The environments offered in Gringley Carr are more limited than those at the former "Lound Gravel Pits" down the road where the newly named "Idle Valley NR" has a bird list of 251 species, but the Carr is an area rich in bird life and it is at the confluence of two important ecological pathways. The rivers, Trent and Idle, form a natural route way by water from the North Sea and Humber estuary down to North Nottinghamshire. And over land the wide expanses of Hatfield Chase, from Thorne Moor, through Hatfield Moor, thence to the westerly extremes of the Isle of Axholme, onto Misterton and Gringley Carr which are agricultural and Mission Carr NR which is wooded. These congruent wildlife corridors present opportunities - along with a smaller network of woods and drains - for movement of animals and birds. There is little urban intrusion into this, and where there is industrial intrusion it is usually small scale. Framing methods have by far the biggest impact on bird populations. Various quarries along the way have been allowed to flood and these provide great sanctuaries for wildlife.
A brief survey of what can be found on Gringley Carr help give a flavour of the place:-
Mute Swan frequent both rivers and dykes and occasional visits by wintering Bewick’s Swan and Whooper Swan to the fields around the patch. Geese often settle on flooded fields in the winter months - this month Pink-footed, White-fronted and Greylag Geese have been seen.
The Idle Washlands and broader dykes provide shelter for wintering ducks - large flocks of Wigeon, Mallard and Teal can be found. With a little help from their friend's game birds are prevalent and in summer the singing of Quail is a rare treat in most of the fields with arable crops which provide cover. Grey Partridge are on the increase too.
One might expect Grebes on the river and Herons too - but there are fewer than you'd think. Little Egrets may find their way here eventually and were it not for the frequent drain clearance Bittens might winter here.
The big game in town for this site is raptors: Harriers are present throughout the year (Marsh in summer and Hen in Winter). Montague's Harrier wouldn't be a big surprise but no one is going to shout about them if they breed here. Common Buzzard have appeared since I was a youth. And frequent sightings of Merlin make "5 raptor" days relatively easy with Kestrel and Sparrowhawk common. A flurry over a possible Rough Legged Buzzard was fruitless last year - but the prospect remains tantalising. There are occasional sightings of Peregrine but very few reports of Hobby which given the prevalence of these wonderful birds and the dense isolated woodland around is a little odd - but again breeding pairs might stay off the radar.
The reed beds and water margins allow Moorhen and Coot to prosper - indeed these might be the most numerous of the non flocking birds.
One might expect Grebes on the river and Herons too - but there are fewer than you'd think. Little Egrets may find their way here eventually and were it not for the frequent drain clearance Bittens might winter here.
The big game in town for this site is raptors: Harriers are present throughout the year (Marsh in summer and Hen in Winter). Montague's Harrier wouldn't be a big surprise but no one is going to shout about them if they breed here. Common Buzzard have appeared since I was a youth. And frequent sightings of Merlin make "5 raptor" days relatively easy with Kestrel and Sparrowhawk common. A flurry over a possible Rough Legged Buzzard was fruitless last year - but the prospect remains tantalising. There are occasional sightings of Peregrine but very few reports of Hobby which given the prevalence of these wonderful birds and the dense isolated woodland around is a little odd - but again breeding pairs might stay off the radar.
The reed beds and water margins allow Moorhen and Coot to prosper - indeed these might be the most numerous of the non flocking birds.
Gringley Carr is known quite widely as a place where Dotterel are to be found on passage. Plovers - Golden and Lapwing used to be found here in huge numbers but populations have dwindled here like so many other places.
Were the water deeper and more reliable then waders might be more commonplace. Gulls however are common - but these are the inland birds - many of the large gulls commute around feeding sites and will drop in to the Carrs if the feeding looks good. Black Headed Gulls flock here when the fields are being turned over too.
Another group that does well here are the doves and pigeons: Wood pigeons in massive flocks in the winter, much smaller flocks of Stock Doves are ever present. And in the summer Turtle Doves are to be found on the wires - there soft song carried on the breeze.
Owls are evident with a bit of patience: though this year Barn Owls have been scarce, Little Owls love the farmyard buildings and paddocks. Tawny's are found in most wooded areas round here. Best though are the Short and Long Eared Owls making the most of the scrubby Idle banks and fields of set aside and are often found quartering their hunting grounds in the twilight.
Occasionally kingfishers zoom down the river and the odd Great Spotted Woodpecker is heard in the bigger trees on the bank.
Were the water deeper and more reliable then waders might be more commonplace. Gulls however are common - but these are the inland birds - many of the large gulls commute around feeding sites and will drop in to the Carrs if the feeding looks good. Black Headed Gulls flock here when the fields are being turned over too.
Another group that does well here are the doves and pigeons: Wood pigeons in massive flocks in the winter, much smaller flocks of Stock Doves are ever present. And in the summer Turtle Doves are to be found on the wires - there soft song carried on the breeze.
Owls are evident with a bit of patience: though this year Barn Owls have been scarce, Little Owls love the farmyard buildings and paddocks. Tawny's are found in most wooded areas round here. Best though are the Short and Long Eared Owls making the most of the scrubby Idle banks and fields of set aside and are often found quartering their hunting grounds in the twilight.
Occasionally kingfishers zoom down the river and the odd Great Spotted Woodpecker is heard in the bigger trees on the bank.
Swift and Swallow and Martins are summer fielders on the Carrs though I suspect their nest places are mostly distant, that said at least some pairs find shelter beneath the metal and concrete bridges which span the dykes and allow tractor access.
Skylarks are relatively common in this area though their breeding success depends on the crops in any given year. Pipits are less abundant - a mass twitch over a Blyth's Pipit soured relations with one of the local farmers and resulted in a road being gated.
Two years ago there was a welcome and gorgeous population of Yellow Wagtails in evidence - this coincided with the biggest effort on the part of the farmers and Government on set aside. Last year was devoid on my visits of this beautiful bird. We'll wait and see what transpires this summer. The habitats for Chats, Redstarts, Chats, and with the introduction of sheep on pasture maybe even passing Wheatear - all exist but no sightings come in regularly. Winter Thrushes are well represented here - large flocks of Fieldfare gather. fewer Redwing though.
Like many sites one visits one can see the potential for wider biodiversity but there seems to be a threshold where this is realised: a little extra effort here in Gringley Carr may bring in more birds and more species too.
Warblers are lacking in the field margins but Sedge and Reed can be heard on the river bank. Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and Willow warbler are present in the trees and scrub and with sufficient observation hours in the early mornings Grasshopper warblers might be logged too. I still find the paucity of Great & Blue Tits puzzling but perhaps this is mostly to do with better environments for them elsewhere.
On ground such as this corvids make hay and the common corvids are ever present. Starlings form relatively small flocks and sparrows have yet to re-establish themselves here.
The finches ought to do better: Green, Gold and Bullfinch are ever present and large flocks of linnet form in the winter. The few alder trees on the river bank are relatively quickly stripped of seed and I've seen either siskin or Redpoll this year. News Flash: a flock of Twite reported on Feb 16th - so not all bad news on the Finch front!
The final three species worth noting are all spectacular pleasures: the Carr has a strong summer population of Corn Buntings and the sit on the phone wires and allow close approach by car. Similarly Yellowhammer are easily found in the hedges - where there are hedges - and make a glorious summer find. And throughout the year Reed Buntings are found.
Rarities crop up now and then - and attract a good audience. But if there is a bird list anywhere I firmly believe that it is only partial because the site is not closely and regularly watched.
And the birder's dilemma, is a site with such limited accessibility on foot and by car, with such variable levels of set aside and diverse crop coverage, and generally low bird numbers especially on the Idle bank which is sometimes completely devoid of birds - worth visiting regularly. I'd argue it is if only because we don't really know its full potential - but we need the evidence about how far away from the threshold we are.
