Trip back to my homeland

by Rob Lowe

 

Having only started birding in 2002 and being on the Isle of Man since 1996, I have had little chance to further my bird watching experiences back in my home county of Derbyshire.

Being an avid viewer of the "Birdguides" website (see links page) it has long been disappointing that there seems to be very little reported from this area of outstanding natural beauty.

But, as I was due to visit my family back in Derbyshire, I was looking at the recent reports on the off chance that I could “twitch” something whilst I was there. As this is also something that I had not experienced on the Isle of Man.

 

Imagine my delight when Chris called me to tell me that there was a report of two Pectoral Sandpipers (a scarce visitor from the USA and Siberia) in Derbyshire on Friday 12^th September, and was I going anywhere near? On further investigation the birds were reported to be on Belper pool. What a stroke of luck, less than half a mile from my destination, the next day.

So I departed from the Island on the 9.00am boat, and arrived in Belper at 3.00pm in the afternoon. I had tried to call Chris to ascertain if the birds were still present, but unfortunately it was his afternoon nap time!

On arriving at the pool there were a few cars present but a few glum faces around, it was not looking good, but as the viewing area was a good way from the pool, I set up the scope straight away to scan the margins. What a stroke of luck, I had set the scope onto the edge of a patch of sedge grass, and what was emerging from the side? two Pectoral Sandpipers.

I did my best at digiscoping the birds, but heat haze and the distance made pin sharp images a challenge.

 

 

 

Also whilst returning to the Isle of Man on the Ben-My-Chree on Tuesday I was lucky enough to gain another lifer, approaching Douglas harbour I had an excellent view of a Sooty Shearwater approx 20metres from the starboard side of the ship.

 

On the whole, a very productive trip.