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 Please note that for obvious reasons we do not publish sightings of rare breeders such as Little Ringed Plover during the breeding season (unless obvious migrants)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 The Recorder's Page
The News Archive is available here
Top of Page
Carsington Water arguably produced the bird of the summer on the 28th when a juvenile Purple Heron was seen briefly and another was reported from Castle Hill Woods on the 20th to Birdtrack, but nowhere else; rarity form for both required please.
Notes are also requested for yet another White-tailed Eagle, this time over Shirland on the 23rd and for a White Stork that was seen over Darley Dale on the 5th.
Continuing the large wading bird theme, a Cattle Egret popped up at Willington GP on the 13th, a Bittern was seen on three dates at one site, Little Egrets had 20 young at one site (any more to come from elsewhere?) and up to three Great White Egrets were seen at 13 sites, involving at least 20 birds. Amongst the Wildfowl the Pink-footed Goose was still at Pebley Pond on the 25th and Ruddy Shelducks remained at Kedleston and Carsington Water late in the month with three Garganey and 28 Common Scoters at the latter site on the 31st (Common Scoter here on two more dates and up to 22 at three more sites). Up to two Goldeneye remained at Ogston until at least mid-month.
A few large raptors were seen during the month with, as usual, Red Kites predominating with up to six logged at 39 localities. Two Juvenile Marsh Harriers were seen over Carr Vale with another over Pilsley Green on the 26th. Hen Harriers were seen at two undisclosed sites and an Osprey went over Lower Hartshay on the 26th and Carsington Water on the 27th.
Twenty species of wader were seen with perhaps three Knot at Carsington Water on the 21st the most unexpected.
Carsington Water held the only Arctic Terns (six on the 21st) and Black Terns (six on the 22nd) with Ogston Reservoir chipping in with a Little Tern that was reported on the 1st. Ogston also had the monopoly of Mediterranean Gulls with four on the 2nd and a juvenile on the 11th. The only Passerine of note was a Black Redstart at Staunton Harold on the 26th.
All in all, quite a productive period.
Mark Beevers