The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Carsington Water News

Highlights: Great Northern Diver, Whooper Swan, Ring-billed Gull and Merlin.

Following last month's brief appearance by a Great Northern Diver, another was found late on 3rd and stayed for the rest of the month. When good views were finally obtained it was found to be a winter plumage adult, retaining some summer plumage pale markings on its back. Two Whooper Swans were noted on 15th and approximately 50 Pink-footed Geese were flying low on 21st at 1015hrs, rather undecidedly northeast in thick mist. Counts included; 104 little Grebe on 19th, 63 Great Crested Grebe on 19th, 30 Cormorant on 9th, 4 Heron on 28th, 13 Greylag Geese on 13th, 1 escape Cackling Goose with 41 feral Barnacle Geese on 3rd, 450 Wigeon on 9th, 132 Teal on 9th, 202 Mallard on 9th, 1 drake Pintail on 13th, 2 Shoveler on 13th, 217 Pochard on 9th, 783 Tufted Duck on 9th, 16 Goldeneye on 10th, 13 Goosander on 30th, 53 Moorhen on 9th and 1770 Coot on 9th.

Peregrine Falcon has been seen again many times this month, usually sweeping along the water's edge, and 2 were seen from the Wildlife Centre on 18th. A female Merlin was noted in Shiningford Creek on 17th.

Wader sightings included; a Ringed Plover from the Wildlife Centre on 3rd, a Dunlin at Sheepwash on 10th, a Woodcock in Middle Wood on 4th, a Black-tailed Godwit at Sheepwash on 31st and a Curlew chased by a Peregrine near the Wildlife Centre on 16th. Counts of Lapwing reached 343 on 9th, with 334 on 5th and 318 on 21st, and 14 Snipe were seen from Paul Stanley Hide, flushed up off Sheepwash Spit by the farmer rounding-up his sheep on 30th.

The adult Ring-billed Gull was present on 1st and was last seen flying west from Flat Island at 1315hrs on 6th. An adult Mediterranean Gull has been reported on many dates coming to roost, and 2 were seen from Sheepwash on 3rd. The roost also held 2 Yellow-legged Gulls on 9th and a Caspian Gull on 1st and 9th.

Two Little Owls were visible from the Wildlife Centre on 10th and a pair of Tawny Owls was seen on 9th. Kingfisher has been recorded all around the site on many dates and 2 were noted on 9th and 15th. A single Skylark flew over Sheepwash calling on 13th. A Meadow Pipit flock in Tail Bay numbered 19 on 10th and 24 on 19th. These 24 were joined by 3 Reed Bunting, feeding near the footpath on the open ground at the base of the dam slope. 37 Blackbirds were noted on 10th, 1 Fieldfare on 9th, 11 Redwing on 2nd and 2 Mistle Thrush on 18th. Tree Sparrows are regularly seen on the feeding stations at Lane End, Sheepwash Car Park, Paul Stanley Hide, Ranger Base and Wildlife Centre, where 22 were counted on 10th. 26 Chaffinch plus 8 Goldfinch were also around the Wildlife Centre feeders on 3rd. Many small flocks of Siskin have been reported from many locations, the largest being 50 at Sheepwash on 4th plus 20 in Middle Wood on the same day.

90 species recorded compared with 99 in 2006, 88 in 2005, 95 in 2004, 97 in 2003 and 89 in 2002.

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