Middleton Moor Update

I've been a little slow to post recent sightings so here's a short update,

Hen Harrier

Adult female on 16th and 26th November

Hen Harrier

Jack Snipe

One on 16th November

Caspian Gull

Adult on 10th November

Caspian Gull - adult

Caspian Gull x European Herring Gull

One on 8th November

Pochard 

Two on 4th November, increased to 4 on 10th November

Common Pochard 2 male, 2 female

Black-tailed Godwit

One on 29th October

Black-tailed Godwit

The only other birds of note were 3 Little Egret on the flooded fields just north of Rowsley on 16th November and a Brambling flock on Bent Lane which has increased to over 100 birds.

The Cetti's Warbler is still at Middleton having survived the colder weather.

Common Pochard - Bakewell

 Yesterday I had seen a juvenile Herring Gull with the Black-headed Gulls in Bakewell, which is a scarce bird locally, but hadn't got my camera with me si I returned this morning hoping it had come back with the other gulls. There was no sign although the gulls often turn up late morning, so it may still appear.

There was however a Common Pochard with three Tufted Duck which made the journey worthwhile, This is only my second record of Common Pochard although they can get several hundred at Carsington in the winter.

It has a very pale mantle which is suggestive of a male but lacks the adult males red head and eye and black chest so probably a juvenile male.

Common Pochard - probably juvenile/1st winter male

For the record, this is the first winter Herring Gull, taken with my phone.

Herring Gull

Wild duck bonanza - Chatsworth

I don't usually visit Chatsworth in the afternoon, especially on the weekend, as it is so busy but the weather has been so bad recently that this was my first opportunity. However I may have to rethink as on the river in front of the house I saw a fine drake Shoveler and whilst photographing the Shoveler a drake Pochard swam in to view and then a Gadwall appeared, a first winter drake I think.
Both Gadwall and Pochard are new records for the immediate area for me and although all three species can generally be seen at Ogston and Chatsworth they are great records for the Matlock/ Bakewell area. 
The Pochard has recently been listed as vulnerable on the European Red List of Birds due to a significant decline in numbers in recent years which is rather worrying.

Pochard - male

Gadwall - 1st male

Shoveler - male