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Our Nature Highlights of 2023

  • Date: 26/12/2023
  • Category: General

Our Nature Highlights of 2023

This year has produced some wonderful wildlife sightings many of which we have enjoyed sharing with our lovely clients – here is a short blog about our personal top five from2023:

Magical Mountain Hares

Mountain Hare, Derbyshire April 2023

Early Spring saw us run a program of guided walks in the Dark Peak to look for our wonderful population of Mountain Hare whilst they sported their iconic white winter coats – the Hares didn’t disappoint either! In total we ran five guided walks and Mountain Hares were seen well on all of them, with an average of 4.8 animals per walk and generally excellent scope views for all our guests. But it wasn’t just the Hares we enjoyed – Red Grouse were ever present and hugely entertaining. Kestrel, Raven and Skylark all put in regular appearances. Golden Plover and Curlew, returning to the high tops, treated us to some fantastic views in our later walks along with early returning Wheatear, but the big surprise was fabulous views of a stunning Ermine (a Stoat that turns white in winter) hunting just a few metres from our delighted guests. A first for all of us!

Redstarts Galore!

Always a favourite of both myself and our clients, those stunning migrant Common Redstarts seem to have enjoyed a bumper 2023. Our walks in the White Peak in May and June often encountered c20 singing males as well as obtaining great views of both sexes. Redstarts have also been a highlight of our spring and summer outings at the fantastic High Leas Farm with a reliable territorial male around the farm buildings providing brilliant views. Away from the Peak a singing male even spent a few days in May holding territory on my local patch at Locko Park – a first site record and in the running for my personal bird of the year!

Nightjars

Nightjar showing well

They might have been a new seasonal outing for us this year but our Nightjar watching evenings in the Matlock forest area were nothing short of sensational at times and will definitely be figuring in our 2024 program. We ran three well attended evenings in June and early July (including a free event for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust staff) and enjoyed numerous ‘churring’ birds and wing-clapping displays from the males, as well as great views of male and female birds flying within a few metres of us (not to mention dropping in to land on the path just feet away!). Add to that great views of roding Woodcock, singing Tree Pipits, territorial Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a noisy Cuckoo these evenings were simply a joy.

Eagles on Arran

Stunning Glen Rosa – a fitting home for Golden Eagles!

The Isle of Arran (in the Firth of Clyde) is somewhere I have wanted to visit for several years and we finally got the opportunity in early October. Staying in Lochranza in the mountainous northern half of the island we seemingly timed our trip to perfection. The Red Deer rut was in full swing (with numerous deer around the area giving great views and Stags roaring away day & night) and Red Squirrels were busy gathering and caching food in the wooded areas around the village. The coast held winter plumaged Black Guillemots and Black Throated Divers along with Red Breasted Merganser, a good variety of waders and a brilliant Otter encounter whilst the moorland further south held a beautiful male Hen Harrier. But it was the Golden Eagles that stole the show! Arran is rightly famed as one of the best places to see this species and it didn’t disappoint with birds seen on several occasions and the final full day producing fantastic views of three separate birds – an adult quartering the ridges of stunning Glen Rosa, a sub-adult harassed by a Raven viewed from the convenience of the distillery car park and a further adult soaring above the ridge just behind our cabin – wow!

Waxwing Winter

Every year birders in the UK play the game of will it or wont it be a Waxwing winter? And finally the winter of 2023/24 is producing the goods and looks like being the best winter for this species for over a decade. In Derbyshire Waxwings have been recorded in Chesterfield, Glossop, Matlock, Ilkeston with over 200 birds frequenting the Hawthorns along the Monsal Trail at Hassop Station near Bakewell. My first Waxwings for several years were a pair of stunning birds feeding on berries at the classic Waxwing-esque location of Ripley Leisure Centre in early December and I’m writing this after a Boxing Day excursion to Ilkeston which produced just a single bird – but what a stunner! None have ventured into Derby yet but I’m hoping I will get some local birds on my 2024 list!

 


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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).
  • Walks to suit all abilities/fitness’s.
  • Full day, shorter and bespoke walks available.
  • Expert local guide.
  • Prices include use of optics and identification books/charts, a delicious packed lunch (full day walks only) and hot drinks.
  • Transport for up to 4 people available to and from accommodation.
  • 5% of each booking will be donated to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

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