Latest Bird News

These reports are unchecked. Please note that for obvious reasons we do not publish sightings of rare breeders such as Little Ringed Plover during the breeding season (unless obvious migrants)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 Rod Key's Page

11 May 2008
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Ring Ouzel still around, plus Wheatear, 2 Cuckoo, a Grey Wagtail flew east, 2 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher, 29 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 9 Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Garden Warbler, 16 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, Treecreeper
    10 May 2008
    • Willington GP (SK2827) Black Tern, 2 Hobby, 4 Common Tern, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtail
    • Langley Green (SK2738) Red Kite drifting SSE, 2 Buzzard
    9 May 2008
    • Aston Heath Farm, Sudbury (SK1732) A Hoopoe for an hour at lunctime, not seen since
    • Long Eaton GP (SK5032) 10 Black Tern, Whinchat, Grasshopper Warbler, Cuckoo
    • Willington GP (SK2827) Kingfisher, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, 10 Common Terns, several Garden, Reed, Sedge Warblers, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers
    8 May 2008
    • Long Eaton GP (SK5032) 10 Black Tern, Whinchat, Grasshopper Warbler, Cuckoo
    • Willington GP (SK2827) Wood Sandpiper, Grey Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Dunlin on the Canal Scrape, Kingfisher, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, 10 Common Terns, several Garden, Reed, Sedge Warblers, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers
    • Padley Gorge (SK2579) 6 Pied Flycatcher, Redstart
    • Locko Park (SK2579) Hobby, Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Buzzard, Mandarin, 2 Blackcap, Willow Warbler
    7 May 2008
    • Willington GP (SK2827) Avocet on the Canal Scrape at 15:30
    • Barrow-on-Trent (SK4129) Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Linnet,
    6 May 2008
    • Ramsley Res. (SK2874) Cuckoo
    • Drakelow NR (SK2220) A female Ring Ouzel all day, the first May record for Drakelow, Hobby, still 7 “Greenland” Wheatear
    5 May 2008
    • Willington GP (SK2827) 17 Shelduck, 7 Gadwall, Shoveler, 2 Spoonbill flew E at 1845, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Water Rail, 11 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank, Common Sandpiper, 8 Common Tern, 13 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Willow Tit
    4 May 2008
    • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Whinchat, 14 Garden Warblers, only 2 Willow Warblers, 4 “Greenland” Wheatears
    • Linacre Res. (SK3372) 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Wood Warbler, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Heron,
    • Willington GP (SK2827) Marsh Harrier, Whinchat, Buzzard, 5 Shelduck, 18 Cormorant, 2 Garden Warbler, 8 Shoveler
    • Barrow-on-Trent (SK4129) Turtle Dove
    • Long Eaton GP (SK5032) 2 Black Tern, 6 Common Tern, 2 Garden Warbler, Shelduck
    3 May 2008
    • Willington GP (SK2827) Marsh Harrier, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Goosander, 12 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon
    • Aston-on-Trent (SK4129) Hobby
    2 May 2008
    • Willington GP (SK2827) 13 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Buzzard, 2 Hobby, Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Redshank, Common Sandpiper, 13 Common Tern, Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, Yelow Wagtail, several Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler
    1 May 2008
    • Long Eaton GP (SK5031) 30+ Common Terns, Hobby, Garden Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler plus supporting cast of more common warblers, Trent Meadows - Cuckoo, Whinchat
    • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Common Sandpiper, Stock Dove, 50 Swift

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Previous months
January 2008
February 2008
March 2008
April 2008
All of 2007
March 2008 highlights

An excellent month in which the first wave of incoming migrants joined the resident and wintering species.

A Red-throated Diver was a real rarity but stayed only briefly, unlike the Great Northern Diver which remained all month. Two Rough-legged Buzzard sightings were impressive, the first Ospreys of the year arrived and a Long-eared Owl joined the Easter visitors at Carsington Water. Water Pipit and Rock Pipit were perhaps, connoisseur birds but Avocets at both Willington GP and Carsington Water certainly delighted those who saw them.

Species giving a second chance to those who had missed them earlier included Great Grey Shrike, 4 more Waxwing, Common (Mealy) Redpoll and Common Crossbill. Barn Owls were also widely reported.

The gull roosts largely disappeared but there was a late flourish in the form of Kittiwakes at five different sites. A long-staying Scaup, Smew, Common Scoter and returning Red-breasted Mergansers added to the wildfowl interest.

Several of the migrants appeared earlier than usual including a Yellow Wagtail - a very unusual March species.

Bryan Barnacle