Grey Partridge - my first in over a decade

 Robin Elliot came across a pair of Grey Partridge yesterday by the Matlock Road/ Alicehead Road junction. Fortunately they were still in the area this morning in a field a little closer to Swinger Lane. Although there have been occasional reports; Alan Stewardson saw one on Harland Edge earlier this year and there was a report of a pair a couple of days ago in the Haddon Grove Farm area, they are my first since 2011!

I'd be interested to hear of any other local records in the last few years.

Grey Partridge

Most of the expected migrants are back now with good numbers of Common Whitethroat on the moors and several Garden Warbler around the plantations now. I also had a Lesser Whitethroat singing on 3rd May on Cullumbell Lane outside Uppertown.

Superb views of Grasshopper Warbler this morning with a pair together on Beeley Moor, there are at least four males with territories around the moors.

Grasshopper Warbler

I saw the Turtle Dove on the last day of April and again on the 1st May around Flash Lane. It was displaying to a Collared Dove on the 30th April with the chances of it finding a mate very slim although it persists with its lovely purring song.

Turtle Dove displaying to a Collared

I saw my first Common Swifts over Darley Dale on 2nd May and numbers are steadily increasing but there are not many House Martin about.

There was a Hobby over Flash Lane on 30th April and I've seen another today and the first Wood Warblers returned on 1st May. 

So just Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat and Nightjar still to arrive.

Goosander breeding success

 A female Goosander with 5 downy young was a nice surprise on the River Wye at Rowsley this morning. I didn't see any young last year so hopefully this is a sign of a better breeding season.

Goosander - female with 5 chicks

On the moor I managed all three chats today, with at least 4 Wheatear and a lovely singing male Whinchat as well as several pairs of Stonechat, which are now feeding the young of their first brood.

Northern Wheatear

My first Swifts were on the 10th May over Darley Dale but they may have arrived earlier as I have been away for a week. 

Alan reported the first Nightjar yesterday which he heard in the plantations bordering the moor and there was an unusual report on the 9th of a Black Kite seen over Flash Lane.

First Common Swift over Darley Dale

 Although Common Swifts were first seen at Carsington Water on Monday I saw my first today flying directly over the garden in Darley Dale. Traditionally I would look out for swifts from the first week of May and often it would be into the second week before I saw one here but, in common with many other species, migrants are arriving earlier now.

I also added Garden Warbler and Turtle Dove to my April list today. 

Common Swift

I'm taking part in the National Turtle Dove survey this year organised by the RSPB and BTO so I was particular pleased to hear a bird calling today and will be visiting several sites where they have occurred in the past in the coming weeks. I'd also be very interested to hear of any other local records this year.

I've previously mentioned the plight of the Turtle Dove and their rapid decline in Europe, so I was saddened to hear in the last few days that the Italian Government has sanctioned further shooting of these beautiful birds this autumn. With 500,000 licensed hunters allowed to shoot 15 birds each the total birds killed could run in to the millions.

Here's a photo I took in Croatia in spring 2019.

Turtle Dove in Croatia

Another Spotted Flycatcher

I came across another pair of Spotted Flycatcher today by the river at Chatsworth so I'm hoping that they are having a better year than the last few.

Spotted Flycatcher

 
No sign of the Common Sandpiper so I think they have probably left the immediate are but the Oystercatcher was sat on another dead tree and looks like she's probably incubating again.
Looked to be a movement of Common Swift today in the strong winds with several dozen flying up the river but it's impossible to know how far they are going.

Common Swift

Swift - Chatsworth

The Swifts have been back for about a month now but not in big numbers, the cold temperatures and consequent lack of aerial insects can't be good for them. They breed in the older parts of Darley Dale with generally about a dozen pairs in the village.
I've been waiting for a blue sky to photograph them and it finally arrived this morning, but not for long!
Several brood of Mandarin on the river and a couple of female Gooseander. Two skeins of Canada Geese, totalling about 80 birds, flew over heading North which was unusual. 

Swift