Carsington Water – An excellent year round birding site that’s arguably at its best from late Summer to Spring. Half and full day options available
Carsington Water is a large reservoir operated by Severn Trent Water and situated between the towns of Ashbourne and Wirksworth in the beautiful Derbyshire Dales. With a size of 3km² it is the largest water body in the County and its size and position mean it attracts a lot of different bird species throughout the year. The reservoir is surrounded by some wonderful woodland, grassland and farmland habitat as well as a network of well maintained paths – a walk around this around this fabulous year site is sure to be rewarded with a fantastic list of species!
Great Northern Diver regularly over winter at Carsington. Common Loon – Gavia immer, Delaware Seashore State Park, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Date 20 January 2018, Judy Gallagher
Carsington is arguably at its best from late Summer to Spring when the sheer number of wildfowl present mean there is always plenty to see, with wintering flocks regularly joined by scarcer species such as Great Northern Diver, Red Necked Grebe and Whooper Swan.
We’ll start our walk at Millfield’s Car Park, whose well stocked bird feeders often attract such nationally scarce species as Willow Tit and Tree Sparrow as well as lots of commoner species, before heading out along the dam wall. The deep water here is great for diving species such as Grebes, Tufted Duck and, in Winter, birds like Goldeneye and Pochard. The dam itself can act like a magnet for passerines with Meadow Pipit and Grey and Pied Wagtails regular and joined by passage species such as Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear and even a Snow Bunting! The rocky shores near the sailing club can hold good numbers of Lapwing and occasionally other waders. Reaching the area of the visitor centre (the busiest area for human activity) the shallow waters, mud-edged islands and wooded creeks are one of the best areas for passage, wintering and breeding waders which can include Oystercatcher, Redshank, Snipe, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Black Tailed Godwit with scarcer birds such as Whimbrel, Turnstone and Knot turning up on passage and the tiny, cryptic Jack Snipe often Winter here. The area is also great for wildfowl including Carsington’s very own flock of feral Barnacle Geese. All this activity can attract predators with raptors including Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel and Peregrine, whilst migrating Osprey can occasionally be found in Spring and Autumn. We’ll spend plenty of time here before heading back to Millfield’s (if you are on our wheelchair friendly, accessible half day walk) looking to pick up any notable species we may have missed.
Cryptic Jack Snipe are present in Winter but can be tricky to find
The full day option continues north on a circuit of the reservoir (approximately 8 miles in total) and most of the walk is generally easy going on good paths. The bays and inlets at Sheepwash and Hopton give a good variety of habitats with breeding Warblers and Redstarts in Spring and Summer and plenty more wildfowl on the water in Autumn/Winter including good numbers of Wigeon, Teal and the occasional Pintail. As we head South back towards the car park the East side of the reservoir has a good mixture of woodland (Hall Wood holds breeding Pied Flycatcher in Spring/Summer), scrub and Meadows with plenty of breeding passerines, Red Kite overhead and good numbers of Redwing, Fieldfare, Brambling and Siskin in Winter.
Notable species we may see in Spring/Summer: Willow Tit, Tree Sparrow, Bulfinch, Nuthatch, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Osprey, Peregrine, Red Kite, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Snipe, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Gadwall, Shoveler, Barnacle Goose (feral), Kingfisher, Summer Butterflies and Wildflowers.
Notable species we may see in Autumn/Winter: Willow Tit, Tree Sparrow, Brambling, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Redwing, Fieldfare, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail (passage), Meadow Pipit, Redshank, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Black Tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Rarer Grebe’s (e,g. Red Necked and Slavonian), Great Northern Diver, Whooper Swan, Pink Footed Goose, Barnacle Goose (feral), Kingfisher, Goldeneye, Pochard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Red Kite, Peregine, Osprey (passage).
Duration: Full Day – 5-6 hours (c8 miles), Half Day – c4 hours (c4.5 miles)
Cost: Full Day – Adults £35, Under 16 £20 (must be accompanied by an adult). There is a 10% discount when two or more adults book.
Half Day – Adults £25, Under 16 £15 (must be accompanied by an adult). There is a 10% discount when two or more adults book.
No deposit required!
Need to know: Both routes are on well maintained paths and are generally easy walking. The half day walk is fully accessible and suitable for Wheelchair users with no stiles and on level pathways. Millfield’s is a Pay & Display car park so please have a means of payment to hand. Toilet facilities are available at Millfield’s and the visitor centre with refreshments available at the latter.
