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Highlights for September once again included several species that were only seen by single (or a very small number of) observers. The stand-out record is that of a White-tailed Eagle, seen from a moving car on Stanage Edge; hopefully notes will come in for what, if accepted, will be just the second county record since 1940.
Two parties of six Common Cranes were seen. The first was over Aston -on-Trent by a single observer early in the month. The other was over Carr Vale, photographed and seen by four lucky observers; this group had been tracked from Aberdeen, through Northumberland, North Yorkshire and then the following day through the west Midlands and last seen heading out to sea from Dorset. These birds were most likely Scandinavian migrants whereas the former could well be from the fenland population.
A brief Wryneck at Barbrook was a single observer record, a once rare Cattle Egret appeared at Carsington and a Black-necked Grebe graced Pleasley Pit. Amongst the wildfowl the first returning Pink-footed Geese were seen, a pair of Ruddy Shelduck remained at Kedleston Hall all month, a couple of Garganey were found at Drakelow and a Common Scoter was at Carsington.
Although about 13 Great White Egrets were seen, including four at Aston on Trent, there is probably a degree of duplication in the Trent Valley and the north-east of the county. Two Bitterns were present at Willington GP.
Raptors were pretty scarce with a Honey Buzzard at Pilsley Green, just two Marsh Harriers, a Hen Harrier and half a dozen Ospreys, one of which was probably picked up at three sites.
Waders too were pretty scarce although a young Avocet moved across the county from Carr Vale to Carsington via Ogston with Ogston attracting two later in the month. A Grey Plover and Little Stint were found at Carsington with a brief Curlew Sandpiper at Willington GP and several Ruff and Black-tailed Godwits were found at a number of sites, but it was a poor month for waders.
A potential Baltic Gull photographed at Carr Vale will never be accepted by BBRC as it wasn't ringed. The same site held a monopoly of Mediterranean Gull records with up to three birds present whilst a brief Little Gull was at Ogston and up to six Black Terns were logged from three sites.
A couple of late Cuckoos were found as was a late Nightjar, whilst there was a record count of Rose Ringed Parakeets from Alvaston and in a nod to the season the first Rock Pipits were seen at Ogston and Carsington. And I thought it had been a quiet month!
Mark Beevers