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 Please note that for obvious reasons we do not publish sightings of rare breeders such as Little Ringed Plover during the breeding season (unless obvious migrants)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
The stand-out rarities for the month were a brief Glossy Ibis at Willington and a report of five Common Cranes at Chatsworth Park, both seen by just the original observers. The wintering Great Northern Diver and two Red-necked Grebes remained in residence at Carsington Water and the elusive wintering Siberian Chiffchaff remained at Carr Vale DWT NR. 17 Whooper Swans flew NW over Carr Vale and were picked up later flying over Mousley Bottom in the north-west of the county, but these were the only ones seen and there were only three skeins of Pink-footed Geese reported. It was a good month for long legged beasties with three Bitterns at Willington GP, the resident two Cattle Egrets at Long Eaton GP/Cranfleet Cut were still present at the month end whilst up to 30 Little Egrets were seen at 31 sites and up to 4 Great White Egrets were recorded at 16 sites. Up to five Red Kites were logged at 27 sites and two early Marsh Harriers were seen at Carr Vale and East Moor, the latter being a wing-tagged bird.
The most notable wader record concerned a Turnstone at Carsington Water although the early spring build-up of Curlews commenced whilst a few wintering waders were seen, including up to 3 Green Sandpipers at Milton and an impressive 13 Jack Snipe at Shipley Lake. Few gulls of note were seen, with just two Kittiwakes and three Mediterranean Gulls recorded, plus the regular scattering of Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls. One record of Lesser-spotted Woodpecker was received along with five Merlin records and the very elusive Great Grey Shrike appeared again at Bonsall Moor. Two Common Chiffchaffs were at Carr Vale with singletons at 6 locations, Blackcaps were seen at five places. Always nice to see; up to seven Stonechats were logged at 20 locations. 200 Bramblings remained at Pebley Pond and in a poor winter for Hawfinches, seven were seen at Cromford (with smaller numbers at three other sites) and there were three records of Common Crossbill. All in all, a typical end of winter month, roll on spring!
Mark Beevers