Little Ringed Plover - Beeley Flash

In terms of habitat we have no wetlands in the immediate Darley Dale area so species that require these habitats are inevitably rare locally. I've mentioned before the small pool which has appeared for the last few winters at Beeley and which can hold water in to the summer. I try to visit the pool at least weekly as it offers the potential for a number of species which are unlikely to be seen elsewhere. 
Today the pool held a single Little Ringed Plover which is the first I've seen in the Matlock/ Bakewell area.
Only recorded for the first time in Derbyshire in 1950 the species is now regular at many of the counties wetlands and approximately 40 pairs now breed in the County.

Little Ringed Plover

The photo shows well the yellow eye ring which is one of the features which distinguishes it from its larger cousin the Ringed Plover.

Last weekend a moulting drake Gadwall was on the pool which is now home to around a dozen moulting Mandarin and 3 families of Mallard.

Gadwall - moulting male

The water level is falling rapidly now so I'm not sure how much longer the pool will last.

Beeley Flash