May 2025 highlights
Star bird of the month was a HOOPOE, seen in the garden of Sutton Manor at Sutton Scarsdale from the 5th to the 7th. Many thanks to the owners who were very amenable to birders peering into their garden! A close second star bird was an ALPINE SWIFT, seen and photographed over Hadfield on the 16th by one lucky observer.
At Carsington Water a possible ROSEATE TERN flew through on the 17th, but didn't remain long enough for the ID to be clinched. A WHITE STORK was seen around Stake Clough on the 12th. The RUDDY SHELDUCK at Staunton Harold Reservoir was seen again on the 30th. RED CRESTED POCHARD were seen at Carsington Water from the 4th to the month end, Barrow GP had one on the 13th, Twyford, one on the 20th, Wingerworth, one on the 5th, and Willington Wetlands, one from the 26th to the 28th. AVOCET were at Ogston Reservoir with two on the 13th. A WOODLARK flew over Peter Fiddler Nature Reserve on the 17th.
A QUAIL was heard over a garden in Belper on the 31st, with two singing at Bonsall Moor from the 26th to the 27th, and two at Smalley on the 31st. A KNOT was at Middleton Moor Lagoons from the 14th to the 16th, with a good selection of other waders dropping in during the month including a WOOD SANDPIPER on the 6th. Other WOOD SANDPIPER were at Ogston Reservoir, two on the 8th and Cotmanhay, one on the 16th.
Five SANDWICH TERN were at Carsington Water on the 12th, with one at Weston-on-Trent on the 7th. Ogston Reservoir also had two LITTLE TERN on the 18th. A BLACK REDSTART was seen briefly at Chesterfield on the 15th. Stats In total 41,784 records were received of 191 different species (including the escapes). These records covered 742 sites from 654 different grid squares. Many thanks to the 562 people that sent in their records.
Steve Thorpe
