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Natural Derbyshire Tours

@toursnatural.bsky.social
490 followers 696 following 175 posts

Wildlife walks in the beautiful Peak District and beyond. Seasonal and bespoke walks to see the best wildlife Derbyshire has to offer. www.naturalderbyshiretours.uk

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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The local cemetery is a gift that keeps giving at the moment - another excellent morning with a female Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler & 6 Blackcap along with the regulars of Green Woodpecker (3), Kestrel & Sparrowhawk (2) @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
A lovely visit to #Lockopark this morning - a covey of 10 Grey Partridge was a treat with a Whinchat (1 of 3 here) and a first Wheatear of the autumn in the neighbouring field. Also 2 Hobby, 2 Red Kite, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Kes & 6 Yellowhammer @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
A very local twitch today (c600m 😂) and 3rd time lucky to see the Redstart that was found at Nottingham Rd Cemetery yesterday - a very skulking bird that showed for about 15 seconds but only my 2nd here. Less skulking was our lovely male Kes! @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Top morning at a parched #lockopark - after struggling for sightings all year I managed to refind a pair of Little Owl 😍. Also Hobby, 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, Red Kite, 12+ Buzzard, 2 Raven & good breeding records of Linnet & Yellowhammer @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
If you build it they will come - some fab news from High Leas, Barn Owls have bred successfully for this 1st time in years. The vole rich grassland is ideal for these birds but with support from @derbyswildlife.bsky.social & others a 2 well sited boxes did the trick. @derbyperegrines.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Fantastic to catch the unringed White Stork just outside Hatton this morning - a fabulous bird looking at home and seemingly finding plenty to eat in the long grass fields. A first for me! (I need to get out more 😁) @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social #UKBirding
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
A Red Kite kinda day at #lockopark today with up to 5 enjoying the blustery conditions. The Oystercatcher pairs eggs seem to be hatching with a change in volume and activity from the birds along with a brief glimpse of one chick. Barn Owl, 12+ Buzzard and a Kes too! @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
A great morning with a lovely group in the White Peak - #redstart were the star with c15 singing males and a minimum of 5 active nests. Dippers galore including juvs and adults feeding a 2nd brood. 4 Spotted Flycatcher, Peregrine, Red Kite & Garden Warbler (3) @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
The Serengeti of South Derbyshire with several Cattle Egret doing what it says on the tin by the Trent - a lovely couple of hours at Willington Wetlands. 5 sp. of heron/egret, Cuckoo, Kingfisher, Common Terns, 2 Sparrowhawk & 4 Oystercatcher. Influx of Painted Lady (7) @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Top walk with a lovely bunch at Willington Wetlands this am - 8sp. of warbler incl. Lesser Whitethroat, top views of Common Tern, Swift, Red Kite, Cattle Egret, a calling Cuckoo, pair of Yellow Wags and a brief Hobby. Wonderful to find this toad near the tower hide too! @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Great walk in the Dark Peak with Mark who wanted to see Ring Ouzel - we found a minimum of 6 birds including a couple of obliging males. Other highlights were a drumming Snipe, Golden Plover, c8 Curlew, Cuckoo, 3 Redstart, 4 Pied Flycatcher and some lovely Lapwing chicks @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Back from Skye and an early walk at #Lockopark had me thinking I was still up north with a Cuckoo calling & 2 Willow Warbler singing (both part of our Skye soundtrack) on a very chilly morning. A 1st Gadwall since 2023, Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing, Barn Owl, 15+ Swallow @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Garden Warbler, bat bonanzas, early orchids & No Mow May - May's newsletter from Natural Derbyshire Tours is now available 👇 @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social www.naturalderbyshiretours.uk/may-newslett... #walking #Derbyshire #May #gardenwarbler #naturalderbyshiretours
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Lovely group walk at Willington Wetlands this morning - 9sp. of warbler included Grasshopper Warbler (2), Garden Warbler & Lesser Whitethroat. Goosander with young on the Trent, a first Common Tern of the year & 5+ Swift. Waders included a brief Green Sandpiper @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
A top 'Best of the White Peak' group walk this morning - not often Redstart (14+) is upstaged but our views of Dipper (4) incl. 2 feeding a brood in the nest were insane! Peregrine, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Green Woodies, Grey Wags, Early Purple Orchids & a first Swift too! @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Great walk with Friends of Nottingham Road Cemetery this morning - excavating & mating Green Woodpeckers (2 firsts for me!), Raven, Swallow, Blackcap, Greenfinch & displaying Stock Dove in beautiful surrounds. Always a pleasure to lead these! @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
'Best of the Dark Peak walk' today & a great selection for our group including 10+ Wheatear, 3 Ring Ouzel, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, Tree Pipit, Oil Beetle & 6 sp. of wader including our 1st Common Sandpipers of the year (2) and 6+ Curlew @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @curlewaction.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" A top day for Redstarts in the Peaks with a grand total of 27(!) on today's walk in the White Peak. An absolute joy to watch these fan birds 😍. Also 3 Wheatear, Little Owl & Garden Warbler @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Few weeks since my last visit but a lovely morning at #HighLeasFarm today - Tree Pipits back in force with 4 birds singing (a beautiful understated songster) along with Willow Warbler (4), Blackcap (6) & a single Whitethroat. Cuckoo flowers but no Cuckoo yet! @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Mean, moody & magnificent - Crowden chucked a bit of wind & rain at our fab group this morning but it was worth it to be serenaded by a male Ring Ouzel (1 of 2 seen). Great views of Peregrine, Kestrel, Stonechat & lots of Willow Warbler now @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
And that's it for another spring! A fab private Mountain Hare walk with a lovely couple from Sheffield was our last of season - A min of 4 Hares with a great supporting cast of Golden Plover (8), Curlew (8) and Wheatear (3). Two walks fell foul of fog but 6 went ahead with Hares seen on all!
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Our final 'Discover Mountain Hares' walk this AM & its no exaggeration to say it was exceptional day in the hills! A min of six Hares with lots of chasing and interaction. 5 Wheatear, 6 Curlew & 5 Golden Plover to a backdrop of Skylark & 🌞 @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Snake's head fritillaries at Notts Road Cemetery this am amongst some fantastic other flowers - Bluebells, Wood Anenomes, Dog Violets, carpets of lemon yellow Primrose and the first Cowslips. Pair of Sparrowhawk, Buzzards & Green Woodpecker @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
A couple of lovely local walks in the sun today - Kestrels, Yellowhammers, Red Kites and woodland flowers at Dale Abbey (including what I think is my 1st ever Toothwort). 1st Swallows, Brown Hares & another lovely close Red Kite at #lockopark @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
A fantastic walk with a freelance writer today to look at and talk about our Dark Peak Mountain Hares (& hopefully help highlight their sad decline) - we had great views of a couple along with a Wheatear, pairs of Curlew & Raven, Golden Plover, Red Grouse & Buzzard @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Reedbeds, Dawn Choruses, Ospreys and Green Hairstreaks - April's newsletter from Natural Derbyshire Tours is now available @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social 👇 www.naturalderbyshiretours.uk/april-newsle... #walking #Derbyshire #april #wildlife #naturalderbyshiretours
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
1st day of BST? It felt more like winter had returned to the Dark Peak today. Neither our group nor the Mountain Hares much appreciating the brisk,v.cold cold wind - at least the Hares were able to hunker down! We found 2 animals and managed decent scope views. Curlew & spangly Golden Plover too 😊
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Great day out in the Peaks - 3 Ring Ouzel were my first of the year and included a colour ringed male. 5 sp. of wader back on territory included calling Golden Plover, 6+ Curlew, 2 chipping Snipe, plenty of Lapwing & a pair of Oystercatcher @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @shefbirdstudy.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Woodpeckers, Lesser Redpolls, a brief Woodlark, Red Kites and showy singing Stonechats were the highlights from our 'Best of North Notts' walk this morning. A fabulous group enjoyed the sun, scenery and birds at @rspb.bsky.social Sherwood and Budby today #UKBirding #birds #nottinghamshire
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
This week's #ethels - A wonderful walk up the stunning Crowden Valley to Laddow Rocks and then on to Black Chew Head (542m) (the highest point in Greater Manchester and my 1st of the six 'county tops') and Featherbed Moss (541m). Peregrines, Curlew and Golden Plover for company! #Birds #walking
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Just 21 seconds of a Marsh Harrier hunting at the fantastic @derbyswildlife.bsky.social Willington Wetlands on a lovely spring morn along with my 1st LRP of the year, 5 Redshank, 6 Curlew, 10 Oystercatcher, Snipe, Red Kite, 12+ Goldeneye & a booming Bittern @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Fab Mountain Hare walk with a lovely family from Cambs this morning - a minimum of 3 seen well including one speeding away uphill (much better view than my naff snap suggests!) along with 4 Curlew (2 pairs), 2 Golden Plover and 10+ Red Grouse @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Another good outing looking for raptors in the Upper Derwent Valley with a smashing group today. No Gos but did see 4 species with great views of Kes, Buzzard, female Sparrowhawk and a brief Peregrine. Great to hear a Curlew calling nearby @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
1st visit to #lockopark in a couple of weeks, the birding felt wintery to match the weather today with the highlights a first patch Barn Owl of the year, 2 Peregrine, Kestrel, 8 Buzzard, 3 Raven, 64 Fieldfare, 30+ Chaffinch, 2 Grey Wags, 5 Mandarin & 6 Skylark @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Mountain Blackbirds, spring colours and winnying waterbirds - A little later than usual but March's newsletter from Natural Derbyshire Tours is now available! @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social #UKBirding #Birds 👇 www.naturalderbyshiretours.uk/march-newsle...
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Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project @derbyperegrines.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Successful abseil today to remove the collapsing base of our 10 year old #peregrine falcon nest platform, and the installation of a new nest box and camera on the tower roof. Webcams are not yet configured - more work to be done tomorrow.
A female abseiler in a green helmet smiles at the camera whilst hanging in front of a wooden peregrine nest platform on the side of a cathedral towerWooden nest platform with its base removedView through a new peregrine nest box with a sunny city landscape beyond.New peregrine falcon nest box on the tower roof of Derby Cathedral.
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
This week's #ethel - a walk up to Harland Edge (371m) was very much plan B for today (as thick mist clung on in the Derwent Valley until midday scuppering plan A) but wow what a difference some altitude made! Great views with a fine Peregrine & 1st upland Curlew of 2025😊 @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project @derbyperegrines.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
Today's the last day of National Nestbox Week! So who's built a nice big one like ours? #derbyperegrines #nestbox #ukbirding #peregrinefalcon
A man pokes his head up through the base of a large peregrine falcon nest box, with views over a city in the distance.
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
A rainbow - can't remember too much sun but defo plenty of rain on a walk at Markeaton Stones/Lower Vicarwood Farm this afternoon! Male Tree Sparrow was worth the soaking, 12+ Skylark, 3 Yellowhammer, 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Kestrel, Red Kite, Siskin & 4 Greenfinch @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Despite the mist (or possibly because of its cover) a good Partridge day at #lockopark - 6 Grey (3 & 3) and my 1st Red-legs of the year (4). 2 Skylark, 2 Yellowhammer, 5 Meadow Pipit, 30+ Linnet & big numbers of Siskin (120+) near the lake @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Noisy green devils, iconic waders and frisky Hares - February's newsletter from Natural Derbyshire Tours is now available 👇 @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social naturalderbyshiretours.uk/februarys-news…
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Away for the weekend on the Lancs coast and a 1st visit to @rspbleightonmoss.bsky.social this morning - a brilliant reserve with lovely, welcoming staff & volunteers. A family of 3 Otter were the highlight with 3 Bearded Tit, 3 Marsh Harrier & lovely views of Marsh Tit @rspb.bsky.social #UKBirding
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
A day of two halves - great to get distant but good scope views of the 3 Smew at Holme Pierrpont. My first for over 2 years and only my 2nd ever drake 😍. Then back into Derbyshire with a quick visit to Carsington Water (Willow Tit x 2) and a stroll up Harboro Rocks @nottswildlife.bsky.social #Ethels
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
The sound of late winter for me - a Mistle Thrush pouring its heart out at Notts Road Cemetery, Chaddesden this morning. A lovely, slightly melancholy song! 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 pairs of Stock Dove singing and beginning to display, 18+ Redwing & 3 Greenfinch @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
@rspb.bsky.social #BigGardenBirdwatch this morning and the Ivy in my Chaddesden garden packing a punch - a minimum of 11 Blackbird gorging, a skittish male Blackcap & even the House Sparrows getting stuck in! 😍 @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Here Hare Here - lovely to catch a couple of Mountain Hare on today's walk. This week's Ethel was Higher Shelf Stones (628m. A bit blowy but otherwise a cracking morning! A single Golden Plover scything across the moors and plenty of grumbling Red Grouse (9+) #UKBirding @derbyswildlife.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
A bit wet and misty for our winter bird walk at #lockopark this morning but there were some great sightings for our lovely group - 2 Grey Partridge, 18 Lapwing, 2 Goosander, 8 Mandarin, Kingfisher and a first returning Oyc along with great views of Treecreeper and Brown @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Enjoyable walk up to Back Tor trying to get some hill miles in my legs (after a few weeks of torpor & cake!) so I'm not far off when guiding kicks off in earnest this Spring. Brambling (2), Red Grouse (11) & Golden Plover (c35) took me to 100 sp. for the year @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social #UKBirding
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Fantastic visit to Attenborough NR this afternoon. The Scaup continues to show brilliantly along with loads of lovely wildfowl. A first Blackcap of the year made it a 3 Warbler day (with Chiff & Cetti's) along with Caspian Gull and a probable YL Gull @nottswildlife.bsky.social #UKBirding #Birds
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Natural Derbyshire Tours @toursnatural.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Lovely winter bird walk at Notts Rd Cemetery for the Friends group this morning - plenty of Redwing (c30), 4 Fieldfare, 18 Greenfinch, female GS Woodpecker, male Goosander over and some obliging Goldfinch. Thanks to all the folk for braving the icy conditions! @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social
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