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The bird of the month was undoubtedly the Black Stork seen flying south west over Beeley Moor by Ken Smith; excellent reward for his perseverance in that area. This is the fifth county record for this species, all of which have been fly-overs; one on the ground for a few hours would be greatly appreciated by the masses.
Two other notable county rarities were seen by just one or two observers as they were garden records of Wryneck at Ednaston and Rose-coloured Starling in Dronfield, whilst a Spoonbill at Willington GP was also only seen by a few.
A pair of Ruddy Shelducks graced Kedleston Park Lake whilst other scarce ducks included single Garganey and Common Scoter, each at two sites.
Up to four Quail at five locations were a good late summer showing.
The county record for Little Egrets was smashed again when 59 were counted at roost at Drakelow and up to three Great White Egrets were logged from seven Trent Valley locations plus Carsington, Ogston and Pebley Pond in the centre / north-east of the county.
Pick of the raptors were two Honey Buzzards south-west over Osmaston, backed up by up to eight Red Kites from at least twenty locations, four Marsh Harriers, a single Hen Harrier and four Ospreys from three sites.
Eighteen species of wader held little in the way of quality save for an Avocet (second August county record for this species) and two Little Stints at Ogston and a Turnstone at Carsington. Otherwise, it was typical August fare such as a few Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff and Greenshank at favoured locations.
The only unusual terns were 2 Arctics recorded overnight at Darley Dale. Kittiwakes at Carsington (two) and Carr Vale (one) were unusual given they are just the 6th and 7th August records for the county this century. Carr Vale chipped in with three Mediterranean Gulls during the month; these were backed up by Yellow-legged Gulls at four sites and Caspian Gulls at two.
Late Cuckoos were seen at Highbridge GP and Carr Vale, continuing the garden trend. A Nightjar in a Bradwell garden was a great find. Merlins were seen at four sites but there was nothing exceptional amongst the passerine records submitted except for an exceptional count of 28 Tree Pipits moving over Highoredish. All things considered a steady month.
Mark Beevers