The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

   Carr Vale Nature Reserve News

90 species were recorded during the month, above average for the month but well below the record of 97 set in 2000. The year-list moved on to 100, the equal highest end of March figure matching last year. White-winged Gulls continued to feature with both Glaucous and Iceland Gull noted during the month and other notable species included Pink-footed Goose (latest ever wild birds), Goosander, Red Kite (5th record), Merlin, Peregrine, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Little Owl, Swallow, Blackcap and Raven (18th record). Water levels in Meadow Flash remained at 27" during the first ten days rising to 33" on the 5th but then as the weather became drier the levels dropped to around 21". North-easterly winds during the last week dragged heavy cloud in and put a damper on spring migration.

The first Little Grebe of the year was seen on the 7th with other single birds noted on the 15th and 28th whilst the two Great-crested Grebes from last month were present daily. Cormorants were seen on all bar two dates but numbers were again low with a peak count of six on the 6th and 21st, three of which flew north on the latter date. Nine Herons were counted on the 3rd with six to eight on most dates until the 20th after which numbers declined to between two and four. One or two Mute Swans were recorded on 11 dates and three were present between the 20th and 22nd. A skein of 21 Pink-footed Geese flew north-west on the 26th and became the latest ever wild Pink-feet at Carr Vale by a week. Two or three Grey Lag Geese were seen on three dates and higher numbers were seven on the 23rd, six on the 24th and eight on the 26th. Generally less than 50 Canada Geese were present although 63 were counted on the 21st.

Wigeon peaked at 172 on the 4th although numbers were generally around 135; 152 were still present on the 29th. Gadwall numbers were low with records on 29 dates and a peak count of nine was logged on the 29th. Teal continued to be recorded daily in low numbers with a high of 52 logged on the 6th whilst Mallard counts were typically low with a peak of 24 on the 27th. A female Pochard was present between the 1st and 3rd but Tufted Ducks were logged daily with double-figure counts on 28 dates and a high of 29 on the 26th. A male Goosander was seen on the 1st.

A Red Kite, only the fifth for the site, was a nice sight as it drifted south-west on the 23rd and Sparrowhawks were recorded on 13 dates (16 bird / days) with display noted on the 3rd. One or two Common Buzzards were recorded on ten dates with three seen on the 6th and 23rd but only four were seen over the recording area. Kestrels were logged on 14 dates (a total of 19 bird / days) with a peak count of three on the 24th. A female Merlin flew over the reserve on the 10th and a male Peregrine was seen on the 20th. A Water Rail showed very well in front of the observation mound on the 31st. The pair of Oystercatchers was present throughout the month and they were joined by an additional bird on the 5th and 6th and another pair on the 9th. The first Little-ringed Plover of the year was seen on the 29th, which was a very late arrival date for this species and two were present on the 31st. A Ringed Plover flew north on the 24th and another dropped on to the flashes on the 29th. Golden Plovers were very scarce with records on just five dates including 70 on the 8th, 80 on the 20th and 40 on the 24th whilst Lapwings peaked at 69 on the 2nd. A Dunlin was present on four dates between the 2nd and the 6th and Snipe became more prevalent with single figures noted on 21 dates and a high of ten on the 26th. A Curlew flew south on the 31st and Redshanks were recorded daily with a peak count of six on the 29th.

Gulls again remained the focus of attention as good numbers loafed in the area and white-wingers continued to be reported from Ogston Reservoir. Not to be left out Carr Vale logged single first winter Iceland Gulls on the 9th, 23rd, 24th, 26th and 31st. The bird on the 26th and 31st was certainly different to the one earlier in the week and it is likely that three different individuals were seen during the month. A first winter Glaucous Gull was seen on the 2nd and 3rd whilst a different bird was present between the 6th and 8th (based on plumage differences and bill tip markings). Later in the month there were further sightings of first winter Glaucous Gulls with a single bird daily between the 14th and 17th and again on the 19th with another first winter present on the 26th with the Iceland Gull. 330 Black-headed Gulls were counted on the 2nd after which numbers declined to very low double-figures and one or two Common Gulls were seen eight dates plus four north on the 11th. Herring Gulls were present in three-figures most days and 500 were estimated to be present on the 7th. Good numbers of Great Black-backed Gulls were logged peaking at a record count of 230 on the 16th and 155 were still in the area on the 31st. An adult Kittiwake dropped into bathe briefly on the 31st before it continued on its way north, this being the first record for almost 18 months.

Eight Stock Doves on the 11th was the highest count of the month and the same day 400 Wood Pigeons were present whilst a flock of 150 flew north-east on the 4th. Kingfishers continued to be very scarce with just two records of a single bird on the 11th and 14th. A Green Woodpecker was present on five dates between the 6th and 13th and again on four dates from the 21st. The first Sand Martins of the year were two on the 26th followed by one during the morning of the 28th. Later that day however 121 flew north in two hours before dusk, a record movement for March. Ten were present the following day when the first Swallows (five) of the year were seen and another Swallow was seen on the 30th. Meadow Pipit passage was very slow with 171 logged flying north over 16 dates but the largest count was a meagre 32 on the 25th. Two Grey Wagtails were seen on the 8th with single birds noted on the 10th, 11th and 19th and 30 Pied Wagtails were feeding on a recently sown field on the 30th.

50 Fieldfares on the 8th was the highest count of the month as birds were only recorded on four dates and Redwings were equally as scarce with records on five dates and a high of 42 on the 4th. The first Blackcap of the year, a male, was seen on the 31st. The wintering Chiffchaffs were seen daily during the first half of the month and they were joined by the first migrant on the 7th. Numbers quickly rose reaching six on the 12th, 11 on the 17th and an impressive 17 singing males by the 28th. Willow Tits continued to feed at the bird tables with up to four seen regularly with six noted on the 8th and single Coal Tits were present on six dates with two recorded on the 6th.

A Jay flew north on the 16th and further singles were present just to the south of Buck Bridge on the 27th and 30th. A Raven, which circled the area on the 3rd, was the first since 2005 and a flock of 1000 Starlings was present on the 23rd. 12 Goldfinches were counted on the 14th and a mixed flock of a dozen Lesser Redpolls and Siskins was seen on the 6th. The first Linnets of the year had returned by the 15th and Lesser Redpolls were seen on five more dates with a flock of 11 noted on the 11th and 30th. Bullfinches continued to be recorded albeit in lower numbers with a peak of five on the 17th and Reed Buntings continued to attend the feeding station on the mound where the highest count was 17 on the 8th.

The first Butterfly of the year was a Brimstone on the 13th with another seen on the 14th when two Small Tortoiseshells and a Red Admiral were seen. Other Brimstones were seen on the 24th and 27th but once again it was a poor month for mammals with nothing of note recorded.

Mark Beevers

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