Chatsworth in the snow

 With the snow and freezing temperatures over the last couple of days I didn't think it was a good idea to drive up on to the moor so I went to Chatsworth instead. I was hoping that with the freezing weather some waterfowl might have been forced on to the river but the only unexpected birds were two drake Tufted Duck but they were accompanied by the hybrid Tufted/ Pochard which is the first time I've seen it this winter. I first saw it in February 2014 so it's been wintering in the area for quite some time.

Tufted/ Pochard hybrid with two drake Tufted Duck

There were lots of Siskin feeding in the Alders along the river and they looked very festive in the snow laden trees.

Siskin

Evidence of birds being forced of the higher moors came in the form of two Common Snipe flushed from the river edge and a lone female Stonechat, both species are very scarce along the river.

Common Snipe

There were plenty of Redwing around and one or two Brambling but the scenery made up for any disappointment on the bird front.

River Derwent at Chatsworth

More snow and return of the hybrid Tufted Duck

 A bit more snow fell overnight but the forecast is for more in the next 24 hrs. There was very little in the valley bottom but 2 or 3cm was present higher up. It's always nice to see birds with a snowy background and a took a few photos of some of our commoner birds.

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Robin

The hybrid drake Tufted x Pochard has returned to Bakewell, I first saw this bird on 2 February 2014 so it's at least 11 years old. Recently I think it has been at Ogston Reservoir but it's nice to see it back in Bakewell. It sometimes gets reported as a drake Scaup but which would be very rare locally.

Tufted x Pochard hybrid

There are still groups of gulls, mainly Black-headed with a few Common on the flooded fields but an adult Herring Gull put in an appearance yesterday in the fields between Darley Dale and Darley Bridge. 

Generally the Herring Gull is a rare winter visitor to the area, often just seen flying over the valley.

Herring Gull

Chatsworth in the sunshine

A beautiful sunny day today with no wind and I spent the morning walking around Chatsworth. I called in at St Helen's Church as I left Darley Dale and soon found two Hawfinch but couldn't locate any others, there were 9 there yesterday!
On the river I came across the hybrid male Tufted Duck x Pochard just below Chatsworth House. This is the first time I've seen it since January when it was at Bakewell. The Pink-footed Goose was still with the flock of around 50 Canada Geese.

Male Tufted Duck x Pochard hybrid

Not much else seen but a female Grey Wagtail showed well in the sunshine.

Grey Wagtail - female