June/July 2026 highlights
Bird of June was undoubtedly the WHITE STORK at Hatton (4th-13th Jun) which proved to be un-ringed and therefore a good county bird for many, and it (or another) was over Wingerworth on 24th Jun. A HONEY BUZZARD was watched well over Carr Vale NR on 14th Jun. During July another great bird came to light, although not until it had been photographed and reported after it had departed - a CASPIAN TERN which was seen at Willington Wetlands on 8th Jul. A SPOONBILL flew over Sallet Hole Mine on 6th Jun, with another over Wirksworth on 5th Jul.
An extraordinary number of QUAIL during June and July - Flagg, two on 23rd Jun, Goyt Valley, one on 16th Jul, Minninglow Hill, five on 11th Jul, Hodthorpe, one on 25th Jun, Middleton Moor Lagoons, one on 22nd Jun, Friden, seven on 20th Jun, Beeley Moor, one on 20th Jun, Elton Common, one on 25th Jun, Gotham, one on 20th Jun, Biggin Moor, one on 21st Jun, Shillito Wood, one on 12th Jun, Shipley Country Park, three on 19th Jun, Monyash, 20 on 3rd Jul, Hartington, one on 20th Jun, Bradley Moor, one on 30th Jun, Farley, one on 24th Jun, Fallange Edge, one on 20th Jun, Bonsall Moor, two on 28th Jun, Newhaven, one on 21st Jun, Screetham Lane, ONE on 18th Jun, Freebirch, one on 16th Jul, Deep Dale, one on 1st Jun, Breaston, one on 1st Jul, Long Dale NNR, four on 2nd Jul, Blake Low, one on 22nd Jun, Pikehall, four on 20th Jun, Aleck Low, eight on 20th Jun, Beeley Moor 'Triangle', one on 30th Jun, Midway, one on 19th Jun.
A female GARGANEY was seen at Barrow GP on 27th Jun. A WOOD SANDPIPER was at Ogston Res on 21st Jun with another at Middleton Moor Lagoons on 9th Jul. A GREY PLOVER was at Ogston Res on 28th Jun and two different LITTLE TERN, one on 13th and one on 21st.
Single BLACK-NECKED GREBE were at Middleton Moor Lagoons on 13th Jul and at Ogston Res on 6th Jul. An AVOCET was at Carsington Water on 30th Jul.
Steve Thorpe
