Juxta-birding

A stunning weekend of beautiful sunshine yet annoyingly cold nights has produced several 'firsts'. My first Brimstone butterflies were seen in someone's front garden down my road whilst he sat watching TV completely oblivious to two superb butter-yellow males dancing under his window. My first wasp in the kitchen, not quite as pleasant as the Brimstone's but a sure sign of warmer times ahead. Our first trip to the park to play footie and throw the frisbee!

So it was quite an odd feeling this morning when, after dropping Jordan off at school, I popped in to Wilne Lane, and whilst listening to the Skylarks belting out their melancholy tunes and feeling the sun on the back of my neck I stood by the river watching my first Whooper Swan of the year. Lovely bird, no doubt. But not one I usually associate with blazing sun, and the signs of Spring all around me.

Also on the river were a pair of Goosander who, in typical style, only let me get to a certain distance before belting off down stream. Here they are zipping past me! Just left of the Swan (Mute not Whooper).

Also heard a Green Woodpecker, but it wouldn't be seen. I think I'm never going to see one this year (cue the Green Woodpecker population to go into hiding now).

Bird Yearlist = 124

Fairly quiet on both fronts

The lack of posting is probably a good indication that I don't have much to tell! The birding has slowed considerably after January's mad dash, and I'm slowly creeping up the list (105 at present). Work and family have kept me rather busy, and snow has kept me indoors (excuses, excuses!)

Recent additions include a Grey Wagtail over the car park at work.
A wander round Alvaston Park, Derby and down the river Derwent provided some Goosander, Stock Dove and about 20+ Linnet on the new reserve near Raynesway.
And Kingfisher fell onto the list as the resident bird at Codnor Park Reservoir showed really well on the slightly frozen canal section. If anyone reading this wants to see Kingfisher REALLY well then I advise a visit!

Tuesday night I visited Elvaston Castle to see if any Tawny Owl were about but I think it was so cold they'd given up any ideas of action. The only birds seen were the roosting Herons. I did manage to add Winter Moth (372nd Species) to my Derbyshire list though, in the headlights as I was putting my kit away.