The Delights of the Derbyshire Dales

I spent a very cold frosty morning in Derbyshire, just a short drive from home, watching some really great birds. The forecast was for blue skies and sunshine, and for once it was correct. My first stop was up on the moors above Bakewell to see a Great Grey Shrike that had been wintering in the area. I got onto it without even getting out of the car, as it perched on a bush about 100 yards away. I was looking right into the sun, and it didn't move much, as I think it was just warming itself in the first sunlight of the day. I left it after about half an hour. A great start to the day.

Great Grey Shrike

I moved on to an area of woodland where I knew some Crossbills had been seen recently, and as luck would have it, there was a flock of about 10 right above my head in the trees where I parked my car. I've not been able to see these birds properly for a few years following a change to there habitat where I usually watch them, so it was great to catch up with them properly again.

 Female Crossbill

I moved onto the canal at Cromford, hoping for a possible Hawfinch, but had no joy. I was pleased though to be able to watch a pair of Dippers potentially nest-building under a bridge.

Dipper

The Dippers were joined by a Grey Wagtail on a log.

Crossbill

A week or so prior to the lockdown I took a drive out to a site I know in Macclesfield Forest, to look for some Crossbills, Siskins and Lesser Redpoll. I'd tried a couple of weeks earlier but with no luck, so was crossing my fingers.
It was classic weather conditions for this area at this time of year. Icy cold, with cloud rolling in like a fog, only to clear just as quickly as it had arrived.
I wandered around the usual areas and had Siskins overhead frequently. Lots of Chaffinch and Goldfinch and then two larger birds appeared and landed high up in one of the conifers. A pair of Crossbill. A female and a very good looking male.

They never really settled and moved off again, but knowing they were around was good. So, I bided my time and employed the age old birdwatchers tool of fieldcraft. Staying in a position so as not to spook the birds and allowing them to go about their business without noticing me. It worked and they came back to a tree not far from me. 😀

Lots of excuses of poor light, fences and branches in the way etc, but it's always such a joy to see these birds whatever the conditions. I could see them very well with my binoculars.

The male in very good condition.

The female, hanging upside down.

Lynford Arboretum

An early start saw me at Lynford Arboretum by 8.30 on Saturday morning, in search of Two-barred Crossbill and Hawfinch. There were lots of Common Crossbill in many flocks. Only problem I had was to crane my neck up a good 50 feet to the trees they were in to try and spot the Two-barred variety. Made more difficult with so many flighty birds. But luck was on my side as I spotted this female (below). The defining distinction is the two white stripes across the wings.
I did briefly see a Hawfinch on the ground in its usual area but was only there long enough for me to see through the binoculars. Still two lifers in a day is not a bad return for a 3am start and 270 miles.

 

Macclesfield Forest

Some more shots from Macclesfield Forest. A nice mix of birds seen last weekend. Another Crossbill below here and a Siskin.

I found a pair of Mandarin ducks sat up in a tree. Not really where I thought I might find them, when I was looking for Redstart and Flycatchers. I think this site will only get better in the coming weeks with the hopeful return of these two species.

Female Crossbill

Look at that bill.(please excuse the branch in the way)

Siskin

A pair of Mandarin ducks in a tree. Not where I expected to find them.

Just when you think it might be something interesting, it's usually a Chaffinch.

Ouzel do nicely

I love the bright early mornings. I was out for sunrise today in hope of finding Common Redstart or Pied Flycatcher. I had no joy on either front, but did end up with an impressive list all the same. It was back to Macclesfield and into the forest to start with. Crossbills once again were in good numbers. These were joined by Siskins, Lesser Redpolls and Woodpeckers of the Great variety.
I moved on to Wildboarclough where I watched 3 Dippers at different points and also caught sight of a Goldcrest.
Danebower quarry was the next scheduled stop and after a short wait the prized bird was seen, well two in fact. Ring Ouzels!! One of this pair took a dip in the river and had a good clean.
I ventured further towards the quarry and came across another pair. 4 in one morning!! I'd only ever seen one before in my whole life. Good times.
After this everything else seemed a little disappointing, but there was time for my first House Martin of the year and plenty of Red Grouse, Wheatears and Meadow Pipits. Oh, and Golden Plover formation flying over the moors.

Ring Ouzel at Danebower

 Excuses in early. This was digiscoped with the sun in front so it does look like a blackbird, but it's definitely a Ring Ouzel.



A family party of Crossbills. Female on the left, male in the middle and immature on the right.

 Another poor digiscoped shot, of Red Grouse this time. Look at those false eye lashes.

Macclesfield Forest

By 6.30am on Saturday I was up at Standing Stone car park in Macclesfield Forest. I was on the hunt for Crossbills. A bird that I have tried and failed to track down on too many occasions. Today though, in bright Spring sunshine, my luck was in. Within minutes of arriving 3 flew to a tree in front of me, two males and a female. Others kept coming and going, but I managed to get a few half decent pics. They aren't great, but they are proof that I finally saw them.

I really have no idea how they pick anything up with a bill like that.