Saturday 11th February 11.30-16.00

Stockport Birdwatching Society trip for the afternoon after a good morning at Cromford. The expected birds were all seen, with an adult Great Northern Diver showing in the normal fashion moving around the middle of the reservoir and Willow Tits at feeders at different viewing points around the place. A small flock of Barnacle geese showed well, I can't recall seeing them at Carsington before. Fair to say they probably hadn't come in from Svalbard though...

Also fairly notable was a couple of distant Red Kites over the northern shore, but a few of us were lucky enough to see one a bit closer. We got on an immature Peregrine with a kill on the island closest to the Visitor Centre, and suddenly above it was a smart adult kite, which stooped down and chased the falcon off its dinner. How rude!

The Peregrine started striking at the Red Kite and they clashed in the air for a little while, not something I've ever seen before and worth the visit on its own, it was like something off the telly! Some Crows got involved and the Peregrine ended up flying off; at least it had fed a bit before the interruption. It looked small so I imagined it was a male bird, the Red Kite looked miles bigger but they are quite slim birds with long wings and tail, so it was probably quite an even fight. I wonder if the Kite would have tried it on with a big female Peregrine?

Overall I tallied 50 species onsite without trying too hard and it was also really nice to have some milder weather after the recent cold snap.

We managed around 75 species on the day across the whole party. There is information on the Society at https://stockportbirders.blogspot.com/ and the Society is always keen to welcome new members and friends for indoor and outdoor meetings through the year.

27 members and friends made it to Carsington Water yesterday on the Stockport Birdwatching Society coach trip, the Great Northern Diver was the highlight, closely followed by a 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull. Supporting cast of Willow Tit, Bullfinch, Ruff, Shelduck and all the expected commoner species.

Excellent day, next coach trip on the 16th March to Cors Caron & Bwlch Nant yr Arian in Wales. Should be quite a spectacle for Red Kite.

All welcome, further details: https://stockportbirders.blogspot.com/

Highlights of the High Peak RSPB group visit today: 

Dark Bellied Brent Goose from visitor centre, 4 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 30 Linnet, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Little Egret 

Sheepwash: Green Winged Teal, Red Crested Pochard, Willow Tit, many Teal and Pochard 

Dam: Barnacle Goose, 3 Little Egret 

Saturday 20th June 2015. Full circuit of Carsington Water starting from Sheepwash Car Park. 10:30 - 17:00 hrs.

Tree Sparrow
House Sparrow
Reed Bunting
Sedge Warbler (heard)
Willow warbler
Chiffchaff
Blackcap (2M and 1F)
Bullfinch (2M)
Common Whitethroat
Redshank
Barnacle Geese
Greylag Geese
Canada Geese
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Kestrel
Buzzard
Cormorant
Pied Wagtail
White Wagtail
Black Headed Gulls
Lesser Black Backed Gulls
Jackdaws
Carrion Crows
Magpies
Blackbirds
Chaffinch
Mallards
Tufted Ducks
Robin
Blue Tits
Wren
Mute Swans
Great Crested Grebes with chicks
Swallows
Swifts
House Martins
Grey Heron
Moorhen
Coot
Song Thrush

Also seen:

Butterflies: Painted Lady, Brimstone and small black butterfly/moth with white edging (cannot identify - any help anyone?)
Shrew (in Sheepwash car park)





-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 20th of June 2015 06:13:49 PM

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 20th of June 2015 10:21:34 PM

-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 20th of June 2015 10:26:57 PM

Great Northern Diver still present Friday 27th March. Not only a long-stayer but a regular winter visitor.

Ducks include Mallard, Tufted Duck, Wigeon and Teal.
Waders - Oystercatcher and Redshank.

4 January 2014

 

Stockport Birdwatching Society trip to Cromford and Carsington Water.

 

A great day out was had, highlights were 11 Hawfinch at Cromford Village, 2 Great Northern Diver, 2 Adult Yellow Legged Gull and a number of Scaup at Carsington.

-- Edited by Tony Mossman on Sunday 5th of January 2014 09:58:53 PM

At least a dozen chiffchaff calling away around brown ale bay. First blackcap seen this year and six perhaps seven gs woodpeckers, all male claiming territories.

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 25th of March 2012 01:13:27 PM

The Black-throated Diver was still present on Wednesday June 1st showing well but in the midle distance from Sheepwash Hide. It was then disturbed by fly fishermen in a boat & flew close to the hide over towards the Wildlife Centre. A drake Red-crested Pochard was in the bay near the Wildlife Centre and a couple of Common Terns were present too.

Visited Carsington with John Barber this morning looking for the Black-throated Diver we found the bird north of Sheepwash and had really good close up views - a life time first for both of us. We also found a pair of Red-crested Pochard, a new bird for John. Also of interest a couple of singing Garden Warblers and a pair of Redshank with 3 chicks.

Tuesday 19th April

Late posting from yesterday.
Much the same as Monday's sightings. The Great Northern Diver was seen flying towards the dam wall.
A pair of Willow Tit/Marsh Tit were on the feeders at the Sheepwash car park, although I will be seeking a second opinion from my photos as I really cannot distinguish between the two.
2 Redshank were the main addition to yesterdays birds around the water.

Fri 4th
2 GN Divers from Dam slipway -halfway between there and Stones.
Loads of GC Grebe

Sheepwash
A dozen or so Goldeneye
Pintail
Yellow-legged Gull
A few lapwing

Heated Hide

Loads of Tree Sparrows
Pheasant
Usual other stuff on the water.

Was it cold today!! Nice day though.

Goldeneye
Pochard
Mallard
Tuffties
Teal
Widgeon
Cormorant
Gadwall
GN Diver
Slav.Grebe
GC Grebe
Siskin
Tree /House Sparrows
Robin
Great Tit
Heron

Not a very hot day at Carsington today, but some good sightings.

Red-necked grebe, great northern diver, and two pairs of goldeneye, with the drakes doing their courtship stuff.

Lots of gc grebe and little grebe, and hundreds of tuffties, plus all the usual stuff and gadwall.

Nice day, despite a minor snow flurry on the way home, and snow in the fields and roadside.
Bought the carsington dvd. If it is as good as the tittesworth ones it should be great.

Great Northern Diver still there today, and had the best view yet. Not a lot else about on the water - only managed Tuffties,GC Grebe,Oyster Catchers. Redshank and Common Sandpiper on the spit at Sheepwash

Geoff - GD Divers?????

Sid

Geoff Walton wrote:

---

Wee three went back again today. A bit warmer and clearer. Went in all the hides, and had views(albeit from a great distance) of 3 GD Divers. Usual stuff around, but nice close view of a Goldeneye. Also Snipe and Redshank on a pool. Oyster Catchers about, and a terrific view of a GS Woodpecker on a feeder in the entrance to the bottom hide.Nice as they but a back window in for that purpose, and the GSW was only about 10 feet away.
Buzzards and lapwings, so a good day all in all. Loads of people around as it was half term.

---

Me and my dad went to Carsington yesterday. We saw at least two of the three Great Northern Divers. Called in at Bradley Dam on the way and saw 23+ Mandarin. Then on the way home we went to Beeley Moor and saw a good mixed flock of Chaffinch and Brambling (200+ birds) and two Short Eared Owls.