March 2010 Bird News

These reports are unchecked. All records submitted via the "Submit a Record" page will be sent to the Bulletin Bird Notes Compiler and entered onto the DOS database even if they do not appear here. Please note that for obvious reasons we do not publish sightings of rare breeders such as Little Ringed Plover during the breeding season (unless obvious migrants)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 2010
  • Hardstoft (SK4362) 100 Golden Plover
  • Long Eaton GP (SK5032) Sedge Warbler
  • Matlock (SK2960) 2 Lesser Redpoll
  • Ambaston (SK4232) 4 Whooper Swan
30 March 2010
  • Pride Park (SK3735) 3 Goosander, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Song Thrush
  • Pleasley Colliery (SK5064) 2 Cormorant, 2 Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff
29 March 2010
  • Ticknall (SK3523) Swallow
  • Allestree (SK3540) Blackcap
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Snipe, 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Chiffchaff, 10 Bullfinch
  • Chaddesden Park (SK3836) Great Spotted Woodpecker, 15 Great Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 15 Chaffinch, 10 Greenfinch
  • Chellaston (SK3730) Blackkcap in observer's garden
28 March 2010
  • Willington GP (SK2827)Adult Caspian Gull on the Canal Scrape at 10:45 before leaving west, Willow Warbler
  • Howden Res. (SK1692) 20 Brambling, 3 Crossbill
  • Beeley Moor (SK2968) Osprey flying over struggling with a fish
  • Horsley Woodhouse (SK3743) Green Woodpecker
  • Stanage Edge (SK2384) Buzzard, 3 Ring Ouzel, 2 Raven
  • Bamford Moor (SK2185) Merlin, 7 Golden Plover, 8 Curlew, 5 Ring Ouzel
  • Horsley Woodhouse (SK3743) Green Woodpecker
  • Shottle (SK3149) 2 Buzzard
27 March 2010
  • Derwent Res. (SK1692) Osprey at 16:00
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3966) 5 Swallow, 10 Chiffchaff
  • Linacre Res. (SK3372) 3 Grey Heron, 7 Chiffchaff
  • Pleasley (SK5064) 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank
  • Twyford (SK3228) 9 Sand Martin, 10 Mute Swan, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Meadow Pipit, 4 Buzzard, 2 Curlew
  • Shottle (SK3149) 2 Yellowhammer
  • Willington PS (SK3028) Peregrine on cooling tower
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Green Sandpiper, Blackcap, Water Rail, Buzzard, 2 Goldeneye, Willow Tit, 8 Bullfinch, 4+ Chiffchaff
26 March 2010
  • Williamthorpe (SK4366) 13 Gadwall, 2 Chiffchaff
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) Osprey briefly at 15:50 before continuing north
  • Linacre Res. (SK3372) 3 Little Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 11 Tufted DUck, 9 Goosander, Chiffchaff
  • Walton-on-Trent (SK2118) Barn Owl
  • Derby River Gardens (SK3536) Kingfisher
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 7 Goldeneye, Sparrowhawk, 2 Oystercatcher
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 16 Curlew, Willow Warbler
25 March 2010
  • Buxton (SK0573) 2 Skylark, 2 Wheatear, 30 Fieldfare
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) 3 Chiffchaff
  • Kirk Langley (SK2838) Blackcap, Brambling
  • Cutthroat Bridge (SK2187) 3 Ring Ouzel
  • Pride Park (SK3735) 8 Sand Martin
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Little Ringed Plover, Wheatear
24 March 2010
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 4 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Allestree Park (SK3540) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
  • Pride Park (SK3735) Sand Martin
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Shelduck, 11 Shoveler, 9 Goldeneye, 3 Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Swallow, 2 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff, Willow Tit, Lesser Redpoll
  • Baslow (SK2472) Curlew, Tawny Owl, 2 Lapwing
  • Melbourne Pool (SK3824) 2 Swallow
  • Wyver Lane (SK3449) 11 Grey Heron, 30 Greylag Goose , 45 Canada Goose, 37 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 5 Buzzard, 8 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 90 Fiedlfare
23 March 2010
  • Cutthroat Bridge (SK2187) 2 Ring Ouzel
  • Calver (SK2474) Willow Warbler reported
  • Pleasley Colliery (SK5064) 2 Sand Martin, Wheatear
  • Roystone Grange (SK2056) Wheatear
  • Pastures Golf Club, Derby (SK3033) 2 Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Great Tit
  • North Wingfiel (SK4165) 10 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff
22 March 2010
  • Pleasley Colliery (SK5064) 3 Little Ringed Plover
  • Calver (SK2474) 5 Mandarin, 4 Bullfinch
  • Chellaston (SK3730) Red Kite over Maple Drive at 09:00
  • Alvaston (SK3833) Red Kite at 09:15 continuing its tour of SE Derby
  • Freebirch (SK3073) 7 Wheatear, 55 Golden Plover
21 March 2010
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Buzzard, 4 Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Sand Martin, male Wheatear, 6 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing
  • Swarkestone (SK3628) Chiffchaff
  • Earl Sterndale (SK0967) Swallow
  • Illam (SK1450) Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff
  • Barton Blount area (SK2035) 5 Buzzard, Raven, 4 Red-legged Partridge, Curlew, 5 Skylark, 2 Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Bittern, Whooper Swan, Chiffchaff, 8 Shelduck, 10+ Shoveler, 4+ Bullfinch, Meadow Pipit
20 March 2010
  • Newton Solney (SK2725) 20 Sand Martin
  • Chaddesden Sidings (SK3735) 6 Sand Martin
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Mediterranean Gull continue, 4 Yellow-legged Gull, "Mew"/Common Gull again
  • Eggington Farm (SK2729) 2 Canada Goose, Merlin, 2 Pheasant, 4 Skylark, Reed Bunting
  • Derby (SK3536) Goosander on R Derwent
19 March 2010
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 8 Sand Martin, 43 Redwing, 9 Reed Bunting
  • Cauldwell (SK2517) Wheatear
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Mediterranean Gull continue, 3 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Hope (SK1783) Dipper
  • Kinder Scout (SK1588) 10 Red Grouse
  • Eggington (SK2628) 60 Fieldfare, 40 Redwing
  • Elvaston Castle Lake (SK4033) 6 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 3 Green Woodpecker
  • Etwall (SK2631) Chiffchaff, 12 Great Tit
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Chiffchaff
18 March 2010
  • Duffield Meadows (SK3343) Red Kite at 12:15 over the primary school
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Mediterranean Gull continue, smi-leucistic Black-headed Gull
  • Derby SF (SK3834) Cetti's Warbler singing again
  • Pride Park (SK3735) 2 Goosander, Chiffchaff
  • Chesterfield College (SK3871) Peregrine on 8th floor ledge
  • Shillito Wood (SK2974) 60 Golden Plover
  • Hilton GP (SK2431) 2 Little Grebe, Cormorant, 3 Greylag Goose, Teal, 2 Pochard, Great SPotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Willow Tit, Bullfinch
  • Rowsley Sidings (SK2665) 4 Mandarin
  • Dove Valley Lake (SK2031) 2 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Greylag Goose, 104 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 3 Shoveler, Pochard, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Bullfinch
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Bittern, Sparrowhawk, 6 Sand Martin, Chiffchaff, 11 Curlew
17 March 2010
  • Botany Bay (SK2615) First reported Wheatear
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 2 Greylag Goose, 6 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 2 Oystercatcher, Sand Martin, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Willow Tit, Jay
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 5 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Straw's Bridge (SK4541) 2 Great Crested Grebe, 16 Mute Swan, 2 Pochard, 29 Tufted Duck, Kestrel, Water Rail, 105 Blck-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtail
  • Long Eaton (SK4933) Great White Egret reported over Manchester Playing Fields flying towards Long Eaton GP at 17:20
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Whooper Swan, 3 Shelduck, 59 Gadwall, 9 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, 22 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 5 Curlew, Redshank, 3 Sand Martin, 4 Water Pipit, 2 Jay
  • Pride Park Sanctuary (SK3735) Stonechat, Skylark, Little Grebe, 2 Mistle Thrush, Common Gull, Herring Gull
  • Allestree Park (SK3540) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goosander, 2 Long Tailed Tit
  • Draycott (SK4433) Red Kite
16 March 2010
  • Taddington (SK1370) 2 Grey Partridge
  • Pride Park (SK3735) Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Sand Martin (first report this year)
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Mediterranean Gull, Mew Gull from Albert Lake
15 March 2010
  • Belper (SK3547) Dipper
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Merlin over, 4 Water Pipit SW of Canal Scrape, Whooper Swan still present, 13 Goosander
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) 3 Little Grebe, Coot, 7 Common Gull
  • Wyver Lane (SK3449) 62 Greylag Goose
  • Thulston (SK3323)2 Buzzard, 50 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing
14 March 2010
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Mediterranean Gull, Kittiwake
  • Shillito Wood (SK2974) 60 Golden Plover
  • Chaddesden Park (SK3836) 2 Song Thrush, Nuthatch
  • East Moor (SK2970) 10 Golden Plover, 30 Lapwing, 2 Curlew
  • Harewood Moor (SK3067) Woodcock
  • Williamthorpe (SK4366) 30 Lesser Redpoll
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Bittern still present, 4 Water Pipit SW of Canal Scrape
13 March 2010
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Mediterranean Gull again, a Common Gull showing characteristics of Mew Gull reported
  • Windmill Wood (SK3424) Red-legged Partridge, 10 Yellowhammer
  • Alderwasley (SK3151) 2 Curlew
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Whooper Swan still present, 4 Water Pipit SW of Canal Pit, 7 Shelduck, 110 Wigeon, 33 Gadwall, 25 Teal, 11 Goldeneye, 17 Goosander, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, Peregrine, 2 Oystercatcher, 120 Lapwing, 30 Curlew, 7 Common Full, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Treecreeper, White Wagtail
12 March 2010
  • Matlock Bank (SK2960) Brambling in observer's garden
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Mediterranean Gull again
11 March 2010
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) Snipe, 7 Redwing, 5 Mistle Thrush
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 5 Water Pipit SW of Canal Pit, Whooper Swan, 4 Shelduck, 6 Pochard, Goldeneye, 15 Goosander, 2 Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 10 Curlew, 2 Buzzard
10 March 2010
  • Wirksworth (SK2753) 67 Magpie, 5 Redwing, 19 Fieldfare
  • Borrowash (SK4234) Singing Chiffchaff
  • Alvaston Lake (SK3734) 3 Pochard, Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 Stock Dove, Treecreeper, Muscovy Duck
  • Derby SF (SK3834) 2 Gadwall, 11 Goosander, Common Sandpiper, 8 Stock Dove
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Little Owl
  • Linacre Res (SK3372) 2 Mandarin
  • Chatsworth Park (SK2570) 2 Mandarin, 4 Goosander, 2 Grey Wagtail
9 March 2010
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Mediterranean Gull
  • Baslow (SK2472) Sparrowhawk
  • Willington GP (SK2827) White Wagtail, 5 Water Pipit SW of Canal Pit, 47 Curlew, Little Owl, 45 Pied Wagtail, Goosander
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3966) 2 Gadwall, Green Woodpecker
8 March 2010
  • Pleasley Colliery (SK4964) Goldeneye, Little Ringed Plover
  • Longshaw Estate (SK2679) Brambling, 2 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin
  • Stanton-in-Peak (SK2363) Barn Owl
  • Church Wilne (SK4431) Oystercatcher, 2 Tree Sparrow
  • Long Eaton GP (SK5033) 2 Egyptian Goose, 11 Gadwall, 20 Pochard, Goldeneye, 2 Goosander
7 March 2010
  • Derby SF (SK3834) Cetti's Warbler
  • Baslow (SK2472) 2 Little Owl
  • Alderwasley (SK3151) Buzzard feeding on the ground
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Whooper Swan, Bittern, 7 Shelduck, 14 Magpie, 20 Pochard, Goldeneye, 4 Buzzard, 2 Oystercatcher, 8 Curlew
  • Locko Park (SK4038) 2 Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, 25 Greylag Goose, 40 Canada Goose, Pochard, 5 Buzzard, Green Woodpecker
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) the first Little Ringed Plover of the year (Power Station), 6 Great Crested Grebe, 44 Teal, 9 Gadwall, 26 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 12 Pochard, 81 Tufted Duck, 16 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, 2 Peregrine, 3 Buzzard, Oystercatcher, 8 Linnet
  • Nut Wood (SK3539) Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, 2 Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) 2 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, Common Gull, Kingfisher
  • Abbey Hill Flash (SK3639) 23 Greylag Goose, 106 Canada Goose, 22 Carrion Crow
  • Darley Abbey (SK3438) 2 Blackcap (M+F) in oberver's garden
  • Middleton Moor (SK2074) 7 Lapwing, 6 Curlew, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Reed Bunting
  • Hilton GP (SK3531) 5 Bullfinch, 5+ Buzzard, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Willow Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker
6 March 2010
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Whooper Swan, 3 Water Pipit again, 35 Curlew
  • Melbourne Pool (SK3824) Cormorant, 13 Mute Swan, 7 Pochard, 53 Coot, Common Gull
  • Swarkeston Lake area (SK3628) 43 Mute Swan E of the bridge, 5 Gadwall, 2 Oystercatcher
  • Ingleby (SK3427) 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tree Sparrow
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 200 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 3 Goldeneye, Goosander
  • Rowsley (SK2565) 2 Mandarin
  • St Chad's Water (SK4431) Scaup
  • Church Wilne (SK4331) Bewick's Swan still present with Mute Swan flock opposite Ivy House Farm
5 March 2010
  • Aldercar (SK4447) 40 Teal
  • Erewash Meadows (SK4449) 8 Gadwall, 22 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 3 Water Rail
  • Hardwick Hall (SK4663) 2 Raven
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) 2 Pintail, 8 Goldeneye, 7 Oystercatcher
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Whooper Swan, 7 Shelduck, 3 Water Pipit again present, Aythya hybrid duck (ferruginous type)
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 8 Buzzard, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 50 Golden Plover
4 March 2010
  • Belper (SK3648) Blackcap in oberver's garden
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Bittern near Platform 1, Whooper Swan, Water Rail, 4 Water Pipit again present in the field with silage bales beyond the Canal Pit
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 41 Whooper Swan flying N (sorry, previously incorrectly posted as Bewick's), 2 Mediterranean Gull, Stonechat, 2 Lesser Redpoll
3 March 2010
  • Pleasley Colliery (SK4964)2 Green Woodpecker, 100 Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll
  • Wirksworth (SK2754) 2 Raven
  • Church Wilne (SK4431) Bewick's Swan, 20 Mute Swan, 4 Egyptian Goose
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Water Pipit again present in the field beyond the Canal Pit, 6 Shelduck, 14 Goosander, 25 Curlew
2 March 2010
  • Carsington Water (SK2451) Garganey from the Visitor's Centre briefly
  • Allestree (SK3440) 4 Goosander
  • Willaimthorpe (SK4366) Water Rail
  • Kedleston Park (SK3041) 2 Pink-footed Goose, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Oystercatcher
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Stonechat
1 March 2010
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3966) Stonechat
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Bittern again
  • Shardlow (SK4230) Buzzard, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Yellowhammer
  • Pride Park (SK3735) Presumably the 2 Cathedral Peregrines displaying to each other at 11:00
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Mediterranean Gull pm
28 February 2010
  • Bolsover (SK4770) 75 Pink-footed Goose NW
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 40 Meadow Pipit, up to 4 Water Pipit in field beyond the Canal Pit (Highbridge SK273273), 50 Pied Wagtail
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 2 Curlew
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Shag, Yellow-legged Gull

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Previous months
January 2010
February 2010
February highlights

Despite the vagaries of the weather, the month produced an excellent mix of species and over 2,000 records for us to summarise.

Two Great Northern Divers remained at Carsington Water and these were joined by two Red-necked Grebes on 15th. There was an excellent showing of Bittern and Little Egret, both once regarded as great rarities, whilst the Bewick’s Swan stayed on, as did Whooper Swans and last month’s influx of Smew.

Waders and gulls provided their normal variety and there was a further notable passage of Pink-footed Geese. Wintering Blackcaps far exceeded Chiffchaff but the most exciting warblers were surely the Cetti’s Warblers which appear to have survived the bad weather and may yet start a colony in the county.

Year-listers were delighted by the availability of Hawfinch and Common Crossbill but the Water Pipits near Willington presented an extra bonus and Waxwing found their way to us at last, albeit in minimal numbers.

For those desperate to extend a dodgy county list, a trip to the north of the county gave a reasonable chance of finding one of the introduced Black Grouse.

Bryan Barnacle