CBC Newsletters

Feb 2009 Newsletter

No1 / February 2009

 CHAIRMAN’S THOUGHTS

Maybe a bit late – but a happy new year to everybody.  I hope 2009 is your best year ever for birds and I’m sure many of you are already well under way with lists of birds seen inDerbyshire,UKor worldwide.  If so, can I remind you of the value in sharing your knowledge by publicly recording what you’ve seen, no matter how ‘routine’ you might think it is.  The RSPB’s national Big Garden Bird Watch, for example, with 900,000 entries in 2008, is a valuable repository of records.  Many other organisations, like Derbyshire Ornithological Society and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, need raw data – as does Carsington Bird Club itself.  There are log books in the hides and, if you forget to use those, there’s nothing easier than doing so when you get home, on the club’s wonderful website, run so ably by Richard Pittam.  Expanding our records is a very worthwhile new year’s resolution – give it a go!

Our AGM in January reported an impressive list of achievements for such a small club – including two trips, speakers for six indoor meetings and five outdoor walks led by committee members, together with regular bird feeding, consistent recording, plus our annual report and four newsletters.  Our stock of bird boxes increases and our relationship with Severn Trent remains strong and mutually beneficial.

Not so positive is our own credit crunch, with a steady decline in members and a smaller-than-ideal committee.  My hope for 2009 is extra resources – more members and funds and a few extra committee volunteers!  Please renew your subscription as early as possible (a renewal slip was enclosed with the last newsletter, but there are still many yet to renew) and try to encourage friends and relations to join up.

My next writing task will be the 2008 Chairman’s review for our annual report – a useful and impressive document, I’m sure you’d agree, which is widely recognised for its valuable content and polished appearance.

As it won’t be out for a while yet, I’d like to pre-empt my review by mentioning those who put so much into our club.  Roger Carrington’s recording expertise is well known, but his survey work, bird feeding activity and his important liaison work with ST are also crucial.  Paul and Steph Hicking not only keep our meetings in order but liaise with other organisations on our behalf; they led what is becoming an annual nightjar hunt for members around Clumber Park, and Paul has also instituted an impressive bird box scheme.  Gary Atkins efficiently edits and distributes our quarterly newsletters, and looks for opportunities to promote CBC.  This quartet also provides the arrangements whereby people can enjoy the rich experience of the Dawn Chorus walk each May.

Peter Oldfield, despite a hip operation, organised two trips (it would have been three but for lack of demand). All of the club’s trips offer the chance of seeing birds in a variety of habitats (see application form for the next trip – to Bempton Cliffs in June).  Richard Pittam ensures the website gets better each year, while membership is efficiently administered by Maria Harwood, and Pat and Brian Wain.  Thanks to all of you.

Peter Gibbon

 

DIVERS MAKE IT A LONG STAY – AND WATERFOWL, GULL NUMBERS SWELL

Winter visitors have included up to four Great Northern Divers, a record number for the site, while Scaup and Common Scoter have also been regular between November and February.  A Great White Egret was noted in December, and its cousin the Grey Heron surprised onlookers the following month by swallowing a rat whole!

There have been sizeable flocks of water birds, waders and gulls keeping the counters busy.  Up to 545 Lapwings in January was gratifyingly higher than in the same month last year, while maximum counts of ducks include 844 Tufted, 406 Wigeon, 308 Pochard, 152 Mallard and more than 50 Teal and Gadwall, with Pintail, Shelduck, Red-breasted Merganser and good numbers of Goosander and Goldeneye also on show.  Over 60 Cormorants and Great-crested Grebe were recorded in November, and a month later Little Grebes totalled 105.  Coots, meanwhile, were numerous once again, reaching a maximum of 2,175 on 16 November.

Cold weather and the use of hawks at a nearby refuse tip drove down the numbers of large gulls, but there was still an impressive roost on 13 January, when 3,000 Black-headed, 600 Common and 500 Lesser Black-backs were seen along with 30 Herring, three Greater Black-backed and two Yellow-legs.  Caspian, Ring-billed,Mediterraneanand Glaucous Gulls have also been noted over the winter so far.

Raptors were less prolific, but Buzzards and Peregrines are regular, with November highlights including a Merlin and a Red Kite noted in late January.  An impromptu path is being beaten to the door of a pair of Tawny Owls but as this threatens a traditional breeding sight, please try to resist the temptation and stick to the main path! Up to 80 Redwings and 50 Fieldfares were recorded, with Siskin, Long-tail Tits and Lesser Redpoll seen in smaller flocks.  Kingfishers delight observers most days, while four Blackcaps and a single Chiffchaff over-wintered.

 

VISITING DARWIN’S TREASURE TROVE IS JUST MAGICAL

Last October, my wife Lilian and I enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to mainland Ecuadorand the Galapagos Islands. Putting the experience into words isn’t easy, but the current media focus on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin – and the recent receipt of a 45-page report from the trip leader, with comprehensive lists and photographs – have encouraged me to attempt a brief summary.

Galapagos wildlife is truly magical and its total indifference to humans allows leisurely observation at amazingly close quarters.  Be reassured, though, strict rules exist to ensure the animals are not disturbed. Visitors can only arrive by boats on specified routes and timescales, on specific islands, accompanied by an official guide, walking restricted paths for an allotted period of time, and there are vast areas where no access is allowed.

I stress these restrictions since media coverage suggests tourism is damaging the island environment – and while the local population increase to service tourism is having an impact, the funds earned are improving human lives and financing scientific research.  That said, the animals dictate the pace and, with a sea lion giving birth on the path in front of you, a detour is the only option!  Sea lions and penguins seem to enjoy swimming around these very clumsy humans, shoals of very colourful fish seem to laugh at our ineptitude, and flat-footed Boobies manage to perch on narrow branches while flipper-wearing people find it difficult even to stand up.

The “tameness” of the birdlife was exhilarating and we had magnificent views of over 70 species, missing just two of the rarerDarwinfinches. Frigate Birds were ever-present over, and on, our 16-berth boat, and petrel species were a constant identification challenge in varied weather conditions. Dolphins led the way, bow-riding on several occasions, and pilot whales also escorted us. Apparently both species enjoy our high-pitched sounds of excitement as we hang over the bow to improve our view of their gymnastics.

Having been fascinated by iguanas as a schoolboy, I was thrilled to see them in such close proximity and the giant tortoises lived up to their name. Turtles could clearly be heard breathing among the atmospheric mangrove swamps, where sharks and rays were also seen but the birds were always the focus of attention.

Where Galapagos lived up to, and exceeded, our expectations, our 11 days in mainlandEcuadorwas an experience we simply had not anticipated.  Over 300 bird species presented themselves in glorious, fabulous and, at times, unreal colour: Unimaginable, even with the time spent on research before the trip.

At 12,000 feet above sea level – so, walking very slowly – we saw two Andean Condors and two rare Black-faced Ibis.  Between there and the Amazon basin we saw 50 hummingbird species, one with a bill longer than its body, another with a tail twice its body length.  Among many surreal moments, one dawn walk took us to the only street-lamp in the area to witness the influx of birds feeding on an accumulation of moths and insects while local buses and trucks gathered to take people to work. The ‘Cock-of-the Rock’ lek was spectacular but almost eclipsed by a forest trek with our guide calling out the normally shy and elusive Antpittas (Yellow-breasted, Giant and Moustached) by pet-names and many endearments – with the added help of some worms!

In the Amazon, we stayed at the Napo Wildlife Centre, owned and run with understandable pride by the local population.  Access requires a five-hour journey by motorised, then paddled canoes, but the location is idyllic – so remote yet so comfortable, with wildlife never far away.  “Gunshots” heard in the night proved to be territorial tail-slapping on the water by a giant fish, while the loss of the fresh water supply one day was caused by a Cayman chewing through the supply pipe.

A scary but satisfying morning on a small platform above the rainforest canopy yielded a procession of colourful parrots, vultures, hawks, numerous small songsters and rather noisier Howler Monkeys.  A silent canoe trip at dusk revealed Caymans, Fishing-bats, Night-monkeys, large flying insects and moths.  Two huge snakes dangling from a tree resulted in rapid reverse paddling, and an increasing frog chorus and illumination by glow-worms lent further magic to the experience.  Sadly, we missed out on Giant Otters and saw only the tracks of Tapirs.

Be warned, airports are boring places, insects bite, sun burns and wildlife identification is tricky with no European counterpart – but for a truly exciting experience and 400 bird species in three weeks, this would be hard to beat!

Roger & Lilian Carrington

 

ATTENTION ALL HOT SHOTS!

The diversity of Carsington Water in spring and summer time is the focus of a photographic competition being organised by the RSPB and Severn Trent with support from several sponsors, including the Bird Club, offering three memberships and a Collins field guide as prizes.  Entries must be created and submitted between 1 May and 30 June, and in one or more of five categories – Birds and Wildlife, Flora, Landscapes, Water and under-16s.

An overall winner will be drawn from the category winners.  There is a fee of £2 per entrant, and the panel of judges will sit to select their winners on 17 July.  For queries or more information, contact the RSPB’s ABB representative at Carsington, Chris Johnstone (chris.johnstone@rspb.org.uk).

NEST BOX SCHEME EXTENDED TO CARSINGTON CHURCHYARD

For the past 12 years CBC and Severn Trent have recorded and added to the nest box scheme around the reservoir, during which time we have been able to record some important species such as Redstart, Nuthatch and our signature bird, Tree Sparrow.  Happily, we have now been able to expand our recording area by taking up Carsington village’s offer of setting up a new nest box scheme (which is dedicated to the memory of one of our members, Betty Walker) within the churchyard.

On8 February 2009 the first seven new boxes were placed within the grounds at the rear of the church – an exciting area as its sits against the mature woodland on the hillside; it will be interesting to see which species takes advantage of the new boxes.

Paul Hicking

WORK UNDER WAY TO MAKE A BETTER HABITAT FOR ‘RATTY’

Water voles are one of Carsington Water’s wildlife highlights.  This delightful creature – which lovers of literature as well as wildlife know, courtesy of ‘Ratty’ from Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows – is relatively rare these days, but can be found living along the banks of Carsington Water and at ponds and streams around the site, where tall grasses or emergent vegetation, such as sedges and rushes, provide cover and much needed sources of food and nesting material.

With increased tree growth along watercourse banks, however, the quality of water vole habitat has declined.  Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s (DWT) water vole project, which is funded by the SITA Trust, has highlighted the importance of Carsington Water for the species and DWT staff has been working with Severn Trent Water ranger and volunteer ranger teams to enhance water vole habitat at the site. In February, a number of trees along the Henmore Brook and around the settlement ponds were coppiced to let in more light, which in turn will encourage the growth of vegetation along banks.

Fencing on adjacent farmland along the brook is in a poor state of repair and the Trust’s project will also fund replacement fencing which will protect water vole habitat from grazing livestock. Some additional new ponds are also planned to create further water vole habitat.

Water vole populations along the Henmore Brook and at Carsington Water are some of the last remaining populations in the Dove catchment.  Protecting these populations is essential for water vole recovery in this
catchment.  If you do see a water vole at Carsington Water please inform one of the rangers.  Records can also be sent to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust via their website www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.

Helen Perkins, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

DID YOU KNOW?

A possible future option for members with computers is to receive the newsletter by e-mail, which would reduce the club’s postage bill and may be a preferable way of storing it.  Can you inform editor Gary Atkins (see contact box below) if you would prefer to receive it ‘electronically’ or if have any thoughts on the proposal.

The wildlife centre has a new high-resolution camera/CCTV to make wildlife sightings that little bit easier and clearer for visitors to Carsington Water.  This camera – with its ‘punk’ hairdo of long spikes to keep larger birds from roosting on it – can be operated by joystick from the centre.  High-resolution colour cameras fitted to bird boxes feed live nesting-time images to visitors to the visitor centre restaurant.

The well-regarded CBC website was ever more popular in 2008, with 64,710 ‘hits’ – 13,635 (or 22 per cent) more than 2007.  Virtually every area was visited more often, the biggest gain being the definitive bird list up 176 per cent.  Over a third of the hits were for the online sightings board, and a box of chocolates went to Margaret and Ray Perry for the most sightings (49) posted (apart from the collective efforts of RSPB/ABB volunteers).

Carsington Bird Club

2008 Bird Notes

DECEMBER 2008 BIRD NOTES

December Highlights: Great Northern Diver, possible Great White Egret, Whooper
Swan, Brent Goose and Ring-billed Gull.

Great Northern Divers totalled 4 from 5th to 11th at least, including an adult whereas, last month, all 4 were juveniles. A possible Great White Egret was noted briefly at 1115 hours on 7th in Shiningford Creek before flying off southeast. This would be a new species for
Carsington if accepted by DOS. Two Whooper Swans were seen on 9th at the Wildlife Centre. A Pink-footed Goose was around the Wildlife Centre from 6th to 14th and 210 flew low over Millfields at 1030 hours on 15th, heading northwest. Two Brent Geese spent most
of 13th at the Wildlife Centre and a Water Rail was again in the ditch below the dam wall on 1st . Maximum counts were similar to December counts of recent years and included; 105 little Grebe on 18th, 59 Great Crested Grebe on 14th, 51 Cormorant on 15th, 2 Heron on 14th, 2 Greylag Geese on 15th, 45 feral Barnacle Geese plus 1 hybrid on 19th, 1 Shelduck on 27th, 406 Wigeon on 14th, 40 Gadwall on 14th, 94 Teal on 14th, 1 female Pintail on 6th, 4 Shoveler on 29th, 308 Pochard on 14th, 844 Tufted Duck on 14th, 2 female Scaup on 11th, 1 drake Common Scoter on 14th, 16 Goldeneye on 14th, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser on 5th, 20 Goosander on 3rd, 53 Moorhen on 18th and 1890 Coot on 28th .  Raptor records are very few this month and waders included 20 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 20th, a Woodcock at Hopton End on 19th and 4 Redshank on 14th .

The adult Ring-billed Gull was seen only on 1st and the numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls significantly reduced from this date. The gull roost included a first winter Mediterranean Gull on 24th, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls on 1st, an adult Caspian Gull on 1st, 13th and 17th and a first winter Glaucous Gull on 21st . 15th 21st A Little Owl was on Oldfield Lane on and 2 Tawny Owls were reported on . Kingfishers have been recorded all around the site on many dates and 2 were noted on 22nd at Paul Stanley Hide. A Skylark flew over the Dam Wall on 5th and 6 Meadow Pipits were in Tail Bay on 15th. A survey, covering most of the southern half of the site, on 15th noted 1 Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipit, 19 Robin, 24 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 73 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 25 Long-tailed Tit, 17 Blue Tit, 15 Great Tit, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Jay, 8 Magpie, 18 Jackdaw, 16 House Sparrow, 18 Tree Sparrow, 12 Bullfinch and 1 Reed Bunting. Other significant records include a Chiffchaff near Warrington Knob on 15th, 30 Siskin at Paul Stanley Hide on 16th, 1 Linnet near Fishtail Creek on 18th, 5 Lesser Redpoll at Lane End feeders on 19th and 2 large farmyard mallard type ducks at Millfields from 8th .

94 species recorded compared with 91 in December 2007, 99 in 2006, 88 in 2005, 95 in 2004, 97 in 2003 and 89 in 2002.

 

NOVEMBER 2008 BIRD NOTES

November Highlights: Ring-billed Gull returns again, Great Northern Divers, Scaup, Common Scoters, Water Rail, Little Gull, Caspian Gull and Waxwing. Last month’s juvenile Great Northern Diver became 2 GNDs from the 1st, then a site record of 4 on 10th, only 3 on 12th and just 2 by 30th . Pink-footed Geese movements were 32 northeast on 2nd, 25 east on 22nd and 3 on the ground on 23rd. A female Scaup was near Big Island on 16th and there were 7 female/immature plus 1 drake Common Scoter on 3rd, the 7 female type stayed and were last reported on 16th. Wildfowl counts included: 88 Little Grebe on 12th, 60 Great Crested Grebe on 12th, 62 Cormorant on 16th, 44 feral Barnacle Geese on 19th, 1 escapee Cackling Goose on 16th, 1 Shelduck on 19th and 27th, 341 Wigeon on 16th, 51 Gadwall on 16th, 75 Teal on 16th, 152 Mallard on 3rd 7th 16th 16th 16th , 2 Pintail on , 2 Shoveler on , 210 Pochard on , 343 Tufted Duck on , 16 Goldeneye on 22nd, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers on 21st, 1 drake Goosander on 12th, 26 Moorhen on 16th, 2175 Coot on 16th, and a Water Rail was heard on 28th in the ditch below the dam wall. Three Common Buzzards were in the air on 16th, a female Merlin was around Millfields on 22nd and a Peregrine was seen from the Wildlife Centre on 3rd and on several other dates. Lapwings were counted on 16th at 274 and again on 27th at a close matching 275 birds. Snipe numbered 15 from the Wildlife Centre on 16th and a Snipe race Faroeensis [more rufous plumage] was photographed here on 15th and seen on subsequent dates. Three Redshank were noted on 4th with individuals seen at most locations during the month and a Turnstone was close in to Sheepwash Hide on 3rd . Gulls attracted birders this month, with an adult Mediterranean Gull from 6th to 15th at least, the well forecast, and now annual, adult Ring-billed Gull turned-up in the gull roost on 7th and was seen on many evenings up to the end of the month, a first winter Little Gull was also in the roost on 7th, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls were present on 8th and other dates and a second winter Caspian Gull was in the roost on 25th .

Kingfishers were seen most days around the site and 2 were in front of Paul Stanley Hide on 3rd . Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Nuthatch were regularly on the feeders here. Two Skylarks flew over on 4th, 10 Meadow Pipits were at Sheepwash on 4th and 11 were on the other side of the Spit on 13th. A Rock Pipit was seen from Paul Stanley Hide on 3rd and a few lucky observers saw a Waxwing at the Visitor Centre on 16th . Note that many Waxwings have come into this country recently, they can turn up on any berry laden tree and bush, and supermarket car parks are a favourite. Wintering thrushes were moving through in flocks, stopping off to feed, with 50plus Fieldfare in Wildlife Centre Creek on 13th, 50 Redwing at Millfields on 7th and 50 around the Wildlife Centre area on 10th. Four Blackcaps were reported on 10th near the Wildlife Centre. Two flocks of Long-tailed Tits contained 29 birds on 24th and 8 Blue Tits plus 10 Great Tits were noted at Paul Stanley Hide on 19th. Starling flocks totalled 350 birds at dusk on 3rd, flocks of 30 Siskin were noted on 4th and 28th, 6 Lesser Redpoll were on Stones Island on 13th, 15 Chaffinch on Paul Stanley feeders on 19th and 11 Bullfinch were counted on 27th .

94 species recorded compared with 98 in November 2007, 97 in 2006, 97 in 2005, 95 in 2004 and 92 in 2003.

 

OCTOBER 2008 BIRD NOTES

October Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Gannet, Shag and Brambling.

A Great Northern Diver** was reported at 1430hrs on 26th from Sheepwash and probably the same bird, a juvenile, was seen regularly near Lane End Hide from 28th . A juvenile Gannet** [last recorded in 2000] was seen flying over the reservoir at 1500hrs on 29th and
one of the juvenile Shags found in October was still around the dam wall area on 4th . Maximum counts included: 33 Little Grebe on 12th, 39 Great Crested Grebe on 12th, 53 Cormorant on 8th, 31 Mute Swans on 12th, 3 Greylag Geese on 4th, 1 Shelduck on 11th , 295 Wigeon on 12th, 23 Gadwall on 12th, 51 Teal on 12th, 57 Mallard on 12th, 2 Pintail on 8th , 2 Shoveler on 7th, 144 Pochard on 29th, 500 Tufted Duck on 29th, 4 Common Scoter on 6th , 2 Goldeneye on 31st, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser on 29th, 26 Moorhen on 12th , 671 Coot on 12th and 1 Red-legged Partridge on Sheepwash Spit on 6th .  Four Common Buzzards and 2 Kestrels were reported on 6th. Also on 6th, a Peregrine was seen on the pylon from the Wildlife Centre and was recorded on many other dates around the site.

Wader sightings included a Ringed Plover on Stones Island or at the Wildlife Centre from 4th 1st to 15th, 8 Golden Plover flew past Sheepwash on , a Dunlin was at the Wildlife Centre on several dates from 4th to 31st, a juvenile Ruff was at the Wildlife Centre on 15th  and a Redshank was noted on 7th, 22nd and 31st . The gull roost held an adult Mediterranean Gull on 13th and 21st, 1200 Black-headed Gulls on 19th, 3000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 19th and 5 Yellow-legged Gulls on 11th .

4th 4th

Late dates for summer migrants were 2 House Martins on , 8 Swallows on , 4 Wheatear on 4th and 2 Chiffchaff on 21st. Autumn/Winter movement included 3 Skylarks flying over on 18th, 47 Meadow Pipits on 21st, 1 Rock Pipit on Sheepwash Spit on 11th and 20th, 1 Redwing on 6th, then 10 on 28th, 700 Starlings in a pre-roost flock at dusk on 31st, 2 Brambling at the Wildlife Centre on 27th, 20 Siskin on 28th, 10 Linnets over Stones Island on 6th and 6 Lesser Redpoll on 13th . Several escapee species have been reported this month with the male plus 2 female Cape type Shelduck on 13th and 28th, a Cackling Goose on 13th and a Black Swan [probably from Bradley pond] on 27th . **Both the Great Northern Diver and Gannet records require submission to the Derbyshire Ornithological Society Rarities sub-Committee with full supporting notes for consideration. Also any further details on possible records of Whooper Swan and Red-necked Grebe this month would be appreciated!

94 species recorded this October compared with 109 in 2007, 99 in 2006, 99 in 2005, 91 in 2004, 94 in 2003 and 103 in 2002.

 

SEPTEMBER 2008 BIRD NOTES

September Highlights: Shag, Pink-footed Goose, Common Scoter, Honey Buzzard, Osprey, Merlin, Knot, Ruff, Grey Phalarope, Mediterranean Gull and Black Tern

41 Pink-footed Geese were noted going north-east on 23rd, 2 juvenile Shags were found on the Draw-off Tower roof on 2nd and were still present on 16th, with 1 remaining until 23rd . Common wintering wildfowl numbers were increasing and maximum counts totalled: 39 Little Grebe on 14th , 32 Great Crested Grebe on 10th, 45 Cormorant on 8th and 14th, 3 Heron on 14-15th, 29 Mute Swans on 14th, 1 Greylag on 6th, 14 Barnacle on 14th, 1 Shelduck on 14th, 427 Wigeon on 19th, 17 Gadwall on 1st, 66 Teal on 14th, 148 Mallard on 14th, 3 Pintail on 10th, 6 Shoveler on 6th, 1 Red-crested Pochard from 1st to 6th, 39 Pochard on 14th, 512 Tufted Duck on 14th, 3 drake Common Scoter on 9th , 31 Moorhen on 14th and 1292 Coot on 14th .

A Honey Buzzard** was reported flying southwest over Sheepwash Car Park at 1400hrs on 14th , this was part of a large movement through England around the 14th . Other raptor records this month included a Sparrowhawk with prey on the dam being harassed by another on 29th, 7 Buzzards over Hopton on 7th, Osprey on 4th, 6th and 16th, a Merlin on 23rd, a Hobby on 2nd, 3rd, 7th and 9th and Peregrine on many dates. A Grey Phalarope** was seen briefly flying and settled on the water from Millfields on 6th, further searching could not re-find the bird. Other waders included 2 Oystercatchers on 14th, 3 Golden Plover flying over the dam wall on 13th, 178 Lapwing on 14th, 1 Knot on 15th, 1 Dunlin on 22nd, 3 Ruff on 24th, 14 Snipe on 21st, 1 Curlew on 25th, 1 Redshank on 9th and 2 Common Sandpipers on 23rd.

An adult Mediterranean Gull was in the gull roost from the 1st , 1 Common Tern was seen at Millfields on 6th, a juvenile Arctic Tern on 23rd and a Black Tern on 14th . A Yellow Wagtail was on the dam wall on 6th and 15th and a White Wagtail was there on 8th and 18th. A juvenile Stonechat was in Tail Bay on 18th, 3 Wheatears on the dam wall on 3rd, a Sedge Warbler in Shiningford Creek on 25th, 1 Whitethroat on 8th, 2 Garden Warblers on 8th and 2 Willow Warblers on 19th. Two flocks of Goldfinch on 10th totalled 60 birds, 40 Siskins were seen on 10th and 6 Linnets were noted on 9th .

109 Species were recorded this September compared with 108 in 2007, 101 in 2006, 101 in 2005, 94 in 2004 and 104 in 2003.

N.B. both Honey Buzzard** and Grey Phalarope** species require the record and description details to be submitted to DOS for consideration.

 

AUGUST 2008 BIRD NOTES

August Highlights: Little Egret, Osprey and Black Terns.

A Little Egret at 1040hrs on 23rd was the second this year. The egret flew in from Shiningford Creek onto Horseshoe Island then towards the Visitor Centre and, later, at 1400hrs, it was seen from Paul Stanley Hide. Breeding noted included the third brood of Little Grebe this year, the eighteenth brood of Mallard, eleventh of Tufted Duck, fourth of Moorhen and thirteenth of Coot. Cormorant numbers increased through the month to 38 on 30th and Mute Swans totalled 36 on 13th, including 6 juveniles. Wildfowl numbers included 6 Shelduck on 26th, 7 Wigeon on 25th and 30th, 18 Gadwall on 25th, 18 Teal on 31st, 122 Mallard on 20th, 3 Shoveler on 30th, a female Red-crested Pochard on 13th and a male from 21st to 31st, 3 Pochard on 20th, 288 Tufted Duck on 20th , a female Common Scoter on 30th and 741 Coot on 20th .

A young Sparrow Hawk was calling in Middle Wood on 14th, 4 Common Buzzards were in the air on 2nd and 11th and a young Buzzard was calling and flying over Hall Wood on many dates during the month. An Osprey was reported at 1630hrs on 30th and 2 Peregrines were seen on 17th and single Peregrines on most days.

This month’s wader passage has been very poor due to high water levels and tall vegetation along shorelines. By the end of the month there were signs of falling water levels and vegetation was being cleared from islands so, hopefully, September will be better. Waders included 1 Ringed Plover on 17th, 2 Dunlin on 5th and singles from 3rd to 8th, 3 Snipe on 31st, 1 Curlew on 18th, 1 Redshank on 8th, 10th, 22nd, 26th and 30th, 1 Greenshank on 14th, 3 Common Sandpipers on 4th , singles other dates, and a Turnstone briefly on 26th .

The gull roost started this month with mainly Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a near adult Yellow- legged Gull has been on site all month. The breeding pair of Common Terns and their flighted juvenile were last recorded on 4th and 2 other Common Terns were present on 20th and 5 on 30th . Black Terns have been well noted on passage with 2 adults on 13th and 17th, a juvenile off Stones Island from 19th to 21st and an adult with 2 juveniles on 30th . Two Stock Doves were noted on the tall dead tree trunk in Brown Ale Bay on 7th and were seen entering a hole in the trunk on 12th, suggesting probable breeding which would be the first for this site. A Barn Owl was near Sheepwash Hide at 1945hrs on 24th and Kingfishers have been seen most days at all ends of the site with 2 noted on 22nd and 26th. Four Meadow Pipits were on the Dam Wall on 18th, 63 Pied Wagtails were on there at 0715hrs on 28th, 2 Redstarts were noted on 10th 25th and 1 Wheatear was on the Dam on . There were two Spotted Flycatcher families recorded, an adult with 2 juveniles in Shiningford Creek on 12th and an adult plus a juvenile in Tail Bay on 23rd. A flock of 300 Jackdaws was noted on 4th and 26th and a flock of 40 Goldfinch on Stones Island on 20th included at least 25 juveniles. An early Siskin was on feeders on 15th, 7 Linnets were noted on 20th and a female Bullfinch was seen feeding 2 juveniles on 18th .

99 Species were recorded this August compared with 109 in 2007, 97 in 2006, 105 in 2005, 113 in 2004 and 110 in 2003.

 

JULY 2008 BIRD NOTES

Breeding records show the first two broods of Little Grebe by 29th, the seventeenth brood of Mallard this year by 16th and the seventh brood of Tufted Duck by 30th. The first two broods of  Moorhen appeared on 21st and Coots reached twelve broods by 31st . Counts and records included 21 Great Crested Grebe on 21st, 3 Heron on 3rd, 28 Mute Swan plus 4+3+1 cygnets on 7th ,2 Greylag Geese on 1st and on later dates, 29 Barnacle Geese plus an oddity on 20th, 1 Shelduck on 14th, an early returning drake Wigeon on 14th, 4 Gadwall on  8th, 4 Teal on 14th, 10 Pochard on 31st, 154 Tufted Duck on 20th, 1 Common Scoter on 21st and 5 on 29th and a fox was seen from the Wildlife Centre taking a Mallard duckling on 8th .

Raptor records included a Sparrowhawk mobbed by the Common Terns breeding at the Wildlife Centre on 14th, juvenile Sparrowhawks calling from their nest sites on 20th and 31st, a juvenile Buzzard seen calling near its nest site on 18th and probably in flight with parents on 7th and 16th and several Peregrine records from 20th, with 1 seen on the pylon from the Wildlife Centre on 22nd .

Waders are currently difficult to see and may not be staying because of high water levels and tall vegetation leaving no open shoreline margin for feeding. Many of the local breeding Oystercatchers and all the local Redshank had left site by 16th although others moving south may call in. Other waders noted were Little Ringed Plover at Paul Stanley Hide until 23rd, including a maximum of 4 on 3rd , a Knot at Sheepwash at 2000hrs on 2nd , a Dunlin on Sheepwash Spit on 16th, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on 11th and 2 on 12th, 20th, 26th, then 1 on 29-31st. 2 Whimbrel were photographed from the Wildlife Centre on 4th, 2 Curlew flew south on 18th , a Greenshank was
present on 1st and 29th and up to 2 Common Sandpipers were around the site all month. Gulls included a near adult Yellow-legged Gull all month, seen at all ends of the site but most often on the raft near Paul Stanley Hide. A count of 27 juvenile Black-headed Gulls on 18th caused confusion as only 7 pairs had been noted breeding, with the first four broods totalling 4+3+3+3, and pairs evidently have just one brood per year. Maybe more pairs actually bred or additional juveniles flew in from elsewhere. The pair of Common Terns breeding at the Wildlife Centre had 2 chicks early in the month but only one remained by 21st. This chick left its raft and eventually showed on Horseshoe Island, being well fed by both parents.

Following heavy rain early on 29th a Black Tern was feeding off Stones Island with 9 Common Terns and a further 14 Common Terns were roosting on the Sailing Club jetty. The sun came out and the terns had moved on by 0930hrs. Together with the breeding family, 26 Common Terns were on site on 29th . 7th 13th Other records include 2 Stock Doves flying over on , 100 plus Swifts through on , a Kingfisher on 9th, 17th and 28th, all at different locations, a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker on Paul Stanley Hide nuts and a pair of Swallows are attempting a second brood in the Stone Shelter. The only Redstart record so far this year was an independent juvenile seen on 7th . A Reed Warbler is still singing at Hopton Pond and breeding is likely but viewing to check this is not possible. A Spotted Flycatcher family of 4 was in Hall Wood on 10th and 16th and another family of 4 appeared at Sheepwash on 13th. A family party of Willow Tits was in Hopton Arm on 24th and 2 Marsh Tits were reported near Brown Ale Bay on 2nd. A family of Jays was at Sheepwash on 29th and 7 Linnets were noted on 23rd .

97 Species recorded this July compared with 94 in 2007, 94 in 2006, 97 in 2005 and 102 in 2004.

 

June 2008 Bird Notes

Highlights: Breeding.

No broods of Little Grebe yet, but two broods of Great Crested Grebe with 1 young at Hopton End 8th 14th on and 1 young at Wildlife Centre on . The pair of Mute Swans at Millfields Car Park produced 1 cygnet on 2nd and another pair showed 4 cygnets on Sheepwash Spit on 20th. A total of 604 Canada Geese, including young, were counted on 19th and all the Barnacle Geese families went on a trip across the water to Millfields on 15th. This group consisted 5 pairs with 6, 5, 3, 2 and 2 young. The pair of Cackling Geese reported breeding on Watersports Island last month were seen defending their nest against Crows on 5th but were noted away from the nest on 11th and may well have failed breeding. Mallard broods this year totalled 15 by 29th , Coot have 8 broods, Moorhen have no broods reported but a Tufted Duck with 8 chicks in front of Paul Stanley Hide on 26th is the first of more expected this year. For comparison, by this stage last year wildfowl breeding included 2 broods of Swan, 5 broods of Barnacle Geese, 18 of Mallard, 5 of Moorhen, 6 of Coot and 1 of Tufted Duck. A Red-legged Partridge has been seen at Sheepwash, occasionally a pair, noted carrying vegetation, mainly early morning, by the Rangers opening up the car park, hopefully this will result in a breeding success. Two Red-crested Pochards were at the Wildlife Centre from 8th to 11th and 3 were there on 25th .

Wader breeding has been difficult to assess due to the tall vegetation growth on most islands and some breeding may have been missed. Of the 7 pairs of Oystercatchers, only 2 pairs are known to have produced young on Millfields and Sailing Club Islands. The Sailing Club Island pair had moved their 2 young onto Watersports Island by 16th. Lapwing young noted include 3 fresh young on Horseshoe Island on 4th, which is the 2nd brood noted. One young Redshank has been reported and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers were still displaying. This time last year there were 4 broods of Oystercatcher, 4 of Lapwing and 3 of Redshank. Other waders recorded include a Ringed Plover at Paul Stanley Hide on 30th, a male Black-tailed Godwit (race Icelandica) at Wildlife Centre on 20th and a different bird on 29th/30th. A Whimbrel was seen on 2nd, and a Curlew on 6th was one of many records of single Curlew which may be one of a pair seen and possibly breeding in fields towards Ashbourne.

The pair of Common Gulls reported breeding last month had sadly failed by 15th. The 7 pairs of Black-headed Gulls continued to raise young and a pair with 3 young vacated their raft whereupon the pair of frustrated Common Terns immediately moved in and had a chick by 30th . A Barn Owl was noted carrying prey in the evening at Sheepwash on 30th and an adult Tawny Owl was perched near the memorial at Millfields end of the dam wall at lunchtime on 19th. A Kingfisher was at the Wildlife Centre on 22nd and 25th and was also seen in Tail Bay on 23rd. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers brought 2 juveniles to Paul Stanley feeders on 16th and a pair of Swallow were feeding young in the stone shelter near Millfields on 15th. Twenty House Martin nests were 1st counted on the Visitor Centre, Watersports and Sailing Club buildings on . A pair of Grey Wagtails were noted at Sheepwash on 2nd, at Hopton Arm and Shiningford Creek on 23rd, and a juvenile was near Paul Stanley Hide on 26th. Sedge Warbler were singing in Hopton Reedbed on 11th, Hopton Pond on 15th, Stones Island on 15th and Tail Bay on 23rd and 27th. A Reed Warbler was singing in Hopton Reedbed until 15th at least, but not on 29th, and another was singing from Hopton Pond all month. A Willow Tit family was in Millfields Car Park on 19th, a Tree Creeper pair with 3 young were near Shiningford Creek on 2nd and 4 Linnets were in fields by Fishtail Creek on 23rd.

90 Species recorded compared with 93 in June 2007, 89 in 2006, 94 in 2005, 96 in 2004 and 84 in 2003.

 

MAY 2008 BIRD NOTES

May Highlights: Spoonbill, Great Northern Diver, Garganey, Red Kite, Hobby, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Black Tern, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo and Pied Flycatcher.

The bird of the month must be the Spoonbill. A first for Carsington. It was found at 1030hrs on 29th on Horseshoe Island and had gone, high northeast, by 1100 hours. The Great Northern Diver was last recorded on 2nd, it had been here since last November and was attaining summer plumage. No broods of Grebe, Swan or Moorhen have yet been recorded but there are 4 broods of Barnacle Geese around Stones Island area, 1 brood of Coot and 12 broods of Mallard on site. Coincidently, by this time last year there were also 4 broods of Barnacle and 12 of Mallard. The long staying Pink-footed Goose was last noted on 9th. A Shelduck was on Sheepwash Spit on 25th and a drake Garganey gave excellent views from the Wildlife Centre on 11th. Other wildfowl included a Shoveler on 10th, 3 Pochard on 18th, 105 Tufted Duck on 18th, 64 Coot on 18th and a Goosander on 10th. A pair of presumed escapee Cackling Geese are breeding on Watersports Island.

Red Kite have been reported at several Derbyshire sites this month and at Carsington on 1st and 26th . The return of the migratory Hobby was noted by just 1 record of a bird flying south over the 5th 13th Dam Wall on and a Peregrine was noted from the Wildlife Centre on . Two pairs of Oystercatchers have young, 2 on Millfields Island on 8th and 2 on Sailing Club Island on 25th. Pairs on Big Island and Flat Island may have failed. Little Ringed Plovers have been around with a maximum of 3 at Paul Stanley Hide on 17th, but no signs of breeding. So far there is just 1 Lapwing brood of 3 chicks on Horseshoe Island on 18th and no Redshank young have yet been reported, which is the same as last year. Other waders on passage included 2 Ringed Plovers on Sheepwash Spit on 8th, a superb summer plumage male Grey Plover in front of the Wildlife Centre 8th 2nd on 16th and 17th , a Sanderling at Sheepwash on and another on 18th , 2 Dunlin on , a Whimbrel on 1st and 26th, 2 Curlew on 10th, a Greenshank at the Wildlife Centre on 16th, a Green Sandpiper at the Wildlife Centre on 11th and 2 Turnstones there on 14th . Little Gulls were again well recorded this month with single first summer birds on 8th, 9th and 21st .

The Black-headed Gull colony at the Wildlife Centre has 7 nests, 4 with young by 27th. A pair of Common Gulls, possibly attracted by the BHG colony, was seen to be displaying/pair bonding on 16th. On 17th they started a nest on a raft but a Coot stole the material. The pair was noted mating on 27th and on other dates and it looks as though they have a nest which is out of general view. Could this be a first breeding of Common Gull at Carsington? And even for Derbyshire? A pair of Common Terns was around the rafts at the Wildlife Centre from 18th, finally finding nest space on 21st. This nest was lost by 30th, a brood of 3 young Black-headed Gulls were on the same raft. Tern passage included 5 Common on 16th, 1 Arctic Tern on 9th and 2 Black Terns on 5th and 1 on 8th . A Turtle Dove on the Wildlife Centre Feeders on 20th must have been a surprise. It stayed all day, showing only occasionally and is the first record since May 1996. A Cuckoo was seen flying north on 4th, this species was last seen in May 2004. A Yellow Wagtail was at the Wildlife Centre on 13th , 1 White Wagtail on 6th, 1 Wheatear on 17th, a Reed Warbler at Hopton Pond on 29th, 2 Spotted Flycatchers in Hall Wood from 11th, a pair of Brambling on 5th, a pair of Linnets on Stones Island on 11th and another pair in Fishtail on 19th. A singing Pied Flycatcher was found northeast of Millfields spit on 3rd to 10th and another in Hall Wood from 9th to 12th. A count on a walk round the site by 2 observers on 7th totalled 40 Chiffchaff, 41 Willow Warblers, 15 Garden Warblers, 28 Blackcaps, 7 Whitethroats, 41 Blackbirds, 57 Robins, 51 Wrens, 31 Blue Tits, 23 Great tits, 42 Chaffinch, 14 Goldfinch and a Skylark singing over Upperfields Farm.

113 Species recorded compared with 103 in May 2007, 107 in 2006, 107 in 2005, 114 in 2004 and 110 in 2003.

 

APRIL 2008 BIRD NOTES

April Highlights: Some littles, Little Egret, Little Gull, Little Tern, some bigger, Avocets, Osprey,Great Northern Diver, and many spring migrants. The Great Northern Diver stayed another month and is gaining summer plumage. A Little Egret was on show from Paul Stanley Hide on 28th, last recorded here in April 2006. A Pink-footed Goose stayed with the local geese all month, a female Mandarin was in Tail Bay on 29th, a female Scaup at the Wildlife Centre from 13th to 30th, 2 drake Common Scoters from 3rd to 13th, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers on 20th and 21st and a Water Rail in Tail Bay on 2nd. Counts included 23 Little Grebe on 6th, 28 Great Crested Grebe on 6th, 14 Cormorants on 20th, 2 Shelduck on 4th and 13th 16th, 4 Wigeon on 17th, 4 Gadwall on 18th, 40 Mallard on 6th, 2 Shoveler on 3rd, 8th and 14th, 298 Tufted Duck on 6th, 11 Goldeneye on 2nd and 163 Coot on 6th. Three fresh broods of Mallard were noted on 17th and another brood on 21st .

An Osprey was viewed from the Wildlife Centre for 10 minutes on 9th, and both immature and adult Peregrines were noted on several dates. Waders included another record of 2 Avocets at the Wildlife Centre on 29th; see the photos on our website. Seven pairs of Oystercatcher have been busily establishing nest sites, Little Ringed

Plover arrived with 1on 8th and 2 on 19th, a Ringed Plover was seen on 4th and 19th, 1 Sanderling on 27th, 23 Dunlin on 27th, 7 Snipe on 7th, 1 Black-tailed Godwit on 16th, 1 Whimbrel on 17th and 4 on 25th, 15 Curlew at dusk on 15th, 14 Redshank on 20th, a Greenshank on 8th and 22nd, 1 Green Sandpiper from 17-22nd at the Wildlife Centre and 1 Common Sandpiper on 5th and 6 on 27th . Gulls included a Kittiwake on 7th and 6 Little Gulls on 5th, 3 on 23rd, an immature on 24th and an 27th adult on . Terns started with a total of 18 Arctic Terns on 20th and another 18 on 24th , 4 Common Terns on 27th and 2 Little Terns also on 27th .

The first Swifts arrived with 5 on 26th and 30 on 29th, a Tree Pipit flew over on 19th, a Yellow Wagtail arrived on 11th and 30 were on Stones Island on 17th, 3 White Wagtails on 7th, a female Stonechat on 17th, 3 Wheatear on 8th and over 100 Redwing were noted on 7th. Warblers arrived with a Grasshopper Warbler on 14th and 26th, 1 Sedge Warbler on 24th, and 1 Reed Warbler on 26th, 1 Lesser Whitethroat on 23rd and 4 on 25th, 1 Whitethroat on 24th and 4 on 29th, and 2 Garden Warbler on 25th and 6 on 29th. Counts of warbler species arriving last month include 8 Blackcap on 9th 29th 20th , 20 Chiffchaff on and 23 Willow Warbler on . Two pairs of Willow Tit were noted excavating nest holes, Treecreepers totalled 6 in Hall plus Middle Wood on 13th and 2 Brambling were on Stones Island on 6th .

118 Species were recorded compared with 103 in April 2007, 118 in 2006, 117 in 2005, 116 in 2004, 120 in 2003 and 107 in 2002.

 

MARCH 2008 BIRD NOTES

March Highlights: Whooper Swans, Egyptian Goose, Common Scoters and Osprey briefly. Long awaited Avocets stay a day, Long-eared Owl shows too well and Swallows and Martins arrive early.

The Great Northern Diver stays another month and is now showing some summer plumage markings on its back. Two Whooper Swans stayed all day on 17th. Last month’s Pink-footed Goose and the regular Cackling Goose remained with the local Geese all month and an Egyptian Goose joined the goose circus for a day on the 27th. Twelve Common Scoter, including 8 drakes, were seen from Sheepwash Hide on 26th . Counts this month total 54 Little Grebe on 10th, 33 Great Crested Grebe on 23rd, 31 Cormorant on 23rd, 4 Heron on 10th, 11 Mute Swan on 10th, 3 Greylag on 17th, 85 Canada on 10th, 40 Barnacle on 22nd, 3 Shelduck on 15th, 124 Wigeon on 15th, 2
Gadwall on 20th, 6 Teal on 10th, 89 Mallard on 10th, 1 Pintail on 14th, 7 Shoveler on 16th, 1 Pochard on 28th, 308 Tufted Duck on 10th, 20 Goldeneye on 23rd, 7 Goosander on 2nd, 32 Moorhen on 10th and 284 Coot on 10th. A Water Rail was reported in the stream in Tail Bay on 31st .

26th An Osprey was seen from Sheepwash Hide at 1330hrs on being mobbed by the local Oystercatchers and was reported again at 1215hrs over Sheepwash Car Park the following day. Ten Buzzards were in the air on 17th and 2 Peregrines noted on 10th .  This month’s  highlight must be the first formal record of Avocet for this site. Two were present on *15th , viewed from Sheepwash or Paul Stanley Hides, sometimes swimming over deep water or asleep on the spit. Either way, they delighted many birders. Six pairs of Oystercatcher were noted on 8th and another pair was probably on Millfields Island at that time. A Ringed Plover flew over calling on 10th and a Golden Plover was on Horseshoe Island on 15th. Lapwing totalled 82 on 10th and Redshank 7 on 10th and 16th. Thirteen Black-tailed Godwit flew west past Paul Stanley Hide on 8th and 5 Dunlin flew north past there on 19th . Curlew have been on passage and roosting all month, with a maximum count of 47 on Horseshoe Island at dusk on 24th . An adult Mediterranean Gull in full summer plumage came in to roost on 5th, and a partial summer plumage bird roosted on 6th . An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on Flat Island on 9th and at the Wildlife Centre on 12th. A Kittiwake was noted on 12th and later in the roost that evening. The next sighting of Kittiwake was a series of possibly the same bird on 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 25th and 28th. The number of Common Gulls roosting built up this month and 590 were counted on 28th .

Owls featured well this month with 2 Barn Owls out hunting on 27th, a pair of Little Owls mating on 28th and an over-obliging Long-eared Owl found among the swarms of visitors on Stones Island onEaster Monday 24th. This owl’s daytime roost was obvious and close to the path and it was flushed several times before departing to, hopefully, unharassed roosts on 27th. Sand Martin and Swallow arrived along with the Avocets on 15th. There was 1 Sand Martin and 2 Swallows, these Swallows being 10 days earlier than any other swallow record for Carsington. House Martins followed later, with 1 on 29th and 10 on 30th. Thirty Meadow Pipits were noted on 26th and 19 Pied Wagtails were on Stones Island on 27th, with an early White Wagtail on the same day. The first Wheatear was on Stones Island on 21st and 2 were on site on 23rd. A Redwing was singing on Stones Island on 20th and 47 Redwing were counted in Tail Bay on 26th . Blackcap on 14th and 19th were probably wintering birds as, probably, were single Chiffchaffs between 11-16th. Three Chiffchaff were singing on 17th and 21 were counted singing during a walk round the reservoir on 29th. A Brambling was seen on Stones Island on 30th and Reed Bunting have again been showing well on feeders, with 11 noted on 7th .

105 Species recorded this March compared with95 in 2007, 100 in 2006, 107 in 2005 and 98 in 2004.

 

FEBRUARY 2008 BIRD NOTES

February Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Whooper Swans, Pink-footed Goose, Curlew and Skylark.

The Great Northern Diver stayed all month, sometimes elusive over by Fishtail Creek. Ten 10th Whooper Swans flew over on . A Pink-footed Goose was seen with the resident Canada, Barnacle and Cackling Geese on 7th and it remained for the rest of the month. Two Shelduck were present on 5th and 1 on 14th. Two Pintail were at Lane End on 13th and 4 at Sheepwash on 19th . Counts for February included: 59 Little Grebe on 10th and 15th, 36 Great Crested Grebe on 10th, 32 Cormorant on 8th, 12 Mute Swans on 10th, 42 Barnacle Geese on 11th and 28th, 162 Wigeon on 18th, 4 Gadwall on 12th, 42 Teal on 10th, 99 Mallard on 10th, 2 Shoveler on 19th, 3 Pochard on 10th , 284 Tufted on 10th, 17 Goldeneye on 10th and 28th, 20 Goosander on 5th, 39 Moorhen on 10th and 470 Coot on 10th . It was noted that most of the wintering wildfowl had gone by the end of the month. There was little raptor activity this month. The regular Peregrine was seen mantling a coot or moorhen on 1st and Peregrines have not been seen since mid-month, suggesting they may well have gone to take command of their breeding site. Three Buzzards were noted towards Hopton on 3rd , a pair were displaying on 6th and 6 were in the air on 27th. Sparrowhawks have been much in evidence all around the site, darting through the leafless open woodland areas seeking prey.

Oystercatchers have been returning and claiming their breeding island. Although 7 birds on 15th was the maximum count, there could well be more, isolated on their islands, one familiar bird with a bar code type leg ring has returned and another pair looked as though they were mating at the Wildlife Centre on 27th. Lapwing numbers at the early morning roost near the Sailing Club totalled 340 on 22nd, and 2 Dunlin were on Stones Island on 5th. The first returning Curlew were on 19th , when at least 2 were heard in the day long mist of that period. By the end of the month 17 were noted at Sheepwash on 28th, with small numbers going to evening roost on Horseshoe Island. Redshanks have returned to their breeding grounds and 5 were counted on 8th, however, birds are scattered and site numbers may be greater than this. The gull roost was much reduced, with 2000 Black-headed Gulls and 130 Common Gulls on 13th , 330 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 15th and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls on 3rd and 1 on 15th . Skylarks have been noted flying overhead, with a maximum of 5 over Stones Island on 27th. The  6th wintering Meadow Pipit flock in Tail Bay and dam wall area numbered 21 on . Wintering Redwing were always around, with 64 in Sheepwash car park on 4th and 70 near Oldfield Lane on 28th, but Fieldfare were difficult to come across, with just 2 recorded in Tail Bay on 20th, associating with 2 Mistle Thrush. Five Rooks flew over the Visitor Centre on 6th and 2 Raven were displaying on 6th and mating on 22nd. Siskin and Lesser Redpoll have been significantly absent this month, with just 3 Siskin in Shiningford Creek on 7th and 1 Redpoll at the Wildlife Centre on 3rd . Reed Buntings have been very prominent on feeding tables again this month, with 5 on Sheepwash and 2 on Lane End feeders on 4th .

Only 86 Species this month compared with 88 in Feb 2007, 89 in 2006, 90 in 2005 and 96 in 2004.

 

JANUARY 2008 BIRD NOTES

January Highlights: Great Northern Diver and Bewick’s Swan.

Last month’s adult Great Northern Diver stayed all this month, usually found off Stones Island. Two Bewick’s Swans were in front of the Wildlife Centre briefly on the 5th before flying around the site to mid-water. They left site late morning. Five Pink-footed Geese flew high south west over Tail Bay at 1100hrs on 11th and 60 were reported over the north side at 1050hrs on 20th. Site counts this month included 58 Little Grebe on 29th, 40 Great Crested Grebe on 29th, 34 Cormorant on 13th, 14 7th 13th 12th Mute Swans on , 13 Greylag Geese on , 40 feral Barnacle Geese on and 27th , 1 escapee Cackling Goose on 7th and on other dates with Barnacles, 2 Shelduck  appeared on 21st and 27th, 229 Wigeon on 13th, 70 Gadwall on 13th, 162 Teal on 13th, 237 Mallard on 13th, 1 female Pintail on 2nd and other dates, 2 Shoveler on 19th, 113 Pochard on 13th, 495 Tufted Duck on 13th , 16 Goldeneye on 29th, 30 Goosander on 19th and 1880 Coot on 13th .

Peregrines have been active again this month, using the pylon seen from the Wildlife Centre as a perch, and 2 were noted from Paul Stanley Hide on 3rd. Oystercatchers are gradually returning to their breeding islands, with 1 on Millfields Island from 21st, 2 at the Wildlife Centre on 27th and a total of three seen on 29th. Lapwings have been roosting in front of the Sailing Club, numbering
350 on 19th. Seven Snipe were noted on 7th and 6 were flushed from Sheepwash Spit by a Heron on 8th. Five Redshank were at the Wildlife Centre on 27th and singles have been noted at various locations around the site all month. An adult Mediterranean Gull was in Millfields Bay at 1100hrs on 3rd and probably the same bird was in the roost on 12th. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was in the roost on 2nd and 19th. The gull roost visible from Lane End Hide on 31st included circa 3000 Black-headed, 200 Common, 1500

Lesser Black-backed, 150 Herring and 30 Great Black-backed Gulls. The Little Owl has been seen several times from the Wildlife Centre with 2 showing on 27th, and elsewhere, a pair of Tawny Owl was reported on 14th and 29th. A Kingfisher at Paul Stanley Hide was one of the only birds recorded on the very misty 1st day of the New Year. The Kingfisher has since been seen at various shoreline locations throughout the month. A Green Woodpecker on 6th was a welcome record of this scarce visitor. Two Skylarks flew over Millfields on 27th, calling as they went northwards. Other records included 80 Redwing in the Oldfield Lane area on 16th, 4 Goldcrests at the Wildlife Centre on 27th, 90 Jackdaw on Flat Island on 27th, a flock of 60 Siskin in 4th 2nd Shiningford Creek on and 5 Lesser Redpoll on Stones Island on . Reed Bunting are occasionally using the feeding stations at the Wildlife Centre, Lane End and Sheepwash and 2 birds were noted on 6th and 21st .

Just 85 Species in what has turned out to be a relatively dull birding month. This 85 is compared with 89 in January 2007, 89 in 2006, 95 in 2005, 91 in 2004, 87 in 2003 and 75 in 2002.

CBC Newsletters

Nov 2008 Newsletter

No4 / November 2008

CHAIRMAN’S THOUGHTS

I imagine many of you feel, like me, that the year has once more flown by, and the weather as I write is decidedly wintry – but there are plenty of compensations in the bird world.

I have read on our website that Great Northern Divers are back again (read the reservoir report below for a lot more highlights over the autumn).  It’s also great to see flocks of winter passerines moving in – like Redwings, Fieldfare, Siskin and Redpolls – and there are signs that it may prove to be another Waxwing year, which would be fantastic.  Does anyone recall the large Waxwing flock opposite the Whitworth Institute in Darley Dale some years ago, the same year, I think, when I went on to Carsington to see the long-staying Great Grey Shrike.

There is also Cromford’s Hawfinch bonanza, which gives it national status, and there definitely seem enough large flocks of Starlings for another Kirk Ireton-like show this year!  And finally, with the clocks going back, I have been able to combine dog walking with Barn Owl watching around 5pm; on one evening an owl fly just ten feet above my entranced dog … definitely one of the benefits of the shortening days!

After such cheer I will come down to earth and mention our own continuing credit crunch.  I have never been good at creative accounting but I have had one revenue-raising idea (that my fellow committee members usually pass off with a laugh or two), which I am bringing up now – during the pantomime season!  I am serious, though, when I say I’d like to see a CBC team on the TV quiz show, ‘Eggheads’?  I’ve not watched it that often, but there’s always one of the resident ‘experts’ whose face carries a smirk I’d love to wipe off!  And on the rare occasions the challengers are successful, they do walk off with thousands of pounds.

It would seem appropriate for a club of birdwatchers to take on the ‘Eggheads’, so would any members fancy joining me in assembling a team to see if we can put some additional finance back into our coffers?  !  If I can find another four members who would like to give it a go, I can investigate what’s involved.  And even if we didn’t win, it would give the club some great publicity.

Finally, I hope to see you at our Christmas Party night on 16 December, which will feature Nick Brown (an officer with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust) talking about the Derby Cathedral Peregrines.  But if I don’t see you then, may I wish you all a happy Christmas and good New Year on behalf of all the committee.

Peter Gibbon

 

SUMMER VISITORS DEPART, WHILE OTHERS (DIVERS INCLUDED) START WINTER HOLIDAY

The best September species total for several years included a Honey Buzzard flying over Sheepwash car park – part of a large movement throughEnglandaround that time – a Grey Phalarope which touched down briefly and a pair of juvenile Shags that stayed around for 2-3 weeks.

A single bird made it three months in a row for Black Tern, and 41 Pink-footed Geese were seen flying north-east on 23 September.  The highest count of Coot reached 1,292 on the 14th.

Another bird displaying large movements from the continent is Waxwings, and while only one has been noted at Carsington – on 16 November – we can hope for a treat if they increase their numbers in Derbyshire.

Among long-staying migrants, the prize goes to two Chiffchaffs on 21 October, though House Martins, Swallows and Wheatear were all noted earlier that month, and two Willow Warblers were recorded as late as 19 September.  The autumn/winter movements brought both Yellow and White Wagtails to their favoured spot – the dam wall – along with Rock Pipit, Lesser Redpoll, Brambling, Linnet and Siskin, while the flocks of roosting Starlings are steadily growing in size (recalling memories of the massive roost at Kirk Ireton two years ago).

Great Northern Divers seem to pop up at Carsington most years, and they duly returned in October.  They often stay around a fair while, too, and between two and four were noted at various times right through to late November.   A juvenile Gannet – not recorded since 2000 – flew through on 29 October, and winter visiting ducks have so far included Common Scoter (up to eight in early November), Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser, while Gadwall, Pintail and Shoveler are recorded regularly among a good variety of waterfowl.

Waders seen during this period included Ruff, Curlew, Knot, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Redshank and, during October, both Golden and Ringed Plovers.  The sizeable gull roost (up to 3,000 Lesser Black-backed and 1,200 Black-headed) has included some rarities, including an adult Ring-billed Gull on several evenings in November, when five Yellow-Legs were also recorded and a Mediterranean Gull twice reprised a single appearance in October.

After an excellent raptor month in September – when Merlin, Osprey and Hobby joined the more regular Kestrels and Buzzards – October was quieter, though Peregrines were often seen and are joining the ‘regular’ band.

 

CLUB MEMBERS ‘TRAVEL’ THE WORLD TO SEE FANTASTIC BIRDS!

Club events have seen both real and virtual journeys around some of the most interesting birding territories.  The real one was just a few days ago – to the Wildlife and Wetland Trust’s Welney site in The Fens, when 20 members were rewarded after enduring six hours on the road and a bitterly cold day with 48 species including one of Welney’s stars, the Whooper Swan, plus two glimpses of a more unexpected visitor, a Hen Harrier.

The virtual trips to more exotic locations were made during the first three indoor meetings of the year.  Firstly, Paul Bingham took us toSouth Africain September, and then Andrew Sherwin came along to Hognaston Village Hall in October to describe – and show – the wide diversity of bird life on show inGoaonIndia’s west coast.  And earlier this month, Susan and Allan Parker displayed their considerable photographic talents with a thorough look at the birds encountered on the nearer-to-home (and slightly less exotic) northNorfolkcoast.

Further south inNorfolkis where to find Welney.  Snow had fallen overnight on 23 November when the travellers set off, but not enough to affect the trip, which turned out to be something of a ‘curate’s egg’.  While it was disappointing that three of the main hides were out of commission due to flooding (including one at the far end of the reserve, the area where Bewick Swans were most likely to be found), there were some interesting wetland (and other) birds on show – including Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Pintail, Pochard, Goosander, and Stonechat, not forgetting the harrier and swans in good numbers.  And the day was topped off with the sight of a collection of ducks and swans in a feeding frenzy at dusk in front of the main observation hide.

 

CLOSE DOS LINK BOOSTS WINTER FEEDING FOR BIRDS

Derbyshire Ornithological Society (DOS) are the county bird club and are one of the organisations with which we work closely.  Many CBC members are also members of DOS and, likewise, several DOS committee members have been CBC members since the club’s earliest days.  As well as holding an annual joint meeting, we have a nominee (Paul Hicking) on the DOS Committee and both clubs are represented on the Carsington Water User Liaison Committee.

In 2006, DOS allocated some funds to a winter feeding programme and ran a successful pilot scheme at Hilton Nature Reserve (a Derbyshire Wildlife Trust site). Last winter, they extended the pilot to include similar arrangements at Carr Vale, Drakelow and here at Carsington Water.  We utilised their grant of £75 towards our feeding station adjacent to the Paul Stanley hide.

In the present economic situation, any and all funding is most welcome and we are delighted that DOS would again like to assist us during the coming winter.  CBC and DOS share the view that conservation bodies stand a much greater chance of making a difference for wildlife and wild places by working together – and this is a good example of the benefit of such collaboration.

 

SLEEP WELL, HEDGEHOGS!

With a duty of care to wildlife around the site – and hedgehogs now officially listed as a species needing greater protection and conservation – Severn Trent Water’s ranger team has launched enthusiastically into a programme to provide houses in which these endearing mammals can successfully hibernate and breed.

The work began at the suggestion of Rose Day who, after a ‘hog’ sighting on StonesIsland, co-opted the help of volunteer rangers to fill the gap in the hedgehog housing market by building some starter homes for the delightful creatures that do so much good as natural pest controllers.  However, starter homes were not good enough either for Carsington Water’s Erinaceus europaeus population or for the volunteers.

Instead, they believed what was needed was a design for an up-market, insulated, air conditioned home, of wooden construction, suitable for hibernation and family life that would attract even the most particular of potential occupants!  This was Rose’s cue to trawl the worldwide web for best-practice advice: each box (she read on expert websites) should be positioned ideally facing south or south-east, to avoid cold winter winds, and sitting on roofing felt to stop rising damp. It should be provided with newspaper, straw and leaves inside for insulation and comfort and finally covered with straw and leaves topped with a layer of felt to keep it dry.

The result was a high-quality solution, well in advance of the original starter-home concept.  And five of these boxes have now been made and placed in various ‘hidden’ locations around Carsington Water to encourage safe sleeping for hedgehogs wintering on site.

If you happen to see any hedgehogs while visiting Carsington Water please report sightings, either to Rose Day via reception in the visitor centre, or by calling 0121 702 5040.

Hog Log:  What you need to know…

There are about a dozen species of hedgehog spread through China, south-east Asia (including New Zealand where it was introduced), Africa and Europe. The hedgehog we see in Britain is the European species which, like its cousins, is part of an ancient family going back perhaps as much as 15 million years.

An adult hedgehog is between 20-30cms long and weighs up to 650g. Their surprisingly long legs (about 10cm) allow them to run as fast as we can walk, and their defining feature is, of course, the spines – actually modified hairs around 3cm long – of which they have between 5,000 and 7,000!

They are mostly nocturnal and eyesight is poor, so they rely on excellent senses of smell and hearing during night-time sorties of up to 3km searching for beetles, caterpillars and earthworms (though slugs, snails, insects and even birds eggs feature in a broad diet).  During exceptionally bad weather humans can supplement a hedgehog’s diet with cat or dog food and fresh water – but, remember, never cow’s milk.

Apart from the mating season, hedgehogs lead solitary lives and the female has to raise her 2-6 hoglets by herself from May to September; when they are about six weeks old they leave the nest and go their own way.  Life expectancy is around 4-5 years but they may grow as old as 10.

Winter conditions and the increasing lack of food triggers hedgehog hibernation (anytime from November to April) when they breathe only once every few minutes, their heart rate drops from about 190 to just 20 beats per minute and body temperature plummets from a normal 35ºC down to 10ºC – clearly the most dangerous time for hedgehogs.

Anyone wanting further expert information or advice, or details on making your own hedgehog box, should contact The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (Hedgehog House, Dhustone, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 3PL … Tel: 01584 890801)

 

WHAT’S ON …?

Carsington Bird Club’s programme of indoor meetings programmes at Hognaston village hall will continue with our Christmas party on 16 December, when a buffet is being provided and guest speaker will be Nick Brown of the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, describing Derby Cathedral’s nesting Peregrine Falcons.  The club’s AGM (followed by a talk) follows in January, with a very varied programme of illustrated talks then continuing through to the spring. The full programme (all at Hognaston village hall, starting at7.30pm, unless otherwise stated) is as follows:

16 December    Christmas party (Inc buffet and talk by Nick Brown – entry £2.50)

20 January ‘09  CBC Annual General Meeting (followed by talk on the birds     Hognaston Village Hall (7pm)

                         of Poland by Peter Gibbon)

27 January        Committee Meeting                                                                   Visitor Centre (8pm)     

17 February       Talk by Phil Straton (Severn Trent’s fishery officer at Carsington)

on ‘Life Under The Surface’

17th March       Talk by Danny Green (2007 International Bird Photographer of

the Year): ‘Going North’ – a Journey fromScotlandto theArctic’

Booking often proves essential (c/o  01629 540696) for Severn Trent Water’s busy schedule, which is as follows:

Every Tuesday   Aren’t birds brilliant! at Carsington Water:  Learn about the site’s         Wildlife Centre (10.30-15.30)

and Sunday      exciting wildlife; just turn up and use the scopes/bins provided            

29 Nov-24 Dec  Christmas lunch is served! (call 01629 540363 for more details)   Mainsail Restaurant

6-7 December   Christmas at Carsington (family fun: watch out for Santa, along          Visitor Centre

with Sheepwash Spinners, festive food, crafts + more – charge)

7 December     Birdwatching for Beginners (free guided tour; first come, first    Visitor Centre (10am-noon)

served; bring boots, suitable clothing, binoculars + notebook)

4 January ’09    Birdwatching for Beginners (see entry above for more details)

17/18 January   RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch (join in this national project – free) Wildlife Centre (10.30-15.30)

1 & 15 February Birdwatching for Beginners (see entries above for more details)

8 February         Trees without leaves (free guided walk to identify trees in winter)          Sheepwash car park (10.30)

15 February       National nest box weekend (make your own nestbox – drop-in            Visitor Centre (11.00-15.30)

workshops, various charges)

 

ABB! UPDATE: GOOD LUCK, AMANDA – AND WELCOME, CHRIS

RSPB Aren’t Birds Brilliant! project officer Amanda Lynnes recently left to have a baby – and her replacement, Chris Johnstone, is now getting his feet wet (often literally) in this challenging role.  Here are his initial thoughts …

It’s true what the rangers told me: The sunlight reflected off the water does make you smile each morning – even if you are heading to work! I’ve been the ABB project officer barely a month, but I’m already getting hooked.

As a youngster, I set up nature trails in my (modest sized) back garden and would show neighbouring kids of about my age around, pointing out worms and beetles, moths and spiders’ webs I’d previously noted the locations of.  Telling my visitors interesting facts I’d gleaned from books and magazines gave me real pleasure. (that, and the income I made from a 5p entry fee!).  Now, part of my job is to show people wildlife and to inspire them about the partnership between the RSPB and Severn Trent Water at Carsington. A stroke of luck if you ask me!

With an extensive number of species to show visitors, it is difficult to find yourself without something to talk about during an ABB event. What’s more, local birders bring a wealth of knowledge that I’m just beginning to tap into. Carsington Water seems to have a definite air of magic and rarely disappoints, no matter what the weather.

What makes this fantastic occupation so rewarding is my genuine belief of the value in working in conservation. Describing the RSPB’s campaigns and associated conservation work never gets boring; I’ve never had a job in which I have believed so strongly in the topics and issues at hand – both locally and globally. Local environments depend on thousands, if not millions of tiny interacting factors. These, in turn, link into global environments and it quickly becomes apparent that working to save a species in a far-off country is something to care about.

In the meantime, I intend to be humbled by the ever-changing wildlife and the work carried out at Carsington Water and the input from volunteers and local groups.  I must thank Amanda, of course, from whom I’ve inherited a strong foundation and partnership ethos.  Her team of award-winning volunteers have ensured the ABB! project here at Carsington has moved from strength to strength.  I know how much time she dedicated to her work and how lucky the project is to have so many active volunteers and supporters. It’s my aim to maintain this momentum and to increase awareness of this fabulous site and its wildlife.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

The club website, administered so ably by Richard Pittam continues to make great strides, with ‘hits’ during the three months from August to October totalling more than 14,000 – up 17 per cent since the same period last year.  Most popular is the current sightings board, which rose 26 per cent to reach 5,404 – people really want to know what’s around before they trek to the reservoir itself – and the other highest percentage increases were the newsletter (up 56 per cent, and now being accessed online by members and non-members alike) and the definitive bird list – up a massive 72 per cent (due, Richard believes, to increased awareness of the page and links provided to bird descriptions).

*                              *                       *                       *

At this hungry time for birds, one of our members is recommending Johnson-Ladygrove Ltd of Two Dales, near Matlock as an outlet from which to buy bird food economically (and even more so with the 10 per cent discount available to CBC members).  Peanuts, fat balls, sunflower hearts and a range of seeds are available, we are told, at prices up to 50 per cent cheaper than most on-line stores.  To enquire, call 01629 733342.

*                              *                       *                       *

And away from Carsington, national papers reported a concern by experts at St Andrews University that songbirds living in cities may die out because they are having to compete with deafening noise, or opting to sing after dark when they become more ready prey to predators: singing (too loudly or at night), it seems, can damage your health … if you’re a Robin, that is!  Meanwhile, a female Goshawk is going against the grain and saving birds’ lives: a very lifelike robot UAV (or unmanned air vehicle) with a six-foot wingspan is proving successful in scaring birds away at airports, thereby saving any birds that may get sucked into aircraft engines – and, more importantly, improving safety for the travelling public, too!

CBC Newsletters

Aug 2008 Newsletter

No3 / August 2008

 CHAIRMAN’S THOUGHTS

In this edition, I’d like to report back on an important wildlife issue – the appeal lodged by Carsington Wind Energy Ltd (formerly West Coast Energy), which is looking to overturn an initial rejection by Derbyshire Dales District Council of its proposal to site a wind farm on the pastures above the reservoir.

The company’s appeal was heard atMatlockTown Hallon 1 July, and I attended with the intention of underlining information on birdlife in and around Carsington Water.  On the first day the names of those wanting to speak were taken, with any written evidence submitted for printing on that day.  I gave a two-page document showing bird movement statistics recorded over 15 years by Carsington Bird Club members.  While clearly I was not empowered to speak on behalf of the whole CBC membership (many of whom may well be in favour of green energy initiatives such as this), the committee felt someone should speak on behalf of the birdlife in and around Carsington, so that’s how I approached it.

This seemed even more important after both English Nature and the RSPB withdrew their objections as a result of an ornithology report commissioned by the energy company and undertaken by Atmos Consulting. It summarised 72 hours’ monitoring (over eight months from September 2007) to assess the probable impact on birds of the proposed wind turbines, and was evidently considered thorough enough by other expert bodies.

The appeal opened with the two sides agreeing on areas of ‘common ground’ – including impact on wildlife.  So, with the respective briefs working for the council and the company agreeing up front not even to debate this topic, so long as certain guidelines were followed, the subject of birdlife was already deemed to be of no further concern.  As no-one else seemed set to put up a case for bird conservation, I (encouraged by nods of support from local citizens) asked if I could return on the Friday to put my point of view.

On the day, even though I had been recognised as a speaker, the Inspector then almost overlooked me – signalling he was about to adjourn for the weekend – but I intervened and was allowed to give my presentation.  My essential argument was that surely 15 years of detailed records kept by CBC members – and published in comprehensive form in the club’s annual report – were likely to be of more value in judging the impact on birdlife than a 72-hour survey.  I also aired three papers, presented to a BOU conference in 2005, about renewable energy and birds.  These had to be printed off for all parties, so a coffee break was called, after which I was rather disappointed that the council’s barrister failed to return and listen to my testimony.

I presume he felt I was dealing with a ‘dead duck’ as the issue had already been jointly sidelined as incontestable ‘common ground’.  Yet I felt the Atmos report was selective and, in parts, misleading, with conclusions such as “given the wildfowl resource at Carsington Water and the small numbers recorded it’s unlikely any development would have a significant impact on the integrity of the local population”!

My evidence included several observations each year over the period in question of large skeins of geese flying north of the reservoir and in the vicinity of the proposed turbine site.  I also highlighted raptor evidence, the height at which different species fly, the different types of migration patterns and the impact of variable meteorological conditions.

But I still had one important final point to raise, as I had noticed that the addresses of the wind farm company and Atmos were virtually identical – and found a satellite image showing them as part of the same isolated farm complex – which meant the company hired by the wind energy company to do the ornithological surveys was right next door!

I felt this brought the report’s impartiality into question and said as much, at which point the barrister for the company went on the defensive and asked who was I to challenge something that was good enough for English Nature and the RSPB, suggesting that surely it was beyond suspicion!

We now await the appeal result on 12 September.  If the initial decision was to be overturned I would convey my concerns to both English Nature and the RSPB regarding the apparently close working relationship between the energy company and Atmos Consulting.  I would also query why they didn’t think our comprehensive records over more than 15 years were worth looking at!

Peter Gibbon

 

SPOONBILL ‘FIRST’ IS SNAPPED BY VOLUNTEER RANGER

Perhaps the single highlight of the last three months was yet another Carsington first – a Spoonbill, which dropped in for just half-an-hour on 29 May, but was ‘shot’ (by the camera of volunteer ranger Jim Craw) in that brief time … and the resulting pictures can be found on the website (www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk).

May’s total of 113 species seen was the best since 2004, and also provided the surprise of a Turtle Dove, spotted on feeders at the wildlife centre – the first Carsington record of this increasingly rare UK species for 12 years, and a cuckoo, once a common sight and sound in spring but not seen since 2004.

The focus in June and July was breeding, which saw variable success.  The number of Moorhen and Little Grebe broods was lower, and waders had difficulty because of the high water levels, while broods of geese (including five Barnacle broods totalling 18 young), ducks and Coot were closer to usual.  Twenty House Martin nests were counted in and around the Visitor Centre buildings, while a pair of Swallows successfully bred – twice – in the stone shelter beyond Millfields.  A Reed Warbler was singing at Hopton Pond for most of the spring and early summer, and may well have bred, while a family group of Spotted Flycatchers was viewed in Hall Wood.

Up to 27 juvenile Black-headed Gulls were counted in mid July, and it has been a good period for terns, though only two Common Tern chicks were raised at the Wildlife Centre – and only one of those remained by late July.  Black Terns were seen in both July and August, while Common Terns numbered as many as 26 on 29 July.

More recent wader sightings include Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwin and Greenshank, while the ‘local’ Oystercatchers and Redshank had mostly moved away from the reservoir by mid-late July.  A Little Egret was recorded on 23 August, and Shelduck were seen in both July and August.

Among raptors, the most exciting records have been an Osprey in late August, a Red Kite (which seem to be seen increasingly regularly in Derbyshire), and each month there are several sightings of Peregrine Falcon.  After the close-up views of a Long-eared Owl in the spring, there were also clear sightings in June of a Tawny Owl on the memorial at the end of the dam wall and a Barn Owl carrying prey at dusk around Sheepwash.

NB: It’s worth noting that many of the passerines visiting Carsington (like the Turtle Dove above) are tempted to come – and to return – by the bird feeders positioned strategically around the site, so thanks (from us and on behalf of the birds!) should go to the Derbyshire Ornithological Society and to Severn Trent Water for ensuring the feeders are well stocked.

 

SOUTH AFRICA PICKS UP WHERE NIGHTJARS LEFT OFF!

As we reluctantly leave the summer (did we actually have one?!) behind, the club’s events programme moves back indoors in September with the 2008/09 series of illustrated talks at Hognaston Village Hall.

Kicking off with Paul Bingham’s look at the wildlife of South Africa, another talk destined to warm our blood, in October, will be Andrew Sherwin’s view of Goa, the attractive province on India’s west coast.

A highlight of the recent outdoor season was the sparsely-attended trip to Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire to view one of the UK’s most elusive and best camouflaged birds, the Nightjar.   Expertly led by Paul and Steph Hicking, the few other members who attended in July were entranced to see several Nightjars on the wing and one that landed on a tree branch only 30 yards from the observers and, even though it was dusk, offered fantastic detailed views.  A small group of Woodcock were also seen at close quarters as they sped past, too fast to train binoculars on but so near identification was easy.

Unfortunately, the only planned trip during the last quarter – targeting two sites in East Anglia – had to be cancelled due to the lack of people applying to go, which made it uneconomical.  Another trip is, however, planned for November to see wetland wildfowl (see ‘What’s On’ below and the cut-off slip at the end of this newsletter).

 

NEW FEATURES RAISE GAME FOR CBC WEBSITE

For those who are not regular visitors to the Carsington Bird Club website, be assured it’s well worth a ‘surf’ – with an increasingly mature content and new features appearing regularly, courtesy of webmaster Richard Pittam.

In recent months, Richard has added a CBC Forum page, where people can exchange information and comments; just register online and join in the conversations.  An impressive and well-ordered image gallery has over 100 photographs arranged into five categories – Birds, Flora, Fauna, Insects and Landscapes.  A CBC Blog page is where the committee can inform members of updates, stories and information relating to Carsington Water, and there’s another ‘blog’ link that keeps a diary of events and sightings at the nearby Derbyshire Wildlife Trust site at Wyver Lane, Belper.  Richard also encourages us to step out of our parochial setting from time to time, with UK Bird News and World Bird News pages that speak for themselves.

Another new feature is the Definite Bird List that presents the bird records from 1991 to 2007 in a range of digestible ways.  It includes links to web pages describing identification and factual information on common species and is, says Richard, another resource that’s meant to be of educational benefit – particularly for the younger bird-watcher.

All this is in addition to the well-established pages that keep any keen member right up-to-date with sightings and happenings around the reservoir – including site’s biggest “hit” register, the sightings page (and the opportunity to post your sightings), and also club recorder Roger Carrington’s monthly report, back copies of the CBC newsletter, and a range of background information on both the Carsington Bird Club and the reservoir itself.

From April to July this year, there were more than 23,000 ‘hits’, around 9,500 of which were for the basic index, but another 9,000-plus wanted to investigate the latest sightings, and over 1,000 to look at the Definitive Bird List.

 

CARSINGTON VOLUNTEERS BOOST BENEFITS OF AREN’T BIRDS BRILLIANT!

The past year has been another incredibly successful one for the RSPB’s Aren’t birds brilliant! (Abb!) project, thanks largely to the team of outstanding volunteers.

The main benefit is the number of visitors who have had a fantastic experience at Carsington Water, been inspired by the wildlife and learned about the conservation work undertaken on site.  Through the Abb! initiative I, as project officer, and volunteers have been able to change opinions about Severn Trent Water and raise awareness and support for the RSPB.

This excellent work is underpinned by help from Carsington Bird Club by way of the club’s precise wildlife recording, its informative annual reports, with planning proposals, and by guiding Abb! volunteers on walks and providing public information (particularly through the excellent CBC website).  We greatly appreciate this support, so a big thank-you from both Severn Trent Water and the RSPB!

Many visitors to the Wildlife Centre said they felt it had been brought to life by the presence of volunteers and many more reported that while they had visited Carsington Water many times, they had never been to the Wildlife Centre until directed there on an event day.

Forty-five per cent more people were met by the volunteer team in the past year than had been during the first, and the number of Abb! events held grew by 36 to 126.  There were more guided walks and illustrated talks, and the volunteers logged 30 per cent more hours ‘on duty’.  All this helped increase RSPB membership, which is good for conservation, and the only area not increasing was name gathering (which helps in STW/RSPB marketing), and an extra effort is to be made during 2008/09 to ensure as many visitors as possible sign the visitors book.

The third year of the project will also seek to build on the increasingly-solid foundations by maintaining its strong presence at Carsington Water, increasing the number of event days where possible and expanding activity to other sites where relevant.  Abb! children’s activity sessions will be introduced, with encouragement to families to take part in fun, hands-on educational sessions aimed at learning more about wildlife on site.

As for me, I am due to go on maternity leave in early November and will, in the meantime, be replaced by someone brimming with enthusiasm and fresh ideas … Watch out for that new face!

Amanda Lynnes, Abb! Project Officer

 

WHAT’S ON …

Carsington Bird Club’s indoor meetings programme is almost upon us: beginning next month, the talks take place at Hognaston Village Hall and all begin at7.30pm.  Anyone wanting to pop along to a CBC committee meeting (dates listed below) to get a flavour for what activities the committee undertake, feel free to do so.  After the last coach trip was cancelled, hopefully the current offering will prove more popular. Full event details:

16 September     First indoor meeting: talk by Paul Bingham on South Africa               Hognaston Village Hall

23 September     CBC committee meeting                                                    Visitor Centre (8pm)

21 October         Talk by Andrew Sherwin on Goa                                                      Hognaston Village Hall

18 November      Talk by Susan and Allan Parker – Birding the North Norfolk Coast     Hognaston Village Hall

23 November      Trip to the WWT Welney Wetland Centre reserve (see cut-off slip on page 4)

25 November      CBC committee meeting                                                    Visitor Centre (8pm)

16 December      Club’s Christmas Party (entertainments to be arranged)                    Hognaston Village Hall

Booking is often essential (c/o  01629 540696) for Severn Trent Water’s busy events schedule, which is as follows:

Every Tuesday    Aren’t birds brilliant! at Carsington Water:  Learn about the site’s       Wildlife Centre

and Sunday        exciting wildlife; just turn up and use the scopes/bins provided           (10.30am-3.30pm)

6 September       Wateraid Raft Race (charity donations; cheer on STW staff and         Visitor Centre (11am-3pm)

contractors  – also family activities/barbeque)

7 September       Birdwatching for Beginners (first come, first served to maximum         Visitor Centre (10am-noon)

of 25; bring boots, suitable clothing, binoculars and notebook)

5 October           Birdwatching for Beginners (see September’s details above)

Carsington Duathlon (contact James Cresswell 01332 513299 or www.punishingevents.com)

 

11/12 October     Honey Fair (Derbyshire beekeepers explain why bees are                  Henmore Room (from1pm

declining in number and how honey is made; free entry)                    Saturday, 11am Sunday)

25/26 October     RSPB Feed the Birds Day (fun ideas for how to help birds survive       Visitor Centre and Wildlife

                         the winter; also view some of our autumn/winter visitors)                    Centre (10.30am-4pm)

30/31 October     Aren’t birds brilliant! children’s activities (hands-on sessions,             Education Rm (10.30-12.30)

                         outdoor if possible; bring willies/waterproofs … £3.50 per child)

2 November        Birdwatching for Beginners (see earlier entries above for more details)

8/9 November     Car washing for Children in Need (min £4 donation, please!)  Visitor Centre main car park

 

LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS AMONG LATEST CBC MEMBERS!

While membership hovers around the 170 mark (some of those families, of course), one of the more satisfying recent developments is that two schools have joined under the newest CBC membership category.   Since the brainchild of Chairman and former teacher, Peter Gibbon, was advertised,BonsallPrimary SchoolandBrassingtonPrimary Schoolhave both joined – and hopefully will generate an active interest in birds among both the pupils and their parents, as well as give teachers the potential to include the subject in schoolwork.

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