The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

   Carr Vale Nature Reserve News

Daily visits continued and we were well rewarded for our efforts with not one but two new species for Carr Vale. The year-list moved on to 125, the second highest end of May figure and 93 species were recorded during the month, the highest May total since 2003 and the third highest May total ever. The first species to be added to the Carr Vale list was a Ring-necked Duck at the beginning of the month, the 10th county record, albeit that it had been in the south of the county before pitching up at Carr Vale. Then the month finished with a bang when Golden Oriole was added to the list, the 21st county record but the first since 2004. In between a number of other notable species were recorded including Shelduck, Goosander, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier (5th record), Hobby, Peregrine, Tundrae race of Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Wood Sandpiper, Kittiwake and White Wagtail. The first three weeks were very dry but the start of the fourth week saw inclement weather with quite a lot of rain although the water level in Meadow Flash remained around 21 inches.

Two Great-crested Grebes were present daily throughout the month but still they showed no inclination towards breeding. A third bird was present on the 29th. Single Cormorants were logged on the 4th (NE), 16th, 17th and 25th (W) with two seen on the 15th. Herons were recorded on all bar one date but the maximum count was only three on four dates. Mute Swans were recorded daily with a peak count of eight daily between the 16th and 21st. Three Grey Lag Geese were seen on the 2nd with single birds on the 4th and 8th and two on the 17th whilst Canada Geese were present daily with a high of 60 logged on the 19th. At least eight pairs nested and by the end of the month one nest had been predated by a Fox, one bird was still sitting and there were six broods with 23 out of 26 goslings hatched growing rapidly. This is the best ever breeding season for this species.

A Shelduck was seen on the 4th with two present on the 11th and 15th. Gadwall were logged on 30 dates but the highest count was only ten on the 2nd and a female Teal was recorded daily until the 3rd. Six Mallard broods were located during the month but the peak count of adults was only 24 on the 17th. A pair of Shoveler was discovered on the 4th after which there were daily records until the end of the month with an additional male present between the 14th and 18th. A contender for bird of the year appeared on the 6th when an adult male Ring-necked Duck was found. This bird had been seen the day before in Rother Valley C P and prior to that had been in the south of the county. A very welcome addition to the Carr Vale list it was seen daily until the 8th and then again on the 14th. It's not known where it was in between those dates apart from on the 9th when it was seen at Pools Brook CP. Tufted Ducks were logged daily with a peak count of 25 on the 7th and 8th and two male Goosanders flew north on the1st.

A female Marsh Harrier drifted west at 1410 on the 12th and the following morning a female flew off north from the reserve at 0645. It is likely that these records refer to the same bird. More impressive was a male Hen Harrier that flew north at 0945 on the 21st as this is only the 5th record for Carr Vale and the first since 2000. Sparrowhawks were recorded on ten dates (11 bird / days) and single Common Buzzards were recorded on seven dates but all were south of the area. Kestrels were logged on 21 dates (a total of 25 bird / days) and single Hobbies were seen on the 9th, 10th, 14th, 16th, 22nd and 30th, all bar one of which were over the reserve. A male Peregrine flew over the reserve on the 18th. Two pairs of Grey Partridges were seen on the 20th and eight pairs of Coots had either nests or young by the end of the month.

The pair of Oystercatchers was present throughout the month and they were joined by additional birds on the 2nd, 10th and 15th with four birds present on the 6th and 26th. Little-ringed Plovers were recorded daily with a peak of five noted on four dates and one or two Ringed Plovers were seen on eight dates with three seen on the 11th, one of which was of the arctic tundrae race. A Dunlin was present on the 13th it being joined by five more the following day although these departed north with two Ringed Plovers mid-morning and another one was seen on the 20th. Three Snipe were logged the 1st with two on the 2nd and 3rd with the last of the winter being seen on the 12th. A Whimbrel was down by the Middle Flash on the 12th and Redshanks were recorded on 30 dates with a peak count of four on the 24th. A very smart Wood Sandpiper was present for about 20 minutes on the 23rd and single Common Sandpipers were seen on the 6th and 24th.

Two first summer Common Gulls flew north on the 3rd and nine Great Black-backed Gulls were present on both the 13th and 16th. However the best gull record came in the form of an adult Kittiwake that flew south in pouring rain at 1055 on the 27th. Just 45 minutes later it appeared at Ogston but the following morning it returned to Carr Vale at 0620 where it remained until late afternoon. Common Terns were seen daily and peaked at six on the 26th and 27th.

A Cuckoo was seen on the 3rd and 4th, Kingfishers remained scarce with single birds on six dates, a Green Woodpecker was recorded on 11 dates and a single Great-spotted Woodpecker was also logged on 11 dates. Sand Martins were very thin on the ground with less than ten noted on 17 dates apart from 75 on the 29th, which is an unusual date for such a large number. Swallows were also in short supply with a peak count of 50 on the 13th and 14th and House Martins reached 65 on the 27th. Up to three Yellow Wagtails were logged on 25 dates but the highest count was seven flying north on the 9th whilst a White Wagtail was seen on the 1st. Eight singing Sedge Warblers, 17 singing Reed Warblers and three singing Garden Warblers were located during survey work on the 9th with three Garden Warblers present on the 13th whilst three Lesser Whitethroats were seen on the 3rd.

18 Long-tailed Tits were counted on the 20th with three separate broods being found the following day whilst the only Coal Tit of the month was seen on the 5th. The month ended on a high when a female / first summer male Golden Oriole flew into tall Willows to the west of the Reserve Pond. Unfortunately despite a few of us searching it could not be located after the initial sighting.

Four Hares were seen the 1st with one or two on a further 22 dates, a Fox was seen on the 22nd, 28th and 31st and single Stoats were reported on the 8th and 25th. A Grass Snake was seen on the 3rd and the Red-eared Terrapin was seen on the 1st, 6th, 9th, 22nd and 23rd. As usual the first Damselflies were Large Red Damsels and two were seen on the 9th after which a Four-spotted Chaser was seen on the 21st and 22nd with the first Blue-tailed Damsel on the following day. No Butterflies of note were seen.

Mark Beevers

Top of Page