Sand Martins return to Chatsworth

Three Sand Martin bach at Chatsworth today and 6 Common Chiffchaff  were a sign that Spring really is on its way.

Sand Martin

The Mandarin and Goosander are now looking for nest sites and spending more time in the trees.

Mandarin

My first Golden Plover, a small group of 7, flew over East Moor yesterday but a flock of 60 were seen on Saturday.

I've been looking for Wheatear but without success but two were seen at Tansley on Friday and Simon had one at Carsington Water on Saturday.

Migrant arrivals

 Having been away for a few weeks it looks like my return has coincided with that of some of our returning migrants, I've listed some dates below but there may be earlier records.

Curlew Beeley Moor 19th February

Oystercatcher Chatsworth 4 20th March

Osprey Wirestone Lane 20th March

Wheatear Beeley Moor 3 22nd March

Barn Swallow Beeley Triangle 21st March

Sand Martin Chatsworth 25 on 23rd March, first reported 20th March

Common Chiffchaff Chatsworth 4 on 23rd March, first reported 20th March.

We just need some warmer weather now!

Sand Martin

Sand Martins return to Chatsworth

 My first Sand Martins of the year with at least 7 at Chatsworth this afternoon. I was also pleased to see the the pair of Oystercatchers are also back and hope they are successful this year.

Plenty of Chiffchaffs in the valley now, and with the Curlew in song on the moor, it's starting to sound more like Spring but it's still rather cold.

Sand Martin

Oystercatcher pair

Lockdown day 30 - return to Chatsworth

I did a long walk yesterday, over the moors to Chatsworth and back along the river via Rowsley. Since my last visit, only 5 days ago, the Oystercatchers have found a new home on one of the large logs that was washed down during the floods earlier in the year.

Oystercatcher on nest site

Clever how they choose a location off the ground as sheep are grazing all around them. 
The Sand Martin bank which was also washed clean by the river in spate is now full of holes again with around 35 martins in attendance. It's amazing how quickly the nesting season starts when birds arrive back.

Sand Martins excavating their nest holes

Quite a few Mandarin grazing on the grass benefitting from the reduced disturbance from walkers, although they can always graze in peace on the other side of the river. Providing a nice photo opportunity.

Mandarin - male

The Common Sandpiper was still there but no sign of a mate yet.
In the woods I had two Pied Flycatcher and Redstart plus Little Grebe and 7 Tufted Duck on the lakes. The latter two species are additions to my lockdown list as was a Grasshopper Warbler reeling on the moors on my walk across.
Takes me to 95 species for the lockdown list, now where are those Swifts!

Swallows and Martins

For the first time I have recorded my first of all three hirundine species on the same day. I picked up a group of four Sand Martins feeding over the trees bordering the Wye north of Rowsley then noticed a Swallow had joined them and shortly afterwards a House Martin appeared! 
The Sand Martins are a bit late arriving but that's hardly surprising given the recent poor weather and snow again yesterday but both the Swallow and House Martin are a little early.
As further evidence that the seasons move on despite the weather this female Mallard was adjusting her clutch of eggs at Rowsley.
With the first Osprey records of the year today at both Ogston and Carsington things are looking up.

Mallard - female on eggs

Sand Martin back at Rowsley

On a rather grey morning the Sand Martins finally returned to Rowsley. I say finally because they have been in the south of the County for about ten days but the cooler weather since the middle of last week appeared to slow the northerly passage of our Spring migrants. At least 7 birds over the river and it's good to have them back.

Sand Martin

Sand Martin

These two youngsters were already fledged and able to fly from the nest burrow but were happy to wait for the parent bird to feed them.

Sand Martin