Summary

Our regular April visit to Strutt’s North Mill and Wyver Lane did not disappoint.  The day was dry and sunny, especially early on.  A Peregrine was conveniently perched in the sunshine below one of the curved balconies at the right end of the mill.  There was little to see around the weirs and even around the cottages at the top of the lane.  It was only at the end of our trip that a couple of Grey Wagtails were seen on the tarmac in front of the mill.

Further down Wyver Lane there was plenty to see and hear.  A few species were heard but not seen, including Raven, Green Woodpecker and Pheasant.  The Merlin app was useful in confirming some of the birdsong.  From the hide we could make out a Grey Heron, half-hidden in the reeds.  A pair of Mandarin Duck were grazing in one of the grass fields to the left as we walked down the lane.  The field boundary was wooded and a Song Thrush was spotted there, apparently attempting to sing, but no sound came out whenever it opened its beak.

Members participating:    11 + 1 guest

Bird list (38 species seen and/or heard)

Moorhen – Chris Byrne

Strutt’s Mill and weirs, Belper – Chris Byrne

Peregrine Falcon – Martyn Grandy

Mandarin Duck – Martyn Grandy

The Silent Song Thrush – Chris Byrne

Greylag Goose – Martyn Grandy