Sunday 28th November 2004
Very quiet today: 1 male Stonechat and 2 Ravens at Green Sitches; 48 Red Grouse Winstone Lee Tor to Green Sitches via Derwent Edge; a flock of 100 Fieldfare at Crookhill. Of interest, a [very tame] female Red Crested Pochard with the Mallard at Fairholmes has been present since Tuesday.

Sunday 14th November 2004 - Summary.
Wildfowl counted - all reservoirs:
Mallard - 110 on Ladybower (inc 69 at Fairholmes) 115 on Derwent, 19 on Howden [Total 244].
Canada Goose - 39, Ladybower Res North Arm.
Mandarin - 1 male on the east side of Derwent Res, tucked in by vegetation. 3rd Valley record to my knowledge. Presence of Beech Trees is this area - my second record was also in this area last year.
Goosander - a nice male on Derwent Res up from the Dam.
Pochard - 2 on Ladybower west arm.
Tufted Duck - 1 on Ladybower west arm.

Also: Wood Pigeon - flocks of 39, 45, 7, 3 and 26 south, near King Tree; Kestrel - 1 near Abbey Brook; a Buzzard north of King Tree; Jay - 1 at King Tree; Raven - 2 north of King Tree; Jackdaw - 9 near Millbrook [not that common in the Valley]. A nice mixed flock of birds between Linch Clough and Slippery Stones contained: Coal Tit - c.15; Great Tit - 2; Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2; Siskin - c.30; Chaffinch - 20; Brambling - c.40; Crossbill - 3; several Blue Tit and Goldcrest. Had the pleasure of Brambling, Siskin and Crossbill in the same scope view. All in the canopy, the finches not yet feeding on the ground. Had more Crossbill, with 17 over Derwent Dam plus 4 Lesser Redpoll at Slippery Stones and 2 near Derwent Dam. Still reasonable numbers of Siskin with around 30 on top of those mentioned above. A flock of 40 Redwing went over Gores Farm late on but the number of thrushes here has much reduced despite the continued supply of berries. I only got 3 Blackbird and 2 Mistle Thrush. Lastly, 7 Cormorant on Howden Dam and 1 on Ladybower Res.

Monday 1st November 2004 [B.Lowndes].
Howden Res - Slippery Stones, 0730-1000h. [Overcast but dry]
Two Grey heron over Ladybower, 1 Cormorant over Derwent Dam. By Howden: large flock of c.200 Brambling tailed by small group of c.20 Chaffinch. Beyond road end, 31 Siskin, 11 Long-tailed Tit, 13 Coal Tit, couple Blue and Great, 3 Goldcrest. Plantation by Slippery Stones 2 pairs Bullfinch together. Large numbers of Chaffinch everywhere in small (5-20) groups, mainly feeding under Beeches. Also, 17 Redwing, 55 Fieldfare (one mixed group of 8 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing). Back on Howden, 3 female Goosander, Derwent Resv. 41 Mallard.

Sunday 31st October 2004
Highlights of the day included: 20 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll and 4 Crossbill at Windy Corner and 11 Whooper Swan on Howden Reservoir [below]. A Hen Harrier on the moor and a flock of 36 Grouse over Nether Hey. A woodcock flushed at Heatherdene and a male Bullfinch feeding on berries at Ashopton. No sign of the Waxwings at Gores Farm but plenty of thrushes on the berries.

Photographs Copyright © Matthew Capper

Thursday 28th October 2004 [B.Lowndes].
Derwent Dam - Lockerbrook - Hagg Side, 1500-1730h. [Dry, high cloud, plenty blue sky].
Large numbers of small groups (2-4) of Coal Tit (about 20 in all) and Goldcrest (total 11). Small group 5 Long-tailed Tit. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 2 Jay. Probably same pair Goshawks - though circling high over Lockerbrook Plantation, gliding rather than soaring (few wing beats, short glide) and swooping down very quickly once. Very good view of closer bird. Drifted down towards Nabs Wood area and Res. Many small groups of finches, but v.high and mostly impossible to separate (mainly Chaffinch/Brambling) - for some reason nearly all moving N up the valley (high over Hagg Side). Couple small groups (<10) Brambling, one group of 8 Redpoll, couple groups identified as Chaffinch. Also large, v. scattered group of 330 Fieldfare SW over Lockerbrook Plantation.

Wednesday 27th October [B.Lowndes].
Derwent Dam - Lockerbrook - Ouzenden - Derwent Dam (drive up to Howden), 0800-1030h.
[Derwentdale clear apart from misty tops]: 85 Fieldfare S (4+15+40+20) +25 feeding at Gores Farm, 20 Woodpigeon S, 20 redwing S +15 feeding (Ouzenden inlet), 30+ chaffinch, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Jay, 15 + 5 Long Tailed Tit, few Great Tit, few Blue Tit, 5 Coal Tit, 2 Wren, pair Goldcrest. 2 Goshawk - two large birds soaring briefly just below Lockerbrook Farm, naked eye first thought Buzzard (about that size) but neck and tail (fanned out) proportionately longer, wings completely different, barring on underside of wings visible but otherwise light underneath. Glided across towards Lockerbrook. One later seen gliding (with some twisting / turning) near Lockerbrook, very tip of wings upturned. No cormorant at either dam.

Tuesday 26th October 2004 [DWo]
Two Waxwings feeding on Rowans at Gores Farm, Derwentdale, this evening.

Saturday 16th October 2004 [B.Lowndes].
Fairholmes - Lockerbrook - Alport Castles - Howden Res - Derwent Res, 1000-1400h.
A "youth walk event" so lots of people/disturbance: 2 groups c.30 Fieldfare; 3 groups c.15 Chaffinch; c.12 Red Grouse , 1 Kestrel, only 4 or 5 Meadow Pipit up top. Eight Cormorant Howden East Tower (incl. 1 imm.)

Friday 15th October 2004 [B.Lowndes].
Derwent Dam - Lockerbrook, 1000h.
Two Treecreeper, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 Lockerbrook, 1 Nabs Wood), 2 groups c.15 Chaffinch, 1 Kestrel. Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, 50+ Fieldfare, at least 4 Jays (others possibly re-sightings)

Thursday 14th October 2004 [B.Lowndes].
Derwent Dam - Lockerbrook, 0930h
Seven Canada Geese (Ladybower), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Nab Wood), many Goldcrest + Coal Tit, few Blue Tit, 1 group of c.20 Fieldfare, another group of c.30 Redwing, 2 groups of c.20 Chaffinch by Resv. edges under beeches. A Jay top by Lockerbrook Plantation. Huge commotion at the top of a very dense conifer between Fairholmes and Lockerbrook. Very poorly visible owl species mobbed by several Coal Tit and a Great Tit, briefly joined by Goldcrests. Six hirundines (at least 4 were House Martin). Drive to Windy Corner - 6 Cormorant (3 each on Derwent and Howden East Towers)

Saturday 13th March 2004
A very good morning for raptor sightings with excellent views of 4 Goshawk, plus 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Peregrine, 2 Common Buzzard and 2 Kestrel. Also 2 pairs of Raven, 190 Mallard at Fairholmes, 9 Cormorant and a Jay. Usual suspects at Fairholmes included Siskin, Coal Tit, Greenfinch and Nuthatch.

Tuesday 9th March 2004 [AD]
Four Ravens, one Common Buzzard and a Peregrine from Windy Corner, and 5 Cormorants on the towers. A Common Buzzard calling over Bridgend and later over Win Hill. Male Red-breasted Merganser near the viaduct.

Wednesday 11th February 2004 [AD]
A male Red-breasted Merganser and a female Goldeneye on Ladybower Res, 12 Ravens together at Windy Corner from where 3 Cormorants included a white-headed adult. Also of interest, a Pipistrelle bat flying around at Howden Res [M.Sherwin].

Sunday 8 February 2004 [MC]
Four Greenfinch, 6 Siskin, a female Great Spotted Woodpecker and plenty of Chaffinch and tits on the feeders at Fairholmes. A Nuthatch here with one by Howden Dam and another at Birchinlee (3 in total). Two Treecreepers at Windy Corner and another at Birchinlee and 20+ Coal Tits on a feeder near Howden Dam. 5 Cormorant on Howden Dam and a Common Gull stood on the dam wall which was overflowing was very unusual in the Valley. Two Goshawk sightings, 2 Kestrels, a brief Peregrine and 2 pairs of Ravens between Windy Corner and Fairholmes. Siskin numbers now building up after a very quite winter in the Valley for them.

Saturday 7 February 2004 [MC]
My first returning Red-breasted Merganser of the year, a male on the south arm of Ladybower. Also at the bottom of the north arm, 8 Canada Geese were also my first of the year. Otherwise, very cold and grey and not much doing during an early morning visit. Four Common Crossbill reported on the east side. These are certainly not around in the numbers reported last winter.

Sunday 25 January 2004 [MC]
Two Whooper Swans on Derwent Res this morning (at least). A Buzzard and a Ring-tail Hen Harrier seen in the Valley. Masses of Coal Tits on the feeders at both Fairholmes and Jubilee Cottages with Greenfinch present and the first Siskins at both sites for a while.

Sunday 11th January 2004 [MC]
Highlights were: 102 Mallard at Fairholmes where also a Nuthatch [now common here] and c.60 Chaffinch, 20 Coal Tit, 11 Blue Tit and 3 Great Tit. From Derwent Dam; a pair of Raven displaying, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a pair of Common Buzzards, a Kestrel and one Goshawk.

Sunday 7th December 2003 [D.Stables]
On Derwent Res: 2 Cormorants and a female Goshawk. Also a count of 20+ Coal Tits at Fairholmes.

Sunday 30th November 2003 [MC]
Highlights were: 1 Goshawk; 2 Peregrine; 2 Kestrel; a flock of 27 Common Crossbill; 4 parties of Siskin; 3 Jays, including one ringed at Fairholmes; 3 Nuthatch and plenty of Coal Tits, which made up the bulk of 92 birds ringed today by the Sorby Breck Ringing Group. Interestingly, no sign of any Brambling in the Valley today. In addition, a male Goldeneye on Ladybower Res [G.Graham].

Sunday 5th October 2003
Two Redwing south over Banktop and a Jack Snipe flushed from Black Dike. Otherwise pretty quiet, with just one Goshawk eported.

Sunday 31 August 2003, 0640-0900h.
No sign of the Red Kite this morning from the valley bottom (Windy Corner to Bridge-end car park) but 5 Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk and a Merlin chasing hirundines, all from Windy Corner and a Buzzard from Bridge-end car park. Eight Cormorant in the Valley and a few Siskin but otherwise very quiet.

Saturday 30 August 2003
7 Buzzards at Hollin Clough in the morning and a Red Kite mid afternoon, initially with two Buzzards at the top of Abbey Clough. It drifted west and eventually over Nether Hey and toward Howden Res.

Tuesday 22 April 2003 [J.Wasse]
A brief visit to Howden Reservoir produced a cracking male Wood Warbler in song at Windy Corner. Also 3 Common Crossbills over.

Tuesday 8 April 2003 [J.Mowbray]
A count of c.20 Fieldfare "in Derwentdale", a female Goshawk over Howden Dam and a Raven at Derwent Dam.

Sunday 6th May 2003
Birds of the day - 2 male and 1 female Common Scoter on Howden Res. Scoter were also reported elsewhere in Derbyshire today and yesterday so obviously a distinct overland movement at the moment. Two male and a female Red-breasted Merganser on Ladybower and 2 further males on Derwent was encouraging. Two pairs of Tufted Duck and 3 Goldeneye on Ladybower north arm. Two Common Buzzards near Fairholmes and one later on near Ouzeleden. Goshawk seen twice in the Windy Corner area. A male Merlin seen to the east of the Valley. A Raven near Fairholmes. Good numbers of Siskins (they're everywhere!) and excellent views of Common Crossbills north of King Tree with frequent sightings all way the down the Valley (Birdnet reported 100+). Lesser Redpolls seen in amongst the siskin flocks around Ouzelden (Birdnet reported 100), but Brambling numbers reduced today although a flock still present south of Slippery Stones and birds seen near Gores Farm and Derwent Dam. Birdnet reported specifically: 100+ Lesser Redpolls and a flock of 60+ Common Crossbills plus several other smaller parties. Also a report of 3 Woodcock at Windy Corner [P.Ridsdale].

Thursday 3rd April 2003 [R.Watkinson]
Two Ravens displaying and 3 Common Buzzards soaring over the valley; 40-50 Brambling, 30-40 Siskin and 10-20 Common Crossbills all feeding in larches at the Kings Tree; and a drake Red-breasted Merganser on Derwent Res at Ouzelden Clough.

Sunday 30 March 2003
A pair of Goshawk displaying in the Valley, a Common Buzzard east of Feedholes, lots of Canada Geese on the reservoirs and 15+ Common Crossbill in the Westend Valley, where also good numbers of Siskin. Three Woodcock in Haggside and one in the Westend were an encouraging sight in the year of the BTO survey - Westend being one of the sample plots.

Sunday 23 March 2003
About 15 Common Crossbill, 10+ Siskin, 5 Brambling and a Great Spotted Woodpecker north of King Tree. From Windy Corner: 1 Goshawk, 1 Kestrel, a female Sparrowhawk which apparently caught a grouse and ate it in full view of the observers, and several Common Crossbill heard. A second Sparrowhawk over Ouzelden and, north of Derwent Dam, several Siskin and just 8 or so Brambling. Also 2 Goshawk sightings and a Raven reported.

Saturday 22ndth March 2003 [R.Dale, MC]
One Common Buzzard, 2 Ravens, 5 Common Crossbills, 100+ Brambling, 100+ Siskin and 3 Lesser Redpoll all seen from Derwent dam wall. [R.Dale]. In addition: 15+ Common Crossbills north of King Tree, 200+ Siskin and 30 Brambling. Also there were 4 Common Buzzard sightings south of Derwent Dam and a female Red-breasted Merganser in the Western Arm of Ladybower. [MC]

Friday 21st March 2003 [R.Dale]
Two Common Buzzards and a Raven watched from Derwent dam wall.

Sunday 16th March 2003 [M.Brew]
Four Red-breasted Merganser [a pair + 2 males] along with 2 male and 2 female Goldeneye on the western arm of Ladybower Res.

Saturday 15th March 2003 [Birdnet info]
This morning: Raven, 2 Goshawk and Peregrine, plus small numbers of Common Crossbills and Lesser Redpolls. Later: an Osprey north at 1710h.

Monday 10 March 2003 [J.Mowbray]
Around Derwent Dam: a finch flock containing c.80 Siskin and a few Lesser Redpoll; one Raven.

Sunday 9th March 2003 {A.Cannon]
A pair of Raven from Windy Corner; 3 Cormorant on Howden Dam; a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Beavers Croft; 2 very distant Peregrine north from Derwent Dam; several decent Common Crossbill sightings including a party of c.30 near Derwent Dam and several heard in trees by the Fairholmes bus stop; one male and 2 female Goldeneye on the northern arm of Ladybower.

Saturday 8 March 2003 Match of the Day Live [Matthew Cappper].
A morning of friendly competition. In the red corner (or Derwent Dam), Kevin Gould leading the SBSG fieldtrip and in the Blue Corner (well Windy Corner actually) Chris Falshaw and Matthew Capper leading the Sheffield RSPB Members Group. An immediate goal for the RSPB in the form of two Peregrines and female Sparrowhawk but the SBSG soon drew level with sightings of Ravens and then stormed into a half time lead with 3 sightings of Goshawk. I have to say that after talking to our group at length about Goshawks before we started the walk, it was a bit of a disappointment that only Chris managed to see one and all too briefly. Still, with the tie heading into time added on, an inspired decision to drive to the top of the Valley and walk towards Slippery Stones was rewarded with the best views you could ever hope for of Common Crossbills and Siskins. And what a sound - birds singing and calling all around and sat right above our heads. And that was it, the equaliser hit the back of the proverbial net, the final whistle went and with the scores tied, the crowds headed home happy. Anyone for a replay next year?

Saturday 1st March 2003
A Peregrine over Ladybower this morning, c.70 Common Crossbills and 2 Mealy Redpolls by Derwent dam [J.Spottiswood]. Also: 30/40 Common Crossbills in the westend, 3 Raven in the Cow Hey area, a male Red-breasted Merganser below Derwent Dam, good numbers of Siskin, 2 Peregrine, 2 Kestrel and male and female Goshawk. [M.Capper].

Friday 28th February 2003 [C.Falshaw]
North of King Tree this morning: 65 mobile Common Crossbills and 100+ Siskin, all very noisy.

Sunday 16th February 2003 [RDH]
On Ladybower: Goldeneye - 2; Cormorant - 7.

Wednesday 18th December 2002 [Ben Spencer].
Highlights of a walk around the Derwentdale Reservoirs today: a mixed flock of 120+ finches included Chaffinches, Bramblings, Greenfinches and Siskin just north of Derwent Dam on the western side; also 10+ Coal Tits there; a flock of c.60 Siskin over West End inlet plus 3 Goldcrests, 14 Long-tailed Tits and a flock of 20+ Coal and Blue Tits; a Peregrine soaring over Kings Tree and c.70 Common Crossbills there; the/a Peregrine was later seen perching on the Howden Res Dam; a small finch flock of 30+ Brambling and Chaffinch above Derwent dam on the Eastern side.

Sunday 15 December 2002
Constant rain or drizzle with very poor visibility. Car parks nearly empty and generally no-one about. Most unusual record of the days was 7 "wild swans" which seemed to have been grounded on Crookhill Pastures in rain and fog. They took off and circled but the observer was not able to assign them to a species other being able to eliminate Mute Swan. Common Crossbills are still present with a flock of around 30 showing well in the Ouzeldon arm of Derwent Res. 171 Mallard and 4 Moorhen at Fairholmes with the feeders in good use. Siskins around in good numbers with a flock of 120 by the car park at the western end of Ladybower.

Saturday 14 December 2002
16 Red Grouse in the Abbey Clough area

Thursday 12 December 2002
A pair of Peregrine seen very well on the West Tower of Derwent Dam.

Tuesday 10 December 2002
20-25 Fieldfare in the Rowlee Pastures area.

Saturday 7 December 2002
The female Red-breasted Merganser still present but now in the western arm of Ladybower. Also, a Common Buzzard over Ladybower.

Wednesday 4 December 2002
Three Goldeneye in the Western Arm of Ladybower.

Tuesday 3 December 2002
An unseasonal pair of Red-breasted Merganser in the South arm of Ladybower Res.

Monday 2 December 2002
200+ Redwing counted feeding on Hawthorns and pasture along Derwent Lane.

Sunday 1 December 2002
A day of rain and wind early on but then brighter later. Walked up the east side track from Fairholmes to the top of Howden Res and back. Still quiet in the Valley. However, it is still possible to see Brambling - there is a good amount of Beech on the eastern side of Derwent Dam and running north from here and this held a flock 40+ Chaffinch and around 10 Brambling. A Pheasant at Abbey Brook was north of the usual area and a Nuthatch at Coldside Oaks was also further north than most records. Other totals included: 13 Goldcrest, 11 Siskin, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Moorhen, 263 Mallard, a Goldeneye and 8 Cormorant.

Sunday 17 November 2002 - Overcast with spells of drizzle.
Very quiet in the Valley, especially after the good birds of last weekend. A day total of 33 species included two parties of Common Crossbills in the Lockerbrook/Open Hagg area, a flock of 40 Siskin on Alders at Millbrook plus 19 more along the east side track between the A57 and Fairholmes and a single Lesser Redpoll over Open Hagg. No sign of any Brambling but the Bridge-end Car Park area has been best for the these and this wasn't checked. Counts of other birds included: 1 Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Treecreeper, 19 Blue Tit, 18 Coal Tit, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, 14 Wren, 27 Goldcrest, 4 Mistle Thrush, 40 Redwing, 19 Fieldfare, 33 Blackbird, 2 Jay, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, 12 Pheasant and a single Canada Goose.

Saturday 16 November 2002 - Overcast, some rain early on.
Thirty Common Crossbills on Norway Spruce at Ditch Clough and 2 male Goldeneye on Howden Res at King Tree. 

Saturday 11th November 2002.
Crossbills still around in good numbers with 120 seen (Mick Taylor) between King Tree and Slippery Stones.

Sunday 10th November 2002
Best birds of the day were 4 female Common Scoter on the north arm of Ladybower Res. A Flock of 20 Siskin, 40 Brambling and 25 Chaffinch south of the war memorial on Derwent Lane. There was a flock of 49 Jackdaw and 55 Rook south over Yorkshire Bridge and the hawthorns and pasture to the right of Derwent Lane as one enters the Valley held 2 Mistle Thrush, 22 Redwing, 7 Fieldfare and 21 Blackbirds. Other birds included 1 Nuthatch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Saturday 9th November 2002
A late but not unprecedented male Ring Ouzel on hawthorn near Hurst Clough with now reduced numbers of Blackbirds. A Buzzard was given a hard time by a Carrion Crow as it sat on a wall near the top of Hurst Clough. It was a struggle to find any Brambling with just 5 near Bridge-end Car Park. Other birds between Hurst Clough and Fairholmes included 11 Goldcrest, 11 Wren, 7 Coal Tit, 7 Blue Tit, 2 Treecreeper, 98 Siskin (including 2 flocks of 53 and 35), 6 Redpoll, 13 Crossbill, 48 Wood Pigeon, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Jay and 2 Raven. A total 211 Mallard in total on Ladybower Res, including Fairholmes with 2 Teal, 6 Pochard and 3 Goldeneye at the western end of the Res. In addition, a count of at least 80 Common Crossbills in the valley and a pair of Peregrines [AD].

Wednesday 6th November 2002
A Green Woodpecker south of Grindle Clough.

Tuesday 5th November 2002
The number of Brambling in the Valley now increased to at least 150 between Bridge-end Car Park and Haggside. Also in the area 2 Crossbills. A large number of Blackbirds in the Valley. 60/70 in the Hurst Clough area included 47 in just two Hawthorn bushes!

Sunday 3rd November 2002
12 Crossbills at Slippery Stones, a Kestrel at the top of Cutgate, 2 Raven at Margery Hill and 2 Peregrine at Cartledge Bents. Singles of both Rough-legged Buzzard and Common Buzzard over Derwent Res at 11:30 am.

Saturday 2nd November 2002
2 Goldeneye at the western end of Ladybower Res and 2 female Goosander flew west over the South arm of Ladybower.

Friday 1st November 2002
A late Wheatear on Derwent Edge.

Thursday 31st October 2002 [AD]
A female Common Scoter on Derwent Res, where a large mixed finch flock feeding on heavy Beech Mast included: 50+ Bramblings. Also 6+ Common Crossbills in area, a pair of Goldeneye on Howden Res and 8 Cormorants in the valley.

Friday 25th October 2002
2 Ravens at Alport.

Sunday 20th October 2002
Single Kestrels at the bottom of Deep Grain, Lockerbrook and 'The Roughs' at Yorkshire Bridge. 2 Jays at Ashopton and 3 Bramblings at Fairholmes where there were also 90+ Chaffinch, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 180 Mallard. Flocks of 140 and 70+ Siskin in Lockerbrook with 16 more at 'The Roughs'. The 2 Buzzards seen yesterday were spiralling over Ladybower Res North Arm first thing and drifted off east over Bridge-end Car Park.

Saturday 19th October 2002
Two Common Buzzards over Ladybower Viaduct.

Monday 15th October
A Goshawk over Grainfoot, similar numbers of Fieldfares still at Crookhill and 2 Heron at Fairholmes.

Sunday 14th October 2002
Now 33 Fieldfare at Crookhill and a Kestrel over Bamford.

Saturday 13th October 2002
A Goshawk over Lockerbrook Heights, 5 Pochard at the western end of Ladybower, 5 Fieldfare at Crookhill and 20+ Crossbills in Haggside.

Friday 5th October 2002
A Peregrine at Slippery Stones.

Wednesday 3rd October 2002
Best bird was a single Goshawk. There was a also a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Kestrel at Winstone Lee Tor.

Sunday 29th September 2002
55 Common Crossbills near Lockerbrook Farm plus Goshawk and Peregrine. 200+ Mallard at Fairholmes, 10 Cormorant on Howden Dam and a Green Woodpecker in the Valley.

Sunday 22nd September 2002
258 Mallard at Fairholmes and 2 Moorhen. 37 House Martin near Ladybower viaduct.

Sunday 8th September 2002
Sunny with some cloud and little wind. Howden Dam to Slippery Stones 1050h - 1530h and Lockerbrook 1420h - 1700h. The Crossbill flock that was fairly obliging has now split up and is making scrutinising them much more difficult - 97 were counted between Howden Dam and Slippery Stones (west side) but the largest flock was only 36 and the next largest 18; 2 birds flew over Fairholmes and there were 4 over Lockerbrook making a day total of 103. Certainly no sign of the reported Parrot Crossbill but checking every bird was impossible. One of the birds of the day had to be an Osprey north from the top of Howden Res (possibly the same bird that was seen yesterday from Midhope?) and on the raptor front there was a single adult Goshawk and 3 Kestrels. On the towers of Howden Dam there were 12 Cormorant and a Stock Dove nesting in a hole in the west tower (although it often has to wait for the Cormorants to move before it can gain access!). Three Grey Herons flew south over Howden Res with 1 north later in the day and a total count of 185 Mallard included 160 at Fairholmes. Still very few Canada Geese in the Valley but the 5 reported on 3 September has risen to 6!  Siskin have been turning up south of the Valley by the River Derwent at Bamford Mill suggesting that they are dispersing and 21 in total today is less than recent times. The Derwent Valley isn't the best spot in the area for visible migration but today from Windy Corner there was a healthy passage of 134 Swallow, 59 House Martin and 44 Meadow Pipit. Other species included: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Nuthatch, 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Dipper near Slippery Stones, 41 Coal Tit, 35 Goldcrest, 16 Wren, 17 Robin and 76 Chaffinch.

Saturday 7th September 2002.
At least 10 Common Crossbills at King Tree and a report on the Birdnet Pager network of about 30 between King Tree and Slippery Stones. Two Ravens over Grinah Stones with 3 in the opposite direction a little later and 6-8 Wheatear along Derwent Edge.

Tuesday 27th August 2002.
A Marsh Harrier over Ouzeldon Clough - no age given but could well be the juvenile that has been seen in the Midhope area since the 18th. Also, a Wheatear at Wet Stones, a Raven over Featherbed Moss and a Sparrowhawk over Sheepfold Clough.

Thursday 5th September 2002
Following all the excitement at Strines a report [on Birdnet] of a male Parrot Crossbill with 80 Common Crossbills at King Tree between 0945 to 0950 when the flock was flushed by a light aircraft. This bird was possibly seen later in the morning at Birchinlee on the west side of Derwent Res north of the Ouzeldon Inlet [but no confirmation of either claim - ed].

Wednesday 4th September 2002
The flock of Common Crossbills still at the top of the Valley with 120+ on the bend on the north side of the Westend Inlet.

Tuesday 3rd September [from recent news page]
A total of 110 Common Crossbills in Upper Derwentdale included a single flock of 90 at the King's Tree - fairly obliging and, under present circumstances, would merit close scrutiny. [Ranger service also reported 90 at King Tree and 10 at the Westend Bridge with a flock of 30 Long-tailed Tits at Lady Clough exceptional] Also 11 Cormorants on Howden Dam towers and a fine male Common Redstart nearby Howden Res. Remarkably, only 5 Canada Geese seen in the whole of the valley

Wednesday 28th August 2002
At least 7 Common Crossbills in the Valley.

Sunday 25th August 2002
Overcast with sunny spells in the morning. Westerly wind quite fresh on the tops. Late August is a quiet time in the Valley and were it not for good views of Peregrine (a pair seen several times, once with prey) and 27 Crossbills (in three parties 20+5+2) in the Westend Valley there wouldn't have been a great deal of note to report. Other birds included a Dipper high up the Westend Valley, 20 Red Grouse, 1 Curlew south and 5 Kestrel (including a family party of 3).

Saturday 24th August 2002
Mostly sunny, little wind in the valley (but lots of midges!).
Cormorant numbers building again with 7 on the east tower of Howden Dam and 1 on Howden Reservoir. Two Kestrel mobbing a Goshawk near Abbey Bank gave a good display and a further Goshawk also reported in the Valley but no site details given. There were 33 Red Grouse along Derwent Edge. Willow Warblers seem to be the only warblers readily visible now with birds at Windy Corner and Bridge-end Car Park. The only other birds of note were a Nuthatch and 65 Woodpigeon south.

Sunday 11th August 2002
A generally cloudy day with rain by mid afternoon which turned to drizzle . A pair of Peregrine was seen twice to the north of the Valley and there were 3 sightings of Kestrel. A Ring Ouzel was in Barrow Clough and there were good numbers of Swallows around the east side of the valley and Derwent Edge - day total of 52. A Bullfinch again in the Wellhead area (see 28 July). Lots of juvenile Goldfinches about and also several Linnets, Greenfinches and a Yellowhammer near Old House Farm (the Yellowhammer being unusual here). Derwent Edge is always a good place to pick up on Raven and today was no exception with a pair patrolling the edge for quite some time. The day total for Red Grouse was 32 along Derwent Edge and the Lost Lad area and other birds of note included 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Swift and 2 Wheatear.

Summary 29th July to 9th August 2002
A Nuthatch at Gores Farm on two dates with another on the feeders at Fairholmes where there were also 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers on the 31st July. Eight Grey Wagtails together at the bottom of Howden Res was a good count and birds were seen regularly on the wall of Derwent Dam. A count of 21 Red Grouse on Birchinlee Pastures was made on 4 August and there was a male Common Redstart at Fairholmes on the 3rd. Birds of Prey were represented by a pair of Peregrine, two sightings of Goshawk, one involving 2 birds, and a Merlin.

Monday 29th July 2002
A Jay at the top of the Valley at King Tree. This species which was not recorded three or four years back is now very regular. Cormorant numbers are always lower in the summer and there were just 3 on the Towers of Howden Dam.

Sunday 28th July 2002
A very hot sunny day. In the morning a party of 13 [certainly feral - ed] Greylag Geese flew north up the valley and passed over Fairholmes. In the afternoon a party of 31 Cormorant also flew north high up, passing over between Ladybower and Derwent Res. Now seems to be a good time to see Crossbill in the Valley with 2 over Fairholmes and 4 more (1+2+1) in the Lockerbrook area. On or around the feeders at Fairholmes there were 7 Goldfinch and in a good day for this species, 17 others at various sites on both sides of the Valley. It is always nice to get proof of breeding for Cuckoo and a juvenile in a scrubby area on Bridge-end Pastures was a good record. A Jay in Lockerbrook where also there was a Spotted Flycatcher by the forestry track. A further family party of Spotted Flycatchers were on the east side south of Old House Farm. As ever, Coal Tits and Goldcrests were ever present in the conifers along with 2 Lesser Redpoll in the Haggside area and Siskins can be seen in most parts of the valley but the best views are still to be had on the feeders at Fairholmes, where they show down to 3 feet or so. Other good species included several Tree Pipits, 3 Reed Buntings at Bridge-end Pastures, a Wheatear at Crookhill, a total of 11 Linnets including juveniles, several Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Redstart, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and the observers first record of Bullfinch in the Valley since 2000. Birds of prey were represented by several Kestrels including 2 family parties and a juvenile Peregrine circling over Wellhead in the warm air. Last but not least there were two pairs of Raven and one further single bird.

Monday 22nd July 2002
A Goshawk over Bridge-end

Wednesday 17th July 2002
Three Crossbills at Abbey Plantation.

Sunday 14th July 2002
A Wood Warbler along Derwent Lane and 4 Common Sandpipers on the shore nearby. No sign now of the Little Ringed Plover family which are assumed to have fledged successfully. [MC]. Plus: 2 Siskin at Fairholmes and a family party of 4 Kestrels along Howden Edge [C.Stride].

Sunday 7th July 2002 [DW]
A Common Buzzard at Fairholmes, Upper Derwentdale.

Sunday 30 June 2002
A Jay in the Westend Valley and 1 at Hagg Tor Coppice. No Pied Flycatchers recorded in area that has been boxed with them in mind. A pair of Ring Ouzel at Oaken Bank - they have been far more frequent this year. The Little Ringed Plover family still doing well. A female Red-breasted Merganser on Derwent Res had five young chicks in tow. Other birds included Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Tree Pipit, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper.

The feeders at Fairholmes are being filled twice a day at the moment - at least 8 large feeders! Siskins have been the stars of the show with adults and juveniles always present along with a supporting cast of Chaffinches, tits, 2 Nuthatches, 4 or more Greenfinches and, new recently, 2 Goldfinches.

Saturday 29 June 2002
Highlights of the day included Merlin, 2 Raven and Spotted Flycatcher.

Wednesday 26 June 2002
The Little Ringed Plover family still present and all four chicks doing well - despite regular unintentional disturbance by visitors, especially at weekends. Also in the same area as the LRP's, three pairs of Common Sandpiper and 4 Dunlin in the Back Tor area.

Sunday 23 June 2002
A pair of Ring Ouzel south of Wheel Stones

Saturday 22 June 2002
A Dunlin at Margery Hill, 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers on Ladybower Res with Common Redstart and Pied Flycatcher recorded in the Valley.

Friday 21 June 2002
A pair of Common Buzzards with another later in the day probably one of the same.

Thursday 20 June 2002
Highlights were another Stonechat, this one at Cutthroat Bridge, along with a Whinchat. On Derwent Edge: a further Whinchat, 3 Ring Ouzel and a Wheatear. A Snipe at Grainfoot, a Common Buzzard over the Valley and a Spotted Flycatcher at St Henry's.

Tuesday 18 June 2002
A Stonechat at Grinah Stones was unusual and a pair of Tawny Owls at Bank Top.

Sunday 16th June 2002
A report of a Osprey early morning heading west over the Snake Pass was followed in the afternoon by a report on the pager network of one circling over the western arm of Ladybower. After good numbers of Wood Warblers singing over the past month or so, only one heard - in the Westend Valley. Other birds included Wheatear but no Ring Ouzels at Hagg Tor, 6 Ravens and a Common Buzzard to the west of the Valley, Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart near Howden Dam, Lesser Redpoll in Haggside, Chiffchaff - a bird on the increase in the Valley - still singing at Birchinlee, several Tree Pipits and lots of Siskin. The feeders at Fairholmes have been attracting regular Greenfinch with 2 birds present, along with a Nuthatch, the usual tit species and several Siskin.

Saturday 15th June 2002
An Osprey fishing over the south arm of Ladybower made one plunge dive next to the fish cages and flew off over the woodlands, presumably with a fish. A pair of Little Ringed Plover Ladybower Res shore have 4 young chicks. A Kingfisher on the river Derwent below Ladybower Dam was only the third Valley record in the last 4 years to the author's knowledge [MC].

Friday 10th May 2002 [J. Spottiswood]
At least 3 singing male Tree Pipits, 2 at Ladybower Res and 1 at Howden Res; a male Red-breasted Merganser and a Common Sandpiper on Ladybower Res with a few Lesser Redpolls and Siskins nearby, plus a Brown Hare; 2 pairs of Garden Warblers around the west end of Howden Res; and a male Cuckoo there; a singing male Wood Warbler opposite the bus stop at Fairholmes.

Sunday 7th April 2002
A Red-breasted Merganser on Ladybower Reservoir where also 2 Goldeneye. A Kestrel over Grinah Grain and 2 Golden Plover on Rowlee and 1 in the Westend Valley. Now good numbers of Siskin in the Valley - calls audible everywhere! They are also feeding on the peanuts at the feeding station at Fairholmes. Presumably the same Green Woodpecker that was first reported in December continues to be seen or heard. Today it was heard frequently all morning from the horse paddock area near Jubilee Cottages. A Goshawk was seen displaying mid-afternoon away from Windy Corner but this site still provides the best chance of connecting with the species. A male Sparrowhawk gave the local Blue Tits a fright in Hagg Tor Coppice but didn't manage to outwit them. New migrants included an early Common Sandpiper on the shore of Ladybower Res, a Chiffchaff singing in Great Wood and Tree Pipits in the Lockerbrook area. At the other end of the spectrum, a total of 5 different Crossbills were all female apart from one bird with one of the females which, whilst only glimpsed briefly, could have been one of this year's.

Thursday 4th April 2002
An adult Kittiwake at Howden Res for 10 minutes mid morning before flying off south (reported on pager network).

Wednesday 3rd April 2002
As is usual, Goldeneye have lingered into April with 2 pairs reported today in Fairholmes Bay.

Sunday 31st March 2002
The first Wheatears (2) of the year reported in Raven Clough with a Peregrine and a Common Buzzard (mobbed by a Curlew) also reported today.

Saturday 30th March 2002
Two Sparrowhawk and 4 roding Woodcock near Hagg Farm.

Friday 29th March 2002
An early morning visit to Windy Corner prior to 0900h produced 3 Siskin, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Raven, 1 Sparrowhawk, and one Goshawk with a male Merlin through.

Thursday 28th March 2002
Green Woodpecker heard in the vicinity of Jubilee Cottages, 11 Goldeneye in the western arm of Ladybower Res, a Treecreeper at Derwent Overlook where also 5 Siskin (with 4 more at Fairholmes).

Wednesday 27th March 2002
A Red Breasted Merganser on Derwent Res.

Tuesday 26th March 2002
A White Stork over Howden Res mid afternoon (reported on the pager network). Two Raven at Dean Head Stones and the first reported Ring Ouzel in the Valley at Shepherds Meeting Stones. Two Snipe and 2 Golden Plover on Outer Edge.

Monday 25th March 2002
Two Curlew and 50 Canada Geese at Coldside Oaks and a Goldeneye near the Bridge over Abbey Brook.

Sunday 24th March 2002
A guided walk called "Raptors and Ravens in the Upper Derwent" today. After a slow start to the tour it turned out to be a good raptor day with the following seen from Windy Corner or environs: Goshawk - 7 sightings including 3 in the air at one time; Hen Harrier - a male flew west from Cow Hey; Peregrine - 1 flew west; Sparrowhawk - 1; Kestrel - 1; Common Buzzard - 1 over the Westend Valley; Raven - 3 from Windy Corner with a further 5 seen later and a pair in the Westend. On Derwent Res: male and female of both Red-breasted Merganser and Goldeneye. Elsewhere: a Peregrine mobbed a Raven at a traditional site, several more Siskin seen and Canada Geese numbers continue to build up in Valley.

Sunday 17th March 2002
A Goshawk reported north of Derwent Dam at 1315h and probably the same bird was further south at 1440h. Not much reported from Windy Corner during the morning apart from a Sparrowhawk over Cow Hey. Other birds included: 14 Cormorant, 45 Canada Geese, 2 Curlew, 3 pairs of Golden Plover, 9 Red Grouse and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Three Siskins at Fairholmes were a welcome return to the Valley for a species which has been absent for much of the winter.

Saturday 16 March 2002
A pair of Goshawk reported from Derwent Dam.

Saturday 9th March 2002
Four sightings of Goshawk prior to 0900h when poor weather set in. A pair of Red-breasted Merganser in the Westend arm of Howden Res and another male north of Ladybower Dam; 2 Cormorant over Ladybower Res at 0900h and 13 disturbed from Howden Dam by a helicopter at 0920h (15 in total). Also,18 Redwing north of Bamford. A Peregrine circling over Ladybower Res [DH].

Thursday 7th March 2002
Two Goshawk together and 2 singles from Windy Corner, with a further two seen later in the day. Also, a pair of Red-breasted Merganser and 27 Canada Geese in the Westend arm of Howden Res.

Tuesday 5th March 2002
Two Goshawk over Ladybower Res. 2 Little Grebe, 5 Red-breasted Merganser (2 male, 3 female), 2 pairs of Goldeneye and 4 pairs of Mallard all in the western arm of Ladybower Res.

Monday 4th March 2002
Two Goshawk displaying in Valley

Saturday 2nd March 2002 [RDH]
Nine Goldeneye, including 5 males along Ladybower western arm, and at Howden Res: a displaying Golden Plover and 4 Cormorants.

Thursday 28th February 2002
A pair of Common Buzzards displaying near Ladybower Res

Sunday 24th February 2002
A Woodcock flushed in Haggside. At Fairholmes during an event for National Nest Box Week: 23 Coal Tit, 9 Blue Tit, 6 Great Tit and 31 Chaffinch at the feeder station, plus Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper.

Friday 15th February 2002
27 Bewick's Swans dropped onto Ladybower Res in the afternoon. All had departed by the next morning.

Sunday 10th February 2002
6 Raven at Green Sitches and 2 Golden Plover at Cartledge Bents

Sunday 27th January 2002
Highlights of the day were male and female Red-breasted Merganser still above Derwent Dam, three skeins of Pink-footed Geese (79, 70 & 53) to the west over Derwent Edge and then Ladybower, 3 Goldeneye and 193 Mallard at Fairholmes, 19 Pheasant, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1 Jay.

Sunday 13th January 2002
No sign of the Shelduck on any of the reservoirs today. A Sparrowhawk below Derwent Edge and a Peregrine over Derwent Dam. Two Goldcrest near Fairholmes but still no Siskin. A Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Nuthatches in the Fairholmes area, and 2 Grey Wagtail at Derwent Dam. Six Cormorant on the fish-cages on Ladybower early am and 7 on Howden Dam Towers late afternoon. A full count of the Wildfowl on all three reservoirs was a follows: Howden Res: Mallard 6; Derwent Res: Mallard 4, Red-breasted Merganser 2 (a pair with the male displaying); Ladybower Res North Arm: Mallard 155 (129 Fairholmes), Farmyard Goose 1;
Ladybower Res South Arm: Mallard 16; Pochard 1; Goldeneye 4; Tufted Duck 2

Saturday 12th January 2002
A Golden Plover on Back Snake Moor and 2 Common Buzzards near the bottom of the Valley.

Thursday 10th January 2002
A very early pair of Red-breasted Merganser on Derwent Reservoir just north of the Dam

Friday 4th January 2002
A Tawny Owl found with a broken wing at the Wood Yard near Ashopton Viaduct was taken into care by the RSPCA. A Shelduck on Derwent Reservoir has apparently been around for a week or so.

Sunday 30th December 2001
No Goldcrest or Siskin seen at all today but 22 Coal Tit, 7 Blue Tit and 3 Great Tit. Also lots of Chaffinch along with a single Brambling south of Fairholmes, plus 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Treecreeper. A Jay near King Tree was the first for a while. Raptors comprised 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Common Buzzard, whilst the Cormorant roost on Howden Dam held 9 birds. Grey Heron numbers are still very low with 2 on the south shore of Ladybower and 12 Canada Geese north of here were the first since the Autumn.

Saturday 29th December 2001
Nine Red Grouse and 3 Raven on Derwent Edge

Wednesday 26th December 2001
A Goshawk found dead near Derwent Dam was one of this years birds but was too decomposed to send off for analysis.

Sunday 16th December 2001
To the west of the Valley, a pair of Raven was at Alport Castles. Goldcrest have become very scarce with just 3 seen. Also this winter there don't seem to be any Siskin left in the Valley. Eighteen Coal Tit included 12 on the feeders at Fairholmes along with 6 Blue Tit and 2 Great Tit. Also here were 87 Chaffinch, the regular Nuthatch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. At the top of the Valley on a walk up Cut Gate along Outer Edge and back to the River Derwent via Crow Stones there were 46 Red Grouse, and 1 Snipe flushed from the bottom of Cranberry Clough. Further south on the Dukes path to Back Tor there was 1 Common Buzzard, another pair of Ravens plus 45 more Red Grouse. Returning to the Strines Inn from Back Tor produced a further 30 Red Grouse, a Stonechat and a flushed Jack Snipe. The final days total for Red Grouse was a healthy 121. On Ladybower Reservoir there were 3 Grey Heron (much reduced this winter), 5 Moorhen at Fairholmes, and at the Western end of Ladybower, 6 Pochard, 8 Goldeneye and 2 Tufted Duck. The Cormorant roost on the towers of Howden Dam held 10 birds.

Thursday 13th December 2001
A Common Buzzard circling over the reservoir between Millbrook and Bridgend.

Wednesday 12th December 2001
A Green Woodpecker in the Gores Farm area was very unusual for the Valley.

Tuesday 4th December 2001
A Common Buzzard just north of Millbrook.

Sunday 2nd December 2001
Weather very clear and still with blue sky meaning that birds passing over were easy to see for a change! Birds seen included: 17 Goldcrest, 32 Coal Tit, 8 Blue Tit, 72 Chaffinch, 2 Meadow Pipit still on Nether Hey, 2 Dipper on the River Derwent north of Slippery Stones, 3 Stock Dove east (unusual), 1 Nuthatch, 2 Raven at Margery Hill, 73 Red Grouse including a flock of 38, 2 Kestrel, 2 Golden Plover at High Stones, 6 Moorhen, 220 Mallard, 2 Goldeneye, 160 Pink Footed Geese west at 1000h over Derwent Res and 13 Cormorant. The feeders at Fairholmes are attracting a good number of birds including lots of Coal Tit and regular Nuthatch. Best birds of the day were however, 2 Whooper Swans which flew west then south west over Margery Hill and then down the valley. At one point they were low enough to positively identify. Not what one usually expects at Margery Hill!

18 November 2001
Very quiet in the valley, the highlights being: a Merlin; male, female and first winter Stonechats north of Swine Side were probably the same family party seen on 26th August. A Raven near Dean Head Stones and Kestrel there also. Between Slippery Stones and Dena Head Stones 42 Red Grouse. Lastly, a flock of 40+ Fieldfare near Slippery Stones.

4 November 2001
A day of bad weather and therefore few birds. The highlights were a new highest count of 8 Moorhen at Fairholmes, Kestrels at Whinstone Lee Tor, Ashopton Viaduct and Swine Side, 12 Golden Plover still on Outer Edge, 8 Cormorant on Howden Res, 2 Raven at the top of Cut Gate and 73 Red Grouse counted between Cut Gate and Dean Head Stones. As an aside, 15 Mountain Hare were counted and the rare Labrador Tea Plant Ledum groenlandicum was recorded at two sites at the top of the Valley.

3 November 2001
A Buzzard over Bridge End and a Raven and a Peregrine in an aerial battle over the Salt Cellar on Derwent Edge was quite a sight. Just south of the Valley, 220 Pink-footed Geese flew east over Bamford in clear sunny weather at 9 am.

28 October 2001
Mirroring the Goose numbers elsewhere in the Sheffield area, 200 Pink-footed Geese flew east over Ladybower Reservoir.

27 October 2001
Two Raven over Ladybower Tor and 21 Rook near Ladybower Viaduct. At Windy Corner: 3 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Crossbill and probably the most unusual for the locality, a Goldfinch. Mallard numbers were low at Fairholmes this morning but by mid afternoon had risen to well over 100.

18 October 2001
More on the Mallard numbers. 100 in the Ouzeldon inlet, 40 in the Westend, 29 below Howden Dam, 15 at King Tree but only 20 in the Fairholmes area. The Rangers have not known them to desert Fairholmes for so long and in such numbers (barring the foot and mouth closure). Also notable for the first Fieldfare of the autumn near Howden Dam.

11 October 2001
The Mallard seem have moved further up the Valley. 44 in the Ouzeldon inlet of Derwent Res and 18 with 6 Cormorant below Howden Dam counted today.

9 October 2001
Mallard numbers much reduced at Fairholmes. Instead of the 100 plus there were only 23.

7 October 2001
A late Ring Ouzel in Deep Grain was the best bird of the day. Good numbers of Kestrels about with 3 over Linch Clough, 1 over Whinstone Lee Tor and 2 in the Pike Low area. Also near Pike Low there was a Raven. Near Alport Castles there was a single Merlin. at Fairholmes 5 Siskin and 100+ Chaffinch. Five Pheasant in the Millbrook area - the main site for the species in the Valley. Other birds included 23 Meadow Pipit in the Bamford House/Pike Low area, 32 Starling near Ladybower Viaduct, 3 Grey Heron and 4 Cormorant.

6 October 2001
A female Wheatear at Barrow Stones was a very good record.

27 September 2001
A Common Buzzard hunting over Pike Low

20 September 2001
A Merlin over Howden Dam.

2 September 2001
A Sparrowhawk over Grindle Barn and 20 Red Grouse between Derwent Edge and Pike Low where a Snipe was flushed.

1 September 2001
One Red-breasted Merganser on Ladybower Res.

26 August 2001
Two Cormorants on Derwent Res. Red-breasted Merganser reported in good numbers: 1 then 5 (female with 4 juvs) reported from Derwent Res and a female with 2 juveniles in Fairholmes Bay. Six Red Grouse at Pike Low and 14 near Lost Lad. In the Westend Valley, 3 Grey Wagtail, 4 Kestrels, 1 Ring Ouzel, and 3 Raven. At the top of the Valley there was a family party of 4 Stonechat at Swine Side, 2 Kestrel and a Peregrine near Slippery Stones and a Dipper on the R. Derwent by Stainery Clough. In the Win Hill area there was 1 Kestrel, 5 Siskin, a family party of 4 Goldcrest and plenty of Meadow Pipits.

13 August 2001
A Stonechat and a Whinchat near Slippery Stones/Upper Misden Clough. Two Peregrines in the Westend Valley.

11 August 2001
A Raven over Ronksley Moor and 7 Red Grouse, 2 Swift and 4 Kestrel at the top of Walkers Clough.

9 August 2001
Two Kestrels - 1 at Cogman Clough and 1 at the top of Abbey Brook.

29 July 2001
A Moorhen with 2 Juveniles at Fairholmes, a young Common Buzzard near the Salt Cellar, the Curlew still in Abbey Brook with a further 2 at Cogman Clough. Three Peregrine and a Ring Ouzel in the Westend Valley.

27 July 2001
A Common Buzzard over Lockerbrook.

26 July 2001
A Common Buzzard reported in the Valley and Peregrine at Alport.

21 July 2001
Two Merlins in the general area.

15 July 2001
A Curlew at Abbey Brook and a report of a Hen Harrier near Pike Low.

1st July 2001
A short walk from Fairholmes to Bridge End Car Park with most note-worthy records: 69 Canada Geese on Ladybower north arm; 110 Mallard in the Fairholmes area including 37 of this years young; Moorhen, now 2 broods (both with 2 chicks) in the Fairholmes area (see 15-16 June); 15 Siskin, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Common Sandpiper and 1 Grey Wagtail.

24th June 2001
Goshawk chicks no longer on camera and presumed to have fledged. Also present during a brief visit, 2 singing Garden Warblers in the Derwent Dam area, plus a pair of Grey Wagtail and a further Common Sandpiper territory.

18th June 2001
Youngest Goshawk chick killed by the oldest. Many visitors given the dubious pleasure of watching it eat it's younger brother!

Weekend of 15th-16th June 2001
Common Buzzard 1 over Grainfoot Clough. A walk from Fairholmes to the top of the Valley up the East Side Track provided [most note worthy records]: Moorhen, broods of 2 at Fairholmes and at the top of Howden Res; Garden Warbler 8, Blackcap 8, Willow Warbler 38, Wood Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 1, Spotted Flycatcher 2 pairs, Redstart 3, Tree Pipit 15, Treecreeper 4 (a family party), Cuckoo 1, Swift 5 (unusual), Siskin 14, Grey Wagtail 5 and the nest at Fairholmes now fledged, Canada Goose 274, Red-breasted Merganser, pair below Derwent Dam all day (presence of female probably signified that breeding had failed); Common Sandpiper 7 pairs. All 4 Goshawk chicks still present in the nest at this stage, with live footage continuing at the Visitor Centre.

2nd June 2001
The Grey Wagtails still feeding chicks in a nest at Fairholmes Visitor Centre. The birds started nesting when the Centre was closed to the public but do not seem at all bothered by the subsequent invasion. At Slippery Stones: a Grey Wagtail, 5 Willow Warblers, a Garden Warbler and 4 Tree Pipits. A count of 120 Canada Geese on all three reservoirs included 7 broods [28 goslings in total]. Mallard numbers much increased at Fairholmes following the re-opening to the public with a count of 61. however, breeding success seems to be poor this year with fewer broods seen and high mortality [possibly Pike?].

Summary, Bank Holiday Weekend, 26th to 28th May
One Woodcock roding at Hagg Farm 27/5 with 6 [5 roding] in the valley 28/5 when a Tawny Owl at Fairholmes showed very well. Also here, a pair of Grey Wagtail nesting at the Visitor Centre and a pair of Common Sandpiper nesting in Fairholmes bay. Still plenty of Siskin around and lots of Willow Warblers singing. There were 6 singing Wood Warblers in the Lockerbrook / Fairholmes / Derwent Dam area and sinbgles of both Garden Warbler and Blackcap singing at Fairholmes. A claim of a White Wagtail near Derwent Dam was more likely to be the British race Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii.

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Highlights for the period when access to the Valley to was restricted due to foot and mouth. [Info provided by Park Park Rangers] All observations from the lower valley, mostly from around Fairholmes. The Valley has now been re-opened although access is currently restricted to the route around the reservoirs and there are further restrictions for those with dogs - please check with the visitor centre for latest info.

11 March - No access meant very few birds. Best count was 65 Fieldfare west over the bottom of the Valley.

25 March - Bottom of the Valley; a flock of 104 Starling and 82 Fieldfare in pasture near Crookhill Farm was exceptional. Also 60 Siskin, 10 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawk, a pair of Goldeneye displaying and 1 male Red-breasted Merganser.

8 April - Again, bottom of the Valley; 18 Siskin, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Raven, a pair of displaying Kestrel, a pair of Goshawk, 1 Peregrine, 2 pairs of Goldeneye and now a pair of Red-breasted Merganser.

22 April - The first migrants really began to arrive in the Hope Valley around this time and this was reflected with the first Willow Warbler, Common Sandpiper and Swallow in the Valley. At the same time a late Brambling was in woodland by the side of Derwent Lane. The best count of the day was however, a flock of 40 Goldfinch near Crookhill Farm.

6 May - Not much apart from a family party of Crossbill and a pair of Red-breasted Merganser at Fairholmes.

20 May - Pair of Red-breasted Merganser on Derwent Res, 2 Redstarts singing, 7 Tree Pipits and 17 Willow Warblers in the King Tree Slippery Stones area, 1 Cuckoo near Cold Side, a Spotted Flycatcher at the bottom of Linch Clough and a Dipper near Slipper Stones. In the Fairholmes area: 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Tawny Owl, 9 Swift (unusual), 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Cuckoo and lots of Chaffinch on the new Feeding Station.  Other highlights of the weekend include a Short Eared Owl reported and on Saturday 19 May, two Tawny owlets that had fallen from the nest, one of which was injured and had to be take in by Raptor Rescue.  
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Weekend of  24th-25th February 2001
Cormorant 2 Howden dam, Canada Goose 3 Derwent Res, Mallard 77 (51 at Fairholmes), Goldeneye 2 Fairholmes, Goshawk 2, Moorhen 3 Fairholmes, Feral Pigeon 27 east, Woodpigeon 94 east, Tawny Owl 1 Jubilee Cottages, Great Spotted Woodpecker  1, Dunnock 5, Robin 19, Blackbird 11, Song Thrush 2 (pair), Mistle Thrush 2 (pair - 1 singing), Goldcrest 8, Coal Tit 9, Blue Tit 10, Great Tit 4, Nuthatch 2 Jubilee Cottages, Treecreeper 1 Derwent Dam, Jay 2 Jubilee Cottages, Chaffinch 69 (31 Fairholmes), Crossbill 12, Siskin - many birds and lots of song with evident pairing; two flocks of 40 and 29 included in a total count of 104.

Saturday 17th February 2001
Common Buzzard 2, Sparrowhawk 2+, Goshawk 2, Peregrine one distant, Kestrel 1, Red Grouse c.40, Woodpigeon 42 north Windy Corner, Jay 3 Fairholmes/Gores Farm, Siskin 16 Windy Corner, Coal Tit  5 Windy Corner.

20th January 2001 [ All Gores Farm area]
Cormorant 5,  Sparrowhawk 1, Woodcock 1, Tawny Owl 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Robin 6, Dunnock 4, Fieldfare c.15, Blackbird 9, Blue Tit 10+, Great Tit 5, Coal Tit 4, Siskin c.300, Chaffinch 50+.