2018-04-05 | Very showy summer plumage Black-necked grebe near the island at Millfields this morning - then scared off by fishing boats @CBCSightings @Derbyshirebirds | James Taylor |
2018-04-04 | An Osprey (yesterday's bird again?) flew over the Watersports centre at 1045 and was seen again over Shiningford and Carsington Pastures before disappearing into the cloud at 1120. A Common Tern was off Stones island 0815-0845. 3 LRP. 10+ Sand Martins. 1 House Martin. 5+ Swallows. Female Wheatear on the dam wall. Willow Warbler singing on Stones causeway at 1230. The GNDiver and Scaup still there. 1 Dunlin. 1 Curlew. The imm Yellow-legged Gull. 15 Redwing at Sheepwash. 5 Lesser Redpoll on Stones. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
2018-04-03 | An Osprey flew north at 1105, first seen from the WLC over Shiningford; it hovered over the water a few times before heading off. One Swallow over Brown Ale Bay (and Keith Badrick had another on the dam wall). c10 Sand Martins during the morning. At least 3 Little Ringed Plover and 1 Ringed Plover. The GNDiver and male Scaup still. Female Shelduck. 5 Goosander. Male Wheatear still on the dam wall. 20 Herring Gulls down/through. 5 GBbGulls. The imm Y-l Gull still. 4 Skylarks over. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson, Clive Ashton |
2018-04-02 | Male Wheatear with meadow pipits and pied wagtails on dam bank 15.30 | Tony Wood |
2018-04-01 | Species seen collectively by the group undertaking the monthly Birdwatching for Beginners walk (10am-12 noon): Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, House Sparrow, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Tufted Duck, Coot, Cormorant, Great Tit, Buzzard, Meadow Pipit, Black-headed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Little Grebe, Gt Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Mallard, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow, Goldfinch, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Redshank, Dunnock, Reed Bunting, Wren, Scaup, Willow Tit, Teal, Gt Northern Diver and Lesser Black-backed Gull | Gary Atkins |
2018-04-01 | The GNDiver, male Scaup and immature Yellow-legged Gull still present. 6 Chiffchaffs but I didn't see any other migrants. Millfields island is still devoid of Black-headed Gulls but 5 pairs of Barnacle Geese were back, with another 6 elsewhere. | Simon Roddis |
2018-03-31 | The GNDiver and male Scaup still present. Pair of Mandarins at the WLC. At Millfields island, where there were over 500 Black-headed Gulls earlier in the week, there were none - zero - this morning, presumably because of the inclement weather. No Barnacle Geese on the island either, although there were 7 in the fields above Penn Carr. | Simon Roddis |
2018-03-30 | As well as Roger's birds, 2 Sand Martins flew past Stones island mid-morning. 3 Mandarins: a male flew over the Hopton end at first light and a pair flew across the reservoir from Stones island and landed in a tree on the east side. 1 Ruff. 1 Snipe at Hopton reedbed. 2 Tawny Owls calling at Hopton end. 1 Skylark N. Total of 50 Redwing, including 45 at Sheepwash. Mistle Thrush nest-building near Sheepwash. A party of c5 Redpolls on Stones included a couple of pale birds which might have been Commons (though they're the same species as Lesser now anyway). | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
2018-03-30 | 1 Avocet on Sailing Club Island, viewable only from dam at 0930 hrs. Also Scaup and Great Northern Diver still. | Roger Carrington |
2018-03-29 | Counts of birds on both sides of the reservoir yielded the following totals: 14 Chiffchaff (in contrast to 93 at the same time last year!), 57 Blackbirds, 24 Song Thrushes, 7 Mistle Thrushes (5 singing), 6 Redwing, 52 singing Robins, 21 singing Dunnocks, 24 singing Wrens (104 last year), 11 Willow Tits, 10 Nuthatch, 8 Treecreeper, 18 Bullfinch, 18 singing Chaffinch. Also: the GNDiver and male Scaup still, probably 5 Mandarins (pair at Millfields, 2m at Fishtail and 1m flew over the main carpark), 16 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 1f Wigeon, 6 Gadwall in BA Bay, 2 Tawny Owls on the east side, a male Sparrowhawk caught a Pied Wagtail off the Stones island causeway, dropping briefly onto the water in the process, 1 Peregrine, 7 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskin. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
2018-03-28 | A Sand Martin flew past Stones island this morning, as did an adult Kittiwake. The GNDiver and male Scaup are still there. 7 Ruff this morning, presumably the long-staying 5 plus a couple of new arrivals. 6 Gadwall (4m,2f). 9 Goldeneye (5m,4f). 6 immature Herring, the immature Yellow-leg and 5 GBbGulls. c540 Black-headed Gulls around Millfields island. 3 Chiffchaff. 50 Redwing at Sheepwash. 5 Lesser Redpoll on Stones island. | Simon Roddis, Clive Ashton |
2018-03-27 | The GNDiver, Scaup, Shelduck and immature Y-l Gull all still present. 2 Chiffchaffs singing at Millfields. Pair of Mandarin along the Stones causeway. Pair of Grey Wagtails at Millfields. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
2018-03-26 | An LRP flew around Stones island, calling, for several minutes between 0950 and 1000. 2 Merlins flew north up the west side at 0950, picked up over the Shiningford area, played around a bit and then headed north together. The GNDiver, Scaup, Shelduck and 5 Ruff still present. 18 Barnacle Geese. At least 2 Sparrowhawks and a Peregrine. 6 Herring Gull, the imm Yellow-leg and 2 GBbGs. 3 Skylarks over. Steady trickle of Meadow Pipits during the morning, 56 in total, all heading north. 3 Linnet. 2 Siskin. Alan S. counted 23 Tree Sparrows between Stones and Sheepwash, and we had a total of 8 singing Chiffchaffs between us. | Simon Roddis |
2018-03-25 | 6 Cormorant,42 Canada Goose,5 Dunnock,6 Robin,20 Tufted Duck,6 Little Grebe,15 Great Crested Grebe,60 BH Gull,3 Mute swan,12 Mallard,6 oystercatcher,10 Teal,21 Greylag,2 Goldfinch,22 Barnacle Goose,4 Ruff,6 Magpie,17 woodpigeon,4 Redshank,6 House Sparrow,2 Shoveler,4 Blue Tit,4 Long Tailed Tit,4 Great Tit,2 Gadwall, | David Armitt |
2018-03-25 | Monthly WeBS count: 1 ad GNDiver, 13 Little Grebe, 34 GCGrebe, 13 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Mute Swan, 88 Canada Geese, 10 Barnacles, 20 Greylags, 1 Shelduck, 2 Mandarin, 44 Mallard, 32 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 23 Wigeon, 70 Tufted, 4 Pochard, 1 Scaup, 7 Goldeneye, 108 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 16 Oystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 5 Ruff, 11 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 1 Common Snipe, 2 Grey Wagtail. Also: 3 Golden Plover NW, 2 Peregrine, 20 Buzzards in the air from Stones island, 3 imm Herring Gull, 2 imm GBbGull, 3 Kestrel, 2 Stock Dove at Sheepwash feeder, 8 Skylark over, 70 Starlings NE, 6+ Mistle Thrush, 100+ Redwing at Sheepwash/Paul Stanley, 2 Lesser Redpoll on Stones, 4 singing Willow Tits, 4 Chiffchaff (per Roger C). | Simon Roddis, John Bradley |
2018-03-24 | GN Diver, 1 Shelduck, drake Scaup, 5 Ruff, 70 Redwing, Chiffchaff singing briefly at Sheepwash (RC), 2 Raven. | Clive Ashton, Roger Carrington. |
2018-03-20 | 5 Mute Swan, the single Whooper Swan still, 5 Ruff, 1 GBBG, 1 YLG, 6 Willow Tit, c30 Redwing near PS Hide and 18 Skylark flew NE. | Clive Ashton |
2018-03-20 | This morning between the Wildlife Center and Lane End. 3 Oystercatchers, 4 Ruff, 5 Gadwall, Buzzard,Scaup and a Whooper Swan flew over (low level) | Eric Dewhurst |
2018-03-19 | 1 Whooper Swan around Sailing Club Island, 1 Ruff, 5 Redshank, 14 Oystercatcher, 3 GBBG, 2 Linnet, 4 Stock Dove feeding at Sheepwash car park. | Clive Ashton |
2018-03-16 | The Bar-tailed Godwit was still at Sheepwash to 16:00 at least. GNDiver, male Scaup and 5 Ruff all still present. 2 Goosander. 14 Oystercatcher. 6 Redshank. 9 Curlew. Immature Grey Heron hunting frogs (successfully) in the softrush on Sheepwash spit. | Simon Roddis |
2018-03-16 | Bar-tailed Godwit 5 Ruff 3 oystercatchers 2 Redshank. Sheep wash 12-30 p.m. | David Horsley |
2018-03-15 | A female Merlin flew over the visitor centre area at about 1330, putting up lots of Jackdaws and Woodpigeons in the process. The GNDiver, male Scaup and 5 Ruff still present. 7 Redshank. 22 Barnacle Geese. 30 Redwing at Sheepwash. 12 Meadow Pipit. Linnet singing at Sheepwash. | Simon Roddis |
2018-03-14 | The GNDiver, male Scaup and 5 Ruff still. A pair of Pintail flew N. 1 Dunlin. Single imm Y-l and GBbGulls. 2 Kestrel. 6 Skylarks over. 1 Linnet and 7 Lesser Redpoll on Stones island. | SJR, AHS, RC, CA |
2018-03-14 | Chiffchaff singing at Millfields carpark at 0815. The GNDiver, male Scaup and 5 Ruff still present. 5 Mute Swans. 6 Greylag (3 pairs). 20+ Barnacles. Male Shelduck flew N. 1 male Pochard. 22 Cormorant. 3 Grey Heron. 16 Common Buzzards in the air. 1 Dunlin. Single imm Y-l and GBbGulls. 2 Collared Dove. At least 6 Raven. c400 Starlings flew E during the morning, and 70 Fieldfares flew NE over Sheepwash at 1120. Male Linnet at Sheepwash. | SJR, AHS, RC, CA |
2018-03-11 | The GNDiver and male Scaup still present. A Rock Pipit flew over Stones island at 0920 and appeared to land in the Stones/Sailing Club island area but I couldn't find it again. 3 Mute Swan. 5+ Greylags. 27 Barnacle Geese. 25 Cormorant. 1 Grey Heron. 6 Buzzard including one displaying. 8 Redshank around the site. 4 Herring Gull. The imm Yellow-legged Gull. 2 GBbG, the adult and 'Onefoot'. 5 Skylark over. 120 Starlings E. Redwings: 50 chattering and singing at Millfields, 57 on Stones island then flew N. | Simon Roddis |
2018-03-10 | The GNDiver, male Scaup, 5 Ruff and immature Yellow-legged Gull still this afternoon. The Yellow-leg appears to have just one leg - becoming a bit of a trend among the big gulls, it seems! 15 Redwings chattering and singing to themselves at Sheepwash. 1 Skylark over Millfields. | Simon Roddis |
2018-03-09 | 5 Ruff, 2 Willow Tits, 2 Snipe, 2 Oystercatchers, 15 Lapwings - all from WLC Hide
Willow Tit, 2 Barnacle Geese - on Stones Island
30 Common Gulls, 2 Goldeneye, Scaup, Linnet, 2 Ravens - from Sheepwash Hide and c/p
Willow Tit, 10 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 8 Lapwing - from Stanley Hide | Alan Hobson |
2018-03-09 | Brief visit this morning in foggy conditions, very little visibility: 2 Shoveler at Millfields, pair of Goldeneye at Sailing Club, 28 Barnacle Geese, 5 Ruff and 2 Curlew. | Clive Ashton |
2018-03-08 | This morning from Sheepwash hide 1 Redshank, 2 Grey wagtails, 2 Linnets, Meadow pipit, 4 Oystercatchers and 2 Great black backed gulls 1 adult and the other was the one legged juvenile that was here last year. | A H Stewardson |
2018-03-06 | Late afternoon visit. Female Stonechat at Millfields carpark, perching on picnic tables and rubbish bins! GNDiver off Stones island. The male Scaup off Shiningford island. 24 Gadwall. 3 Goosander. 11 Curlew came in. 2 Ruff at Sailing Club. 1 Woodcock at Hopton end at dusk. In the gull roost, 4500 Black-headed, 1300 Common, 160 LBbG, 2 GBbG and 1 Herring. 400 Jackdaws flew over the visitor centre towards the dam wall before dusk. | Simon Roddis |
2018-03-06 | GN Diver, drake Scaup at Lane End, 3 Curlew through, 1 Bar tailed Godwit flew north with one of the Curlews, 3+ Ruff, Dunlin heard, 70 Lapwing through East, 2 Snipe, 12 Skylark mainly North, 7 Mistle Thrush, 5 Willow Tits in WLC Creek. | Clive Ashton, Roger Carrington, Alan Stewardson |
2018-03-05 | The 59 Whooper Swans were still in Brown Ale Bay until they flew off W at 1005. 2 Whoopers then flew in, difficult to say if they were part of the 59 or not. GNDiver, male Scaup and 4 Pintail all still present. An adult winter Little Gull was over the res, seen from Brown Ale Bay, 0845-0915. 8 Golden Plover flew N at 1150. Total of 130 Lapwing, including 100 E. 4 Ruff. 1 Dunlin. 3 Redshank. 3 Curlew. 18 Gadwall. 73 Skylarks flew N during the morning, including one flock of 25. 2 Herring Gull. 1ad GBbG. 1 Fieldfare at Sheepwash. Not a bad morning! | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson, Clive Ashton |
2018-03-05 | 2 Whooper Swan @ Hopton end 10-15 left over Visit WLC at 11-10 but returned to Hopton end at 11-50 but after a short time left again towards Wirksworth, Pair Pintail from WLC and Peregrine circled several times before landing on the island where it proceeded to pluck a bird with the wildfow all moving to the bank below, I didn't see it catch anything prior to landing. Male Scaup from Lane End Hide. | Ian Scrimshaw |
2018-03-03 | 59 Whooper Swans (57 ads, 2 juvs) in Brown Ale Bay to 4pm at least. 54 (53 ads, 1 juv) had been reported earlier in Shiningford Creek; these flew N at 1350 but it looks like they came down again and joined/were joined by another 5. The GNDiver was between Stones island and Fishtail Creek. Adult male Scaup and 4 Pintail (1m, 3f) at the WLC. 1 Dunlin. Only saw 1 Ruff, 3 Lapwing and 2 Snipe. 2 Yellow-legged Gull (1 ad, 1 imm) at Sheepwash. 16 Cormorant. | Simon Roddis |
2018-02-26 | 2 Ruff,13 Teal,2 Oystercatcher,2 Mallard,22 BH Gull,17 Canada Gosse,20 Tufted Duck,15 Great Crested Grebe,11 Cormorant,88 Lapwing,3 Redshank,2 Pied Wagtail,6 Blue Tit,2 Great tit,1 Long tailed Tit,4 Robin,2 Dunnock,6 C Crow,4 Woodpigeon,1 GN Diver,1 Nuthatch,6 Blackbird | Dave Armitt |
2018-02-26 | 15 Coots,9 Teal,34 Canada Goose,7 BH Gull,2 Robin,4 Blue Tit,2 Pochard,12 Long Tailed Tit,1 Coal Tit,2 Goldfinch,1 Redwing,1 Mistle Thrush,3 Blackbird,3 snipe,1 Jack Snipe,5 Wigeon,2 C Crow,1 Magpie,2 Mallard | Dave Armitt |
2018-02-26 | 5 Ruff and a Jack Snipe close to the Wildlife Center at 10:00. Redpoll near Lane End Feeder. | Eric Dewhurst |
2018-02-25 | The GNDiver was off the spit from Sheepwash hide early morning. 2 Ruff there. 2 Redshank at the WLC. | Simon Roddis |
2018-02-25 | 4 Woodcock flew into the Hopton end between 0615 and 0630 | Simon Roddis |
2018-02-23 | This morning, 28 Barnacle Geese, 5 Ruff, 3 Redshank, 12 Snipe, imm Yellow-legged Gull, at least 3 Kestrels. I reckon I've now had a total of 7 singing Mistle Thrushes at different spots around the res this week. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
2018-02-22 | Monthly WebS count: 3 Mute Swan, 7 Whooper Swan (5 ads, 2 juvs),4 Greylag, 118 Canadas, 28 Barnacles, 9 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 190 Teal, 123 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 74 Tufted, 14 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, 1 GNDiver, 26 Cormorant, 16 Little Grebe, 38 GCGrebe, 6 Moorhen, 157 Coot, 10 Oystercatcher, 260 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 1 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 16 Snipe. Also 2 Raven, 12 Meadow Pipits on Stones, male Brambling at Sheepwash, 20 Siskin at Tail Bay. | Simon Roddis |
2018-02-21 | The GN Diver still; it has dropped all but its outermost primaries so won't be going far any time soon! 3 Mute Swan. 26 Barnacle Geese. 10 Gadwall. 28 Cormorant. Pair of Sparrowhawks displaying at Millfields. Pair of Kestrels flew N over the visitor centre. 5 Ruff. 1 Dunlin. 3 Redshank. 19 Snipe (13 on Horseshoe island, 6 in BA Bay). Ad GBbG. 4 Raven over the visitor centre. 3 Skylark E. 60 Starlings N. 2 Mistle Thrushes singing at different locations from the 3 yesterday. Grey Wagtail singing at Sheepwash. Male Brambling at Sheepwash feeder again. Linnet singing on Stones island. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
2018-02-21 | Late morning: 8 Oystercatchers (5 flying north-east towards Hopton end, 2+1 probing the now narrower strip of mud in Shiningford Creek) | Gary Atkins |
2018-02-21 | 21.02.18 Brambling in my garden in Hognaston | Alan Cribbens |
2018-02-20 | Adult GN Diver still. 17 Barnacle Geese. 2 Curlew. Ruff. 3 Redshank. 2 GBbG. 2 Skylark over. Male Brambling at Sheepwash carpark feeder. 3 singing Mistle Thrushes. | Simon Roddis, Alan Stewardson |
2018-02-19 | The adult GN Diver still. 8 Greylags, 1 Barnacle and c50 Canada Geese. 2 Pochard. 5 Goldeneye. 22 Cormorant. 12 Little Grebe. 6 Buzzard. c600 Lapwing. Probably 7 Oystercatcher. 3 Ruff. 3 Redshank. 5 Snipe visible at WLC. 2 Herring Gull. Ad GBbG. 5 Willow Tits singing. 2 Skylark over. 6 Nuthatch. 15 Redwing at Sheepwash. 17 Meadow Pipit (7 on the dam wall, 10 on Stones). | Simon Roddis |
2018-02-19 | 2 Brambling on Sheepwash car park feeders. | Clive Ashton |
2018-02-16 | 4 Grey Wagtails out of Hopton Reedbed at dawn.
From Millfields early morning: pair Goosander, pair Goldeneye, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Skylark over and Great Northern Diver.
From Stones Island: 2 Jack Snipe and 2 Oystercatchers.
From Wildlife Centre: 5 Ruff and 5 Common Snipe.
Male Brambling still on Sheepwash car park feeder and Curlew over calling. | Roger Carrington |
2018-02-15 | This morning from Millfields 1 Peregrin bathing on shoreline,Great northern diver,1 female Sparrowhawk,3 Oystercatchers and a Redshank. | A H Stewardson |
2018-02-15 | 7 Redshank around site, 5 Ruff on Watersports Island, 7 Magpie together on Stones, 2 Jay at Millfields. Plenty of species now in song including 16 Dunnock. Male Brambling on Sheepwash CP feeders. | Clive Ashton |