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

 

Dunlin - Harthill Pond (New Dam) Youlgrave

 A couple of interesting records today, the first a Pied Flycatcher in a mixed tit and warbler flock on the edge of Alport. This is the latest date I've recorded Pied Flycatcher locally, my previously latest date was mid-June so this is significantly later! Pied Flycatchers leave the woodlands where they have bred in early June and I've often wondered where they go. Departing migrants are not normally encountered on the coast before early August and it may be that the post breeding birds are dispersed around our river valley before they depart which is supported by todays record but I would have thought they would be more frequently reported in July if that were the case?

The second record is of an adult Dunlin at Harthill Pond, Youlgrave, it was very distant and I thought it was going to be a Snipe on my initial view so was very pleased to see that it was an adult Dunlin still retaining its black belly. Although they breed in small numbers on the moors of north Derbyshire and regularly occur at Carsington and Ogston on passage its a very scarce bird locally.

Dunlin - adult

I went out last night, ahead of the heavy rain forecast for today, and was pleased to see and hear several Nightjar still giving their distinctive churring song. Their breeding season must be almost over so it's surprising that they continue churring in to August.

Scanning the drystone walls on the edge of the moor one stone looked very oval and proved to be a Little Owl which are very easy to overlook given the number of dry stone walls!

Little Owl - second rock from the left!

Turtle Dove back for its 6th year

 The lone male Turtle Dove which has frequented Uppertown, Darwin Forest and the Matlock Farm Park area returned for its 6th summer on the 20th April and has been seen several times since. If only it could attract a mate! An amazing record and one of very few to be found in Derbyshire.

Turtle Dove

I heard my first Cuckoo by Beeley Triangle on the 22nd April and there are several birds now, around the moors and Matlock Forest. On the same day there was a group of 6 Ring Ouzel (a record count for me) on the edge of the moor which increased to 6 birds before they departed.

Three Common Sandpiper were present along the river at Chatsworth this morning but more surprising was a Dunlin flushed from the river bank, only the second time I have seen one locally. It circled round a couple of times before flying off north, giving me just about enough time to get a record shot.

Common Sandpiper

Dunlin

The Oystercatchers are still present at Chatsworth and making use of the props for the forthcoming horse trials!

Oystercatcher

Whilst many of our summer migrants have returned there are still several missing and I would usually have seen Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler and Common Whitethroat by now but I suspect the persistent cool temperatures are holding them back south of us somewhere.

Dunlin - East Moor

A surprise this morning with a Dunlin amongst just over 50 Golden Plover on East Moor. My first for the Beeley Moor area although regular at both Ogston and Carsington. I think it probably bred locally in the dim and distant past but it's now restricted to the higher moors north of Bamford as a breeding bird.

Dunlin with Golden Plover

Dunlin re-visited

Went up to the Snake Pass area this morning following James's visit earlier this week. I soon found a male Dunlin. It was poor light but it allowed a reasonably close approach as it fed in the wet peaty areas. It sang several times both from the ground and in flight.

Dunlin

Dunlin - Snake Pass

James went up to the Snake Pass again today and found this superb Dunlin in display mode. This is one of my target species for the Spring so I will be making the trip myself at the weekend, weather allowing. The Dunlin is a scarce breeding bird in the Peak District and numbers appear to be declining.
He also came across a Golden Plover with at least three downy young. Roy Frost's the Birds of Derbyshire quotes mid-May as the typical date for the appearance of young so these are early. Presumably benefiting from the mild winter.

Dunlin (James Butler)