Bald Heads.... again!

Sunday 9^th October,  and Chris and I decided to have a morning at Willington Gravel Pits.  

Straight away we bumped into a group of newbies from Burton, who were thrilled to see a Marsh Harrier even before they got to the first viewing platform – we didn’t.

Not much to report, apart from a Jay heading towards us.  First time I’ve been to Willington this year on medical grounds (it can get muddy!), so it was disappointing to see that Platform No 3 (the 4^th one on the right!!) had been removed, and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust had replaced it with a hide, accessible via a ramp, but only for members and those with the lock combination. 

Great pity because the previous platform had good panoramic views, particularly of a couple of island frequented by waders etc. And we heard the squealing pig sound of a Water Rail, but could not see it.

Anyway, let’s make up for it with this superb photo from Carsington

Yes it’s from Carsington  in Calgary, on what looks like a winter day……………………………….. oh sorry, did I get the place wrong, it should be Carrington, in Calgary. Well what’s a one letter error between friends (not even sure if I’ve got the right state!).  

A long past friend of Marys, Bob Boyne, who IS in Canada sent the photo, and said the photographer did not mind it being used on my blog.

Good news and bad news. My grandson Leo seems to be thinking wildlife conservation which at 10 is good. He sent me a message saying that the builders at his school in Ashby DLZ had accidentally found and disturbed a Sparrow Hawk nest. They placed it carefully in a nearby tree, and Leo reported that they had 2 eggs, both of which hatched.

Then came the text news from Leo, “Some IDIOTS!!smashed up the nest” (his words..angry, eh?). I’ve told him to be vigilant because if the parents can find a safe haven for the chicks, they will then be very busy looking for food to feed 4 beaks, and could be more visible. I also told him about the potential fine of up to £5,000 if the idiots could be found.

I have to give him positive thinking, but I don’t hold out much hope for the chicks.

I picked up an interesting bit of migration info this week.

Bardon Hill, near Coalville, is the highest point in Leicestershire, and overlooks a huge stone quarry, with grass covered upper slopes which are good for Ring Ouzels. From my own experience and knowledge, the third week in April is the best time to see these birds on their migratory route to the moors to breed.

So when I saw on Birdguides web site, 3 Ouzels had been seen on 10^th October at Bardon Hill, I could but wonder, was this a pair heading South now with a new juvenile? We will never know, but in the 16 years of Birdguides records for Bardon Hill, only on 16th October 2010, was there a report of birds heading South...... and that was 3 birds too!

Considering there are reports every year of RO's in April, one wonders why this is a resting point heading North, but not when heading South. Similar to our experiences with Ospreys at Carsington.  We have far more sightings of North bound Ospreys than those heading South for the winter.

So whilst on the subject of Ospreys, a cracking photo from Gary Atkins, the CBC press officer, taking during his annual pilgrimage to the NE wetlands of Majorca

Happy Birding!