Event Date: Saturday 26 September 2020, 09.30 to 13.00

Summary
Attenborough Nature Reserve is situated on the northern bank of the River Trent and is managed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. The hides were closed because of the pandemic but we still managed to get good views over the ponds and River Trent. The sun was in and out and the cool breeze was only felt in the more exposed spots.
It was noticeably quiet on the bird-front in most of the wooded areas. The smaller species were not numerous and only tended to show up where food had been put out for them. Nevertheless, considering the time of year, we were pleased with our tally of 35 species. We had a good view of the Kingfisher (helped by having a scope); it was clinging on to a bent reed over one of the ponds.
Once again we had to compete with cyclists, runners, dog walkers and families enjoying a day out but the reserve is big enough for that not to be a major issue.

Members participating: 3

Bird list (35 species seen and/or heard)

Saturday 23 November 2019,  09.45 to 15.00

Summary

The Middleton Lakes reserve comprises a mosaic of wetlands, meadows and woodland in the Tame valley, near Tamworth.  Our previous visit was three years ago, also in November.  Maps were provided by the very friendly and helpful husband and wife team volunteering at the cabin.

The forecast for the day wasn’t brilliant but the weather turned out rather better.  We had a decent dry period for much of our stay although the rather overcast skies and poor light made identification at a distance somewhat tricky.  The woodland paths gave us close up sightings of the tits, nuthatches and chaffinches.  We also had a brief view of a Twite.  Over the lagoons there were numerous Greylag Geese and a Great White as well as Little Egrets – plenty to see while we demolished our sandwiches in the comfort of the Lookout hide.  All in all, it was a most enjoyable day and we look forward to revisiting the reserve in the future.

Members participating:    4 

Bird list (46 species seen and/or heard)

Saturday 21 September 2019,  09.15 to 13.30 

Summary

Willington Gravel Pits is situated in the Trent Valley and is managed by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.  There are various viewing platforms and a hide overlooking the flooded gravel workings. The day was warm and sunny for our first visit here since 2016.

The first couple to arrive spotted a Marsh Harrier and we later saw a Peregrine and a couple of buzzards.  We had good, though fleeting, views of Hobbies and Kingsfishers. For most of our time in the hide, we had it to ourselves, keeping our eyes on the channels around the hide in case a Water Rail or Bittern should appear.  It wasn’t our day for those species but, in addition to those seen on and over the gravel pits, there was a steady flow of birds to the nearby feeders and to the wooded area surrounding them, including a Great Spotted Woodpecker.  We also heard a Cetti’s Warbler in the reedbeds.

Members participating:    7

Bird list (41 species seen and/or heard)

Date/Time: Saturday 18 May 2019,  09.30 to 12.30

Summary

Padley Gorge, as its name suggests, is a steep-sided valley, located to the north of Grindleford.  The gorge passes through mature woodland, either side of Burbage Brook.  It is an area well-known in birding circles for its population of Pied Flycatchers.  Several nest boxes have been placed in the trees to encourage these and other species to raise their young.

There were a few spots of rain as we were gathering but they soon cleared and the lack of wind enabled us to enjoy the birdsong unhindered.  We set off from the roadside parking area near the top of the gorge on the B6521 and headed across Burbage Brook to pick up the path that leads down the gorge towards Grindleford.  Before we entered the woodland we spotted a Grey Wagtail on rocks at the edge of the Brook.

There were a number of sightings of Pied Flycatchers and two of the group saw a Spotted Flycatcher.  It was encouraging to hear a Cuckoo and a Redstart, though neither were seen.  However, we had several good views of both Nutchatches and Treecreepers.

We ran out of time to investigate the moorland to the northwest of our start point but there is potential there for exploring a rather different bird habitat.

Members participating:    12

Bird list (22 species seen and/or heard)

Saturday 26 January 2019,  09.15 to 13.45

Summary

Attenborough Nature Reserve is situated on the northern bank of the River Trent and is managed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.  There are four hides, including an elevated one that gives good views over the ponds.  The weather was cloudy, cold and mostly dry, with just a little rain as we approached the first hide.

Some of the group had caught the train from Matlock.  Those of us arriving by car couldn’t help but notice a group of birders with long lenses and bins peering into the hedge by the level crossing.  The focus was on a Firecrest although there were other birds flitting around, including a Goldcrest.

There had been reports of a Caspian Gull on the reserve.  We may have seen it but we had to acknowledge that it could have been a Herring Gull!  We had rather better views of a Green Woodpecker, a pair of Bullfinches, a Linnet and a Stock Dove.

Although we had to compete with cyclists, runners and dog walkers, it was a very enjoyable, friendly and worthwhile visit.  A site we shall return to without a doubt.

Members participating:    11 + 1 guest

Bird list (48 species seen and/or heard)

Saturday 24 November 2018,  09.15 to 13.15

Summary

The Rother Valley Country Park, provides various outdoor activities for the public and includes a nature reserve.  There are no hides but it was a dry day (if rather dull) and not too cold.  We spent most of our time in the reserve but there were several birds to see on the main lake as well.

Early on a skein of some 25 Pink-Footed Geese flew over and we spotted a female Red-Crested Pochard that was hugging the shallows in front of the island on the main lake.  There were good numbers of Cormorant, Lapwing,Tufted Duck and Goldeneye to be seen.

Seeing the range of habitat on offer, there was general consensus to visit this site in early spring next time.

Members participating:       6

Bird list (43 species seen and/or heard)

Summary

Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve borders The Wash in Lincolnshire.  There are reed beds, grassland and salt marsh, giving varied habitat.  In addition to the Visitor Centre, there are three hides.

A chilly, breezy day that stayed dry until lunchtime.  By the time we set out from the warmth of the Visitor Centre we had around 10 species listed and the list grew steadily through the remainder of our visit, culminating in the sighting of a Long-Billed Dowitcher in the afternoon that was busy feeding in the shallows, accompanied by a couple of Redshank.

There were good numbers of Wigeon, Shelduck and Brent Geese. Hightide was over two hours before we arrived and may explain, at least in part, why we saw fewer waders than we might have hoped.  Nevertheless, it was a very worthwhile trip.

Members participating:       18

Bird list (47 species seen and/or heard)