WILDLIFE & NATURAL HISTORY GROUP

Newsletter No.23 – March/April 2019

SECRETARY Miss M Smith Tel. 07814 140034 Compiled by Mr. B.S. Smithson, Tel. 01246 415495 Mr. & Mrs. M. Fairest

MARCH

METEOROLOGICAL WEATHER REPORT from DRONFIELD –from garden bird surveys– BSS. It was dull with sunny spells on 1st & 2nd, a mixture of sun and rain on 3rd & 4th, sunny on 5th and rain on 6th & 7th. Most days had periods of sun and rain from 8th-19th. The 10th, 11th & 17th also had some snow or sleet. It was windy from 3rd-17th, strong on 9th, 10th and 13th-17th. The 20th was a nice sunny day. The 21st & 22nd were cloudy but dry. From 23rd to the end of the month it was sunny, with an early frost on 24th and rain in the evening. The days were warmer from 28th-31st. There was sun on 21 days for all or part of the day and rain on 11days. 4 days were cloudy or overcast.

GARDEN BIRD SURVEY The most numerous birds in 13 gardens (monthly totals)

Species Total None at Most at 1 House Sparrow 842 [12][17][20] 231 at [18], 210 at [15], 166 at [3] 2 Woodpigeon 547 - 98 at [3], 90 at [14], 76 at [18], 3 Starling 546 [3][12][17] 265 at [18], 166 at [4], 135 at [16] 4 Blackbird 511 - 94 at [3], 70 at [18], 58 at [15] 5 Dunnock 318 - 81 at [16], 63 at [18], 45 at [1] 6 Blue Tit 251 [20] 54 at [16], 47 at [6], 39 at [1] 7 Magpie 208 - 71 at [3], 34 at [13], 25 at [14] 8 Goldfinch 175 [3][20] 70 at [16], 59 at [14], 54 at [1] 9 Great Tit 121 [3][13][16][18][20] 73 at [1], 13 at [6], 10 at [8] 10 Robin 112 [4][18] 31 at [16], 24 at [15], 20 at [14] 11 Carrion Crow 106 [6][8][16][18][20] 46 at [3], 32 at [14], 9 at [4] 12 Greenfinch 84 [3][6][15][17][18][20] 38 at [8], 21 at [1], 15 at [13] 13 Long-tailed Tit 76 [3][4][6][13][16][18] 33 at [1], 17 at [12], 14 at [8] 14 Collared Dove 73 [6][12][16][17][18][20] 24 at [1], 15 at [3], 14 at [15] 15 Chaffinch 49 9 gardens 34 at [1], 8 at [14], 6 at [8]

Others Total of 6 sightings of Song Thrush at [14] and heard at [17]. No Mistle Thrush. Wren seen in 9 gardens most being at [14]. 21 sightings of Jackdaw at [15]. Rook was seen at [4] and [13] and flew over [3] and [14]. Coal Tit seen at 8 gardens. Sparrowhawk at [13][14] & [20] and flying over [18].

1 Curlew flew over [17] on 19th. Total of 6 Siskin at [8] for the month and 8 at [14]. Great Spotted woodpecker at [1] and [14]. Nuthatch at [1]. Bullfinch at [1][8]. Birds flying over – Black-headed Gulls over 3 gardens, Buzzard over [6][12][14]. Grey Heron over [3][12]. Pheasant and Lesser Black-Backed Gulls over [4]. Tawny Owl heard at [14][17].

ORNITHOLOGICAL

Starlings gathering in Poplar trees (357792) at end of garden [15] from C18 on G&EG 1st, C30 on 3rd, C20 on 5th & 8th, C30 on 11th & 21st and C12 on 26th. 1st Blackbird building nest at [1] Unstone. J&RS 5th Magpie building nest at [1] Unstone J&RS Song Thrush singing on Bradwell Close, Dronfield Woodhouse (3378) MS 7th 3 Mallard flew over [1] Unstone. Also 2 through rest of month. J&RS Judging by feathers scattered across the lawn at garden [8] either a cat or CS Sparrowhawk got lucky. No sign of Woodpigeons or Collared Doves since (18/03/2019). Mallard, Moorhen, Canada Goose, Coot on Chesterfield Canal (4074/4174) CS/BSS Pheasant and Collared Dove in same area. 8th 3 Buzzard flying over Hundall (3877) also on 11th & 14th J&RS 9th Grey Heron flying north over [15] at 1800 hours G&EG 10th C100 Starlings in big tree on Ashford Road, Dronfield Woodhouse (335780) MS 11th Common Buzzard flew over Civic Centre at noon. M&LF Also on 20th at 1030 hours (3578) Collared Dove and 3 Goldfinch on Ashford Close, Dronfield Woodhouse (3378) MS 18 Black-headed Gulls and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls settling in field at BB Barnes Farm, Dronfield Woodhouse (3379) 19th Curlew flew down Stonelow Road at 1020 hours BSS Long-tailed Tits collecting feathers mentioned earlier at [8] CS 19th Pair of Mandarin Ducks visiting pond and resting in Oak tree at [14] Coal Aston. P&MK and Carrion Crows building nest in adjacent woodland and fishing in garden pond 20th for snails. They defend territory fiercely from Magpies and Buzzards. Wren building nest in roosting pouch near kitchen door and singing very loudly. 20th Blue Tit resident in nest box at [13] A&JH Sparrowhawk circling over Green Lane/Hartington Road at 1310 hours (356788) G&EG 21st First sight of Woodpigeon after incident on 7th at [8] ! CS Female Mandarin perched 20ft up a tree in Moss Valley (374805) MS Skylark seen singing over field in Moss Valley (379802) MS 22nd Linacre (3372) Tufted Duck, Mallard, Blackbird, Robin, Carrion Crow, Rook, BB Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit and Great-spotted woodpecker drumming. Linacre (3272) Mallard, Starling, Rook. 25th Great Tits in nest box at [1] J&RS 26th Buzzard circling over Snape Hill Lane bottom at 1225 hours (352786) G&EG 27th Robin, Wren, Chiff Chaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, AB Woodpigeon, Chaffinch in Lea Brook Valley woodland (352783) 12 noisy Carrion Crows on big tree on Ashford Road, Dronfield Woodhouse MS (3378) 28th 4 Buzzard circling over Green Lane/Holmesdale Road at 1350 hours (356792) G&EG Blue Tits in nest box at [1] J&RS 31st Chiff Chaff singing in Dronfield Nature Reserve at 1230 hours (3677-3678) BSS

2 Garden Bird Survey 13 Gardens Garden Birds Total Species for March - 28 Maximum numbers seen together Garden No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 121314151617181920 House Sparrow 3 8 9 1 2 10 6 15 7 9 Starling 13 3 2 13 1 16 7 19 1 Blackbird 3 4 12 2 2 2 3 3 4 3 2 3 2 Blue Tit 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 4 6 5 3 1 Collared Dove 2 2 2 2 3 1 2 Magpie 2 4 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 1 1 2 1 Chaffinch 3 2 3 2 4 Dunnock 3 2 2 2 1 4 3 2 1 2 1 3 2 Robin 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 Greenfinch 4 4 8 Hd 2 Song Thrush 1 Hd Great Tit 4 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 Wren 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 Coal Tit 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 Carrion Crow 2 3 2 2 1 2 2 FO Mistle Thrush Woodpigeon 3 4 4 4 2 3 4 15 4 3 2 4 3 Rook 3 FO Jay G.S.Woodpecker 1 1 Goldfinch 5 1 2 4 2 6 4 3 4 1 FO Sparrowhawk FO 1 Pied Wagtail Long-tailed Tit 5 3 2 1 2 1 2 Yellowhammer B.H. Gull FO FO Goldcrest Treecreeper Jackdaw 2 Feral Rock Dove Bullfinch 1 2 Kestrel Nuthatch 2 Pheasant FO Grey Heron FO FO L.B.B. Gull Blackcap Fieldfare C.Buzzard FO FO FO Curlew FO Siskin 2 2 Tawny Owl Hd Redwing FO Mandarin Duck 2 Total 18 14 14 12 18 15 16 25 17 11 12 10 8

3 BOTANICAL

20th Lesser Celandine, Gorse, Dog’s Mercury on Fanshawe Gate Lane (3078) M&LF 22nd Linacre (3372) Common Dog Violet, Blackthorn, Lesser Celandine, Cowslip, Wood BB Anemone, Pussy Willow (3272) Blackthorn, Lesser Celandine, Pussy Willow, Golden Saxifrage. 25th Lots of Daisies in grass in front of flats and bungalows on Stonelow Road BSS (3578/3678)

MAMMALS

Grey Squirrel 3 out of 4 days throughout the month at [12] C&ES 3rd Grey Squirrel collecting nest material at [15] G&EG 13th Dead Badger on Dyche Lane, Coal Aston (361797) M&LF 14th Large Hedgehog observed at [13] A&JH 20th Young Fox seen at [13] A&JH 27th Grey Squirrel in garden [8]. Also on 30th.CS 30th Hedgehog in garden off Radbourne Common, Dronfield Woodhouse at 2000 AB hours (337784)

AMPHIBIANS

Frog spawn throughout month in garden pond [18] M&LF 18th Large Common Toad sheltering under upturned wash bowl in garden [18]. M&LF 27th Newt in garden pond at [17]. Most likely Smooth Newt. BSS

INSECTS

Butterflies at [15] during month – small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Comma. G&EG Also Red-tailed, White-tailed Bumble Bees, Honey Bee and 7 spot Ladybird. First Wasp seen on 18th. 20th Small Tortoiseshell butterfly on grass verge in front of bungalows on Stonelow BSS Road, Dronfield (363787) 25th Brimstone butterfly in garden [17] BSS 28th Brimstone butterfly in garden [1]. Also first Wasp. J&RS Peacock and Comma butterflies in garden [6] GB 29th Peacock butterfly in garden [1]. Also on 30th. J&RS Comma butterfly in garden [17]. BSS

4 Visit to RSPB Langford Lowfields - 17 th March 2019

This visit was postponed from last Sunday due to snow and gale conditions. 6 members set off from Greendale on a fine Sunday morning – Linda & Mick Fairest, Graham Gill, Brian Smithson, Charles Seymour and Malcolm Swift.

On arrival at the reserve car park we first of all noticed a mixed flock of C30 Chaffinch and Goldfinch feeding on wild bird-food which had been sprinkled across the lane at the entrance. Carrion Crow, Magpie and Jay were soon added to our list. Lesser Celandine on the grass banks of the stream were also noted.

We consulted the site map and decided to take the clockwise boundary path to eventually reach the access to the reserve around lunchtime. It was quite muddy underfoot in places due to the adverse weather conditions of the past week or so. This site is a working gravel extraction area and since our last visit the expanse of water has increased encouraging large numbers of Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Wigeon, Teal, Coot and Tufted Duck. The sound of Skylarks filled the air.

A large white bird in the distance standing on one leg and with its head well tucked in caused some confusion. Was it a Great White Egret (as 3 had been visiting the site) or was it a Swan??? Many minutes were spent watching and hoping for it to lift its head but no such luck. Unusual for a Swan to be standing so long in open water on one leg and also for an Egret to be away from the cover of reeds. We were left scratching our heads until after walking further away from the “quandary” and viewing it from afar it eventually lifted its head/neck to reveal it was just a Swan after all!!

Pussy Willow (White Willow), Blackthorn and a tiny specimen of Hawthorn were noted along with White Dead Nettle, Coltsfoot and Field Speedwell.

On reaching the entrance to the actual RSPB reserve we climbed the stile and made our way to a bench to sit and have our picnic lunch in a sheltered area out of the breeze. After lunch we did a figure of 8 path across the reserve. On crossing the “floating bridge” we saw some deer droppings and as we approached the “Beach Hut” an adult Roe Deer ran across in front of us. A good sighting! Whether it was because it was Sunday and there was no disturbance on the gravel works, most of the birds appeared to be there rather than on the actual reserve?

A clearing appeared to have been made to encourage the growth of Cowslips up a grassy bank and we also noticed many more amongst the saplings.

Mole Hills and a large Rabbit Warren on site were signs of mammal presence. As we passed through the small woodland towards the exit we recorded White/Sweet Violets. An inquisitive Robin came very close to us looking for food but unfortunately we had none!!

On arrival back at the cars we noticed more bird food had been sprinkled across the lane and again Chaffinch and Goldfinch were taking full advantage.

Birds 43 Flora 13 Mammals 3 Insects 1 Fungi 1

Reporter: Linda Fairest

5 Visit to Willington & Hilton Gravel Pits, Wildlife Trust – 24 th March 2019

7 members set off from Dronfield on a fine Sunday morning at 8.30. Linda & Mick Fairest, Eileen & Graham Gill, Charles Seymour, Brian Smithson, and Malcolm Swift.

On arrival at Willington we parked at the beginning of the lane noting Lesser Celandine growing alongside the stream. Further along the lane we came across a patch of Violets and heard the sound of our first Chiff Chaff. The lane was quite muddy in parts despite the fact we had had a dry week (at least in Dronfield!). From the first platform we had sightings of Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Teal and Gadwall.

The weather was fine but with a cool breeze so we were glad to take shelter in the only hide which can only be opened by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust members – luckily Charles is, so he had the combination. From here we saw Little Egret, Shelduck, Shoveler and Pochard. On the far grass bank was a sole Mediterranean Gull which flew towards the many Black-headed Gulls and then disappeared! A Grey Heron standing against the bank opposite, behind some fence posts, at first glance looked as though it was on stilts! On a grassy bank in the distance, left of the hide, a couple of Buzzards appeared to be having a dispute over some food until one got the better of the other.

We re-traced our steps down the lane and took the path on the left along the reserve boundary to find a sheltered spot for our packed lunch. Flowers in this area included Common Stork’s-bill, Field Speedwell, Eared and Hairy Bittercress. We continued along the path and came across our first butterflies of the day – several Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Comma and 2 Peacock. We eventually arrived back at the lane near where the cars were parked. As it was still fairly early and the weather was still pleasant we decided to go on to Hilton Gravel Pits a few miles away.

We parked at the entrance to the reserve at Hilton where we had good views of a singing Chiff Chaff in some Pussy Willow next to the gateway. On the water we had Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and Canada Geese. Further along Treecreeper and Nuthatch were added to our list. On our way back we took a path on our right through the woodland. In this area were several examples of Scarlet Elf Cup fungi. We were looking out for an unusual plant we have seen on many visits previously. Its 2 years since we were here and to our surprise the said plant had vastly spread covering moss, rotting tree branches and the like. Cameras were immediately put to use trying to capture the splendour of the Hidden Toothwort. The writer can’t remember ever seeing this plant anywhere else.

Birds 43 Flora 23 Insects 7 Fungi 5 Mammals 2 Reporter: Linda Fairest

APRIL

METEOROLOGICAL WEATHER REPORT from DRONFIELD –from garden bird surveys– BSS. A sunny and cloudy start to the month with a cold wind up to the 9th. An early frost on 3rd & 9th. There was rain for part of 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 7th and some snow late on the 3rd which lay on the ground on the 4th. It was sunny on 10th, 11th and also 12th-15th after early frost. 16th was lightly overcast, 17th overcast with sunny afternoon and 18th had a foggy start then sunny from mid-morning. 19th-22nd was sunny and warm with a hazy sun on 23rd. After a misty start on 24th there were sun and showers. The 25th was overcast with rainy spells and 26th-28th were a mixture of sun and rain. 29th & 30th both started misty and then sunny and cloudy.

6 BOTANICAL

Cordwell Valley during April – Lady’s Smock, Bluebells, Wood Anemone, Lesser BB Celandine, Greater Stitchwort, Blackthorn (3076) 5th King Cups in wooded and wet area across from Sandpiper at Brushes CS/MS (3775) /BSS 19th Barlow Ponds (3476) – Bluebell, (3375) Greater Stitchwort. CS 22nd Stubley Hollow-Bowshaw (3479) Bluebell, Red Dead Nettle, Garlic Mustard. Bowshaw-Pighills Lane (3579) Bluebell, Greater Stitchwort, Lesser Celandine, Garlic Mustard. 30th Oxclose Lane, Dronfield Woodhouse (3378) – Honesty, Dandelion, Greater Celadine, AB Ramsons, Herb Robert, Cow Parsley, Alkanet, Common Sowthistle. Leabrook Valley, Dronfield Woodhouse (3478) – Bluebell, Ramsons, Red Campion, Lesser Celandine, Dandelion, Daisy, Garlic Mustard, Cow Parsley, Eyebright.

MAMMALS

Grey Squirrel seen daily at [1] and Hedgehogs and Badgers regularly. J&RS Grey Squirrel in garden [8] a number of times during the month. CS Wood Mouse seen on 4 occasions on rear garden at [15] and Hedgehog on G&EG 31st of month at 2220 hrs. 5th Dead Hedgehog at side of path at Brushes (375754) CS/MS/BSS 17th Bat (probably Pipistrelle) seen at 2025 hours at junction of Paddock Way G&EG and Green Lane (357790)

INSECTS

Garden [15] – Butterflies – Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Small White, Small G&EG Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Common Blue. Also White-tailed, Red-tailed, Early Bumble Bees and Honey Bee. 7 Spot Ladybird, Green Lacewing and Large Yellow Underwing moth. 7 Spot Ladybirds on several days in garden [4]. Orange Tip butterflies numerous BB in Cordwell Valley. Butterflies in Garden [17] – Peacock 9th,18th,19th, Comma 19th, Orange Tip from BSS 16th- 24th. 19th Butterflies at Barlow Ponds (3476) – Orange Tip, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell CS (3475) Speckled Wood (3375) Peacock, Orange Tip. 21st 2 Speckled Wood butterflies in garden [8] CS 22nd Butterflies - Stubley Hollow – Bowshaw (3479) Orange Tip, Speckled Wood CS Bowshaw – Pighills (3579) Small Tortoiseshell, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood. Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell butterflies in Leabrook Valley AB (3478)

7 Garden Bird Survey 11 Gardens Garden Birds Total Species for April - 30 Maximum numbers seen together Garden No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 121314151617181920 House Sparrow 5 14 9 3 2 5 7 7 10 4 Starling 11 5 1 1 3 8 11 2 Blackbird 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 Blue Tit 3 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 4 2 Collared Dove 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 Magpie 2 2 1 2 2 5 3 1 1 5 1 Chaffinch 3 2 1 1 Dunnock 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 Robin 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 Greenfinch 2 4 2 1 Song Thrush Great Tit 3 1 2 2 3 1 2 1 Wren 1 1 1 Coal Tit 2 2 1 3 1 Carrion Crow 3 2 1 1 FO 1 Mistle Thrush Woodpigeon 6 4 3 4 2 10 6 3 2 4 3 Rook FO 1 1 FO Jay G.S.Woodpecker 1 Goldfinch 3 3 2 2 4 4 2 4 3 2 Sparrowhawk 1 1 1 Pied Wagtail Long-tailed Tit 2 2 Yellowhammer B.H. Gull FO Red Kite FO Treecreeper Jackdaw 2 Feral Rock Dove Bullfinch 2 Kestrel Nuthatch Pheasant Hd Grey Heron 1 FO Lapwing L.B.B. Gull Blackcap Fieldfare Grey Wagtail Brambling 1 Siskin 2 Tawny Owl Hd House Martin Buzzard FO Total 17 12 15 13 16 21 14 13 8 9 11

8

The most numerous birds in 11 gardens (monthly totals)

Species Total None at Most at 1 House Sparrow 811 [17] 173 at [14], 155 at [16], 154 at [18] 2 Woodpigeon 575 - 89 at [3], 83 at [15], 68 at [16] 3 Starling 476 [1][3][17] 171 at [16], 148 at [18], 82 at [4] 4 Blackbird 469 - 65 at [16], 55 at [15], 53 at [3][6] 5 Dunnock 248 - 52 at [3], 44 at [16], 40 at [4] 6 Blue Tit 238 [18] 52 at [3], 51 at [16], 31 at [1] 7 Goldfinch 217 - 69 at [16], 49 at [8], 30 at [3] 8 Magpie 143 - 54 at [3], 25 at [15], 17 at [8] 9 Robin 117 [6][18] 28 at [15], 25 at [8][16], 16 at [14] 10 Collared Dove 116 [6][17][18][20] 29 at [8], 26 at [3], 20 at [15] 11 Great Tit 94 [3][6][15][18] 45 at [1], 20 at [14], 15 at [8] 12 Greenfinch 85 [3][4][14][15][17][18] 38 at [8], 20 at [1][6],5 at [16] 13 Carrion Crow 59 [6][8][18][20] 36 at [3], 17 at [14], 5 at [4] 14 Chaffinch 57 [3][4][17][18][20] 27 at [6], 21 at [1], 7 at [8] 15 Coal Tit 35 [3][4][17][18][20] 13 at [14], 8 at [16], 6 at [1]

Others No Thrush species this month. Black-headed Gulls flew over [4][18], Buzzard over [6] and Red Kite over [14] on 21st. Pheasant heard at [4], Tawny Owl heard at [14] on 5th, 6th, 14th & 22nd. 5 Rooks flew over [14] on 17th, also flew over [3]. Grey Heron flew over [1]. Wren seen at [3][14], Jackdaws in garden [15] on 12 days of the month. Long-tailed Tit at [1][8], Sparrowhawk at [8][14]. Great Spotted Woodpecker and Bullfinch at [1]. Brambling and Siskin in garden [14].

ORNITHOLOGICAL

1st Rook on roof of bungalow near top of Hogarth Rise, Dronfield Woodhouse MS (3477). Buzzard flying over Cowley Lane (345777). 3rd Grey Heron on River Drone at the Brushes (374756). 2 Buzzards circling over G&EG Road, Dronfield (353786) 5th Female Blackbird collecting worms and slugs on rear garden [15]. G&EG Bittern seen flying south east between Unstone and Old Whittington (3775) CS/MS/BSS Meadow Pipit over field towards Prospect Road (3875). Chiff Chaff at the Brushes (374756) 6th Pair of Buzzards circling to the south side of Ashford Road, Dronfield MS Woodhouse (3378). Red Kite over Creswell Crags (not in our area). G&EG 8th Sparrowhawk circling over Hartington Road, Dronfield (356788). G&EG Also on 15th. 9th Buzzard being mobbed by 3 Carrion Crows over Peak Resort the Brushes J&RS (3775) also Kestrel flew over. 10th Pheasant in field behind Longcroft Road, Dronfield Woodhouse (3379) BB 12th Buzzard again mobbed by Carrion Crows over Peak Resort (3775) J&RS 13th Grey Heron in flooded ground at Peak Resort (3775) J&RS 2 Buzzards over Sainsbury’s car park at 1015 hours Dronfield (3478-3578) CS 2 Stock Dove, Nuthatch, Chiff Chaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, Yellowhammer, Coal BSS/PJS Tit, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Buzzard in tree being mobbed by Carrion Crows at Bentley Hall Farm, Coal Aston (3779) 15th Grey Heron flying west at 1330 hours over Chesterfield town centre (385712) G&EG

9 16th Blackcap and Chiff Chaff seen and heard singing in Sindelfingen Park, MS Dronfield Woodhouse (3378) also on 20th. Sparrowhawk eating kill, perched on top of Privet hedge at 1250 hours and CS eventually flew off with remains of prey (possibly a Collared Dove?) [8] 19th First Cuckoo heard at Clumber Park. G&EG Swallow in area of (3375) and Buzzard over Peakley (3376) CS 21st Good views of Red Kite flying over Coal Aston (3679) P&MK 22nd Stubley Hollow-Bowshaw (3479) 2 Swallows CS 25th 12 Starlings flying over garden [17] BSS 29th Chaffinch calling near shops at Jolly Farmer PH Dronfield Woodhouse (3378) MS 30th Green Woodpecker heard at 1310 hours in Grasscroft Wood (390764). G&EG 2 Buzzards at 1530 hours circling over Dronfield High Street (350785). 2 Pied Wagtail at 1940 hours on grass verges on Stonelow Road (358787)

Contributors G. Bagshaw, A. Barrass, B. Best, M. & L. Fairest, G. & E. Gill, A. J. Hitchman, C. Jolley, M. & P. Kirk, R.A. Knock, S. & G. Robinson, C. Seymour, J. & R. Smith, B.S. Smithson, C. & E. Stacey, P. J. Stoppard, M. Swift

Visit to Rutland Water Nature Reserve - 14 th April 2019 6 members set off from Dronfield at 8.30 am for the 150 mile round trip to Rutland Water to (hopefully) see the Ospreys.

Linda & Mick Fairest, Graham Gill, Charles Seymour, Brian Smithson and Malcolm Swift.

We decided to make for the car park at the Lyndon Visitor Centre to observe the Ospreys. The weather was cool and cloudy but dry. We were informed 15 year old Maya (the non-ringed wild female) was sitting on 4 eggs and her mate No.33 (male bred at Rutland) was in attendance. From the Visitor Centre window we noted Brambling, Goldfinch and Chaffinch on the bird feeders.

On arrival at the Osprey viewing point at Shallow Water Hide we had good views of said nest with female on eggs. The male flew off across the lake only to return sometime later with a large fish. He perched on a fallen tree to strip the flesh off his prize catch. He didn’t seem too keen on sharing. In fact at one stage a Red Kite came into view and slowly glided past the scene hoping for a morsel maybe?

In a dead tree surrounded by water were 15 cormorants (known as a Gulp) perched on the branches – a weird sight!

After our picnic lunch we headed back towards the car park taking in the Tufted Duck and Deep Water hides en route. Other birds on the water included Canada Geese, Greylag, Wigeon, Shelduck, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal and 2 Egyptian Geese which flew off. The sound of Blackcaps and Chiff Chaff filled the air as we walked beside the fields of newly born lambs (Easter is upon us).

10 We then moved onto Egleton for a couple of hours. From the visitor centre we took the anti-clockwise path to visit the hides around Lagoons 1,5 & 6. On the way we noticed several Pink-footed Geese grazing on grass alongside Greylag and Canada Geese. Grey Heron, Little Egret, Redshank and Pintail were added to our list. Time was marching on so we backtracked to the car park which was signed to close at 5pm however we were later informed that it closed at dusk!

Birds 56 Flora 20 Fungi 1 Insects 1 Mammals 2 Reporter: Linda Fairest

St. Aidans RSPB Reserve on Sunday 28 th April 2019

Four members, Charles, Graham, Malcolm and Brian left Greendale to travel the one hour journey to St. Aidans, a fairly new RSPB reserve to the east of Leeds. It was a former opencast coal site as opposed to the more usual gravel or sand pits which are turned into reserves. It is a large reserve of water, reeds and grassy areas, but as yet there are no hides.

Next to the car park there is a visitors centre and toilet block which are overshadowed by a massive dragline which was used on the site to scrape off the topsoil to expose the coal seams beneath during the site’s working life. We were lucky to be blessed with sunshine as we arrived, and this continued for the rest of the day.

Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat sang from the hedgerow next to the car park and Woodpigeon, Feral Rock Dove and Magpie flew around the jib of the dragline whilst a Little Owl and Kestrel were spotted resting on the machine. A good start to the bird list.

After studying a site map, we decided to walk around the reserve in an anti-clockwise direction and as we set off some of the first birds we noted were Canada, Greylag and a single Barnacle Goose. Other spring visitors heard singing included Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler. Wheatear, Skylark and Reed Bunting were all showing well and numerous Orange Tip butterflies were feeding on Milkmaid flowers on the verges by the path. Over to our left a large Brown Hare was running across some of the open grassland.

Moorhen were shepherding and feeding up to 4 small young in the water channels and a pair of Greylag Geese were seen with 8 gosling and further on another pair had 15 gosling swimming line astern between the parents. An early Cuckoo was heard near here and again as the day progressed. A couple of Roe Deer sheltered in some shrubland at the top of the valley slope to our right, appropriately named ‘The Hillside’, whilst a Marsh Harrier gave us a display overhead. As we continued alongside the Eastern Reedbed towards the far side of the site, more water birds included Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Shoveler, Shelduck, Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe and a Bar-tailed Godwit was a good sighting in it’s breeding plumage. Other waders included Lapwing and Oystercatchers.

The far side of the reserve is bounded by the River Aire and a Grey Heron stood at the side of a strong running inlet to the river, whilst Hawthorn was coming into full flower on many of the trees. On the

11 river itself there was a pair of Tufted Duck and a Cormorant diving downstream of Lemonroyd Bridge and three Swallows were seen flying overhead.

Our picnic lunch was taken around 1 o’clock on a sheltered grassy bank overlooking the water channel that runs around the Western Reedbed from where we heard a Bittern booming in the distance. Also two Common Terns and a single Swift flew overhead and were added to the list of Spring visitors. After lunch we continued on the perimeter path and a Cetti’s Warbler gave us a burst of song from a hedgerow, but as usual no sighting. Chiffchaff and Song Thrushes joined in the chorus. Close to Shan House Bridge we turned left onto The Causeway which runs between Lemonroyd Lake and Main Lake and amongst hundreds of Black-headed Gulls nesting on the islands were small numbers of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Further along after turning right onto the Purple route, the bird of the day turned out to be a Whimbrel, a bird not often seen by us on our outings. This was off to the right, but not too far away, on a large expanse of grassland called Ridge and Furrow.

The day was rounded off by Meadow Pipit, Little Grebe calling and a Yellow Wagtail under the feet of a small herd of cattle. Two more Brown Hares were spotted as we made our way back to the car park.

A very enjoyable day at a new site for us which has lots of potential. We only covered about half of this huge reserve on this our first visit, so lots more to explore next time.

Reporter: B. S Smithson

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