This is a news service only and the reports are unchecked. All records submitted via the "Submit record" page will be sent to the Bulletin Bird Notes Compiler and entered onto the DOS database even if they do not appear here. Please note that for obvious reasons we do not publish sightings of rare breeders such as Little Ringed Plover during the breeding season (unless obvious migrants)
For more reports please see Rod Key's Page
The News Archive is available here
Top of Page
Far fewer records this month, largely due to the prolonged spells of wet and windy weather. Even so, some nice finds and the usual dedicated patchwork.
A Shag (possibly two) was unexpected, two Waxwings were welcome in a thin year for that species and a group of Common Crossbills were regularly available given a little patience.
The usual range of wildfowl included the reappearance of Drakelow's Long-Tailed Duck and three Scaup at Carsington Water. Waders were similarly as expected with Oystercatchers and Curlew returning in numbers and more records of Jack Snipe. Raptors included a couple of Marsh Harriers and nine species of gull included a Kittiwake.
There was again an encouraging number of Barn Owl records, the huge roost of Pied Wagtails at Darley Dale and, for those fit enough to get there, the female Snow Bunting on Mam Tor. Perhaps most welcome of all were the reports of bird song and the thought that Spring would soon be with us
Bryan Barnacle and Kate Barnacle