The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

   Carr Vale Nature Reserve News

The daily visits were maintained throughout the month during which we recorded an average 89 species. Ten new species for the year were logged taking the year list to 101, the third year in a row that we have exceeded 100 species before the end of March and this year we broke 100 species mark on the 24th, which is earlier than ever before.101 species is also a new end of March record for the reserve. Highlight of the month was the fourth record of Nuthatch and other notable records included Whooper Swan (three records including a flock of 33), Shelduck, Peregrine (two sightings), Iceland Gull, Barn Owl (two records), Swallow, Stonechat (three records), Blackcap and Brambling. It was generally a mild month although there were several periods of windy weather and there was very heavy rain on the 16th, which resulted in a 5'6" flood-the highest of the winter although the waters quickly receded.

A pair of Great-crested Grebes was present daily being joined by a third bird on ten dates at the end of the month. Cormorants were seen daily with a peak count of nine on the 1st when Herons, which were also logged daily, also peaked at nine. Mute Swans were also logged daily with a maximum count of four on nine dates. An adult Whooper Swan was found on the 10th and remained until 0710 the following morning when it departed south-east. A flock of 33 Whooper Swans flew north-west over the Sutton Scarsdale Ridge on the 17th and they were followed half an hour later by a single bird and at the end of the month another adult spent 20 minutes on the reserve before it departed north-east. Grey Lag Geese were recorded on five dates with a peak count of six on the 30th with five on the 15th and 19th whilst Canada Geese numbers remained in double-figures all month with a high of 82 on the 22nd.

A female Shelduck was seen on the 9th. The Wigeon flock remained in three-figures until the 27th with a maximum count of 169 on the 5th but by the end of the month it had declined to 21. Gadwall were recorded in double-figures on all bar one date with a maximum count of 27 on the 11th and Teal peaked at 53 on the 17th. A male Shoveler was seen on the 10th and 12th whilst a pair was present on the 31st. A female Pochard was seen daily between the 2nd and 4th whilst Tufted Ducks peaked at 18 on the 6th and 17th. Two Goosanders flew north on the 15th.

Sparrowhawks were logged on 11 dates with three together on the 8th and Common Buzzards were seen more frequently than of late with records on 14 dates. As usual most were seen from the observation mound to the south of the area with a peak count of seven in the air at once on the 17th and 19th. One to three Kestrels were recorded on 23 dates and larger numbers included four on the 19th and five on the 18th. Single male Peregrines were seen on the 16th and 28th, a pair of Red-legged Partridges was seen on the 11th and a pair of Grey Partridges was recorded on the 18th with another the following day.

A Water Rail was recorded on the 5th and 9th and 41 Coot were counted on the 25th. Oystercatchers were seen daily with a pair on 22 dates, three on eight dates and four on the 24th. The first Little-ringed Plover was seen on the 21st, although two were just south of the recording area at Sutton Scarsdale Flash the day before, and single birds were then logged on four dates with two on the 31st. A Ringed Plover dropped in briefly on the 18th before departing north-west and Golden Plovers were recorded on 11 dates with a maximum count of 350 (flying south from Sutton Scarsdale towards Hardwick) on the 17th. The highest count of Lapwings was 106 on 17th and Snipe were logged on 26 dates but the only double-figure count was 12 on the 26th. Single Curlews were seen on five dates from the 4th and two were logged flying north on the 15th and 18th and Redshank numbers increased slowly during the month peaking at seven on the 15th and 21st.

The highest count of Black-headed Gulls was 123 on the 3rd and one or two Common Gulls were seen on five dates between the 4th and 22nd. An Iceland Gull flew north on the 17th and 23 Great Black-backed Gulls dropped in the 29th. Single Barn Owls were reported on the 10th and 31st at opposite ends of the recording area, Kingfishers were seen on eight dates, a Green Woodpecker was noted on three dates with two on the 31st and a Great-spotted Woodpecker was seen on the 14th.

16 Sand Martins that flew north on the 15th were the first of the year and other early ones were two on the 17th. Birds were then seen daily from the 27th and the first Swallow of the year was seen on the 29th. Meadow Pipit passage was fairly light with a total of 143 logged flying north over nine dates with a peak count of 55 on the 19th. Additionally there was a grounded flock of 60 on the 16th. A Grey Wagtail was seen on 13 dates and 40 Pied Wagtails were present on the 22nd and 28th. It was a good month for Stonechats with a male on the 9th and females on the 15th and 17th. Fieldfares were recorded on seven dates but the highest count was only 70 on the 27th whilst Redwings were recorded on nine dates with a high of 60 on the 8th. The first Blackcap of the year was typically a singing male on the 31st whilst the first Chiffchaff of the year was found on the 15th, these rising to nine singing males by the 29th (and 31st).

Willow Tits continued to be recorded at the feeding tables with up to five seen on many dates and one or two Coal Tits were seen on 12 dates. Bird of the month was a Nuthatch seen by one observer on the 24th, this being just the 4th record for Carr Vale. Single Jays were seen on four dates, a Brambling flew south-east on the 15th and three Siskins were seen on the 19th. Lesser Redpolls were only seen on three dates (all between the 13th and 16th) with a peak count of 22 on the 15th whilst Bullfinches continued to attend the feeding stations with up to six regularly present. Reed Buntings were also regular attendees at the feeding stations during the month and 30 left the mound bird table to roost in the Southern Marsh on the 27th.

Hares continued to be seen regularly from the observation mound in the large field below Sutton Scarsdale Hall and reached an exceptional 23 on the 29th. A Weasel was seen on the 13th and 29th and a Roe Deer was seen on the 24th, a typical spring record. The first Butterfly of the year was a Small Tortoiseshell on the 30th with three the following day when a Peacock was also seen.

Mark Beevers

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