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The frustrating bird of the month was a harrier sp. seen at Middleton Moor, which was thought to be a Pallid but unfortunately was only seen briefly and the identification wasn't confirmed. Other county rarities reported were the long staying juvenile Purple Heron, which was seen on and off at Willington GP to the 17th, Black-necked Grebes at Ogston Reservoir and Pleasley Colliery, a Wryneck at Mam Tor, a Twite that was reported from the Derwent Valley near Hathersage and a Lapland Bunting, which was heard by two experienced observers over Highoredish.
Away from the rarities the main event of the month was an unprecedented and widespread early movement (E/SE) of Pink -footed Geese, with more than 11,000 seen from Carr Vale DWT NR where 3,400 on the 17th smashed the previous best day count by several hundred, and there were six more counts in four-figures from five sites. Scarce wildfowl included two Garganeys (Carsington Water and Drakelow DWT NR), three Red-crested Pochards (Carsington Water and Carr Vale DWT NR), single Common Scoters (Carsington Water and Ogston Reservoir) and two Red-breasted Mergansers (Carr Vale DWT NR and Carsington Water). A Bittern remained at Willington GP for most of the month, where Great White Egrets peaked at four and up to 41 Little Egrets roosted. Additionally, up to two Great White Egrets were seen at eight sites and four places recorded double figure counts of Little Egret.
Up to five Red Kites (Carsington Water) were reported from at least 27 sites, two Marsh Harriers were found at Willington GP, one of which stayed until the month end, and birds were seen at eight more localities including the first for Renishaw Park.
Up to three Hen Harriers were seen at four sites including lowland birds at Willington GP and Pleasley Colliery, and Ospreys were seen at eight sites including a Norwegian bird that was seen at Drakelow and then performed well at Willington GP for 16 days.
A very creditable 23 species of wader were seen, including an Avocet at Ogston Reservoir, a Curlew Sandpiper at Carsington Water and a Little Stint at Carr Vale DWT NR, the latter two being the only records of the year (I think). These were supported by records of eight Grey Plover over Chaddesden, a Bar-tailed Godwit over Beeley Moor, a Turnstone and up to five Ruff at Carsington Water, with up to three Ruff at Willington GP, 4 Spotted Redshanks at four sites, a Wood Sandpiper (Willington GP) and Carr Vale's earliest ever Jack Snipe (with another early bird at Avenue Washlands). Carsington also supported good numbers of Ringed Plover and Dunlin on many dates during the month.
A Black Tern was at Woodhead Reservoir early in the month, a Little Gull flew through Carsington Water late in the month, Mediterranean Gulls were seen at Carr Vale on three dates and a Caspian Gull was seen at Carsington Water. The best of the rest: a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker at Brailsford, 54 Ring necked Parakeets at Alvaston park (a record count for the county?), two Black Redstarts in the north-west and the first Rock Pipit and Bramblings of the autumn on the 30th. A productive month.
Mark Beevers