Popped over today to see Xbills and was well rewarded with approx dozen Parrot Crossbills giving prolonged views as they perched up in the bare trees above their "drinking puddle" and watched as they appeared to take lichen off the bark and ate it? Also a couple of Commom Crossbills came in a gave brief views but did not stay to drink.Well worth the hassle of negotiating the horrendous amount of traffic around Glossop/Mottram.
Those could be my words Pete . For my first birding trip since September last year it was great to see those Parrot Crossbills at such close quarters during the couple of hours I was there this morning. Ditto on the traffic but you didn't mention the hill up from the car park!!!
pete berry said
Sat Jan 13 3:09 PM, 2018
Popped over today to see Crossbills and was well rewarded with approx dozen Parrot Crossbills giving prolonged views as they perched up in the bare trees above their "drinking puddle" and watched as they appeared to take lichen off the bark and ate it? Also a couple of Commom Crossbills came in a gave brief views but did not stay to drink.Well worth the hassle of negotiating the horrendous amount of traffic around Glossop/Mottram.
Andy Bissitt said
Fri Jan 12 9:16 PM, 2018
Enjoyed a rare day out this winter yesterday rarity chasing. Whatever I saw in the way of crossbills (more than 35 in all), I just enjoyed seeing them at close quarters, at or near eye-level, and well lit. It was such an invigorating experience, I climbed the track twice! If I had to give the main reason why I saw 'parrots', I'd say tameness, and the preferred food. I have only ever seen crossbills feeding on larch in this country, whereas the parrots, according to the literature feed on pines (chiefly). When I got back to my car the second time, the parrots were feeding on the pine cones in trees directly behind the parking area at 7km. Could have saved my breath! Also, heard a single crossbill singing in the same trees earlier. First time I'd experienced the song.
Steven Nelson said
Sun Jan 7 10:10 PM, 2018
A cold, frosty but beautiful sunny start this morning to hopefully catch up with the Parrot Crossbills. The drive over Snake Pass produced 6 Red Grouse flying over the road. I arrived at Fairholme car park at about 9.30am. I knew the road around the reservoirs is closed to vehicles on Sundays so I took my bike and passed a few envious birders along the way making the long (but beautiful) 7km walk! I found the steep track up through the forest but had to push my bike up this bit! A couple of birders were already there and straight away put me onto 2 Common Crossbills feeding quietly in a pine tree. After about 10 mins they suddenly took off and joined an aerial noisy flock that must have been feeding quietly nearby and flew to another part of the forest. By this time a few more birders began to arrive. We moved higher up the track to where it opens out at the top edge of the forest. After about 10 mins a flock of Crossbills flew in and landed in the bare tree next to the puddle. They took it in turns to decend to have a drink then return to the tree. They gave great views in the sunlight. The flock was approx 19 strong and stayed in the tree for a good 15 mins giving cracking views and allowing close struteny and comparison. At least 4 birds (2m & 2f) were clearly Parrots (1 male in particular looked stunning in the sunlight) but possibly there were others but most were Common. The flock then flew off back into the forest. They hadnt reappeared after 45 mins so I decided to head back - but happy with the experience and a lifer! Whilst cycling back I could hear more Crossbills in the plantation from the road at approx 6km marker.
Other sightings: 2 Buzzard 1 Kestrel c.20 flock of Siskin (more heard) Coal Tit - lots! Including 1 bird in the toilet block!
Rob Creek said
Tue Dec 26 4:05 PM, 2017
Tuesday 26th Dec with Simon Gough. (8.30am - 11ish)
Arrived at first light, still a bit gloomy at 8.30am and we'd just battled a heavy snow storm over most of the Snake. The snow continued to fall, heavy at times for alot of the time we were there.
- Parrot Crossbill 12 (Lifer) We got to the top of the 7K steep track and after about 30mins or so we hear Crossbills calling. A large flock of nearing 35-40 birds came flying over and they split into 2 groups. Most of them landed in a tree up near the puddle and gate, but 12 birds doubled back round and landed in a tree a bit nearer to us and as they flew over we could see they looked top heavy and bull-necked. This was them. We got decent bins views especially of a bright red male but most of the others were either obscured or silhouettes, and the snow was streaming down so no chance of any record shots. Some Crossbill sp. showed again briefly in flight a bit later but that was it for us.
- Common Crossbill c25+ - Siskin heard only - Treecreeper 1 - Nuthatch 1 - Goldcrest and Coal Tit in abundance
steven burke said
Sat Dec 23 10:10 PM, 2017
9-2.30pm
On first arrival up the steep track from the 7km marker the parrot crossbills were in the pines on the left but viewing was not great due to the mist & them being a bit sulky. I managed to see 4 in one scope view at one point, 12 at least are still being reported. There was also plenty of common crossbills around 20+ which showed well on several occasions. Later in the afternoon I managed to eventually get a record shot of 2 parrot crossbills at the top of the trees. Plenty of coal tits 1 buzzard 1 kestrel 2 raven Red grouse heard.
Roaming flock of 11 Parrot Crossbills moving around the cleared area above the 7k sign.
Also here, 4 Common Crossbills were showing well as they rested on top of the large conifers.
2 Kestrels were hovering over the moor.
3 Grey Herons in a territorial dispute alongside Derwent Reservoir. 2 Jays also seen here.
A large flock of Coal Tits moving through the conifers alongside the reservoir contained at least 1 Siskin.
2 Red Grouse posed from the top of a stone wall near the summit of Snake Pass.
Special thanks to the 2 birders who gave me a lift to and from Fairholmes.
Mark Burgess said
Tue Dec 19 2:44 PM, 2017
Howden Reservoir 8.45-11.00am
Parrot Crossbill 2m & 2f seen well, however due to the birds moving around in the alders and being partially obscured behind branches, Consensus amongst those birders present there may be as many as 13, Still favouring the top of the steep track to the left of the blue 7km marker. Also seen a Common Crossbill flock of 9, potentially contained a male Parrot Crossbill, Not seen sufficiently we'll enough to confirm Siskin c25 Raven 3 Coal Tit 4
No signs of any crossbills for me either this afternoon, I was up the track from the blue 7km marker from 1.40- 2.20pm. Did bump into a chap who had 12 about an hour & a half earlier. 2 tawny owls calling near fairholmes, 1 seen.
Rob Creek said
Sat Dec 9 7:13 PM, 2017
Saturday 9th Dec, mid afternoon after work. Thanks to Chris Harper and Roger Baker for your help.
- Parrot Crossbills not seen unfortunately - 2 Crossbill (1m 1f) flew up from a roadside puddle
Roger Baker 3 said
Thu Dec 7 6:26 PM, 2017
Great photographs those John.
I forgot to mention that I had a flock of 15+ Crossbills fly over and off over the reservoir while I was sorting my gear out before setting off up the track. That would be about 08.00 hrs.
Roger.
John Rayner said
Thu Dec 7 4:38 PM, 2017
11.22 - 11.31
I was luckier than Roger. First attempt and only had to wait 25 minutess before they flew in, first picking at lichen and moss then dropped to the puddle to drink. On view for 9 minutes then flew away down the hillside. I also saw 11 birds but each one I grilled closely or photographed was a Parrot Crossbill. I might not have studied them all but the consensus was 11 parrots. The flight photo shows 10 of them but can't tell anything from that.
Parrot Crossbills. Third time lucky. After dipping on these birds on Sunday morning and Tuesday afternoon I decided on an early start and was on site before first light.
11 birds flew in at 09.30 and landed in some dead larches, moved across to a Silver Birch at side of track then dropped down to drink from a puddle. I counted them as 9 Parrot and a M & F Common Crossbill.
The puddle that the birds are presently using is up a steep track near the blue 7 km marker .. the track levels out at the top with a 5 bar gate facing you ... the puddle is about 50 mts BEFORE the gate.
Roger.
Chris Harper said
Sun Dec 3 7:34 PM, 2017
Trecked from the car park at Fairholme up to Windy Corner on Howden Reservoir today in search of the reported Parrot Crossbills. En route were a Raven, 6 Red Grouse, many Goldcrest and Coal Tit, and a Common Buzzard and Kestrel. Arriving there at 12 a single Common Crossbill flew over and that was it.
At 1 we headed back, and whilst opposite Windy Corner 2 other birders shouted that they had seen a flock of Crossbill go onto the Pines. Setting up the scope we then had great if distant views of 2 male PARROT CROSSBILL with a possible female beneath them. Showed at 13.25.
One birder then hopped back on his bike and later reported he at at least 3 males.
So in the end a successful day, but any day but Sunday we could have driven up and saved a 3 hour walk, nice though it was.
Redstart singing Spotted Flycatcher singing Garden Warbler singing and seen well Pied Flycatcher singing near the Visitor Centre Tree Pipit pair on the way to Hagg Side (on foot there) Ravens Curlews Oystercatcher Coal Tit Siskins several about Cuckoo 2 heard only
John Williams said
Sat Sep 3 5:43 PM, 2016
09.30-15.00
Walked across the dam, up Win Hill, then followed the edge woodland/moor to Wooler knoll and back. In very wet conditions.
Lots of Meadow Pipits on the moor, but the only other birds seen here were 2 passing Swallows and singles of Jay and Carrion Crow.
Along the edge of the wood though were 6 Goldcrests, 2 Treecreepers, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and lots of Chaffinches.
Wrens were numerous here too, mainly in the areas of bracken and around the stone walls.
One Wren checked every cavity in a stretch of wall, disappearing completely into the larger holes, any insect or spider hiding from the rain here as no chance.
The woodland along the South side of Ladybower will be worth checking out in spring, the big conifers are spaced out well, and mixed with mature oak and rowan.
Being on a slope too, it looks good for Wood Warblers etc,.
David Walsh said
Wed Apr 22 7:58 AM, 2015
Tim Wilcox wrote:
Circular walk from Fairholmes up Derwent Reservoir then following the path around Hagg
The bizarre sight of a man in full batsman's cricket gear including pads and helmet jogging round Derwent Reservoir!!
Unless he was out for a duck, should this not be in the "Other Wildlife" thread?
Tim Wilcox said
Wed Apr 22 7:47 AM, 2015
Circular walk from Fairholmes up Derwent Reservoir then following the path around Hagg Side and Open Hagg 12.00-4.30pm in glorious spring sunshine
Siskins abundant in the pine trees but hard to see. 10+ flying across rides, one male seen well perched low down and one recently fledged juvenile very brown and streaky with no visible colouration Lesser Redpoll 2 Coal tits the most abundant bird Mandarin pair on lake Great Spotted Woodpecker very distant Hen Harrier in Woodlands Valley - no other raptors seen Tree Pipit 3 singing males giving display flights from larches on the edge of the open ground of Open Hagg
The bizarre sight of a man in full batsman's cricket gear including pads and helmet jogging round Derwent Reservoir!!
Rob Creek said
Mon Apr 6 9:06 AM, 2015
An absolutely belting day yet again in the quality company of Steve Burke and Simon Gough with 57 species for the day (including Winsford and Newchurch Common).
A good day for Raptors including... 1 adult Osprey - over the clearing of the main path at the sharp hair-pin loop. The underside of the wings exhibited a dark band for the greater coverts rather than barring. 1 Peregrine circling over Howdens Other birds of note... 6 Raven 3 Mandarin Duck 1 Cormorant Lesser Black-backed Gulls Common Gulls Black-headed Gulls 2 Song Thrush 2 Nuthatch 2 Treecreeper Plenty of Chiffchaff around (more Heard than seen) approx 6 Goldcrest Few Meadow Pipits Chaffinch everywhere 1 Crossbill (only brief glimpse) Lots of Siskin Lesser Redpolls Goldfinch Lots of the usuals around too including Blackbird, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, few Long-tailed Tit, ...also lots of Red Grouse seen over Snake Pass en-route.
Craig Higson said
Fri Mar 20 10:37 PM, 2015
Great day up here yet again. Loads of Siskins and Redpolls, Common Crossbills and all the other usual stuff including a Red Grouse that decided to imitate on of those Lancaster Bombers that practiced here all those years ago!
Craig Higson said
Fri Mar 7 10:14 PM, 2014
First time I've been to this site, very impressed. Lots of passerines including siskins, chaffinches Nuthatch etc. Buzzard, Kestrel and a couple of other raptors also present.
Adam Jones said
Sat Feb 1 4:08 PM, 2014
Saturday 1st February 9am-12pm
A nice early walk around the reservoir. 1 Kestrel 1 Raven (honking overhead) 1 Common Buzzard 1 Treecreeper 6 Siskins by the feeders at the visitor centre Many Chaffinch and Coal Tit Plus all the usuals in good voice.
Keith Mills said
Sat Apr 20 3:19 AM, 2013
Late report for Friday,12th. April.(while cycling)
C35 Meadow Pipits feeding,all afternoon, on the mossy grass back of the Ladybower Dam. Also showing 3 hares including 2 black Ones?
jason fisher said
Sat Mar 3 1:31 AM, 2012
all morning stood at the watch point
the only raptors sighted were 1 buzzard and 1 kestrel
report of a single bird of the other species that the watch point is known for being sighted twice this week, but that's it.
plenty of sikins chaffinch and various tit species bustling about in the trees.
Chris Chandler said
Mon Feb 27 10:49 PM, 2012
Late report from yesterday (26 Feb)- 11.00 - 17.30 A very pleasant walk round Ladybower to Bamford and back
Peregrine Kestrel A very pale Common Buzzard that had me scrabbling around for the field guide. Male Goosander on the river by Yorkshire Bridge Dipper Chaffinch, Greenfinch & Goldfinch Crossbills (Heard only) Great, Blue, Coal & Long-Tailed Tit Green Woodpecker (Heard only) Canada Geese & Mallards on the Resrvoir 3 x Grey Heron House Sparrow
-- Edited by James Walsh on Monday 27th of February 2012 08:25:35 PM
Tim Wilcox said
Sun Jun 19 6:45 PM, 2011
Out for a walk there with non-birding friend and dog this afternoon and had an OSPREY on Ladybower. Plus some Crossbills heard in Larches but not seen.
steven burke said
Mon Jun 6 10:50 PM, 2011
late post for yesterday 5/6/11 46 species seen. good weather/good birds. a long walk from bamford train station to northern part off ladybower res,up the west side to fairholmes/derwent dam then back down the east side. 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT on snake pass rd before walking around the res 2 REDSTARTS on the west side 5 on the east side,all males & very busy collecting food 1 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER on the east side close to derwent dam 2 WOOD WARBLERS on the west side about half way up res 1 TAWNY OWL close to wood warblers 1 pair GARDEN WARBLERS feeding 2 juvenilles on east side COMMON SANDPIPERS all around the res CURLEWS on the east side in fields WHITETHROATS, BLACKCAPS, WILLOW WARBLERS & CHIFFCHAFFS all over GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS, NUTHATCHES & TREECREEPERS in the woods + all usual woodland birds SISKINS & CHAFFINCHES at feeding staion at fairholmes BUZZARDS & SPARROWHAWKS over also SWIFTS,SWALLOWS & HOUSE MARTINS over also PHEASANTS with lots off chicks did not hear or see any CUCKOOS
Alan Prosser said
Tue Jan 18 4:19 PM, 2011
c120 Pink Foots heading NW over Ladybower Resv. at 3.15pm
jason fisher said
Thu Apr 15 5:10 PM, 2010
appologies if this should go in an existing thread but i've searched 9 pages and can't find one.
had a day out up in the resservoir valley today
on arrival went straight to the viewing point 1 buzzard rising over the midle of derwent resser, being harrased by a smaller bird of prey which looked like a large heavily built sparrow hawk. as they rose low level flyover from a second of the smaller heavy hawk type bird. shortly after we got another view then that was it for the day.
moved up the valley towards slippery stones area. in the mixed conifer plantation on the way there by the side of howden was a large flock c100 of mixed species birds.
blue tit, great tit, coal tit, siskins (lots), chaffinch, bramblings (lots), 2 more buzzards circling over the hill to the left.
also 2 wood peckers heard drumming down by the visitor center, lots of all the usual tit species, one willow warbler, one gold crest.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 12:18:41 AM
Those could be my words Pete
. For my first birding trip since September last year it was great to see those Parrot Crossbills at such close quarters during the couple of hours I was there this morning. Ditto on the traffic but you didn't mention the hill up from the car park!!!
Popped over today to see Crossbills and was well rewarded with approx dozen Parrot Crossbills giving prolonged views as they perched up in the bare trees above their "drinking puddle" and watched as they appeared to take lichen off the bark and ate it? Also a couple of Commom Crossbills came in a gave brief views but did not stay to drink.Well worth the hassle of negotiating the horrendous amount of traffic around Glossop/Mottram.
Enjoyed a rare day out this winter yesterday rarity chasing. Whatever I saw in the way of crossbills (more than 35 in all), I just enjoyed seeing them at close quarters, at or near eye-level, and well lit. It was such an invigorating experience, I climbed the track twice! If I had to give the main reason why I saw 'parrots', I'd say tameness, and the preferred food. I have only ever seen crossbills feeding on larch in this country, whereas the parrots, according to the literature feed on pines (chiefly). When I got back to my car the second time, the parrots were feeding on the pine cones in trees directly behind the parking area at 7km. Could have saved my breath! Also, heard a single crossbill singing in the same trees earlier. First time I'd experienced the song.
By this time a few more birders began to arrive. We moved higher up the track to where it opens out at the top edge of the forest. After about 10 mins a flock of Crossbills flew in and landed in the bare tree next to the puddle. They took it in turns to decend to have a drink then return to the tree. They gave great views in the sunlight. The flock was approx 19 strong and stayed in the tree for a good 15 mins giving cracking views and allowing close struteny and comparison. At least 4 birds (2m & 2f) were clearly Parrots (1 male in particular looked stunning in the sunlight) but possibly there were others but most were Common. The flock then flew off back into the forest. They hadnt reappeared after 45 mins so I decided to head back - but happy with the experience and a lifer! Whilst cycling back I could hear more Crossbills in the plantation from the road at approx 6km marker.
Other sightings:
2 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
c.20 flock of Siskin (more heard)
Coal Tit - lots! Including 1 bird in the toilet block!
Arrived at first light, still a bit gloomy at 8.30am and we'd just battled a heavy snow storm over most of the Snake. The snow continued to fall, heavy at times for alot of the time we were there.
- Parrot Crossbill 12 (Lifer)
We got to the top of the 7K steep track and after about 30mins or so we hear Crossbills calling. A large flock of nearing 35-40 birds came flying over and they split into 2 groups.
Most of them landed in a tree up near the puddle and gate, but 12 birds doubled back round and landed in a tree a bit nearer to us and as they flew over we could see they looked top heavy and bull-necked. This was them. We got decent bins views especially of a bright red male but most of the others were either obscured or silhouettes, and the snow was streaming down so no chance of any record shots.
Some Crossbill sp. showed again briefly in flight a bit later but that was it for us.
- Common Crossbill c25+
- Siskin heard only
- Treecreeper 1
- Nuthatch 1
- Goldcrest and Coal Tit in abundance
On first arrival up the steep track from the 7km marker the parrot crossbills were in the pines on the left but viewing was not great due to the mist & them being a bit sulky. I managed to see 4 in one scope view at one point, 12 at least are still being reported.
There was also plenty of common crossbills around 20+ which showed well on several occasions.
Later in the afternoon I managed to eventually get a record shot of 2 parrot crossbills at the top of the trees.
Plenty of coal tits
1 buzzard
1 kestrel
2 raven
Red grouse heard.
Roaming flock of 11 Parrot Crossbills moving around the cleared area above the 7k sign.
Also here, 4 Common Crossbills were showing well as they rested on top of the large conifers.
2 Kestrels were hovering over the moor.
3 Grey Herons in a territorial dispute alongside Derwent Reservoir. 2 Jays also seen here.
A large flock of Coal Tits moving through the conifers alongside the reservoir contained at least 1 Siskin.
2 Red Grouse posed from the top of a stone wall near the summit of Snake Pass.
Special thanks to the 2 birders who gave me a lift to and from Fairholmes.
Parrot Crossbill 2m & 2f seen well, however due to the birds moving around in the alders and being partially obscured behind branches, Consensus amongst those birders present there may be as many as 13,
Still favouring the top of the steep track to the left of the blue 7km marker.
Also seen a Common Crossbill flock of 9, potentially contained a male Parrot Crossbill, Not seen sufficiently we'll enough to confirm
Siskin c25
Raven 3
Coal Tit 4
Phonescoped image attached
Did bump into a chap who had 12 about an hour & a half earlier.
2 tawny owls calling near fairholmes, 1 seen.
Saturday 9th Dec, mid afternoon after work.
Thanks to Chris Harper and Roger Baker for your help.
- Parrot Crossbills not seen unfortunately
- 2 Crossbill (1m 1f) flew up from a roadside puddle
I forgot to mention that I had a flock of 15+ Crossbills fly over and off over the reservoir while I was sorting my gear out before setting off up the track.
That would be about 08.00 hrs.
Roger.
I was luckier than Roger. First attempt and only had to wait 25 minutess before they flew in, first picking at lichen and moss then dropped to the puddle to drink. On view for 9 minutes then flew away down the hillside. I also saw 11 birds but each one I grilled closely or photographed was a Parrot Crossbill. I might not have studied them all but the consensus was 11 parrots. The flight photo shows 10 of them but can't tell anything from that.
Cheers, John
Howden Reservoir.
Parrot Crossbills. Third time lucky. After dipping on these birds on Sunday morning and Tuesday afternoon I decided on an early start and was on site before first light.
11 birds flew in at 09.30 and landed in some dead larches, moved across to a Silver Birch at side of track then dropped down to drink from a puddle.
I counted them as 9 Parrot and a M & F Common Crossbill.
The puddle that the birds are presently using is up a steep track near the blue 7 km marker .. the track levels out at the top with a 5 bar gate facing you ... the puddle is about 50 mts BEFORE the gate.
Roger.
Trecked from the car park at Fairholme up to Windy Corner on Howden Reservoir today in search of the reported Parrot Crossbills. En route were a Raven, 6 Red Grouse, many Goldcrest and Coal Tit, and a Common Buzzard and Kestrel. Arriving there at 12 a single Common Crossbill flew over and that was it.
At 1 we headed back, and whilst opposite Windy Corner 2 other birders shouted that they had seen a flock of Crossbill go onto the Pines. Setting up the scope we then had great if distant views of 2 male PARROT CROSSBILL with a possible female beneath them. Showed at 13.25.
One birder then hopped back on his bike and later reported he at at least 3 males.
So in the end a successful day, but any day but Sunday we could have driven up and saved a 3 hour walk, nice though it was.
Distant highly cropped pic attached.
Redstart singing
Spotted Flycatcher singing
Garden Warbler singing and seen well
Pied Flycatcher singing near the Visitor Centre
Tree Pipit pair on the way to Hagg Side (on foot there)
Ravens
Curlews
Oystercatcher
Coal Tit
Siskins several about
Cuckoo 2 heard only
Walked across the dam, up Win Hill, then followed the edge woodland/moor to Wooler knoll and back. In very wet conditions.
Lots of Meadow Pipits on the moor, but the only other birds seen here were 2 passing Swallows and singles of Jay and Carrion Crow.
Along the edge of the wood though were 6 Goldcrests, 2 Treecreepers, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and lots of Chaffinches.
Wrens were numerous here too, mainly in the areas of bracken and around the stone walls.
One Wren checked every cavity in a stretch of wall, disappearing completely into the larger holes, any insect or spider hiding from the rain here as no chance.
The woodland along the South side of Ladybower will be worth checking out in spring, the big conifers are spaced out well, and mixed with mature oak and rowan.
Being on a slope too, it looks good for Wood Warblers etc,.
Unless he was out for a duck, should this not be in the "Other Wildlife" thread?
Siskins abundant in the pine trees but hard to see. 10+ flying across rides, one male seen well perched low down and one recently fledged juvenile very brown and streaky with no visible colouration
Lesser Redpoll 2
Coal tits the most abundant bird
Mandarin pair on lake
Great Spotted Woodpecker
very distant Hen Harrier in Woodlands Valley - no other raptors seen
Tree Pipit 3 singing males giving display flights from larches on the edge of the open ground of Open Hagg
The bizarre sight of a man in full batsman's cricket gear including pads and helmet jogging round Derwent Reservoir!!
A good day for Raptors including...
1 adult Osprey - over the clearing of the main path at the sharp hair-pin loop. The underside of the wings exhibited a dark band for the greater coverts rather than barring.
1 Peregrine circling over Howdens
Other birds of note...
6 Raven
3 Mandarin Duck
1 Cormorant
Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Common Gulls
Black-headed Gulls
2 Song Thrush
2 Nuthatch
2 Treecreeper
Plenty of Chiffchaff around (more Heard than seen)
approx 6 Goldcrest
Few Meadow Pipits
Chaffinch everywhere
1 Crossbill (only brief glimpse)
Lots of Siskin
Lesser Redpolls
Goldfinch
Lots of the usuals around too including Blackbird, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, few Long-tailed Tit,
...also lots of Red Grouse seen over Snake Pass en-route.
A nice early walk around the reservoir.
1 Kestrel
1 Raven (honking overhead)
1 Common Buzzard
1 Treecreeper
6 Siskins by the feeders at the visitor centre
Many Chaffinch and Coal Tit
Plus all the usuals in good voice.
C35 Meadow Pipits feeding,all afternoon, on the mossy grass back of the Ladybower Dam.
Also showing 3 hares including 2 black Ones?
the only raptors sighted were 1 buzzard and 1 kestrel
report of a single bird of the other species that the watch point is known for being sighted twice this week, but that's it.
plenty of sikins
chaffinch
and various tit species bustling about in the trees.
11.00 - 17.30 A very pleasant walk round Ladybower to Bamford and back
Peregrine
Kestrel
A very pale Common Buzzard that had me scrabbling around for the field guide.
Male Goosander on the river by Yorkshire Bridge
Dipper
Chaffinch, Greenfinch & Goldfinch
Crossbills (Heard only)
Great, Blue, Coal & Long-Tailed Tit
Green Woodpecker (Heard only)
Canada Geese & Mallards on the Resrvoir
3 x Grey Heron
House Sparrow
1 singing Skylark
2 Buzzard
1 Raven
1 Red Grouse (heard)
1 Coal Tit
c70 finches
-- Edited by James Walsh on Monday 27th of February 2012 08:25:35 PM
a long walk from bamford train station to northern part off ladybower res,up the west side to fairholmes/derwent dam then back down the east side.
1 LESSER WHITETHROAT on snake pass rd before walking around the res
2 REDSTARTS on the west side 5 on the east side,all males & very busy collecting food
1 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER on the east side close to derwent dam
2 WOOD WARBLERS on the west side about half way up res
1 TAWNY OWL close to wood warblers
1 pair GARDEN WARBLERS feeding 2 juvenilles on east side
COMMON SANDPIPERS all around the res
CURLEWS on the east side in fields
WHITETHROATS, BLACKCAPS, WILLOW WARBLERS & CHIFFCHAFFS all over
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS, NUTHATCHES & TREECREEPERS in the woods
+ all usual woodland birds
SISKINS & CHAFFINCHES at feeding staion at fairholmes
BUZZARDS & SPARROWHAWKS over
also SWIFTS,SWALLOWS & HOUSE MARTINS over
also PHEASANTS with lots off chicks
did not hear or see any CUCKOOS
had a day out up in the resservoir valley today
on arrival went straight to the viewing point 1 buzzard rising over the midle of derwent resser, being harrased by a smaller bird of prey which looked like a large heavily built sparrow hawk. as they rose low level flyover from a second of the smaller heavy hawk type bird.
shortly after we got another view then that was it for the day.
moved up the valley towards slippery stones area. in the mixed conifer plantation on the way there by the side of howden was a large flock c100 of mixed species birds.
blue tit, great tit, coal tit, siskins (lots), chaffinch, bramblings (lots), 2 more buzzards circling over the hill to the left.
also 2 wood peckers heard drumming down by the visitor center, lots of all the usual tit species, one willow warbler, one gold crest.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 12:18:41 AM