A new item on our events calendar is the monthly “Birding Buddies” (or ‘BB’ for short) get-together, comprising a location for a short birding walk, followed by a visit to a nearby hostelry for well-deserved refreshments. Designed to help get to know our fellow members a bit better (as well as an extra chance to add to our bird lists), they are the brainchild of Cath Sinclair, our new events co-ordinator.
There have been as many as 20 members pop along to take part, and all three so far undertaken have been in the evening, but we may have to look at alternative arrangements over the winter; never fear, though, plenty of notice will be given regarding arrangements for each ‘BB’.
The first was at Sheepwash followed by the Miners Arms, the second took in the Visitor Centre then the Knockerdown. The third took place on Tuesday, 1 September, at Cromford Canal with a drop-in at the Boat Inn afterwards. This evening is described in a bit more detail below – beginning with Cath’s summary of the event, along with a list of those birds seen, plus a few photos featuring the major highlight of Kingfishers and a small selection of others.
Cath Sinclair reports on ‘BB’ number three: “Nine of the Birding Buddies met up at 6pm on 1st Sept, this time at Cromford Wharf. Almost immediately a Kingfisher was spotted flying along the canal and it treated us to great views as it perched on the kerbstones overlooking the canal and then a few minutes later on the telegraph wires above. Dragging ourselves away from this captivating bird, we walked along the canal to the bridge and back, then we checked out the River Derwent near the church, hoping in vain for a Dipper. Two more Buddies joined us at the Boat Inn on Scarthin which provided a cosy environment for welcome refreshments to round off a convivial evening.”
Twenty-two species were seen during the walk, namely: BlueTit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Grey Heron, House Martin, Jackdaw, Kingfisher, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Stock Dove, Swallow, Treecreeper, Woodpigeon … Probability of Lesser Black-backed Gull, too, but not confirmed.
