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

No 27. Rain stopped play!!

 7.00am this morning it looked good. 8.00am it didn't.   

So I'm sorry but the sensible decision, at the time, was to cancel the walk at Carsington Water. Particularly unfortunate because almost a record count of 5 people were down for the walk  There are not many places to hide at Carsington, we could have retreated in the 2 hides, but not for two hours.

Mike, who is a regular volunteer on a Tuesday at the reservoir, reported that the Cattle Egret which had been around for a couple of weeks, and would have been a great bird to tick had not been seen for a couple of days although the Great Northern Diver is still around.

Looking forward, next walk is Friday 5th April and the plan is to visit Willington Gravel Pits. You will recall we went there in January, only having to abort to Eggington due to the flooded path.  From recent reports Willington has continued to be very wet throughout February, so we can but hope that things will improve in the next 35 days!!! 

Not a good start to the plans for 2024, 1 lost through illness, 1 through weather and 1 wrecked by floods.

Prayer mats out please.

David 

No 26. ABC Future walks in February & March 2024

As sadly due to illness the February 2nd walk to Attenborough was cancelled. Pity because in a reconnaissance visit on the previous Wednesday, 30 species were easily found, and a Blue Tit on my finger tips was indicative of the desperation for food.

The next walk is on Friday1st March to Carsington Waters.  The Great Northern Diver is still likely to be around and winter visitors are not yet leaving for the summer.

Meet at the ticket machine at the centre at 10.00am.   DE6 1ST 

In case plans need to be changed, please ring the library (01332 559761) to book a space and leave a contact number so you can be contacted. We may be able to share cars sharing petrol and parking fees.

There are a number of posters around Allestree about future dates and venues... by all means bring a friend!!!

David

 

   

No 25 Update

 As no one has read the first 2 posts that I have put on my blog in 2024, I will have to consider whether it is worth writing. The first one included the January walk bird sightings at Markeaton park. The second was a list of the first 6 proposed birding venues for 2024.

This is just a reminder that the next walk is a week tomorrow, Friday 2nd February 2024, to Attenborough Gravel Pits, meeting at 10.00am, near the ticket machine, finishing at 12.30.

NOTE    After my now resolved but unsatisfactory issue with my double charge for parking, I was informed that the parking payment procedure has slightly changed.    I visited the site yesterday and now see that the first 30 minutes is free. Also the sign states "You do not need to pay for parking on entry" , which means that you pay when you leave.   In that way you will only pay once.

I became aware of the slightly changed procedure, by a friend who paid on entry, and then paid again when he left.   Why he went to the machine twice, I've no idea!!!! He won't do that again.

So to reiterate, to park at Attenborough Gravel Pits, the maximum charge for one day is £3. HOWEVER I remain unsure whether leaving the car park, say to go to MacDonalds, and coming back for the afternoon, will be electronicly recorded as one or two visits.   Just be careful.

See you on the 2nd.

David

No 24 Allestree Bird Club Walks >>>>> 30th June 2024

 

Allestree Bird Club   Part of Allestree Library.

Proposed Birding Site Visits 2024

Always check Bird Club Blog   =  Allesbirdtree.blogspot.com

First Friday of each month. 9.30 > 12.30

 

January         5          Markeaton Park                  10.00am.  launch meeting – Library

February       2          Attenborough GP               10.00am. Attenborough car park

March            1          Carsington Water               10.00am  Visitor Centre

April               5          Willington Gravel Pits        10.00am  Gravel Pits car park

May                3          Wyver Lane Belper             10.00am  Half way down lane

May                24       MATLOCK MOOR  (New)    7.00 pm  local Car park.  3 hour evening walk

Most departure times geared to leaving Allestree at c9.30am.

Car sharing wherever possible… well recommended!! Mileage 15p per mile shared by car passengers! New participants very welcome!

Dates or sites could vary depending on circumstances. Keep up to date with changes at          Allesbirdtree.blogspot.com

Contact >>>      David Bennett     01332 557942   or  Library                    01332 559761

No 23. Squirrel mania at Markeaton!!!

With water levels frighteningly high in parts of Derbyshire, it was fortunate that the first walk for 2024 was to Markeaton Park.  Yes it was wet underfoot but the four birders on the walk had a non-muddy morning.  

We met at the library to distribute the timetable and plans for the forthcoming year and after a welcoming hot drink, set off for a couple of hours in the park.  Not a mind blowing number of species but better than the last visit to the site (19), and 23 ticks included one or two goodies and, for our troubles, we added a lifer to our all-time list.

Loitering in the woods behind the Mundy centre added a pair of Goldcrests and a single Tree Creeper, but it was on the return journey that the Mistle Thrush was identified by Mike, taking our life list to 85.

David put some mixed seed on the empty feeder table near the dog cemetery, with almost instant results. Coal Tits arrived quickly and in due course a goodly number of delicate Stock Doves joined in with 4 clamouring together on the table.   

But the hi-lite was not Avian....... it was the Grey Squirrels that had heard the news about the seed availability ! Despite our best efforts to shoo off the first Squirrel to arrive, when it got to 7 relatives we gave up and just stood and watched the feasting.

The only other notable birds were a Little Egret on the main lake, and Nuthatches on the bridge by the duck pond.

  Next walk is on Friday 2nd February, at Attenborough Notts Gravel Pits. Up to three people are welcome to share my car, leaving at 9.30, or meet at Attenborough car park at 10.00am.  The walk will last from 10.00am to 12.30, but birders can stay as long as they wish.

Happy Birding.        David