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For a change, several of the rarest species recorded during October were passerines with the Highoredish viz-miggers recording a hedge-hopping Yellow-browed Warbler on the 3rd and a flyover Snow Bunting on the 9th whilst a Firecrest was reported from Litton Mill on the 8th. The third Cattle Egret for Carr Vale flew through on the 19th, a Spoonbill was seen on two dates early in the month at Willington GP, a Gannet flew towards the county at Sawley on the 6th whilst a late Hoopoe found at Staunton Harold on the 27th did the decent thing and remained until the 29th, although I'm told it was far from cooperative. The first Whooper Swans of the autumn arrived on the 8th with up to seven recorded from eight sites, but the Pink footed Geese movement witnessed in September slackened significantly with the highest count just 400 NE over Swanwick on the 28th. Scarce wildfowl included a lingering Garganey at Carsington Water, where a Red-breasted Merganser was present early in the month, and the first Goldeneye arrived from the 18th.
A Bittern was seen at Willington GP on and off all month whilst Great White Egrets peaked at five on the 10th with four at Highbridge GP on the 11th (some duplication here I think) and four flew through Carsington Water on the 10th. A further ten were seen at ten sites including a red ringed bird at Carr Vale DWT NR.
Red Kites were as usual well reported with up to nine at Carsington Water and up to three at 31 sites whilst Marsh Harriers were seen at six sites with most sightings coming from Willington GP. Ospreys were present at four sites (only three birds involved) with a long-staying juvenile still at Willington GP on the 26th.
Wader passage subsided but there were still 15 species logged during the month including two Grey Plovers at Staunton Harold Res, Black-tailed Godwits were at Barrow-on-Trent GP (two), Carr Vale and Willington GP, two Ruff were at Highbridge GP and Barrow GP, two Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint were at Middleton Moor on the 23rd and another Little Stint was at Carsington Water on the same date (and 28th). Greenshank were seen at Highbridge GP and Willington GP, up to 21 Ringed Plovers and 24 Dunlin were at Carsington Water and up to two Jack Snipe were present at Carr Vale DWT NR with single birds at four other sites.
A late Arctic Tern was seen at Carsington Water and three Mediterranean Gulls were found at Carr Vale DWT NR, Carsington Water and Sinfin Moor Wetlands whilst up to seven Yellow-legged Gulls were seen at seven sites. Caspian Gulls were found at three sites and a returning hybrid Lesser Black-backed x Ring-billed Gull was found at Carsington Water.
Late Hobbies were seen at Anchor Church, Carsington Water and Longden Dale on an exceptionally late 27th, Merlins were logged at seven sites, only one Short-eared Owl was seen and there was a very late Swift sp over Dronfield on the 23rd. Viz-miggers were in action and witnessed a massive passage of Redwings with Carsington Water recording a movement of 29,190 on the 19th whilst the same day 2,150 Fieldfare were counted over Cromford. Two Black Redstarts were found in the county, Stonechats were around in very good numbers with up to nine on Leash Fen, late Tree Pipits and Yellow Wagtails were seen, Rock Pipits were seen at seven locations but Crossbills were only recorded from two sites.
Mark Beevers