Brambling influx

The number of Brambling in the area has continued to increase, as have the places where I have seen them locally. Which now include the area around Chatsworth House including the woods around Swiss Lake and the Calton Lees Garden Centre, Coombs Road in Bakewell, Whitworth Park in Darley Dale with several hundred on Flash Lane and at least 500 on Bents Lane this morning. However, the largest flock I have heard of is 1500 at Matlock Moor at the Cuckoostone Lane end. This is possibly the largest single flock recorded in the County although The Birds of Derbyshire records 5700 which were counted flying in to roost in Shinningcliff Wood in December 1967.

Brambling - male

The flock of Common Crossbill is still present on Flash Lane but are only seen intermittently and often are dispersed in to smaller groups, but I counted over 40 this morning around 70 Acre Plantation where there is also a large mobile flock of Lesser Redpoll which included 2 Mealy Redpoll on Monday.

Common Crossbill - the topmost male looks rather large billed although it is slightly open