Ring-necked Parakeet - Darley Dale

 There were a couple of reports of a Ring-necked Parakeet visiting bird feeders on Northwood Lane during the week. 

With feral populations in Sheffield and Derby its perhaps surprising we don't get more records but they are few and far between with single birds reported on Beeley Moor in 2001 and 2007 and Bakewell in 2001.

Once established numbers can build rapidly so it's probably just as well that we just get the odd bird passing through.

Ring-necked Parakeet (photo Glen Sellors)

On a similar vein a Barnacle Goose was seen with the Canada Goose flock at Chatsworth on Wednesday, I was there on Thursday but there were only 6 Canada's and no sign of it but it may well turn up again, 

Two female Wigeon were on the river infront of the House and have been present for several days.

Still up to six Hawfinch at St Helen's Churchyard

Wigeon - female

Cold weather thrush arrivals

 The cold spell has resulted in a big influx of thrushes in to the valley with hundreds of Redwing and Blackbird feeding in areas with little snow. I counted 40 Redwing feeding in the Whitworth Park with 30 Blackbirds and at least 6 Song Thrush. 

Redwing

Although the ponds were frozen the open water where it entered the park was full of Mallard and the female Teal was still with them.

I only saw one Hawfinch during a brief visit to St Helen's Church but it was nice to see them in the sunshine over the last couple of days.

Hawfinch - male

Hawfinch increasing at St Helen's Church, Darley Dale

 Four Hawfinch have been reported several times over the last few days at St Helen's Church but increased to six this morning. They feed in the Yew trees then sit in the tops of neighbouring trees presumably while the berries are being digested. There are also good numbers of Greenfinch also feeding in the Yew trees. I saw about 20 this morning but more have been reported.

Hawfinch 

Yesterday I braved the snow and ice and ventured to Middleton Moor. There was more snow there and the small road leading to the rough track was particularly difficult but it was worth the effort as a juvenile female Goshawk flew over Black Harry Gate. Sighting of Goshawk are few and far between at Middleton which is a little surprising although there are no significant woodlands close by.

Eurasian Goshawk - juvenile female

A Curlew has been present for several weeks but looked rather forlorn sat out on the ice.

Eurasian Curlew

Hawfinch - St Helen's Church, Darley Dale

 Decent views of Hawfinch in St Helen's Churchyard this morning, Simon had two fly in just before I got there and one bird sat for 5 minutes in the top of the trees, on the cricket pitch side of the church. It called occasionally particularly when a Jackdaw displaced it from the top of the tree. 

I didn't take my camera due to the poor weather so I've used a photo taken a while back at St Helen's.

It looks like there may have been birds in the area for some time as Alan first reported one on 21st December last year and more recently 2 or 3 were reported last Tuesday. 

The overnight snow has displaced some Redwing with around 50 seen this morning in small groups. A few gulls flying around, mainly Black-headed but also single Common and Lesser Black-backed and still 3 Teal on the Whitworth Pond.

Hawfinch - photo taken in 2018 when there was a nice flock at St Helen Church

Dipper and Kingfisher new for the year in Bakewell

 My first Kingfisher and Dipper of the year today and both in Bakewell, and in beautiful sunshine.

Common Kingfisher

White-throated Dipper