No 36. Fabulous Marsh Harrier at Willington

 The Allestree Bird Club (ABC) enjoyed it's penultimate walk for 2024, with a morning walk at Willington Gravel Pits. Sadly there were only 2 members present, but they were rewarded with some cracking birds out of the 26 species ticked off.

BOD was without doubt the Marsh Harrier that John was the first to spot as it headed towards us as we stood on the first viewing platform, a life addition to the club records.  

A Great White Egret was a good tick, and from the hide we added a pair of Shovellers, a pair of Egyptian Geese and uncountable snipe all gathered in a bush on what used to be called dead bird island.  There were just too many to count in the large shrub, a fellow birder saying that at one point he had a count of 12 in the group. 

This was the first time I had been to Willington since the opening of the trail that now enables a full circuit of the main Pit, and more.  It is a 4.5 mile circuit, and as we only had 2 1/2 hours at the reserve there was insufficient time to walk right round. The extended path now embraces several more pools plus a walk along the canal edge. Good thought for a future trip, but should include an earlier start and later finish. 

We have one more walk in 2024, Friday 6th December at Carsington Water. We plan to meet there at 10.00am for 2 1/2 hours and I would like to end with a coffee and chat about plans for 2025.   Car sharing is of course possible.

Sadly we only have 5 members plus the leader and a great new years resolution would be for each member to introduce another(different) member!!! Please think on.

David

No 35 Double Tree Creeper always a pleasure

 I regret that some of the 2024 bird walks have been cancelled due to health reasons, but yesterday, 4th October, the three surviving and fit members!!!, had a very pleasant couple of hours at Allestree Park. Because of the loitering, watching, hoping and in one case actively using Merlin, a bird identification app on his phone, we did little more than circle the lake.

But it was worth while. The weather was sunny and calm, and we identified 25 species. A small number identified by Merlin have not been included as we are a bird watching group, not a hearing group.

Many years ago on a walk round Drakelow nature reserve my partner hear the call of a Grasshopper warbler, but as it was not seen we had to take his word for it!!!

Yesterday, BOD was contentious. We had to choose between   Jay (flew passed twice) Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tree Creeper  (2 together on Jack's Island,) elusive male Mandarin but finally spotted sitting on a branch.  Jack's island turned out to be very productive, with the sun in the right direction.

So an enjoyable morning.  Next walk is to Willington Gravel Pits (no flooding expected!!) meeting at the site at 9.30.  The site access area has been increased so it will be a case of deciding our route when we get there.

Transport can be shared if fellow birders liaise with ne.

Happy Birding