May
3rd – 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing at the top of Cote’s Close, first this year.
5th – 1 Little Grebe seen at Mercia Marina Pond, 1 Grey Heron seen at the marina, 1 Lapwing seen over field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 12 Stock Dove seen in the field SW of Watson’s Bridge, 4 Swallow seen on wires Hillside, 1 Cetti’s Warbler singing near Stanhope Wood reed bed, 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing in Crow Park Way and another in Cote Close, 1 female Linnet seen Canalside btwn the Nadee and the white footbridge (the first sighting in Findern this year), 1 male Yellowhammer seen NW of the Ballast Hole Pond and a pair of Reed Bunting seen Stanhope Wood reed bed
26th – 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen in Cardales Meadow
27th – 3 House Martin seen at a nest site on Porters Lane, 1 Willow Warbler singing Mercia Marina pond and 1 Weasel seen running across the road near Findern Primary School
April
2nd – 1 Grey Heron seen at the treatment works, 20+ Meadow Pipit seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 1 Grey Wagtail seen and 1 Cetti’s Warbler heard at the treatment works, 1 male Reed Bunting seen Stanhope Wood reed bed and 1 female Reed Bunting seen at the treatment works
4th – 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen on the bird feeder in Cote Close Bird Sanctuary
5th – Grey Heron seen flying over Wallfields Close. Tadpoles seen in Wildflower Meadow pond, 1 male Kestrel seen SW of Blakemere Farm, 2 Lapwing seen opposite Blakemere Farm and 2 Lapwing seen in the horse paddock NW of Bakeacre Lane
6th – 1 Little Grebe and a pair of Tufted Duck seen on Mercia Marina pond and 1 Peregrine see on the cooling towers at Willington Power Station
8th – 4 Stock Dove seen SW of Watson’s Bridge, 1 male Kestrel seen W of Watson’s Bridge
9th – 2 Grey Wagtail seen in garden next to the brook Doles Lane/Burton Road
10th – 2 Raven heard calling over Hillside garden
12th – 1 Kestrel seen over Cardale’s Meadow, 1 Oystercatcher seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 1 male Swallow seen in the horse paddock N of Crow Park Way, the first sighting in Findern this year, 1 Willow Warbler singing at the treatment works, first of the year
14th – 1 Sparrowhawk seen S of Mercia Marina
15th – 1 Cormorant seen over the canal between the Ballast Hole Pond and the treatment works, 1 Grey Heron seen at the treatment works, 1 Lapwing seen in the field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 2 Stock Dove seen SW of Watson’s Bridge, 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 2 Male Yellowhammer seen N of Hicklin’s Bridge, another male seen S of Watson’s Bridge and yet another male seen NW of the Ballast Hole Pond
18th – 1 Cetti’s Warbler and a pair of Bullfinch seen E of the treatment works near the stream
27th – 1 House Martin seen circling Clovermead on Common Piece Lane (first sighting in Findern this year), 1 Cetti’s Warbler heard Stanhope Wood reed bed and another near Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Common Whitethroat seen Stanhope Wood (first sighting in Findern this year) and another head in Cardale’s Meadow, 1 Fox seen in Stanhope Wood, Hawthorn in flower by the entrance to Stanhope Hole Conservation Area
March
1st – 15+ Teal seen Blakemere Farm flood, Bakeacre Lane, 1 Kestrel and 1 Fieldfare seen at the farm, 4 Lapwing seen in the horse paddock NW of Bakeacre Lane, and a pair of Yellowhammer seen at the northern end of Bakeacre Lane
3rd – 1 Lesser Redpoll seen on the A50 embankment N of the treatment works, 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works and 1 Grey Wagtail seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, Great spotted woodpecker and a stoat – Cote Close
4th – 1 Skylark singing over the stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 4+ Meadow Pipit seen in the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge, 80+ Pied Wagtail seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 1 Cetti’s Warbler seen at the treatment works, 1 Chiffchaff seen on the causeway E of the treatment works (the first sighting this year), 1 Yellowhammer and a pair of Reed Bunting seen N of Hicklin’s Bridge
5th – 3 Cormorant seen on the pylon S of Mercia Marina pond and 8 Tufted Duck seen on the pond
6th – 1 Water Rail seen at the treatment works and a deer, probably a Roe Deer, seen in the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge
7th – 12+ Teal and 2 Reed Bunting seen in Blakemere Farm flood, 3 Buzzard seen over Bakeacre Lane and 1 Green Woodpecker heard, 2 Yellowhammer seen N end of the lane
9th – 2 Long-tailed Tit seen nest building Watson’s Bridge
14th – 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull seen over Hillside, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Reed Bunting and 1 Cetti’s Warbler seen or heard at the treatment works
15th – 3 Lapwing seen in the horse paddock NW of Bakeacre Lane, 1 Skylark heard singing and 2 male Yellowhammer seen at Thurston Farm and 20-30 Redwing also seen at Bakeacre Lane
18th – 1 Meadow Pipit seen in the cow pasture S of the treatment works, 1 Cetti’s Warbler seen Stanhope Wood reed bed, 1 Chiffchaff seen at the bottom of Cardale’s Meadow
19th – 1 Little Grebe, 3 Gadwall and 5 Tufted Duck seen on Mercia Marina pond
21st – 1 Treecreeper seen NE of the Ballast Hole Pond, 1 Jay seen in the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge (the first sighting this year) and 9 Lesser Redpoll seen moving through bushes at the treatment works
25th – 1 Grey Heron seen over Hillside, 4 Lapwing seen over the stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 4 Meadow Pipit seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, a pair of Grey Wagtail seen on the towpath S of the treatment works, 1 Cetti’s Warbler heard in Stanhope Wood reed bed, 6 Chiffchaff seen singing between Lower Green and Watson’s Bridge, 6+ Skylark seen over the stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge and 2 singing over the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge, 7 Lesser Redpoll seen moving through bushes at the treatment works, 1 Yellowhammer seen N of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 female Reed Bunting seen Stanhope Wood reed bed and 1 male Reed Bunting seen at the treatment works
31st – 1 Sparrowhawk seen soaring over the treatment works, 1 Kestrel seen soaring over the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge, 1 Blackcap heard singing on Common Piece Lane (the first this year) and 1 Blackcap singing in Stanhope Hole, 1 Cetti’s Warbler seen canal side between the railway bridge and Hicklin’s Bridge on bridle way 11
February
1st – 1 Sparrowhawk seen flying S over the canal, 1 Green Woodpecker heard S of the treatment works, 1 Skylark seen over the stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Treecreeper seen at the treatment works, 5+ Siskin seen feeding with a flock of Goldfinches at the Ballast Hole Pond, 2 Bullfinch seen on the A50 embankment and 1 seen in the rough area E of the treatment works. Common Pipistrelle Bat recorded Burton Road
2nd – 1 Mistle Thrush singing Upper Heath Lane, 5 Cormorant seen over the pylon S of Mercia Marina Pond, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen at Mercia Marina. Common Pipistrelle Bat recorded Burton Road.
3rd – 1 Water Rail and 1 Cetti’s Warbler seen at the treatment works, 1 Reed Bunting seen Stanhope Wood reed bed, 1 Small Tortoiseshell butterfly seen in a house Common Piece Lane
4th – 2 Mute Swan and 3 Teal seen in flood water Blakemere Farm, Bakeacre Lane, 1 male Kestrel seen SE over Bakeacre Lane, 1 Sparrowhawk seen Doles Lane junction with Bakeacre Lane, 1 Lapwing seen in the horse paddock NW of Bakeacre Lane (first sighting this year), 3 Lesser Redpoll seen W of Blakemere Farm and 4 Yellowhammer seen at ther northern end of Bakeacre Lane.
5th – 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 female Reed Bunting seen at the treatment works, a pair of Reed Bunting seen in Stanhope Wood reed bed
9th – 1 Water Rail and 1 Goldcrest seen at the treatment works, 3 Lesser Redpoll seen Common Piece Lane
10th 1 Water Rail and 1 Cetti’s Warbler seen at the treatment works.
11th – 1 male and 1 female Sparrowhawk seen over Watson’s Bridge, 10+ Skylark seen over the stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 35+ Pied Wagtail land 2 Meadow Pipit seen at the treatment works, pair of Reed Bunting seen in hedge N of Hicklin’s Bridge
13th – Pair of Kestrel seen over rough field W of Watson’s Bridge, 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 1 male Bullfinch seen A50 embankment N of the treatment works, 1 Lesser Redpoll seen Common Piece Lane
14th – 1 Water Rail seen at the treatment works, 1 Treecreeper seen Crow Park Way near the A50 underpass
15th – Pair of Gadwall and 20+ Teal seen in flood Blakemere Farm, Bakeacre Lane, 1 Lapwing seen in the horse paddock NW of Bakeacre Lane, 1 female Reed Bunting seen at the end of Bakeacre Lane
16th – 1 male Kestrel seen Crow Park Way, 1 Water Rail seen at the treatment works, 1 Common Gull seen with a flock of B H Gull in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 60+ Pied Wagtail also seen in this cattle field, 1 Cetti’s Warbler heard at the treatment works
17th – 5 Bullfinch seen A50 embankment N of the treatment works, 1 Greenfinch seen Heath Lane/Willington Road junction, the first sighting this year
19th – 1 Grey Heron seen in flood Blakemere Farm, Bakeacre Lane
22nd – 1 Green Woodpecker heard S of the treatment works, 1 Cetti’s Warbler and 1 Goldcrest seen at the treatment works, 1 male Reed Bunting seen in Stanhope Wood reed bed
24th – 20+ Teal seen Blakemere Farm flood, Bakeacre Lane, 1 Kestrel seen opposite Blakemere Farm, 4 Lapwing and 12+ Meadow Pipit seen in the horse paddock NW of Bakeacre Lane
25th – 3 Bullfinch seen A50 embankment N of the treatment works, pair of Reed Bunting seen in Stanhope Wood reed bed
26th – 1 Green Woodpecker heard S of the treatment works, Blackthorn in flower top of Cromwell Avenue, 1 Small Tortoiseshell butterfly seen in a garden on Hillside, the first sighting this year
28th – 5 Cormorant seen on the pylon S of Mercia Marina pond, 5 Tufted Duck seen on the pond
January 2021
A friend of ours took part in the annual BSBI (The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland) New Year Plant Hunt on 4th Jan, following a route along Doles Lane, Common Piece Lane, Crow Park Way and the canal towpath. He found 22 species in flower, compared to 20 last year and 21 in 2019.
A plant list from Findern and the Trent & Mersey canal, 04/01/2021
Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley
Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass
Bellis perennis Daisy
Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd’s-purse
Cardamine hirsuta Hairy Bitter-cress
Conyza sumatrensis Guernsey Fleabane
Corylus avellana Hazel
Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax
Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge
Euphorbia peplus Petty Spurge
Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed
Lamium album White Dead-nettle
Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle
Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass
Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock
Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort
Senecio vulgaris Groundsel
Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle
Stellaria media Common Chickweed
Taraxacum Dandelion
Ulex europaeus Gorse
Viola arvensis Field Pansy
1st – 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 7+ Fieldfare, 60+ Redwing and 1 Song Thrush seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works. Cetti’s Warbler at the treatment works.
6th – 1 Coal Tit seen in Hillside garden. The first bat record of the year was a common pipistrelle over the garden. It was even around at 30 minutes past midnight in a temperature of -3 degrees C! Goodness knows what it was doing out in those temperatures.
8th – 1 female Kestrel seen Doles Lane
11th – 1 Black Swan and 1 female Goosander seen on the canal W of Hicklin’s Bridge, 4 Reed Bunting seen N of Hicklin’s Bridge
12th – 1 Grey Heron and 1 male Tufted Duck seen at Mercia Marina, 2 male and 1 female Goosander seen on Mercia Marina Pond, 1 Peregrine seen on Willington Cooling Towers
16th – 2 Raven seen flying S over Willington Road
17th – 12+ Teal and 1 Yellowhammer seen Blakemere Farm flood on Bakeacre Lane
19th – 1 female Sparrowhawk seen Hillside garden
22nd – 1 Mistle Thrush seen in Findern Churchyard
24th – 1 Cetti’s Warbler heard at the treatment works, 5+ Siskin seen feeding with a Goldfinch flock at the Ballast Hole Pond
27th 1 Goldcrest seen in Stanhope Hole Conservation area
31st – 3 male Bullfinch seen at the end of the causeway Crow Park Way junction with the canal
December
1st – 1 Skylark seen stubble field North of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the stables Crow Park Way, 2 Siskin feeding on Alders at the Ballast Hole Pond with a flock of Goldfinch
2nd – 2 Fieldfare seen Blakemere Farm, Bakeacre Lane, 1 Song Thrush seen at the top of Bakeacre Lane
4th – 1 Kingfisher seen in the stream E of the treatment works, 2 Mistle Thrush seen in field SW of Common Piece Lane, 6+ Long-tailed Tit seen in Cote Close Bird Sanctuary, 1 male Bullfinch seen A50 embankment near the underpass, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Black Swan and 5 Tufted Duck seen at Mercia Marina
15th – 10+ Skylark, some singing, seen in the stubble field N of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Grey Wagtail seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 1 Goldcrest seen Crow Park Way near the entrance to Cote Close (the first seen since last winter), 1 male Yellowhammer and 2 Reed Bunting seen N of Hicklin’s Bridge
20th – 1 Kestrel seen hunting and 1 Coal Tit heard singing Doles Lane
22nd – 2 Cormorant seen on the pylon SW of Marina wildlife pond, 1 male and 1 female Goosander seen on the wildlife pond and 1 male Goosander seen on the canal E of the white footbridge, 1 Kestrel seen Buckford Bridge
24th – c20 Linnet seen East of Blakemere Farm, Bakeacre Lane
25th – 1 male and 2 female Goosander seen on the canal between the Nadee and the Ballast Hole Pond, 4 Mistle Thrush and 1 Song Thrush seen in the horse paddock North of Crow Park Way, 70+ Redwing seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works
31st – 1 Water Rail and 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 1 Common Gull seen feeding with a B H Gull flock in the cattle field SW of the treatment works and a pair of Bullfinch seen at Hicklin’s Bridge
November
1st – 1 Grey Heron and 1 Common Gull seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen from Buckford Bridge, a pair of Bullfinch and 2 Yellowhammer seen at Watson’s Bridge
5th – 4+ Skylark seen in the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge
7th – 1 Red-legged Partridge seen nr Landown Farm, Bakeacre Lane, 1 Fieldfare and 20+ Redwing seen South of Bakeacre Lane, 1 Yellowhammer seen at the Northern end of Bakeacre Lane
9th – 1 female Bullfinch seen A50 embankment near the underpass
10th – 2 Cormorant seen on the pylon SW of the wildlife pond, 1 Mistle Thrush seen North of Willington Road
13th – 1 Kingfisher seen in the stream West of the treatment works
18th – 1 Sparrowhawk seen flying West over Lower Green, 1 Water Rail seen at the treatment works and 1 Brambling seen flying with a small flock of Chaffinches at the riding stables Crow Park Way
19th – 1 Raven seen Common Piece Lane
23rd – 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen Doles Lane
24th – 1 Kestrel seen SW of Watson’s Bridge, 1 Song Thrush singing at the bottom of Common Piece Lane, 1 male Yellowhammer and 2 Reed Bunting seen North of Hicklin’s Bridge
October
2nd – 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 1 Chiffchaff seen feeding with C20 Long Tailed Tit Watson’s Bridge
13th – 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen just W of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Meadow Pipit seen in the horse paddock N of Crow Park Way, 1 Stonechat seen N of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Coal Tit seen on feeders at the stables Crow Park Way, 1 Bullfinch seen A50 embankment near the underpass (the first sighting for several weeks)
15th – 1 Sparrowhawk seen Bakeacre Lane, 3 Stock Dove seen E of Blakemere Farm, Bakeacre Lane, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker heard Bakeacre Lane
19th – 1 Grey Heron seen west of the treatment works, 1 Kestrel seen flying South over Common Piece Lane, 1 Green Woodpecker heard S of the treatment works, 6 Redwing seen flying west over Watson’s Bridge, 1 Linnet seen Watson’s Bridge
22nd – 1 Cormorant seen on the pylon SW of the marina wildlife pond, 1 Water Rail seen in the reed bed at the treatment works, 4+ Skylark seen in the stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge and another 4 seen in the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge, 1 female Reed Bunting seen in Stanhope Wood reed bed
30th – 2 Grey Wagtail seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works
September
2nd – 1 Kestrel seen hunting over the field SW of Watson’s Bridge, 4 House Martin seen over Clovermead on Common Piece Lane, 1 Banded Demoiselle seen canalside S of the treatment works
4th – 1 Green Woodpecker heard calling Bakeacre Lane, 1 Chiffchaff seen near Blakemere Farm on Bakeacre Lane
6th – 176 Canada Geese seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works (a record count for this site), 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 1 male Blackcap seen near Hicklin’s Bridge
11th – 1 male Kestrel seen flying S over the canal E of the Nadee, c40 Swallow seen over the field SW of Watson’s Bridge
18th – c20 Goldfinch feeding on thistle heads in the farmyard W of the treatment works
21st – 2 Song Thrush and 1 Chiffchaff seen at the treatment works
28th – 75+ Black-headed Gull and 35+ Lesser Black-backed Gull seen feeding in freshly ploughed field SW of Common Piece Lane, 1 Grey Wagtail seen S of the treatment works
August
1st – 1 Green Woodpecker seen feeding in garden Burton Road
2nd – 1 Sparrowhawk and 25 Swift seen over the ash plantation between the wet area and the treatment works, 2 Holly Blue butterflies seen on Common Piece Lane
4th – 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Chiffchaff seen at the treatment works, 3 Blackcap seen near the brook on Common Piece Lane
9th – 8 Swift seen flying SE over Bakeacre Lane, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker seen Bakeacre Lane, c10 House Martin seen feeding above the trees opposite Lansdowne Farm, 6 Juvenile Long Tailed Tit seen at Blakemere Farm and 30+ Rook seen feeding in the horse paddock N of Bakeacre Lane
17th – 1 adult and 3 juvenile Grey Wagtail and 5 juvenile Chiffchaff seen at the treatment works
28th – 3 Stock Dove seen in the cultivated field W of Common Piece Lane, 1 Common Whitethroat and 4 Linnet seen N of Hicklin’s Bridge
July
4th – A total of 21 Bat boxes along the towpath and our wildlife sites were checked by Derbyshire Bat Conservation Group. Several boxes contained Blue Tit nests, wasp nests and tree bumble bee nests. 5 boxes contained bat droppings showing signs of use and 4 boxes were occupied by bats. 3 Soprano Pipistrelle and 1 Leisler’s bat were recorded.
4th – 6 Swift seen flying west over Bakeacre Lane
7th – 1 Little Egret seen flying SE over Common Piece Lane, 2 Oystercatcher seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, c6 House Martin seen flying over Clovermead Common Piece Lane, 2 male Reed Bunting seen in Stanhope Wood reed bed
9th – 4 Oystercatcher and 110 Canada Geese seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 5 Pied Wagtail seen at the treatment works
10th – 1 Kestrel seen junction of Willington Road and Heath Lane, 1 Cormorant seen at Mercia Marina, 1 Bullfinch seen at the Marina wildlife pond, 1 Yellowhammer seen near the cattery Willington Road
24th – 4 Song Thrush and 1 Mistle Thrush seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 1 Kestrel seen Willington Road junction with Heath Lane
31st – 1 Red Kite seen flying over Burton Road
June
1st – 1 Grey Heron seen west of Common Piece Lane flying south, 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works and 2 male Reed Bunting seen in Stanhope Wood reed bed, Barbastelle bat recorded in a field at the back of houses on Burton Road, the first ever record in Findern
4th – 1 Little Grebe, a pair of Tufted Duck and 1 Reed Bunting seen on Mercia Marina Wildlife Pond and 1 Cormorant seen on the pylon SW of the pond
5th – 1 Kestrel seen S of Bakeacre Lane, 5 Lapwing seen flying N over Bakeacre Lane, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Meadow Brown butterfly (the first sighting this year) also seen in Bakeacre Lane
9th – 1 Barbastelle bat recorded again in the field at the back of houses on Burton Road
12th – 1 Little Egret seen in the field at the back of houses on Burton Road
May
1st – 1 female Kestrel seen off Bakeacre Lane, 1 Swift seen over Bakeacre Lane (the first sighting this year), 1 red-legged Partridge and 4 Lapwing seen in the horse paddock NW of Bakeacre Lane, 1 Skylark and 1 male Yellowhammer seen in the cultivated field opposite Blakemere Farm, a pair of Pied Wagtail seen nesting and 1 Common Whitethroat seen at Blakemere Farm
2nd – 1 House Martin seen over Longlands Lane, 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing in Cote Close, another singing in Stanhope Wood and another near the railway bridge, 1 Garden Warbler and 1 male Reed Bunting seen in Stanhope Wood
3rd – 1 Grey Heron and 1 Reed Warbler (1st sighting this year) seen at the Railway Institute Fishing Pools Willington, 8 Tufted Duck seen at Mercia Marina and another 2 on the Marina wildlife pond, 1 Green Woodpecker heard calling south of the Railway Institute Pools, 1 Yellowhammer seen at the junction of Willington Road and Heath Lane
5th – 1 Little Grebe seen on Mercia Marina Pond, 1 Lesser Whitethroat heard singing and 1 Common Whitethroat seen near the cattery on Willington Road
7th – Pair of Blue Tits seen nesting in a bat box in Cote Close Bird Sanctuary, 1 Hobby seen circling with 2 Buzzards over Hillside
12th – 5 Lapwing (2 adults with 3 small chicks) seen in the horse paddock NW of Bakeacre Lane, 1 Lesser Whitethroat seen and the bottom of Bakeacre Lane and 2 Swift seen flying over Bakeacre Lane
13th – 7 Swift seen flying W over Stanhope Wood, 2 Common Whitethroat seen feeding in Stanhope Wood reed bed, 3 male Reed Bunting also seen in the reed bed
15th – 1 Cormorant seen S of Mercia Marina Pond, 2 House Martin seen nest site prospecting on Porter’s Lane, 1 Willow Warbler seen at the edge of Willington Power Station site and 1 Lesser Whitethroat seen N of King George V playing field
19th – 1 Brown Hare seen in field South of Priory Way
20th – Nathusius Pipistrelle bat recorded in field at the back of houses on Burton Road
23rd – 1 Red Kite seen flying over Burton Road
26th – 1 Red Kite seen flying west over All Saints Church
30th – 1, possibly 2 Tawny Owl seen Common Piece Lane
April
1st – 1 female Goosander on the canal SW of the treatment works, 1 Mistle Thrush at the treatment works, 1 male Blackcap on Common Piece Lane (first sighting this year), 2 Jay in the meadow adjacent to Clovermead on Common Piece Lane, 4 (2 pairs) of Reed Bunting in Stanhope Wood reedbed
2nd – 1 Cormorant seen flying N towards the Marina, 1 Grey Heron seen flying W towards Nadee, 11 Tufted Duck seen on Mercia Marina Pond, 2 Stock Dove seen feeding with Wood Pigeons in cultivated field S of Common Piece Lane, 1 Green Woodpecker heard S of the white footbridge over the canal, 10+ Meadow Pipit seen in the stubble field SE of Stanhope Wood, 1 Yellowhammer seen NE of Nadee and 2 Male Reed Bunting seen at the treatment works
4th – 2 Skylark seen displaying in the stubble field SW of Porter’s Lane
5th – 1 Buzzard seen over Stanhope Wood, 1 Redwing seen at the treatment works (a late sighting) and 1 Small White butterfly seen near the A50 underpass (first sighting this year)
8th – 1 Green Veined White butterfly seen S of the treatment works, the first sighting this year. 1 Muntjac deer seen in the field at the back of houses Burton Road.
12th – 1 Speckled Wood butterfly seen on Bakeacre Lane, the first sighting this year, 2 Lapwing seen in the horse paddock N of Bakeacre Lane, another pair seen displaying N of Blakemere Farm in flood water, the first sightings this year
14th – 1 Swallow seen Upper Heath Lane, 1 Grey Wagtail seen on the towpath S of the treatment works, 1 Common Whitethroat (first sighting this year) seen in Cote Close and another in Stanhope Wood, 1 Willow Warbler (another first sighting this year) singing at the treatment works and another canalside E of the railway bridge, 1 female Bullfinch seen near the Ballast Hole Pond, 1 male Yellowhammer seen NE of Nadee and the first Hawthorn flowers seen in the entrance to Stanhope Wood
15th – 5 Stock Dove seen in the cultivated field SW of Watson’s Bridge, a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker seen N of the Ballast Hole Pond
16th – 1 Little Grebe seen on Mercia Marina Pond, 1 Sparrowhawk seen over Upper Heath Lane, a pair of Linnet seen near the Marina Pond, 1 Jay seen flying over Willington Road near the cattery, 1 male Yellowhammer seen near the cattery N of Willington Road, 1 Swallow seen over Mercia Marina
17th – 1 Cormorant seen flying over Bakeacre Lane, 4 Linnet seen Bakeacre Lane and 2 Red-legged Partridge seen Blakemere Farm flood Bakeacre Lane (the first sighting in Findern since 2016)
18th – 1 Snipe seen in flood water Blakemere Farm, Bakeacre Lane
19th – 2 Skylark seen in field SW of Watson’s Bridge, 1 Lesser Whitethroat seen on the railway embankment SE of Stanhope Wood (the first sighting this year)
20th – 1 Kestrel seen hunting off Doles Lane
23rd – 1 female Wheatear on migration seen in the cultivated field SW of Watson’s Bridge, the first sighting this year
24th – 1 Kestrel seen over the Marina Pond and 1 Garden Warbler heard singing adjacent to the Marina Pond, the first this year
25th – 1 House Martin seen on wire Heath Farm, Heath Lane
26th – Cuckoo heard Common Piece Lane jw Crow Park Way, 1 Reed Bunting seen on top of a reed Stanhope Wood reed bed, 1 Blackcap seen near Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Song Thrush seen Stanhope Hole side of the A50 underpass, 1 Hedgehog becoming a regular nightly visitor to back garden Aults Close
March
1st – 4 Stock Dove and 3 Fieldfare (first sighting of this species in Findern this year) seen in stubble field N of East Lawn
3rd – 1 Lapwing seen over Cardales Meadow, 1 Green Woodpecker seen feeding on the ground in the horse paddock N of Crow Park Way, Pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker seen adjacent to the A50 underpass, 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 1 Song Thrush singing at the bottom of Common Piece Lane, 3 Mistle Thrush seen in the horse paddock N of Crow Park Way, 1 Chiffchaff (thought to be overwintering here) seen at the treatment works and 2 male Reed Bunting seen in Stanhope Wood reed bed
4th – 1 Cormorant seen perched on a pylon at Mercia Marina, 3 Tufted Duck seen on Mercia Marina Pond, 1 Kestrel seen flying E over the treatment works, 2 Skylark seen over the stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 2 Bullfinch seen by the allotments Common Piece Lane, 4 Yellowhammer seen along the hedge N of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Yellowhammer seen N of Willington Road and several Lesser Celandine seen Upper Heath Lane
5th – 8 Teal seen Blakemere Farm, Bakeacre Lane, 3 Buzzard soaring S of Bakeacre Lane, 2 Lapwing displaying W of Blakemere Farm, c10 Meadow Pipit, c20 Pied Wagtail and 110+ Redwing seen in flooded field N of Bakeacre Lane.
6th – 1 Small Tortoiseshell butterfly in a garden on Hillside, first sighting in Findern this year
11th – Peacock butterfly seen in a garden on Hillside, another first sighting in Findern this year
12th – Frogspawn, lots of it, in pond on Aults Close.
12th – 1 Goldcrest seen at the treatment works
15th – Hedgehog seen at the bottom of Porters Lane
16th – Peacock Butterfly seen in flight Heath Lane over A50, 1 Chiffchaff singing at the top of Cote Close, first song of the spring
19th 1 Cormorant seen over Stanhope Wood
23rd – 1 Grey Heron, 5 Tufted Duck and 1 Reed Bunting seen at Mercia Marina Pond, 3 Buzzard seen soaring over the Nadee, 1 Kestrel seen at the bottom of Common Piece Lane, 2 Stock Dove seen north of Willington Road opposite the cattery, 1 Skylark singing in the field between the canal and Willington Road, 1 Grey Wagtail seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 4 Reed Bunting seen at the treatment works, 1 Brimstone butterfly seen in a garden on Hillside
25th – 1 Comma butterfly seen near the Nadee, first sighting this year, 2 Coal Tit seen in a garden on Hillside, 3 Song Thrush and 10 Chiffchaff seen on the canal circuit, 1 male Reed Bunting seen in the reed bed Stanhope Wood
27th – Several Meadow Pipit seen in the stubble field West of Watson’s bridge, 10+ Linnet seem Watson’s Bridge
29th – 1 Little Grebe seen on Mercia Marina Pond
February 2020
5th – 6 Tufted Duck seen at Mercia Marina, 1 Buzzard seen feeding on worms in a field north of Willington Road, 1 Peregrine seen on the cooling towers, 3 Skylark seen in the stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 4 Song Thrush seen around the canal circuit, c60 Redwing seen in trees North of the Ballast Hole Pond and c40 seen in the field North of the cattery on Willington Road, 1 Goldcrest seen at the Ballast Hole Pond, 1 male Yellowhammer seen North of Hicklin’s Bridge, 1 male Bullfinch seen East of the treatment works, 2 female Reed Bunting seen canalside between the Nadee and the white bridge, Hawthorn seen in leaf at the entrance to Stanhope Hole and Blackthorn seen in flower at the top of Cromwell Avenue
12th – 1 Kestrel seen over the field SW of Watson’s Bridge, 1 Green Woodpecker heard south of the treatment works, 6+ Skylark seen over the stubble field NE of Hicklin’s Bridge, 2 Mistle Thrush seen in the horse paddock N of Crow Park Way, 1 male Yellowhammer seen in fields NW of the Ballast Hole Pond and c60 Redwing seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works
25th – 11+ Stock Dove seen in the stubble field East of East Lawn
26th – 2 Buzzard seen displaying N of Crow Park Way/Common Piece Lane junction, 1 Kestrel seen in the horse paddock Crow Park Way, a pair of Bullfinch and 1 male Reed Bunting seen at the treatment works, 12 Teal seen in flood at Blakemere Farm, Bakeacre Lane, 1 Lapwing (first sighting in Findern this year) seen in flooded field N of Blakemere Farm, c12 Long Tailed Tit seen on Bakeacre Lane
January 2020
5th – 2 Water Rail (and a few Canada Geese) seen in the cattle field W of the treatment works
6th – 15 Stock Dove seen in the stubble field SW of Watson’s Bridge, c30 Redwing seen in the cattle field SW of the treatment works, 1 male and 1 female Bullfinch seen on the A50 embankment near the underpass.
8th – 8 Tufted Duck seen at Mercia Marina, 1 Peregrine seen on the rim of a cooling tower Willington power station, 1 Song Thrush singing at the bottom of Common Piece Lane, 1 Goldcrest seen at Clovermead on Common Piece Lane, 5 Reed Bunting seen at the treatment works and 1 seen at Mercia Marina Pond.
9th – 1 Cormorant seen flying over Bakeacre Lane, 5 Teal seen on flood water at Blakemere Farm on Bakeacre Lane.
17th – 1 Water Rail seen at the treatment works
24th – 1 Grey Wagtail seen at the treatment works, 2 Jay seen south of the treatment works and c15 Goldfinch seen feeding in alders south of the treatment works
28th – 1 female Great Spotted Woodpecker seen canalside east of the Ballast Hole Pond, 1 Skylark seen over the stubble field north east of Hickin’s Bridge, 1 Meadow Pipit seen at the treatment works and 6 Bullfinch seen N of the King George V playing field
30th – 1 Water Vole seen running across Common Piece Lane near Clovermead Kennels