Sightings December 2009
Wednesday 16th December
Two first winter Black Redstart's still at the Lark Hill Complex this afternoon but staying distant on the roof Tops.
Tuesday 15th December
Peregrine this morning in the clifton bridge area headed over bridge towards wilford at 8am. This is the fourth recent sighting of peregrine in this area.(J.Christmas)
Sunday 13th December
Northern Lapwing numbers are rising to incredible numbers in the area, with a count this morning of well over 2600 birds. Seen on the field next to the approach road to Barton-in-Fabis, also with the flock were a count of 256 Golden Plover. The Lapwing flock dispersed into smaller groups just before midday with birds flying over to Barton Lane and Clifton Pastures.
6 Corn Bunting were seen on wires behind Plowrights Farm on Barton Lane early morning.
A return visit to Lark Hill in hope of getting some decent images of the two Black Redstarts. Today proved successful as one of the birds was showing exceptionally well down to a few feet feeding around the gardens at the back of the complex. A stunning bird.
1st winter male Black Redstart - Lark Hill, Clifton.
Saturday 12th December
A single Pink-footed Goose was found feeding in the field opposite Branshill wood this morning but it flew off east as soon as it saw me approching. 2 female Goldeneye on the river near Barton Island. A small group of 6 TreeSparrow in the hedgerow next to the horse paddock in Barton village. An exceptional number of Northern Lapwing in the area this morning with C1000 in the field at the side of the approach road to Barton-in-Fabis and a further C500 in fields on Barton Lane. Also a single male Stonechat on Gotham Lane.
A search of the Lark Hill Retirerment Village at midday produced sightings of both first winter Black Redstarts showing well but distantly on the roof tops. Both birds could disappear for long periods and were extremely elusive. When located both birds showed well for long intervals, but to distant for any decent photographs.
Pink-footed Goose - Barton-in-Fabis
Black Redstart - Lark Hill Clifton
Tuesday 8th December
Two 1st winter Black Redstart at the Lark Hill Complex seen this morning by the finder of the first bird on the 27th November, a landscaper who is working on the site. Below is the email sent to me this evening.
An update from the landscaper that first spotted the red start at clifton retierment village. We were planting the last of the trees today, on the embankment at around midday and we saw TWO first winter black red starts feeding together, this was also on the embankments. They seem to enjoy the buildings first thing in the the morning and last thing at night and the embankments during the day. Hope this has been some help to you, and that you continue to enjoy them during the winter months.
Thanks Jonathan
Sunday 6th December
Good numbers of Golden Plover in the area today with 150 birds on the Drift this morning (J.Christmas) and 57 on the field on the left side of the approach road to Barton-in-Fabis with C450 Northern Lapwing.
Large numbers of C200 Meadow Pipit and C150 Pied Wagtail were seen feeding on flooded areas of the Weir Field and on the Horse Paddock in Barton-in-Fabis village. 2 Common Gull were on Beeston Weir with larger numbers of Black-headed Gull. A group of 25 Reed Bunting in the hedge-row near the Yellow Gate.
Other sightings from James Christmas today were;
4 skylark around pastures,8 meadow pipit,large linnet flock on the drift near to larkhill,1 grey wagtail nr fairham brook,1 stonechat in dyke along footpath,1 common kestrel,26 northern lapwing nr ploughwrights,1 sparrowhawk around area facing larkhill,100+fieldfare,in fields further up the brook towards bunny,5 mute swan,1 grey heron,3 wren. No sign of black redstart.
Saturday 5th December
A female Red-crested Poachard found on the river this morning in front of Barton Island is a new addition to the species seen in area. I have long suspected that this duck would soon be seen somewhere in the area as there is now a small resident population just over the river at Attenborough Nature Reserve. It was a very confiding bird allowing close views and some excellent photographic opportunities.
Also today were good numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare on hawthorn berrys near Barton Island. a large flock of C150 Linnet in front of Branshill Wood, 231 Northern Lapwing on the field at the side of the approach road to Barton-in-Fabis village. No sign today of the Black Redstart after an hour search scanning the rooftops of the Larkhill complex from the Drift.
female Red-crested Poachard - Barton Island
Thursday 3rd December
No sign of the Black Redstart this morning but 7 Corn Bunting over heading towards the Drift.
Tuesday 1st December
The Black Redstart was still present this morning on the roofs near the reception area on a very brief visit before work.