More migrant arrivals

 Caught up with my first House Martin of the year yesterday at Chatsworth and then a flurry of migrants at Beeley this morning. 

House Martin

Starting with Common Cuckoo calling on the edge of Beeley Moor, then an Osprey flying North over Whitesprings Plantation, which unfortunately was a disappearing speck by the time I got the camera out of the bag.

Moving on to the Cathole area we added Common Whitethroat and reeling Grashopper Warbler.

A decent morning, despite the cold!

Common Whitethroat playing hide and seek in the bushes

Grey Partridge - my first in over a decade

 Robin Elliot came across a pair of Grey Partridge yesterday by the Matlock Road/ Alicehead Road junction. Fortunately they were still in the area this morning in a field a little closer to Swinger Lane. Although there have been occasional reports; Alan Stewardson saw one on Harland Edge earlier this year and there was a report of a pair a couple of days ago in the Haddon Grove Farm area, they are my first since 2011!

I'd be interested to hear of any other local records in the last few years.

Grey Partridge

Most of the expected migrants are back now with good numbers of Common Whitethroat on the moors and several Garden Warbler around the plantations now. I also had a Lesser Whitethroat singing on 3rd May on Cullumbell Lane outside Uppertown.

Superb views of Grasshopper Warbler this morning with a pair together on Beeley Moor, there are at least four males with territories around the moors.

Grasshopper Warbler

I saw the Turtle Dove on the last day of April and again on the 1st May around Flash Lane. It was displaying to a Collared Dove on the 30th April with the chances of it finding a mate very slim although it persists with its lovely purring song.

Turtle Dove displaying to a Collared

I saw my first Common Swifts over Darley Dale on 2nd May and numbers are steadily increasing but there are not many House Martin about.

There was a Hobby over Flash Lane on 30th April and I've seen another today and the first Wood Warblers returned on 1st May. 

So just Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat and Nightjar still to arrive.

Grasshopper Warbler and another Osprey

 Parked on Beeley Triangle this morning I was very surprised when a Grasshopper Warbler landed on the dry stone wall next to me. At a first glance I thought it was going to be another Meadow Pipit, it's certainly very unusual to see a Grasshopper Warbler in the open other than when it's singing.

Grasshopper Warbler

The legs and feet are quite robust, developed for clambering around in the undergrowth.

Had some luck yesterday with an Osprey seen from the garden gliding down the valley followed by a Hobby circling high over head. During a brief visit to Clough Wood I counted at least 6 Marbled White butterflies which were my first this summer.

Grasshopper Warbler - Beeley Moor

 The first returning Grasshopper Warblers could be heard giving their distinctive reeling songs on Beeley Moor this morning. At least two birds were present and I managed to see one of them. The cold nights seem to be holding back migrants although Willow Warblers are abundant around the moors now delivering their lovely simple song.

Grasshopper Warbler

Portrait of a Grasshopper Warbler

There are still several male Grasshopper Warblers delivering their distinctive reeling song around Beeley Moor. The Grasshopper Warbler is often double brooded and these males are doubtless advertising their territory whilst the females incubate these second broods.

Generally easy to hear, particular in the evening, but difficult to see but I was lucky with this male when it landed briefly on a drystone wall which it ran along, almost mouse-like before disappearing in to the undergrowth. It then reappeared 15m further away after several minutes and sang briefly.

Grasshopper Warbler

Grasshopper Warbler - Harewwood Moor

Grasshopper Warblers can be heard giving their distinctive reeling songs from several points around Harewood Moor at the moment. Quite often heard, but seldom seen, the Grasshopper Warbler can remain hidden even in small areas of the damp grassland which it favours. I was very lucky today to disturb one which landed on a near by fence rather than dropping back in to the grass, it even gave a burst of song!
There are perhaps half a dozen pairs around Harewood Moor but there could easily be more.

Grasshopper Warbler

Grasshopper Warbler - Beeley Moor

I don't see many Grasshopper Warblers so was lucky to hear this one singing on the edge of the moor today, and even luckier to see it. 
It had dark feathers below the eye on both sides of the head which I've never seen before.

Grasshopper Warbler

Grasshopper Warbler - Bent Lane

My first Grasshopper Warbler of the year delivering its reeling song on Bent Lane early this morning. As usual getting a view of the bird was very difficult but I did eventually manage a record shot as it sang from a wet reedy area.
The numbers on the moor are generally low but there are usually several pairs although last year I didn't see any so this is a welcome addition to the year list.
They do sometimes sing out in the open as these shots from July 2011 show.

Spot the Grasshopper Warbler!

Grasshopper Warbler

Grasshopper Warbler - Flash Lane

A Grasshopper Warbler showed well this morning despite the strong wind. It's been a good year for them this year with at least 6 reeling males.

Grasshopper Warbler