12 members enjoyed glorious, still weather for this trip out on to the moors. Our first stop came after less than a 100 m, which, while made a bit unpleasant with the proximity of the noisy A57, gave a good view over the nearby Derwent moorland allowing us sightings of Curlew, Lapwing and for most of us, the first Willow Warbler of the year. Moving up into the woodland, we were extremely surprised to be able to watch a Song Thrush foraging on the ground only a few metres away from the ’crowd’.

Foraging Song Thrush

At the final patch of trees, we got excellent views of 3 or more Goldcrest as well as a single Siskin. Then all was silent except for the huffing and puffing as members made the short sharp ascent to the upper moor. While taking a breather, a very accommodating Wheatear

Male Wheatear posing for the crowd

posed on a rock for minutes on end allowing those with cameras to get their photos. There was also a possible siting of a Redstart – just a brief glimpse of a rusty under-tail but then it disappeared. Also of note was a pair of perched Ravens and a solitary Stonechat.
At this point, the group seemed to split into 3, half the group started the plod up to Stanage Edge, while the other half stayed put, chatting, leaving just Jane Smith paying attention and spotting a pair of Ring Ouzels in the clough. That brought everyone back together. While they were distant, it was easy to see the difference between the sexes with the more subdued colours of the female quite apparent.

The group below Stanage Edge with Win Hill and Kinder Scout on the horizon

Finally, up on the edge, we parked ourselves for a birding lunch and were entertained throughout with closer views of both male and female Ouzels, Wheatears, Meadow Pipits, Red Grouse and Skylark songsters.

Male Red Grouse

An excellent day although with the only raptor sited – a distant Buzzard. This year, no Kestrel, Red Kite or Peregrine as has been the norm in the past. Maybe the lack of wind meant that flying was a waste of energy?

photos thanks to J Hankinson, J Heap and M Kaye

19 folks turned up making this the club’s most attended visit for over a decade. Members from as far away as Whaley Bridge turned up probably because this was the first trip west of Chesterfield and thus nearer to them.
Initially time was spent just beyond the Monsal Trail bridge checking the woodland which delivered, Siskins, Nuthatch and Tree Creeper, while the neighbouring fields had two foraging Mistle Thrushes. A Chiffchaff was also heard but couldn’t be located.
The group then headed slowly up the valley track, the mist dispersed to be replaced by blue sky and then the Ravens began croaking and the first Buzzard was heard. Some of the group then got the briefest of views of a Goshawk but once beyond the farm, we had excellent sightings of 6 or more Buzzards, a few Ravens one of which was harassing a Sparrowhawk and Goshawks. At the top of the valley, we paused to enjoy the view down the Wye Valley to Rowsley where the River Wye joins the Derwent and here we also saw a pair of Sparrowhawks with clear size difference between male and female and got our first Goshawk call from nearby woodland.

part of the group at the head of the valley

Returning by the same route, 3 Jays flew, one after another into the same tree and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across the valley. The Ravens were now in very good voice and one is tempted to rename this route as Ravens’ Valley with their ‘grumblings’ coming from both sides of the valley serenading our descent. Approaching the farm, a Kestrel was spotted making this the fourth raptor out of the anticipated 5, just missing out on Red Kite.

All in all 30 species seen. A superb day out and incredibly lucky with the weather – if we’d been a day later, the mist still blotted out the view as late as 11:30!

13 members enjoyed an excellent trip especially during the morning. After the usual quiet start walking over the moor with very little apparent except the sound of Willow Warblers, things began to look up with a Jay flying past. Near the head of the ramp down into the gorge, a Tree Pipit gave a virtuoso solo, clearly visible

Tree Pipit in full song

at the top of a birch. The sharp eared then picked up the song of a Common Redstart but sadly only a few of the group managed to see it before it flew off. In contrast, everyone managed to get good views of a male Pied Flycatcher and a Treecreeper. After that we had a

Male Pied Flycatcher

spell where little was seen until at the base of the ramp, more Pied Flycatchers were spotted.

The team descending the ramp

A chance meeting with a fellow birder pointed us in the direction of a Wood Warbler. Eventually, this was located singing the first part of it’s song – the spinning coin part, and clearly visible on a bare twig. At this point, the group understandably stalled, not able to get enough of this bird. Indeed, there was not one, but two of them, apparently oblivious of our presence. The members who then dilly dallied also saw 3 Spotted Flycatchers.

Wood Warbler

After that a smaller group moved location to Barbrook while the rest with their birding appetite satiated, turned for home. The afternoon proved to be a bit of an anticlimax with no Whinchats and GardenWarbler and Redstart only heard but you can’t win’em all and we did get to see those fabulous Wood Warblers.

36 species ID’d – photos courtesy of Angela Slater, David Griffin and Martin Kaye

18 members arrived on a cold, still and misty morning with quite a few of the team unprepared clothes wise for the very chilly conditions  which they would later regret. From the noisy car park, the trip got off to a good start with the first (for most) Willow Warbler of the year singing from the top of a nearby tree. In addition, a Red Grouse was heard ‘clucking’ behind us, a pair of Curlew flew over and across the road and a patrolling Red Kite was seen off by a concerned Lapwing.

Male Red Grouse

Moving through the first section of woodland, we were entertained by two Song Thrushes and then a Mistle Thrush singing, along with more common small birds. Up into Jarvis Clough more Willow Warblers were holding forth but no sight or sound of Ring Ouzels. Indeed, we had to wait until approaching the rocks of Stanage Edge before the first one was spotted. Then came a flurry of, “there’s one over there” and “there’s another on that big flat rock”. (Not regarded as particularly helpful because the area was littered by big flat rocks.)

Male Ring Ouzel with the checkered breast markings showing well

Anyway, in the end, all had excellent views of this iconic bird.
While 17/18 were totally absorbed with watching Wheatears, the 18th member’s calls of

Male Wheatear

Peregrine fell on deaf ears so only he saw the falcon’s attempt to slaughter one of the pair of ouzels which scattered screeching their warning.

The Ogston hoard watching Ring Ouzels

To top it all, someone spotted a Golden Plover in summer plumage. The under-dressed

Golden Plover

were then complaining of frostbite/hypothermia so a return was made to the relative warmth of the valley picking up a Kestrel on the way.

32 species seen – photos thanks to Jayne Jankinson, Dave Griffin and Bill Padley

Encouraged by sunny weather, 15 members assembled on the Common although some arrived via the Major Oak in a sneaky effort to tick a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (sadly it didn’t co-operate). However, those that joined the group by walking through Sherwood Forest did manage to see a couple of Woodlark.
For those that started from the Pumphouse car park, we had early sightings of Red Kite, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk while over the adjacent field, Skylarks were singing. Heading down the track to the gate onto the Common, Yellow Hammers were spotted on one of the hedges and 4 Red-legged Partridge were seen scuttling across the field.

On to the Common and disappointment for most. Except for two Woodlarks that flew over the heads of 3 members, there was no sight or sound of the target species in the 2 hours wandering the heath. Indeed, we had to be satisfied with sightings of a pair of Stonechat, a Jay, Great Spotted and a Green Woodpecker.

A member telling off the leader for taking him on a wild goose chase.

The only explanation seemed to be their reluctance to brave the wind.
Risking yet further disappointment, we headed for the Pumping House near Ollerton hoping for Brambling. Whose stupid idea was that? A thorough search  revealed a small flock of Fieldfare and nothing else of note.
“Sod it, off to Welbeck where the combination of sun and wind should be good for raptors.” Those that stopped off at the feeding station were rewarded with views of a Marsh Tit while at the watch point everyone had plenty of opportunity to watch Goshawk with often two in flight. Buzzards were numerous and probably 4/5 Red Kite. A Great White Egret also graced us with an appearance.

All in all, 53 species identified. Photos courtesy of Dave Griffin and Bill Padley.