Derbyshire Dotterel!

 This afternoon, I spotted a record of a Dotterel (197), that had been found on Burbage Moor (on the Derbyshire/South Yorkshire border).

Jayne and I drove across (less than half an hour from home!), and after a short, uphill jog (!!), we enjoyed fantastic views, at the bird ( a juvenile) sat on the moor, approximately 20m away!

Dotterel

Ring Ouzels

This morning, Jayne and I went out into the Peaks to have a look for Ring Ouzel (148). After a bit of a false start, due to heavy mist, we managed to spot a couple of birds (1 male and 1 female).

The birds were first seen flitting around rocks and feeding on the short turf, just by the path, at the top end of Burbage Valley. We had decent views. despite the mist (!) and headed back to the car. Just as we'd finished putting everything away, we looked up and spotted the (presumably) same two birds feeding on the ground in the car park!! Luckily, I was bale to get the camera, and, as we sat in the car, the male bird came to within 5m and began feeding. The female stayed a little further back, in the heather. All photos taken from the mobile hide!

Ring Ouzel

Whilst watching the Ouzels, a large bird of prey flew in and landed in the heather. This flushed to Ouzels, and I managed to grab a few photos (through the mist!), of what appears to be a female Sparrowhawk. 

Sparrowhawk

Several Meadow Pipits and Red Grouse were also heard. 

M'ipit and unidentified caterpillar

I had a walk up Burbage Moor this afternoon to try and see a Ring Ouzel or two. Unfortunately, when we (Jayne and I) arrived, it started to rain and the wind, which was already quite strong when we left home, got even stronger and nearly blew us over!

We drew a blank with the Ouzels, but we did manage to see and hear lots of Meadow Pipits (year tick), which weren't put off by the awful weather, and were singing and displaying beautifully. We also had a fly-by Raven, singing Wrens and this caterpillar that was moving around in the undergrowth. Any ideas anyone?

??????

 

Year List update:

110 - Meadow Pipit

Ring Ouzel Success - Burbage Moor - 2nd April 2011

After a no show last week I decided to make a  return visit this morning with the hope of seeing Ring Ouzel. After about half an hour I heard a familiar sound and spotted one bird flying up the valley towards the edge. It didn't stop, but after another 10-15 minutes 3 birds were seen and heard chasing each other over the rocks. Unfortunately no photos today, as the birds were more interested in setting up territories than posing for me! Instead I've put in a picture of the edge itself- very nice.

Burbage Edge

Other birds present were Meadow Pipit and Wren (many birds singing and displaying), Stonechat (1 heard), Siskin, Fieldfare (8) and Linnet flying over,  Kestrel hunting, Red Grouse and Pheasant calling and several Carrion Crows and Jackdaws also flying over. A great start to a lovely day, but more about that later.

Leash Fen and Burbage Moor - 26th March 2011

Just returned from a couple of hours up on the moors looking for early returning migrants - without any luck!!! I did, however, get a few "year ticks" and some new information for the BTO's Bird Atlas.

I started off at Leash Fen where I found my first singing Yellowhammer of the year. This was joined by several Meadow Pipits, also singing and displaying. Shilitoe Wood held the usual Chaffinches and a Song Thrush.

Next stop was Burbage Moor, which was also very quiet, but I did hear Red Grouse, Wren, Stonechat (year tick) and several Siskin, which were flying over.

Stonechat (male)

Driving home I decided to go via Barlow. Just as I was heading up towards Dronfield I noticed a pair of Mandarin Duck flying around and landing in a tree. I pulled over and whilst watching them, 3 Stock Dove also flew in and landed in a nearby tree. All the birds seemed very interested in a potential nest site - great records for the Atlas. I stayed and watched for about 10 minutes, during which time a pair of Nuthatch also flew in and looked at the same hole, as did a male Great-spotted Woodpecker and a pair of Jackdaw!!!

It's interesting to speculate where the Mandarins came from, but with Linacre just a few miles away as the Mandarin flies, it seems very likely that they came from here, doesn't it?