Twitch 2011

CBS Derbyshire 2011
Sat 14 – Sun 15 MAY
Note: No liability accepted for CBS or BBC members not bringing their own lunch and drinks on Day 1. Waterproofs and hat also required. Twitching will not stop for inclement weather (Evans Lee)

DAY 1 – GOYT VALLEY
OS Maps: Landranger sheet 119, Explorer: The Peak District White Peak area OL1 or the old Outdoor Leisure 24 (White Peak) & Tourist Map 4 (Peak District)
Habitat
Heather moors, reservoirs, coniferous & deciduous woodland & upland streams.
Directions
From Buxton take the A5002 (Long Hill) towards Whaley Bridge. At the highest point on the A5002 there is a left turn onto a minor road which is signposted The Goyt Valley. This drops into the valley & crosses the Errwood Reservoir dam. Once across the dam you can turn right towards Pym's Chair & the Cheshire border, or left towards Derbyshire Bridge. There are various car parks throughout the valley from where you can explore on foot;
 Goyt's Lane, SK024752
 Bunsal Cob, SK019759
 The Street, SK013758
 Errwood Hall, SK011748
 Goyt's Clough Quarry, SK012734
 Derbyshire Bridge, SK018716
Please Note: The road between Errwood Hall & Derbyshire Bridge car parks is one way meaning you can't drive into the valley from the Derbyshire Bridge end.
Facilities
Picnic sites along the valley. Lavs at Derbyshire Bridge SK019716, Goyt's Clough Quarry SK012733 and Bonsal Cob SK019759
What to see Goyt Valley and Axe Edge
Mainly grit-stone valley with large reservoirs, plantations and open moorland. Best in spring and summer for Red Grouse, Wheatear, Golden Plover Curlew, Whinchat, Ring Ouzel, Redstart, Wood Warbler Dipper, Pied Flycatcher and Red-breasted Merganser. Easily accessed from the old A6 Buxton - Manchester road, now the A5002 or from the A537 Buxton - Macclesfield road, there area several car parks in the valley.
Spring & summer are the best times to visit the Goyt Valley. A walk along the road & back along the riverside path between Errwood Hall & Goyts Clough Quarry car parks is best for woodland birds with Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Redstart, Cuckoo, Blackcap, Siskin, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper & Nuthatch all present. Up to three Firecrests spent spring 2002 in this area with one, possibly two males singing. Grey Wagtail & Dipper can be found on the river with Common Sandpiper around Errwood Resr.
A walk from Derbyshire Bridge, east along the Old Coach Road towards Burbage is good for moorland species. At the highest point on this rough track (SK027722) turn north along a footpath which takes you back into the Goyt Valley via Berry Clough. Once you meet the road you can turn south back towards Derbyshire Bridge. Early mornings are best for Ring Ouzel with birds often coming to feed on the grassy verges around Derbyshire Bridge car park. Also check the various small rocky cloughs on either side of the road north of Derbyshire Bridge. Red Grouse, Golden Plover, Curlew & Whinchat all breed in the area, with Peregrine & Raven often seen overhead. Hobby are also regular in late summer & in 1997 a pair Hen Harrier bred. An alternative easier walk is along the disused railway line which runs south east from Goyts Lane car park.
Long-eared Owl are present in the coniferous woodland, but difficult to find, as are Crossbill & Goshawk. In past years Nightjar have also taken up residence when felling of areas of the conifer woodland have produced suitable habitat. Hoo Moor (SK005765), to the west of Fernilee Resr is probably the best area for coniferous woodland species, but the only public access is along a track which runs north from near The Street car park (SK010760).
DOS Verdict
A very picturesque part of the County and little visited compared to other sites to the south and east. The terrain can be very hilly, but will reward the walker with birds from a diverse range of habitats.
DAY 1 – Return Journey via MONSAL DALE
As required to obtain a SjS nemesis
Monsal Head Hotel for a Cream-Tea /Beer – DE45 1NZ
DAY 1 EVENING
Barley Mow Inn – Kirk Ireton, DE6 3JP
Tel: 01335 370306
Food, Quiz, Bicker, Tedium


DAY 2 – CARSINGTON WATER
Map Reference: SK2451 Click here for OS map
OS Maps: Landranger Sheet 119, Explorer Sheet 24 (The White Peak).
Habitat
Reservoir with woodland. Site Details
Directions
Follow the B5035 from either Ashbourne or the B5036 then the B5035 from Cromford. It is possible to access the site from various points around the water from the 7 mile circular walk/cycle track. This track is very steep in places and can be slippery in winter. Tel: 01629 540696. Open 7am to sunset daily except Dec25.
Facilities
The site is owned by Severn Trent Water who have constructed large car parks at the Visitor's Centre on the west side of the water, at Millfields at the south east corner of the dam and at Sheepwash on the north west side of the water. There is a parking charge at the Visitor's Centre and at Millfields, but Sheepwash is free. Grid refs for car parks are, Sheepwash SK248528, Millfields SK248499 & Visitor Centre SK241516. Millfields car park became pay on entry in 2001. A new barrier was installed in 2010 and no longer accepts tokens and there is now a separate charge for this carpark, however for a deposit swipecards are available at reception which allow access for bluebadge holders and season ticket holders.
Toilets, a restaurant and shops can be found at the Visitor's Centre. There are also toilets at Millfields and refreshments (seasonal). Bicycles can also be hired at the Centre.
There are now four bird watching hides, one at the Wildlife Centre near the Visitor's Centre which is large, comfortable and heated in the Winter, large wooden hides are at Sheepwash, at Lane End situated along the perimeter track south west from Sheepwash Car Park and The Paul Stanley hide that opened in September 2001 north of the spit and accessed via Sheepwash Car Park.
The site has a very large list and full details of the birds can be obtained from the log in Sheepwash hide or the list displayed in the Wildlife Centre. The site is good for wildfowl, waders and common migrants. In winter, divers and rarer grebes are a possibility along with white-winged gulls. During the migration periods, Osprey are almost guaranteed. Terns are common and you stand a good chance of seeing Raven and Buzzard during a spring/summer trip. All the common warblers can be found along with breeding Redstarts. Tree Sparrows can be found in good numbers at the Wildlife Centre feeding station.
Click this link for Carsington Water bird news




RECENT SIGHTINGS

06-May-2011
Osprey still on Lane End perch early morning, flew from perch about 0900hrs and was fishing near Millfields at 1010hrs when disturbed by helicopter, no sign by 1100hrs.Adult and juv Great Northern Diver also.
.
Roger Carrington
06/05/2011
05-May-2011
As Roger has already mentioned an Osprey was found yesterday evening on the new perch at Lane End. Although I didn't see it catch a fish it was seen flying around the wildlife centre with a fish being chased by an Oystercatcher. Also seen yesterday was the adult and juvenile Great Northern Divers. A pair of Gadwall, 3 Dunlin, c5 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, Greenshank, 5 Common Gulls, 2 Common Terns, Arctic Tern (C Brown).
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Dave Newcombe/Clive Ashton
06/05/2011
05-May-2011
Osprey found at 1840hrs on Lane End Osprey perch by John Bradley. Still there at 2000hrs eating a fish. White ring on left leg marked KR.
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Roger Carrington
05/05/2011
04-May-2011
Both the adult and juvenile Great Northern Divers still present. The wild Barnacle Goose (ADZ) with the feral flock. 6 Mute Swan, Shelduck, 4 Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 5+ Little Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, Curlew, 2 Bar Tailed Godwits, 3+ Common Sandpipers, 2 Common Terns, Yellow Wagtail, 40+ Swift, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 2 Raven.























Day 2 - OGSTON RESEVOIR


For Ogston Reservoir Daily News click here
Map Reference: SK3760. Click here for OS map
OS Maps: Landranger Sheet 119, Explorer Sheet 269
Habitat
Reservoir, woodland with willow carr
Directions
From the south and west: via the small lanes off the A615 between Matlock and Alfreton, or from the A61 south of Clay Cross, follow the B6036 then the B6014 west.
Leave the A61 at Stretton (between Clay Cross & Alfreton), taking the B6014 (signposted Tansley). Cross the railway and fork left part way up the hill, continuing along the B6014 towards Tansley. The Reservoir is on the left after the hill/narrow bends. From Matlock take the A615 towards Alfreton then left on to the B6014 just after Tansley.
Facilities
There are 3 car parks, North (SK375610), West Bank (SK374605) & South (SK372594). There are toilets at the North & West Bank car parks but these are currently CLOSED for an unspecified period. Parking is free. The best viewing areas are from the main car park and from the road along the western edge south of the car park. Please take care on this narrow lane and it recommended that you use the car parks at either end and then use the footpath for access. Another good vantage point is the small causeway at Milltown Inlet in the north-west corner.
Ogston Reservoir is situated 2.5km south-west of Clay Cross to the north of Brackenfield and can be reached from the B6014 Stretton to Matlock road. This road skirts the northern end of the reservoir and a minor road from here to Brackenfield gives views over the more southerly part of the water.
The Ogston Bird Club has three hides around the reservoir which are open to members only and there is a public hide on the West Bank where the latest bird sightings are posted.
Grid Ref: SK3760 Completed in the late 1950s this 83ha reservoir is well-known as a gull roost and haunt of wintering waterfowl and passage waders and is generally considered one of the best birding sites in Derbyshire.
The shores are largely natural and gently sloping with exposed muddy margins when water levels are lowered although parts of the eastern side have steeper slopes into deeper water. The surrounding land is mainly farmland with hedgerows and a few small woodland patches.
This is an excellent site and the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust have a reserve at Carr Wood on the south-western side of the reservoir. Regular watching over a number of years has resulted in a long birdlist for Ogston Reservoir including a great many vagrants.
The site now has full disabled access to the public hide and the member's hide on the west bank thanks to a lottery grant.
What to see
This site attracts a huge number of roosting gulls and Glaucous and Iceland gulls are both winter regulars. Ogston has more inland records of Bonaparte's Gull than any other inland site in the UK. You also stand a good chance of testing your identification skills on the Herring/LightBlue-legged/Caspian gull complex.
Wildfowl congregate in some numbers and Goosander is possible in Winter. Another good spot for migrant Ospreys. Rarer waders, terns and grebes are also a possibility. Spring wader passage is poor, but the site usually does well in autumn. Warblers around Ogston in spring/summer are pretty good especially species like Lesser Whitethroat. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is available to those who are patient.
DOS Verdict
Although a favourite with the winter gull specialists (Iceland, Glaucous, Yellow-legged and Caspian are frequent winter visitors), the site has a very large species list - more species are regularly recorded by the dedicated band of observers than any other Derbyshire site, even beating the legendary Carr Vale in 2000
RECENT SIGHTINGS
SATURDAY April 30th 2011 Daily Report from Ogston 6 Greenshank, 1 Common Tern, circa 5 Common Sandpiper, 4 Dunlin, 1 White Wagtail, 3+ Yellow Wagtail.
FRIDAY April 29th 2011 Daily Report from Ogston 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Arctic Tern, 1 Greenshank, circa 5 Common Sandpiper, 4 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 1 juvenile Peregrine, 2 Hobby, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Ringed Plover





Day 2 - CARR VALE NR
(optional to replace Ogston, depending on Ogston recent sightings)
Map Reference: SK4570 Click here for OS map
OS Maps: Landranger Sheet 120, Explorer Sheet 269
Habitat
Lakes, wader flashes, sewage farm, scrub, arable fields.
Directions
Approaching Bolsover on the A632 from Chesterfield, continue over the roundabout at the bottom of Bolsover Hill then first right on to Villas Road at the crossroads. At a 90 degree left bend, carry straight on to a rough track past some garages and follow this to the right towards the sewage works. There is a small parking area at SK462702 next to the Stockley Trail. Alternatively, turn right at the roundabout and a new car park has been created at the end of the road. This is sign-posted Peter Fidler and Carr Vale Nature Reserves. The reserve is reached from here via a footpath over the reclaimed colliery tip.
Bus Details
Stagecoach 82 & 83 from Chesterfield (Stephenson Place) daily, 83 serves Villas Road and 82 + 83 both serve the roundabout on the A632 at the bottom of Bolsover Hill.
Facilities
The site is owned by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and has had a significant amount of habitat creation works carried out to produce ideal wildfowl, wader and warbler habitat.
Good disabled access has been incorporated into the changes. A network of paths runs along the flash complex and there is a raised observation mound providing excellent views over the wader scrapes. Additionally there is a viewing screen overlooking the southern reed bed (from which Bittern and Jack Snipe have been seen) and there is another viewing screen overlooking the northern side of Meadow Flash. Access 24 hours all year.
Information
There are several interpretive boards around the site and notices showing the previous couple of months occurrences are displayed on the observation mound and on the notice board adjacent to the reserve pond. A monthly bulletin is published, hard copies of which are obtainable from Bolsover library with other copies lodged in the local studies department of Chesterfield and Matlock county offices. For those with internet access the monthly bulletin is also posted on the following websites: Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Derbyshire Ornithological Society and Ogston Bird Club. Very recent sightings are posted on these aforementioned websites as well as on Steve’s Birding Pages (Steve Mann’s excellent website). An annual report is published copies of which are lodged at Bolsover and Chesterfield libraries and at the county offices. Very detailed bird recording has taken place at this site for the last 30 years but inevitably visitors may visit the site and see something rare or unusual. If anyone does find something please post the sighting on the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust website for the information of the reserve’s recorder (Mark Beevers). The record will be credited to the finder. The only downside to this site is the lack of toilet facilities.
The only downside to this site is the lack of toilet facilities.
View south over the main flash (Brian Cuttell)
What to see
Bolsover Sewage Works and the M1 motorway are all close to the site but do not be put off, Carr Vale has a very high species density and will reward two hours of your time with at least 50 species seen with reasonable ease during a spring or autumn visit (keen birders will log up to 70 species during migration times and up to 60 in the summer). Daily visits by Mark Beevers and team (Ian Swain, Kevin Navin, with additional help from Dave and Sue Came, Arthur Gee, Tony Irons and Phil Snaith amongst others) have produced a massive total of 203 species including Derbyshire's first Common Rosefinch and Derbyshire's first Lesser Yellowlegs, which was found only 200 yards away only 11 weeks later in 1998! The average year list is 140+ and 148 species were recorded in 2007.
Mark has kindly supplied the following information.
"The site list includes: Black Kite, Red-rumped Swallow and Yellow-browed Warbler, all of which at the time were the third records for the county (and there has been another Yellow-browed Warbler, which is the 6th county record). 20 species of duck (including the 10th county record of Ring-necked Duck and Eider have been recorded whilst seven species, including Garganey and Shoveler, have bred at the site. 13 species of Raptor and 28 species of wader (including Avocet, two Pectoral Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs) have been seen and there is a good chance of a white-winged Gull in winter with a combined Glaucous and Iceland Gull total of 43 records (including a Kumlien’s Gull, which was the third for the county) since 1996. Other rarities recorded include Gannet, Shag, several Bitterns, Little Egrets, several Brent Geese, three Quail, a record flock of nine Little Auks, two Wrynecks (three if you count one just 100 yards south of the recording area), four Wood Larks, three Shorelarks together (6th County record), many Waxwings, five tristis Chiffchaffs, five Firecrests, Golden Oriole, two Great Grey Shrikes, Hooded Crow and both Lapland and Snow Bunting”.
In winter the site is good for Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal and Gulls and if the conditions are right Pink-footed Geese and Whooper Swans. Several bird feeding stations are maintained (feel free to bring some seed with you if you visit as the bird food is funded by donations only) and the one on the observation mound attracts up to 35 Reed Buntings in the winter. Birds seen frequently during the summer include Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Common Tern, Little Owl, Grasshopper Warbler (amongst nine species of breeding warbler) as well as a number of red data species for the county. Willow Tits are common but Marsh Tits are a mega-rarity, there being just three records and the last was in 1997, so don’t even think about claiming one! Indeed Marsh Tit is an extreme rarity in the whole of the Doe Lea Valley.
Carr Vale is not just about birds though and the site is also very good for Dragonflies (18 species) with the three of the four current extant (County) red data species present, often in good numbers. These are Emperor, Four-spotted Chaser and Black-tailed Skimmer and Ruddy Darter used to breed, whilst other notables include Banded Demoiselle, Red-eyed Damsel, Common Hawker (one record) and Broad-bodied Chaser. In 2006 Derbyshire’s third (and first twitchable) Red-veined Darter was discovered and eventually up to 17 of this scarce migrants were located, although only one was located in 2007 after which serious flooding occurred. Butterflies are also well represented with 24 species on the list including Comma and Brimstone. Speckled Wood is a recent colonist and Clouded Yellow, Ringlet and Holly Blue are also on the list. Also included in this list are Large Copper and Marbled White. The former we know was deliberately released and survived just one summer, the latter is likely to have been released but they have been seen in both 2007 and 2008. Mammals too are well represented with Roe Deer, Fox, Stoat, Weasel and Hare regularly seen whilst Water Voles can be searched for along the river banks. Harder to see but still nevertheless present in reasonable numbers are Water Shrews and Harvest Mice and the lush vegetation along the river hides a healthy population of Grass Snakes. All in all if you keep your eyes peeled you can have a very rewarding morning at Carr Vale."
DOS Verdict
Arguably the best site in the County, a very large number of species to see

DAY 2 – CROMFORD
15 min visit (optional) for rare sighting of the FINCH
St Marys Church, Cromford, DE4 3RQ nr. To Cromford Bridge over R. Derwent
Grid: SK2957
DAY 2 CLOSE
Orwin to Alfreton & Mansfield Parkway Rail Station, Mansfield Rd, Alfreton, DE55 7JQ
Sharpe as the Duran Duran Chauffeur
White to make 33 not out from 100 deliveries
Mitchell to not allow anyone to use his scope all day as he takes the lead

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