April 2026 highlights
The drake RING-NECKED DUCK continued to be seen around the county - Codnor Park Res, one on 3rd, 14th; Ogston Res, one on 18th; Carsington Water, one on 19th. Assumed to be another bird found at Long Eaton GP; another drake on 12th. A report of a WHITE-TAILED EAGLE over Kinder Bank on 2nd will be followed up. Eight BEE-EATER over Offcote Grange on 30th aligns nicely with eight seen over the border in Staffordshire earlier.
The drake SCAUP was seen just once this month at Butterley Res on 2nd. A superb summer-plumaged SPOTTED REDSHANK found at Ambaston GP on 25th. Also, at Ambaston GP, was WOOD SANDPIPER with five on 25th and one on 26th. Another was at Barrow GP on 25th. A SANDWICH TERN flew past Stones Island, Carsington Water at 08.15 am on 8th with three LITTLE TERN also at Carsington Water on 11th. A BLACK REDSTART was at Lathkill Dale on 21st.
A summer-plumaged BLACK-NECKED GREBE was found at Pools Brook CP on 14th, with two at Carsington Water on 25th. A WHITE STORK was over Carsington Water on 13th and seen at Ashbourne on 15th. SPOONBILL were seen at Carr Vale Nature Reserve on 4th and Willington Wetlands on 6th. The RUDDY SHELDUCK was seen at Staunton Harold Res on 1st with RED-CRESTED POCHARD at Melbourne Pool, Mercia Marina, Willington Wetlands, and Carsington Water. A CRANE was seen over Ogston Res on 16th, then Woodthorpe Grange on 17th, and one circled south over Middleton Moor Lagoons on 21st. Two were seen NE over Spancarr at 08.20 am on 20th, two north over Hadfield on 22nd, two in a field along Park Lane at Rodsley on 22nd. An amazing five AVOCET were at Barrow GP on 7th. A dark-phase ARCTIC SKUA flew NW through Carsington Water on 28th. A HOOPOE was seen well at Grindleford on 25th. Finally, there was a report of a WOODLARK at Newton on 6th.
Steve Thorpe
