Linacre and Barbrook Reservoir - 21st March 2026

 This morning, I was out with 3 other members of Sorby Breck Ringing Group for a session at Linacre. I'd heard Chiffchaffs singing for a couple of weeks, so was very keen to see if we could catch the first birds of the new season.

After 3 and half hours we had caught 13 birds (new/retrap): Chiffchaff 2/0, Coal Tit 0/2, Great Tit 0/1, Blue Tit 1/1, Dunnock 1/1, Robin 2/0, Blackbird 0/1 and Goldcrest 1/0. Whilst there, we also had 10 Greylag Geese fly over (highest ever count?), a flock of c15 Fieldfare over, a single Sparrowhawk, drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Treecreeper, 2 Stock Doves (singing) and  2 Nuthatches.

Afterwards, Jayne and I went for a walk up on Barbrook Reservoir. The hoped-for Wheatear didn't put in an appearance, but, in the 12 degrees warmth and sunshine, we did record: Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Kestrel, Raven, Lapwing ( 2 birds), Mallard, Tufted Duck (pair), Canada Geese (2) and a Year Tick, Reed Bunting (117).

Reed Bunting

In addition, we also saw a small group of 6 Red Deer and at least 6 pairs of Common Toads breeding in the pools.

Red Deer

Common Toad

Big Moor Year Tick

Last Thursday I spent a few hours up on Big Moor. Whilst there I added Whinchat to the "year list", with one adult and at least 3 juveniles present.

Whinchat (juvenile)

Whilst up there, I also saw juvenile Stonechat, Meadow Pipits, Skylark and 5 Red Deer.

Red Deer

Insect wise, I saw Black Darter, Small Heath, Common Darter, Common Hawker (2) and Emerald Damselfly.

Black Darter

Common Darter (female/immature)

Small Heath on Harebell

Emerald Damselfly (male)

Year List update:
166 - Whinchat

Something from the Weekend

After yesterday morning's Linacre walk, Jayne and I went for another walk in the afternoon, this time to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. We walked around the Lower Lake where we looked at the Heronry on the island. There were at least 12 Grey Herons on the nests, including these two. We couldn't decide whether they were a pair, or a couple of males arguing over nest sites. Whatever the case, I was very pleased with this shot, especially the left hand bird with its crest raised.

Grey Herons

Whilst walking around the lake, we also saw approximately 100 Black-headed Gulls, a dozen or so Teal, 3 Goosander (1 male and 2 "redheads"), Greylag and Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, a single Redwing, and a first for this site, an Egyptian Goose!

This morning I was out ringing with the Sorby Breck Ringing Group. Today we joined forces with other members of the group for a ringing demonstration at the National Trust's Longshaw Estate.  The fun started before we got there however, as a Short-eared Owl was spotted perched by the side of the road as we drove past at 6.45am. The session itself lasted for a good four and a half hours, and was very well attended, by at least 30 people. Thankfully, the birds turned up as well, and we managed to ring 60+, including crowd pleasers such as; Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch and a lovely male Great-spotted Woodpecker.

After the ringing session, the sun was still out, so Jayne and I drove across to Bakewell for a walk and a spot of lunch. We also had a walk by the river, so I had a look for the hybrid duck that we'd seen back in February (see post here).  It was still present on the river by the bridge, and this time it came much closer, allowing a much better photo.

Hybrid duck

There were still a t least 100 Black-headed Gulls still present on the river, along with Mallards and 6 juvenile Mute Swans. As usual I spent some time taking photos of the gulls. Here's just one.

Black-headed Gull

On the drive back from Bakewell we drove past Barbrook Plantation and spotted a couple of Red Deer, which we able to photograph.

Red Deer