Common Scoter - Middleton Moor

It's been fairly quiet the past couple of weeks but a Common Scoter at Middleton Moor this morning is my first for the site. It was there for about 3 hours before flying off north-west. There were several other reports in Derbyshire suggesting there was a significant movemement last night. 

Common Scoter - drake

Two Tree Pipit at Middleton today is an unusual site record, they are much scarcer there than around Beeley.

Tree Pipit

A young Fox gave excellent views from the hide. I've seen one adult there that only has three legs but watching it walking or running you wouldn't immediately notice so it appears to be coping with its disability.

Fox

Red Fox and Brown Owl

The Fox is quite common around the moors but seldom seen, its probably easier to see one in Matlock or Bakewell! Yesterday morning I was fortunate to catch a pair sat together and paying me no attention until they heard the camera shutter when they both turned to look in my direction, even though I must have been 400m away.

Fox

In the middle of May I found an owl using an old crows nest with a single downy youngster in it. I was hoping for Long-eared but even at this age they are easily separated as the Long-eared has a yellow iris whilst the Tawny's are black as with this chick. The chick left the nest soon after this photo was taken and I haven't seen it since. Yesterday both Song Thrush and Blackbird were alarming in the nest area and after careful searching I managed to see an adult looking Tawny Owl in the tops of the trees. 
Although the Tawny Owl is both relatively common and widespread I very rarely see them, their presence only given away by nocturnal calling, so I was pleased with this encounter.

Tawny Owl chick in an old crows nest

Tawny Owl

Chiffchaff and a moorland Fox

I saw my first Chiffchaff almost a week ago at Congrieve on the 13th March but managed my first photo today of a bird calling at Rowsley. I thought this shot was quite interesting as the bird has a very distinct eye-ring which shows well in the photo.

Chiffchaff

The Fox was on Beeley Moor where the Curlew are now returning in decent numbers, I counted 27 on Tuesday.
With all the worry and constant news coverage of the Coronavirus pandemic it's nice to get out in to the countryside.

Fox

Fox and cub

It's a little while since I have seen any of the local foxes but I came across what looked like two young adult foxes with a single cub this evening. 

Fox with cub

Fox - Bakewell

Rather distant views of a Fox in the rough grassland adjacent to Bakewell Golf Course. The Fox looked to be hunting for mice or voles even though it was almost mid-day.

Fox

Fox with sheep carcass

I came across a young Fox this morning, probably a year old. I was watching it from a distance of about 1Km as it walked through a grassy field it kept disappearing in the tall grass and then reappearing some distance away. Eventually it disappeared behind a dry stone wall and failed to reappear. I moved position and found it feeding on a very old sheep carcass. It was a long way off and I weighed up the pros and cons of trying to get nearer. I was about to leave then changed my mind and moved closer.... I was glad that I did!

Fox on sheep carcass

Another encounter with the Fox

I saw the Fox again towards dusk last night. It's left rear hind leg is damaged although it still appears to be able to move around fairly well. The better news was that it had three cubs with it last night although they disappeared as soon as they saw me.

Fox

Fox and cub

A Fox with a single cub this evening by the river at Darley Bridge, in one of the freshly cut fields. It was 9:30pm so the light was very poor.

Fox and cub

Fox with prey

Out early this morning and it had just about got light when I saw this Fox tussling with its prey. Initially I though it was a rabbit or hare but suspect it's something from a sheep carcass. I had just started to move closer when it set off with the prey in its mouth, it soon saw me and was off.

Fox

Fox cubs

When I saw the Fox vixen on Thursday I had thought I had glimpsed a cub. The weather was hopeless on Saturday so I went back today and. in the end, sat for 6 hours patiently waiting to see if any cubs would appear. The wait was worth it as at least 4 cubs appeared several times whilst I was watching. The light was good for a change and the photos have come out well.

Fox cubs

Another Fox

Having said I don't see Fox that often on the moors I came across another this evening, unfortunately it had started to rain and the light was poor but it was closer than the pair seen on Saturday. They will have cubs now so that's why they are more visible at present I guess.

Fox

Fox

Came across a pair of Foxes sat out this morning but rather distant. The Fox is quite common in the area with the larger population in urban areas I think. There are one or two dens on the open moor but I have rarely seen them in that habitat. Usual Whinchat and Stonechat but otherwise quiet on another cool, windy and wet day.

Fox - female