The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

   Carr Vale Nature Reserve News

After the very poor April, May was a distinct improvement with 98 species recorded, the highest ever May total, beating 96 recorded in both 1999 and 2000. The year list climbed to a respectable 125, equalling the total set last year and the second equal highest end of May figure (the highest end of May total is 128). As a result there were a few more notable species including Marsh Harrier (26th record), Osprey (21st record), Hobby, Peregrine, Water Rail, tundrae Ringed Plover, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Kittiwake (19th record), Black Tern (4th record, first since 2000), Whinchat, Redwing (latest ever record), Wheatear, Grasshopper Warbler and Roe Deer.

Single Little Grebes were seen five dates between the 7th and 30th whilst up to four Great-crested Grebes were present daily. Cormorants as usual became very scare with single birds on the 11th and 12th, three north on the 17th and two north on the 30th. Herons were seen on 29 dates during the month but the highest count was only three on several dates, which is normal at this time of year. Mute Swans were logged daily with a peak count of 11 on the 18th whilst ten were present between the 16th and 19th. Four Grey Lag Geese were present on the 6th and 14th with one or two on 11 other dates during the first half of the month. Canada Geese numbers remained in double-figures all month with a high of 69 on the 21st.

Gadwall were recorded in double-figures on all bar two dates with a maximum count of 18 on the 25th and 31st and a pair of Teal was present until the 15th after which the female remained until the month end. Just four broods of Mallard were located during the month whilst single Shoveler were seen on the 10th and 30th, with two on the 14th. Tufted Ducks were recorded in double-figures throughout the month with a peak of 24 on the 16th.

A female Marsh Harrier flew south-east over the mound on the 11th and there is another report of a Marsh Harrier seen mid-month, which has to be followed up yet with the observer. Sparrowhawks were logged on 14 dates (15 bird / days) and Common Buzzards were seen on 13 dates (24 bird / days) with five on the 18th and four on the 26th. An Osprey arrived from the south but was harried by Crows and returned that way on the 20th (this species has been seen every year since 1998 at Carr Vale). Kestrels were recorded on 29 dates (49 bird / days) and four were logged on the 3rd and 7th whilst the only Hobby of the month was seen on the 4th and a Peregrine was seen on the 6th and 10th. A Red-legged Partridge was seen on the 4th and three Grey Partridges were recorded on the 20th and 29th. A pair of Water Rails was seen on the 24th.

Oystercatchers were seen on all bar the 1st with generally one to three present whilst higher counts included four on the 11th and six on the 8th. Little-ringed Plovers were seen daily with a peak count of six on the 8th, 18th and 20th-21st but the only Ringed Plover records were one on the 22nd and three on the 30th, two of the latter being birds of the arctic tundrae race. Single Dunlin were recorded on the 5th, 13th, 16th, 20th, 22nd, 28th and 31st but the best wader of the month was a female Ruff that was seen on the 14th. The last Snipe of the winter was seen the 5th and a Curlew flew north on the 13th. One or two Redshanks were logged on 14 dates but there was no breeding attempt again this year. A Green Sandpiper dropped in late on the 7th and single Common Sandpipers were logged on 11 dates between the 5th and 26th with two on the 4th, 7th and 14th.

An adult Kittiwake called in briefly on the 24th before it continued on its way north and Common Terns were recorded daily from the 2nd with two pairs taking up residence from the 4th. Additional single birds joined them on the 7th, 10th and 29th but on the 9th an additional group of six dropped in briefly giving a rare double-figure count for the reserve. Bird of the month was a Black Tern which arrived at 1153 and departed north at 1202 on the 21st. This represents only the fourth record for the reserve and was the first since 2000.

17 singing Wood Pigeons were located during survey work on the 9th and 200 non-breeders were feeding on Rape on the 15th. A Cuckoo was present on seven dates between the 5th and 15th and one or two Little Owls were seen on 23 days during the month with three seen on the 3rd whilst a Tawny Owl was seen on the 9th. Swifts peaked at 80 on the 29th, Kingfishers were seen on ten dates and Green Woodpecker was noted on 12 dates. Sand Martins were in very short supply with one to five on eight dates until the 15th after which none were seen. Swallows were present in very low numbers but a notable record concerned a bird that had been ringed in Madrid, which was caught by the ringers in the sewage works on the 25th. House Martin numbers also seemed low and the highest count of the month was just 53 on the 28th. Yellow Wagtails were logged on 27 dates during the month with a high of seven on the 4th and an un-seasonal Grey Wagtail was seen on the 12th.

On the 9th singing bird totals included 37 Wrens, 11 Dunnocks, 17 Robins and 28 Blackbirds. The same day a cracking male Whinchat was seen and three Wheatears were reported on the 3rd. Four singing Song Thrushes were found on the 9th and a flock of 11 Mistle Thrushes was present on the 23rd. Another contender for the bird of the month was a Redwing, which was initially found on the 12th and subsequently seen on the 19th and 20th, the latter date being the latest spring date for the county (although there are two summer records).

It’s been a good spring for Grasshopper Warblers with one or two on nine dates during the first half of the month plus at least four and probably five singing on the 5th. Later in the month one was reeling on four out of five dates from the 27th. Six Sedge Warblers were seen on the 2nd with five singing males located on the 9th and 29th whilst 13 singing Reed Warblers were counted on the 9th. Lesser Whitethroats were very scarce with three singing males on the 2nd and single birds on three other dates until the 14th whilst eight singing Common Whitethroats were seen on the 9th with seven still singing on the 20th. Garden Warblers were heard singing most days with a peak count of three on three dates prior to the 9th whilst 17 singing Blackcaps were located on the 9th when 13 singing Chiffchaffs and 30 singing Willow Warblers were also located. A Goldcrest was also still singing on the 9th. Fledged Long-tailed Tits were first seen on the 23rd but more notable was the first breeding record of Coal Tit when a pair with five recently fledged young was seen on the 29th. Two active Willow Tit nests were also found during the month with fledged young noted from the 31st and a maximum count of five on the 22nd.

Single Jays on the 2nd, 9th and 10th were unusual and 20 singing male Chaffinches is probably a record count for the area. Six Bullfinches were seen on the 7th and 9th with nine singing Reed Buntings and four male Yellowhammers noted on the latter date.

Three Large Red Damsels and a Blue-tailed Damsel were seen on the 21st, single Brimstones were seen on the 5th, 12th and 22nd with two on the 8th and single Common Blues were logged on the 6th and 11th. Water Voles were seen on the 5th and 14th, eight Hares were seen on the 2nd with five on the 1st and one or two on 14 other dates and single Foxes were seen on five dates with two on the 21st. Roe Deer sightings continued with a female on the 3rd and 4th, a pair on the 8th and 9th and a male on the 17th. It’s possible that three animals were in the area and this year is certainly the best ever for this species. On the downside the resident Red-eared Terrapin reappeared on the 24th and was seen again on the 26th and 29th.

Mark Beevers

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