Green Woodpecker - Beeley Village

Back after two weeks away, and it looks like I've missed the Waxwings so no photos I'm afraid. Still, there's a good chance that some more will turn up I think.

Apart from the Waxwings I don't think I've missed too much although a Great Grey Shrike has taken up residence at Ramsley reservoir which would be nice to see, if it would just come a little closer.

Walked round Chatsworth yesterday which produced a Green Woodpecker at the back of Beeley village, only my third record this year. It's a surprisingly scarce bird locally and I just seem to pick up occasional wandering birds.

Green Woodpecker - probably adult female, with the black moustache

Juveniles on the wing

I've mentioned previously that Green Woodpecker is a scarce bird in the area so I was pleased yesterday to see a juvenile on 70 Acre Plantation I also had a very smart juvenile Wheatear in the same area which is the first of the birds that pass through during the late summer and autumn. Although the Wheatear breeds as close as Harrington they are a very scarce breeder around Beeley.

Green Woodpecker - juvenile

Wheatear - 1st winter

On Friday I had the very unusual sighting of a Little Egret flying across Harewood Moor. Perhaps heading towards Carsington where there are at least 6 at the moment. Amazing how the numbers of Little Egret have increased in the UK in the last few years. 
Poor photo but an interesting record.

Little Egret

Green Woodpecker - Bakewell

What a difference it makes to have a bit of sunshine. Plenty of Buzzards on the wing today with at least one pair displaying. A Green Woodpecker was calling on the outskirts of Bakewell and I eventually managed to get a photo of the male, showing the red centre to the moustachial streak which separates it from the female which has an all black moustachial streak.

Green Woodpecker - male

Green Woodpecker - Coombs Road, Bakewell

Coombs Road, Hall Dale Wood and the Stanton/Rowsley area are virtually the only places I come across the Green Woodpecker. It's more often heard than seen, so it was pleasing this morning to actually watch one feeding. Still distant but it's a new addition to the blog so can't complain.

Green Woodpecker