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News of a second Great Northern Diver at Carsington Water was very welcome and encouraged those already thinking of the start to their 2020 bird list. A Black-necked Grebe was visible from the gate at Church Wilne Water Ski Pit and a couple of Cattle Egrets proved another attraction for the Trent Valley area. The passage of Whooper Swans and Pink-footed Geese slowed, but was still significant, whilst some of last month's White-fronted Geese also remained for a few days.
Wildfowl numbers continued to grow, with notable counts of Goosander, several Common Scoter and regular appearances by the Drakelow Long-tailed Duck.
The star find amongst an impressive mix of waders was a Purple Sandpiper, there were plenty of Jack Snipe reported and a single Oystercatcher was a seasonable surprise. Golden Plover featured but were clearly absent from several areas where they might normally be seen. Most of the expected gulls were recorded, although the only white-winged gulls were two Iceland Gulls at Ogston Res.
Amongst the passerines, Black Redstart and Snow Bunting were excellent finds, there were large counts of Pied Wagtail and Starling and a Twite at Ogston Res brought back memories of last winter's bird there.
Bryan Barnacle and Kate Barnacle