Ease me back in to the bird scene slowly!!!!

Sunday 19^th August Normal service has been resumed, with today being the longed for and achieved target, of being out of hospital for a super family meal for Mary’s XX Birthday. Darleys is a very good restaurant over-looking the weir at Darley Abbey, so I could thrill at the sight of x-breed Mallards, Canada Geese and Moorhens, whilst the 6 of us sat down for a relaxed lunch.

The family saw it as being a double celebration with me coming out as well!! (Not in that way!!!!)

Bird wise.     Great news that broke this week, is that Red Kites have actually had a chic at Kedleston Hall which is the first time they have bred in Derbyshire for 150 years, in fact since 1863.

Sightings have been on the increase around Derby in recent months, and there was a comment on my blog from Onyx Opteryx about a local sighting in July.  If you look at the increase in numbers, and the extended range of the Chiltern Kites, (Originally around Stokenchurch Cutting, now from Oxford to the M25!) a similar increase in Derbyshire could make Red Kites a wonderful regular raptor.

Add to that our cathedral Peregrines, the passing Ospreys and the Buzzards over Quarndon, this could become an excellent raptor area…. Oh and of course I am not forgetting the hovering Kestrels, and the Sparrowhawks that race through gardens…. Wonderful birds.   

I should of course include Owls in that grouping, but as I have not seen any owls, anywhere in 2018, they continue to be my bogey bird(s), and I am assuming they have vacated my area.

Sunday 26^th August Popped into the wildlife centre at Carsington this morning, and it seemed to be full of an unusual high number of scope toting birders.   The water level has dropped quite a bit, but as you will know, we have to keep Ogston flowing as they do supply customers in S. Yorks and Chesterfield, so the Carsington level is in the low 90% region.

In addition, it had rained all day and the water edge was moist, so Snipe were probing, and pied wagtails seemed to be running and flying everywhere. In fact, a female Yellow Wagtail was spotted, and there were also a good number of Hirundines catching food. A Blackcap, Willow Tit and a couple of other warblers helped make up the 30 species seen by 12 Noon.

By the way, plans are afoot to create a pool in front of the Sand Martin bank in the hope that next year, Martins feeding over the water may be tempted to use the adjacent nest holes.   We continue to listen to suggestions and if they seem worth a try, and we can afford it!!, we will try anything.  We know that a couple of the Osprey nests need make-overs for 2019 following the drone survey, and it is all cost, with the Volunteers not having much in the way of incoming funds.

Volunteer Amanda told me that she has got her skates back on, and her UK year count has now moved on to 193. That disappoints Mac, because he is trailing somewhat, and even below this time last year. (Me too!!)

I’m currently considering my problems with the weight of a scope, tripod, rucksack and bins, and I am considering changing the lot to a new Cannon IS (with powered Image Stabiliser). Trouble is, so far, there are no optics dealers in the area where I can have a good look, so it will need a bit of research.

The IS is a computer programme that stops the camera image vibrating and is said to be particularly good on boats. So, as I say, it is a matter of try it and see.

Anything else?   Next BwB will be next Sunday 2^nd September at 10.00am as usual.

That’s about it for this week.  Happy Birding.

David