September 2010 Holiday

Day 1 - Dark Peak; Derwent Dale



The guests (minus Nathan)



Unlike the guests, who were a great bunch, the weather for the first afternoon was decidedly unfriendly. Undaunted (-ish)  the full Peak Birding team of me, Kev, and Malcolm plus guests went for a look along the River Derwent at Bamford behind the guests hotel, The Yorkshire Bridge. We were rewarded with cracking views of Dipper. Then up the valley to Ladybower and Derwent Reservoirs. Though not exactly classic bird of prey weather clear gaps in between rain are often utilised for a quick hunt and this proved to be the case today with highlights being Common Buzzard and numerous sightings of Peregine including one jousting with a Kestrel.

Day 2 - White Peak; Carsington Water and Cromford



Kev pleased with the Wryneck!



I couldn’t guide on the second day and Malcolm and Kev took the guests out to Carsington Water. This proved unfortunate, but only for me, as the rarest bird of the week was seen! A Wryneck that had turned up the previous day was still present and showed very well. Wryneck is exceptionally rare in the Peak District and I’ve never seen one there (grrrr!).  It was a new bird for all the guests who also had their first experience of the eccentricities of the British twitching scene.  Another major highlight was a fishing Osprey. Ospreys are an increasing migrant in the Peak District but are still far from being an everyday sight. Other birds of note at Carsington were Yellow-legged Gull, good numbers of wildfowl including Ruddy Duck, waders including Common Sandpiper and Greenshank, and an unexpected migrant Sedge Warbler.

The next stop was Cromford. The main target was Hawfinch but they are really tricky to find before the leaves drop and it wasn’t really a surprise that none were seen. However a Hobby was a nice bonus.

Day 3 - Lowland Sites; Old Moor and Potteric Carr

Away from the Peaks today to visit two of the excellent South Yorkshire Coal Measure sites, Old Moor RSPB Reserve at Wath upon Dearne near Barnsley, and Yorkshire Naturalists Union’s flagship nature reserve Potteric Carr at Doncaster.

Old Moor is very good for waders particularly in the autumn and today was no exception. Species present included Golden Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Knot, Dunlin, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and Greenshank. Passerines included Sand Martin, Willow Tit, and Tree Sparrow.



View of Bittern from Piper Marsh hide 



Potteric  also proved good for waders but our main target was Bittern. Potteric has been a renowned site for wintering Bittern for a number of years but it was too early in the year for their arrival. However one had over-summered this year. The first attempt at Piper Marsh failed but I thought returning late in the day might give us a better chance and luckily I was right. We all enjoyed prolonged views of a hunting bird straight in front of the hide at very close range, certainly the best views of Bittern I’d ever had. Other birds included Peregrine, Kingfisher, and, just about audible, a distant Cetti’s Warbler

 Day 4 - Dark Peak; A hard day that came up trumps in the end.

Today was always going to be difficult. Our objective was to find some of the Peak District upland specialities some of which are hard to find at the best of times but especially so when not singing or territorial. Another difficulty in the Peak District is the level of persecution of birds of prey in some areas particularly by game keepers on or near grouse moors. This means that although we know where birds like Goshawk, Hen Harrier, and Merlin nest, these sites almost always have to be kept secret. It's also well known some gamekeepers are involved and hopefully enough evidence against them will be gathered over the next few years for the law to take its course.

Our first attempt was for the slowly establishing re-introduced population of Black Grouse at Moscar. We had no luck but did get some good views Red Grouse.  Next, up to the one publicized Goshawk site, Derwentdale. Although this is Severn Trent Water land the Goshawks have again been persecuted and the best we could manage was one tagging with a pair of Ravens in the distance.

Next we checked a few sites on the western fringe of Sheffield. All quite except for a couple more Ravens. However our final visit did the business. Overhead views of a Merlin was the real highlight with a charming pair of Stonechats as well.



Day 5 - White Peaks 2; Monsal Dale



Robin and Jim on the final morning



The final morning, another brief check for Black Grouse proved unsuccessful, in contrast to the efforts of the previous day our final morning was both relaxing and productive. We took a stroll along the river at Monsal Dale in lovely weather. Marsh Tit was our target species which we quickly connected with. Also present were a number of interesting waterbirds including Teal, Mandarin, Goosander and Dipper.  The weather even coaxed one of the numerous  Chiffchaffs into song. A fantastic week with 90+ birds