First Pink-footed Geese of the Autumn

A total of 278 Pink-footed Geese crossed Beeley Moor this morning in 5 skeins. They were all headed SE towards the Wash or Norfolk coast I imagine. They were flying quite high and travelling fast assisted by the strong NW wind. They probably set off from the Southport area of Merseyside. Hopefully get some more tomorrow.

Pink=footed Geese

Common Lizards enjoying the last of the sunshine

I've seen several Common Lizard basking in the sunshine on the moors over the last couple of days. Once the weather changes I think they will be hibernating until next year. The upper photo is a young one, presumably born either this year or last whilst the lower photo is of an older adult.

Common Lizard

Violet Ground Beetle - Beeley Moor

I came across this Violet Ground Beetle crossing a gravel track on Beeley Moor this morning. 

I'm no expert but I think this is Carabus violaceus rather than the similar Carabus problematicus. Both species are fairly widespread in the UK.

Violet Ground Beetle

Third Osprey and first Merlin of the autumn

Watched an Osprey fly up from the river in the Rowsley area this morning carrying a large fish, it landed on Beeley Moor and was still there eating it 2 hours later. The fish looks like a Brown Trout. Most years I see Ospreys carrying fish up on to the moor to eat them, you would think it would be easier to eat them close to where they are caught but I guess it's quieter up on the moor.

Osprey with fish

Stood on Flash Lane I watched a Merlin following the Chesterfield Road flying towards Sitches Plantation, my first of the autumn. It's almost certainly a juvenile female bird that was caught and ringed on Tuesday.

Carsington Water - all day birdwatch

I took part in Carsington Bird Club's all day birdwatch today. The idea being to watch the site all day, from before first light until darkness. I was there from about 07:30 to around 14:00, the weather could have been a bit more helpful as it was heavily overcast most of the day with some heavy rain showers but the keener members of the team were there throughout!

This was a repeat of an event last September when they recorded 81 species, todays final total was 92 so a great achievement by all involved. Highlights for me were Common Scoter, Marsh Harrier, Little Egret and my first Pink-footed Goose of the autumn but the supporting cast of Northern Wheatear, several Common Swift, Red-crested Pochard and Ringed Plover. In addition I missed Great Egret, Common Sandpiper as well as quite a few woodland species but had a thoroughly enjoyable time. 

Marsh Harrier - juvenile

Pink-footed Goose

Little Egret