Juveniles - the class of 2020

Lots of juveniles around at the moment, here are four of my favourites; Stonechat, Common Redstart, Wheatear and Long-tailed Tit. All seen around Beeley Moor.

Willow Tit - Flash Lane

Over the past couple of weeks I've seen and heard what is presumably the same Willow Tit on two occasions and I managed a few photos today. The Willow Tit rare locally with occasional records from Clough Wood but can be seen fairly easily at Carsington Water.

Willow Tit - of note this bird has a pale spot on one side of the bill which is usually associated with Marsh Tit

With the on-set of autumn tits and other passerines are likely to be encountered in small mixed flocks and so it was today with a nice group of about 15 Long-tailed Tits with 7 or 8 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff and a Treecreeper all in the same few bushes.

Long-tailed Tit

Goldcrest - female

Had my first Skylarks passing overhead and a group of 4 Common Crossbill which are the first I've seen for several weeks.
Meadow Pipits are migrating south now over the moors and I counted over 500 today in loose flocks.

Long-tailed Tit nest - Rowsley

The nest of the Long-tailed Tit is one of the most amazing constructions in the birding world. It can take a month to construct and it is reported that there can be over 6000 individual components, usually lichen, moss and feathers bound with spiders webs. Once the leaves on this Hawthorn hedge open the nest will be completely hidden.

Long-tailed Tit nest

Long-tailed Tit - juvenile Bakewell

Lovely to watch a family party of at least 10 recently fledged Long-tailed Tits this morning by the river in Bakewell. Eighteen Tufted Duck is a good count for the river including the hybrid male but no sign of the Goosander family although they have been seen in recent days.

Long-tailed Tit - juvenile

Long-tailed Tit

Great to watch a party of Long-tailed Tits in the sunshine today. This particular bird kept coming back to a small Hawthorn bush and was happily feeding no more than 5m away. Tricky getting a photo with no obscuring branches though.

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Another photo taken in yesterday's sunshine.

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tits

Definitely one of my favourite birds, I came across a party of about a dozen birds moving quickly through the trees this morning, it was still very over cast so I only managed 1/200 shutter speed.

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tits - Forty Acre Wood

Nice views of a party of Long-tailed Tits in Forty Acre Wood.

Long-tailed Tit