SPRING VISITORS ON SHOW AT CARR VALE FOR CBC VISITORS
Our latest CBC outing took us to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Carr Vale Flash near Bolsover on Sunday 29 April.
It was a slow start to the morning and we thought at first we might see more dogs and horses than birds, but soon we picked up the songs of Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, as well as Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Wrens and Robins.
A single ‘yaffle’ of a Green Woodpecker was heard in the distance, but this proved to be the only time we heard it. Arriving at the lakes we added ducks and geese to the list, and a Great-crested Grebe was seen catching fish. A single Grey Heron flew over, also the only one of the day.
The lookout point at The Mound was a very good place to scan the lakes and a single Oystercatcher was seen in a distant field, along with a couple of Common Terns and handful of Lapwing among the large number of Black-headed Gulls circling above the water. A Reed Warbler was also heard singing but, as is so often the case, not seen.
Great close-up views were, however, to be had at the feeding tables here which attracted two pairs of Bullfinches, with the males looking particularly resplendent, a pair of Reed Buntings, a male Yellowhammer that dropped in briefly and a Willow Tit.
A birder we spoke to earlier in the morning had reported hearing a Lesser Whitethroat at this location and we were fairly sure we heard onemoving away from us. Moving further round the reserve, a Skylark was picked out singing high in the sky, followed by at least 2-3 singing Blackcaps which did offer fleeting views as they flew across the path.
All in all a good morning’s walk with a total of 39 species seen or heard, and the weather stayed fine which was an added bonus.
Following is the full list of species seen:
Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Great-crested Grebe, Coot, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Skylark, Swallow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Bullfinch .
Bullfinches, Reed Bunting and Chaffinch
Chris Lamb.