2 Red Kites giving great views circling low over the farm just off the A54 Buxton Rd 1/2 mile south of Danebower quarry this afternoon mobbed by crows.
Also earlier 2 singing Redstarts near Clough House carpark near Wildboarclough
Having seen reports of Ring Ouzels arriving at Danebower, I visited my favourite spot at Blackclough Farm this afternoon (about 1 mile south of Danebower) and was rewarded with a bird feeding on the grassy slopes to the right of the buildings. Also lots of Wheatear, Lapwing, & Curlew.
Missed the male Ring Ouzel sat on the chimney! Many Wheatear and Meadow pipit. Sat for an hour in lovely warm spring weather. Then one of the worst pieces of birding I have ever seen occurred. We were sat up on the track, public footpath where all birders view from. A birder, assuming this as had bins and was dressed in outdoor gear, climbed over the fence/wall. This has partially collapsed but is still clearly a boundary into an area which is not a public footpath. This individual then proceeded to walk down the wall into the valley, may sound nothing but for those of us who bird this area regularly know that both Wheatear and Stonechat nest in this wall as has the Ring Ouzel in the past. Absolutely dreadful act which actively disturbed both species. Even worst from our perspective is he looked up and must have seen us but proceeded to walk through the area we were watching. Total and complete ignorance and disrespect for the birds. He was too far down for us to tackle but had he been near the top he would have know in no uncertain terms. Regular watchers of this area will know where I am talking about and how bad this act was. Also it is a sensitive area with the farmers, this act, if seen, would serve to compound the situation.
After a family walk around Teggs Nose we went off to Derbyshire Bridge/Danebower.
Two Red Grouse witb 6 or 7 young on the moor above Derbyshire Bridge and a male Ring Ouzle on and off dry stone wall to the right of the chimney down from the layby.
It seems a long time since that Spotted Flycatcher at 0700 this morning
-- Edited by sid ashton on Monday 25th of May 2009 12:54:55 PM
Went up to Daneblower hollow as a result of yesterdays posting (many thanks) and was lucky enough to see a pair of ring ouzel . Also lots of Wheatear, well into double figures and more meadow pipits thank i could count. Only saw a single red grouse. Saw a number of birds of prey, but could only identify buzzard as they were at some distance. Raven seen as well.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 5th of April 2009 08:24:02 AM
Male Ring Ouzel showed well from 13.15 till at least 13.45 just below and slightly to the left of the lay-by. Also c6 Red Grouse near quarry and at least 6 Wheatear displaying.
Nice to meet you Jason and good luck in Shetland.
Cheers, John
-- Edited by John Rayner on Friday 3rd of April 2009 06:37:43 PM
. Also lots of Wheatear, well into double figures and more meadow pipits thank i could count. Only saw a single red grouse. Saw a number of birds of prey, but could only identify buzzard as they were at some distance. Raven seen as well.