Gadwall back at Chatsworth

 For the 4th successive year a pair of Gadwall were back at Chatsworth today. I'm assuming it's the same pair as they are in the usual area close to Emperor Lake. Some years I've seen them in other months but never managed to prove that they have bred locally.

Not a great picture as they were very distant but still nice to have them back.

Gadwall - pair

Eurasian Goshawk over Darley Dale

 It's not the first Goshawk I've seen from the garden, but it's the first I've had circling directly overhead! Judging the size of a circling bird that doesn't flap is notoriously difficult but there are a couple of features that help to separate this bird from the structurally simiilar, though distinctly smaller, Eurasian Sparrowhawk. This is a female Goshawk which is close to Common Buzzard in size and looks bulky in the photo.

Eurasian Goshawk

Firstly, the tail is noticeably rounded, the Sparrowhawk has tail feathers of equal length so the tail looks square ended, although it will look rounded if the tail is fanned. The Goshawk has outer tail feathers that are distinctly shorter than the central feathers, most obvious on the second photo. 

Secondly, the barring is rather indistinct on the secondaries and absent on the inner secondaries. On Sparrowhawks of all ages there are distinct even bars right across the secondaries - see photo below.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

You might also note that I'm calling it Eurasian Goshawk, until recently Northern Goshawk was the name used for all birds in the Northern Hemisphere but the American birds are now treated as a separate species; American Goshawk and European and Asian birds are Eurasian Goshawk, so I've some editing of labels to do.

If your interested in Goshawk identification you can find a more detailed review here.

I was quite please with the photo as I saw the bird then had to dash inside, get the camera from the camera bag, run out and take a photo, all the time hoping it was still in view.

First Curlews return to Beeley Moor

 It feels like winter is finally coming to an end when the first Curlews return to the moor. I had a nice group of 11 this morning very close to the B5057 from Screetham Lane. The first birds were on the 20th February so pretty much on time.

It will be well in to March before we start to see migrants that have crossed the English Channel but the moors will be a bit more spring like from now on with the calls of the Curlew in the background.

Eurasian Curlew

Great White Egret - Haddon Hall

Some great spotting and identification from Pam as we drove down the A6 just south of Bakewell. I'd just mentioned that the flooded fields were looking good for a heron when Pam called egret, and it looks big! 

Sure enough it was a Great White Egret in the fields between the Haddon Park Farm track and Haddon Hall. Only my third on the patch but number continue to increase in the south of the county. Just need Cattle Egret now which must turn up soon, there is one at Carsington at the moment.

Great White Egret taken at ISO 3000 600 f5.6 1/1250

It's been a poor winter for Brambling but there is still a nice flock of at least 40 birds on Hodge Lane. The males are already starting to attain their breeding plumage. 

At least 40 Skylark, 25 Reed Bunting and 10 Yellowhammer in the same area.

Brambling

Waxwings at DWT Gang Mine Reserve

A flock of Waxwing were found at Middleton on the DWT Gang Mine Reserve on 11th February. Numbering up to 100 birds they have proved quite elusive for me but I finally found them today on my third visit.

They favour the hawthorns on the Dene Quarry side of the football pitch when entering the reserve from opposite the Stone Centre but may be encountered in other areas with hawthorn berries.

Bohemian Waxwing

Whooper Swans over Beeley Triangle

I can't remember a winter when the weather has been so persistently poor! It's either raining or so overcast it's almost dark. Consequently, despite my best efforts I haven't seen too many interesting birds. 

That said, I did have two Whooper Swans over Beeley Triangle this morning, flying quite low, calling and heading North West, my first this winter.

Whooper Swans

There are very few birds on the moor, after the snow earlier in the week, but I did manage a single Stonechat today and it shouldn't be too long before birds start returning to establish their breeding territories.

Stonechat - female

Last Monday (5th Feb) I came across a large flock of 60-80 Lesser Redpoll on Flash Lane with at least one Common (Mealy) Redpoll with them. I was hoping they would hang around so I could get a photo but haven't seen the flock since.

So far this winter the Sorby Breck Ringing Group have ringed 1,500 Lesser Redpoll and 20 Common and have had recoveries from Stafford, Leics, Hampshire, Dorset and E Sussex so these birds certainly get around.

Had my first Curlew on 6th February when four birds flew north over Darley Dale. They should be returning to the moors later this month.