April 09 Bird News

These reports are unchecked. Please note that for obvious reasons we do not publish sightings of rare breeders such as Little Ringed Plover during the breeding season (unless obvious migrants)

For more reports please see Rod Key's Page

30 April 2009
  • Pleasley Colliery (SK4964) Wood Sandpiper
  • American Adventure (SK4444) Cuckoo, 24 Swallow, 9 House Martin, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 Common Tern
29 April 2009
  • Derby Cathedral (SK3436) First Peregrine chick hatched at 19:30
  • Raynesway, Derby (SK3834) Hobby seen by one lucky office worker through his window
28 April 2009
  • Pride Park (SK3635) Lesser Whitethroa
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Whiskered Tern (departed SE at 20:35), Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Swift, Common Sandpiper, Snipe, Egyptian Goose, Grasshopper Warbler
27 April 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Hobby, Grasshopper Warbler, Whimbrel, 8 Goosander, 8 Common Tern, Whitethroat
  • Staunton Harold Reservoir (SK3722) Red Kite flying west at 13:50
26 April 2009
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Hobby, Goosander, Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat
  • Long Eaton GP (SK5033) Avocet, Red-crested Pochard, Whooper Swan, Grasshopper Warbler
  • Cressbrook Dale (SK1774) Redstart, 4 Wheatear
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 21 Cormorant, 2 Shelduck, 2 teal, Wigeon, Cuckoo, 2 Swift
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) Bar-tailed Godwit
25 April 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Still 6+ Whiskered Terns pm remaining, Ring Ouzel, Whinchat, Grasshopper Warbler, 10+ Swift, 3+ Common Terns, Lesser Whitethroat
24 April 2009
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3967) Jack Snipe, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler
  • Pride Park (SK3635) Lesser Whitethroat, Linnet
  • Foremark Res. (SK3324) Grasshopper Warbler
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 11 Whiskered Terns pm (see Rod Key's page for full details), 3 Whimbrel, 3 Common Terns, Hobby
  • Cromfrod Canal, Ambergate (SK2827) 2 Common Crane flying west at 13:15
23 April 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Red Kite moving south mobbed by gulls
  • Bakewell (SK2168) Hobby
  • Foremark Res. (SK3324) Cuckoo
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 3 Gadwall, 2 Goosander, Pochard, 4 Buzzard, Kestrel, Common Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Tern, 4 Wheatear, 5 Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, 14 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, Treecreeper, Jay
22 April 2009
  • Cotmanhay (SK4543) 30 Golden Plover, Willow Warbler
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Marsh Harrier pm, Grasshopper Warbler, Kingfisher, 2 Teal
  • Raynesway, Derby (SK3834) 2 Singing Cetti's Warblers still present
21 April 2009
  • Wirksworth (SK2754) Redstart
  • Ramsley Moor (SK2875) Cuckoo, 4 Curlew, Tree Pipit, 2 Swallow
  • Pride Park Sanctuary (SK3735) Grey Wagtail
20 April 2009
  • Findern (SK3030) Osprey
  • Foremark Res. (SK3324) Whimbrel
  • Stoney Wood (SK2854) Redstart
  • Lathkill Dale (SK1966) Grasshopper Warbler, 12 Redstart
19 April 2009
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3967) 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 4 House Martin
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Goosander, 2 Oystercatcher, 8 Wheatear (including at least six Greenland birds), 3 Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 11 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff
  • Middleton-by-Wirksworth (SK2754) Redstart
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Little Gull, Arctic Tern, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Shoveler, Gadwall, Sand Martin
18 April 2009
  • Duffield (SK3442) Red Kite
  • Windmill Wood (SK3424) Gresshopper Warbler
  • Etwall Farm (SK2729) 41 Stock Dove
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Black-necked Grebe (not present on 19th)
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3967) 2 Lesser Whitethroat
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 2 Great Northern Diver still present, 5 Little Gull, Wheatear, House martin, Willow Tit
  • Raynesway, Derby (SK3834) Possibly now 2 Cetti's Warbler singing, Grasshopper Warbler
  • Mackworth Park (SK3235) Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, 2 Bullfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Goldcrest
16 April 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Sanderling, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Lesser Whitethroat
16 April 2009
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 7 Arctic Tern
  • Raynesway, Derby (SK3834) Singing Cetti's Warbler still present north bank of R Derwent 12:45 to 13:15 at least
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 8 Little Gull briefly, Whimbrel, 6 Common Tern, 3 Barnacle Geese, 4 Arctic Tern, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 4 White Wagtail
15 April 2009
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 5 Arctic Tern
  • Willington Railway Pond (SK2827) Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, 2 Mute Swan
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Kittiwake briefly, Black-necked Grebe still present, 16 Arctic Tern am and 24 evening
14 April 2009
  • Raynesway, Derby (SK3834) Singing Cetti's Warbler, full details on Rod Key's page. Be carefull parking and walking in this area, Raynesway is a very busy road.
  • Middleton (SK2855) Red Kite
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Black-necked Grebe still present on the Canal Pit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 13 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall
13 April 2009
  • Foolow (SK2855) Red Kite north
  • Padley Gorge (SK2579) First Pied Flycatcher reported
  • Locko Park (SK4038) 5 Buzzard, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Great Crested Grebe, Blackcap, Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpecker, Swallow
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 6 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, Swallow, Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Jay
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) 62 Teal, Green Sandpiper, Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat
12 April 2009
  • Cotmanhay (SK4743) Reed Warbler
  • Calke Park (SK3622) Bar-headed Goose
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Shelduck, Water Rail, Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, 8 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wheatear, 6 Blackcap, 7 Willow Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, 11 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Raven
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 12 Shelduck, 23 Tufted Duck, Red-legged Partridge, 2 Swallow, Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, Blackcap
  • Long Eaton GP (SK5032) 4 Swallow, 20 Sand Martin, Whitethroat, Egyptian Goose
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) Note: do not enter this site, view only from the A50 entrance. 2 Avocet, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Grasshopper Warbler
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Black-necked Grebe still present
  • Etwall Farm (SK2729) 67 Golden Plover, Wheatear, 2 Buzzard, 60+ Stock Dove, Reed Bunting
11 April 2009
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) Rock Pipit
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Whitwethroat (earliest ever record at this site)
  • Long Eaton GP (SK5032) 12 Great Crested Grebe, 32 Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Green Sandpiper, Swift, Swallow, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Yellowhammer, Egyptian Goose
  • Nut Wood (SK3538) Sedge Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Song Thrush
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Black-necked Grebe
10 April 2009
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) 42 Teal, 5 Green Sandpiper, 13 Snipe, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 22 Pied Wagtail, Water Rail
  • American Adventure (SK4444) 3 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 20 Sand Martin, 2 House Martin
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3966) Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, 4 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff
  • Eggington-Etwall old Railway line (SK2630) 2 Willow Tit, 2 House Martin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler
  • Sheldon (SK1768) Mealy Redpoll
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Red-breasted Merganser, 31 Great Crested Grebe, 13 Cormorant, Swallow, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pochard
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 3 Avocet briefly, 4 Bullfinch, 2 Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 2 Swallow, Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, Yellow Wagtail, Tree Pipit, Little Egret, Sedge Warbler, Osprey, Black-necked Grebe
  • Barbrook area (SK2220) Marsh Harrier north, 2 Tree Pipit, Redstart
9 April 2009
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) Coot, House Martin, Swallow
  • Littleover (SK3233) Willow Warbler
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 5 Shelduck, 7 Goosander, 3 Oystercatcher, Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatear
8 April 2009
  • Beeley Moor (SK2967) Osprey mobbed by Peregrine
  • Dove Valley Lake (SK2031) 2 Teal, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Lapwing 2 Mute Swan
  • Kedleston Park (SK3140) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 30 Greylag Goose, 40 Tufted Duck, 3 Swallow, Sparrowhawk, 2 Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Great Crested Grebe
7 April 2009
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) Little Egret
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 30 Fieldfar, Curlew, Black-necked Grebe
  • Shardlow (SK4131) Grey Partridge, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellowhammer, 2 Skylark
6 April 2009
  • Cromford (SK3056) Dipper
  • Derby (SK2333) 25 Waxwing Blagreave's Lane/Sunnyhill Avenue area at 14:40, could not be relocated at 15:30
  • Barlborough (SK4776) 8 Waxwing on Midland Way at 10:15
5 April 2009
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 12 Cormorant, 6 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, Common Sandpiper, 4 Sand Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellowhammer, 4 Linnet
  • Ambaston GP (SK4232) 4 Little Grebe, 2 Green Woodpecker, Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 2 Goldeneye, 8 Buzzard, Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Redwing, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 8 Lesser Redpoll
  • Froggatt (SK2476) Red-breasted Merganser
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Yellow Wagtail (Canal Scrape), Blackcap, 4 Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Willow Warbler, White Wagtail, 2 Red-legged Partridge
  • Hilton GP (SK2531) 6 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Goldcrest
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Red-breasted Merganser, Willow Warbler, Peregrine
4 April 2009
  • Ogston Reservoir (SK3966) 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, Grey Plover, 3 Chiffchaff
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3966) Swallow, 4 Gadwall
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Wheatear
  • Brinsley Flash (SK4450) 10 Swallow, 20 Sand Martin
  • American Adventure (SK4444) 2 House Martin, 20 Sand Martin, 25 Swallow, Snipe, 3 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 2 Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker
3 April 2009
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3966) 3 Sand Martin
  • Willington GP (SK2827) White Wagtail (Canal Scrape)
  • Cromford (SK3056) Dipper, 2 Goosander
  • Bakewell (SK2168) Swallow, 3 Sand Martin
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) 147 Teal, 29 Goldeneye
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Red-necked Grebe still present, Red-breasted Merganser
  • Markeaton Park (SK3337) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, 2 Great Crested Grebe
2 April 2009
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3966) 2 Sand Martin
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) Peregrine, 4 Green Sandpiper
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Cape Shelduck briefly
  • Shipley Park/American Adventure (SK4444) Tawny Owl, 22 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin
1 April 2009
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 3 Great Northern Diver still present, 4 Buzzard, 2 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 7 Snipe, House Martin, Jay
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Red-necked Grebe still present (see advice on the home page re this site)
  • Etwall (SK2630) 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, Green Woodpecker
  • Vicar Wood (SK3139) 2 Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker
31 March 2009
  • Belper (SK3547) Willow Warbler
  • Wheeldon Mill (SK3973) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) Green Sandpiper, Goosander, 11 Linnet, 6 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, Peregrine, Curlew
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 3 Buzzard, Woodcock, 30 Sand Martin, Swallow, Blackcap, Jay, 6 Siskin, 8 Lesser Redpoll
  • Derby Cathedral (SK3436) Peregrine fourth egg laid am. Congratulations to the team for another full clutch.
  • Cromford (SK2956) Osprey flew over village 17:18 and lost to sight 17:32 drifting NE
  • Calke Park (SK3622) 2 Fieldfare, Little Owl
  • Great Hucklow (SK1677) Red Kite
  • Cressbrook Dale (SK1773) 3 Wheatear

Top of Page

Previous months
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
All of 2008
All of 2007
March 2009 highlights

March was a remarkable month, if only for the sheer number and range of species recorded. Several popular wintering species remained such as the Great Northern Divers at Carsington, the Red-necked Grebe at Foremark Res, the several flocks of obliging Waxwings and virtually a full suite of gulls were recorded. New surprises came in the form of Red-throated Diver, a small group of (Tundra) Bean Goose and several less usual passerines including a “one-off” Arctic Redpoll record.

This was all supplemented by the return of our breeding waders, the first hirundines of the year, the expected Wheatears and Ring Ouzels and several Osprey for those lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.

To show that some species are doing well, we received our highest ever monthly counts of both Red Kite and Common Buzzard and it surely cannot be long before we see a breeding pair of the former. Allestree Park provided the best stake out for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker while those directed to the Rowsley/Beeley area were treated to some excellent Goshawk displays, without any fear of disturbing the birds. All-in-all, a very satisfying period.

Bryan Barnacle