Reed Warbler and a breeding record of Hawfinch

 A singing Reed Warbler by the river at Peak Rail was a great find this morning by Alan Stewardson. It's the first time either of us have seen the species locally and for a bird that is usually found in reed beds it was an odd location. 

I managed some sound recordings but couldn't get a photo so the one below is from Middleton Moor, taken a couple of days ago, where there are at least six singing males in more typical habitat.

The recording is on the eBird checklist here

Reed Warbler

Whilst waiting for the Reed Warbler to show I saw several Banded Demoiselle along the river bank.

Banded Demoiselle - male

It's been a good week for Alan as he also found a pair of Hawfinch in the Darley Dale area and after some careful observations we confirmed that they were feeding two fledged youngsters. 

Formerly a regular breeder in the area they are now very rare in Derbyshire so it was great to be able to confirm that they had successfully raised two youngsters.

Hawfinch juvenile

Banded Demoiselle - Darley Bridge

Saw this lone male Banded Demoiselle by the cricket ground at Darley Bridge this morning. This appears to be as far north up the Derwent that they occur, locally at least. 
They are surely the most striking of the dragonflies that occur in the area.

Banded Demoiselle - male

Banded Demoiselle - Darley Bridge

I spent a few hours this afternoon looking for Banded Demoiselles along the river bank by Darley Cricket Club. I eventually saw a female but Ken had seen several including this male he photographed earlier in the week. Both Ken and Simon Roddis have seen Banded Demoiselles in this area in previous years but they appear to be in small numbers. They can be seen more reliably along Cromford Canal. 
It would be interesting to know if they occur further up either the Wye or Derwent.

Banded Demoiselle - male (c. Ken Smith)