Excellent Derbyshire Day!
While up in Derbyshire this weekend, I went out this morning, heading for Padley Gorge and flycatchers etc. No flycatchers (or anything much at Padley!) but ended up with one lifer, one 1st for the UK, and one other year tick.
While driving up in open country alongside pine woodland, I spotted a largeish brownish bird sitting on a post by the road. I drove on, thinking Buzzard, then thought how I don't see that many Buzzards in Derbys (for obvious bad reasons :C) so decided to stop on the other side of the field to check it out. Buzzard was quickly ruled out, then I thought odd-looking Barn Owl, then got the scope - and finally my long lens - on what turned out to be a stunning Long-Eared Owl. Hopefully the hanging wing is a sign that it's drying out after overnight/early morning rain showers; have just been back to check and there's no sign of it, so all is probably well!
While at Padley, I wandered about for a while with my heavy camera gear, but partly because I didn't know exactly where I was going, I decided to turn back with only some thrushes and a GSWoodpecker to show.
I then decided to take a trip to the top of the moorland around Stanage Edge to try my luck for Red Grouse/Wheatear etc. No Grouse, but I decided to take a quick walk up Higger Tor (near Hathersage) from the laybay. Plenty of mippits on top, and when I came down, there was a stunning male Ring Ouzel in the grass/rocks! Another fluke for the day! First one I've seen in the UK, and only the second I've ever seen (last in Sweden in 2008).
After that I decided to head home, since too much good luck on one day starts to get a bit spooky!
My other half has just about forgiven me for leaving her behind with the baby :-O, but a quick drive this evening found us both a Wheatear (another yeartick) on nearby moorland.
Hence:
132. LONG-EARED OWL
133. Ring Ouzel (UK tick)
134. Northern Wheatear
Some quickly grabbed record shots of the Owl: