• Telephone: 07989 218860
  • Email: info@naturalderbyshiretours.uk

Keeping Watch

  • Date: 28/03/2021
  • Category: General

Keeping Watch

A short walk from the door and on the edge of Derby, a tree lined bridal path takes you up a small rise. As the trees give way to hedgerows, the landscape opens out onto a gentle dome of sheep grazed pasture. From a recessed gateway this raised vantage point offers a good view over the North East outskirts of Derby and the countryside beyond. To your right the woods and fields of a local estate provide most of the raptorial interest – and in the right conditions good numbers of birds of prey can be seen with Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Common Buzzard and Peregrine figuring all year round along with that honorary raptor – the Raven. Summer is the time to look for Hobby with a pair of these elegant, long winged falcons nesting nearby, while Red Kite sightings are becoming more frequent.

Its certainly no Wykenham, Welbeck or Stubbs Mill. There are no Honey Buzzards, Goshawks, Cranes or White Tailed Eagle’s to draw the birders, but as urban vantage points go, it’s not bad and just occasionally it can produce the goods. This morning – with the Sun warming the air, a reasonable breeze and a fair bit of cloud cover – seemed a good time to spend an hour or two up there and I wasn’t to be disappointed!

A good vantage point over wooded areas and areas of mixed farmland can produce bird of prey sightings as well as providing a good spot to observe visual migration.

Common Buzzard is the easiest raptor to see from here and so it proved, as a scan across the skyline picked out no fewer than twenty of these under watched and frankly, often ignored, birds with a single group (or Kettle) of twelve birds soaring together on the same thermal. Across the vista other Buzzards could be seen including a couple displaying over likely woodland spots.

Joining the larger birds a pair of Sparrowhawk were also on the wing, gaining height with their characteristic ‘flap, flap, glide’ before spiralling even higher than the Buzzards, a third bird, it’s size marking it out as a male, streaked low across the open hillside, no doubt hoping to snatch one of the Meadow Pipits that looked to be moving North in good numbers!

A line of electricity pylons snake theirĀ  way through the fields to the right and these are often used by the local Kestrels, but today one of the Falcons was soaring and circling above the arable fields before dropping lower to hover above a hedgerow.

So far so good but better was to come! As I watched one of the local Raven pair fly overhead giving it’s characteristic ‘cronking’ call, I picked up a large raptor high up and heading North at speed. Bigger than a Buzzard with a very pale/white body and throat and elegantly long wings. The darker wing coverts and carpal patch standing out, with the flight feathers subtly banded – Osprey! A year tick and only my second ever here!

These fish eating raptors spend the Winter on the west coast of Africa and late March/April is the best time to spot one as they migrate North to their breeding territory on a remote Scottish loch. This one wasn’t hanging about either, in little more than 30 seconds it was a blob on the Northern horizon. It would have been so easy to miss, proving that a large slice of luck can be just as important as timing and location on occasion!

What a morning and what a bird! Not a bad spot for a bit of lockdown raptor watching either.


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What Our Visitors Say ...

"I had a half-day walk with Antony, hoping to see a Ring Ouzel, and to see Waders in their nesting habitat. I achieved both of these, and saw several other good birds as well, including an owl and several Pied Flycatchers (another first for me). Anthony was not only very knowledgeable but also good company, and I would recommend his walks for anyone who enjoys wildlife but would benefit from some local expertise."
Tim Bucknall - Dorset.
"Antony's guided tour began in Hartington, and included an upland area, Biggin Dale and Wolfscote Dale. This gave us experience of a great variety of habitats, and a chance to see lots of birds, including ravens, rooks, jackdaws, a peregrine falcon, wheatears and stonechats, dippers and wagtails and chiffchaffs. The weather was variable, but Antony made the whole tour really entertaining and informative. He is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of nature, and birds in particular. Just as important, he is a very friendly and approachable guide, always willing to engage in discussion on any aspect of the area. We felt that, in addition to having a most interesting walk, we came away with really useful advice about how to observe birds on our future walks. The weather improved as we walked along the River Dove, and we were treated to some very special moments of bird observation, aided by Antony's telescope and tripod. We would highly recommend Antony to anyone keen to learn more about local wildlife as part of a most enjoyable walk in Derbyshire."
D & C Longson - Derbyshire.
"My mum and I had a fantastic bespoke walk with Antony around the Brassington area and Rose End Meadows in Cromford. Beautiful scenery, glorious sunshine and a wealth of interesting facts about the flowers, birds, insects and butterflies we met along the way. We had a truly magical time watching a Silver-washed Fritillary dancing and gliding around right in front of us for fifteen minutes. The walk was a birthday present for my mum and Antony took the time to find out what her specific interests and level of knowledge were in advance so that he could plan the route accordingly. He even sent us more information afterwards to confirm a couple of butterfly and dragonfly IDs. Antony really knows his stuff and his enthusiasm is infectious. He also has an unbelievable eye and ear for tiny creatures, plants and sounds that would have passed me by completely. A relaxing, hugely informative and very enjoyable day all round. Many thanks again, Antony!"
L Breakwell - Nottingham.
"Thank you ever so much for the Dawn Chorus experience last Saturday. Even though the weather was terrible we really enjoyed it. We all said would do it again regardless of the weather."
J Tagg - Derbyshire.
"Thoroughly enjoyed two fantastic nature walks with Antony in September 2020. Loved our walk on the Eastern Moors spotting moorland birds and lots and lots of red deer, just starting their rut. Our second walk was an early morning exploration of the very different habitat of the Derwent river and Cromford Canal. Spent ages watching a beautiful pair of dippers dabbling in the river, a streaking Kingfisher and tons of little Grebe diving in the clear water. Antony was an absolutely brilliant guide. He has amazing knowledge about every single species of bird, mammal and lots of plants across the Peak District and knows exactly where to find them. He has such a friendly and welcoming manner that you never feel you're not 'expert' enough and he patiently answers every question. I would thoroughly recommend a nature walk with Antony to get to know the Peak District through the eyes of a wildlife fan! Very best wishes and see you next spring!"
N Marshall - London.
"Antony was not only very knowledgeable about swifts but also provided valuable information to participants on the walks regarding support for the various swift habitats in their neighbourhood. Highly recommended."
D Howson - Derby.
"A great evening watching swifts, and learning about other local wildlife. The leader was very friendly and knowledgeable. He gave us lots of interesting information about swifts, and how we could help with their conservation. There was plenty of time to ask questions, and the walk was taken at a leisurely pace to enable everyone to keep up and get involved. A lovely evening stroll that everyone seemed to enjoy!"
H Naylor - Derbyshire.

Walking Tours In Derbyshire

  • Walking based wildlife tours in Derbyshire for up to 4 people (walks for larger groups can be arranged).
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07989 218860

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