Members participating: 14 + 1 guest

Summary

We had a good turnout of members for the first outing of the new season. It was a dry day with an occasional glimpse of the sun.

The reserve is managed by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and a team of staff and volunteers were busy working on the site for much of our visit. Unfortunately for us that may have reduced the bird population, not least because of the noise generated by the petrol-powered strimmers. It was noticeable that a group of six Grey Herons were looking on from a green field overlooking the lagoon where the work was happening, apparently waiting for the labour-force to quit and allow the Herons back to their normal habitat. As soon as the strimmers started up again after the mandatory 11 am coffee break, there was a noticeable migration of ducks and geese away from the din. That movement did at least enable us to get closer views of the lone Barnacle Goose in amongst the Canadas.

The wooded approaches to the main lagoon and fishing pond were not completely devoid of birds but there was not much to hear even when the strimmers fell silent. Nevertheless, there was a good range of bird species to be seen and a Speckled Wood butterfly caught our eye too.

Bird list (25 species seen and/or heard)

Speckled Wood Butterfly

Barnacle Goose among Canadas