My first Wood Warbler of the year, calling in the woodland on the edge of Stanton Moor. Several times over the years I've noted that the first Wood Warblers are calling rather than singing males and I wonder if this is something they do before they actually establish a territory? There were two male Pied Flycatchers in the same area which I think is a reflection on the quality of this ancient wooded area. I usually expect the first Wood Warbler in the 'twenties' rather than 'teens' of April but the dates, as with other migrants are definitley getting earlier. Wood Warbler ..read more

 Four Common Sandpiper together at Chatsworth this morning was a nice surprise. Fingers crossed that we may get a breeding pair this year. Common Sandpiper It looks like yesterday's Osprey spent the afternoon in the Haddon Hall area and was still present early evening but no reports today ..read more

 Caught up with my first House Martin of the year yesterday at Chatsworth and then a flurry of migrants at Beeley this morning.  House Martin Starting with Common Cuckoo calling on the edge of Beeley Moor, then an Osprey flying North over Whitesprings Plantation, which unfortunately was a disappearing speck by the time I got the camera out of the bag. Moving on to the Cathole area we added Common Whitethroat and reeling Grashopper Warbler. A decent morning, despite the cold! Common Whitethroat playing hide and seek in the bushes ..read more

 The first Pied Flycatcher of the year was found yesterday by Alan Stewardson in Hall Dale Wood. It was still there this morning in better weather conditions singing its delightfull, albeit somewhat repetitive, song. Definitely one of my favourites and great to have them back on a fairly typical return date. Pied Flycatcher - male The elusive Golden Plover flock were back on Syda Lane today and I counted at least 24 birds but there could have been more as they were quite difficult to pick out when sat down in the grass. Golden Plover ..read more

Distant views today of 2 of 3 Ring Ouzel ( a male and 2 females)  found by Robin Elliott in the same area we had them last year, in the fields bordering Harewood Moor (Cathole). They stayed in the area for several days last year, so hopefully they'll do the same. Ring Ouzel - male Willow Warbler numbers have increased in the last few days and I had 6 Wheatear on the moor on Saturday ..read more

 I saw a single Water Vole a couple of days ago in Bakewell but of course didn't have the camera. Fortunately I saw 2 today which are my first records for the year. Let's hope they breed successfully as they have been difficult to find in recent years. Water Vole ..read more

 My first Willow Warblers today back in Farley with two birds singing and a Tree Pipit at Whitesprings is about a week earlier than usual. Tree Pipit ..read more

 Pleased to see my first Swallows of the year today at Harthill Pond, Youlgrave, at least 4 birds were skimming around the pond briefly.  The two Pink-footed Geese also still present but calling today, which I've not heard before, so perhaps getting ready to depart. Barn Swallow ..read more

 I've seen this pair of Common Crossbill in the same location in Matlock Forest several times during the past month and I'm hoping that they might be a breeding pair.  I've seen juveniles with adults several times in the autumn but only once managed to prove breeding, in April 2020 when I saw an adult feeding recently fledged young. I suspect one or two pairs breed most years but it's not easy to confirm this. I haven't managed to find any more migrants in the current cold and wet weather. Common Crossbill female and male (upper ..read more

 Caught up with my first Northern Wheatear this morning, by the Triangle on Beeley Moor. I'd searched the area several times during the week without success but David Griffin had messaged me to say he had had a female by the Triangle on Sunday. I saw a male initially but it was soon joined by a female.  Always exciting to see that first Wheatear of the Spring. Northern Wheatear - male (upper) and male and female below ..read more