MIDLANDS
Highlights
Though not a very rare bird, breeding attempts by Bee-eaters are indeed ‘mega’ events. So, the regular, settled appearance of up to seven Bee-eaters at East Leake Quarry, in Nottinghamshire in the last week of the month, triggered a very popular ‘watchpoint twitch’, with parking organised by the RSPB in conjunction with a field-owning farmer. Elsewhere, the appearance of three first-summer Sabine’s Gulls at Belvide Reservoir on the morning of 24th was extraordinary!
DERBYSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Black-necked Grebe was at Pleasley Colliery (3rd). A Gannet was at Woodhead Reservoir (25th-26th). Spoonbills were at Ogston Reservoir (14th) and Willington GP (24th & 30th). A Hen Harrier was at Willington GP (4th). A Honey Buzzard flew over Ogston Reservoir (3rd). A Black Kite flew over Shipley CP (2nd). A Quail was at Middleton Moor (11th) with two at Monyash (27th). Avocets were at Sinfin Moor (14th) and Willington GP (18th). A Black Redstart was in a Wingerworth garden (4th-6th). ASTON-ON-TRENT GP: There were 14 Little Egrets, 12 Common Terns, a Greenshank and four Oystercatchers. CARR VALE: There were two Teal, two Grey Partridges, two Hobbies, two Peregrines, two Water Rails, two Oystercatchers, six Common Terns, two Red Kites, a Redshank, Herring Gull, Barn Owl, Grasshopper Warbler and Siskin. CARSINGTON WATER: bred for the first time in Derbyshire. Red-crested There Pochardswere seven Common Scoters, an Osprey, Hobby, Peregrine, two Sparrowhawks, 10 Buzzards, 15 Oystercatchers, seven Ringed Plovers, nine Little Ringed Plovers, two Knot, two Sanderling, two Dunlin, a Black-tailed Godwit, two Curlews, 13 Redshanks, two Common Sandpipers, a Yellow-legged Gull, five Ravens and two Crossbills (13th). DRAKELOW: There were 305 Cormorants, 17 Little Egrets, two Egyptian Geese, six Mandarins, four Oystercatchers, a Little Ringed Plover, 12 Common Terns, two Hobbies, a Green Sandpiper and Grasshopper Warbler. EREWASH MEADOWS: There were two Little Egrets, a Red Kite, Osprey, two Grey Partridges and two Redshanks. LONG EATON GP: The County’s second pair of Red-crested Pochards bred. There were four Little Egrets, an Egyptian Goose, four Oystercatchers, 11 Common Terns, 12 Stock Doves, six Cetti’s Warblers, four Grasshopper Warblers, two Sanderling, a Common Sandpiper and Cuckoo. MIDDLETON MOOR: There were four Teal, a Peregrine, two Ravens, three Black-tailed Godwits, 24 Curlews and a Green Sandpiper. OGSTON RESERVOIR: Highlights included 58 Cormorants, a Little Egret, 24 Mandarins, a Common Scoter, two Red Kites, a Goshawk, Osprey, Hobby, Peregrine, eight Oystercatchers, two Dunlin, six Curlews, a Redshank, Common Sandpiper, four Ringed Plovers, 14 Little Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, two Yellow-legged Gulls, a Common Gull, four Common Terns, a Tree Pipit, Cuckoo, two Yellow Wagtails, a Dipper, Grasshopper Warbler and three Ravens. WILLINGTON GP: There was a Bittern, five Little Egrets, two Wigeon, two Garganeys, seven Oystercatchers, a Little Ringed Plover, eight Common Terns, a Herring Gull, breeding Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Grasshopper Warbler. OTHER SITES: Two Common Scoters and six Oystercatchers were at Staunton Harold Reservoir. Seven Common Scoters were at Foremark Reservoir. Sinfin Moor held nine Little Egrets, two Egyptian Geese, a Yellow Wagtail and Wheatear. High Bridge GP had two Oystercatchers, two Redshanks, a Herring Gull and Yellow-legged Gull. Two Red Kites were at Matlock and Mickleover, with singles at a further 20 localities. Rod Key
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
COTSWOLDS: At the Cotswold Water Park, a Little Bittern, only the second for the county, was at pits 84/85 (2nd-7th). A Bittern was also there (to 6th). The Hoopoe remained at Cranham Common (to 13th). A Woodcock flew over Bussage (28th). Four Quail were at Leighterton, with singles at Arlington and Ready Token. A total of four Firecrests were at three sites. Three Ring-necked Parakeets were at Winchcomb (29th). FOREST OF DEAN: Five Nightjars were seen together in flight at Crabtree Hill. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers bred at Nagshead. LOWER SEVERN VALE: A Fulmar was at Sharpness (6th). Three Sandwich Terns were at Frampton Pools (30th) and Water Rails bred. A Yellow-legged Gull was at Epney (30th). Little Egrets at Berkley Shore peaked at 21 (24th). SLIMBRIDGE: Highlights included a Red-necked Phalarope (13th), a probable Golden Oriole (22nd), 10 Cranes, an Osprey (17th), Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, Red Kites (3rd and 20th), Hobby, 16 Oystercatchers, a record 126 Avocets, two Little Ringed Plovers, 125 Lapwings, nine Knot, Sanderling (1st and 26th), two Curlew Sandpiper (28th), 14 Dunlin, 12 Green Sandpipers, 60 Redshanks, a Greenshank, 141 Black-tailed Godwits, 119 Curlews, two Ruff, six Mediterranean Gulls, three pairs of Common Terns, two Cuckoos, 100 Swifts and a Yellow Wagtail. UPPER SEVERN VALE: Two Cattle Egrets at Horsbere Brook Flood Storage Lake (3rd) were a site first. Ashleworth Ham had a Quail and Grasshopper Warbler. At Coombe Hill Meadows Oystercatchers, Lapwings and Redshanks bred. Seven Little Ringed Plovers, two Green Sandpipers and two Grasshopper Warblers were also present. Andy Jayne (01452 506 502) and Martin Mcgill
LEICESTERSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: Five of the Nottinghamshire Bee-eaters occasionally crossed into the county (26th-27th). EYEBROOK RESERVOIR: There was a Goosander (2nd), two Whinchats (27th), a Little Tern (29th-30th), four Black-tailed Godwits (29th), a Common Sandpiper (29th) and Knot (30th). STANFORD RESERVOIR: The Jack Snipe was seen again (1st). Other waders included a Grey Plover (1st), two Green Sandpipers, a Ringed Plover (20th), Avocet (25th-26th), 27 Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits (25th) and a Greenshank (27th). There were two Little Terns (28th). Two Ospreys from the Rutland Water project were seen regularly. OTHER SITES: There were 18 Mandarins at Swithland Reservoir (29th). A Common
Sandpiper was at Stoney Cove (7th). Crossbills flew over Braunstone (17th) and Loughborough (21st). Steve Lister (01509 829 495)
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: An Arctic Skua circled over Daventry CP and a Honey Buzzard flew over Oundle (2nd). A Great White Egret visited Earls Barton GP (14th). Quails were near Kings Sutton (9th) and Burton Latimer (18th). A flock of 17 Common Scoters at Daventry CP (30th) included 12 drakes. DAVENTRY CP: Five Sanderling, a Dunlin and Ringed Plover passed through. EARLS BARTON GP: A Bittern was seen twice. A Garganey stayed for three days at the start of the month. A peak of 25 Black-tailed Godwits passed through (25th). Redshanks and Little Ringed Plovers bred. A Peregrine and six Hobbies were present. PITSFORD RESERVOIR: A White-fronted Goose stayed (to 11th). A Sandwich Tern passed through (19th). Two Caspian Gulls were noted. STANWICK GP: A pair of Mediterranean Gulls bred. There was a Garganey (15th). A Black-tailed Godwit visited. STANFORD RESERVOIR: Two Little Terns visited (28th). An Osprey was recorded throughout. Waders included a late Jack Snipe (1st), Avocet (25th-26th), Grey Plover, Greenshank, Curlew, a peak of 27 Black-tailed Godwits (25th), six Little Ringed Plovers, two Ringed Plovers and two Green Sandpipers. Two Yellow-legged Gulls were logged. OTHER SITES: Clifford Hill GP hosted two Redstarts, with another in a Spratton garden. A Bufflehead, which also spent a day at Daventry CP, proved to be an escape. Ospreys were at Welford Reservoir, Blatherwycke Lake and Bulwick (three). Two Mediterranean Gulls flew over Byfield. A Black-tailed Godwit flew over Far Cotton, Northampton. Red-crested Pochards bred at Thrapston GP. Bob Bullock (01604 627 262)
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: Seven Bee-eaters were in East Leake Quarry (from 25th), prompting hopes that they would stay to breed. A Red-necked Phalarope was at Attenborough (20th). Two Spoonbills were at Langford and Collingham (19th-22nd). OTHER SITES: An Osprey was at Attenborough (16th). Many Red Kites were noted mid-month, including birds at Burton Joyce, Hickling, Skegby, Cotgrave and West Bridgford. Honey Buzzards were seen twice at Budby. Marsh Harriers were at Idle Washlands and Misterton. Two Sandwich Terns were at Welbeck (18th), with a Little Tern at Langford (12th). Spalford held a Caspian Gull (20th) and eight Yellow-legged Gulls. Kilvington also had a Yellow-legged Gull. Netherfield and Idle Washlands both hosted Mediterranean Gulls. A Sanderling was at Holme Pierrepont (5th), with two at Attenborough (6th). A Curlew was at Idle Washlands, a Ruff at Killington (20th) and a Whimbrel at Attenborough (20th). Attenborough and Holme Pierrepont both saw Black-tailed Godwits making their way back through the country. A Wood Sandpiper was at Langford (22nd). A Scaup was at Lound (7th-9th), with another at the end of June. A Pintail was at Netherfield. Kilvington hosted a Common Scoter (20th). A Great White Egret was at Besthorpe (23rd). Turtle Doves were at Clumber, Finningley and Lound, among others. Budby and Sherwood both held Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. A Quail was at Osberton (23rd). Grasshopper Warblers were at ANR throughout. Spotted Flycatchers were at Misson and Sherwood Forest. A Hawfinch was at Worksop (2nd). Tom Shields
OXFORDSHIRE
OTMOOR: A Quail called intermittently (13th-25th). The first Mandarins returned (18th). Little Egrets peaked at 27. Last month’s Crane was seen sporadically across the reserve and the wider moor, as were Greenshank and Green Sandpiper. The male Hen Harrier that has over-summered started to moult. There were six Cuckoos, including a hepatic female, four Marsh Harriers, 20 Common Terns, three Bitterns, Grasshopper Warbler, Turtle Dove, Curlew, Hobby and Yellow Wagtail. Fergus Mosey
RUTLAND
HIGHLIGHTS: Rutland Water had a Great White Egret throughout, with two (from 22nd). There were two Mediterranean Gulls there
(20th) and a Little Tern (10th). RUTLAND WATER: Wildfowl included two Mandarins (13th), with breeding at Normanton, three Garganeys (9th-14th) and a Common Scoter (5th-7th). There were 21 Little Egrets, 12 Water Rails and 88 Common Terns (13th). An Arctic Tern was present (to 10th), with six Yellow-legged Gulls (23rd). Waders included a Grey Plover (1st), 21 Ringed Plovers (4th), a Green Sandpiper (16th), Sanderling (20th), 18 Black-tailed Godwits (24th), two Knot and four Whimbrels (27th) and six Wood Sandpipers (30th). A Marsh Harrier was regular at Egleton. Spotted Flycatchers bred near the Egleton Centre. A Grasshopper Warbler was present (27th). Tree Sparrows frequented the Lyndon Centre feeders. OTHER SITES: Breeding wildfowl at Fort Henry Ponds included Shelducks, Gadwall, Shovelers and Little Grebes. A Mandarin was there (21st and 24th). Two Oystercatchers were at Banthorpe GP (24th). Barn Owls had a better year, with 16 young ringed at five nestbox sites. A Tree Sparrow fed in a Barrow garden. Terry Mitcham
SHROPSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: The adult Night Heron (of the American subspecies) continued to show well at the Quarry at Dingle Gardens, Shrewsbury, throughout the month. An Osprey flew over Venus Pool (7th). Quail sang at Aldersey (17th-18th), and a Channel Wagtail went over. Another Quail was found dead in a Waitrose car-park at Newport (18th), and one sang at Wem (22nd). A female Common Scoter was at Priorslee Lake (29th).
STAFFORDSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: Blithfield Reservoir held a Lesser Yellowlegs and 10 Common Scoters (29th), an Osprey (29th-30th) and a Greenshank (30th). Middleton Lakes had a Red-necked Phalarope (10th). Belvide Reservoir had a Sabine’s Gull (24th), two Garganeys (1st-11th), an Avocet (4th), two Sanderling (1st), two Yellow-legged Gulls (1st), Ospreys (1st and 26th), two Little Gulls (12th) and a Little Tern (23rd). Two Quails sang at Whittington (16th). A Spoonbill was at Doxey Marshes (17th-27th), with a Wood Sandpiper there (26th).
WARWICKSHIRE
HIGHLIGHTS: A Corncrake was at Alvecote. A Cattle Egret was at Kingsbury WP (10th). OTHER SITES: Brandon Marsh had a Black-tailed Godwit, Common and Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank, Little Egret, Willow Tit, Lesser Whitethroat, Cuckoo, Hobby and Marsh Harrier. Draycote Water held seven Little Egrets, a Dunlin, Curlew, Hobby, Yellow-legged Gull, Greenshank and three Common Scoters. Ladywalk logged a Cuckoo, Hobby, Peregrine, Ringed Plover, two Great White Egrets, eight Little Egrets and an Osprey. Alvecote held a Great White Egret and three Avocets. Six Avocets were at Middleton. Dosthill held an Egyptian Goose and Peregrine. Four Common Scoters were at Shustoke with five at Earlswood Lakes. There was a Grasshopper Warbler and Green Sandpiper at Storton’s Pits. Clare Topping
WEST MIDLANDS
BARTLEY RESERVOIR: There were two Sandwich Terns and nine Common Scoters. MARSH LANE: Waders included a Sanderling and Ruff. A Red Kite flew over. The Mandarin reappeared. Two Cuckoos and two Mediterranean Gulls were noted. The Cetti’s Warbler remained. SANDWELL VALLEY: There was a Red Kite, Barn Owl and Green Sandpiper. Little Ringed Plovers peaked at ten. A Goosander and several Pochards were present. A Peregrine was regular. Pete Hackett (0121 358 2454)
WORCESTERSHIRE
AVON VALLEY: A Greenshank was at John Bennett Wetland. Two Cattle Egrets (24th), a Little Gull, Wood Sandpiper, seven Black-tailed Godwits and two Greenshanks were at Lower Moor. A Grasshopper Warbler was at Peopleton. GRIMLEY/HOLT: Highlights included two Little Gulls, a Garganey, Wood Sandpiper and two Hobbies. LOWER SEVERN VALLEY: Three Black-tailed Godwits were at Clifton. Three Grasshopper Warblers were at Kempsey. NORTH: A Common Scoter and three Sanderling were at Bittell Reservoirs. A Quail was at Low Habberley. UPTON WARREN: Highlights included a Red-crested Pochard, Wood Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit. Brian Stretch (www.worcesterbirding.co.uk)