The Lincolnshire Bird Club

With all the recent debate on Lincs Goshawks I decided to go back to my old Goshawk tick site at Windy Corner ( Derbyshire I think ) up the Derwent Valley above the Howden Reservoir of Dam Buster training fame. In two and half hours we didn't see a Goshawk ( obviously still on hols in Lincs ) and talk was that they had been eliminated by gamekeepers. We did see Peregrine, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Raven, Red Grouse, Crossbill, Common Buzzard and Siskin. It was said by some there that Hen Harriers had 2 successful breeding pairs further up the valley last year ( watched all the time ) despite the male at one site being shot by gamekeepers as it hunted out of the immediate area.
Seems Gamekeepers are becoming like cats - best when hanging by their tales from barbed wire !

A visit to Ladybower(Windy corner),produced the following:
Goshawk-3,1 Male,2 Female(stunning views of these,including displaying and two females chasing each other),nice to see some genuine ones.
5 Peregrine
2, M,F, Red Grouse
6 Raven(in one flock),excellant views,displaying etc.
1 Common Buzzard
50 Brambling
50 Siskin

Regards

Steve,with Alan Daws,Dave Wright and Chris Atkin

After reading Phil's report about the lack of Goshawk I was saddened, as I was planning a trip there soon.

Remembering my only visit there three years ago and seeing Goshawk, Raven and Red Grouse plus Dipper at another location was for me a brilliant day out.

Thanks Steve for renewing my enthusiasm.

Hi Max,
Just a quick pointer as to what we did at Windy corner,instead of standing at the corner and scanning from there,we climbed up the hill directly behind the viewpoint,and was able to look over a much larger area,but be warned,the hill is very steep and slippery in places,but it was well worth the effort.

Regards

Steve

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the info. Because I am still recovering from bowel surgery I won't attempt any hill-climbing this year. But I am sure it won't stop my pals doing it.

When I visited Windy Corner last time I saw nothing. The birds I saw were at Strines and close to Ladybower.

Have you been to Beeley Moor recently?

Cheers

Hi Max,
No i hav'nt,but when we were at Ladybower,we met a couple of guys who had been to Strines,and said the Goshawks were showing there,that morning,so maybe you should try there, as it is a bit more accessible,cheers,


Steve

Goshawks are being seen regularly from the Welbeck rapter viewpoint ( formally known as the Carburton Log ) just South of Clumber Park.
A lot closer than Windy Corner and no walking involved.
Can't be too many miles from the Lincs border as the Goshawk flies !!!!

Phil