No 5 A memorable walk - Kingfishers, Great White Egret and Slavonian Grebe...... WOW!!!

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 3^rd 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 2^nd 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.  

    

No 4. Allestree Bird Club. October Walk and November walk plans.

 With just three "birders" and the weather a bit questionable (correct as it turned out), we changed the planned venue for our October morning stroll and went to Markeaton Park, mainly walking round the large lake.

Progressing through the woods near the Mundy centre we enjoy a busy group of Long Tailed Tits prospecting above us following which we then paused on the bridge by the duck pond and ticked off the usual suspects. One noisy, but smart and small white duck confounded us and we had to assume that it was released from a collection.

Going clockwise round the lake, a Grey Heron was in the willows, and a Little Egret was in a similar environment on the smaller island. A 2022 edition Great Crested Grebe (still with the zebra head stripes) was spotted and on the way back what we assumed was the mature parent was also seen.

Before we turned back at the A38, looking at a small overflow waterfall it was no surprise, but still very nice, to get clear views of a Grey Wagtail foraging in the running water. There are several gentle running water locations round the park, and they have all been known to turn up this pretty bird on occasions.  As we watched it feeding, the tale was wagging non-stop, symptomatic of the Grey, and the rich yellow plumage (as well as the grey feathers) was very viewable. 

Not surprising The Grey Wagtail was BOD. (bird of the day)

Ending with the feeding station by the Ha-Ha, all that the seed David put out could attract was Woodpigeon, Jackdaw and Magpie, all feeding together (without any rancour!) on the feeding table.

Walk number two ticked 19 species and our first two trips has so far accumulated 24 species.

Slight change of plans for the next walk FRIDAY 4th NOVEMBER. We will meet at the library for 10.00am (The library does not open until then) and by 10.15 we will drive to Willington, to start at 10.30, for a 2-hour walk round the gravel pits, returning to Park farm for 12.45.  Include the Beavers if we are lucky!!

There will of course be no need to spend the whole 2 hours if you need to get away.

Look forward to seeing you in November. Meanwhile, Happy Birding

David