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

First Chiffchaff of the Spring

 A Chiffchaff in Darwin Forest this morning is my earliest record, seems strange to be talking about Spring at the end of February but there have already been several records of Sand Martin across the Country and the first Wheatears have been reported on the south coast.

Common Chiffchaff

Continuing with the spring theme I counted 91 Curlew coming in to roost at Middleton Moor last night and also saw my first Barn Owl there, hunting before the sun was anywhere near setting.

Eurasian Curlew

Taking advantage of the clear skies I went looking for Goshawk this morning. With not even a hint of a breeze conditions were not ideal but I did see several birds although they were rather high in the sky.

Eurasian Goshawk (top adult, bottom two birds are a juvenile and immature female)

Caspian Gull and first Curlew - Middleton Moor

 A 3rd winter Caspian Gull hybrid type joined the Common and Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Middleton Moor this morning, the first I have seen this year and there was a lone Curlew which hopefully marks the start of Spring. 

Although it will be another month or so before we are likely to see migrants arriving from the Continent.

The Caspian Gull wasn't a classic long-thin-billed and flat fore headed bird indicating that it has some Herring Gull in its ancestry.

Caspian Gull - 3rd winter

Eurasian Curlew

Hawfinch increasing at St Helen's Church, Darley Dale

 Four Hawfinch have been reported several times over the last few days at St Helen's Church but increased to six this morning. They feed in the Yew trees then sit in the tops of neighbouring trees presumably while the berries are being digested. There are also good numbers of Greenfinch also feeding in the Yew trees. I saw about 20 this morning but more have been reported.

Hawfinch 

Yesterday I braved the snow and ice and ventured to Middleton Moor. There was more snow there and the small road leading to the rough track was particularly difficult but it was worth the effort as a juvenile female Goshawk flew over Black Harry Gate. Sighting of Goshawk are few and far between at Middleton which is a little surprising although there are no significant woodlands close by.

Eurasian Goshawk - juvenile female

A Curlew has been present for several weeks but looked rather forlorn sat out on the ice.

Eurasian Curlew

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

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.

Curlews return to Beeley Moor

 Ken noted the first returning Curlew on Screetham Lane yesterday and there were two there this morning - Spring is on its way!

Eurasian Curlew

There were two Hawfinch at St Helen's Church in Darley Dale yesterday but again I failed to locate them this morning.

First returning Curlew!

Spring could be just around the corner with the first returning Curlew on the moor this morning and what I assume was the same bird later this afternoon close to Gladwin's Mark. I also had my first Brambling of the year on Flash Lane, in what is the worst year I can recall for them. 

I saw a single Red Grouse on Beeley Moor on Thursday and Little Egret close to Bakewell Bridge so I have had a decent month, having seen 85 species so far compared to just 76 in January.

For anyone interested in shorebirds I've managed to put an identification video I produced back in 1994 on Youtube. 

Eurasian Curlew

Lockdown day 3 - Return to the moor

I decided to cycle up to Beeley Moor today for my 'daily exercise', apart from a few dog walkers still driving up to exercise their dogs there was very little traffic and it was therefore quite peaceful.
The Curlew flock has now largely dispersed with several pairs establishing territories.

Eurasian Curlew

 
Still no Wheatear but I did have a superb male Merlin eating something, though I'm not sure what. It was distant and there was heat haze but still great to see.

Merlin - male

Plenty of Chiffchaffs around and I've had a few reports of singing Blackcaps but haven't seen one myself yet but I did have my first Sand Martin at Rowsley on Monday.

First Chiffchaff - Rowsley

Ken saw the first Chiffchaff of the year today at Rowsley which must be one of the earliest dates locally. 
The first Curlew was seen on the moor on 22nd February and I managed at least 4 birds on the 26th.
It definitely felt Spring like at the end of last week with day time temperatures of 17℃. 
I caught a Pine Beauty in the moth trap which has been very scarce in the last few years.

Chiffchaff (Ken Smith)

Doug Aston had a Cattle Egret on Harland Edge on 3rd February which was the first for the area as far as I'm aware but surely there will be more.

Expecting the first Wheatear next!

First Curlews back on the moors

For any regular visitors to the moors there is no more welcome sound than the call of the first Curlews arriving back to start their breeding cycle. Whilst it may not yet herald the start of Spring it certainly marks the start of the end of Winter! I saw my first today although birds were back at the start of March having spent the winter, most likely, on one of our coastal estuaries.

Curlew back on the moors

Curlew in Cotton Grass - Beeley Moor

The Curlews are very vocal at the moment presumably watching over small chicks on the moor.

Curlew

Curlew in the snow

A lone Curlew on the moor this morning, looking like it wished it had stayed on the coast a bit longer.

Curlew

Curlew and chick

Driving over the moor this morning I came across two Curlew swooping over the edge of the road. As I pulled over a tiny chick ran across in front of me, I waited a few minutes to check that there were no others following, the typical clutch is 4, then encouraged the one visible chick in to the undergrowth.
As with the note on the Snipe the Curlew can now be regularly seen sat on the stone walls and posts in the fields which gives them a good view of their offspring and any approaching danger.

Curlew

Curlew - chick

The Curlew and the Lark

This Curlew had clearly strayed too close to the Skylarks nest. The Skylark buzzed around the Curlew then dropped into the heather close by fluttering its wings, the Curlew gave chase and was soon 20m from the original spot. The Skylarks job was done.

Curlew and Skylark

Curlew chick

Not showing much resemblance to the adult yet, certainly a long way to go on the bill length! Plenty of Fox Moths over the moor this evening and at least one Hobby taking advantage.

Curlew chick

Curlew - Beeley Moor

Nice shot of a Curlew, taken by James this evening.

Curlew