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.
Friday, 31 May 2013
Thursday, 30 May 2013
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Latest Sightings 28/05/2013
Ogston Reservoir: Arctic Tern flew NE at 08.35hrs, Ringed Plover, 2 Gadwall, Pochard, c190 House Martins, c450 Swallows.
Monday, 27 May 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, 26 May 2013
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.
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.
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.
Friday, 24 May 2013
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.
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.
Thursday, 23 May 2013
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
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.
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.
Monday, 20 May 2013
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.
Ogston Reservoir: 4 Gadwall, 3 Ringed Plovers, Curlew, Kingfisher, Lesser Whitethroat.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Latest Sightings 19/05/2013
Ogston Reservoir: 2 Peregrines, 2 Ringed Plovers, White Wagtail, 3 Common Terns, 2 Kingfishers, Spotted Flycatcher.
Saturday, 18 May 2013
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.
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.
Friday, 17 May 2013
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.
Drakelow NR: 2 Garganey, Cetti's Warbler.
Ogston Reservoir: 2 Mandarin, 5 Gadwall, Ringed Plover, 2 Common Terns, Lesser Whitethroat.
Thursday, 16 May 2013
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.
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.
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
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.
Monday, 13 May 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, 12 May 2013
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Saturday, 11 May 2013
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.
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!.
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!.
Friday, 10 May 2013
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.
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.
Thursday, 9 May 2013
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.
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.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
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.
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.
Monday, 6 May 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, 5 May 2013
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.
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.
Saturday, 4 May 2013
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.
Carsington Water: 2 Great Northern Divers, also 2 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Little Gull and 3 Lesser Whitethroats.
Friday, 3 May 2013
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.
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.
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Latest Sightings 02/05/2013
Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, 2 Cormorants, 4 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mandarin, 7 Tufted Ducks, Goosander, 8 Moorhens, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Kestrel, 3 Oystercatchers, 6 Lapwings, 10 BH Gulls, Green Woodpecker, G.S.Woodpecker, 2 Stock Doves, 8 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, Redstart, Jay, 13 Wrens, 3 Reed Buntings. Also a male Orange Tip, Brimstone, Comma and several Small Tortoiseshells.
Breaston: 4 Waxwings at Breaston NR.
Breaston: 4 Waxwings at Breaston NR.
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Latest Sightings 01/05/2013
Carsington Water: 3 Great Northern Divers, Mallards with 5 and 8 young, 3 Red Kites, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 8 Redshank, 4 Curlews, 1st summer Little Gull, Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Wood Warbler, Reed Warbler, 4 Redstarts, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, 2 Ravens.
Harborough Rocks: 3 Wheatear.
Foremark Reservoir: Female Common Scoter.
Middleton Moor: 3 Curlew, 100 BH Gulls, 8 Whetear.
Willington GP's: 2 Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear.
Harborough Rocks: 3 Wheatear.
Foremark Reservoir: Female Common Scoter.
Middleton Moor: 3 Curlew, 100 BH Gulls, 8 Whetear.
Willington GP's: 2 Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear.
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