Bittern

I was a bit lucky yesterday. I arrived down Wyver around 14.30 and upon arrival I did my usual and scanned the main pool. I normally spend a while on the lane before heading for the hide and eventually making my way to the viewing mound. But within minutes of me being there a couple who had been on the mound walked towards me and told me that they had seen a Bittern showing well on the top pool. So instead of grilling the main pool I made my way to the mound. And there was the Bittern in its full glory posing in the sunshine. I quickly set up my scope and got my phone out and fired off a few shots.

Still no Barn Owl and it's been over a week now since it's been seen. A sure sign that spring is almost upon us is the fact there was only 1 Goosander that came into roost. Although there was 23 Tufties. A number I have had several times recently. An impressive 18 Gadwall were spread around the pools which shows the importance of Wyver for this species.

Monday visit to Wyver

A cold and blustery day today saw me again down Wyver. The male Stonechat which I recently photographed is still present having been elusive for a few days. Wigeon have been increasing steadily of late into the low 60's but today I could only muster 16. Teal numbers however which have been quite low lately peaked at 48 today. One of which I managed to photograph.

                                                             Drake Teal

No Barn Owl again this evening and it's nearly a week since it's been seen. The roost was a little disappointing with only 3 Goosander and 14 Tufties. The one remaining blue morph Snow Goose did come in though with c140 Greylags. Over 100 Lapwings are still present and the only other thing of real note was a couple of Ravens that flew through. The pair of Oystercatchers were feeding on the near bank enabling me to get this shot.

                                                          Pair of Oycs

A few recent photos

I've recently acquired a new Kowa scope and together with my Sony Experia Z2 I can produce some half decent phone scoped shots. I've been doing a lot of experimenting and have surprised even myself with the results. Back on Wednesday Clive picked out an adult Med at Carsington which gave me a good opportunity in good light to get a few shots.

                                                        Adult Med Gull

             Adult Med Gull with a preening Common Gull in the background.

A male Stonechat has been down Wyver for almost 3 weeks now but often elusive. A few days ago in glorious sunshine I managed to capture these couple of shots in the hedge from the viewing mound.

                                                        Male Stonechat

                                                      Male Stonechat

Latest Sightings The End

I've been getting a little bored posting the latest sightings for a while now so I've decided to call it a day. From now on I'm going to dedicate my blog to my local patch which of course is Wyver Lane, and Carsington Water where I also spend some considerable time. I'll just update it as and when with sightings, photos, info etc. I may from time to time post photos and info from a little further afield but daily sightings for Derbyshire ends as of today. Thanks for everybody's input over the years but if you want daily latest sightings for the county then you will have to look elsewhere. By all means still look in now and again if you want to see all things Wyver and Carsington. Cheers.

Latest Sightings 21/02/2015

Cromford: At least 10  Hawfinch this morning.

Ogston Reservoir: Adult Iceland Gull in the roost.

Swadlincote: 25 House Sparrows, 20 Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll, 2 Bullfinch, Reed Bunting.

Chesterfield: 2 Pied Wagtails, 25 Redwings, 4 Fieldfare, 3 Mistle Thrush.

Holymoorside: Woodcock, Grey Wagtail, 3 Goldcrest.

Willington GP's: 20 Cormorants, Little Egret, 2 Oystercatchers, 16 Curlew, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Latest Sightings 20/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: 3 Mute Swans, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Cormorant, c130 Greylag Geese, presumed escaped blue morph Snow Goose, 22 Coots, 10 Moorhens, 25 Teal, 38 Wigeon, 51 Mallards, Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 23 Tufted Ducks, Pochard, Goosander, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, male Peregrine, 2 Oystercatchers, 47 Lapwings, 99 BH Gulls, Little Owl, Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Stock Doves, 14 Blackbirds, 8 Robins.

Kedleston Park: 5 Grey Herons, Little Egret, 3 Little Grebes, 4 Mute Swans, 4 Greylag Geese, 45 Canada Geese, 66 Mallards, 9 Mandarin, 5 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 7 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 26 Tufted Ducks, Pochard, 2 Goosander, 61 Coots, 10 Moorhens, 9 Oystercatchers, 138 BH Gulls, Raven.

Carsington Water: Adult Great Northern Diver, Curlew.

Church Wilne: 2 Grey Partridge in the horse paddocks on Wilne Lane.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at the triangle, also 44 Golden Plover.

Willington GP's: 2 Pintail.

Cromford: 6 Hawfinch showing well on Willersley Castle treeline.

Ogston Reservoir: Adult Iceland Gull in the roost.

Aston-on-Trent GP's: 2 Smew.

Thulston: 70 Lapwings, 2 Skylark, 120 Fieldfare.

Pride Park Sanctuary: Kestrel, 5 Snipe, 3 Meadow Pipits.

Middleton Moor: Grey Heron, 2 Wigeon, 23 Teal, 10 Mallards, 3 Tufted Ducks, 13 Lapwings, Curlew, 58 BH Gulls, 8 Common Gulls, 46 LBB Gulls, 3 Skylark, 2 Ravens.

Derby: Barn Owl opposite Morrisons.

Latest Sightings 19/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: Little Grebe, Grey Heron, 3 Cormorants, 165 Greylag Geese, 107 Canada Geese, presumed escaped blue morph Snow Goose, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 28 Teal, 58 Wigeon, 52 Mallards, 5 Goosander, 26 Tufted Ducks, Pochard, 21 Coots, 8 Moorhens, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 2 Oystercatchers, 41 Lapwings, c250 BH Gulls, 2 LBB Gulls, 2 Little Owls, Green Woodpecker, 5 Stock Doves, 2 Mistle Thrush.

Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, 6 Little Grebes, 7 Cormorants, 9 Wigeon, 67 Teal, 5 Pochard, 9 Goldeneye, 7 Oystercatchers.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at the triangle.

Foremark Reservoir: 3rd winter Glaucous Gull again in the roost.

Latest Sightings 18/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, Cormorant, c120 Greylag Geese, c70 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 9 Gadwall, 57 Wigeon, 68 Mallards, Shoveler, 18 Tufted Ducks, 4 Goosander, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 2 Oystercatchers, c50 Lapwings, Barn Owl, Little Owl, 5 Pheasants, c50 Redwings.

Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, 5 Little Grebes, 21 Cormorants, 28 Barnacle Geese, Grey Heron, Gadwall, 13 Wigeon, Shelduck, 10 Goldeneye, 5 Buzzards, 4 Oystercatchers, Redshank, 11 Snipe, adult Mediterranean Gull, 1st winter Herring Gull, Skylark, 26 Starlings, 3 Ravens, 5 Willow Tits.

Screetham Lane: c150 Skylarks, c200 Lapwings.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at the triangle.

Willington GP's: 1st winter Caspian Gull mid morning.

Derwent Meadows DWT: 5 Goosander, 2 Reed Buntings.

Thulston: 130 Lapwings, Skylark.

Mapperley Res: Cormorant, 21 Goosander.

Straw's Bridge: 2 Egyptian Geese.

Latest Sightings 17/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: Little Grebe, 3 Mute Swans, Cormorant, Grey Heron, c120 Greylag Geese, c100 Canada Geese, 28 Mallards, 14 Gadwall, 24 Teal, Shoveler, 62 Wigeon, 4 Goosander, 23 Tufted Ducks, 27 Coots, 6 Moorhens, 6 Buzzards, 2 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 2 Oystercatchers, 95 Lapwings, 220 BH Gulls, LBB Gull, Little Owl, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, c150 Starlings, Song Thrush, 8 Blackbirds, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Green Woodpecker, Stonechat, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Reed Buntings.

Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, 29 Barnacle Geese, 7 Oystercatchers, Skylark.

Abbey Hill Flash: Cormorant, Little Grebe, 53 Canada Geese, Greylag Goose, Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 67 Teal, Muscovy Duck, 13 Tufted Ducks, 2 Goosander, 21 Mallards, 44 Lapwings, 12 Coots, 6 Moorhens, 11 Pied Wagtails, Barn Owl, Buzzard, 4 Greenfinch, LBB Gull, Common Gull, 23 BH Gulls, 253 Jackdaws.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at Beeley Triangle.

Holme Moss: 2 Rough-legged Buzzards viewed from the car park by A6024 mid afternoon.

Newton Solney: 8 Tufted Ducks, 18 Long-tailed Tits.

Loscoe Dam: 4 Teal, 2 Kestrel, Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipits, Grey Wagtail.

Taddington: Female Ring Ouzel.

Cromford: 6 Hawfinch in area.

Foremark Reservoir: 3rd winter Glaucous Gull in the roost.

Latest Sightings 16/02/2015

Cromford: 12 Hawfinch near Willersley Castle.

Hayfield: 12 Goosander.

Holme Moss: Rough-legged Buzzard this morning.

Latest Sightings 15/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swans, Little Grebe, 5 Cormorants, 114 Canada Geese, c175 Greylag Geese, presumed escaped blue morph Snow Goose, 52 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 13 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 2 Mandarin, Pochard, 5 Goosander, 19 Tufted Ducks, 22 Coots, 2 Peregrine, 2 Buzzards, 2 Oystercatchers, 77 Lapwings, 17 LBB Gulls, 3 Stock Doves, male Stonechat, Little Owl, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Raven, 2 Jays, 2 Reed Buntings.

Lower Hartshay: 3 Water Rails showing well this morning.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still present.

Cromford: 9 Hawfinch around the entrance to Willersley Castle.

Codnor Park Reservoir: Water Rail showing well.

Ogston Reservoir: 76 Cormorants, 29 Greylag Geese, Gadwall, 5 Goldeneye.

Newton Solney: Little Egret, 17 Tufted Ducks, 2 Goosander, Buzzard, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, 8 Long-tailed Tits.

Cathole: Willow Tit, 4 Ravens, 3 Bullfinch.

Holymoorside: 2 Mandarin, Dipper.

Hayfield: 2 Pochard, 2 Buzzards, Tawny Owl, Skylark, Raven, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Bullfinch.

Drakelow NR: 16 Grey Herons, 192 Canada Geese, 10 Gadwall, 14 Teal, 31 Shoveler, 7 Pochard, 71 Tufted Ducks, 4 Goldeneye, 8 Goosander, Peregrine, 10 Moorhens, 61 Coots, 4 Lapwings, Oystercatcher, 3 Snipe, 2 Woodcock, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, 4 Skylark, 7 Wrens, 5 Dunnock, 27 Robins, 7 Song Thrush, 4 Goldcrest, 4 Treecreepers, Coal Tit, 5 Blue Tits, 7 Great Tits, 600+ Jackdaws, 3 Chaffinch, Reed Bunting.

Latest Sightings 14/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: Barn Owl, 92 Lapwings, 2 Oystercatchers, male Peregrine, 3 Buzzards.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still present in the area.

Loscoe Dam: 2 Skylark.

Derby Loco Works: 2 Mistle Thrush.

Hilton GP's: 3 Little Grebes, 10 Shoveler, 2 Willow Tits, 2 Coal Tits, 4 Lesser Redpoll.

River Lathkill: Little Egret near Bowers Hall on the Alport road.

Latest Sightings 13/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swans, 121 Canada Geese, c95 Greylag Geese, c40 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 23 Tufted Ducks, 2 Pochard, 9 Goosander, 21 Coots, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, c60 BH Gulls, Little Owl.

Cotmanhay (Stenson's Lock): Scaup.

Middleton Moor: 45 Pink-footed Geese, Wigeon, 48 Teal, 18 Mallards, 7 Golden Plover, 38 Lapwings, 8 Snipe.

Latest Sightings 12/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: Little Grebe, 3 Mute Swans, c90 Greylag Geese, 143 Canada Geese, 2 Grey Herons, 13 Gadwall, 19 Teal, 32 Wigeon, 88 Mallards, 9 Goosander, 21 Tufted Ducks, 2 Pochard, 2 Buzzards, 22 Coots, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, Little Owl.

Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, 3 Little Grebes, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Herons, 65 Canada Geese, Greylag Goose, 4 Gadwall, 27 Wigeon, 35 Pochard, 12 Goldeneye, 4 Moorhens, Kestrel, 3 Oystercatchers, 12 Snipe, 2 Redshank, 360 Lapwings, 2 Song Thrush singing, 40 Blackbirds, 3 Willow Tits, 13 Bullfinch, 3 Nuthatch, Reed Bunting singing.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still around the triangle.

Aston-on-Trent GP's: 5 Smew (2 drakes).

Latest Sightings 11/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: Little Grebe, 4 Cormorants, Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swans, 72 Mallards, 29 Teal, 45 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 2 Mandarin, 8 Goosander, 13 Tufted Ducks, 2 Pochard, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 28 Coots, 10 Moorhens, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, c120 Lapwings, 97 BH Gulls, 7 LBB Gulls, 30 Pied Wagtails, Grey Wagtail, 23 Starlings, 10 Fieldfare, male Stonechat, 4 Chaffinch inc 2 in song, 3 Coal Tits, 9 Blue Tits, 9 Great Tits, 2 Treecreepers, 4 Dunnock, 4 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush, 16 Blackbirds, 6 Wrens, 15 Robins, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jays, 3 Stock Doves, 9 Goldfinch.

Hasland: 3 Whooper Swans south.

Latest Sightings 10/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: 3 Cormorants, 2 Mute Swans, Shoveler, 29 Mallards, 13 Gadwall, 44 Wigeon, 3 Mandarins, 10 Goosander, 23 Tufted Ducks, 21 Coots, 5 Moorhens, Buzzard, 2 Oystercatchers, 5 Snipe, Little Owl, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stonechat.

Carsington Water: Shelduck, Sparrowhawk, Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 9 Snipe, 1st winter GBB Gull, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreepers.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike.

Kedleston Park: 4 Oystercatchers.

Bakewell: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Aldern House).

Belper: Red Kite.

Latest Sightings 09/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: Cormorant, 2 Mute Swans, 28 Canada Geese, 121 Greylag Geese, 16 Gadwall, 37 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 82 Mallards, 2 Shoveler, 11 Tufted Ducks, 8 Goosander, 24 Coots, 6 Moorhens, Buzzard, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, c150 Lapwings, 33 BH Gulls, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Green Woodpecker, Stonechat, Song Thrush singing.

Carr Vale NR: 250 Pink-footed Geese over, Chiffchaff, Willow Tit, Skylark, Reed Bunting.

Monsal: Goosander.

Buxton: Cormorant, 150 Pink-footed Geese NW.

Shirland: 560 Pink-footed Geese W.

New Whittington: 180 Pink-footed Geese W.

Arnfield Reservoir: 3 Buzzards, 2 Ravens.

Glossop: Blackcap, 5 Lesser Redpoll.

Latest Sightings 08/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, Cormorant, 2 Mute Swans, several Gadwall, c25 Wigeon, c15 Teal, Shoveler, 9 Tufted Ducks, 2 Goosander, 25 Coots, 5 Moorhens, Oystercatcher, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest.

Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, c70 Pink-footed Geese.

Kedleston Park: 6 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatchers, Snipe, Woodcock, Green Woodpecker.

Carr Vale NR: Siberian Chiffchaff still present.

Weston-on-Trent: 95 Mute Swans, Whooper Swan.

Newton Solney: Little Egret, Grey Heron, 25 Canada Geese, Shelduck, 175 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 13 Tufted Ducks, 3 Goldeneye, Goosander, Buzzard, 3 Oystercatchers, Redshank, 20 Fieldfare, Reed Bunting.

Chellaston: Little Egret, Buzzard, Kestrel, 16 House Sparrows, 11 Yellowhammers.

Holymoorside: 3 Stock Doves, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 6 Magpies, 26 Carrion Crows.

Poolsbrook CP: Adult Iceland Gull again.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at the triangle.

Cromford: At least one Hawfinch still around the entrance to Willersley Castle.

Latest Sightings 07/02/2015

Poolsbrook CP: Adult Iceland Gull again.

Carr Vale NR: Siberian Chiffchaff still on embankment.

Beeley Moor: Great Grey Shrike still at the triangle.

Cromford: 2 Hawfinch around Willersley Castle entrance.

Kedleston Park: 2 Little Grebes, 4 Goosander, 6 Mandarin, 2 Shoveler, 2 Oystercatchers, 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Coal Tit.

Chesterfield: 16 Yellowhammers.

Errwood Reservoir: 7 Cormorants, Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jay, 100 Siskin, 10 Lesser Redpoll.

Hillbridge Reserve:18 Long-tailed Tits.

Hoo Moor: 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 12 Siskin.

Shilito Wood: Brambling.

Latest Sightings 06/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: 2 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, Shoveler, 17 Teal, 29 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 5 Goosander, Tufted Duck, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 28 Coots, 6 Moorhens, Oystercatcher, 57 BH Gulls, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker, Stonechat.

Poolsbrook CP: Adult Iceland Gull, Yellow-legged Gull.

Ogston Reservoir: Adult Iceland Gull.

Newton Solney: Great Crested Grebe, 12 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Teal, 20 Tufted Ducks, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, 5 Oystercatchers, 5 Lapwings, Snipe, Redshank, Grey Wagtail, Long-tailed Tit, 8 Magpies.

Bakewell: 3 Buzzards.

Latest Sightings 05/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: Grey Heron, Cormorant, 144 Canada Geese, presumed escaped blue morph Snow Goose, 29 Wigeon, c20 Teal, 10+Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 4 Goosander, 24 Coots, 7 Moorhens, Oystercatcher, c100 BH Gulls, Common Gull, Barn Owl, Little Owl, male Stonechat, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Poolsbrook CP: Adult Caspian Gull in field by Inkersall Road.

Latest Sightings 04/02/2015

Carsington Water: 2 Grey Herons, 7 Goldeneye, Redshank, c150 Common Gulls, c500 BH Gulls, Herring Gull, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, 7 Magpies.

Church Wilne: Great Grey Shrike still from Wilne Lane.

Derwent Meadows DWT: Great-crested Grebe, 18 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 2 Pochard, 28 Tufted Ducks.

Poolsbrook CP: Adult Iceland Gull late afternoon.

Bakewell: 3 Buzzards.

Ingleby: 100 Linnets.

Newton Solney: 150 Chaffinch.

Ashbourne: Barn Owl.

Hayfield: 2 Kestrel, Barn Owl, 2 Tawny Owls, 8 Bullfinch.

Willington GP's: Peregrine.

Latest Sightings 03/02/2015

Carsington Water: Great Northern Diver, Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebes, Cormorant, Grey Heron, 20 Canada Geese, 30 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 10 Teal, 20 Mallards, 12 Pochard, Goldeneye, Kestrel, 30 Coots, 15 Lapwings, 9 Snipe, Redshank, 9 Collared Doves, 2 Willow Tits, 8 Chaffinch, 3 Reed Buntings.

Poolsbrook CP: Adult Iceland Gull mid afternoon.

Newton Solney: Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, 2 Teal, 4 Tufted Ducks, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, Sparrowhawk, 8 Coots, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Lapwings, Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail.

Shipley Lake: 12 Shoveler.

Hayfield: Barn Owl, Dipper, Song Thrush.

Twyford: Grey Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Willington GP's: 150+ Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 30 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, 5 Goosander, Curlew, Sparrowhawk.

Latest Sightings 02/02/2015

Cromford: 2 Hawfinch.

Etwall Common: 28 Golden Plover.

Avenue Washlands: Hen Harrier still present for its 3rd day.

Alvaston: Mistle Thrush.

Allestree: 20 Chaffinch, Bullfinch.

Latest Sightings 01/02/2015

Wyver Lane NR: Oystercatcher, Barn Owl, male Peregrine

Carsington Water: Adult Great Northern Diver, Grey Heron, 3 Little Grebes, 81 Pochard, Red Kite, Kingfisher, GBB Gull, Yellowhammer.

Cromford: Hawfinch at the church this morning.

Avenue Washlands: Hen Harrier quartering Duck Marsh this morning.

Holymoorside: Stonechat, 4 Fieldfare, 82 Redwings.

Beeley Moor: 2+ Brambling at entrance to Bumper Castle farm.