September 2009 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 Please note that for obvious reasons we do not publish sightings of rare breeders such as Little Ringed Plover during the breeding season (unless obvious migrants)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

30 September 2009
  • Normanton, Derby (SK3433) 2 Redwing over
  • Carsington Water (SK2553) Kittiwake roosting
  • Avenue Washlands NR (SK3966) Green Sandpiper, 8 Teal, Cormorant, 3 Meadow Pipits
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Mediterranean Gull, Ring-billed Gull briefly
  • Staunton Harold Res. (SK3323) 100 House Martin
28 September 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Hobby
  • Staunton Harold Res. (SK3323) Yellow-legged Gull
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Avenue Washlands (SK3966) 2 Green Sandpiper
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) Marsh Harrier
27 September 2009
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) Great White Egret NE at 13:45, 2 Little Egret in roost, 483 Canada Geese, 18 Wigeon, Mandarin, 52 Tufted Duck, 15 Goosander NE (all red-heads, @ 06:50), Peregrine male food-pass to female/juv then attacked a Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, Water Rail, 2 Kingfisher, 4 Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Jay
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Herring Gull, 5 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 20 Swallow, Chiffchaff, Jay, 2 Kingfisher, 100+ Lesser Black-backed Gullm 3+ Buzzard including a very pale individual, 6+ Meadow Pipit south, Willow Tit, Kestrel, 30+ Goldfinch
  • Rowthorne (SK4764) 20 Golden Plover
  • Ogston Res (SK3760) A Glossy Ibis was watched by just 2 observers-Paul Highman plus ANO-flying North through Ogston Reservoir at 11.15 a.m. on 27th Sept. If accepted by The BBRC this will be the second record for Derbyshire following the bird at Nadin’s Pool, Newhall in Sept. 2006
26 September 2009
  • Mackworth Park (SK3236) 2 Kestrel, Hobby, Green Woodpecker, 6 Swallow, Blackbird, 2 Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff, Jay, Bullfinch
  • Locko Park (SK4038) 12 Grey Partridge, 7 Jay
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) Garganey still present, Water Rail, 2 Dunlin, Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper
25 September 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 4 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Great Black-backed Gull
24 September 2009
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) 2 Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Great SPotted Woodpecker, 2 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 5 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 9 Buzzard, 3 Hobby
  • Long Eaton GP (SK5033) 2 Egyptian Goose
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 3 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Church Wilne Res (SK4632) 483 Tufted Duck
  • Ticknall (SK3523) 16 Red-legged Partridge
23 September 2009
  • Long Eaton GP (SK5033) 5 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 125 Greylag Goose, 250 Canada Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 3 Pochard
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 3 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, Hobby, 2 Snipe, 80 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Kingfisher, 300 Starling, 40 Linnet
  • Tideswell Dale (SK1573) 2 Buzzard, Pereginre, Treecreeper
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) Kingfihser, Swallow, 8 Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, 3 Redwing
  • Bentley's Plantation (SK4544) Buzzard, Green Woodpecker
  • Shipley CP (SK4444) 2 Little Grebe, 4 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 5 Swallow, Blackcap, 3 Jay, Reed Bunting
22 September 2009
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Mediterranean Gull in morning roost
21 September 2009
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 5 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Alvaston Lake (SK3734) Little Egret
20 September 2009
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) Garganey still present
  • Chatsworth House (SK2670) 4 Buzzard
  • Baslow (SK2572) Hobby
  • Great Longstone (SK2071) 2 Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 Raven
  • Thulston (SK4031) 2 Buzzard, Kestrel 150 Black-headed Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 40 Starling
  • Chaddesden (SK3737) Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, 5 Pied Wagtail
  • Mickleover (SK3034) up to 10 Buzzards circling observer's garden
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Red Kite, Hobby, 3 Pochard, Water Rail
  • Moorway Lane Pond (SK3232) 2 Little Grebe, 5 Mute Swan, 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal, Green Woodpecker
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 122 Tufted Duck, 15 Buzzard soaring over the public pit, 1000 Black-headed Gull, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Reed Warbler, 4 Yellowhammer
19 September 2009
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) Garganey, 2 Water Rail, Greenshank, 2 Kingfisher (view this site from the A50 gate only)
  • Lees area (SK2637) 7 Buzzard, 2 Little Owl, 3 Jay, 50+ Swallow
  • Bentley's Plantation (SK4544) 2 Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker
  • Shipley (SK4444) Teal, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, Snipe, Green Woodpecker, 5 Swallow, Grey Wagtail
  • Straw's Bridge (SK4541) 3 Teal, Pochard, Great Spotted Woodpecker
18 September 2009
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) 2 Yellow-legged Gull
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Little Egret briefly on the Canal Scrape, Marsh Harrier claimed SE at 13:45, 5 Hobby, 5 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, 22 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 12 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 3 Goosander, 3 Kestrel, Water Rail, 250 Lapwing, Snipe, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Fieldfare, 7 Swallow, 3 House Martin
  • Baslow (SK2572) 2 Little Owl
  • Straw's Bridge (SK4541) Little Gull
17 September 2009
  • Hilton (SK2532) Osprey seen to catch fish from a small pond
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Yellow-legged Gull, Goosander
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Mediterranean Gull, Caspian Gull
  • Ramsley (SK2874) Stonechat, Mistle Thrush
  • Stockley (SK4667) 17 Long Tailed Tit
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 14 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 5 Pochard, Garganey, Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 70 House Martin, Chiffchaff
16 September 2009
  • Pride Park Derby (SK3735) 45 House Martin
  • Drakelow NR (SK2220) 11 Wigeon, 2 Sparrowhawk, Hobby, 2 Peregrine, Ruff, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, 3 Swallow, 5 House Martin
14 September 2009
  • East Moor (SK2970) Juvenile Cuckoo
  • Middleton-by-Youlgreave (SK1962) Whinchat
13 September 2009
  • Foremark Res. (SK3323) Caspian Gull
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, 81 Coot, Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 26 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Swallow, Chiffchaff
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 14 Great Crested Grebe, 105 Cormorant, 5 Little Egret, 17 Grey Heron, 100 Tufted Duck, 7 Buzzard, 100 Black-headed Gull, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Siskin, 2 Jay
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) 150 Lapwing, Dunlin, 3 Snipe, Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 90 Black-headed Gull, 3 Chiffchaff. View this site from the A50 gate only.
12 September 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Hobby, 6 Little Grebe, 5 Gadwall, 6 Teal, Shoveler, Kingfisher, 11 House Martin, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Bunting
11 September 2009
  • King's Mills (SK4127) Raven
  • Mapperley (SK4343) 2 Buzzard, 75 House Martin
  • Bentley's Plantation (SK4544) Buzzard, Blackcap, 3 Coal Tit
  • Shipley (SK4444) 2 Grey Wagtail on R Erewash
  • Shipley Country Park (SK4444) 2 Little Grebe, Gadwall, 15 Pochard, Buzzard, 3 Jay
10 September 2009
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) 4 Buzzard
9 September 2009
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, Greenshank, 2 Curlew (view this site only from the A50 gate)
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 7 Buzzard, Hobby
  • Callow Bank (SK2582) 2 Whinchat
  • Hathersage Moor (SK2381) 3 Stonechat
  • Shirland (SK3958) Buzzard
7 September 2009
  • Aston-on-Trent GP (SK4329) 2 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Greenshank, 5 Green Sandpiper, 2 Raven (view this site only from the A50 gate)
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) Buzzard, Hobby, 90 Black-headed Gull, 120 House Martin
  • Long Dale (SK1862) 2 Grey Partridge
  • Gratton Dale (SK2060) 4 Whitethroat
  • Froggatt (SK2576) 8 Goosandert
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Shag still present, 2 Sparrowhawk, Hobby, 60 Goldfinch
6 September 2009
  • Alvaston (SK4030) 400 Canada Goose
  • Kedleston Park (SK3041) 3 Spotted Flycatcher
  • Clough Wood (SK2561) 4 Swift still present
  • Willington GP (SK2827) Shag (see photos on Photo Gallery page, Little Egret, 2 Hobby, Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 9 Little Grebe, 14 Cormorant, Bittern, 2 Buzzard, Water Rail, 200 Lapwing, Dunlin, 23 Snipe, Common Sandpiper, 2 Kingfisher, 3 Green Woodpecker, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, 3 Common Tern
  • Hilton GP (SK2531) Chiffchaff singing, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Little Grebe with young, 50 Canada Goose, Snipe
5 September 2009
  • Derby (SK3536) 2 Peregrine
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Little Egret, 2 Kingfisher, Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 4 SHoveler, 500 Lapwing, Dunlin, 7 Snipe, Common Sandpiper, 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, 40 Linnet, 7 Yellowhammer
  • Hartington (SK1260) Redstart
  • Cotmanhay (SK4643) Hobby over
4 September 2009
  • South Wingfield (SK3755) 3 Buzzard, Raven mobbed by Jackdaws
  • Ogston Res. (SK3760) Spotted Flycatcher
3 September 2009
  • Wilmorton (SK3634) Hobby
  • Alvaston Park (SK3734) Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 4 Gadwall, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Jay, 2 Muscovy Duck
  • Saperton Manor (SK1935) 2 Buzzard
2 September 2009
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Goldcrest
  • Ogston Res. (SK3760) Osprey, 40 Cormorant, Hobby, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper
1 September 2009
  • Beeley Moor Triangle (SK2967) Ringtail Hen Harrier reported, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, Peregrine
31 August 2009
  • Stauntin Harold Res. (SK3723) Raven
  • Press Res. (SK3565) 53 Goldfinch
  • Barrow GP (SK3527) 4 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Grey Heron, 7 Mute Swan, 30 Greylag Goose, 160 Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, 3 Red-legged Partridge, 60 Carrion Crow
  • Willington GP (SK2827) 2 Goosander

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Previous months
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
All of 2008
All of 2007
August 2009 highlights

In some ways, a quieter month than usual albeit that observer coverage is often reduced in August with many members on holiday. The bird of the month was arguably the Montagu’s Harrier, our first since 2006 {the 2008 Ogston Record has not yet been considered by the Rarities Sub-committee}, which made three harrier species for the month. The supporting cast included Black-necked Grebes, Bitterns, Quail and a couple of Wood Sandpipers.

Sightings of Little Egret, Osprey and Hobby continue to reach new record levels and it was splendid to see species such as Yellow Wagtail in better numbers that the last two years. We also received lots of valuable breeding information which included potentially encouraging news in terms of Twite and revealed at least one juvenile Corn Bunting.

Waders and terns were well represented whilst gull numbers were impressive for August and again offered evidence that Yellow-legged Gulls are more likely at this time of year than Herring Gulls. The latter may only indicate an improvement in our identification skills when finding the former.

If we add returning winter wildfowl then the species list is still very respectable and provided plenty of interest.

Bryan Barnacle