Bird News March 2009

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 Please note that for obvious reasons we do not publish sightings of rare breeders such as Little Ringed Plover during the breeding season (unless obvious migrants)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 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
30 March 2009
  • Dove Valley Park (SK2031) 2 Little Owl
  • Woodville (SK2919) Swallow, 2 Lesser Redpoll
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 3 Great Northern Diver, 10 Buzzard, 20 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow, Blackcap
  • Scraperlow (SK2481) Wheatear, 6 Snipe, 25 Siskin
  • Abbey Hill Floods (SK3639) 3 Goosander,12 Greylag Goose, 20 Magpie, 2 Buzzard, Redwing, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, 2 Green Woodpecker
  • Pleasley (SK5064) Dipper, Grey Wagtail at Meden Mill
29 March 2009
  • Flash Lane area (SK2965) 2 Crossbill
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, 2 Goosander, 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 4 Wheatear
  • Kedleston Park (SK3140) Kestrel, Nuthatch
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) Wheatear, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Curlew, 12 Sand Martin, Redshank , 4 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Red-legged Partridge, Common Sandpiper, 10 Fieldfare
28 March 2009
  • Hardwick Park (SK3765) Marsh Tit
  • Old Tupton (SK3865) 214 Lesser Black-backed Gull
  • Derby Cathedral (SK3436) Peregrine third egg laid pm
27 March 2009
  • Kedleston Park (SK3140) 2 Shelduck, Chiffchaff
  • Froggatt (SK2476) Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Mandarin
26 March 2009
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Red-necked Grebe still present
  • Derby Cathedral (SK3436) Peregrine second egg laid this morning (see webcam link on home page)
25 March 2009
  • Pleasley (SK5064) Dipper at Meden Mill
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 3 Great Northern Diver, 3 Sand Martin, * goldeneye, 2 Peregrine
24 March 2009
  • Griffe Grange (SK2555) Wheatear
  • Wyver Lane (SK3449) 3 Swallow
  • Ingleby (SK3427) 3 Swallow, Sand Martin
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Buzzard, 7 Cormorant, 2 Shelduck, 33 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 2 Goosander, 4 Linnet, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • Poplars Farm, Barrow on Trent (SK3328) 45 Mute Swan
  • Meden Mill, Pleasley (SK5064) 1 Dipper (very unusual here) & 2 Grey Wagtails
23 March 2009
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Winter plumaged Red-throated Diver still present, Raven
  • Derby Cathedral (SK3436) Peregrine first egg laid 21:27 (see webcam link on home page)
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Oysterccatcher, 5 Snipe, 30 Sand Martin, Swallow
22 March 2009
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Shelduck, 32 Shoveler, 8 Goldeneye, 6 Goosander, 5 Buzzard, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Sand Martin, Wheatear, 8 Chiffchaff, 4 Lesser Redpoll
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 40 Sand Martin, 4 Red-legged Partridge, Peregrine
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Kittwake, Swallow, 23 Sand Martin, 5 Redshank, 8 Goosander, 6 Chiffchaff
  • Derwent Edge (SK3232) Wheatear
21 March 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 6 Goosander, 7 Shoveler, Buzzard
  • Long Dale (SK1363) 2 Wheatear
  • Linacre Res. (SK3372) 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Goosander
  • Pride Park (SK3735) 6 Sand Martin on R Derwent, 2 Chiffchaff
  • Derwent Edge (SK3232) Wheatear
20 March 2009
  • Stanton Ironworks (SK3970) 2 Waxwing
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) Water Rail, Chiffchaff, Little Owl, Buzzard, Stock Dove, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan
19 March 2009
  • Upper Derwent (SK1790) 6 Red Grouse
  • Beeley Moor Triangle (SK2967) Red Grouse, Short-eared Owl
  • Pride Park Sanctuary (SK3735) Stonechat
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Wheatear, 5 Redshank,
  • Barrow-on-Trent (SK3527) Wheatear, Peregrine, Brambling, 35 Linnet, 10 Redshank
  • Ambaston GP (SK4232) 3 Whooper Swan, 12 Sand Martin
18 March 2009
  • Wyver Lane (SK3449) Pink-footed Goose with Canada Geese
  • Gardom's Edge (SK2773) Hen Harrier, Woodcock
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Iceland Gull, Red-necked Grebe still present
  • Baslow (SK2572) Peregrine
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) Water Rail, Chiffchaff, Kingfisher, 2 Wigeon, Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Grebe, Cormorant
17 March 2009
  • Radbourne (SK2836) 20 Siskin, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Lapwing, Buzzard
  • Chaddesden Park (SK3836) 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Long Tailed Tit, 10 Goldfinch
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 1st winter Iceland Gull
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Mediterranean Gull, Iceland Gull, Red-necked Grebe still present, 2 Chiffchaff, Curlew
  • Williamthorpe (SK4366) singing Chiffchaff
16 March 2009
  • Hasland (SK3970) 46 Waxwing opposite Penmore Lane at 07:45, only one left by 14:15
  • Littleover (SK3332) Red Kite over Stenson Road/ Blagreave's Lane
  • Oaker (SK2761) 2 singing Chiffchaff
  • Bonsall (SK2758) singing Chiffchaff
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Stock Dove singing from the ground
15 March 2009
  • Ambaston GP (SK4232) Swallow briefly
  • Kedleston Park (SK3140) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
  • Kirk Langley (SK28937) 7 Brambling
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Red-necked Grebe still present
  • Sydnope Stand (SK2963) Red Kite
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 14 Mute Swan, Pink-footed Goose, 92 Greylag Goose, 88 Wigeon, 23 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, 2 Kingfisher, White Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff
  • Tapton Park (SK4072) 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Goldcrest, Bullfinch, 2 Coal Tit, 10 Long-tailed Tit
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 3 Chiffchaff, Curlew, Green Woodpecker, 4 Oystercatcher, 3 Buzzard, 3 Common Gull, 8 Bullfinch
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Wheatear, 2 Shelduck, Peregrine, 42 Shoveler, 8 Goldeneye, Goosander, 2 Oystercatcher, Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll
14 March 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 3 Sand Martin
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 3 Goosander, Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 45 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 6 Shelduck, 4 Lapwing, Skylark
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Kestrel, Blackcap
13 March 2009
  • Draycott (SK4433) Sand Martin
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Allestree Park (SK3540) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Goldcrest, 20 Siskin, Treecreeper, Redwing, Mistle Thrush
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 2 Great Northern Diver, 10 Pintail, 4 Shoveler, Scaup
  • Shipley Gate (SK4444) 2 Buzzard, 60 Redwing, Corn Bunting
12 March 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Yellow-legged Gull
  • Long Eaton GP (SK5033) 2 Egyptian Goose, Mediterranean Gull, 2 Stonechat
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) 40 Waxwing Erewash Canal
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Canal Scrape: Peregrine, 4 Oystercatcher, 4 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 3 Skylark, 4 Shelduck, 3 Great Crested Grebe
11 March 2009
  • Calver Mill (SK2474) 6 Mandarin
  • Froggatt (SK2476) 4 Mandarin
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Long Tailed Tit, 5 Redshank, Raven, Green Sandpiper, 3 Oystercatcher
  • Clake Park (SK3622) 2 Mandarin
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) Little Owl, Buzzard, 3 Skylark, 2 Mute Swan
  • Chatsworth Park (SK2569) 2 Oystercatcher, 15 Mandarin
10 March 2009
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3966) Stonechat
  • Abbey Hill Floods (SK3639) 15 Greylag Goose, 80 Canada Goose, 2 Siskin, Great SPotted Woodpecker, Little Owl, Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, 2 Grey Wagtail, 30 Goldfinch
  • Lathkill Dale (SK2165) 4 Dipper, 2 Goosander, Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtail
  • Dethick area 7 Curlew, 4 Buzzard, 2 Little Owl
  • Cromford (SK3057) Still up to 6 Hawfinch present
8 March 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Ringed Plover, 9 Goosander, Oystercatcher
7 March 2009
  • North Derbyshire Merlin, Hen Harrier, Goshawk (displaying) and Raven
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Red-necked Grebe still present
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Green Sandpiper, 6 Goosander including mating pair
  • Ogsten Reservoir (SK3760) 1 Kittiwake
  • Ambaston(SK4232) 1 Whooper Swan, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Gadwall
  • Allestree Park (SK3540)2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker still showing well
  • Barrow (SK3527) Pink Footed Goose
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 2 Great Northern Diver
6 March 2009
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3967) Stonechat
5 March 2009
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3967) Waxwings
3 March 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Greylag Goose, 2 Shelduck, 12 Gadwall, 2 Little Egret, Water Rail, Green Woodpecker, Willow Tit
  • Trent/Dove confluence (SK2726) 9 Goosander, 2 Little Egret, 56 Curlew, Siskin
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3967) Little Egret
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Red-necked Grebe still present
  • Allestree Park (SK3540) 8 Mandarin, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
2 March 2009
  • Allestree Park (SK3540) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near "No Fishing" sign by lakes
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Stonechat, 9 Shoveler
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 2 Great Northern Diver still present, 6 Buzzard
  • Calver (SK2474) 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Dipper
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull
1 March 2009
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Red-necked Grebe still present
  • Kedleston Park (SK3140) 3 Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • Wingerworth (SK3967) c50 Waxwings on Mill Lane at SK393671
  • Avenue Washlands NR (SK3966) 1 Stonechat, 2 Gadwall, 3 Teal, 1 Snipe
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 4 Shelduck, 38 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 12 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander, 3 Jack Snipe, adult Yellow Legged Gull, 210 LBBGull, 55 GBB Gull, 23 Herring Gull, Grey Wagtail SW, 8 Redwing, Fieldfare, Goldcrest, Treecreeper
  • Tapton Park (SK3766) Goldcrest, 7 Siskin, 11 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker

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

An excellent month in terms of the sheer variety of species. For many, the Waxwings were again the main highlight although in rarity terms a fairly co-operative Great White Egret will have pleased the connoisseurs.

For those chamfering their year lists, Great Northern Diver, Smew, Scaup and Hawfinch were fairly readily available. A Red-necked Grebe required a little more patience from some of us, whilst catching up with a Brent Goose or Garganey was a little more “luck of the draw”.

The reported Rough-legged Buzzard and Great Grey Shrike would certainly have been more popular had they stayed around and the Bitterns were almost as elusive. Red Kites we now expect during most months and eleven species of gull is impressive but by no means unusual for us.

The first summer visitors started to drift back into the county in the form of Oystercatcher, Curlew and Meadow Pipit, so if that trend continues then there is much more to look forward to.

Bryan Barnacle