Thoresby Hall trip report
26th - 30th March 2007
Trip Report by Steve Graham (visiting birder from Huddersfield)
Trip Total 81 species - without trying too hard! (1 down on the last 2 years)
Here is a summary of sightings following our 5 day break at Thoresby Hall in late March. Although the weather was dry apart from Thursday 29th there was dense mist and fog each morning which took until lunchtime to clear most days.
Please note there is no public access to the Thoresby estate unless you are a hotel guest.
Monday 26th March
Arrived at the hotel mid-afternoon, had a couple of hours stroll around the grounds in what turned out to be the warmest day of the week. A creditable 53 species were recorded, highlights included a pair of Hawfinch in full summer plumage, their steel grey bills glistening in the spring sunshine. Other birds included a pair of Oystercatchers by the lake, 4 singing Chiffchaff and displaying Sparrowhawk. As well as the birds I recorded 4 species of butterflies including 2 male Brimstones, Small Tort, Comma and Peacock.
Tuesday 27th March 07:00-08:30
Pre-breakfast stroll around the grounds, after breakfast then undertook a 41 mile cycle ride around the countryside including Bothamsall, Walesby, Rufford Country Park, Sherwood Pines (partial), Budby Common and South Lodge area of Clumber Park then checked Thoresby lake again.
The day produced an excellent 67 species including 8 Chiffchaffs, calling Hawfinch at Thoresby, 3 drumming GSW at Thoresby, 2 Egyptian Geese at Rufford, good numbers of Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow around. 2+ Brambling at Thoresby and a mixed Siskin/Redpoll flock at South Lodge comprised 30 birds. 2 of the male Redpolls at least were Common/Mealy, being larger size, brighter coloured and distinctive wing-bars. Recorded at least 6 singing Woodlark at Budby once the fog had lifted.
Wednesday 28th March
Another pre-breakfast walk, followed by a 30 mile bike ride around Clumber Park, Welbeck lake and Budby Common, produced my best ever day in the area so far with 71 species.
Highlights included a rather elusive LSW drumming briefly at Thoresby in the foggy conditions along with 8 GSW drumming and 5 Chiffchaffs here. Also calling Crossbill at Clumber, 20+ Brambling at Clumber along with 5 Woodlark singing there.4 Goosander were present at Welbeck Lake and a male Stonechat was in full song on Budby Common along with a few Woodlarks.
On return to Thoresby whilst sat on the patio late afternoon a singing Woodlark could be heard, my first there!
Thursday 29th March
A wet and cold start limited the pre-breakfast walk to just an hour! Decided to go further east this day to hopefully run out of the rain. Went to Whisby Nature Park (Lincolnshire) in dry but cloudy conditions.
Despite the weather managed a respectable 66 species and added Willow Tit, Wigeon, Herring Gull and Greater Black-backed Gull to the week's total. Hoped to see Sand Martin here and some had been through but the cold, cloudy conditions made migrants elusive.
Another excellent few days birding in a beautiful area.
Steve Graham, visiting Huddersfield birdwatcher
