January 2010 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 Please note that for obvious reasons we do not publish sightings of rare breeders such as Little Ringed Plover during the breeding season (unless obvious migrants)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

31 January 2010
  • Stubbing Court (SK3567) 28 Siskin
  • Whittington Moor (SK3873) 5 Cormorant, 30 Moorhen, 30 Black-headed Gull, Kingfisher, 10 Dunnock, 30 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing, 5 Goldcrest, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Coal Tit, 8 Blue Tit, 21 Great Tit, 15 Chaffinch, 30 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 3 Shelduck, 157 Wigeon, 89 Teal, 41 Pochard, 42 Tufted Duck, 4 Goosander
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 4 Egyptian Goose
  • Chester Green (SK3537) 1000 Starling roosting
  • Mickleover (SK3035) Male Blackcap in observer's garden
  • Carsington Water (SK2220) at least one Great Northern Diver, 11 Goosander
  • Bradley Dam (SK2245) 120 Madarin, 10 Teal, 263 Mallard
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 366 Mallard, 168 Teal, 46 Shoveler, 3 Goosander, 2 Peregrine, male Stonechat, 20 Lesser Redpoll, 18 Siskin, 40 Goldfinch
30 January 2010
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Glaucous Gull, Mediterranean Gull
  • Ogston Res. (SK3760) 4 Tree Sparrow
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 4 Grey Heron, 9 Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, 74 Greylag Goose, 68 Canada Goose, 2 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 30 Pochard, 12 Tufted Duck, 4 Goldeneye, Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, Kestrel, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, 4 Bullfinch
  • Swarkestone Lake (SK4643) Smew, 92 Tufted Duck, 2 Goosander, 4 Bullfinch, 85 Mute Swan, 64 Greylag Goose
29 January 2010
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 140 Great Black-backed Gull
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 48 Pink-footed Goose over, 13 Greylag Goose, 80 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 550 Lapwing, 3 Common Gull
  • Swarkestone Lake (SK4643) Smew, 100 Fieldfare
28 January 2010
  • Mickleover (SK3035) Female Blackcap in observer's garden
  • Cromford Bridge (SK2957) 4 Hawfinch mid morning
  • Baslow (SK2572) 2 Little Owl
  • Alvaston Lake (SK3734) Great Crested Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 7 Pochard, Goosander, 4 Common Gull
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Pintail, 4 Goldeneye, 5 Goosander, Oystercatcher
  • Longshaw Lodge (SK2679) 4 Brambling
27 January 2010
  • Flash Lane (SK2965) 20 Crossbill
  • Chellaston (SK3730) 3 Blackcap in one lucky observer's garden
26 January 2010
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) possible Mealy Redpoll
  • Oakwood (SK3738) Blackcap
  • Church Wilne Rws. (SK4632) Bewick's Swan, Pink-footed Goose
  • Wyver Lane (SK3449) Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 44 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 10 Goosander, Sparrowhawk, 563 Black-headed Gull, 3 Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, 9 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Reed Bunting
  • Flash Lane (SK2965) 9 Crossbill
  • Shillito Wood (SK2974) 25 Siskin, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Goldcrest, 6 Coal Tit, 5 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 20 Jackdaw, 5 Chaffinch
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 15 Greylag Goose, 12 Shelduck, Pintail, 15 Goldeneye, Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Caspian Gull, Mediterranean Gull
25 January 2010
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Woodcock
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Black-tailed Godwit, Pintail, Greylag Goose, Goosander
  • Hardwick Park (SK4664) 10 Siskin
24 January 2010
  • Sutton-on-the-Hill (SK2333) Buzzard, Wigeon, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Song Thrush
  • Linacre Res. (SK3372) 3 Goosander
  • Weston-on-Trent (SK3927) 44 Mute Swan, Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Fieldfare, 24 Redwing, Marsh Tit, Jay, 6 Tree Sparrow, Brambling
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4229) [View from A50 gate only] 3 Shelduck, 6 Goldeneye, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, Peregrine, Kingfisher
  • Ambaston - R. Derwent (SK4332) 2 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander, 80 Fieldfare
  • Barrow-on-Trent (SK3528) 9 Buzzard
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) Jack Snipe, Grey Wagtail, 15 Redwing
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Mediterranean Gull, 5 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Cromford Bridge (SK2957) 2 Hawfinch at entrance to Rugby Club Car Park
  • Shillito Wood (SK2974) 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Fieldfare, Songthrush, 8 Goldcrest, 3 Coal Tit, 5 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit. 2 Treecreeper, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Sparrowhawk, 8 Buzzard
23 January 2010
  • Swarkestone Lake (SK4643) Smew in NE corner of the lake
  • Longshaw Lodge (SK2679) 2 Brambling, 2 Redpoll, 20 Lesser Redpoll,
  • Shillito Wood (SK2974) Tawny Owl, 2 Kestrel, 50 Lapwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 100 Fieldfare, 30 Redwing, 10 Goldcrest, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 10 Coal Tit, 5 Blue Tit, 7 Great Tit, Jay, 50 Starling, 20 Goldfinch, 20 Siskin, 2 Yellowhammer
  • Carsington Water (SK2220) 9 Goldeneye
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Caspian Gull, Glaucous Gull
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) Jack Snipe, Snipe, 12 Common Gull, Yellow-legged Gull
22 January 2010
  • Old Whittington (Chesterfield Canal) (SK3874) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Tit
21 January 2010
  • Ambaston (SK4332) 4 Whooper Swan
  • Kirk Langley (SK2838) 9 Brambling
  • Leash Fen (SK2973) Hen Harrier
  • Flash Lane (SK2965) 25 Crossbill
  • East Moor (SK2970) 100 Linnet
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Stonechat, 40 Redwing
  • Kedleston Park (SK3140) Pink-footed Goose, 6 Mandarin, 5 Goosander, 2 Woodcock
  • Lock Park (SK4038) 40 Greylag Goose, 30 Mallard, 10 Moorhen, Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 25 Fieldfare, 100 Redwing, Jay
  • Loscoe Dam (SK4247) Pochard, 10 Goosander, 3 Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit
  • Williamthorpe (SK4366) 2 Shoveler, Goldeneye
20 January 2010
  • Ticknall (SK3523) 18 Red-legged Partridge
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 9 Yellow-legged Gull, Glaucous Gull, 8 Little Grebe, 41 Great Crested Grebe, Kingfisher
  • Matlock (SK2960) Sparrowhawk
  • Findern (SK3030) Flying by A38 island at 03:15
19 January 2010
  • Wyver Lane (SK3449) 75 Canada Goose, 3 Gadwall, 42 Teal, 5 Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 460 Black-headed Gull, 5 Stock Dove
  • Monsal Head (SK1871) 16 Mandarin
18 January 2010
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 12 Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Gull, apparent Glaucous Gull/Herring Gull hybrid, 2 Shelduck, Red-breasted Merganser, 49 Goosander, 150 Starling
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) 3 Goosander
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Kingfisher, Stonechat
17 January 2010
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Raven, Kingfisher
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Yellow-legged Gull, Caspian Gull, 27 Goosander, 200 Starling, 15 Lesser Redpoll
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Bittern (Canal Scrape), 4 Jack Snipe also reported from the Canal Scrape, 468 Lapwing
  • Swarkeston - Lowes Lane (SK3629) 7 Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan (150m NE of canal bridge), 15 Yellowhammer, Sparrowhawk, Grey Heron, 250 Wood Pigeon
16 January 2010
  • Carsington Water (SK2220) Little Egret Shiningford Bay
  • High Peak Junction (SK3155) Water Pipit briefly at 15:00
  • Barrow GP (SK3629) 2 Little Egret
  • Swarkeston - Lowes Lane (SK3629) 7 Bewick Swan (150m NE of canal bridge), 15 Yellowhammer, Sparrowhawk, Grey Heron, 250 Wood Pigeon
15 January 2010
  • Shipley CP/Shipley Gate (SK4444) 4 Little Grebe, 16 Gadwall, 7 Pochard, 9 Goosander, Kestrel, 18 Lapwing, Short-eared Owl, 60 Fieldfare, 26 Redwing, 9 Bullfinch
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) 3 Common Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • Markeaton (SK3338) 2 Jay
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Bittern, Pintail, 140 Redwing, 10 Linnet
12 January 2010
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Bittern, Stonechat
  • Calke Park (SK3622) 2 Mandarin, 4 Buzzard
  • Matlock (SK2960) 4 Lesser Redpoll
  • Calver Mill (SK2474) 50 Siskin
10 January 2010
  • Carsington Water (SK2220) Little Egret, Yellow-legged Gull
  • Shirley (SK2141) SParrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, Kestrel, 5 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 2 Coal Tit, 4 Nuthatch, Bullfinch
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 3 Wigeon, 12 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Bittern, Redshank, 2 Woodcock, c400 Mallard, 9 Wigeon, 56 Tufted Duck, 15 Goldeneye. No Smew, Mandarin or Pintail up to 11:20 at least
  • Elvaston Castle Country Park (SK2827) 60 Canada Goose, 12 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Teal, SParrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, Kestrel, 36 Black-headed Gull, 6 Stock Dove, 3 Treecreeper, 3 Jay, 3 Bullfinch
9 January 2010
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 4 Smew (M+3F), 16 Mandarin, Pintail ONLY viewable from the hide. Visitors are again asked to view only from the Glass-fronted Hide. Please do not pass the cones
  • Cromford Bridge (SK2957) 6 Hawfinch
  • Chaddesden (SK3737) 2 Goosander, Snipe, 12 Fieldfare, 11 Long-tailed Tit
  • Chellaston (SK3730) 42 Pink-footed Goose NW
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 79 Mallard (being stalked on the ice by a fox), 4 Buzzard, 2 Woodcock (one close to Canal), 3 Curlew, Stock Dove, Kingfisher
8 January 2010
  • Milton (SK3226) Little Egret, Redshank
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 8 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Linacre Res. (SK3372) 2 Little Grebe, 26 Mandarin, Sparrowhawk, Tawny OWl, 5 GReat Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Robin, 9 Nuthatch, 2 Jay, 5 Bullfinch
  • Swarkeston (SK3628) 3 Whooper Swan
  • Cromford Bridge (SK2957) Hawfinch
  • Longshaw Estate (SK2678) Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Brambling
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 35 Pink-footed Goose NW, at least 1 Bittern, 500 Lapwing, Dunlin (Canal Pit), Chiffchaff, 40 Crow, 20 Goldfinch
7 January 2010
  • Cromford Bridge (SK2957) 3 Goosander, Dipper
  • Carsington Water (SK2220) Scaup from Wildlife Centre, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldeneye
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Caspian Gull
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 628 Lapwing
6 January 2010
  • Williamthorpe (SK4366) 350 Pink-footed Goose west
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 11 Yellow-legged Gull, Glaucous Gull
  • Hathersage (SK2381) 2 Goosander, Blackcap
5 January 2010
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Bittern, 435 Mallard, 259 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 8 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Woodcock, 3 drumming GS Woodpecker, male Stonechat, 6 Song Thrush, 23 Fieldfare, 5 Bullfinch
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 48 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Yellow-legged Gull, Glaucous Gull
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 329 Lapwing, Curlew, Magpie (carrying Gadwall wing)
4 January 2010
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Bittern seen from the glass-fronted hide
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Bittern from Platforms 1 and 2 am, Bullfinch, Stonechat in with the large cattle, 2 Jay over, Kingfisher, Willow Tit, Chiffchaff (all water now frozen)
3 January 2010
  • Milton (SK3524) Little Egret over towards Ingleby
  • Chaddesden Park (SK3836) Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Gull, 2 Mistle Thrush
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Bittern, 5 Bullfinch, 30 Pink-footed Goose west, 30 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 10 Teal, 110 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 8 Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander, 2 Peregrine, 49 Golden Plover (near canal), 700 Lapwing, Kingfisher, 2 Stonechat, 14 Fieldfare
  • Linacre Res. (SK3372) 150 Pink-footed Goose west
  • Bakewell (SK2168) Little Egret again
  • Church Wilne Res. (SK4431) Bewick's Swan, Pink-footed Goose on Wilne Lane
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Bittern, 520 Mallard, 235 Teal, 2 Stonechat, 24 Reed Bunting. Main pool 98% ice, all others 100%, visitors are asked to avoid using the path on the east side of the main pool
2 January 2010
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Bittern
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 20 Mute Swan, 45 Teal, 75 Tufted Duck, 11 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, 40 Crow
  • Barrow-on-Trent (SK3528) 35 Mute Swan
  • Melbourne Pool (SK3824) 22 Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, 4 Wigeon, 31 Gadwall, 136 Coot, 100 Black HeadedGull, 5 Common Gull
  • Swarkestone(SK3628) 77 Greylag Goose, 79 Canada Goose
  • Swarkestone GP (SK3628) 7 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 2 Goldeneye
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) 55 Lapwing
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 8 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Caspian Gull, Glaucous Gull
1 January 2010
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) Pochard, Water Rail, 12 Common Gull
  • Mackworth Park (SK3236) 2 Green Woodpecker, Jay, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting
  • Shipley CP/Shipley Wood (SK4444) 5 Little Grebe, 24 Gadwall, 55 Pochard, 3 Goosander, 2 Snipe, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) 5 Goosander, Jack Snipe
  • Ingleby (SK3427) Barnacle Goose
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Caspian Gull, Glaucous Gull
  • Poolsbrook CP (SK4373) 90 Pink-footed Goose
  • Pebley Pond (SK4879) 16 Shovler, 25 Pochard, 28 Corn Bunting
  • Hartshorne (SK3319) 250 Golden Plover
  • Chaddesden Park (SK3836) 2 Grey Wagtail
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) Pintail, 8 Red-legged Partridge, Green Sandpiper, 40 Skylark
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Bittern, Snipe, Willow Tit, Peregrine, Water Rail, Chiffchaff, Raven
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Bittern again am
31 December 2009
  • Pride Park, Derby (SK3659) 2 Goosander
  • Chellaston (SK3730) Blackcap
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 153 Teal, 57 Golden Plover, Jack Snipe, Chiffchaff, Willow Tit, 30 Wigeon, 32 Pochard, Sparrowhawk, 8 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, Kingfisher, 4 Reed Bunting
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Bittern pm, Egyptian Goose
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Caspian Gull, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull

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Previous months
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
December 2009 highlights

A Twite was an excellent find away from breeding areas, a Water Pipit came at an unexpected time of year and yet another Cetti’s Warbler is exciting, as this species rapidly extends its breeding area northwards.

The rarest bird was arguably the returning Ring-billed Gull at Carsington Water, but this was just one of twelve gull species seen, a number that we have probably never bettered in a single month.

Great Northern Diver and Bittern proved popular with many, whilst another passage of Pink-footed Geese and a few Bewick’s Swans were rather more seasonal than the Garganey and Black-tailed Godwit which visited Drakelow NR.

Little Egrets are now turning up in even more places and there were more Jack Snipe than we normally find. Amongst the passerines, some species seemed scarce but two Common Redpoll and a number of Blackcap and Chiffchaff should encourage us to keep watching our feeding stations.

Bryan Barnacle