{"id":5668,"date":"2026-02-19T12:19:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T11:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/?p=5668"},"modified":"2026-02-19T20:22:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T19:22:03","slug":"cbc-newsletter-no-1-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/cbc-newsletter-no-1-february-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"CBC Newsletter – No 1 \/ February 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
****<\/strong> ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS — IT\u2019S ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TIME! ****<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Apologies for the strap-line above to all those members \u2013 now the large majority \u2013 that have already renewed their 2026 memberships, but it IS<\/strong> that time of year and these days I\u2019m being whipped by our super-efficient membership secretary Dave Horsley to get the message out to those few that have yet to make up their minds … or simply to realise another year has whizzed by!<\/p>\n

Yes, another year has indeed begun, and again it\u2019s been a cool, dark and very damp start.\u00a0 Birding opportunities, except for those ultra-dedicated types, have been few and far between as almost constant rain keeps most of us off the slithery paths and out from under the dripping trees.<\/p>\n

We are planning a trip early next month, however, where the weather won\u2019t be such a hindrance as Old Moor (see below) has plenty of hides, a large visitor centre and cafe and toilets.\u00a0 Do come along on 7th<\/sup> March if you want to get a few extra species onto your year-lists, particularly if yours \u2013 like mine \u2013 is a bit threadbare.<\/p>\n

The indoor meetings have been staged as usual … no snow or ice cancellations this season thus far.\u00a0 And jolly entertaining they have been; see Chris Lamb\u2019s article later detailing these.<\/p>\n

A few things at the reservoir have changed that you may not be aware of.\u00a0 The watersports centre (always busy with waterborne, fishing and cycling activities) has closed and awaits interest from a new tenant.\u00a0 Lane End hide was closed for refurbishment, but thankfully is now open again, and there are plans to remove the small Janet Ede hide that was often subject to flooding and was considered to be located too close and low down to the shoreline whenever the reservoir was full.<\/p>\n

Having said that the drastically low water levels that existed for much of the second half of last year, have risen to 90 per cent plus in the early part of 2026, which may attract more and different birds onto site (though the disappearance of the exposed mud may disappoint a few!).\u00a0 You will find details of sightings over the past three months in the usual reservoir report on page two.<\/p>\n

There is news of efforts to improve knowledge about and, therefore, the future conservation of Swifts in the Derbyshire Dales.\u00a0 Halfway through a Lottery-funded two-year project, the focus in 2026 will include an effort to recruit volunteers to undertake surveys at locations in Ashbourne and Matlock \u2013 and there are contact details should any of our members wish to be involved.<\/p>\n

Gary Atkins<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY …<\/strong><\/p>\n

7 March<\/strong> \u2013 trip to Old Moor, the prolific RSPB reserve in South Yorkshire, near Barnsley (see mention in the article on page 3 for more background<\/em>).\u00a0 Meet at the reserve car park 10.30am.<\/p>\n

17 March<\/strong> \u2013 talk by Katie Thorpe on \u2018Bringing a boom to Middleton Lakes\u2019 (do note<\/em><\/strong> that this talk will be preceded, at 7pm, by our AGM<\/em>)<\/p>\n

10 May<\/strong> \u2013 Spring Birdsong Walk at Carsington Water, led by Simon Roddis (meet 9am, Visitor Centre)<\/p>\n

\u2018OUR DIVER\u2019 GOES MISSING … BUT PLENTY MORE TO KEEP US INTERESTED<\/strong><\/p>\n

As we drifted into 2026, our regular recorders became increasingly worried that the Great Northern Diver that had faithfully returned for winter duties at the reservoir for a decade and a half had not shown up \u2013 and their concerns were borne out when it slipped well past its latest previous date.\u00a0 A juvenile bird had arrived in December and remained for the first two days in January, but since we have been Diver-less.<\/p>\n

But there were still plenty of great sights and surprises to come over the winter period \u2013 paramount being a Bittern, which is a first for the site.\u00a0 It was seen as recently as 17 Ferbuary, and the precise circumstances (location, etc) are still being investigated, but an accompanying photograph was proof positive.<\/p>\n

A Little Owl that had emerged earlier in the year \u2013 the first on site for seven years \u2013 was seen on three consecutive days in November, then on occasional days until 5 January.\u00a0 Another October find, a Firecrest was seen again in November and January, two Twite (as species not seen at the reservoir for 22 years) were identified in November, and of all the species totally unexpected in December was a very tardy Swallow, vainly trying to catch up with its much earlier counterparts heading south.<\/p>\n

December was also the month that our first-ever Ring-necked Parakeet was observed; the arrival of this noisy parrot, albeit brief, is not altogether surprising as it seems to be another species, having populated the home counties, is now moving north.\u00a0 It tends to prefer urban environments but a few more are now being seen in the countryside of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.<\/p>\n

An impressive group of 16 Whooper Swans were seen on 17 November, which proved a good date for water birds as 150 Pink-footed Geese flew over, and two scarce Red-breasted Mergansers turned up.\u00a0 Teal numbers topped out at 936, noted during the January WeBS count which also noted three-figure counts of Wigeon, Gadwall, Pochard and Mallard, and Canada and Greylag Geese.\u00a0 Up to 34 Barnacle Geese (our usual peripatetic flock) have been seen, while two of the much scarcer White-fronted Geese were identified on 5 January … though this is scant return for the large number of White-fronts entering UK airspace, with quite a number being logged in Derbyshire.<\/p>\n

Coot, normally in four figures during the winter, had inexplicably slipped to single digit counts with the water at lower levels but had slowly risen, along with the water, to 145 in January.\u00a0 Goosander, Goldeneye, Pintail, Common Scoter and Red-crested Pochard have been among the scarcer duck species around the site.<\/p>\n

Autumn and winter is also a time to keep eyes skyward for large flocks of birds migrating.\u00a0 Woodpigeons are often moving in huge numbers, and 20,000 were counted in just a few hours on 17 November, 1,000-plus Starlings have been counted more than once, and corvids, particularly Jackdaws, have often been seen in sizeable flocks.\u00a0 The arrival of winter thrushes included a count, in December, of 1,680 Redwings and the gull roost contained large numbers, too, with up to 5,000 Black-headed Gulls, 2,500 Common and 1,500 Lesser Black-backs.<\/p>\n

A Kittiwake was evident on 16 November, and an increasingly regular Caspian Gull called in on several days that month and during December and January.\u00a0 A single Mediterranean Gull was recorded on seven dates in November, when a Little Gull was also logged on the 17th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Wader species totals have not reached double-figures yet, but rather satisfyingly, Golden Plover have been on the recorded list in November, December and January, when a good flock of 20 were seen on the 16th<\/sup>.\u00a0 The first returning Oystercatcher was back by mid January.\u00a0 Small numbers of Woodcock have also appeared every month over the winter, often at Hopton End, with three spotted as recently as 17 February.<\/p>\n

As well as the Little Owl (which hasn\u2019t been seen since 5 January), Tawny Owls have revealed themselves rather more often, and a Barn Owl was observed hunting to the left of Sheepwash hide and in the process of doing so flushing the nearby ducks.<\/p>\n

For those needing Willow Tit for their 2026 year list, up to two are seen and heard regularly in the vicinity of the Wildlife Centre.\u00a0 Stones Island is a good place to find healthy numbers of Linnets \u2013 up to 100 \u2013 and some of our less regular passerines that visit in the winter to join the residents have included Brambling, Crossbill, Redpoll and Siskin.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

EVENTS PAST …<\/strong><\/p>\n

Looking back, regular visitors to our winter season of indoor meetings have been able to enjoy talks embracing a variety of topics.\u00a0 November\u2019s presentation was from Tony Davison, who treated us to some fantastic photographs of the amazing birds and animals he encountered during a recent trip to India \u2013 including, of course, the iconic Bengal Tiger.<\/p>\n

Birds and islands was the theme for our final talk of 2025 in December, with David Parkin explaining how many islands around the world \u2013 due to their remoteness and prolonged isolation \u2013 have evolved some very distinct and unusual birds.<\/p>\n

Kicking off the new year at our January meeting, the highly entertaining Nick Martin described his quest to find 200 British birds in a calendar year. \u00a0\u00a0From climbing snowy mountains in search of Snow Buntings to taking a boat trip to see Puffins on our offshore islands, Nick travelled far and wide to successfully reach his target. \u00a0February\u2019s talk was by Mike Vickers and featured the birds of Jordan, a fascinating country which is on a major migration route between three continents and has a remarkable diversity of natural landscapes.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

… AND FUTURE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Looking ahead, our final indoor meeting of the 2025-26 programme is on Tuesday 17 March.\u00a0 Katie Thorpe \u2013 site manager of the Middleton Lakes RSPB Reserve, a popular birding destination our members have enjoyed previously \u2013 will be telling us about the conservation work led by the RSPB to bring the distinctive booming call of the Bittern back to this wetland habitat.\u00a0 Please note that this meeting starts at the slightly earlier time of 7.00pm, with our club AGM taking place immediately prior to Katie\u2019s talk.<\/p>\n

For our first trip of the year we will be heading to the Old Moor RSPB Reserve<\/strong> near Barnsley (postcode S73 0YF) on Saturday 7th March.\u00a0 \u00a0This is something of an old favourite as it invariably produces a good list of birds. \u00a0Facilities on site include a visitor centre, caf\u00e9 and toilets and there are a number of hides and viewing screens. \u00a0There is also another good site very close nearby (and also with a hide) which, time permitting, is generally worth a short visit.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We aim to meet in the car park at Old Moor at 10.30am.\u00a0 Please let Chris Lamb know if you plan to attend by email at cflamb@yahoo.co.uk<\/a>.\u00a0 For more information visit the RSPB website here:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/days-out\/reserves\/dearne-valley-old-moor<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our ever-popular annual Springtime Birdsong Walk<\/strong> at Carsington Water will this year take place on Sunday 10 May. \u00a0The walk will once again be led by Simon Roddis, one of our very experienced bird recorders, who will help us to identify the birds we see \u2013 and, just as importantly, hear. \u00a0The walk will last about two hours starting from outside the Carsington Water Visitor Centre at 9am.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

COULD <\/strong>YOU <\/em><\/strong><\/span>HELP DERBYSHIRE\u2019S SWIFT POPULATION?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Decreasing Swift numbers in the UK has been a worry for some time, and Derbyshire Dales is no different to many other regions, but a dedicated group in our area decided to do something about it, bid for a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and in 2024 was awarded funds covering a two-year project.<\/p>\n

Initially, to fill in gaps in knowledge about Swift distribution across the county, the project sought to provide data to support decision-making, to conserve and increase nest site availability and develop a conservation model that can be upscaled.<\/p>\n

During 2025, project members carried out 170 Swift surveys at 11 locations across the Dales and found 358 Swift nests at 238 properties.\u00a0 Those findings are shown here in the associated graphic (right).\u00a0 Furthermore, the surveys identified those nest sites that are high risk \u2013 located in buildings in need of repair, for example \u2013 which helped the project to plan nest box installations in target areas, those being in Darley Dale, Bradwell, Tideswell, Youlgreave and Wirksworth.\u00a0 If you live in one of these areas, you can register interest in a nest box by logging on to https:\/\/bit-ly\/nestforswift<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2026, once the Swifts return in May, we will be carrying out a second survey season \u2013 to include three new locations, Ashbourne, Matlock and Hathersage, allowing us to extend our assessment of Swift populations to 14 locations,\u201d informs the project\u2019s Community Engagement Officer, Charly Crump.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are, therefore, now urgently looking for volunteer surveyors for those new towns.\u00a0 We\u2019d love to hear from residents of Ashbourne, Matlock and Hathersage who would like to volunteer; full training is given and you can sign up at https:\/\/bit-ly\/swiftvolunteer<\/a> … or e-mail our project co-ordinator Clare at cmead@derbyshireswiftconservation.org<\/a> \u201c<\/p>\n

Ahead of those beautiful birds arrival back in the UK, the project is kicking the new season off with a free celebration event for all ages at The Whitworth in Darley Dale.\u00a0 If you would like to come along, urges Charly, save your spot at https:\/\/bit-ly\/homesforswifts<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

KNOW YOUR COMMITTEE<\/strong> \u2013 Here are the club officials and their contact details\u2026\u2026..<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Committee Post<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Name<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Telephone<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Email Address<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Chairman and Publicity<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Gary Atkins<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01335 370773<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

garysatkins@aol.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Treasurer<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

John Follett<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01332 834778<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

johnlfollett@virginmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Membership secretary<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Dave Horsley<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

07900 597230<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

daveat2602@hotmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Recorder<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Rob Chadwick<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

07876 338912<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

rob.chadwick322@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Events co-ordinator<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Chris Lamb<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

07836 368037<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

cflamb@yahoo.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Secretary<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Louise Sykes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01335 348544<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

louise.sykes5065@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u2026..and the website address is:\u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Webmaster<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Richard Pittam<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

n\/a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Contact Richard via the website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u00a0<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

**** ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS — IT\u2019S ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TIME! **** Apologies for the strap-line above to all those members \u2013 now the large majority \u2013 that have already renewed their 2026 memberships, but it IS that time of year and these days I\u2019m being whipped by our super-efficient membership secretary Dave Horsley to get the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5668","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-carsington-bird-club","category-cbcnewsletters"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5668","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5668"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5668\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5669,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5668\/revisions\/5669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5668"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5668"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk\/cbc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5668"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}