This is a news service only and the reports are unchecked. All records submitted via the "Submit record" page will be sent to the Bulletin Bird Notes Compiler and entered onto the DOS database even if they do not appear here. Please note that for obvious reasons we do not publish sightings of rare breeders such as Little Ringed Plover during the breeding season (unless obvious migrants)
For more reports please see The Recorder's Page
The News Archive is available here
Top of Page
The two standout birds in August were an adult Pomarine Skua that flew through Carsington Water on the 2nd, which is just the ninth county record, although it is the second for Carsington, and the third report in 2022 of a juvenile Purple Heron, this time at Willington GP, there being just eight previous county records, the last in 2011 at Ogston Reservoir, excluding those reported last month. Other county rarities were a one-day Black-necked Grebe at Staunton Harold Reservoir and two Honey Buzzards over Ogston Reservoir.
A White-fronted Goose was reported on ebird at Swineshaw Reservoir (description will be needed for this one please, given the date), the first Wigeon arrived early in the month, Shovelers started to increase, up to three Garganey were at Carsington Water all month with singles at Drakelow and Greenacres NR, the first Pintail returned late in the month at Willington GP but only one Common Scoter was seen (at Ogston Reservoir).
Single Bitterns were seen at Drakelow NR and Willington GP, the latter site also holding up to five Great White Egrets and a record breaking 57 Little Egrets, with the Carsington Water record also being broken when 20 birds were present on one date.
Up to eight Red Kites were seen at Carsington Water with up to four at 35 other sites, Marsh Harriers were seen on just two dates (three sites), Hen Harriers made the national news with seven young fledging, and two Ospreys were reported from Stoney Middleton with single birds at ten sites.
It was a good month for waders with Carsington and Willington the best sites although Staunton Harold chipped in with the only Grey Plover of the month and Middleton Moor did so too with the only Whimbrel of the month. Turnstone, Sanderling and two Spotted Redshanks were seen at Carsington, where there was a steady rise in Ringed Plover numbers reaching 22. Up to 19 Black-tailed Godwits graced Willington GP, where there was also a Wood Sandpiper, and five Greenshanks were at Carr Vale with one or two at 14 more sites. Another Wood Sandpiper was at Drakelow and up to two Ruffs were seen at Barrow GP, Pleasley Pit and Willington GP.
It was a poor month for terns although inclement weather one day dropped 22 Arctic and five Black Terns into Carsington Water and two more Black Terns were found at Staunton Harold Reservoir. Mediterranean Gulls were found at Carsington Water and Carr Vale, which also hosted the only Caspian Gull of the month, whilst up to ten Yellow-legged Gulls were seen at nine sites.
Best of the rest included 2 records each of Long-eared and Short-eared Owl, Merlins at four sites with up to five Hobbies at 37 sites and up to two Peregrines at 18 sites. 33 Ring-necked Parakeets were counted at Alvaston Park, a Black Redstart was found at Axe Edge Moor and four Crossbills were seen on Beeley Moor. A good month.
Mark Beevers