Floods followed by blue skies

 After two days of almost continual rain the flooding around Darley Dale was as bad as I can recall in the past two decades with the roads closed at Fourlane Ends, A6 at Rowsley and in the centre of Matlock.

Flooding between Darley Dale and Darley Bridge at Fourlane Ends

Fortunately with dryer weather following and clear blue skies today the river level has fallen quickly. I took a walk up on to the edge of the moors and was rewarded with great views of both Common Raven and Northern Goshawk.

Northern Goshawk - male

Common Raven

I was sad to hear that the juvenile Whooper Swan in Bakewell had died a couple of days ago, at was odd for a young bird to be separated from its parents at this time of year.

Whooper Swan still in Bakewell

I'm pleased to report that the Whooper Swan is still in Bakewell, just north of Bakewell Bridge and looking healthy. It looks to be settling in with the Canada Geese and I suspect it could remain for some time.

Whooper Swan - juvenile

Whooper Swan - Bakewell

I was very surprised to see this juvenile Whooper Swan on the River Wye just north of Bakewell Bridge this afternoon. It's odd to see a lone juvenile not accompanying adults and, although it looked healthy enough, it's possible that it is sick which raises the possibility of Avian Influenza (bird flu). 

Whooper Swan juvenile

The whole of England is currently in an Avian Influenza Protection Zone and there have been several records of Avian Influenza in both wild and captive birds over the winter. I'll have a look for it again tomorrow and if necessary notify DEFRA. 

There was an inversion this morning with clear blue skies above about 200m and thick mist below. 

It had clearly been a cold night and cold this morning as I cycled up to the moor, mist or rain had frozen to the tops of the trees creating a spectacular jewelled effect, with the trees twinkling in the sunshine.

Inversion in Darley Dale

ice on tree tops

Sleeping Barn Owl

It's always exciting to start the New Year bird list. No surprises today but a sleeping Barn Owl and a skein of Pink-footed Geese flying NW up the valley got me off to a good start.

Barn Owl - roosting