Returning Curlew - Middleton Moor

Although single Curlew were recorded at the start of the month its only really the last couple of days that numbers have started to increase with 5 on Saturday and 11 today but not much else of note.

Curlew

Egyptian Goose - Middleton Moor

 Another grey day at Middleton Moor was brightened up by the presence of two Egyptian Geese this morning. Ray Scally found them first thing and fortunately I was on the A6 heading to Youlgrave to look for the geese there, so it wasn't too much of a diversion.

As far as we can tell this is this first Middleton Moor record since two spent four days there from from 11th - 14th August 1979, as reported in the Birds of the Sheffield Area. 

I've still never seen one in the Bakewell/ Matlock area despite there resident status now in southern Derbyshire.

The Slavonian Grebe was also still present this morning.

Egyptian Goose

Slavonian Grebe - Middleton Moor

 I went to Middleton Moor yesterday and had the first half decent day for a while with a Green Woodpecker, which is only recorded once or twice per year there, plus a couple of Pink-footed Geese with a small group of Greylags so with more mist forecast for this morning I went to Chatsworth instead.

I was very surprised therefore when i got a call from Ray Scally to say he had found a Slavonian Grebe which was just visible through the mist.

A major rarity locally and a first record for Middleton Moor, so I had to postpone breakfast with Pam at Chatsworth Garden Centre and headed for Middleton.

It was still misty when I got there but the grebe was visible and the visibility improved early afternoon so a fantastic start to February. 

A Shelduck was also new in and my first for the year.

Slavonian Grebe