The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

   Carr Vale Nature Reserve News

Daily visits continued but produced a low October total of 87 species. This was no doubt a reflection on the reduced coverage and once again I am grateful for the efforts of Ian Swain and Kevin, who kept the daily recording going whilst I was away. Kevin got his reward when he found a juvenile Gannet, a new species for Carr Vale taking species list to 203. Two other species were added to the year list, which rose to 141, these being Rock Pipit (three records) and Stonechat. Other notable species recorded during the month included Whooper Swan (two records), Pink-footed Goose, Peregrine, Water Rail, Curlew, Yellow Wagtail, Reed Warbler, Raven (four, a record count), Tree Sparrow and Brambling. The dry weather continued during the month ensuring that the flashes remained in good condition and the new hide in the South Marsh was completed, which now affords views of the inside of the Phragmites reeds, which is not viewable from the observation mound. Don't forget that there is now a facility for casual visitors to report their sightings. To do so visit the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust web site (www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk) and click on "latest sightings on reserves".

Little Grebes were recorded on 22 dates with three birds noted on the 27th and one or two Great-crested Grebes were seen daily. Cormorants were also present daily with double-figures noted on six dates with 15 on the 1st and 16 on the 19th and 25th. Bird of the month was a juvenile Gannet that was present very briefly on the 13th and which was seen by just two observers, one of whom managed to get a single record shot of it. This is the first record for Carr Vale and there have been about 44 records for the county of this maritime species. It is more than likely that this was the bird that was present earlier in the month at Howden Reservoir. Herons were recorded daily but again only in very low numbers with a maximum of six on the 17th. Mute Swans were also present daily and peaked at 12 on the 20th with double-figure counts on all bar two other dates. Two Whooper Swans were present on the 29th and a single bird was present the following day, although this may be a different bird as two were at Ogston on the 30th. It remained into November. 75 Pink-footed Geese flew east on the 5th, 70 flew west on the 20th and 275 flew south-east on the 30th whilst a single bird was amongst the Canada Geese on six dates. Three Grey Lag Geese were present on the 8th and 9th with two on the 6th and 7th and a single bird on six dates whilst large numbers of Canada Geese remained with 400 on the 1st and 339 on the 29th.

Wigeon were present in double-figures until the 21st when 104 were logged and then numbers rose further and peaked at 149 on the 27th. Gadwall were recorded in double-figures on 27 dates with a peak count of 42 on the 2nd and Teal counts peaked at 84 on the 27th. Mallard numbers declined during the month after a count of 150 on the 1st and generally hovered around the 100 mark at the end of the month. Shoveler were recorded daily during the month with a peak count of ten on the 27th and 28th whilst one or two Pochard were recorded on 13 dates whilst Tufted Ducks were recorded daily with a peak count of nine on the 27th.

Sparrowhawks were recorded on 19 dates (22 bird / days) and Common Buzzards were noted on ten dates (19 bird /days) with a peak count of five of the latter recorded on the 1st. Kestrels were recorded on 25 dates (35 bird / days) and an adult Peregrine was seen on the 1st and between the 6th and 8th..

Nine Red-legged Partridges were counted on the 5th and 20th (with five on the 1st) and Grey Partridges peaked at 12 on the 2nd. Water Rails were recorded on eight dates with three birds noted on the 24th whilst Coots peaked at 63 on the 21st. Golden Plovers were recorded on 14 dates with a high of 150 on the 30th. 151 Lapwings were counted on the 1st with 100 present the following day after which birds were only recorded in low numbers. Snipe were logged on 28 dates with a peak count of 12 on the 22nd and a Curlew seen on the 21st was an unusual record.

250 Black-headed Gulls were counted on the 24th and one or two Common Gulls were present on nine dates with a notable count of 22 on the 10th. 410 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were logged flying north on the 24th and three-figure counts were made on four other dates whilst Herring Gulls peaked at 12 on the 24th. The first Great Black-backed Gull of the autumn was a third winter bird which flew south on the 24th. Kingfishers were seen on 24 dates with two on the 2nd and 21st, a Green Woodpecker was recorded on 18 dates and single Great-spotted Woodpeckers were seen on seven dates.

Visible passage of Skylarks was recorded on five dates with notable movements on the 1st (29 west), 2nd (99 south-east and 18 south) and 21st (21 south-west). An impressive southerly movement of Swallows took place on the 1st when 1585 were logged in three hours whilst 43 south on the 2nd appear to be the last of the year.2nd. This is a very early last date and 11 House Martins south on the 1st also appear to be the last of the year, although in both cases this could be down to under recording. Meadow Pipit passage continued to be poor with just 24 birds logged flying south over the first three days of the month. A Rock Pipit flew south on the 2nd, another was in the area on the 14th (when it flew north) and 15th (when it flew south) and another flew south on the 21st. A late Yellow Wagtail was present on the 1st and 2nd and one or two Grey Wagtails were seen on ten dates.

A male Stonechat, present in front of the mound on the 7th and 8th, was a typical autumn record and the first Fieldfares of the autumn were three on the 8th. Birds were then recorded on most dates from the 11th with a peak count of 250 on the 22nd but so far this autumn there hasn't been a big arrival or movement. Redwings were also recorded on most dates during the month and they peaked at 100 on the 11th and 14th. A late Reed Warbler was seen on the 2nd and a late female Blackcap was present for two days from the 25th. The last Chiffchaff of the autumn was seen on the 4th, another early last date. 30 Long-tailed Tits were seen on the 5th whilst 27 were counted on the 13th and four Willow Tits were counted on the 26th. One to three Coal Tits were logged on nine dates and four were present on the 26th. Jays continued to be recorded with one to three on 14 dates plus five on the 21st. 230 Rooks were counted on the 2nd and a flock of four Ravens (a site record count) flew north-west on the 21st. Three Tree Sparrows were seen on the 1st with single birds noted on the 2nd and 20th and 16 House Sparrows were counted on the 27th. A Brambling flew south on the 24th and two (perhaps four) were by the reserve pond on the 27th. A flock of 38 Goldfinches on the 14th was the highest count of the month and 22 were present on the 20th. Siskins were recorded on 12 dates but the highest count was only 11 on the 2nd whilst ten flew south on the 15th. 48 Linnets flew south on the 1st and 40 Redpoll flew south over five dates including 22 on the 15th.

Late dragonflies included Common Darter and Migrant Hawker both of which were still on the wing on the 30th whilst a Comma was seen on the 21st and a late Red Admiral was seen on the 30th. The only mammal records concerned a Hare and Fox on the 21st.

Mark Beevers

Top of Page