carsington Water: 2 Ruddy Shelduck/Cape Shelduck (1 bird was probably a Cape and the other looked good for a Ruddy), 9 broods of Canada Geese 1/2/4/4/6/6/6/7 and 9, 3 broods of Mallard 5/5 and 9, Cackling Goose at the Wildlife Centre, Grey Heron, 10 Mute Swans, 3 Buzzards, Hobby, 2 Dunlin, 13 Oystercatchers, 7 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Sedge Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, 50+ Swifts, Redstart, 2 Linnets.

Drakelow NR: 2 Garganey, Cetti's Warbler.

Ogston Reservoir: 2 Mandarin, 5 Gadwall, Ringed Plover, 2 Common Terns, Lesser Whitethroat.  

Latest Sightings 16/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, 2 Cormorants, 2 broods of Canada Geese of 4 & 11, 78 Greylags including 25+ young, 6 Gadwall, 2 Mandarin, drake Goosander, Mallard with 7 young, 7 Coots, 4 Moorhens, 2 Buzzards, 2 Common Terns, Stock Dove, 6 BH Gulls, Green Woodpecker, 2 Treecreepers, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Buntings.

Ogston Reservoir: 5 Common Terns, Curlew, Kingfisher, Reed Warbler.

Middleton Moor: 2 Dunlin, Redstart, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler.

Drakelow NR: Hobby.

Willington GP's: Shoveler, Greenshank, Black Tern, Cuckoo, Garden Warbler.

Latest Sightings 15/05/2013

Carsington Water: 36 Turnstones around Sailing Club/Stones Island this evening, also 8 Sanderling, 55+ Dunlin, Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 8 Mute Swans, 6 Greylag Geese, Peregrine, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 4 Common Terns, Arctic Tern, Black Tern.

Willington GP's: Little Stint, 4 Turnstones, Dunlin, Sanderling, Black Tern, 2 Arctic Terns, 29 Common Terns, 4 Hobbies, Cuckoo, 2 Grasshopper Warblers.

Ogston Reservoir: Female Pintail, Arctic Tern, 5 Common Terns, 5 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers, adult Common Gull, 4 Mandarins, 3 Gadwall, large numbers of Swifts, Swallows and House Martins, Yellow Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher.  

Carr Vale NR: 2 Little Terns through.

Staunton Harold Reservoir: 12 Black Terns, also 70 Whimbrel through, 1st summer Yellow-legged Gull, and a Sanderling.

Church Wilne Reservoir (permit only): 2 Black Terns, 2 adult Kittiwakes.

Latest Sightings 14/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 92 Greylag Geese inc 45 young, Cormorant, Grey Heron, 2 Pheasants, 6 Gadwall, 17 Mallards, 3 Buzzards, 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Lapwings, 8 BH Gulls, 5 LBB Gulls, 2 Green Woodpeckers, G.S.Woodpecker, 10 Swifts, 10 Swallows, 40 House Martins, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Stock Doves, 2 Linnets, 6 Reed Buntings.

Ogston Reservoir: 22 Greylag Geese, 4 Mandarin, 3 Gadwall, 2 Curlews, 2 Common Sandpipers, c1100 Swifts, 2 Yellow Wagtails.

Scrapping Mutes and Dunlins

Took a couple of videos yesterday at Carsington. One of some Mute Swans fighting and one not very exciting of 15 Dunlin that had just dropped in during a hailstorm.

Latest Sightings 13/05/2013

Carsington Water: 10 Canada Geese broods of 2/4/4/5/5/5/6/6/6 and 7. 4 Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, 8 Mute Swans, 76 Tufted Ducks, Hobby, Peregrine, 6 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 8 Oystercatchers, 6 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Turnstones, Sanderling, 16 Dunlin, Lapwings with 2 young, Common Tern, 50+ Swifts, 100's of Swallows and House Martins, 11 Garden Warblers, 16 Blackcaps, 19 Willow Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warblers, 13 Chiffchaffs, 2 Redstarts, 6 Linnets.

Willington GP's: 30 Mute Swans, 9 Cormorants, Teal, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, 2 LRP, Dunlin, 17 Common Terns, 8 BH Gulls, 2 Cetti's Warblers. Canal Pit: 2 Great Crested Grebes, Grey Heron, 4 Gadwall.

Ambaston GP's: 3 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 LRP, 10 Lapwings, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, 6 Little Grebes, Great Crested Grebe.

Ogston Reservoir: Grasshopper Warbler reeling and occasionally showing well between the hides and the west bank car park, Common Tern, Curlew, c700 Swifts.  

Middleton Moor: Oystercatcher, Curlew, Turnstone, 8 Wheatear.

Drakelow NR: 4 Goosander, Redshank, 20 Swallows, 70 House Martins, Cetti's Warbler.

Breaston: Waxwing still at Woodland Avenue/Birchwood Avenue junction.

Birds and Bombs

On Friday me and Chris did the alldayer down Wyver. Well, not quite all day but 10 hours which sure feels like all day down Wyver. I've probably posted about it somewhere before It's something we started doing in the Winter of 2012. Simply put we spend ten hours down there recording as many species as possible.

Now the thing is, Wyver isn't the most exciting of places at the best of times so we have our work cut out. But we are hardcore and nothing fazes us. So we were on site for 06.00hrs on Friday for the marathon.

I won't bore you with every species but we did get a few surprises, namely Pink-footed Goose, Hobby and......erm.... no, that's it. The best part of the day was around 15.30hrs as we were nearing the end of the day. We were up near Wyver Woods when we heard a series of loud explosions. Now most loud noises I hear tend to emanate from Chris. But these had a more sinister source.

Then clouds of black smoke started to waft up the valley. Something had clearly happened in Belper to make it the most exciting thing to happen in Belper since......no, hang on, it IS the most exciting thing to ever happen in Belper.

                                                  At least the Hobby tree is still standing.

 It turns out that some cads had set fire to some Aerosols and the old Thorntons had gone up.In a matter of just a few minutes Belper was flattened.

The former Wilkinsons store didn't look much different either. You can see all their tat spread out in the rubble


The devastation in Belper was , well devastating, although many residents said there was no difference.

Latest Sightings 12/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 73 Greylag Geese, 9 Canada Geese, 8 Gadwall, 13 Mallards, 10 Coots, 4 Moorhens, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 BH Gulls, Green Woodpecker, Swift, 30 Swallows, 10 House Martins.  

Carsington Water: Turnstone at the Wildlife Centre, also 2 Dunlin.

Ogston Reservoir: 27 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Hobbies, c620 Swifts, 3 Gadwall, Mandarin, 2 Common Terns, 2 1st summer Common Gulls, 3 Yellow Wagtails.

Carr Vale NR: Grey Plover this morning.

Breaston: Waxwing again at Woodland Avenue/Birchwood Avenue junction.

Latest Sightings 11/05/2013

Carsington Water: Turnstone at the Wildlife Centre, Little Gull, 2 Common Terns, 2 Greylag Geese, Hobby, c200 Swallows.

Padley Gorge: 5 Pied Flycatchers, Tree Pipit, male Redstart, male Whinchat, Mistle Thrush, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Treecreepers, Nuthatch, Dipper, 5 Willow Warblers.

Bamford Edge: Ring Ouzel, Buzzard.

Ogston Reservoir: 25 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 7 Cormorants, 2 Gadwall, Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, Snipe, 3 Yellow Wagtails, Reed Warbler.  

Out and out liars

This might ruffle a few feathers but it is something I feel quite strongly about, so I don't really care. I've been birding in Derbyshire for around 11 years now and in that time I've met many birders. Many of these I can now call mates and the majority of the rest are just birders that I know and will bump into them over the course of the year at various sites up and down the county. There are a few that I don't like and will try and avoid but that's just life, you ain't gonna like everybody no matter what you do.

Also in life at some point you will come across liars and cheats. People who for whatever reason feel the need to try and pull the wool over your eyes. Liars, cheats, bullshitters call them what you will but they exist in birding too.

People who know me will know I'm a decent birder. Far from the best in the county but still a decent birder never the less. I've never lied about a bird, never made something up and never stringed anything and never will. I was brought up the right way, that is all.

Unfortunately however that can't be said about everybody. Whilst the majority of Derbyshire birders are as straight as a die and are genuine, there is a certain few that are not. They know who they are and I hope they read this.

They are well known not just in Derbyshire but much further afield also. When I started birding I got to know one of them and believed everything they told me but I now believe that the majority of the things he told me were just blatant lies, just like everything they have reported ever since.

Things were quiet for a few years but now they are back on the scene with their old ways already resurfacing. Like I said before I can't abide liars and cheats and I despise these with a passion.

I sincerely hope that they do read this and they realise that it's not just me who feels like this but everybody who has had the unfortunate pleasure of crossing their path. If I see you whilst I'm out birding then please feel free to come up to me and ask me about this post. I'll quite happily ram it down your throat. Please do me a favour and FUCK OFF!.

Latest Sightings 10/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 3 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 32 adult and 61 young Greylag Geese, Canada Geese with 8 young, Pink-footed Goose, 4 Pheasants, Mandarin, 7 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Ducks, Tawny Owl, 2 Buzzards, Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 11 Coots, 5 Moorhens, 2 Oystercatchers, Snipe, Redstart, 6 BH Gulls, LBB Gull, 2 Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tit, 3 Blackbirds, 2 Goldfinch, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Green Woodpeckers, Jay, 12 Magpies, 3 Sedge Warblers, Bullfinch, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, 7 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Stock Doves, 6 Chiffchaffs, 5 Chaffinch, Dunnock, 30 Swallows, 50 House Martins, 10 Swifts, Sand Martin, Nuthatch, 6 Reed Buntings, 5 Great Tits, 12 Blue Tits, 11 Robins, 16 Wrens.

Carsington Water: 3 Canada Geese broods of 5, 5 and 5, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, 7 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel, Turnstone, 2 Common Terns.

Ogston Reservoir: 6 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 2 White Wagtails, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Arctic Terns, Hobby, adult Kittiwake, 2 Common Terns, 2 Yellow Wagtails, c400 Swifts.

Derby: Wood Warbler singing at Pride Park.  

Latest Sightings 09/05/2013

Carsington Water: Water Pipit on Horseshoe Island this morning (see photos and video below), juvenile Great Northern Diver, 3 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 4 Greylag Geese, Canada Geese broods of 5 & 6, Mallard with 7 young, male Peregrine, Buzzard, male Sparrowhawk, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4+ Oystercatchers, 5 Redshank, 6 Common Terns, 1st summer Herring Gull, 100's of Swallows and House Martins, few Sand Martins, 29+ Swifts, 2 Stock Doves, White Wagtail, 8 Garden Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Willow Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs, 12 Blackcaps, 9 Linnets.

Ogston Reservoir: Ringed Plover, 4 Gadwall, Oystercatcher, 4 Common Terns, 3 Garden Warblers, Reed Warbler, at least 71 Linnets on the large tilled field behind the west bank.

Buxton: Male Wood Warbler singing in a garden along Trenchard Drive.

Foremark Reservoir: 1st winter Kittiwake this afternoon.

Carr Vale NR: 1st winter Litte Gull late afternoon then flew north.

Latest Sightings 08/05/2013

Carsington Water: 2 Great Northern Divers, 6 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 4 Greylag Geese, 3 Mute Swans, drake Gadwall, 5 Redshank, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, Whimbrel, Curlew, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Terns, 35+ Swifts.

Ogston Reservoir: 2 Grasshopper Warblers on the west bank, one of which showed down to 15ft of the oak tree viewpoint, 4 Common Sandpipers, Curlew, 4 Snipe, 3 Oystercatchers, 7 Gadwall, 4 Mandarin, Common Tern, 7 female Yellow Wagtails one of which looked typical of the Blue headed race.

Willington GP's: Turnstone.

Latest Sightings 07/05/2013

Carsington Water: 2 Great Northern Divers, 6 Greylag Geese, Little Grebe, Canada Geese with 6 young, 3 Grey Herons, 7 Redshank, Dunlin, 3 Turnstone, 4 Common Sandpipers, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Oystercatchers, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Common Terns, 9 Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warblers, 11 Garden Warblers, 2 Redstarts, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Linnets.

Ogston Reservoir: A Black Tern arrived at 08.20 and was still present at 11.30, Whimbrel on the west bank, 2 Mandarins, 4 Gadwall, Common Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Grasshopper Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Yellow Wagtail.

Latest Sightings 06/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, Cormorant, 68 Greylag Geese including 27 young, 8 Gadwall, 2 drake Mandarin, drake Goosander, 3 Pheasants, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Lapwings, LBB Gull, 4 BH Gulls, Redstart, 3 Stock Doves, Pied Wagtail, Green Woodpecker, 4 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, Willow Warbler, 3 Blackbirds, 6 Wrens, Mistle Thrush, 7 Magpies, 2 Jays, 4 Reed Buntings.

Breaston: 2 Waxwings on wires at Birchwood Avenue/Woodland Avenue junction at 09:00.

A few photos

Not posted much apart from the latest sightings for a while so here's a few recent photos. There's also a little bit of footage of the Wood Warbler down Wyver last week. Swallows, 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull, Blue-headed Wagtail, Wood Warbler, Mandarin and some footage of the Wood Warbler.

Latest Sightings 05/05/2013

Willington GP's: Little Tern briefly this morning, also 2 LRP and a Dunlin.

Doveridge: Female Goosander with 20+ young on the River Dove.

Ogston Reservoir: Grasshopper Warbler and Reed Warbler singing on the west bank, also 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Dunlin, Redshank, Peregrine, drake Goldeneye, 44 Swifts, female Yellow Wagtail.

Latest Sightings 04/05/2013

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Grey Herons, 2 Cormorants, 58 Greylag Geese including 15 young, 4 Gadwall, 3 Mandarin, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Oystercatchers, 5 Lapwings, 8 BH Gulls, 2 Sedge Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 15 Swallows, 25 House Martins, 9 Wrens, 3 Reed Buntings, Linnet.

Carsington Water: 2 Great Northern Divers, also 2 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Little Gull and 3 Lesser Whitethroats.

Latest Sightings 03/05/2013

Carsington Water: 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Mute Swans, Grey Heron, 3 Cormorants, 5 Gadwall, drake Shoveler, Dunlin, Whimbrel, 3 Curlews, 5+ Little Ringed Plovers, 5+ Oystercatchers, 5 Redshank, 6 Buzzards, 2 Arctic Terns, 1st summer Little Gull, 3 Herring Gulls, 10 Garden Warblers, 28 Willow Warblers, 36 Blackcaps, 27 Chiffchaffs, 15 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Redstarts, 2 Grey Wagtails, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 3 G.S.Woodpeckers, 50+ Swallows, 4 Sand Martins, 7 Reed Buntings, 10 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Linnets.

Willington GP's: Marsh Harrier, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 4 Mute Swans, 13 Cormorants, 7 Gadwall, 7 Teal, Shelduck, 3 LBB Gulls, 7 Common Terns, 2 Redshank, 3 Oystercatchers, Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Reed Warblers, 3 Cetti's Warblers.