Willington Gravel Pits

Willington Gravel Pits Derbyshire

Willington Gravel Pits are former sand and gravel quarries managed by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. They're a quick 15 minute drive away from me and provide the best bird watching in the area. It's become my local patch as try to regularly visit to keep my eye in! Sadly, I don't get much chance at the moment due to work commitments, but I'm looking forward to spending my October weekends at Willington in hope of adding some rare migrant birds to my list. 

I completely fell for Willington recently, unable to make it to Spurn Bird Fest I decided to get out and spend an afternoon birding. At the first viewing platform a Hobby was gliding overhead, swopping down to catch insects, giving me some fantastic views. It then shot towards a tree and knocked another Hobby into flight. After a few minutes 4 Hobbies were hunting, dipping and looping over the wetland, chasing each other when they got too close. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It was my first time seeing Hobbies, being able to watch them feeding so closely was captivating. Another highlight was a single Black Tern, perching on a post the far side of the site. A rare(ish) bird to add to my list! 

My other sightings from Willington include: 

21/6/16

Teal

Reed Bunting 

28/8/16

Snipe 

Buzzard

Kingfisher 

Shoveler 

Hobby

Black Tern

10/9/16

Long Tailed Tit 

Common Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Black-Tailed Godwit

Rumour has it Willington plays host to Marsh Harriers and Great White Egrets too, I hope to see them soon before they migrate!