The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Carsington Water News

November Highlights: Ring-billed Gull returns and we get short visits from: Great Northern Diver, Leach's Petrel, Whooper Swan, Common Scoter, Glaucous Gull and Kittiwake.

An adult winter plumage Great Northern Diver was at Sheepwash from 1315hrs to dusk on 10th to the delight of many gull watchers arriving for the roost. A probable Leach's Petrel was seen from Stones Island and Sheepwash by three observers during the morning of 9th and was one of a number seen inland around this date. 15 Whooper Swans were on site on 9th, 4 Shelduck on 13th and a drake Common Scoter 19th to 21st.

Counts included: 107 Little Grebe on 23rd [new site record], 53 Great Crested Grebe on 23rd, 57 Cormorant on 9th, 41 Barnacle Geese [feral] on 25th, 515 Wigeon on 11th, 25 Gadwall on 11th, 177 Teal on 16th, 234 Mallard on 11th, 1 Pintail from 5th, 4 Shoveler on 15th, 1 Red-crested Pochard on 11th and most of the month, 115 Pochard on 11th, 338 Tufted Duck on 11th, 12 Goldeneye on 25th, 1 Goosander on 3rd, 5th and 28th, 71 Moorhen on 11th and 1731 Coot on 11th.

Peregrines have been visiting regularly again this month, with 2 from Wildlife Centre on 24th and 2 over Hall Wood on 6th. They have also been seen taking/carrying prey including a Moorhen on 11th, a Teal on 20th and a Coot on 22nd. They are using the pylons on the left looking out from the Wildlife Centre, as an observation perch and to devour their prey.

Waders included 2 Oystercatchers on 25th, a Ringed Plover flying with Lapwings on 5th, 5 Dunlin on 21st, 8 Snipe at the Wildlife Centre on 4th, 1 Curlew on 14th, 4 Redshank on 6th and a Phalarope Species on 10th. This phalarope was seen distantly to the right of Sheepwash feeding on the waters edge and spinning on the water among the wildfowl before moving out of sight towards Lane End. Subsequent extensive searching failed to relocate the bird.

It is hardly surprising that Gulls attracted many birders this month, with an adult Mediterranean Gull from 9th to 30th and 2 on 29th, an adult Ring-billed Gull 9th to 13th and from 17th most evenings to 30th, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls on 3rd, 1 adult Caspian Gull on 3rd, 12th and 21st, a first winter Glaucous Gull on 12th and an adult Kittiwake on 8th. The Ring-billed Gull is most likely to be the previous years' returning bird and, let us hope, could return on 10th Nov in years to come.

Other notable species included a Barn Owl late on 27th near Hopton Pond, 2 Little Owls from the Wildlife Centre on 2nd, a Kingfisher on 5th and many other dates, a Skylark on 15th, a male Blackcap on Stones Island on 27th, 1 Brambling at the Wildlife Centre on 17th and 19th and a Crossbill flew over Millfields on 5th. Counts included 44 Wood Pigeon on 5th, 17 Meadow Pipits on the dam on 5th, 200 Fieldfare at Millfields on 28th, 60 Redwing at Sheepwash on 1st, 20 Magpie on 7th, 1000 Starlings over Stones Island at dusk on 14th, 5 Tree Sparrows on Paul Stanley feeders on 4th, 40 Siskin on 5th and 15 Lesser Redpoll on Stones Island on 14th.

96 species recorded compared with 97 in November 2006, 97 in 2005, 95 in 2004 and 92 in 2003.

It should be noted that over the period 8th to 10th several site rare species were recorded, this reflected sightings at other inland waters and was promoted by the weather conditions.

Top of Page