Year List Update - 4th May 2026

 Over the Bank Holiday Weekend, I managed to add a few more species to the Year List, taking the total so far to 154 species.

The first species, Cuckoo (149) was heard above Padley Gorge on Thursday (30th April) and again on Monday (4th May). The next two species, Swift (150) and Dipper (151) were both seen at Bakewell on Saturday. Redstart (152) and Pied Flycatcher (153) were both seen on Monday. The Redstart was first seen at Barbrook Plantation (2 birds) and at Padley Gorge (again 2 singing birds), whilst the Pied Flycatcher was added at Padley.

The last addition was Ringed Plover (154), two of which were present at Ogston Reservoir on Monday. Other birds seen here were: Dunlin (2 breeding plumaged birds), Redshank, Lapwing (on nest), Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Black-headed, Common, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Gadwall, Mallard (1 brood of 8 ducklings), Coot ( pair with 4 young), Cormorant, Swallow, Swift, House Martin, Pied and Yellow Wagtail (2), Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting (1 pair).

Reed Bunting (female)

Linacre Update - 3rd May 2026

 I've been down to Linacre a couple of times over the weekend, once for ringing and once for a quick walk around and a check of the nestboxes.

The ringing was a quick session of just three hours, and resulted in four birds (1 Garden Warbler, 1 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit and 1 Song Thrush). The Garden Warbler was a great surprise, as it was a female bird (with a brood patch) that had been first ringed in May 2023, as an adult.

The second visit, yesterday afternoon, was again, just a couple of hours. The highlight was our first Pied Flycatcher nest of 2026. It contained 5 eggs that were cold and uncovered, so not being brooded yet. As always, the nest recording is carried out as part of the BTO's Nest Record Scheme. Interestingly, I'd not heard or seen any Flycatchers yet, so they must have slipped in unnoticed!

Pied Flycatcher

Other birds seen around the site were: Mallard (3 broods of 6,4 and 2), Mandarin Duck, Tufted Duck, Great-crested Grebe (2 pairs), Coot, Moorhen, Swallow (20+), House Martin (c.6), Swift (1 - the first Linacre record of 2026), Grey Wagtail (1 heard) and Pied Wagtail (1 male).

Mandarin Duck