The Flash Lane crepuscular trip for Nightjars, Woodcock and Tree Pipit took place on 24th May enjoyed by a group of 22 souls. A fine but rather chilly evening, Nightjars eventually churring but only a brief view. Perhaps too cool and a bit breezy for display flights. Certainly, the vegetation is getting rather tall which doesn’t make for an enjoyable experience, However, roding Woodcock were plentiful. Twenty plus sightings of Woodcock were observed but, unusually, just a couple of Tree Pipits.

The dark quickly descended and the temperature went in the same direction as the hardy gaggle left for home.

Steve Slack

Rather down on numbers this week but glorious weather for a stroll looking at birds. It can be a hard life at times!

First stop Whisby Nature Park. Target species – the beautiful Nightingale, once heard, never forgotten! However, there has been no records here for the last two years so we didn’t hold out much hope. And this turned out to be the case. However, we did enjoy the stroll around the park with the May blossom at it’s best.

As you might expect, the lakes were not short of a noisy Black-headed Gull or two but once we’d crossed the railway line, their squawking had faded and we could enjoy the song birds. Great sightings of many Whitethroats showing off, the Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Garden Warblers really helps towards separating the warbler songs, particularly the latter two.

Nothing particularly exciting to add but 23 sightings in all. A lovely walk and on a day like this it must be good for our wellbeing if not our yearly bird tick lists.

Lunch at the picnic tables before departing to Langford Lowfields.

I always find the walk from the car park rather long and tedious but once on site we weren’t let down by our avian friends. Common Tern provided the initial entertainment until after a 30 minute wait we finally got sight of the target bird, the Hobby. At one point, 6 were spotted in the air although with the bird’s speed and our aging eyes all looking in different directions but with overlapping fields of view,who knows!
Another 30 minutes and we caught a brief glimpse of a Bittern. And it was brief. Nothing like the flypast we had last year. But, a tick is a tick as they say.Apart from the reed dwellers like Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Little Egret and Sedge Warbler the only other bird of note was a soaring Sparrowhawk which seemed set for a duel with one of the Hobbies before parting company. Spoilsports.

Another 25 species added to the list, bringing the days total to 48.

Happy Days!

Steve Slack

A gaggle of 14 (actually 12 with two laggards catching up with us later) assembled at the usual parking spot at the top of Padley Gorge. After a healthy debate about the weather forecast (everyone seemed to have a different one) we set off dressed in a variety of outfits involving shorts, wellingtons, woolly hats and thick winter coats.

A tour of Lawrence Field produced very little until we reached the southern end above the gorge. First we ticked the usual suspects – Meadow Pipit, Swallow, Carrion Crow, Goldfinch, Robin, Red Grouse, Wren and Pheasant. A distant Cuckoo couldn’t be picked out though. Then it got interesting,  first a Redstart and then a single Tree Pipit.
As we gathered before leaving the field into the Gorge, a male Pied Flycatcher obliged giving good views to everyone. As we proceeded to zigzag through the gorge, we saw plenty more Pied Fly’s,  a couple of Goldcrests, Treecreepers and Nuthatches. Further singing Redstarts were heard .on the way out if the gorge. As we returned to the car, a Common Buzzard came into view and various Tits showed in the bushes.

Off to Barbrook. A new place for me and I found it most pleasant.  Upon joining the path, we dropped immediately down to our left where eventually we picked up many lively Willow Warblers and a single Spotted Flycatcher was reported. Upon rejoining the path, we saw a very obliging male Stonechat and eventually it’s mate. We followed the winding path for another mile to a site where Whinchats had been reported. Along the way a Cuckoo decided to fly back and forth down below us just above the brook. Searching for a Whinchat gave us all a chance to rest and the Cuckoo gave us a party piece to entertain us. Very visible and very vocal. After 30 minutes and with the call of the Grindleford Railway Station cafe ringing in my ears, we picked up a beautiful Whinchat. Looking down certainly does provide a good view and eventually two showed really well. A job well done, some took lunch at the spot whilst others departed. Those departees (?) were treated to a basking adder on the path back to the cars.

As for the choice of clothing? David Griffin won with the shorts.

31 species all told.

A grand day out.

Steve Slack