Tag Archives: Buzzard

Garganey – 25th April

April 25, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 25th April, birds, Buzzard, Garganey, peregrine, Sand MartinPete Smith

A cracking male Garganey appeared on the Slurry Lagoon this morning. After feeding steadily for an hour or so it decided to take a nap. During this time at least ten Buzzards went through to the north after gaining height over the site. The Sand Martins were seen to dash in a tight group across the Large Gravel Pit and a few seconds later a Peregrine was found, carrying prey (probably a Sand Martin), which it took up to a pylon to eat. PS.

In the afternoon a Hobby was hawking insects over the Deep Pit and some damselflies were seen including Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Banded Demoiselle. RW.

Migrants Return – 3rd April

April 3, 2011Recent wildlife sightings2011, 3rd April, birds, butterflies, Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Comma, Common Tern, Deep Pit, Peacock, Red Admiral, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Shelduck, Slurry Lagoon, Small Tortoiseshell, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Yellow WagtailCarol

During the last few days many migrant species have been returning to the lagoons and helped to provide a quite exciting morning’s watching in very pleasant bright weather this morning. Amongst others, the Sand Martins are now present in considerable numbers on the river bank. Willow Warblers were noted in several locations, as were Chiffchaffs and one or two Blackcaps. A single Reed Warbler was heard in the Deep Pit and a Whitethroat in the brambles on the Slurry Lagoon. The highlight of the morning was a Wheatear, which perched very close on fence posts, and the close second was the appearance of three Buzzards, which displayed well, including an aerial fight. The Cetti’s Warbler was in good voice also.

Meanwhile two Common Terns were struggling with Black-headed Gulls for space on the tern platform.

Butterflies, including Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, and Red Admiral were noted and the Blackthorn Blossom was a sight to see (and smell). A Yellow Wagtail was also seen over the Large Gravel Pit and six Shelduck flew into the Slurry Lagoon.

PS/NM/RW/AR/ DG/LD/AE

Goosander – 16th March

March 16, 2011Recent wildlife sightings16th March, 2011, birds, Buzzard, Goosander, Oystercatcher, river, WigeonPete Smith

A female Goosander was seen on the river, just downstream from the railway bridge, this afternoon. there was also a male Wigeon present, apparently the only one left. Further downstream there was an Oystercatcher resting on the bank. Earlier on a Buzzard got the Crows in a tizz as it flew low over the site. PS.

Sun Hats and Sun Cream

January 19, 2011Uncategorized2010, bird, birds, butterflies, butterfly, Buzzard, carrion crow, Common Redstart, cuckoo, Curlew, dragonflies, Garden Warbler, great spotted woodpecker, Grizzled Skipper, hairstreak butterfly, mammals, Orange Tip., padley gorge, Peacock, peregrine, Redstart, Reed Bunting, ring ouzel, Siskin, Small Copper, Stonechat, sun hats, trips, Whinchat, wood ants, wood warblerCarol

Padley Gorge – May 2010

On what was to be the hottest day of the year so far, Deryck, Jackie and I left Nottingham at about 0730 to meet Brian, Norman and Steve in Baslow, Derbyshire. While we waited a Garden Warbler was singing near the stream. We looked for Dipper, as this was a spot I used to see them regularly but not today.

We moved off to our first stop at Padley Gorge. We parked up, dosed up with sun cream and donned our sun hats then set off down the Gorge. Our target birds being Spotted and Pied Flycatcher and Common Redstart. It wasn’t long before Redstart was heard but not seen. Continuing down the path we soon had views of 2 pair of Redstart at two nest boxes, close to each other. A few yards on down the path we were soon enjoying views of Pied Flycatchers, again at a nest box. A few of the group went a little further down the Gorge to see if they could connect with Wood Warbler but to no avail. Cuckoo could be heard calling all round but not seen. We had good views of a Nuthatch, a Treecreeper and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. With the weather so warm there were Wood Ants all along the woodland path. Also seen were Small & Green-veined White Butterflies along with Orange Tip and Peacock. We returned to the cars, the day trip list now standing at 22 birds, 2 mammals and 4 butterfly.

We moved on about a mile to Surprise View Car Park were after a coffee break we moved onto the open moor for the first time. Here we added Tree Pipit and Carrion Crow to the day list along with a fleeting glimpse of a Green Hairstreak butterfly.

We moved on again, this time to Stanage Edge, taking a slow walk up to the edge over the open moorland. On the way we could hear a Reed Bunting calling from a gully and Curlew were heard across the moor. As we approached the Edge brilliant views of Green Hairstreak were obtained and photographed. Then the next target bird was spotted sat on a rock – a male Ring Ouzel. 3 males and a female were seen before we left the Edge. A Buzzard was seen being mobbed by Curlew.

Wearily and hot we returned to the cars to move on the Cutthroat Bridge, near the Ladybower Dams were we stopped for lunch.

After a refreshing break, another load of sun cream applied we set out on what I believed to be a steady walk around the moors. I had done a similar walk about 10 years ago and had found it very pleasant. Oh how the memory fades! The path we took was not the path I had taking all those years earlier. We were however rewarded with fine views of a Whinchat. A little further on we entered the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust reserve – Ladybower Wood. The track here was very rugged but again we were rewarded with the first sighting, on our trips, of a Grizzled Skipper. These are tiny butterflies, about 22 – 26 cms

(about 1 inch or less)that can easily be over-looked. (See article – Dingy and Grizzled Skipper) Three more were found a little further on along with a Small Copper. While in the wood a peregrine glided over the treetops.

We continued on the path past the rear of The Ladybower Inn were Jackie had a visit from a strange little creature on her camera case that Brian and Norman did their best to photograph. Jackie and I later identified it as a House Longhorn. Also in this area were a few Rose Chaffers.

While going through a conifer plantation we had views of Siskin and Goldcrest.

The path seemed to go on and on, out of the trees and on to the open moor, getting steeper all the time. We were all shattered on getting to the top but here we were rewarded with fine views of Red Grouse and two chicks. After a well-earned rest we continued down hill on a well-worn path towards the cars. On the way down Stonechat were heard but we could not locate them.

Although it had been a very hot and tiring day, all agreed that it had been worth the effort with good views of the surrounding countryside and some wonderful wildlife.

I would like to thank Neil Matthew for providing us with such a good itinerary.

The yearly trip lists now stand at: – Birds – 145 (117) : Butterflies – 8 (10)

Mammals – 6 (5) : Dragonflies – 0 (0) : Others – 3 (0)

2009 in brackets.

Red-crested Pochard – 30th September

September 30, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 30th September, birds, Buzzard, Dunlin, Large Gravel Pit, Red-crested Pochard, Rook, Ruff, Slurry LagoonPete Smith

The two male Red-crested Pochard are still on the Large Gravel Pit. The one in eclipse has been moulting and is showing some of its winter plumage now. A Ruff and three Dunlin were on the Slurry Lagoon and a Buzzard, drifting over the site, found itself surrounded by Rooks and being buffeted from all angles. PS.

Spotted Flycatcher – 22nd August

August 22, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 22nd August, birds, Blackcap, Brown Hawker, Buzzard, Common Darter, Emperor Dragonfly, Hobby, Jay, Lesser Whitethroat, Lower Path, Migrant Hawker, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Small Gravel Pit, Spotted Flycatcher, Stoat, Swallow, Whitethroat, Willow titPete Smith

This morning as we walked along the Lower Path four Jays sneaked into the canopy of the ash trees while a a Buzzard called overhead. There were several immature Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Blackcaps and Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Tit in the bushes between the path and the railway line. Near to the signal box a Spotted Flycatcher was perched on the wires and then in the hawthorn bushes, and a Stoat ran across the path. By the river the Swallows’ alarm calls alerted us to a Hobby. PS.

A Little Egret was seen briefly on the Slurry Lagoon and several Roesel’s Bush-crickets were found on the Causeway. By the Small Gravel Pit an Emperor, Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker and Common Darter were seen. PS.

Hobby – 4th May

May 4, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 4th May, birds, Buzzard, cuckoo, Hobby, SwallowPete Smith

A Hobby paid the Swallows by the railway bridge a brief visit this afternoon. They saw it coming and mobbed it until it flew away, all calling noisily until it went. A nearby Buzzard was similarly mobbed by a noisy Rook. A Cuckoo called from the Deep Pit posts and all the warblers except Lesser Whitethroat could be heard singing. PS.

Hobby – 26th April

April 26, 2010Recent wildlife sightings2010, 26th April, birds, Brimstone, Buzzard, Common Tern, Hobby, Kestrel, Orange Tip., Sparrowhawk, Stoat, SwiftPete Smith

This afternoon there were twelve Common Terns on the tern rafts. A flock of around fifty Swifts drifted high over the reserve and a Hobby alarmed the Swallows by the railway bridge, other raptors were two Buzzards, two Kestrels and two Sparrowhawks. There were several butterflies about, including Brimstone and Orange Tip and a Stoat was running up the Deep Pit bank, following a trail, its tail held high. PS.