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Jul 2020
12:20pm, 1 Jul 2020
1,204 posts
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Roberto
Scribbs, is that Gosforth Park? If so, it is absolutely stunning there. Haven't been this year but been a member for a couple of years. Got some cracking photos of kingfishers, foxes, badgers, otters, bittern, starling murmarations etc. It really is an amazing place.
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Jul 2020
2:11pm, 1 Jul 2020
4,975 posts
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The Scribbler
Yes - that's it Roberto. Absolutely amazing place. Can't believe I've lived here more than 23 years and never really known about it until I started following someone on Instagram. I'm on a mission to see an otter...
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Jul 2020
2:23pm, 1 Jul 2020
1,205 posts
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Roberto
They fairly regularly appear there so its your best bet. If you are on Facebook, there is a Gosforth nature reserve photography page. I've spent many hours, in all weathers, huddled in the hides. Managed to get a fox on the lake when it froze last year. Prior to covid, it is open sun rise to sunset so you can get there early hours etc which is when I've always had the most luck.
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Jul 2020
3:08pm, 1 Jul 2020
423 posts
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Weath
Red Kite this morning literally yards from J23 of M1. Gracefully circling over the field on the other side of the dual carriageway by which I was walking
As usual I didn't have my 'proper' camera with me, as per every time I get to see these birds, and only 4 hours after ordering a new 600mm lens!
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Jul 2020
4:03pm, 1 Jul 2020
1,709 posts
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flyingfinn
J2R Padley Gorge above Grindleford will get you Wood Warbler, Pied and Spotted Fly, Redstart. Stanage will get you Curlew and possibly Golden Plover as well as the Ring Ouzel (similarly Bamford Moor). Dovedale and most of the limestone dales are great for Dipper, Grey Wag and a good chance of Mandarin actually on the river. In the surrounds you'll get plenty of Warblers (Blackcap, Garden, Chiffchaff, Willow, Whitethroat), Raven, Kestrel and Buzzard overhead. Goyt Valley is good for Pied and Spotted Fly, Redstart, Chats, Meadow and Tree Pipit, Curlew, Mandarin, Common Sandpiper, Willow Warbler. At the southern end of the Peak Park Carsington Water (aka my back garden  ) is great for both water and woodland habitat BUT avoid during the middle of the day at the weekend as we're getting completely mobbed at present and you will struggle to find much at that time (ditto the likes of Dovedale but all will be fine early doors or most 5pm). Numerous other places across the Peak, give me a more localised area and I should be able to give you some nearby spots to try.
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Jul 2020
4:22pm, 1 Jul 2020
2,824 posts
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J2R
DT, jacdaw, flyingfinn, thanks, great tips! We're going to Middleton-by-Youlgrave, so very close to Lathkill Dale. Woohoo! We were in Dovedale and saw redstarts, which was great as we don't really get them in Norfolk. Looking forward to pied flycatchers and wood warblers, too, birds I associated with western oak woodland but which clearly frequent the Peaks as well.
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Jul 2020
7:46pm, 1 Jul 2020
1,710 posts
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flyingfinn
A short walk (2-3k) due south of Middleton-by-Youlgrave is a pair of dry dales (well at this time of year anyway) Long Dale and Gratton Dale that are a designated nature reserve. Classic limestone dale with rough grass and bushes/small trees (mainly hawthorn). You should definitely find the likes of Skylark, Mipit, and Redstart there. Good chance of Buzzard and Raven too. Possibly Wheatear, Pied Fly and Tree Pipit. Also Brown Hare. Other raptors such as Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine all frequent the general area too. And right next door is an area called Elton Common where Quail have been reported singing regularly in recent weeks, though not when I've paid a visit but to be fair I've never stayed very long but I did hear Curlew calling over towards Gratton Dale.
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Jul 2020
8:37pm, 1 Jul 2020
2,829 posts
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J2R
ff, that sounds great - I'll take a look. Never seen (or heard) quail in this country. In fact I think the only time I've ever seen them was last year in Macedonia.
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Jul 2020
9:14pm, 1 Jul 2020
16,894 posts
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Rosehip
I've never seen quail in "the wild" but we had the in the garden a couple of years ago - a neighbour was breeding them (to eat???) and her children let them out!
Really pleased to see and/or hear three or maybe even 4 yellowhammers during my 10 ish mile run today. I can be fairly sure of hearing one, but the others were a pleasent surprise. We've been here 26 years and this is the first year I can be fairly sure of either hearing or seeing one.
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Jul 2020
9:37pm, 1 Jul 2020
2,830 posts
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J2R
Rosehip, it's absolutely one of the classic sounds of summer, the yellowhammer. I love it!
We have a hedgehog in the garden! Only seen one a handful of times in the 10 years we've lived here.
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