Cromford and Carsington Water - 10/02/18

Twenty-nine members and friends braved the weather forecast for the trip into Derbyshire. Many wondered why when, as we approached Buxton, the snow began to fall. Thankfully this was the only area where it was snowing and the rest of the day proved as forecast, generally wet! On the coach journey we were entertained by at least three Kestrel, the occasional Buzzard and flocks of corvids sheltering on the leeward side of the many dry-stone walls that criss-cross the Peak District landscape. Pheasant, Mute Swan and Canada Geese were all recorded before we reached our first stop.

Arriving at Cromford we alighted the coach in much anticipation as this winter had seen unprecedented numbers of Hawfinch appear in the UK. Most of the party duly headed in the direction of the churchyard and the entrance into Willersley Castle. After an unsuccessful search many then moved over to the fields by the carpark to secure a wider view of the surrounding area. At least one Hawfinch was seen up but views were distant and frustratingly short.

A pair of Raven, a Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk passing over were quickly picked up and the fields held a large flock of Redwing, with over a hundred birds present. Goldfinch, Greenfinch and at least four Mistle Thrush were also associating with the flock. A Cormorant and a Dipper were seen on the adjacent river.

The lucky individuals that chose to re-visit the churchyard were being entertained by a party of Long-tailed Tit and a couple of very smart Bullfinch when a Hawfinch flew in and obligingly perched up in the top of a tree. Excellent, although relatively short views were had before it flew and disappeared from view. Unfortunately, it could not be relocated. A Treecreeper and a few Goldcrest were also noted.

Moving on, the coach dropped most of the party off at the north end of Carsington Water. The first stop was at the Paul Stanley Hide where the group sat down to view over Brown Ale Bay. Duck were present with Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall and Tufted Duck identified. A Willow Tit was seen on the adjacent feeding station.

Walking on to Sheepwash Bird Hide we recorded Great and Lesser Black-backed Gull with plenty of Cormorant and Coot present. On the shoreline a couple of Oystercatcher were feeding with two Ruff. These birds were put up when a Peregrine appeared low, hunting the shoreline, and made a tentative dive at a Coot in the shallows. It was noticeable that none of the Coot or the duck present left the confines off the water, most attempting to bob under the surface. Further out on the reservoir we recorded both Little and Great-crested Grebe as well as the occasional smart Goldeneye.

From the Lane End Bird Hide we quickly picked up the bulky shape of a Great Northern Diver out on the water. This long staying winter plumaged adult bird gave good views all day at the southern end of the reservoir. It was actively fishing most of the time and could cover surprising distances under water before reappearing.

Several feeding stations along the walk produced excellent views of the commoner species including Bullfinch and Reed Bunting. There appeared to be a healthy population of Willow Tit in the area and Pat Brown found a Brambling.

From the Wildlife centre we watched Snipe and Redshank feeding on the shoreline with a handful of Pochard amongst the other duck species resting on the adjacent water. A single Linnet was also identified.

Most people then headed to the café, a little weary and a bit damp! An early return journey was made but not before we caught up with the small flock of Tree Sparrow around the carpark feeding platform. A wet but generally enjoyable day. 

Birds seen:

Mute Swan	Redshank	Willow Tit
Canada Goose	Snipe	Long-tailed Tit
Mallard	Ruff	Nuthatch
Gadwall	Black-headed Gull	Treecreeper
Wigeon	Common Gull	Magpie
Mandarin	Great Black-backed Gull	Jackdaw
Teal	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Rook
Pochard	Woodpigeon	Carrion Crow
Tufted Duck	Collared Dove	Raven
Goldeneye	Great Spotted Woodpecker	Starling
Pheasant	Pied Wagtail	House Sparrow
Great Northern Diver	Dipper	Tree Sprarrow
Little Grebe	Dunnock	Chaffinch
Great-crested Grebe	Robin	Brambling
Cormorant	Song Thrush	Linnet
Grey Heron	Redwing	Lesser Redpoll
Sparrowhawk	Fieldfare	Goldfinch
Buzzard	Mistle Thrush	Greenfinch
Kestrel	Blackbird	Siskin
Peregrine	Goldcrest	Bullfinch
Moorhen	Wren	Hawfinch
Coot	Great Tit	Reed Bunting
Oystercatcher	Coal Tit
Lapwing	Blue Tit