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A few county rarities were reported during the month with a juvenile Red-throated Diver discovered at Foremark Reservoir on the 17th, where the long-staying juvenile Shag was also present during the month. A juvenile Great Northern Diver was found at Long Eaton GP with an adult Great Northern returning to winter (hopefully) at Carsington Water from the 28th whilst the long staying Red-breasted Merganser at Ogston reserve continued in residence (all remaining into the new year). Cattle Egrets are a species that is considered by the rarity committee when they occur away from the Trent Valley, so two at Carr Vale DWT NR (only the 4th site record) and one over Ilkeston and then Straws Bridge were also notable, as was the record flock of up to 17 that frequented Willington GP and the Egginton area. A Hoopoe was very elusive around Swadlincote with sightings reported on the 18th and 23rd.
Whooper Swans (up to nine) were logged at six sites and Pink-footed Geese continued to criss-cross the county, but in smaller numbers than in October and November with a maximum of 500 over Drakelow DWT. Returning Shelduck appeared at three sites, up to 11 Pintail were seen at five places and Ogston Reservoir held three Common Scoter on the 11th. Single Bitterns were seen at Willington GP and Seymour (near Staveley). Up to 37 Little Egrets roosted at Willington with up to 13 at 21 occasions and three Great White Egrets were seen at Barrow -On-Trent GP and roosting at Willington GP with up to two at 13 other places. Up to 14 Red Kites were logged at 22 sites, two Marsh Harriers seen at Barrow-On-Trent GP were no doubt responsible for records at nearby Willington GP and Milton, and another flew south over Carr Vale DWT NR.
Only 11 species of wader were seen, the most notable being a Common Sandpiper at Foremark Reservoir on the 1st. There were several good counts of Jack Snipe with 13 at Shipley Park, equalling the site record count, and nine at both Foxlow and Willington PS. A first winter Mediterranean Gull was found at Foremark Reservoir whilst an adult was seen at both Ogston Reservoir and Carr Vale DWT NR, and there was the usual scattering of Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls with Foxlow Ponds recording it's first record of the latter. Short-eared Owls were seen at five sites and the elusive Great Grey Shrike remained in the Leash Fen / Ramsley Moor area into the New Year.
The highlight of the month for many people was the invasion of Waxwings that started in November. The highest count of 342 came from the trail at Hassop but double figure counts were reported from 22 other places. Bramblings were very scarce with single figures (maximum of seven) reported from only ten places. Up to seven Hawfinches could be found at Cromford with lesser numbers from three more places. Mealy Redpolls were found at three places with three at Longdendale Reservoirs and up to 40 Crossbills were at five locations, mainly in the Matlock Forest / Beeley Moor area. Finally adding a southern hemisphere flavour to the county the Chiloe Wigeon remained at Pools Brook CP and a Striated Caracara wandered around Milton; both would be more at home in Southern Patagonia.
Mark Beevers