May 2026 highlights
The pick of the month for May was a superb male MONTAGU'S HARRIER that stayed for two days at Axe Edge on 23rd. Not one but two RED-THROATED DIVER were in the county this month: one at Carsington Water on 3rd and another in summer-plumage at Combs Res on 5th. Two BLACK-NECKED GREBE were at Carsington Water on 2nd.
One astonished observer reported a FULMAR over their house in Alfreton on 29th, and an adult GANNET was north over Great Hucklow on 4th with two birds claimed over Birchover on 4th. A WHITE STORK was seen in a field at Langley Green on 4th and another flew over Dronfield on 18th. A SPOONBILL was mobile between Willington Wetlands and Anchor Church GP on 4th and seen again at Barrow GP on 6th.
Two AVOCET were at Ogston Res on 1st, and a TEMMINCK'S STINT was found at Middle Moor Lagoons on 29th-30th. A WOODLARK was found at Middleton Moor Lagoon on 17th with another passage bird flushed on Beeley Moor on 22nd. To build on Middleton Moor Lagoon's "purple patch"" incredibly a RED-BACKED SHRIKE was found whilst looking for the Stint on 30th. It wasn't seen the following morning but one was claimed at Hartington Meadows NR early morning on 31st but not seen subsequently.
A number of QUAIL were heard singing around the county including at Pilsley on 10th-14th, Lower Vicarwood on 16th, near Magpie Mine on 23rd, at Aleck Low on 26th, and one in fields opposite Willington Wetlands on 28th. A GREY PLOVER flew north over Poolsbrook Marsh on 4th, a WOOD SANDPIPER was at Ogston Res also on 4th, a SANDWICH TERN was briefly at Carsington Water on 22nd, and two LITTLE TERN were at Carr Vale NR on 3rd.
Steve Thorpe
