The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

   Carr Vale Nature Reserve News

Continuing on from last year we maintained our daily visits, which produced a record January count of 85 species, the previous highest count being 81 as long ago as 1996, so an excellent start to the year. Highlight of the month was the Bittern that was found just before Christmas (4th record). Other notable species included Pink-footed Geese, Pintail, Peregrine, Oystercatcher, Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Iceland Gull (two), Glaucous Gull (at least two), Barn Owl, Little Owl and Brambling. Maintenance work was carried out on the flashes on the 8th when we had a JCB in to remove some juncus that was starting to encircle the middle flash and to renovate the dyke that flows into the southern reed-bed. It was generally mild to the third week after which frosty conditions took over but heavy rain mid month saw the water levels in Meadow Flash rise to over five feet. Don't forget you can input your own sightings directly onto the DWT website (www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk).

A Great-crested Grebe was present daily between the 1st and 13th and again from the 26th and Cormorants were recorded on 29 dates with a maximum of nine on the 29th. The Bittern found at the end of last year was seen daily between the 2nd and 6th and again on the 10th and 11th and Herons peaked at nine on the 20th, 21st, 23rd and 26th. Mute Swans were seen daily with a maximum count of ten on the 12th. Pink-footed Geese were noted on a few dates with all records relating to birds moving north-west. These were 240 on the 6th, 150 on the 11th, 150 on the 17th, 120 on the22nd, 130 on the 23rd, 150 on the 27th and 75 on the 29th. There was a report of 500 on an unspecified date mid month and additionally one was with the Canada Geese daily from the 28th.Two Grey Lag Goose were seen on the 25th and Canada Geese peaked at 190 on the 23rd although thankfully by the end on the month the flock had reduced to double-figures.

Good numbers of Wigeon remained throughout the month with a maximum count of 175 on the 9th. Gadwall were present daily with double-figure counts on 22 dates and a maximum of 27 on the 4th. Teal numbers were slightly lower than usual but nevertheless peaked at 88 on the 29th and there was a count of 91 Mallard on the 17th. A pair of Pintail came in from the north on the 26th and landed briefly on the reserve pond before departing south and a pair of Shoveler was seen on the 21st. Up to six Pochard were recorded on all bar the 1st, Tufted Ducks peaked at 19 on the 23rd and Goosanders were recorded on 14 dates with a peak count of five on the 29th.

Sparrowhawks were seen on 13 dates with two birds noted on the 12th and 26th but Common Buzzards were very scarce with just one on the 2nd. Kestrels were a regular feature with records 21 dates including three on the 29th. Single Peregrines were seen on the 5th, 12th, 19th and 25th. Two Grey Partridges were seen on the 22nd, Water Rails were logged on eight dates and the maximum count of Coot was 63 on the 3rd. The first returning Oystercatcher was present from the 22nd, Golden Plovers were only seen on four dates with a maximum count of 250 on the 29th and Lapwings peaked at 155 on the 2nd. Single Redshanks were recorded on the 2nd and 26th.

As usual Gulls were recorded in good numbers with Black-headed Gulls reaching 1000+ on 26th when three Common Gulls were also seen. 400 Herring Gulls were present on the 3rd and 5th and peaked at 800 on 26th. Also on the 26th a 3rd winter Caspian Gull was seen by a visitor from Gainsborough. Two Iceland Gulls (2nd winter and a 1st / 2nd winter, probably 1st w) were on the flashes on the 25th with the 2nd winter present again on 26th. 1st winter Glaucous Gulls were noted on the 5th, 6th, 12th, 25th and 27th. At least two different birds involved based on plumage details and Great Black-backed Gulls peaked at 150 on 5th.

A Little Owl was seen on the 2nd, a Barn Owl was found roosting on the 10th just 30 yards away from a roosting Tawny Owl and one was seen on the 26th, presumably the same bird. Two Tawny Owls were seen on the 2nd with single birds on four more dates until 11th. Kingfishers were logged on eight dates, Green Woodpeckers were recorded on seven dates and Great-spotted Woodpeckers were logged on three dates.

Two Grey Wagtails were seen on the 3rd and 24th with single birds on seven dates, Fieldfares were scarce but 50 flew north on the 16th and Redwings were only recorded in very small numbers (less than ten). There was a good count of ten Willow Tits on the 1st with daily sightings of smaller numbers at several of the feeding stations and the first song was heard on the 28th. 30 Magpies roosted on the 26th and a Brambling flew south on the 1st, which is unusual for the time of the year. Siskins were around in very good numbers with a site record of 100 on the 25th whilst 50 were present on the 22nd and 23rd. Lesser Redpolls were also present in good numbers with 30 on the 26th and 29 on the 6th and Bullfinches peaked at 12 on the 2nd. The feeding stations continued to attract good numbers of Reed Bunting with double-figures regular and a peak of 24 on the 22nd.

Mammals included a Hare on the 1st with two on the 15th, a Fox on the 3rd and a Stoat on the 18th

Mark Beevers

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