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County rarities reported this month included two Black Grouse at Hurst Reservoir, a Firecrest at Drakelow DWT NR and a Hooded Crow at Calke Abbey. However, all were reported via BTO Birdtrack so it remains to be seen if any rarity forms are forthcoming. A Black-necked Grebe was at Ogston Reservoir and other scarce county birds included: three popular long staying White-fronted Geese at Ingleby, the equally popular Red-breasted Merganser at Ogston Reservoir and the overwintering Great Northern Diver at Carsington Water (which also held a Cattle Egret for a few days). The long-staying juvenile Shag at Foremark Reservoir remained until the 22nd but the long-staying Great Grey Shrike at Ramsley / Leash Fen appeared to have moved by the 10th.
The best of the rest included up to 13 Whooper Swans at seven sites and a much reduced showing of Pink-footed Geese, with only six skeins in excess of 100 reported. An early brood of Egyptian Geese was found at Swarkestone, Shelduck started to appear in some numbers with up to ten at 11 sites, but the only scarce ducks were single Pintail at Long Eaton GP and a Common Scoter at Carsington Water. There was a single report of a Bittern, but as usual there were plenty of Egrets with up to eight Cattle Egrets frequenting Egginton and Willington GP, up to 54 Little Egrets roosted at Willington GP along with up to six Great White Egrets (up to 18 Little Egrets were logged from 36 sites with up to three Great White Egrets at 18 sites). Up to four Red Kites were recorded from at least 50 localities, three Marsh Harriers wandered around the Trent Valley, with additional birds seen at Carsington Water and Hell Bank Plantation. Hen Harriers were seen at ten sites including one lowland record.
Very few waders were seen, although Oystercatchers and Curlews arrived back in good numbers, with just a few Dunlin, Green Sandpipers and Redshank being noted. Also recorded in good numbers were Jack Snipe with 11 seen at Shipley CP and a site record count of eight at Carr Vale whilst up to four were present at eight more places (Carr Vale also produced a site record count of 80 Snipe on the same day as the record Jack Snipe count). A single Kittiwake flew through Ogston Reservoir, which also hosted an adult Mediterranean Gull, which may have been the same bird that was seen later in the month at Carsington Water. Small numbers of Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls were also seen, mainly at Ogston Reservoir and Carsington Water. Willington GP and Barrow GP also recorded single Caspian Gulls. Up to three Short-eared Owls frequented seven sites. Merlins were seen only at Ashbourne and Carr Vale (three dates). The Alvaston Park roost of Ring-necked Parakeets peaked at 65 with smaller numbers elsewhere around Derby.
Up to four Chiffchaffs were logged at 13 sites with several singing, and up to two Blackcaps were present at 14 places. Waxwings continued to delight with Gang Mine DWT NR holding the largest flock (100) whilst four other locations had up to 33. Sixteen other places held single figures but numbers are definitely declining. A Dipper was heard singing at the unusual location of Markham Vale, up to ten Stonechats were seen at 35 places, 40 Bramblings at Uppertown represented a good count this winter, a Hawfinch frequented Brackendale Churchyard, five Mealy Redpolls were found at three sites and up to 44 Crossbills were in the Flash Lane area.
Mark Beevers