| 2010-11-18 | Black Redstart this afternoon.
130 Pinkfeet low NW at 0930hrs.
Tufted Duck with Turquoise/Blue bill saddle marked AS at Millfields again.
267 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 5 Dunlin, 3 Snipe all at Sheepwash.
Counts of 38 Little Grebe, 58 Great Crested Grebe, 156 Mallard, 8 Goldeneye. | Roger Carrington |
| 2010-11-17 | Juvenile Great Northern Diver still near the Dam Wall. Also of note today was 2 Pintail, 3 Goosander, 8 Goldeneye, 6 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, Snipe, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 41 Redwing and 4 Meadow Pipits. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-11-15 | Thirty four species of bird seen around midday. Of note: Lapwing (18), Dunlin (1) - Stones Island, Redshank (2), Common Sandpiper (1) - Stones Island, Goldfinch (4) and a pair of Siskins by the wildlife centre. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2010-11-15 | Great Northern Diver seen from Sheepwash towards Dam Wall. Other highlights include 2 Pintail, 8 Goosander, 5 Goldeneye, 4 Redshank, 2 Snipe, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 3 Skylark, Kingfisher, Yellow-legged Gull, 2 (1st winter) Great-black-Backed Gulls, 4 Herring Gull, 2 Raven, 5 Siskin, c20 Redwing and 1 Fieldfare. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2010-11-15 | WeBS count for November: 25 Mute Swan,85 Canada Goose,277 Wigeon,32 Gadwall,209 Teal,263 Mallard,2 Pintail,62 Pochard,578 Tufted Duck,9 Goldeneye,1 Great Northern Diver,35 Little Grebe,58 Great Crested Grebe,33 Cormorant,3 Grey Heron,15 Moorhen,1330 Coot,293 Lapwing,3 Dunlin,3 Redshank and 1 Kingfisher | Peter Gibbon and John Bradley |
| 2010-11-13 | 38 species from the WLC today, included 2 Snipe, 2 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 6 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Buzzard, 2 Raven. Late in the afternoon a Barn Owl swooped by the bird table and was chased away by Jackdaws. | James Owen (RSPB vol.) |
| 2010-11-11 | A male Red-breasted Merganser on the Dam Wall early morning. A total of 255 Pink-footed Geese over East. 200 at 08.35hrs and 55 at 09.00. 2 Redshank at the Wildlife Centre. A total of 15 Goldeneye. Female Pintail, Dunlin, 2 Raven, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2010-11-10 | 33 species of bird seen in one hour of birding.
Of note: Goldeneye (1 male) - by Stones Island (SI), Pheasant (1 female) - seen from the boardwalk, Lapwing (18) - Horseshoe & SI, Coal Tit (1) - rarely seen by us at Carsington, Goldfinch (10) - seen by the boardwalk. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2010-11-09 | Yet another very quiet day after an exciting weekend.
Notable from the WLC: 2 Redshank, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 1 female Kestrel (two prey consumed on Horseshoe Is - one unidentified vole and one probable Wood Mouse). 1 Yellow-legged Gull again terrifying the Little Grebes, 2 Meadow Pipit.
4 Dunlin at Sheepwash, and 1 Peregrine over just north of the reservoir. | James Owen (RSPB vol.) |
| 2010-11-08 | All from Sheepwash Hide. 10 Shoveler, 3 drake Red-crested Pochard, Pintail, 9 Goldeneye, 2 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, adult Yellow-legged Gull and 4 Herring Gull. No sign of the Whooper Swans or the Great Northern Diver reported yesterday. Although they could have been hiding away in one of the many bays keeping out the way of the worst of the weather. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-11-07 | Great Northern Diver 1, Whooper Swan 10 (inc 3 juvs), Goldeneye 10, Mediterranean Gull 1 (adult winter), Yellow-legged Gull 3+ (adults), Herring Gull 20+ (argentatus and argenteus), Greater Black-back 1 (1st winter), Lesser Black Back c.3500+, Black Headed Gull c.4000, Common Gull 30+, Dunlin 1, Redshank 2. | Steph Hicking/Roger Carrington/John Bradley |
| 2010-11-06 | c200 Wood Pigeons over south early morning. 10+ Skylark over, 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, adult Med Gull, female Pintail, Raven, 6 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Kingfisher, 2 Goosander and a female Goldeneye. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2010-11-03 | Only a short time on site today so only visited the wildlife centre. Dull with some rain. Just 28 species found including Lapwing (~60), Redshank (2), Wren (2) - not often seen on site, Rook (2) and a Goldfinch flock on Horseshoe Island (20).
| Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2010-11-03 | 4 Yellow-legged Gulls (3 adults and a 1st winter), 2 Pintail, 2 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, Brambling, c50 Meadow Pipits, Kingfisher, 6 Siskin, Raven and Sparrowhawk. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-11-01 | Well the obvious highlight was a cracking male Bearded Tit,in the small reed bed to the left of Sheepwash hide at 10:45hr.The bird was heard pinging and then seen well on at least 3 occassions, before flying high to the north west at 12:35hr.We had the time to get the news out and at least 7 birders caught up with this Derbyshire rarity.
2 Pintail, 50+ Meadow Pipits,2 Redshank,4 Dunlin,7+ Snipe, male Mandarin, adult Mediterranean Gull, 3+Yellow legged Gulls and Kingfisher also on site today. | Clive Ashton/Dave newcombe |
| 2010-10-29 | Mediterranean Gull (1 adult winter). Yellow legged Gull (3 adults). Herring Gull(c.6). Pintail (1). Lesser Black Back (c.3500). Black headed Gull (c.4000). Magpies (13 in one group outside SWhide). Buzzard. Raven (2+). | Steph' Hicking |
| 2010-10-27 | Of note today;
Skylarks were on the move, Dave had 8 over Stones Island, and I had 5+ over the dam wall moving s/w.
A Pintail at Sheepwash,also 7 Goosander flew in towards dusk. The ad Med Gull showed well from Sheepwash from 15:15hr, along with a couple of YL Gulls.
A Redshank also in the area of Sheepwash spit.
Raptors seen, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Kestrel. | Clive Ashton/Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-10-23 | 6 Yellow-legged Gulls (5 adults and a 1st winter), lots of Gulls in tonight but viewing wasn't easy due to bad light and distance. Also seen today was c20 Meadow Pipits, 4 Skylark, c50 Redwings, 3 Buzzard, 2 Raven and a Dunlin. Not seen by myself but 17 Golden Plover were seen early this morning. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-10-22 | Whoopers and Rock Pipit are confirmed. Spoke to the finder of the GG Shrike, who is a well known Derbyshire birder,so no problem there. Not sure who had the Red Kite, but there was a report the previous day. | Clive Ashton |
| 2010-10-22 | According to Birdguides' Bird News Extra yesterday (ie 21st) the Red Kite was seen at 10.15 over the fields south of the dam and at 15.00 a Great Grey Shrike was seen at 15.00 by the Wildlife Centre before flying North.
Today at 8.00 seven Whooper Swans were off the dam wall and a Rock Pipit at the east end of it. Again acording to Birdguides. | Peter Gibbon |
| 2010-10-21 | Red Kite.Drifting over the fields south of the dam wall in the area of Millfields. 10:15am I reported the sighting at the RSPB shop. | Robert Stanley |
| 2010-10-19 | Another quiet day at the WLC, highlights were 2 Brambling, 1 Snipe, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Siskin. A marauding Yellow-legged Gull hunted Little Grebes throughout the day but failed to catch any.
At Sheepwash, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull in the roost, with c.9 Yellow-legs. 7 Shoveller.
Many Redwing on site, 1 Fieldfare over Sheepwash car park.
A visitor reported in the shop that a Red Kite overflew the dam wall, no further details. | James Owen (RSPB vol.) |
| 2010-10-17 | WeBS count for October: Great Crested Grebe 49,Little Grebe 47,Grey Heron 3,Cormorant 53,Mute Swan 27,Canada Goose 48,Greylag Goose 2,Wigeon 781,Teal 89,Mallard 103,Gadwall 38,Shoveler 5,Tufted Duck 741,Pochard 91,Goldeneye 1,Moorhen 16, Coot 972,Lapwing 182,Snipe 2,Kingfisher 1.Time 08.00 to 11.00. | Peter Gibbon and John Bradley |
| 2010-10-13 | Rock Pipit on the Dam Wall this morning, 45 Pink-footed Geese over. 2 Dunlin, Redshank, Yellow-legged Gull, Snipe, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 5 Siskin and 3 Lesser Redpoll. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-10-12 | Quiet day at the WLC, notable were 17 Redwing over and 2 Buzzard.
From Sheepwash, 2 Kestrel, 3 Dunlin, 1 Snipe. At least 5 Yellow-legged Gull in the early roost. Also, 5 Shelduck and 1 Jay. | James Owen (RSPB vol.) |
| 2010-10-11 | Of note: Grey Heron (juvenile), Red-crested Pochard (1 male) - in Wildlife Centre Creek, Meadow Pipit (2) - dam wall area, Rook (1) - this species not often seen on site, and Goldfinch (~30) - on Horseshoe Island. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2010-10-11 | Rock Pipit in front of Sheepwash Hide with c20 Meadow Pipits. c300 Pink-footed Geese surprisingly heading west at 14.40hrs. Adult Yellow-legged Gull and 9 Common Gull on Sheepwash Spit. Also of note 2 Dunlin, Golden Plover heard only flying over Stones Island. 85 Lapwing, 3 Grey Heron, 62 Cormorants, Red-crested Pochard, several Siskin, 4 Buzzard and 2 Sparrowhawks. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-10-08 | 2 Rock Pipits on the Sheepwash shoreline, along with Meadow Pipits.
Kingfisher, Raven, Sparrowhawk,Kestrel,YL Gull. | Clive Ashton |
| 2010-10-07 | 1 Curlew Sandpiper | Dermot Smyth |
| 2010-10-06 | Bright and breezy on site today. Of note: Common Pochard (3 males). Hundreds of water birds in Wildlife Centre Creek sheltering from the wind. Predominately Tufted Ducks (~500). Sparrowhawk (1), Lapwing (44), Common Sandpiper (1). The Sparrowhawk tried to take the sandpiper but it got away. Later the sandpiper was seen feeding at the eastern end of Horseshoe Island. Goldfinch (53). | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2010-10-06 | 62 Cormorants, Red-crested Pochard, Pintail, 4 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 4 Chiff Chaff, 10+ Siskin, 2 Redpoll, c30 Meadow Pipits, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull and Raven. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-10-05 | 2 Rock Pipits on Stones Island at around 09.30hrs. Also one on Sheepwash Spit early afternoon and another flew over Stones Island just before 18.30hrs. Red-crested Pochard at Millfields and then at the Wildlife Centre. 6 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover and 3 Reed Buntings on Stones Island. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, Snipe, Redpoll and 6 Skylark. At around 17.30 again on Stones Island the Goldfinches and Pied Wagtails that had been feeding quite happily all shot up in obvious alarm. Their reason for such alarm was a Merlin that flew right past us and over the island. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2010-10-04 | Red-crested Pochard, Shoveler, Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 3 Swallow, 6 Skylark, 8 Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 8 Linnet, Raven, Siskin and Redpoll. | Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton |
| 2010-10-02 | An Osprey appeared from over Hall Wood at 12.20hrs and slowly drifted south over the Dam Wall. Then at 13.05hrs presumably the same bird re-appeared and showed on and off until around 14.10hrs. A drake Red-crested Pochard was at the Wildlife Centre. c20 Meadow Pipits at Sheepwash. Also 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 4 Buzzard, male Sparrowhawk and 11 Swallows. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-09-30 | At least 1 Rock Pipit still on Stones Island with meadow pipits at 0800hrs.
A Lapland Bunting in flight over Stones Island 0810hrs.
4 Skylark, fly-over.
1 Dunlin. | Roger Carrington |
| 2010-09-29 | Pintail at Millfields, 4 Common Scoter off Stones Island, 9 Dunlin on Stones Island. Redshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Sheepwash although the Godwits were only seen by Roger. Ruddy Shelduck, 6 Swallows and Yellow-legged Gull. At around 17.15 3 Rock Pipits were on the south side of Stones Island. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-09-28 | 10 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover on Stones Island. Over 30 Meadow Pipits present with some on the Dam and some around Sheepwash. 29 Swallows through south. 30+ Gadwall, 12 Pochard, female Peregrine, a Hobby east at 12.40, several Yellow-legged Gulls, 5 Common Gull, Raven, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Ruddy Shelduck and a juvenile Common Tern. At 17.55 an adult Spotted Redshank flew in front of Stones Island then turned again and headed south. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-09-27 | 11 Meadow Pipits on the Dam Wall and a further 20+ at Sheepwash. 8 Dunlin and 4 Ringed Plover on Stones Island then later in front of Sailing Club. A Ruddy Shelduck on Stones Island and then at Sheepwash with Canada Geese. A single Swallow through south. Adult Yellow-legged Gull on Sheepwash Spit. Female Sparrowhawk. Possible Hobby over Stones Island. Several Chiff Chaffs including one in song. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-09-27 | A very modest session today. Dull and foggy plus occasional drizzle so low light conditions. Just 29 species of bird located around midday. Of note: Grey Heron (1), Canada Goose (at least 300) - eastern edge of Stones Island; duck species present - Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard & Tufted Duck; Kestrel (1), Coot (over 150) - between Stones Island and the Sailing Club; Lapwing (3) - the only wader noted!; Pied Wagtail (10), Goldfinch (12). The Pieds and Goldfinches seemed to be flocking together on the western edge of Stones Island. They were feeding and also drinking from puddles. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2010-09-22 | A very good day today but the bird of the day was early this morning. I started walking the Dam Wall around 08.30 and was only getting a few Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails until I neared the Sailing Club. Around 150 yards from the Sailing Club I heard a bird call and more or less straight away I knew it was a Lapland Bunting. I looked up into the air expecting to see it flying over but saw nothing.I then looked onto the rocks in front of me and there it was about 10 yards away. It then walked away from me and I lost it amongst the weeds and stones. I stood there for a while waiting and then edging closer but still saw nothing. Eventually 2 walkers flushed the bird and it flew up calling several times and flew towards Stones Island. Despite several birders searching it could not be re-located.
Also seen today was quite a few Dunlin. 8 flew through early morning, then 4 were on Sheepwash Spit. 2 on Horseshoe Island and another 4 flew past Stones Island. Then 3 more were flying around with 11 Redshank. Near dusk on Stones Island there was a flock of 12 Waders...10 Dunlin and 2 Curlew Sandpipers. Also 3 Ringed Plover earlier in the day. 2 Pintail, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, Common Tern and a female Peregrine finished off what was a very good day. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-09-21 | WeBS count for September: 28 Mute Swan,213 Canada Goose,193 Wigeon,25 Gadwall,81 Teal,166 Mallard,15 Pochard,879 Tufted Duck,35 Little Grebe,47 great Crested Grebe,28 Cormorant,8 Grey Heron,17 Moorhen,1009 Coot,1 Ringed Plover,67 Lapwing,1 Common Sandpiper. | Peter Gibbon and John Bradley |
| 2010-09-20 | The level of the reservoir has dropped a couple of feet since last week.
Of note: A juvenile Little Grebe observed. Grey Heron (2) - one adult and one juvenile. The juvenile was successfully fishing in a pool in front of the Wildlife Centre main window. Wigeon (6), Gadwall (8), Teal (4), Kestrel (1) - Horseshoe Island. Two well developed juvenile Moorhens seen. Lapwing (~20), Collared Dove (10), Willow Warbler (1) and Willow Tit (1). | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2010-09-20 | Of note today: 27 Meadow Pipit, c100 Starling and a Grey Wagatil on the Dam Wall. 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, c12 Chiff Chaff, 102 Swallows south throughout the day, also 15 Housemartins. 6 Dunlin on Sheepwash Spit. 2 Spotted Flycatchers and a Lesser Whitethroat on Wildlife Centre Creek. 2 Raven, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-09-17 | Of note: Canada Goose (~200) - Wildlife Cente Creek & Shiningford Creek area, Gadwall (12), Teal (2), Lapwing (2), Redshank (1), Common Sandpiper (1), Tree Sparrow (~30) - all feeding on bird table at the same time!; Goldfinch (~40) - active flock on Stones Island. | Ray and Margaret Perry |
| 2010-09-15 | Osprey mid morning.
22 Greylag flew over Millfields.
26 feral Barnacle Geese on Stones Island.
450 Canada Geese at dusk.
Up to 9 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank and 2 Oystercatchers flew in at dusk.
1 Adult Kittiwake flew thru east at 1630hrs.
A Barn Owl used Sheepwash Hide as a hunting post around 6pm for 35minutes. | Roger Carrington |
| 2010-09-14 | As well as the sightings already mentioned, 16 Greylags, 105 Wigeon, 20+ Meadow Pipits, 45 Swallows, Hobby, 2 Sparrowhawks, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Raven and 2 Buzzards. The Osprey has been spending quite a bit of time around the Fishtail Creek area and could well be roosting there. It now and again flies up the water giving good views from Sheepwash and P. Stanley hides. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-09-14 | Wryneck still present until at least 18:30 mostly feeding in leaf litter around the curbs near the slipway. With patience showed very well, no need to approach.
Also,
WLC: Osprey fishing in the middle waters. 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Grey Heron, c.60 Goldfinch and 2 Linnet before midday when STW ranger mowed Horseshoe Island after which little else arrived, however 1 Kestrel successfully hunted.
1 Sedge Warbler (briefly) and 2 Chiffchaff in the willow. 2 Willow Tits, 1 Yellow-legged Gull. | James Owen (RSPB vol.) |
| 2010-09-14 | Wryneck. Found at 1740hrs, went into bushes, then showed from 1845 to 1930hrs. From Millfielfds car park, walk towards the dam wall, it was on the water side of the paved approach path to the large paved circle. The bird was feeding along the kerb between the paving and bushes. To give the bird space to come out of the bushes and feed we were viewing from the slipway behind the 'no swimming' sign. | Roger Carrington |
| 2010-09-13 | An Osprey at c11.30hrs caught a fish after several attempts and carried the fish down Hopton Arm around 30 minutes later. Also of note today was 37 Meadow Pipits, 34 Housemartins, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 23 Swallows, 4+ Grey Heron, Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 60 Cormorants, 72 Wigeon, Kingfisher, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 4 Bullfinch, female Sparrowhawk and c90 Goldfinch.
Roger will no doubt post at some point but shortly after 17.30 this evening Roger found a Wryneck in bushes at the south end of the Dam Wall past the draw off tower near the slipway. | Dave Newcombe |
| 2010-09-09 | Hobby Juvenile | John Mowbray |
