Thoresby Hall trip report
23rd – 27th February 2009
Trip Report by Steve Graham (visiting birder from Huddersfield)
Trip Total 82 species, again - without trying too hard!
After a two year break we returned to Thoresby Hall for a 5 day break, allowing plenty of cycling, walking and birding in some lovely countryside. Due to the large high pressure weather system over the UK at the time, rain was minimal and there were some reasonably bright, sunny spells. Although it was mostly rather cloudy during the week, also a cool wind was present on most days. Please note most of the hotel grounds are only accessible to hotel guests.
Monday 23rd February
Arrived at the hotel mid-afternoon, had a couple of hours stroll around the grounds, the usual suspects were around the grounds with bonuses in the shape of Grey Wagtail and a single Hawfinch. I have never failed to see Hawfinch at Thoresby over the years, unfortunately, this turned out to be the only individual around all week. A worrying trend or just been unlucky, or another poor breeding season after last summer?
Tuesday 24th February 07:00 – 08:45
A pre-breakfast stroll around the grounds produced an excellent 51 species including; 5 Lesser Redpoll, single Hawfinch, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail.
Then traveled to Colwick Park, managed 64 species for the day list including a pair of Stonechat and a singing Reed Bunting by the racecourse pool, another Kingfisher and a good variety of wildfowl.
Wednesday 25th February 07:00 – 08:45
Another pre-breakfast walk, produced 49 species including; 50 Redwing & Fieldfare but finches were in lower numbers than previous years.
After breakfast undertook a 31 mile bike ride taking in Clumber Park (part), Budby Common, Sherwood Forest, Rufford CP, Walesby, Ollerton and Bothamsall. Managed a creditable 66 species for the day including two new sites for Tree Sparrow at Rufford Hills (4 birds) and 2 birds on a garden feeder in Ollerton. 12 Redpoll present at Clumber and plenty of Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting in the fields around the weir at Clumber.
12 Common Buzzard were seen during the day including 2 by the lake at Thoresby looking for earthworms. There were 6 Woodlarks seen at Budby including 3 in full song also 1 at Clumber Park and a new bird singing near Larches Farm near Clumber. Rufford CP added a pair of Goosander and a single Pink-footed Goose. There were also 3 Lapwing West over Bothamsall.
Thursday 26th February 07:00 – 08:45
Another pre-breakfast walk was followed by a full tour of Clumber Park and Budby Common. A pair of Tawny owls were calling at Thoresby at 05:20.
A few last minute species got the day list up to 68 species including; a single Meadow Pipit near Thoresby, a pair of Grey Partridge near Bothamsall, only my second record in the area. Female Sparrowhawk at Budby, 9 Golden Plover North over Thoresby Hall and 2 pairs of Mandarin on the lake at Clumber.
Despite three visits to Clumber during the week did not manage to pin down any hawfinch and for the first time, no Lesser Spots were recorded at Thoresby.
Thursday 26th February
Had a pleasant walk around the lake at Clumber Park before traveling home. Five Mandarin were seen today.
Steve Graham
