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Have you seen the first...?
We have received our first report of pied flycatchers at Hillbridge Wood over the weekend. Don't forget to keep telling us any firsts you notice when you're out at a Trust reserve.
The records you send us play an important part in building up a picture of the wildlife on our reserves and this helps us make decisions about habitat management work. So please keep sending your records.
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Sightings at our reserves
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Latest sightings at our reserves
Priestcliffe Lees SSSI
Peter Faulkner
There is still a good display of flowers to be seen either side of the public footpath leading diagonally uphill from the Monsal Trail towards Lees Farm. Common Spotted and Fragrant Orchids are still in flower, and are accompanied by Field and Small Scabious, Great Burnet, Yarrow, Lesser Knapweed, Lady's Bedstraw and Harebell. Despite the dull weather there are plenty of butterflies out, mainly Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown, with a few Small Skipper and Small Heath. Woodcock have recently been put up from this meadow during the day time. Elsewhere on the reserve the first flower of Grass of Parnassus has opened.
Recorded on 27/07/2010
Erewash Meadows
Dave Sneap
Wildlife news for the past weeks roundup includes the fourth Marsh Harrier, (this time a juvenile) of the year hunting for half an hour or more on the 24th until 09-35 when it gained height and was lost to view. The only other birds of note, a Dunlin on 25th, regular Green Woodpeckers inc juvenile,Grasshopper Warbler & juvenile Bullfinches. The 3 broods of Tufted Duck appear to have become 2, but the 2 remaining females still have 6 & 3 young each, now over a week old. The 21st was good for Butterflies, with a brief count along the path between the canal and the kennels. i.e. Peacock-1,Comma-7, Small Copper-5, Small Torts-3, Ringlet-15, Meadow Brown- 20, Gatekeeper-32, Green V White-8, Small Skipper-3,plus a couple of un i d whites.
Recorded on 27/07/2010
Drakelow
Michael Williams
Butterfly sightings for 2nd July - 21st July: SMALL SKIPPER - 5 on 2nd, 20on 9th, 1 on 19th, 3 on 21st. ESSEX SKIPPER - 1 on 2nd, 6 on 9th, 5 on 19th, 1 on 21st. "SMALL" SKIPPER SP. - 9 on 2nd, 21 on 9th, 8 on 19th. LARGE SKIPPER - 11 on 2nd, 5 on 9th. BRIMSTONE - 1 on 21st. SMALL TORT. - 11 on 2nd, 6 on 9th, 10 on 19th, 6 on 21st. PEACOCK - 1 on 17th, 25 on 19th, 10+ on 21st. COMMA - 10 on 2nd, 12 on 9th, 2 on 17th, 16 on 19th, 10 on 21st. SMALL COPPER - 1 on 9th, 5 on 19th. LARGE WHITE - 4 on 2nd, 13 on 9th, 5 on 17th, 60+ on 19th, 30+ on 21st. SMALL WHITE - 3 on 19th, 1 on 21st. GREEN-VEINED WHITE - 16 on 9th, 1 on 17th, 11 on 19th, 10+ on 21st. SM.WHITE SP. - 10 on 2nd, 26 on 9th, 100+ on 19th. BROWN ARGUS - 1 on 9th, 3 on 19th. COMMON BLUE - 4 on 8th, 8 on 19th, 1 on 21st. HOLLY BLUE - 1 on 21st. RED ADMIRAL - 2 on 2nd, 1 on 8th, 2 on 9th, 2 on 21st. SPECKLED WOOD - 2 on 2nd, 3 on 9th, 1 on 17th, 19 on 19th, 20 on 21st. GATEKEEPER - 3 on 2nd, 57 on 9th, 1 on 17th, 75+ on 19th, 50+ on 21st. MEADOW BROWN - 80+ on 2nd, 89 on 9th, 40+ on 19th, 20+ on 21st. RINGLET - 65+ on 2nd, 31 on 9th, 8 on 19th.
Recorded on 26/07/2010
The Avenue Washlands
derrick and ron
green sandpiper, grasshopper warbler, 2 kingfisher, butterflies small copper see pic in photo gallery
Recorded on 25/07/2010
Drakelow
Syd Garton
Weekly round-up for Monday 19th-Sunday 25th July. A mixed bag of good and not so good this week; good in that we have a brood of two GC Grebe, a second brood of Tufted Duck and the Reserve's second ever July record of Goosander. The not so good is that this brood of five Tufteds quickly diminished to four the following day and two the next day. The first brood (of two) was not seen again after Monday 19th. *GC GREBE - a pair and two juveniles first seen on 21st, were still looking good on 25th.
L GREBE - the little influx of three birds mid-week could not be refound on 25th. LITTLE EGRET - one on 23rd/24th.
MUTE SWAN - a max of nine adults and three broods of one, five and four on 23rd. CANADA GOOSE - max 173 on 25th.
MALLARD - max of 177 on 25th.
GADWALL - max 28 on 23rd.
TEAL - max four on 21st.
GARGANEY - last seen on 21st. On this date it was les skulking and rather more active than when previously seen and as a result, whilst trying to take off, it revealed a blue forewing which identified it as a male.
SHOVELER - max ten on 25th.
MANDARIN - at least two different eclipse males during the week.
TUFTED DUCK - max 79 adults on 25th, (also see above).
GOOSANDER - nine redheads on the river on 19th.
HOBBY - singles on 21st/24th.
BUZZARD - five on 23rd.
PEREGRINE - a juvenile trailing an adult came in from Burton on 23rd.
MOORHEN - a new brood of two on 25th, (tenth brood).
COOT - a pair with a new juvenile found on 23rd, (19th brood). Max of 75 adults and 14 well-grown young on 25th. LRP - one on 23rd.
OYSTERCATCHER - one to two during the week, but becoming less regular than prveviously.
COMMON SANDPIPER - singles on 19th/24th.
COMMON TERN - one on 24th.
STOCK DOVE - 21 coming in to roost on 24th.
KINGFISHER - two on 25th. G
REEN WOODPECKER - seven on 24th and five on 25th, mostly juveniles.
WREN - 19 singing on 25th was a very notable number for late July.
REED WARBLER - juveniles now being seen in many unusual places such as hedgerows and large willow bushes as they roam the area becoming independant of the parent birds.
BLACKCAP - still one in song on 25th, along with seven others around the site. GARDEN WARBLER - one on 24th and two on 25th.
WHITETHROAT - one alarming and carrying food on 25th.
LESSER WHITETHROAT - one on 20th and an adult female and two juveniles on 25th. CHIFFCHAFF - five on 25th.
GOLDCREST - one on 24th.
TREECREEPER - one on 20th/24th.
*OD:- Behind Hut=minus 2.6. all other pools down by at least another two/three centimetres. *Many thanks to this week's observers:-TC/KW/R&MW/BS/BW/EH/KP/MD/AG.
Recorded on 25/07/2010
The Avenue Washlands
RON
watched a cormorant trying to swallow a 1 foot long eel it took it about 5 minutes to complete, 2 kingfishers on reedbed one landing on a perch on the island, greensandpiper still present, one juvenile greywagtail, 21 canada geese, thieves alley water plantain, hoary ragwort, and a water vole. plus the usual water levels brook 0.0 marsh 1.3 cattle and sheep ok
Recorded on 23/07/2010
Wyver Lane
Dave Newcombe
A few highlights from this week, July 20th c150 Lapwings, Common Sandpiper, 4 Common Terns (2 adults and 2 juveniles), 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 4 Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, 5 Stock Doves, Grey Wagtail, 3 Linnet, c25 Mistle Thrush and 11 Pheasants including 2 males and a female with 8 young.
July 21st c250 Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, 2 Kestrel, Hobby, immature female Peregrine, c40 Housemartins and 2 Grasshopper Warblers.
July 22nd c200 Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, 3 Common Terns, Reed Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, 7 Stock Doves, 3 Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpecker, juv Great Spotted Woodpecker and and a Jay.
Recorded on 22/07/2010
The Avenue Washlands
RON
cormorant, green sandpiper, l.b.b.gull, tree creeper, wren, collared dove, swallow, blackbird, woodpigeon, goldfinch, song thrush, crow, skylark, tufted duck, coot, magpie, mallard, canada geese, robin, chaffinch, bullfinch, heron, swifts, yellowhammer, whitethroat, teal, reed warbler, rabbit in front of hide
water levels brook 0.0 marsh 1.5 cattle and sheep ok after their injections
Recorded on 22/07/2010
Hilton Gravel Pits SSSI
JOHN BAREFOOT
Latest dragonflies:- Common Darter. Emerald Damselfly.
Recorded on 21/07/2010
Hadfields Quarry
Julia Gow
Hadfields quarry is a sea of pink and yellow. As you walk through the site the scent of the majoram is wonderful. Rough Hawkbit, Perforate St johns wort and Ladies bedstraw are all in full flower. The orchids are just starting to go over.
The air is full of the sound of grasshoppers and there are numerous butterflies, mainly meadow browns, but common blue and gatekeeper are also present
Recorded on 21/07/2010
The Avenue Washlands
SAM AND STEWART AND RON
willow tit with young, crow, robin, woodpigeon on nest, goldfinch, coot, blackbird, long tailed tit with young, chaffinch, bullfinch, dunnock, yellowhammer, skylark, moorhen, sparrowhawk, green sandpiper, magpie, canada geese, heron
BUTTERFLIES comma,l arge white, gatekeeper, meadow brown, 6 spot burnet
IN FLOWER betony
water levels brook 0.0 marsh 1.5 cattle end sheeep ok
Recorded on 20/07/2010
Erewash Meadows
Dave Sneap
Peregrine again today, third sighting in the last 4 visits during the past week. Plenty of Ringlets, fewer Meadow Browns plus Gatekeepers, Small Skippers,Small Torts,G.V.Whites and a Holly Blue.
Recorded on 20/07/2010
The Avenue Washlands
RON
moorhen,coot,robin,swift,teal, woodpigeon,blackbird,heron,crow, mallard,dunnock,reed warbler, magpie,swallows,songthrush, great tit,whitethroat,wren, tufted duck,bullfinch, BUTTERFLYS small tortoiseshell, large white,meadow brown,comma, large skipper,gatekeeper, IN FLOWER large bindweed, hedge bindweed,ribbed melilot, meadow vetching,harebell[thieves alley],brown trout,grey squirrel, water levels brook 0.0 marsh 1.7 cattle and sheep ok
Recorded on 19/07/2010
Willington Gravel Pits
Dave Newcombe
All seen from the 3rd platform. Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, Hobby, c4 Common Sandpipers, 18 Common Terns including 11 adults and 7 juveniles, 2 Green Woodpeckers. A Green Sandpiper and a Redshank on the Canal Scrape.
Recorded on 19/07/2010
Risley Glebe
Paul Shaw & Allison Devine
Chiffchaff Goldfinch (flock of 20+) Small Skipper Orange Tip Purple Hairstreek Comma Meadow Brown Ringlet Various Hoverflies Various Bees Soldier bugs Leaf bugs
Recorded on 18/07/2010
Golden Brook Storage Lagoon
Paul Shaw & Allison Devine
Moorhen (pair + 1 chick) Grey Heron (2 adults + 1 juv.) Wood Pigeon 4 Wren 3 Reed Bunting 6 Reed Warbler 1 Sedge Warbler 1 Grasshopper Warbler 1 Large White Lots of Froglets
Recorded on 18/07/2010
Risley Glebe
Paul Shaw & Allison Devine
Banded Demoiselle (m) Sorry, missed this off the previous report.
Recorded on 18/07/2010
Drakelow
Syd Garton
Weekly round-up for Monday 12th-Sunday 18th July. The now annual autumn egret roost has begun, slightly later than last year, but better late than never. They usually drop in quite late in the evening, and they leave very early in the mornings. The Garganey was seen again midweek and a single Tufted duckling was seen, but couldn't be refound the following day. The ninth brood of Moorhen was found on the river and a fresh Lapwing juvenile was noted, this comprised the eighth brood for the species this year. As is expected at this time of the year, song has all but ended although a few waders are now putting in an appearance and duck numbers are beggining to rise.
*LITTLE GREBE - five on 16th included a well-grown juvenile, although not known to be of Drakelow origin.
LITTLE EGRET - one came in during the evening of 13th and looked to be trying to find a suitable roost site, but it left without being seen to settle for the evening. On 18th one was found at dawn roosting on the south side of the four island strip. Viewable from the main hide. It left the roost at 05:00.
CANADA GOOSE - max 124 on 18th.
MALLARD - max 153 on 18th.
GARGANEY - the female type last seen on 15th.
GADWALL - max 34 on 17th.
TEAL - six on 17th were the first of the month.
SHOVELER - max 17 on 17th. MANDARIN - max four on 18th included an eclipse male. POCHARD - three on 17th were the first since Apr.
TUFTED DUCK - max 80 adults on 17th and a small duckling which appeared not to be attached to a parent bird. It could not be refound the next day.
HOBBY - singles on 15th/17th.
PEREGRINE - one flew north over main pool on 18th.
MOORHEN - max 19 adults and 12 juveniles on 18th included a new brood of four on the river. This constitutes the ninth brood for the site this year, and is a second brood for this pair/territory.
COOT - max 73 adults and 16 juveniles on 18th.
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER - an adult on main pool on 13th.
OYSTERCATCHER - one-two
ll week. LAPWING - up to five all week and a new juvenile on 18th.
GREEN SANDPIPER - one on 17th.
COMMON SANDPIPER - one on 13/15/16th.
KINGFISHER - one flying downstream with small fish on 18th.
SAND MARTIN - still activity at the nest bank on 18th; an adult entering and leaving hole, and a juvenile peeking out of another hole.
REED WARBLER - only one heard singing on 18th, but up to 20 juveniles all over the site.
BLACKCAP - finally, a juvenile, on 18th.
WHITETHROAT - one on 15th.
CHIFFCHAFF - a family party on 16th, and one singing on 18th.
WILLOW TIT - one on 18th. *OD:- behind hut= -2.2; Tertiary Pool=-0.4. Many thanks to this week's observers; TC/BS/EH/KP/M&RW/AG.
Recorded on 18/07/2010
The Avenue Washlands
derrick and ron
16th-17th and 18th july in flower: dame violet, great burnet, and prickly lettuce. kingfisher using post on the island attempting to catch then flew onto depth marker where it was clearly a female. 3 teal. 4 heron. little grebe. whitethroat, chiffchaff, willow, reed, and sedge warblers. in a deep pool in the river rother on the walk past the railway where 100+ small trout 30mm long and seen clearly through binoculars a 200mm long perch waiting down stream behind a sand bank perfectly still ready to pounce silver grey with black bands. sheep and cattle very healthy buterflies : meadow brown, ringlet .
Recorded on 18/07/2010
Cromford Canal SSSI
R Spowage
Walking from Whatstandwell end to marker post 24. 5 seperate watervoles feeding in canal. Also several pike in shallows, 4 moorhen broods, song thrush and plenty of mallard. Tow path looking very lush with lots of meadow sweet in flower and knapweed starting.
Recorded on 17/07/2010