February 2009 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 Please note that for obvious reasons we do not publish sightings of rare breeders such as Little Ringed Plover during the breeding season (unless obvious migrants)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

28 February 2009
  • Ripley 50 Waxwing
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Green Woodpecker, 4 Herring Gull, Common Gull, 2 Oystercatcher, 60 Curlew
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Iceland Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gull, Red-necked Grebe
  • Ambaston GP (SK4232) 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Green Woodpecker, Buzzard
  • Allestree Park (SK3440) 10 Mandarin, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtail, 20 Siskin
27 February 2009
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Iceland Gull
  • Kedleston Park (SK3140) 2 Reeves Pheasant
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Peregrine, Oystercatcher, adult Yellow-Legged Gull, 2 Raven
26 February 2009
  • Froggatt (SK2475) 2 Goosander, 4 Red-breasted Merganser
25 February 2009
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Iceland Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Caspian Gull
  • Betty's Pond (SK3622) Common (Mealy) Redpoll with 6 Lesser Redpolls, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 4 Great Northern Diver still present, Common Scoter, 21 Snipe, Pintail, Raven, 3 Buzzard
  • Kedleston Park Golf Club (SK3140) Red Kite over pm
  • Derwentdale (SK1695) 2 Crossbill
24 February 2009
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Iceland Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Gull
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Green Sandpiper, 3 Golden Plover, 19 Goosander, 2 Buzzard, Pintail
  • Betty's Pond (SK3622) 13 Mandarin
  • Pride Park Derby (SK3735) Escaped Harris's Hawk hunting by river, 4 Goosander on river nearby
  • Nr. Falgate (SK3562) Little Egret on river viewable from B6036
  • Wyver Lane (SK3449) 16 Stock Dove, 2 Water Rail, 5 Snipe, 4 Shoveler, 40 Wigeon
23 February 2009
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) A full summer adult Mediterranean Gull
  • Matlock (SK2960) Tawny Owl hooting in observer's garden
22 February 2009
  • Nadin's Pool (SK2719) 2 Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl
  • Sutton-on-the-Hill (SK2333) Little Egret
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 9 Little Grebe, 2 Shelduck, 34 Shoveler, 34 Wigeon, 12 Goldeneye, 7 Goosander, Kingfisher, Willow Tit, Goldcrest, 4 Siskin
  • Tibshelf (SK4360) 50 Waxwing around Staffa Drive
  • Calke Park (SK3622) Merlin attacking finch flock
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gull
21 February 2009
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Bittern still around but no sign of the Garganey since 16 February
  • Barrow-on-Trent (SK3428) 23 Mute Swan
  • Poplars Farm, Barrow (SK3528) 42 Mute Swan
  • Linacre Reservoir (SK3272) Red-breasted Merganser
  • Darley Dale (SK2762) A male Common (Mealy) Redpoll with Lesser Redpolls in observer's garden
  • Sapperton Manor (SK1834) 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Red-legged Partridge, 60 Greylag Goose, 30 Chaffinch, 2 Siskin
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Ringed Plover, 25 Curlew, 28 Goosander, 2 Oystercatcher, Redshank
  • Shardlow (SK4131) 2 Buzzard, Skylark, 3 Yellowhammer
20 February 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 5 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 34 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 12 Pochard, 24 Goosander, Oystercatcher, 700 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 15 Curlew, Caspian Gull, Skylark, 2 Song Thrush, Yellowhammer, 6 Bullfinch
  • Calke Park (SK3622) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
19 February 2009
  • Betty's Pond (SK3622) 7 Mandarin
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 500 Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, Oystercatcher
  • Poplars Farm, Barrow (SK3528) 132 Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose
  • Chaddesden Park (SK3836) 2 Grey Wagtail, Sparrowhawk
18 February 2009
  • Swarkestone (SK3627) Pink-footed Goose
  • Pebley Pond (SK4879) 26 Corn Bunting (a real rarity in the County these days)
  • Riddings (SK4352) 100 Pink-footed Goose WNW
17 February 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 4 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher, Pink-footed Goose
  • Beeley Triangle (SK2967) 2 Short-eared Owl from 14:15 onwards, 2 Peregrine
  • Shardlow (SK4131) 60 Golden Plover
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) 80 Pink-footed Goose NW
  • Cromford Church (SK2957) 8 Hawfinch
16 February 2009
  • Beeley Triangle (SK2967) Hen Harrier
  • Draycott (SK4432) Whooper Swan
  • Coal Aston/Dronfield (SK4067) Red Kite, possibly 2
  • Willington PS (SK3128) Peregrine on cooling towers
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 21 Greylag Goose, 70 Wigeon, 7 Shelduck, 2 Goosander, 3 Pintail, 500 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk
  • Darley Dale (SK2860) 80 Waxwing in roadside trees next to A6 at 8.30am. Flew towards Matlock town centre when disturbed
15 February 2009
  • Grassmoor (SK4067) 7 Waxwing in obs garden briefly
  • Beeley Moor (SK2967)15 Golden Plover
  • Sitches Plantation (SK2966) Barn Owl
  • Duffield Meadows (SK3343) Little Egret
  • Allestree Park (SK3540) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) 50 Waxwing Erewash Canal
  • Allestree/Quarndon (SK3340) Red Kite at 10:00, probably the same bird seen over Belper later
14 February 2009
  • Kirk Langley (SK2937) 27 Brambing in observer's garden
  • Willington PS (SK3128) Peregrine on cooling towers
  • Milton (SK3227) 170 Fieldfare, 7 Yellowhammer, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Bullfinch, Lesser Redpoll, Song Thrush, Tree Sparrow, 2 Skylark, 7 Lapwing, 3 Red-legged Partridge
  • Sutton Brook Lakes (SK2332) Great White Egret still present at 10:40
  • Beeley Moor (SK3066) Barn Owl, 2 Raven
13 February 2009
  • Whire Moor (SK3648) Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 2 Goldfinch, Blackcap, 15 Waxwing
  • Allestree (SK3438) 11 Waxwing in the trees by 33 Ferrers Way at 16:15
  • Foremark Res. (SK3375) 2nd winter Iceland Gull in the roost
  • Willington (SK2220) 16 Waxwing corner of Repton Road and Beech Avenue
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Garganey still present, Water Rail
  • Glossop (SK0492) 2 Stonechat
  • Shardlow (SK4131) 4 Grey Partridge, 200 Wood Pigeon
12 February 2009
  • Black Rocks (SK2154) Raven
  • Bradleylane Farm (SK3375) Barn Owl hunting in fields opposite
  • Locko Park (SK4038) 3 Jay, 1 Lapwing, Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 20 Greenfinch, 6 Long Tailed Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
  • Littleover (SK3233) Green Woodpecker, 20 Magpie
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) 32 Collared Dove, Little Owl
  • Cromford Church (SK2957) 8 Hawfinch
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Garganey still present, Teal, 14 Gadwall, 20 Shoveler, 15 Pochard, Peregrine mobbing a Buzzard, Water Rail at the feeding station, 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Great Spotted Woodpecker
11 February 2009
  • East Moor (SK3071) Short-eared Owl
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 4 Great Northern Diver, Scaup
  • Sutton Brook Lakes (SK2331) Great White Egret still present
  • Hatton (SK2230) 22 Mute Swan
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Garganey still present on the main pool, Bittern
  • Dove Valley Lake (SK2031) 115 Wigeon, 200 Lapwing, 20 Teal, 32 Greylag Goose, 63 Canada Goose, 4 Pochard, 2 Little Grebe, Kestrel, 10 Tufted Duck
10 February 2009
  • Swarkestone Lake (SK4232) White Fronted Goose still present with Canadas
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) Water Rail, Little Owl, Reed Bunting, 27 Magpie
9 February 2009
  • Kedleston Park (SK3140) Oystercatcher
8 February 2009
  • Beeley Moor Triangle (SK3066) Short-eared Owl
  • Bakewell (SK2168) Mandarin
  • Chesterfield (SK3672) 30 Yellowhammer, 20 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 6 Bullfinch, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Curlew, 2 Water Rail, 2 Common Gull, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Willow Tit,
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Garganey still present on the main pool, 8 Goosander, 11 Goldeneye, Water Rail at the feeding station, Oystercatcher, Willow Tit in song
7 February 2009
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK3966) Peregrine
  • Hilton GP (SK2531) 3 Willow Tit
  • Long Eaton GP (SK5033) Water Rail
  • Sutton Brook Lakes (SK2331) The Great White Egret still present at midday, Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, escaped Harris Hawk, 50 Golden Plover
6 February 2009
  • Ambaston GP (SK4232) Short-eared Owl, 3 Buzzard
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) Goldeneye, Teal, 8 Shoveler, Snipe, Buzzard, Kestrel, 4 Common Gull, 5 Pochard, Little Owl, 65 Black Headed Gull
5 February 2009
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) Goldeneye, 6 Common Gull, 4 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, Grey Wagtail
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Garganey still present on the main pool, Stonechat near car park
4 February 2009
  • Formark Res. (SK3323) Woodcock
  • Ticknall (SK3523) 2 Stonechat at St Bride's Farm
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 16 Goosander, 15 Cormorant, 10 Teal, 6 Goldeneye, 10 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, Reed Bunting, 4 Bullfinch, 20 Long-tailed Tit
  • Alvaston (SK3833) 50 Waxwing On Keldholm Lane behind the James Wyatt pub at 12:30
  • Shipley Country Park (SK4444) 3 Meadow Pipit, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
3 February 2009
  • Alvaston (SK3833) 130 Waxwing On Keldholm Lane near the James Wyatt pub at 4.15pm
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) Jack Snipe, Snipe, 7 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 2 Mute Swan, 6 Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Buzzard, 18 Magpie, 2 Tufted Duck
  • Allestree (SK3439) Blackcap in observer's garden
  • Butterley Res. (SK4051) Kingfisher
  • Golden Valley (SK4052) Kingfisher, Chiffchaff
  • Butterley Park (SK4052) 2 Little Owl
2 February 2009
  • Formark Res. (SK3323) Merlin
  • Ambaston GP (SK4232) Peregrine
  • Swarkestone Lake (SK4232) 2 Scaup, White Fronted Goose with Greylags, Glaucous GullxHerring Gull hybrid, Kingfisher
  • Wyver Lane (SK3449) Water Rail, 80 Lapwing, 8 Reed Bunting, Sparrowhawk, 50 Starling
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) Goldeneye, 6 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swan, Common Gull
1 February 2009
  • Wingerworth Lido (SK3766) 10 Goosander
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 4 Pintail, Green Sandpiper, 3 Shelduck, 120 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 16 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 40 Pochard, 9 Goldeneye, 7 Goosander, Buzzard, Willow Tit, 8 Bullfinch
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK3966) 2 Smew (view this site only from the A50 pull-in)
  • Ingleby (SK3966) A dark-bellied Brent Goose
  • Avenue Washlands NR (SK3966) 20 Waxwing
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Garganey still present on the main pool

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Previous months
January 2009
All of 2008
All of 2007
December 2008 highlights

The highlight for many was the welcome influx of Waxwings and some proved fairly easy to see. Indeed, a number of observers seemed to click for both that species and Hawfinch on the same day.

Red-necked Grebe, the elusive Ring-billed Gull, Great Grey Shrike, Common Redpoll and Water Pipit would all have been more popular had they stayed around longer; and the Short-eared Owl show finally came to an end just before Christmas.

The Great Northern Divers did remain and drew a good number of birders, many of whom saw at least one of Scaup and Common Scoter which were also at Carsington. Claims of Great White Egret and Green-winged Teal will have to pass the 'assessment test' but notes have already been received on the former.

An impressive eleven species of gull hid the fact that “white-winged” gulls were very scarce this month. Wintering Blackcaps graced a good number of gardens but Chiffchaff were again much scarcer. All-inall, a pretty good mix with which to end the year.

Bryan Barnacle