Green Sandpiper - Chatsworth

 Two Green Sandpiper today on Emperor Lake at Chatsworth. I have one previous record of Green Sandpiper from the Cupola Ponds at Stone Edge but I've lost the details and must have been 20 years ago, so this is my first documented record for the area.

The Birds of the Bakewell Area record annual sightings from Ramsley and Barbrook Reservoirs which are now almost gone with several records from Middleton Moor. It's recorded more regularly from Ogston and Carsington.

 

Green Sandpiper

Red Grouse - breeding success

 I've expressed my concern several times during the past decade about the decline of the Red Grouse on Beeley Moor (most recently in August 2020) so I was very pleased today when I came across a pair with two well grown youngsters. 

I also heard, and saw, several birds on East Moor yesterday so it looks like the current population could now be in double figures.

Red Grouse - adult foreground with two juveniles

Red Grouse - both juveniles (I think)

I had a decent day again today, in addition to the grouse I saw the Osprey again flying from Chatsworth direction then heading south towards Darley Dale. Also a family part of 3 Whinchat by the Triangle and a single Wheatear on Lumb Lane.

Osprey - Rowsley

 My first Osprey of the year this morning,  an adult sat on the tree tops above the River Lathkill on the Youlgrave Road.

It has a blue Darvic ring on the left leg which is just visible so could be the bird I first saw as a juvenile in 2012! Hope I get the chance to read the ring before it departs.

Osprey - adult

Nightjars still churring

 I've made a couple of evening visits to the moor this week and was surprised to find that the Nightjars were still churring and wing clapping. 

The breeding season must be over by now and the birds will shortly be migrating but their behaviour was much like in Spring.

Nightjar male churring

Little Egret back at Youlgrave

 I came across a Little Egret at Harthill Pond yesterday, could be the same bird that spent most of last winter there. It was sat motionless for the 20 minutes I was there then suddenly flew up in the air and flew off in a southerly direction, gaining height. Perhaps heading for Carsington, it will be interesting to see if it returns.

Little Egret

I've not seen too much else of note recently but regular sightings of Kingfisher at Chatsworth are probably the birds that fledged at Rowsley also single Goosander at Chatsworth and three at Rowsley. 15 Teal at Chatsworth is the highest count I've had for some time and presumably includes some of this years youngsters.

Several Common Crossbill today with birds calling on Flash Lane and at Whitesprings Plantation.