MIDLANDS

Cattle Egrets were widely distributed across the region, with birds in Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire.

DERBYSHIRE HIGHLIGHTS: The Black-necked Grebe remained at Long Eaton GP. A Bittern was at Willington GP. One or two Great White Egrets were at eight sites. A Long-tailed Duck was at Drakelow (5th). A Rough-legged Buzzard was in the Goyt Valley (2nd). A Glaucous Gull visited Carsington Water and Ogston Reservoir. A Black Redstart (24th) and two Bearded Tits (12th-13th) were at Markham Vale. A Rose-coloured Starling was in an Etwall garden (20th-27th). A Hooded Crow flew over Rowsley (10th). A Mealy Redpoll was on Flash Lane (20th). ASTON-ON-TRENT GP:

There were two Little Egrets, 17 Goldeneyes, three Goosanders, three Water Rails, three Cetti’s Warblers and a Raven. CARSINGTON WATER:

Highlights included 37 Little Grebes, 50 Great Crested Grebes, a Little Egret, six Red-crested Pochards, 300 Pinkfeet, 14 Dunlin, 13 Snipe, eight Woodcocks, four Redshanks, three Ruff, 72 Golden Plovers, several Caspian Gulls, five Yellow-legged Gulls, 19 Tree Sparrows, 30 Bramblings, 30 Siskins, 32 Lesser Redpolls, 10 Bullfinches, four Crossbills and a Hawfinch. DRAKELOW:

Cormorants peaked at a county record 530. There were five Little Egrets, two Woodcocks, a Green Sandpiper, two Whooper Swans, two Red-crested Pochards, a Merlin, Peregrine, five Golden Plovers and a Stonechat. EREWASH MEADOWS:

There were three Little Egrets, a Stonechat, Chiffchaff, 100 Pinkfeet and a Barn Owl. LONG EATON GP:

There were six Little Egrets, three Red-crested Pochards, a Water Rail, 40 Golden Plovers, two Woodcocks, seven Cetti’s Warblers, eight Common Scoters and a Barn Owl. OGSTON RESERVOIR:

There was a Little Egret, 73 Pinkfeet, four Whooper Swans, three Dunlin, a Redshank, six Caspian Gulls, four Yellow-legged Gulls, a Rock Pipit, Blackcap, two Chiffchaffs, two Ravens, five Bramblings and a Crossbill. SINFIN MOOR:

There were two Jack Snipe, three Dunlin, a Green Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull and 73 Common Gulls. WILLINGTON GP:

Highlights included three Little Egrets, four Water Rails, 80 Golden Plovers, 412 Lapwings, five Snipe, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, 18 Whooper Swans, 12 Caspian Gulls, a Yellow-legged Gull, Short-eared Owl and five Ravens. OTHER SITES:

Two Whooper Swans were at Doveridge, 26 on Swineshaw Reservoir, seven at Dove Holes Quarry and two at Middleton Moor. A Ruff was at Highbridge GP, a Black-tailed Godwit at Avenue Washlands and two Jack Snipe at Shipley. A Short-eared Owl was near Melbourne. Up to six Ring-necked Parakeets were at four sites in the Derby area. Three Waxwings were in Chesterfield. A late Ring Ouzel was at Torside. There were 1,500 Bramblings on Matlock Moor. Twenty Crossbills were on Hoo Moor and 40 on Flash Lane. Barrow GP had four Caspian Gulls and a Stonechat. Foremark Reservoir had a Peregrine, six Caspian Gulls and four Yellow-legged Gulls. Carr Vale held eight Whooper Swans and a Marsh Tit. Rod Key

GLOUCESTERSHIRE COTSWOLDS: Highlights included a Red-breasted Merganser at Dowdeswell

Reservoir (4th-6th), Yellow-browed Warbler at Cam Green near Dursley (15th) and a White-fronted Goose at Greystones Farm, Bourton-on-the-water (22nd). At the Cotswold Water Park, the eastern section had a Great Northern Diver (10th-18th), two Great White Egrets, a Little Stint, two Green Sandpipers and a late Swallow (3rd). The western section had two Caspian Gulls, two Great White Egrets, five Yellow-legged Gulls and a Crossbill (30th). Cleeve Hill had a late Ring Ouzel (2nd). A Black Redstart was at Daglingworth (17th). A Merlin and Short-eared Owl (11th) were at Tresham, Twenty Crossbills were at Chedworth. A Short-eared Owl was at Selsley Common (13th). Golden Plovers included 400 at Chapman’s Cross and 200 at both Little Barrington and Hawling. forest of dean:

A Long-eared Owl was ringed at Crabtree Hill (2nd). Woorgreens had a Jack Snipe, 10 Goosanders, 20 Crossbills and 60 Siskins. There were 150 Bramblings at Nagshead. Six Hawfinches were at Sling. Other Crossbills included 29 at Edge Hills and 14 at Serridge Green. An albino Carrion Crow was at Symonds Yat along with three Red Kites, two Goshawks, three Peregrines and two Goosanders. lower severn vale:

Frampton Pools logged a Wood Lark (4th-18th), two Red-crested Pochards, two Goldeneyes, a Scaup (17th), Red-breasted Merganser (16th-20th), three Cattle Egrets, two Great White Egrets, three Green Sandpipers, a Yellow-legged Gull and Merlin. Saul Warth had a Water Pipit (1st), Merlin and Short-eared Owl. Two Whooper Swans were at Framilode (26th). A Great White Egret flew over Sharpness (10th). Three Turnstones were at Berkeley Shore. A Whimbrel was at Beachley Point (12th), a Jack Snipe at Walmore Common (11th) and a Merlin at Rodley (29th).

upper severn vale: A satellite-tagged Greenland White-fronted Goose was in the Twyning area (from 17th). A Black Redstart was in a Leckhampton garden (14th). Coombe Hill Meadows had three Jack Snipe, with another at Quedgeley. Six Whooper Swans were at Minsterworth (11th-22nd). A Hawfinch flew over Lower Lode (4th). WWT slimbridge:

Maxima included two Whooper Swans, 59 Bewick’s Swans, 58 Eurasian Whitefronts, 231 Barnacle Geese, a Mandarin, 1,238 Wigeon, 39 Gadwall, 1,889 Teal, 76 Shovelers, 120 Pochards, 436 Tufted Ducks, 19 Cormorants, a Bittern, three Little Egrets, a Great White Egret, eight Water Rails, 16 Cranes, a Hen Harrier, Goshawk, Marsh Harrier, three Peregrines, 872 Golden Plovers, a Grey Plover, 1,522 Lapwings, 18 Knot, 639 Dunlin, a Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, 41 Redshanks, 154 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 198 Curlews, 42 Snipe, 25 Ruff, 48 Great Black-backed Gulls, three Kingfishers, three Water Pipits, three Grey Wagtails, three Stonechats, 150 Fieldfares, 60 Redwings, five Cetti’s Warblers, 2,000 Starlings, a Brambling, two Siskins and three redpolls. Andy Jayne (01452 506 502) and Martin Mcgill

herefordshire highlights: The first Bewick’s Swan since 2014 was with 95 Mute Swans at Winforton (25th). Sixteen Little Egrets roosted at Ross-on-wye Rowing Club (25th). A very late Greenshank was at Wellington GP (7th)

brockhall gp: There were 78 Wigeon, 42 Teal, 10 Pochards, two Green Sandpipers, 26 Shovelers, 10 Sky Larks, 43 Goosanders, 40 Greylags, 26 Cormorants, a Goldeneye and 1,100 Canada Geese. Wellington gp:

Nine Little Egrets roosted (3rd). The gull roost (10th-11th) held 2,000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1,000 Black-headed Gulls, 18 Common Gulls and four Yellow-legged Gulls. There were three Water Rails, a Cetti’s Warbler, three Chiffchaffs, 32 Gadwall and three Goldeneyes. other sites:

Great White Egrets were at Eign Wye (1st), Letton (4th), Shobdon Court Pools (4th & 14th) and Bucton (18th). Three Whooper Swans were at Bridge Sollars (5th). Wapley Hill had a Woodcock (6th), with two Goshawks and five Red Kites (19th). There were 25 Bramblings at Shobdon Court Pools (10th). Hergest Ridge had 150 Golden Plovers (12th). Kenchester Pools held 11 Shovelers, 10 Teal and 55 Wigeon. Nick Pegler and John Tilby

Leicestershire highlights: A late record of a Shore Lark in Bradgate Park (October 20th) was just the second for the county. A Hooded Crow was at Bardon (7th). Seven Bewick’s Swans were at Eyebrook Reservoir (20th-24th). Charnwood:

Cropston Reservoir had three Green Sandpipers (12th) and 220 Carrion Crows (19th). A Great White Egret remained at Swithland Reservoir (8th-12th), with another over Loughborough (24th). Swithland also had a Black-tailed Godwit (19th), 235 Cormorants and 15 Goldeneyes. Eight Crossbills flew over Loughborough (10th). Seventy Pinkfeet flew over Hathern (25th). eyebrook reservoir:

Waders included a Knot (2nd), three Spotted Redshanks (4th), a late Greenshank (to 15th), a Black-tailed Godwit, two Ruff and 28 Dunlin. There were nine Whooper Swans (20th), eight Red-crested Pochards (13th), three Scaup (26th-28th), two Smew (22nd-28th), a Merlin (28th) and Short-eared Owl (13th). nw leicestershire:

Two Short-eared Owls were at Longmoor Lake (from 10th), with one at Bardon Hill (7th). Six Whooper Swans were near Ibstock (2nd). A Mealy Redpoll was at Hicks Lodge (16th). The Oakthorpe area attracted two Egyptian Geese (6th) and Great White Egret (19th). stanford reservoir:

There was a Hen Harrier (3rd-28th), Marsh Harrier (23rd), three Whooper Swans (13th) and two Common Scoters (19th). other sites:

Great White Egrets were at Brascote Pits (11th-14th) and Birstall GP (24th). A Short-eared Owl was at Tilton-on-the-hill (2nd). Steve Lister (01509 829 495)

Northamptonshire highlights: The county’s sixth Ring-necked Duck was at Thrapston GP (11th), then Pitsford Reservoir (25th). The six Velvet Scoters at Thrapston GP stayed (to 11th), with one (to 17th). A Hooded Crow at Alderton (7th) was the first this century. Stanwick GP had two Bearded Tits (4th-10th) and four Cattle Egrets. Hen Harriers were at Harrington Airfield (2nd) and Stanford Reservoir throughout. Rough-legged Buzzards were at Apethorpe (9th) and Aldwincle (11th). Six Bewick’s Swans were at Thrapston GP (25th). A Bittern was at Stortons GP (3rd). A Hawfinch was at Brixworth CP (13th). A Firecrest was at Pitsford Reservoir (29th). Great White Egrets were noted at nine sites, including two at Stanford Reservoir and Stanwick GP, and four at Pitsford . daventry CP:

There were two Mediterranean Gulls, a Caspian Gull, two Yellow-legged Gulls, a Black-tailed Godwit, six Green Sandpipers, two Dunlin, 156 Golden Plovers, three Red-crested Pochards and a Peregrine. hollowell:

There was a late Common Sandpiper (16th), 70 Golden Plovers, a Dunlin, three Red-crested Pochards, six Pintails, three Stonechats, a Brambling, Caspian Gull and two Yellow-legged Gulls. Pitsford:

Highlights included 11 Whooper Swans, 20 Red-crested Pochards, 17 Pintails, a Scaup, Spotted Redshank (26th), Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, two Green Sandpipers, 80 Golden Plovers, two Mediterranean Gulls, two Yellow-legged Gulls, a Caspian Gull, three Stonechats and a Peregrine. stanford:

There was a Marsh Harrier, two Common Scoters (19th), seven Red-crested Pochards, three Whooper Swans (13th), two Short-eared Owls and two Green Sandpipers. stanwick:

A Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose joined the resident goose flock. There was a Red-crested Pochard, two Pintails, a Spotted Redshank, Jack Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, four Dunlin, 100 Golden Plovers, a Marsh Harrier (11th), Short-eared Owl and Brambling. thrapston:

A Scaup and Whooper Swan remained for most of the month. A Red-crested Pochard was seen.

other sites: Ditchford GP hosted five flyover Whitefronts (25th) and a Stonechat. A Red-crested Pochard and four Pintails were at Clifford Hill GP. A Whooper Swan, Black-tailed Godwit and 50 Golden Plovers were at Earls Barton. Two Whitefronts were at Sywell CP (2nd-18th). Two Short-eared Owls were at Borough Hill, with singles at Harrington Airfield and Weldon. Eight Crossbills flew over Ditchford GP, with another at Fineshade Wood. Caspian Gulls were at Middleton Cheney and Chacombe. Three Red-crested Pochards visited Wicksteed Park. A Brambling was at Brixworth CP. Three Green Sandpipers were at Ravensthorpe Reservoir. Merlins were at Harrington Airfield and near Hanging Houghton. A few Goosanders arrived. Blackcaps visited a number of gardens. Bob Bullock (01604 627 262)

Nottinghamshire highlights: Two Velvet Scoters at Collingham (18th) were the first in the county since 1996. A Red-necked Grebe was at Lound (14th-17th). A White-winged Black Tern was also there. Nine White-fronted Geese were at Holme Pierrepont (24th). A Great Grey Shrike was at Langford (21st-24th). hoveringham:

There were five Bewick’s Swans (20th), 13 Whooper Swans, three Red-breasted Merganser (27th), Scaup (7th and 26th-30th), two Great White Egrets (16th), three Black-necked Grebes, a Smew (22nd), 90 Golden Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Short-eared Owl and Merlin. lound:

Highlights included a Bittern (2nd), five Great White Egrets, a Glaucous Gull (4th and 6th), Mediterranean Gulls, five Yellow-legged Gulls, two Caspian Gulls, nine Pintails, 35 Whooper Swans, 170 Pinkfeet, a Jack Snipe, 70 Golden Plovers, a Grey Plover (6th), two Woodcocks, four Redshanks, several Dunlin and Green Sandpipers, three Short-eared Owls, a Marsh Harrier and Rock Pipit. other sites:

Whooper Swans were widespread, including 201 at Westwoodside. Three Great White Egrets were at Attenborough, with others at Collingham, Besthorpe, Langford, Mansfield, Holme Pierrepont and Erewash Meadows. Pintails were at Kings Mill Reservoir, Idle Washlands, Clumber, Thoresby and Langford. Two dark-bellied Brent Geese and four Common Scoters were at Holme Pierrepont (17th), when another Brent Goose was at Langford. There were 250 Golden Plovers at Idle Washlands, 160 at Branshill, 30 at Rufford, 30 at Kilvington, 18 at Holme Pierrepont and 60 at Attenborough. A Spotted Redshank was at Collingham (from 3rd). A Common Sandpiper was at Stoke Bardolph (5th). Budby recorded two Kittiwakes (25th). Waxwings were at West Bridgford (two), Cropwell Bishop (four), Market Warsop (two) and Bilborough (six). A Water Pipit was at Holme Pierrepont (8th), with a Rock Pipit there (3rd). The Netherfield Starling roost peaked at 10,000. Thoresby held 254 Bramblings. Stonechats were at Holme Pierrepont, Barton in Fabis, Bennerley Marsh, Attenborough and Gedling CP. Bearded Tits were at Attenborough (2nd), with seven at Langford. Ringers at Clumber caught several Mealy Redpolls. Tom Shields

oxfordshire otmoor: A flyover Glossy Ibis (13th) was the highlight. It was also seen at Farmoor earlier in the day. A flyover Great White Egret ventured into Otmoor airspace (8th). A Ring-necked Parakeet, only the second for the reserve, roosted with the Starlings (30th). A Hen Harrier (6th-12th) mainly hunted Starlings as they came into roost in the evening. There was a Jack Snipe and 30 Snipe (25th). Five Bitterns were recorded regularly, along with three Marsh Harriers and the occasional Merlin. Other birds of note included a Short-eared Owl, Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Barn Owl and two unseasonal Curlews (17th). Fergus Mosey

rutland highlights: A Shore Lark flew over Rutland Water (6th), with a Whitefront there (20th-24th), Red-throated Diver (25th-27th) and Great Northern Diver (from 12th). Ninety Pinkfeet flew over Greetham GC (30th). rutland Water:

There were two Bewick’s Swans (19th) with five at Egleton (from 22nd). Maxima included eight Whooper Swans, 64 Red-crested Pochards, two Scaup, a Common Scoter, two Smew, 4,846 Wigeon, 1,517 Gadwall, 1,726 Teal, 166 Pintails, 246 Shovelers, 5,699 Tufted Ducks, 164 Goldeneyes, 26 Little Egrets, 23 Great White Egrets, 1,690 Lapwings, 25 Golden Plovers, four Curlews, two Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 29 Dunlin, three Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank and 15

Redshanks. The Red-necked Grebe remained all month, with two Slavonian Grebes (20th-23rd). Two Marsh Harriers and a Peregrine were regular. Bearded Tits were heard at Egleton. There were 17 Siskins at Lyndon (17th). OTHER SITES:

Six Mandarins were in Exton Park (12th), with four near Wing (25th). Fort Henry Ponds had 83 Gadwall, 49 Teal, 38 Shovelers, four Green Sandpipers and a Stonechat (12th). Two Water Rails and a Kingfisher were at Leighfield Fishponds. A Peregrine was regular at Martinsthorpe. Little Owls were there, and at Leighfield and Ridlington. Marsh Tits were in Tunneley Wood (2nd). Willow Tits were at Ridlington and Leighfield. Five Crossbills flew over Leighfield (15th). Terry Mitcham

STAFFORDSHIRE HIGHLIGHTS: A Great Grey Shrike was recorded at Cannock Chase (from 2nd). A Cattle Egret was at Doxey Marshes (1st-10th), with two (from 14th). Water Pipits there peaked at four. A Eurasian White-fronted Goose was present (19th). Three Cattle Egrets were at Belvide Reservoir (5th), with four (6th-30th). The Long-tailed Duck remained at Branston GP throughout. Three Caspian Gulls roosted at Chasewater. An Avocet passed through (17th). Two Brent Geese were at Tittesworth Reservoir (17th). Middleton Lakes had a Jack Snipe (18th).

WARWICKSHIRE HIGHLIGHTS: A Snow Bunting and a Red-breasted Merganser were at Draycote Water and six Whooper Swans were seen at Brandon Marsh. Brandon Marsh sightings also included Jack Snipe, White-fronted Goose, Pintail and Black-tailed Godwit as well as Caspian, Yellow-legged and Great Black-backed Gulls. At Draycote Water there were Caspian, Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls, Great Northern Diver, Red-crested Pochard, Common Scoter, two Brent Goose, Merlin, Shag and Pintail. Elsewhere Bittern, Brambling and Great White Egret were seen at Ladywalk NR, Morton Bagot had a Water Pipit and a Jack Snipe, there were Bearded Tits at Napton, Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls at Bubbenhall Meadows, and the second recorded Avocet at Earlswood Lakes. Clare Topping

WEST MIDLANDS BARTLEY RESERVOIR: There was a Mediterranean Gull, 20 Common Gulls, Yellow-legged Gulls and Goldeneyes. LUTLEY:

Bramblings were recorded on several dates, with good movements of Redwings, Fieldfares and Song Thrushes. MARSH LANE:

A Whooper Swan, Shelduck, six Black-tailed Godwits, five Green Sandpipers, a Dunlin and Peregrine were logged. A Great Black-backed Gull was regular. Yellowhammers were in the crop field. SANDWELL VALLEY:

A Hoopoe was near the Tame Valley canal. A Snow Bunting flew over. Seven Mandarins, a Great White Egret, three Yellowhammers and a Red-legged Partridge were seen. Six Jack Snipe were in the RSPB marsh. A Woodcock was at Swan Pool. Goosanders peaked at 102.

OTHER SITES: A Peregrine was near Queslett Nature Park, where 96 Wigeon were also logged. Pete Hackett (0121 358 2454)

WORCESTERSHIRE AVON VALLEY: Great White Egrets were at Bredon’s Hardwick and Kemerton Lake. A Long-eared Owl was at Lower Moor. CENTRAL:

There were 270 Golden Plovers at Bredicot and 60 over Wadborough. A Snow Bunting was at Sinton Green. Two Red-crested Pochards, two Goldeneyes and a Pintail were at Westwood Pool. GRIMLEY/HOLT:

Highlights included a Cattle Egret, two Whooper Swans, an American Wigeon (from 19th), two Smew, four Goldeneyes, two Egyptian Geese, a Grey Plover, 100 Golden Plovers, a Water Pipit and Siberian Chiffchaff. LOWER SEVERN VALLEY:

Five Whooper Swans, two Smew, a Common Scoter, two Red-crested Pochards, five Goldeneyes, two Pintails and 150 Golden Plovers were at Clifton. A Greenland White-fronted Goose, two Egyptian Geese, a Red-breasted Merganser, Scaup, Red-crested Pochard, three Goldeneyes, a Great White Egret, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit and Woodlark were at Ripple. NORTH:

A Whooper Swan flew over Bewdley. A Great White Egret and Ruff were at Bittell Reservoirs. A Water Pipit was at Kidderminster. Two Mealy Redpolls were in the Wyre Forest. UPTON WARREN:

Highlights included six Whooper Swans, a Black-tailed Godwit and Rock Pipit. Brian Stretch (www.worcesterbirding.co.uk)