The November ABC bird watching walk turned out to be the best
one to date, by a mile!!
David took four members today for a couple of hours bird watching at
Willington Gravel Pits. Prior warning by Mike ensured that wellies were the
order of the day. The site, an “up and back” path is very susceptible to
flooding and is predicted to be flooded later in November.
The two hours produced 33 species of which 15 were new to
the club list. At the first view point Mike (only) was lucky to spot a dashing
Kingfisher, but at the end hide we were all able to add several sightings to our
day list. Not fishing, but posing!
As they have spread across the UK, Little Egrets can pop up
anywhere, and we had seen one at Markeaton on the first club walk. Today it was
great to see a Great White Egret on the edge of the reeds, and with a Little
Egret being nearby, comparing their sizes was a good identification aid. We
await the 3rd of the UK seeable Egrets, a Cattle Egret, which are
slowly spreading north.
But the real bonus thanks to Mike bringing his telescope,
was a Slavonian Grebe. David spotted a Grebe on the far side of the water, that
was clearly different from the usual Great Crested Grebes. It was smaller than
the Great, different shape from a Little Grebe, smart looking and with a black
line down the back of the neck. Using the scope, another birders photo, and a
bird guide there was much deliberation between Black Necked and Slavonian Grebe
the latter being the decider.
The four of the group enjoyed the identifying experience and
experiencing how working together can giver regards and make bird watching more
enjoyable.
Stats; 33 for the
walk. 38 Club species to date. BOD (Bird of the Walk) Slavonian Grebe.
The next ABC walk on Friday 2nd December, will be
to Darley Park and hopefully Nutwood NR.
Details will be confirmed in due course, but provisionally
to meet at 10.15am in the small car park at the end of Darley Park Drive,
opposite the Broadway PH on the A6.
