I was away over the weekend and was keen to see if there were any new birds at Chatsworth. I'd already seen that Dutch radar was reporting large number of migrants leaving their coast on Monday evening and the wind was forecast in the east so conditions looked good.
I was still very surprised to see an Osprey fishing below Beeley village as I set off for Chatsworth. It had just caught a fish and was flying towards Rowsley, presumably to find a suitable tree where it could enjoy its meal. A message from Alan reported large numbers of thrushes passing over Beeley Moor and as I scanned the hillside several flocks could be seen in the distance.
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| Osprey juvenile with fish |
Although they were mainly Redwing there were several groups of Fieldfare with them which were my first local birds of the autumn.
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| Redwing |
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| Fieldfare |
As I walked towards Chatsworth House the Redwing total was approaching 1000 birds moving SW over the wooded valley sides with some birds dropping in to the trees.
A female Wigeon with Mallard in front of the House was a first for the year and posed nicely for a photo.
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| Wigeon female |
The Redwing flocks continued to pass overhead and I was on 1900 as I returned to Beeley Village but my numbers were tiny compared to Simon who had counted 29,190 at Carsington!
Although Redwing were the main species on the move several hundred Wood Pigeon also passed over the area and Ken called early afternoon to say that he had seen a Marsh Harrier over the moor so all in all a very good day.
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| Marsh Harrier female or immature © Ken Smith |
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