The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

An exceptional month that could only have been bettered if some of the rarer species had stayed around for a little longer of had been available to more of us.

Potentially the rarest sighting is that of the reported Black Kite (there have been only three accepted records to date) although many of us would have loved to add Rose-coloured Starling or Wryneck to our local lists. Both were photographed but declined to stay.

Fulmar, Little Stint and the two Common Cranes were sinilarly too brief for most of us although Black-necked Grebe, Garganey, Osprey, Red Kite, Hobby, Dotterel, Temminck's Stint and Wood Sandpiper were either multiples or lingered somewhat longer to give us a better chance.

There was an excellent list of waders and terns, the last of the Great Northern Divers achieved full summer plumage before departing and the Cetti's Warblers were present all month.

May can be a lively month for birders and this one was certainly no exception.

Bryan Barnacle