No 29 The first trip in 2024.... without Wellies!!!

 Friday-early-   "It's going to rain!!!"     It didn't!!!,  in fact four bird club members had a pleasant, but a bit cool,  couple of hours walking up and down Wyver Lane, Belper.

The bird feeders were sadly empty so no sign of the Marsh Tits, but we still had a good list of 31 species.

A marauding Red Kite, always a thrill, needed binoculars for a good view as did a few House Martins and Swallows. The mixed bird song was so strong, but sighting was frustrated by the blossoming  leaves.

On the summer visitor list apart from Swallow  and House Martin, we had good views of Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and finally a very smart male Blackcap....  I know, he may have been here all winter!! 

 Forward thinking....

Friday 24th May.      Matlock Moor... Now changed to Thursday 23rd May. Nightjar and Woodcock and maybe more dusk birds.  Leaving Allestree (8 Braithwell Close) at 7.00pm, on the Moors 7.45 to 9.30 and hope c 10.30pm.   Tel  01332 557942 to book, and check travel arrangements. 

Friday 5th July        Annesley Tip, near Newstead Notts. Usual morning walk  NG15 0BS.  About 22 miles from Derby. Leave Allestree 9.30am.

Happy Birding

No 28 ...in fact 28 species!!

Friday April 5th four members of the Allestree Bird Club donned wellies for the adventure course down the Willington wetland pathway.  Sadly one pair of wellies was more fashionable than functional, as evidence by the water emptying session at the end!!

Despite my doing a recce on Thursday, it became clear on Friday that whilst the initial part of the  pathway was OK in boots, from the Beaver gate it just seemed to get deeper. So the morning was spent in a lazy stroll around the new housing site, listening to the continuous chiffchaffs and also the lovely"cronk" call of a number of Ravens.  It was only Mike who spotted a Kingfisher dashing down a water course, and it was BOD only for him (Bird of the Day). Our BOD was a Song Thrush, actually a new addition to the ABC life list. All things considered 28 was a good count.

Forthcoming.   

Wyver Lane on FRIDAY MAY 3rd is the next walk. Previous trips to Wyver have been rewarding We meet at 10.00am at the gravel layby down Wyver lane, on the right, and shortly after the hide.   Contact David at 01332 557942 to confirm a place and check for car sharing.

The June walk is the first special for 2024.   We are having an evening walk to Matlock Moor to hopefully see dusk birds, Nightjars and Woodcocks.  Owls are also possible. Because David is on holiday on Friday 7th June, we have pulled the monthly meeting back to FRIDAY 24th MAY. at 7.00pm

Again, book a place via David, as this will definitely be a car sharing trip.... and torches will be useful!!   Midge cream may be needed, a drink of some sort, and probably finish c 10.00pm.  A new experience for those new to birding.

Keep watching

David