In sight of Cown Edge we walked down a country lane to the East and saw 15+ Skylarks, 11 Swifts and a male Stonechat @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social with Curlews were very active and vocal nearby. Painted Lady Butterflies also seen

A great morning with a lovely group in the White Peak - #redstart were the star with c15 singing males and a minimum of 5 active nests. Dippers galore including juvs and adults feeding a 2nd brood. 4 Spotted Flycatcher, Peregrine, Red Kite & Garden Warbler (3) @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Derbyshire, UK, May 2026. Peregrines are the fastest animal on Earth. During a 'stoop’ they can exceed 200 mph #ukbirding #birding #birds @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix), Barbrook, Derbyshire, UK 30/05/2026 ebird.org/checklist/S3... It’s shaping up to be a poor year for Wood Warblers in Derbyshire sadly #ukbirding #birding #birds @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

DUCKS: by this time of spring most ducks will have settled at potential breeding sites. So all records of scarce & rare breeding ducks, including Shoveler, Wigeon, Garganey, Pintail, Pochard and Red-breasted Merganser, should be submitted, with breeding evidence, to the relevant county recorder

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio), Middleton Moor, Derbyshire, UK 30/05/2026 ebird.org/checklist/S3... The run of good birds on my local patch continues unabated #ukbirding #birding #birds #rarebirdsuk #ukrarebirds @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

An early morning jaunt to Elton Common looking for Quail. None seen or heard however, this confiding Male Yellow Wagtail was a delight! @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding #DerbyshireBirds

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), Derbyshire, UK, May 2026. Two pairs local to me appear to have bred successfully this year #ukbirding #birding #birds @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

The Serengeti of South Derbyshire with several Cattle Egret doing what it says on the tin by the Trent - a lovely couple of hours at Willington Wetlands. 5 sp. of heron/egret, Cuckoo, Kingfisher, Common Terns, 2 Sparrowhawk & 4 Oystercatcher. Influx of Painted Lady (7) @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

Stonechat family (4 Juveniles seen) popped up on the wall to say hello @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social moorland edge of the #PeakDistrict #UKbirding

It's hot... 🥵☀️ Make sure to put out plenty of water for birds & wildlife so they can keep cool and have enough to drink. They'll thank you!

The Dipper nest in our local park that I have managed to see from building to fledgling has produced at least one youngster. @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #Ukbirding I will have another look to see if some others are hidden away but only one Adult near this one.

Grey Phalarope this aft #Wombwell

Birds in Longdendale Dippers ( Juvenile in photo ) , Grey Wagtail. @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

Successfully twitched an Osprey eating a very large fish at Willington GP. In a single minute, saw Osprey and flyover Bittern, Whimbrel and Red Kite from the tower hide (P5)

Flycatchers in adjacent trees @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social 1st Spotted Flycatcher of the year for me #UKBirding

Heads up - White Stork just flown over Longcroft Ave Dronfield heading towards Chesterfield is best I have. A friends house. Just in case! @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @richardttaylor.bsky.social @willowglass12.bsky.social @belperbirder.bsky.social @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social #UKBirding

🪶 A superb Saturday morning back out in the #PEAKDISTRICT #BIRDS @peakdistrict.bsky.social Cuckoo calling, ravens cronking, and a very showy Male & Female Whinchat. @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #DERBYSHIRE @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social #nature

A Hobby and large number of hirundines and Swifts hawking around Melbourne Pool now, probably after these. Not sure it is identifiable from this shot? Head and body about 13mm. First time I've seen Hobby here

Woodlark (Lullula arborea), Middleton Moor, Derbyshire, UK 17/05/2026 ebird.org/checklist/S3.... A totally unexpected patch tick #ukbirding #birding #birds with @rayscally.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

MIDDLETON MOOR, Derbys. - Brilliant morning with this WOODLARK !!!!, very scarce in county also 2 Caspian Gulls, 8 Ringed Plover, 2 Shelduck with @andysbutler.bsky.social @jonlowes.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), Derbyshire, UK, May 2026. The most elusive, secretive & strictly nocturnal owl in the UK #ukbirding #birding #birds @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

Top walk with a lovely bunch at Willington Wetlands this am - 8sp. of warbler incl. Lesser Whitethroat, top views of Common Tern, Swift, Red Kite, Cattle Egret, a calling Cuckoo, pair of Yellow Wags and a brief Hobby. Wonderful to find this toad near the tower hide too! @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

Great walk in the Dark Peak with Mark who wanted to see Ring Ouzel - we found a minimum of 6 birds including a couple of obliging males. Other highlights were a drumming Snipe, Golden Plover, c8 Curlew, Cuckoo, 3 Redstart, 4 Pied Flycatcher and some lovely Lapwing chicks @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

Matlock Forest tonight - 3 traditional Nightjar sites checked but none present. All areas have grown significantly this past year but new areas have been felled so checking those next. Woodcock, TOwl, Cuckoo, Curlew, Stonechat family. Very few Moths 🤔 @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #mothsmatter

Back from Skye and an early walk at #Lockopark had me thinking I was still up north with a Cuckoo calling & 2 Willow Warbler singing (both part of our Skye soundtrack) on a very chilly morning. A 1st Gadwall since 2023, Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing, Barn Owl, 15+ Swallow @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

At #WyverLaneNR today. Whinchat, Grasshopper Warbler + 6 Sedge, 3 Reed, 2 Garden, Cetti's, 8 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 4 Whitethroat, Les Whitethroat, 2 Red Kite, 5 Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 16 Swift, c70 H.Martin, c40 Swallow, 7 Sand Martin, 2 Curlew, Oyc, 2 Lapwing @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

A few from #WyverLaneNR today. Pheasant, Goldfinch, Little Grebe and Shoveler @belperbirder.bsky.social @richardttaylor.bsky.social @cliveaderbys.bsky.social @danmartinwildlife.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social

Mistle Thrush Success 3 being fed at Woodhead Reservoir #PeakDistrict #UKBirding @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

Happy days, sharon returned to the nest this afternoon. But still haven't seen any of our other swift yet. @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @saveourswifts.bsky.soc @rspb.bsky.social #swift​ #swiftbox​ #saveourswift​ #wildlife​ #nature​ #nest​ #ozzy​ #sharon​ #ozzyandsharon​ youtu.be/6ZHu-Vsp5X0?...

Osprey E over Hadfield at 0915 and up Longdendale @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social garden raptor tick #12 @birdguides.bsky.social #UKBirding

Nice to find a Male Whinchat in the same area as in several recent years. #PeakDistrict #UKBirding

Garden Warbler, bat bonanzas, early orchids & No Mow May - May's newsletter from Natural Derbyshire Tours is now available 👇 @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social www.naturalderbyshiretours.uk/may-newslett... #walking #Derbyshire #May #gardenwarbler #naturalderbyshiretours

From #WyverLaneNR today. 3 Com Tern S/W at 0945. 3 Whitethroat, Les Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, Cetti's, Garden Warbler, Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe, Swift, 22 Sand Martin, 25 Swallow, c70 House Martin, 2 Red Kite, 9 Buzzard @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

From #WyverLaneNR today. Little Grebe, Little Egret, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler @belperbirder.bsky.social @richardttaylor.bsky.social @cliveaderbys.bsky.social @danmartinwildlife.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social

Lovely group walk at Willington Wetlands this morning - 9sp. of warbler included Grasshopper Warbler (2), Garden Warbler & Lesser Whitethroat. Goosander with young on the Trent, a first Common Tern of the year & 5+ Swift. Waders included a brief Green Sandpiper @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

20 mile walk from Grindelford, Burbage moors and Hathersage. Whinchat, 8+ Pied Fly, 6+ Restarts, Gropper, Tree Pipit, Red Grouse and Cuckoo. #derbyshirebirds #ukbirding

Collapse of the Woodhead Reservoir @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social Black-headed Gull colony this year (a decline from ~1000 to 15 pairs) -a lagged consequence of the HPAI demographic bottleneck and preferential recruitment into other colonies? What is happening elsewhere? #UKBirding #Ornithology

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" A top day for Redstarts in the Peaks with a grand total of 27(!) on today's walk in the White Peak. An absolute joy to watch these fan birds 😍. Also 3 Wheatear, Little Owl & Garden Warbler @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding

17/4/2026 a few bits from the Peak this morning. Shilitto area was productive with Stonechat, 3 male Wheatears, Little Owl plus Tree Pipits & plenty of Willow Wabs. Two male Crossbills came down to a puddle. Padley had at least 6 male Pied Fly at the top end @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

If you like bioacoustics, you will love this issue of Bird Census News. It also features the work of @bbs-birds.bsky.social volunteers who are putting out PAM recorders on squares in Scotland, with the aim of seeing if PAM can augment traditional monitoring, especially in hard-to-reach places.

Few weeks since my last visit but a lovely morning at #HighLeasFarm today - Tree Pipits back in force with 4 birds singing (a beautiful understated songster) along with Willow Warbler (4), Blackcap (6) & a single Whitethroat. Cuckoo flowers but no Cuckoo yet! @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding

A few birds seen on the Cromford Canal yesterday. Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Rook and Treecreeper @belperbirder.bsky.social @rlewington2.bsky.social @cliveaderbys.bsky.social @danmartinwildlife.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social

🪶 An early morning 🌅 watching Ring Ouzels. 90 mins sat on the same cold, windswept rock is not recommended 🤣. My bum is now as cold and flat as said rock @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social #birds #UKbirds #Derbyshire #Nature

A few hours in the Peak District @peakdistrict.bsky.social #DERBYSHIRE seeing some of our 🤩stunning🤩 returning migrant species. Redstart, Pied Flycatchers & Ring Ouzel with a chorus of Stonechat, Curlew & Willow Warbler @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social #birds #UKbirds 🪶

Found an impressive Sand Martin colony on the Dove at Egginton. I estimated 135 birds in the air around me at one point

Rain at mid day brought down 60 Swallow with 4 Sand Martin 6 House Martin. A bright billed “Granada” , 2 Oystercatcher were the additional #WyverlaneNR highlights. Chiffchaffs & Blackcaps @belperbirder.bsky.social @willowglass12.bsky.social @danmartinwildlife.bsky.social #Derbyshirebirds

European Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) Goyt Valley, Derbyshire, UK, 11/04/2026 ebird.org/checklist/S3... An early returner, freshly arrived from sub-Saharan Africa #ukbirding #birding #birds @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

Mean, moody & magnificent - Crowden chucked a bit of wind & rain at our fab group this morning but it was worth it to be serenaded by a male Ring Ouzel (1 of 2 seen). Great views of Peregrine, Kestrel, Stonechat & lots of Willow Warbler now @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

Bottom Moor earlier. Cuckoo calling off Cuckoostone oddly! An early arrival - 13th last year. Redstart singing, only 1 Tree Pipit, Crossbill. Siskin, Redpoll, Jay, Buzzard, Sprawk, Raven. 2 Stonechat between there & Farley. 6 WWab territory @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #DerbyshireBirds #UKbirding