Russian White-fronted Goose - Middleton Moor

 I mentioned the influx of White-fronted Geese in relation to the Youlgrave birds in December and the few regulars visiting Middleton Moor had thought that we were going to miss out. However,  a visit by Jon Lowes this morning in conditions that didn't look promising with thick mist turned up trumps with two birds on the lagoon, which then disappeared in to the mist.

After a  tense two and a half hour wait the mist finally lifted enough for us to confirm that they were still present. A first record for Middleton Moor as far as we can tell!

Russian White-fronted Goose

I was at Middleton on Saturday, and with widespread reports of Common Scoter and passage waders on inland waters I had high hopes but I was a little disappointed with Redshank and the first Dunlin of the year but not a bad haul on reflection.

Redshank

Winter plumaged Dunlin with Lapwing

 

Jack Snipe - Middleton Moor

I purchased a thermal camera at the start of the year. One of my main targets for it was the elusive Jack Snipe. I have seen them occasionally at Middleton Moor but just in brief flight views. Unlike Common Snipe they do not flush until you are almost stood on them, and spotting one sat on the ground is just about impossible without a thermal camera.

Today I managed to find one and although I was stood within about 4m of it I was able to take some photos and leave it without flushing it thanks to the thermal camera.

I would love to find one on Beeley Moor but that might be a challenge for next winter as they will be moving north shortly back to breeding grounds in northern Scandinavia.

Jack Snipe

  Just to give you an idea of how well camouflaged they are here is the photo taken on my phone with an arrow to mark the Jack Snipes position and below that the image from the thermal camera with the Jack Snipe 'hot spot' showing in red.