 Carr Vale Nature Reserve News
November 2007
Daily visits continued and produced a record November total of 87 species and again I am grateful for the efforts of Ian Swain and Kevin, who kept the recording going from the 23rd. A belated record of a Turtle Dove plus four new species during the month took the year list to a record equalling 146. The birds new for the year were Mandarin Duck, Knot, Jack Snipe and Woodcock and other notable species recorded during the month included Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Pintail, Goldeneye, Red Kite (6th record), Peregrine, Black-tailed Godwit (7th record this year), Redshank, Kittiwake, Rock Pipit, Tree Sparrow and Brambling. The dry weather continued for most of the month ensuring that the flashes remained in good condition. Just a reminder there is a facility for casual visitors to report their sightings at Carr Vale via the internet. To enter records visit the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust web site (www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk) and click on "latest sightings on reserves".
A Great-crested Grebe was present on 23 dates until the 28th with two present on the 26th. Cormorants were seen daily in single figures with a maximum of nine on the 11th and 20th and Herons peaked at six on the 21st and 28th. The Whooper Swan from the end October was present between 1st and 6th, 950 Pink-footed Geese flew east on the 1st, a Grey Lag Goose was seen on five dates between the 1st and 9th and 450 Pink-footed Geese flew east on the 4th. The highest count of Canada Geese was 320 on the 6th whilst Mute Swans were present daily and peaked at 13 on the 9th. A female Mandarin Duck was found on the 18th and was still present on the 19th, this is only the 4th Carr Vale record. Wigeon peaked at 202 on the 19th, the peak count of Gadwall was 64 on the 28th, Teal peaked at 106 on the 17th and there was a maximum count of 122 Mallard on the 18th. Two female Pintail were seen on the 20th and there was a peak count of 13 Shoveler on the 6th. Pochard and Tufted Ducks were recorded in small numbers peaking at six and 15 respectively. A female Goldeneye was seen on the 1st and two females were seen on the 12th and Goosander records included two females on the 11th with one on the 14th and 17th with one on the 28th and 29th.
A Red Kite was watched from the observation mound as it flew south-west on the 9th, Sparrowhawks were logged on 16 dates and a Buzzard was seen on the 1st. Kestrels were recorded on 19 dates and a Peregrine was seen on the 5th, 16th and 17th. Eight Grey Partridges were seen on the 26th and 28th, Water Rails were recorded on 12 dates until the 22nd with two birds noted five dates. However it is thought that four are probably around the reserve during the month. A count of 16 Moorhens was made on the 5th and Coots peaked at 74 on the 4th. Golden Plovers peaked at 150 on the 1st and 80 Lapwings were counted on the 2nd. Single Dunlin were seen on the 14th and 19th and a Knot was present for 15 minutes on 20th before it flew off south. (This is the 4th record for Carr Vale). Another Knot flew north on the 22nd and a Jack Snipe on the 18th was the first since 2004. The highest count of Snipe was eight on the 4th and a Woodcock was reported on 15th and 20th. Three Black-tailed Godwits were seen on the 19th and the same day four Redshank flew north.
Black-headed Gulls peaked at 190 on the 27th and one or two Common Gulls were seen on ten dates between 3rd and 25th. 58 Herring Gulls were seen on the 24th and 32 Great Black-backed Gulls were also seen on the 24th whilst a first winter Kittiwake flew north on the 4th. 235 Wood Pigeons flew south-west on the 2nd and 250 were counted on the 21st. A Kingfisher was seen on 13 dates, a Green Woodpecker was recorded on 11 dates and a Great-spotted Woodpecker was recorded on the 2nd. A Rock Pipit arrived from the north, circled the flashes calling then flew back north on the 1st and 40 Pied Wagtails were logged on the 17th.
Fieldfares peaked at 150 on the 1st but all the Redwings seemed to have gone through and very few were noted during the month with a peak count of 30 on the 17th. The highest count of Long-tailed Tits was 16 on the 15th, Willow Tits were regular at the feeding stations with a peak of six plus on the 17th and one to three Coal Tits were logged on 17 dates. Four Tree Sparrows were reported on the 18th, a Brambling flew south on the 17th, 12 Goldfinches were seen on the 8th, small numbers of Siskin were seen with eight south on the 9th being the highest count, Lesser Redpolls peaked at 14 on 20th and six Bullfinches were seen on the 28th.
A few late dragonflies were still on the wing with the last four Migrant Hawkers seen on the 3rd and the last two Common Darters being reported on the 14th.
Mark Beevers
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