Nine members were well rewarded on the annual trip to Blacktoft with good weather and excellent birding. Immediately sightings of Bearded Tits were had from the visitors centre before we’d even had a chance to get properly started.  Juveniles or females were then seen from a number of the hides throughout the day.  Excitement rose when two Barn Owl chicks were spotted in the owl box. A closer inspection however, revealed them to be juvenile Kestrels.  Of the 43 species of bird identified, the stars (other than the Bearded Tits) were undoubtedly the Green Sandpipers, Ruff in a variety of plumages, Spotted Redshank still with considerable remnants of their summer plumage, a juvenile Water Rail spotted skulking in the reeds by Mr Conroy, three Greenshank and finally a flock of 6 Spoonbills which definitely didn’t skulk. The Marsh Harriers put on a grand display with both male and female birds flying by at closish quarters. A thoroughly excellent trip – Blacktoft never seems to let us down at this time of year.

Spotted Redshank

Bearded Tit – terrible photo included to prove that we saw at least one

Spoonbills

Reports on two very successful trips.

24th May

A mixture of 9 members of both OBC and DOS spent a very pleasant mild evening in the Park. With the recent events of vandalism to the ornamental bridge we noticed

Ornamental Bridge badly damaged

immediately that security was increased. We started off as usual at Hardwick Village at the ford and then the weir and then because of the restrictions in movement within the park because of the vandalism, we moved to the area around the church. Initially  we were reasonably confident that we could challenge the all time record of 44 species identified in a previous year, but as time ticked by optimism faded and as 9 p.m. approached we had to move to the Nightjar viewing site. Here we didn’t have to wait long before the first churring was heard. All in all, we thought there were 2-3 Nightjars with good sightings of one bird. In addition, we saw Woodcock overhead and heard a Tawny calling. Sadly our species tally fell well short of the record with 37 identified, the best of which were obviously the Nightjars then Woodcock and good views of a Cuckoo.

6th June

A mix of 10 Ogston and DOS members enjoyed a superb evening and with some very sharp ears and eyes, the record of 44 species was broken with 46 species identified the highlights of which were a Male Blackcap with 2 fledglings, a Hobby which flew over our heads, Reed Warblers, a Kingfisher, a Spotted Flycatcher near the church, Woodcock and Nightjars. The latter began churring at 21:36 and almost immediately gave us good views of their ‘butterfly’ like flight on a number of occasions until we left at about 22:30.

Six members attended this visit on a gorgeous sunny day, targeting species like Nightingale, Garden Warbler and Med Gull.

Nightingale

Within Ten minutes a Med Gull was spotted in the water bathing next to the islands by the visitor center.

A Nightingale was sighted and the same corner as last year next to the Coot Lake

path, with great views for all to enjoy, along with fabulous surround sound serenade, added to this were good sightings of Blackcaps, Garden Warblers, Willow Warblers and Whitethroats from around the site.

Having done a full circuit of the woodland this year, a good number Garden Warblers and Willow Warblers were

Hobby

noted. Other birds spotted: Greylag Geese with chicks, Coot, Black Headed Gull, Mallard, Wren,Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Swallow, Woodpigeon, Sand Martin, Lapwing also birds heard Robins, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Pheasant and Great Tit.

Yet again this year it was decided to drop into RSPB Langford Lowfields reserve on our way back. The highlight here was yet again as last year, watching up to four plus Hobbies hawking for dragonflies.

Photos thanks to Brian Burch.

8 members enjoyed a fabulous morning’s birding in pleasant conditions.  Starting at 08:30 before picnic parties and dog walkers had arrived, we started brilliantly with a distant view of a Whinchat and this was followed in a short space of time with loads (new collective noun) of Buzzards and a Cuckoo.  The latter was perched upon a fence with its attendant Meadow Pipits on either side.  We then had views of of a Tree Pipit and after a great deal of effort from the assembled gathering, a view of a Redstart.  Fortunately this was followed later on by better views of several Redstarts.  Birding at this time of year in these ‘mountain’ oak forests is a made a good deal easier with little or no leaf growth but clearly, this opportunity wasn’t going to last much longer.  By accident we also stumbled upon a Tree Creepers nest (not literally) with a pair of birds flitting in and out.  During the remainder of our morning walk we encountered more common woodland birds and ‘shed loads’ (another new collective noun) of Pied Flycatchers.

The afternoon was spent up Burbage Brook and in complete contrast to the morning, was met with virtually no success.  At best we could merely say that we may have seen a Ring Ouzel in flight.

Photos thanks to Brian Burch.