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!

Whinchat - last of our breeding migrants arrives

 Having seen my first Nightjars a couple of days ago a Whinchat this afternoon on Beeley Moor completes the arrivals of our breeding migrants, a superb male I'm hoping it will stay to breed. As the Whinchat is just arriving the first young Stonechats have fledged this week.

Whinchat - male

Had lovely views of a singing male Pied Flycatcher a few days ago. Usually most of the Pied Flycatchers I see are on the west side of the Derwent River but this year I have encountered 7 singing males on the east side of the although two birds were in Alders on the river bank so could have been either side, hopefully they will also stay to breed.

Pied Flycatcher - male

No signs of any Short-eared Owls this month but a Long-eared hunting over a clear fell area at dusk is a positive sign and a pair of Little Owls close to Bakewell are always nice to see.

Little Owl - pair

Little Owl in the rain - Beeley Moor

 After the excitement of the Grey Phalarope last Sunday it's been a much quieter, and wetter week. Still plenty of thrushes about and a came across a Little Owl today sheltering from the drizzle. 

A scarce bird locally numbers appear to have declined in recent years but still a few pairs around.

Little Owl

Little Owl - Winster

Whilst I've been away James came across a pair of Little Owls on his drive to work and I managed a trip out to see them this morning and fortunately one of the birds was sat out.
Owl populations in the area, apart from Tawny, fluctuate markedly from year to year. Barn is badly affected by prolonged cold spells with ground snow which can wipe them out completely. Long-eared's on the moor fluctuate with the vole and mice population whilst Short-eared appears now to be only a casual visitor. 
The Little Owl has disappeared from regular sites around Darley Dale and off the moor so there is only a regular pair I've featured in the Bakewell area and this new pair located by James but I do see them occasionally on Bonsall Moor and there is probably a reasonable population there, using the many old barns, some of which are provided with access for Little Owls.
In any case, it's always a treat to see any owls locally.

Little Owl

Little Owl - Bakewell

It's been sometime since I have seen the Little Owls so it was nice to see both the male and female enjoying some early morning sunshine today.

Little Owl

Little Ow - Bakewell

I've neglected the Little Owls over the past month but Ken saw at least one youngster a week or so ago. I had a look this morning but only saw one of the adults.

Little Owl -adult

Little Owl - adult (c.Ken Smith)

Little Owl update

I haven't managed to keep track of the Little Owls at Bakewell but called in this morning and managed to locate one of the adults, it's a lot harder now that the trees are covered in leaves! They will hopefully have young now but there was no sign this morning.

Little Owl

Little Owl activity

I've continued to call in on the Little Owls near Bakewell. This morning one bird was very obvious and attracted the attention of a pair of Magpies, you can just about see how the owl puffed its feathers up to increase his size. They soon lost interest however, and the Little Owl moved to a more hidden location.

Little Owl and Magpies

Little Owl - update

The light was terrible today but I had an hour of light after work so decided to check up on the Bakewell Little Owls. For the first time I may have seen two birds, the second bird was about 100m away in an Ash tree so took some finding but managed a record shot.

Little Owl

Little Owl

Haven't seen the Little Owl the last couple of times I have passed but it was there this afternoon, another sleepy shot. I am hoping it will nest in the area and that I can follow it as the seasons progress.

Little Owl

Little Owl - sleeping

Blue skies and a dusting of snow this morning. I called in at the Little Owl early on, it was asleep, if the sun hadn't just caught the top of its head I don't think I would have seen it. I watched it for about half an hour but it barely moved so I left it to sleep.

Little Owl - sleeping

Little Owl - Bakewell

What a contrast in the weather today, clear blue skies from the off but cold, -4º as I set out this morning. 
The Great Grey Shrike put in an appearance, again by Sitches Plantation, my first sighting of the year and good to know that the snow has not caused it to move on.
One of the birds I want to get better photos of this year is the Little Owl and I was lucky with my first visit for several months to a potential site at Bakewell. I watched this bird for a couple of hours as it moved through the bushes with an accompanying Blackbird constantly sounding its alarm call.
The Little Owl is widely distributed in the area, but like other owls, seldom seen.

Little Owl

Little Owl - Great Longstone

James has been consumed recently by the need to complete the final year of his zoology degree at Derby University so hasn't had much opportunity to take photographs but he did manage to get out today and came across this Little Owl near Great Longstone.
The Little Owl is widely distributed through the Peak District, more evident in the White Peak than the Dark but easily overlooked.
He has a range of photos - mostly taken locally on his web site: James Butler Photography.

Little Owl (c.James Butler)

Little Owl - Bonsall

Cold, wet and misty today so not very pleasant. I heard my first Curlews of the Spring on the moor this morning but couldn't see them in thick mist, the first reports of them back on the moor were last Saturday (2nd March ) with odd sightings during the week.
A tour round Bonsall Moor produced this nice Little Owl and a pair of Dipper were busy nest building on the river but not much else.

Little Owl

Little Owl - juvenile

This Little Owl has fledged and flown the nest but doesn't look like it has been on its own for long.

Little Owl

Little Owl - Long Dale, Hartington

Whilst looking for Wheatear in Long Dale James photographed this Little Owl.

Little Owl

Little Owl - Bakewell

A second Little Owl encountered on the drive to work this morning.

Little Owl

Little Owl - Beeley Moor

Came across this rather distant Little Owl on the edge of the moor. James captured a reasonable photo though on the lichen covered barn.

Little Owl