Stonechat - Beeley Moor

It looks like there are at least 7 pairs of Stonechat nesting on Beeley Moor this year which is up on recent years, perhaps due to the very mild winter. Several pairs are already feeding young, so with some decent weather over the next few months they could have a successful breeding season.

Stonechat - male

Common Oak Purple, Dyseriocrania subpurpurella - Halldale Wood

Hundreds of the tiny day flying micro moth Dyseriocrania subpurpurella flying in Clough Wood at the moment. You need to see them up close to appreciate their colour.

Dyseriocrania subpurpurella

Cuckoo - first of the year on Flash Lane

Great to hear the call of a Cuckoo first thing this morning on Flash Lane. It was distant but I took a record photo.

Cuckoo

Fox Moth larva - Beeley Moor

Both the Fox Moth and its close relation the Northern Eggar have larva which over winter before pupating in the Spring. The larva of both species may be encountered on sunnier days in March and April when they get some benefit from the sunshine prior to pupation, but do not feed at this time of year.
This Fox Moth larva was following a track along Beeley Moor yesterday morning.

Fox Moth - larva

Common Redstart returns to Rowsley

On a very overcast and wet Good Friday the first returning male Redstart was in full song at Rowsley early this morning. Brightening up an otherwise dull start to the Easter weekend.
At least 5 Wheatear in fields bordering Beeley Moor.

Redstart - male in song

Osprey - Rowsley

My first Osprey of the year spent an hour or so in the trees bordering the river at Rowsley yesterday before carrying on north just after 7pm. 
Ken had a bird over Screetham Lane last week and there have been several sightings at both Ogston and Carsington in recent weeks of what has now become a regular migrant through the area. 
Spring birds tend to pass through quickly, wanting to get to their nesting areas, whereas autumn birds are more likely to linger on their southward migration.

Osprey

Pied Flycatcher returns to Clough Wood

I went looking for Pied Flycatcher in Clough Wood last week, rather optimistically, on the back of reports of early returning migrants but without success. This morning however I was greeted by the males simple song and had smashing views of a male feeding and singing in the oaks. This is still several days earlier than I have recorded them previously.

Pied Flycatcher - male

Emperor Moth - Beeley Moor

As anticipated, the sunshine and higher temperatures has brought out the Emperor Moth. The males, like this one, are day flying and search for the females scent using its feathered antennae. The females are nocturnal and can occasionally be found sat in the open during the day awaiting the male. 
It is quite common on the moor and can been seen on sunny days from mid April to mid May, the male has a very fast irregular flight and tends to look all dark unless seen at close quarters. 

Emperor Moth -male

Common Lizard and Garden Tiger larva basking in the sun

It's not just us that enjoy the sunshine, had my first Common Lizard of the year warming in the sunshine and a single Garden Tiger larva also benefiting from the weather. They overwinter as the larva but then need sunshine in the Spring before they pupate.
First Swallows locally today and single Tree Pipit.

Common Lizard

Garden Tiger larva

Philedonides lunana (Heath Twist) - Beeley Moor

The tiny micro moth Philedonides lunana (Heath Twist) was on the wing today. It's about the only moth on the moors at the moment but the Emperor should be flying soon if it stays sunny.

Philedonides lunana

Willow Warbler - Flash Lane

Went back for another look at the Willow Warblers on Flash Lane in the sunshine today. There were at least 10 around the recently replanted conifers but none anywhere else.

Willow Warbler

First singing Blackcap of the Spring

Came across my first singing Blackcap of the Spring at Clough Wood today. I heard several reports of over-wintering birds in the Matlock area in the late winter but this is the first song I have heard this year.

Blackcap - male

Fallow Deer population - Clough Wood

I encountered two herds of black Fallow Deer close together at Clough Wood today totalling 53 animals which I suspect is close to the total population in this area. There were no adult bucks with them which I usually see on the Stanton side of the hills.

Fallow Deer

Caloptilia stigmatella (White-triangle Slender)

Caught a nice example of Caloptilia stigmatella at home this morning, a micro moth which is probably fairly common locally. It feeds on Willow and Poplar and over winters as an adult.

Caloptilia stigmatella

Dipper in Black & White

Nice views of Dipper again this morning, a male that briefly sang, the females should be sitting on eggs now. The Dipper was nicely lit but it its surrounds were in shadow so I have edited it in black and white for a changes.

Dipper

First Willow Warblers of the year

The first Willow Warblers in Derbyshire were reported yesterday so I was pleased to come across four singing males near Flash Lane this morning. Strangely all four birds were within 20m of each other and these were the only birds encountered this morning which may imply they arrived together. 
It was raining so I didn't bother with the camera but I did get a nice photo of a resting Mute Swan at Rowsley. This male appears to be unpaired at the moment.

Mute Swan - male