Woodpigeons on the move

There have been some big movements of Common Woodpigeon in recent days. 

This morning Alan Stewardson and I counted 13,100 birds moving in a westerly or south-westerly direction over Harewood Moor but 29,000 birds were counted earlier in the week from the highpoint at Stone Edge behind the Red Lion.

Common Woodpigeon a flock of 119 birds

There were several hundred finches, mostly Chaffinch but with several flocks of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin.

A Ring Ouzel was still present in the Cathole area yesterday but the Black Redstart on Flash Lane hasn't been seen since last Thursday (24th Oct) but could still be in the area.

I had great views of a juvenile Peregrine Falcon yesterday, chasing Fieldfare on Flash Lane. It made several stoops at feeding birds but was unsuccessful.

Peregrine - juvenile

Black Redstart - Flash Lane

 Another exciting day of visible migration on Beeley Moor with 1700 Fieldfare and 1100 Redwing crossing the moor but the star bird was a Black Redstart on Flash Lane. The first local record since November 2015, so it's been quite a wait! 

Good numbers of Black Redstart have been turning up on the coast over the last few days so it could well be a continental bird.

Black Redstart female or immature

Black Redstart - Peasunhurst last sighting 20th November and final photos

The Black Redstart at Peasunhurst was last seen by Ken on the 20th November when he took the photos below. These are probably the best ones taken during the birds 83 day stay in the area, having been first found by Ken on 30th August.
We are assuming that it was the same returning Black Redstart that was present from 28 July - 27 September 2014 at the same farm at Peasunhurst. 
It was always difficult to photograph as it was on a farm with no public access and it seldom strayed close to the busy B5057 road.
Coincidentally a Black Redstart was recorded at Ogston at Brackenfield Church on the afternoon of the 20th, could it have been the same bird?

Black Redstart (©Ken Smith)

Black Redstart Peasunhurst nearing a 2 month stay

The Black Redstart still present this morning having been at the old farm building at Peasunhurst by the B5057 for almost 2 months. It has completed its moult and whilst it looks like a female it has been heard singing several times.
A Great Grey Shrike was seen briefly at the Triangle on Wednesday by Mick Taylor but has not been seen since, bird was also present at Leash Fen on Tuesday.

Black Redstart

Black Redstart female - Peasunhurst

Ken has done it again! Finding a Black Redstart at the old farm on the B5057 towards Stonedge. This is the same place as the bird he located last July so it's probably the same bird. The last one stayed through September so hopefully it will do likewise this year.

I took some distant photos today using the 500mm lens and 2x converter in the rain, the farm is private so there is not much chance of getting close views I'm afraid. Also the B5057 is busy here and vehicles travel at high speed on this straight section of the road. There is a pull in opposite the farm.
The bird is moulting with missing tail feathers and tertials it also shows an orangey cast to parts of the breast which is strange and it will be interesting to see what the bird looks like in a few weeks time if it stays in the area.

Black Redstart - female

Black Redstart - still around

I finally caught up with the Black Redstart on Tuesday evening and it was still by the old farm, on the B5057 heading towards Stonedge, this morning. It looks like its moulting although I only managed to get a very distant record shot. It's been there for almost a month since Ken found it at the end of July so it may stay a while longer.

Black Redstart

Black Redstart - Stonedge

I have just returned from a fortnight in the French Alps, I'll post some of the wildlife highlights on Flickr in the next few day, consequently I have no personal news but Ken sent me a couple of photographs of a Black Redstart which has been present for at least 10 days near Stonedge by the B5057. Not sure if it is still in the area but it will be something to look for at the weekend. Ken also mentioned that there has been several Marsh Harrier sightings on Beeley and East Moor in the past week.
A Derbyshire rarity there are generally only a couple of records a year in the County so this is a good find and a species which could be easily overlooked so well done Ken!

Black Redstart (c.Ken Smith)