The September walk for Allestree Bird Club was back to Attenborough Gravel Pits, a decision by David which turned out to be well justified.
Considering there are no food stations at the reserve due to bird flu still being a risk, (the ticked species did not include birds like Dunnock, Blackbird, Reed Bunting, Coal Tit etc) a list of 39 species was excellent.
An apparently empty field beyond Attenborough cricket club yielded a a Green Woodpecker, a Jay and a Stock Dove, the Pecker doing it's familiar yaffle.
This was followed by the first of 2 very visible Great White Egrets with the huge yellow beaks. And within minutes, we all enjoyed excellent views of a Hobby, clearly hunting for food, probably Devils Darning Needles!!!! better known as Dragon Flies.
Mike's telescope enabled us to watch this lovely small raptor as it returned to it's high vantage point to continuously turn it's head watching for passing food. Quite clearly the Bird of the Walk.
From the Tower hide we picked up a Green Sandpiper on the Ridge & Furrow field, and finally on Conneries pond we were 80% certain that we saw the female Garganey.
Next walk is five weeks away on Friday 6th October. If the bird flu restrictions have been lifted we will be at Carsington Water. Otherwise it will be a return to Wyver Lane in Belper.
Keep watching this space for the final decision.
As a non birding bonus, my picture of the Blue Moon.
