March 2008 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 Please note that for obvious reasons we do not publish sightings of rare breeders such as Little Ringed Plover during the breeding season (unless obvious migrants)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 March 2008
  • Bretton Moor (SK2077) The Red Kite also passed through here
  • Black Rocks (SK2956) A Red Kite being chased by a Raven
  • Shillito Wood (SK2974) A Red Kite flew towards Ramsley Res. at 16:30 (see photo of this bird on the Photo Gallery page), 12 Yellowhammer, 50 Sikin/Lesser Redpoll/Goldfinch flock, 50 Fieldfare
  • Willington GP (SK2827) An Osprey over high to NW at 10:25, 2 Black-tailed Godwits late afternoon, Sand Martin, 16 Shelduck, 145 Black Headed Gull, 4 Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Greylag Goose, 6 Chiffchaff, Green Sandpiper, 7 Goldeneye, 6 Shoveler, Wood Duck, 26 Cormorant, 3 Buzzard, 4 Snipe, 4 Teal, Bullfinch, Ringed Plover
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) Wheatear, Green Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher
  • Chee Dale (SK1172) Barn Owl
  • Cutthorpe (SK3473) Still 4 Waxwing, Redwing
  • Shillito Wood (SK2974) 60 Fieldfare, 10 Yellowhammer
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 80 Sand Martin, 58 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall
29 March 2008
  • Alvaston Lake (SK3933) Swallow
  • Sinfin Golf Course (SK3531) Chiffchaff, Kingfisher,
  • Wyver Lane (SK3449) A Red Kite flying south at 13:00, 6 Sand Martin, Water Rail
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 16 Shelduck, 19 Gadwall, Water Rail, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Woodpecker and White Wagtail. Rock Pipit and Water Pipit reported.
  • Willington Power Station (SK3128) 2 Peregrine.
  • Repton (SK3027) Yellow Wagtail and 50 Fieldfare
  • Ardslay House (SK2238) Green Sandpiper, Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Swallow, Blackcap, Stonechat
28 March 2008
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 12 Shelduck, 7 Wigeon, 14 Gadwall, 11 Goldeneye, 6 Goosander, Water Rail, 3 Avocet pre 0800-1415 when departed SE, 5 Oystercatcher, 2 Dunlin, 7 Black-tailed Godwit flew E, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Green Woodpecker, Swallow, Rock Pipit and 2 Raven
  • Chesterfield (SK3670) 16 Siskin in observer's garden
27 March 2008
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 37 Barnacle Goose, Egyptian Goose, 2 Gadwall, 13 Goldeneye, Great Northern Diver, 7+ Buzzard, Osprey reported thru at 0900, 8 Oystercatcher, 3 Redshank, Little Owl, Long-eared Owl (Stones Island - please only view from path), 4+ Sand Martin, Swallow, White Wagtail, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Raven and Siskin
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 9 Shelduck, 22 Wigeon, 20 Gadwall, 24 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 18 Goldeneye, 23 Goosander, 12 Oystercatcher, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Tit, 30+ Snipe, 16 Redshank, 34 Teal, 2 Water Rail, 6 (singing) Chiffchaff, 2 Rock Pipit and Water Pipit
  • Staunton Harold Res (SK3723) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Wheatear
26 March 2008
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) Osprey, 12 Common Scoter, adult summer Mediterranean Gull
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK4366) 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Common Gull, 3 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe, 10 Tufted Duck, Buzzard
25 March 2008
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) Long-eared Owl on Stones Island, Chiffchaff
  • Elvaston Castle CP (SK4033) 3 Bullfinch, Buzzard, 12 Siskin, Chiffchaff
  • Allenton/Sinfin Moor (SK3630) 2 Brambling
  • Willington GP 1 Swallow . Also 2 Chiffchaff, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Shelduck, 1 Water Rail and 15 Goldeneye. And, on nearby new workings - 18 Gadwall, 8 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plover, 5 Little ringed Plover, 4 Oystercatcher & 36 Pied Wagtail
24 March 2008
  • Williamthorpe Ponds (SK4366) 1 Water Rail, 1 Redshank, 6 Teal, 4 Gadwall & 14 Lapwing
  • Allestree Park (SK3440) 3 Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Willow Tit and Mandarin on the lakes
  • Willington GP 17 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, 28 Gadwall, 8 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 45 Snipe, 8 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Gren Woodpecker, 50 Sand Martin, Rock Pipit, 4 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Tit.
  • Foremark Res Kingfisher and Chiffchaff
23 March 2008
  • Avenue Washlands NR (SK3966) 1 Stonechat & 2 Snipe
  • Willington GP 3 Greylag Goose, 10 Shelduck, 11 Gadwall, 8 Little Grebe, Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 6 Redshank, Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpecker, 30 Sand Martin, Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Tit.
  • Church Broughton Airfield (SK2032) Now 3 Stonechat by the side of the road on the north side
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 37 Barnacle Goose, 110 Wigeon, 20 Goldeneye, Gadwall, Pochard, 305 Tufted Duck, Great Northern Diver, 29 Little Grebe, 33 Great Crested Grebe, 31 Cormorant, 5 Buzzard, 10 Oystercatcher, 19 Curlew, 5 Redshank, 355 Common Gull and 2 Kittiwake thru in 2 hours, Little Owl, Willow Tit and 2 Raven
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Barn Owl around the Reserve (the first for five years), male Mandarin, 51 Shoveler, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Water Rail, 8 Snipe, 12 Sand Martin, Grey Wagtail, 23 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 11 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and 2 Raven
22 March 2008
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) Kittiwake, 14 Curlew, 2 Chiffchaff
  • Cutthorpe (SK3473) Still 1 Waxwing
  • Church Broughton Airfield (SK2032) 2 Stonechat by the side of the road on the north side
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 12 Shelduck, 10 Gadwall, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 7 Redshank, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Green Woodpecker, Rock Pipit, Chiffchaff and Willow Tit.
  • Barrow GP (SK3428) 2 Oystercatcher and 3 Common Gull.
  • Staunton Harold Res (SK3723) Chiffchaff.
  • Swarkestone Lake (SK3627) 59 Greylag Goose and 2 Oystercatcher
  • Linacre Res (SK3561) 27 Whooper Swan
21 March 2008
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) Wheatear, Kittiwake, Great Northern Diver
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 10 Shelduck, 12 Gadwall, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 6 Redshank and White Wagtail
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Wheatear, 6 Chiffchaff, 30 Sand Martin, Raven, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Shelduck, 3 Goosander, 40 Shoveler and a Grey Wagtail
  • Hilton GP (SK3428) Willow Tit, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, 4 Treecreeper, Nuthatch, 2 Buzzard, 4 Chiffchaff, 2+ Siskin
  • Mickleover (SK3035) Now 3 males and 1 female Blackcap on a garden feeder
  • Linacre Res (SK3372) Whooper Swan
20 March 2008
  • Linacre Res (SK3561) 27 Whooper Swan, 12 Mandarin
  • Milltown (SK4274) 3 Chiffchaff
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 13 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 17 Gadwall, Pochard, Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 6 Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher 3 Green Woodpecker, 40 Sand Martin, Rock Pipit, 60 Fieldfare and 5 Chiffchaff.
  • Willington Power Station (SK3128) 2 Peregrine
  • Carver's Rocks (SK3322) 2 Marsh Tit
19 March 2008
  • Chesterfield Canal (SK4274) Chiffchaff
  • Cromford Church (SK3056) Still 6 Hawfinches in the area
  • Allestree Park (SK3440) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the trees near the north east corner of the bottom lake
18 March 2008
  • Derby City Hospital (SK1694) Singing male Blackcap
  • Upper Derwent Valley (SK1694) Great Grey Shrike
  • Mickleover (SK3035) 2 males and 1 female Blackcap on a garden feeder
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 13 Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 9 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 3 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, 6 Little Grebe, Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 17 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, Green Woodpecker, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail and Chiffchaff
17 March 2008
  • Birdholme WR (SK3868) 4 Gadwall
  • Cutthorpe (SK3473) 4 Waxwings still present
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 8 Sand Martin,
  • Linacre Res (SK3372) 4 Jay, 10 Little Grebe, Whooper Swan, 15 Nuthatch (total for the three reservoirs) 3 Curlew, 4 Little Grebe, 9 Goosander, 2 Cormorant, 11 Tufted Duck
  • Bakewell (SK2268) 1 Oystercatcher on the Showground
  • Alport (SK2264) 1 Mandarin Duck (male) on R Lathkill
16 March 2008
  • Williamthorpe Ponds (SK4366) 2 Stonechat, 4 Gadwall & 11 Teal
  • Shipley Lake (SK4444) 2 Whooper Swan
  • Chellaston (SK3830) A Red Kite drifting towards Alvaston mobbed by Crows at 12:50
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 10 Sand Martin, 2 Shelduck, 14 Wigeon, 21 Gadwall, Shoveler, Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 10 Common Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, Green Woodpecker, 35 Redwing and Willow Tit
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 10 Barnacle Goose, 29 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 14 Goldeneye, Great Northern Diver, Peregrine, 8 Oystercatcher, Dunlin, 12 Curlew, 5 Redshank and 180 Common Gull
  • Barrow GP (SK3428) 251 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 2 Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, Green Sandpiper
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 24 Wigeon, 71 Shoveler, 14 Goldeneye, 4 Buzzard, 18 Sand Martin and 2 Raven
  • Dove Valley Lake (SK2031) 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Shoveler, 2 Buzzard, 100 Wigeon, Kestrel, 3 Little Grebe, Cackling Goose
15 March 2008
  • Allestree Park (SK3440) 3 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, escaped Wood Duck female
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 6 Shelduck, 16 Wigeon, 24 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 5 Goosander, 8 Little Grebe, Buzzard, 3 Water Rail, 7 Oystercatcher, 5 Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, 2 Dunlin, 7 Redshank, 11 Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Green Woodpecker and 2 Willow Tit.
  • Willington Power Station (SK3128) Peregrine
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 3 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 4 Goldeneye, Great Northern Diver, 2 Avocet, Sand Martin and 2 Swallow.
14 March 2008
  • Froggatt (SK2475) Red-breasted Merganser, 19 Moorhen between Froggatt and Calver, 4 Teal
13 March 2008
  • Gladwin's Mark (SK3066) 200 Brambling
  • Harewood Moor (SK3066) Curlew
12 March 2008
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) Kittiwake mis afternoon, Great Northern Diver, 23 Curlew, 19 Goldeneye, 2 Raven
  • Beeley Moor (SK3065) 15 Brambling
10 March 2008
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Green Sandpiper
  • Milton (SK3227) 12 Golden Plover, 5 Lapwing , Skylark, 2 Red-leeged Partridge, 20 Fieldfare
  • Hatton (SK2031) 2 Oystercatcher
  • Dove Valley Lake (SK2031) Goldeneye, 2 Lapwing, 8 Wigeon, Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe, Pochard, Cormorant, 5 Tufted Duck, Kestrel, Great Spotted Woodpecker
9 March 2008
  • Beeley Moor (SK3065) 38 Brambling, Siskin, Curlew
  • West Hallam (SK4242) A pair of Blackcaps in observer's garden
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, 20 Gadwall, 20 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 6 Pochard, 14 Goldeneye, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Goosander, 350 Lapwing, 5 Ringed Plover, 14 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, 30 Redwing, 20 Linnet
  • Leash Fen (SK2974) 30 Lapwing, 25 Fieldfare, 200 Starling, Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 3 Curlew
  • Big Moor (SK2777) 2 Stonechat, 4 Curlew, Raven
  • Allestree Park (SK3440) Goosander, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, 3 Siskin
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Singing Chiffchaff
8 March 2008
  • Nadin's Pool, Newhall (SK2719) Water Rail, 5 Skylark, 2 Shoveler, 8 Teal, 3 Gadwall
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) A Kittiwake passed through
  • Kedleston Park (SK3140) Green Woodpecker, 6+ Mandarin, 3 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Buzzard, Kestrel, 2 Heron, 2 displaying Great Crested Grebe
  • Linacre Res. (SK3372) 20 Goosander
7 March 2008
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) Water Rail, 5 Gadwall, 2 Teal
6 March 2008
  • High Edge (SK0668) 59 Golden Plover
5 March 2008
  • Sterndale Moor (SK4033) A Swallow over the A515 (first reported this year, and the earliest of modern times)
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) 4 Gadwall, 3 Common Gull, 6 Tufted Duck, Green Woodpecker, Jay
3 March 2008
  • East Mill, Belper (SK3448) Peregrine
4 March 2008
  • Elvaston Castle CP (SK4033) The escaped Harris Hawk seen over the castle
2 March 2008
  • Long Eaton GP (SK5031) 110 Wigeon, 2 Goldeneye, 16 Pochard, Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, Red-tailed Hawk (escape)
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Ringed Plover, 16 Goosander
  • Lathkill Dael (SK1865) 4 Dipper, 2 Little Grebe, 7 Goosander, 4 Raven, 70 Redwing, 4 Bullfinch, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel
  • Hilton GP (SK3428) Willow Tit, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest
  • Allestree (SK3439) The Waxwing again near the Woodlands Evangelical Church
1 March 2008
  • Barrow GP (SK3428) 172 Wigeon
  • Swarkstone Lake (SK3627) 12 Greylag Geese

Top of Page

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

A very interesting month with a good number of species being reported. Both Great Northern Diver and Ferruginous Duck remained from last month (attracting much attention) whilst the Long-tailed Duck and two Smew returned briefly to where they had been seen earlier.

Perhaps the most popular bird of the month was the Waxwing at Allestree (which must have seen most well known county birders during the month!) but two separate Snow Buntings were only available to their high altitude observers.

There was a wide range of waders and gulls and the latter produced a mystery bird (see notes) which created much nervous energy to be expended by our gull experts without definitely revealing its identity.

Other “goodies” included three Bitterns, reports of all five of our breeding owls, a number of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and the Hawfinches at Cromford, which proved much more obliging than they have for a while. Another delight was the area around Screetham Lane (and only a few yards from DOSWOOD) where a splendid mix of passerines could be found all month.

Reports of two Firecrest and a ridiculously early Wheatear may need following up for notes but all in all, a month with surely something for everyone.

Bryan Barnacle