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Highlights during May included the first county records of Buff-breasted Sandpiper for Leicestershire & Rutland, Great Reed Warbler for Derbyshire and Tawny Pipit for Herefordshire while Leicestershire & Rutland also produced a Blue-winged Teal, two White-winged Black Terns, a probable Black Stork and a Serin was reported. Other notable occurrences included a Ring-necked Duck, a Great White Egret and a Red-backed Shrike in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire’s sixth Red-rumped Swallow, a Red-backed Shrike in Gloucestershire, two Montagu’s Harriers, two Red-necked Phalaropes, a Pectoral Sandpiper and good numbers of Dotterel and Temminck’s Stints.
Garganey
A reasonable showing, particularly in the east of the region. The majority of records were of drakes comprised as follows: singles at Otmoor RSPB (Oxon) on 3rd and 9th, Draycote Water (Warks) until 6th and it or another there on 18th, Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) from 3rd to 30th, three at Summer Leys (Northants) from 4th with one still present mid-month, two at Ditchford Pits (Northants) from 4th to 9th, singles at Bredon’s Hardwick (Worcs) on 6th, Saul Warth (Gloucs) from 6th to 15th, Hoveringham Pits (Notts) on 7th, Annesley Pit Top (Notts) on 9th, Willington Pits (Derbys) from 9th to 13th, Whixall Moss (Shrops) from 10th to 14th, two (1 female) at Clifford Hill Pits (Northants) on 12th, one at Clifton Pits (Worcs) on 15th, two (1 female) at Pitsford Reservoir (Northants) on 18th and 31st, two (1 female) at Port Meadow (Oxon) on 19th and 20th while one was there on 21st and 23rd, singles at Lound Pits (Notts) on 21st, Otmoor RSPB (Oxon) (a female) on 22nd, Willington Pits (Derbys) from 23rd to 31st, Radley Pits (Oxon) on 24th, Marsh Lane (West Mids) on 26th and 27th, Birstall Meadows (Leics) on 26th and 30th and Cossington Meadows (Leics) on 30th and 31st.
Blue-winged Teal
A female present at Groby Pool (Leics) on 26th was relocated 50 miles to the south-east at Paxton Pits (Cambs) the following day. Interestingly, it was accompanied by a drake Shoveler at both sites.
Ring-necked Duck
A drake spent the day at Attenborough (Notts) on 17th.
Greater Scaup
The long-staying female was last reported at Carsington Water (Derbys) on 7th.
Common Scoter
A drake at Branston Pits (Staffs) on 22nd, single females at Attenborough (Notts) and Draycote Water (Warks) on 31st and seven at Foremark Reservoir (Derbys) the same day were the only records.
Red-breasted Merganser
Two were at Rutland Water on 4th with at least one still present the following day and one was at Slimbridge (Gloucs) on 5th.
Quail
Two were reported at Lound (Notts) on 3rd while single males were singing at Whitemoor Haye (Staffs) on 16th and 29th, Upper Bruntingthorpe (Leics) on 21st and Berry Hill Fields (Staffs) on 25th.
Great Northern Diver
One remained at Carsington Water (Derbys) until 8th while the two over-wintering birds were last reported at Draycote Water (Warks) on 10th.
Black-necked Grebe
One was at Wellington Pits (Herefords) from 9th to 11th and two were at Draycote Water (Warks) on 26th.
Bittern
An unseasonal bird was present at the traditional wintering site of Upton Warren (Worcs) from 31st in to June.
Great White Egret
One was at Attenborough (Notts) on 4th before flying towards Long Eaton (Derbys).
Black Stork
A probable was noted in flight between Normanton le Heath and Heather (Leics) on 17th.
Spoonbill
One at Port Meadow (Oxon) on 1st relocated to nearby Farmoor Reservoir later that day while in the same county, one was present at Otmoor RSPB from 14th to 16th. Elsewhere, one at Saul Warth (Gloucs) on 16th moved to nearby Slimbridge from 18th to 22nd and a different individual was there from 25th to 27th while in Worcestershire one flew over both Upton Warren and Grimley during the evening of 22nd and one that circled over Watermead Country Park (Leics) during the morning of 29th was probably the same individual present at Willington Pits (Derbys) later that day before flying off north.
Honey Buzzard
One flew south-east over Pride Park (Derbys) on 9th, one flew north over Tittesworth Reservoir (Staffs) on 12th, one flew over Byfield (Northants) on 16th, one at Welbeck (Notts) on 22nd, one flew over Islip (Northants) on 23rd and one flew north-west over Shustoke Reservoir (Warks) on 25th.
Red Kite
A notable passage occurred across the region during the last week of the month including a remarkable tally of eight birds that passed over Slimbridge (Gloucs) during the day on 25th.
Marsh Harrier
At least 40 birds were seen passing through the region with around nine of these occurring in Derbyshire.
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Marsh Harrier at Upton Warren, Worcs. Photo: Simon Vickers
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Hen Harrier
One was noted at Barton-in-Fabis (Notts) on 16th.
Montagu’s Harrier
A male lingered in the Leash Fen and Stanage Edge area (Derbys) mid-month but also spent much of its time on the South Yorkshire side of the county border while another male flew over Coombe Hill (Gloucs) on 26th.
Osprey
At least 18 birds were seen passing through the region.
Common Crane
Two were present at Otmoor RSPB (Oxon) on 2nd and 3rd while five that circled over Ogston Reservoir (Derbys) on 3rd had been observed heading over the River Humber (East Yorkshire) earlier in the morning. In addition, one flew north over Stroud (Gloucs) on 24th and a probable was heard calling as it flew over Worcester on 27th.
Avocet
Passage birds comprised one at Clifton Pits (Worcs) on 4th, one at Rutland Water and two at Summer Leys (Northants) on 11th, one at Slimbridge (Gloucs) on 14th and 15th with a pair present there on 30th and two at Rutland Water on 23rd and 24th.
Collared Pratincole
One was reported at Sandwell Valley briefly on 27th.
Dotterel
Eight flew north over Annesley Pit Top (Notts) on 2nd, two were on the Long Mynd (Shrops) on 2nd and 3rd, three were at Hergest Ridge (Herefords) on 3rd, two were on Bredon Hill (Worcs) on 10th and seven at Abney Moor (Derbys) on 11th were followed by another two there from 16th to 18th.
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Dotterel at Long Mynd, Shrops. Photo: Chris Cook
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Dotterel at Bredon Hill, Worcs. Photo: Martyn Yapp
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Grey Plover
One at Hoveringham (Notts) on 8th, one at Stanwick Pits (Northants) on 9th, one at Coleshill Pits (Warks) from 9th to 11th, one at Willington Pits (Derbys) on 10th, one at Summer Leys (Northants) on 11th, one at Rutland Water on 18th and 20th, one at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) from 21st to 23rd.
Knot
Just a handful were recorded comprising three at Rutland Water on 7th with singles there on 19th, 20th and 24th, while singles were also at Chasewater (Staffs) on 8th and 9th and Otmoor RSPB (Oxon) on 31st.
Sanderling
Over 125 were recorded with the largest inland counts being seven at Farmoor Reservoir (Oxon) on 24th and ten at Rutland Water on 24th and 26th.
Little Stint
Singles were at Chasewater (Staffs) on 25th and 26th and Rutland Water on 26th.
Temminck’s Stint
A good passage brought three to Coleshill Pits (Warks) on 12th with two remaining until 14th, singles at Slimbridge (Gloucs) on 13th, Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) on 14th, Brandon Marsh (Warks) on 19th and 20th, Farmoor Reservoir (Oxon) on 20th, two at Otmoor RSPB (Oxon) on 22nd and 23rd, three at Port Meadow (Oxon) on 23rd, one at Eyebrook Reservoir (Leics & Rutland) on 23rd and one at Rutland Water from 25th with two there on 27th.
Pectoral Sandpiper
One was present at Summer Leys (Northants) on 28th.
Curlew Sandpiper
Two were reported at Draycote Water (Warks) on 11th, while singles were at Slimbridge (Gloucs) on 12th and 13th, Rutland Water on 18th, Saul Warth (Gloucs) on 26th and Uttoxeter Quarry (Staffs) from 26th to 31st.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
One present at Rutland Water on 17th and 18th constituted the first county record for Leicestershire and Rutland.
Bar-tailed Godwit
Away from a few present on the Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire early in the month, one present at Annesley Pit Top from late April remained until 13th, while two were at Lound Pits (Notts) until 3rd, one was at Carr Vale (Derbys) from 1st to 4th, one at Rutland Water on 2nd, at least two at Summer Leys (Northants) on 2nd, one at Wood Lane (Shrops) on 4th, one at Hoveringham (Notts) on 8th and one at Farmoor Reservoir (Oxon) on 22nd.
Whimbrel
An excellent showing of this species saw around 400 pass through the region with a pronounced movement witnessed on 8th with notable counts comprising 26 at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs), 15 at Carsington Water (Derbys), 22 at Farmoor Reservoir (Oxon), 89 at Summer Leys (Northants), 41 at Upton Warren (Worcs) and 24 at Wassell Grove (Worcs).
Wood Sandpiper
Singles at Rutland Water on 1st and 2nd, Doxey Marshes (Staffs) on 3rd and 7th, four at Summer Leys (Northants) on 4th and two there on 9th, one at Brandon Marsh (Warks) on 7th was joined by a second individual on 8th, while singles were at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) on 9th and 13th to 14th, Standlake Common (Oxon) on 9th, Wanlip Meadows (Leics) from 9th to 11th, with probably the same bird at nearby Watermead Country Park (Leics) on 11th, Annesley Pit Top (Notts) on 11th, Coleshill Pits (Warks) on 11th and 12th, two at Wellington Pits (Herefords) on 11th, singles at Port Meadow (Oxon) on 11th and 12th and from 24th to 27th, Ripple Pits (Worcs) from 12th to 15th, Whixall Moss (Shrops) on 13th, Willington Pits (Derbys) from 19th to 21st, Pleasley Colliery (Derbys) on 21st and 22nd, Lound Pits (Notts) on 21st and 23rd, Marsh Lane (West Mids) on 22nd, Summer Leys (Northants) on 27th and 28th and Saul Warth (Gloucs) on 29th and 30th.
Turnstone
Over 60 were recorded with the largest inland count being four at Rutland Water on 10th.
Red-necked Phalarope
Single females were at Rutland Water on 27th and 28th and Westwood Pool (Worcs) on 28th.
Arctic Skua
A dark morph individual flew north over Annesley Pit Top (Notts) on 12th.
Mediterranean Gull
A first-summer was at Upton Warren (Worcs) on 1st and another there from 6th to 8th, a first-summer was at Summer Leys (Northants) on 2nd and an adult there on 4th, a first-summer at Slimbridge (Gloucs) on 10th, a second-summer at Bredon’s Hardwick (Worcs) on 14th, an adult at Kemerton Lake (Worcs) on 13th, a second-summer at Upton Warren (Worcs) on 15th, an adult at Albert Village Lake (Leics) on 19th, a first-summer at Dosthill (Warks) on 24th and a first-summer at Saul Warth (Gloucs) on 29th and 30th.
Caspian Gull
A first-summer was reported at Ditchford Pits (Northants) on 22nd.
Little Gull
Adults were noted at Cotswold Water Park (Gloucs) on 3rd, Upton Warren (Worcs) on 5th and Drayton Bassett Pits (Staffs) on 7th, while a number of first-summer birds occurred comprising singles at Rutland Water on 7th, Lound Pits (Notts) on 8th, Clifton Pits (Worcs) on 9th followed by a small influx late in the month bringing at least two at Rutland Water, two at Lound Pits (Notts) and three at Upton Warren (Worcs) all from 25th while an adult was at Willington Pits (Derbys) on 31st.
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Little Gulls at Upton Warren, Worcs. Photo: Andy Warr
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Kittiwake
Single adults were at Holme Pierrepont (Notts) on 2nd, in the Slimbridge area (Gloucs) on 2nd and 3rd, Upton Warren (Worcs) on 8th, two were at Attenborough NR (Notts) on 8th, a first-summer was at Marsh Lane (West Mids) on 8th and a first-summer lingered in the Annesley area (Notts) from 27th in to June with presumably the same individual at nearby Kingsmill Reservoir on 31st.
Little Tern
Singles were at Slimbridge (Gloucs) on 4th and 24th, while in Northamptonshire, two were at Daventry Reservoir on 12th and one at Summer Leys on 17th.
White-winged Black Tern
Two summer-plumaged adults graced Rutland Water from 23rd to 25th.
Black Tern
A relatively poor month for this species with records comprising one at Summer Leys (Northants) from 3rd to 9th, two at Standlake Common (Oxon) on 9th and two at Draycote Water (Warks) on 21st. A notable influx on 22nd brought two at Dix Pit (Oxon), 11 at Farmoor Reservoir (Oxon), 12 at Otmoor RSPB (Oxon), six at Cotswold Water Park (Gloucs), five at Wellington Pits (Herefords), one at Willington Pits (Derbys), four at Eyebrook Reservoir (Leics), five at Clifford Hill Pits (Northants), three at Summer Leys (Northants), six at Stanford Reservoir (Leics/Northants), two at Lound Pits (Notts) and one at Upton Warren (Worcs) on 22nd, small numbers passed through Rutland Water during the month peaking at ten on 23rd, three at Pitsford Reservoir (Northants) on 23rd, one at Lound Pits (Notts) on 24th, six at Farmoor Reservoir (Oxon) on 26th and one at Carsington Water (Derbys) on 28th.
Sandwich Tern
Two at Slimbridge (Gloucs) on 1st, were followed by one at Willington Pits (Derbys) on 2nd, four at Barrow-upon-Trent Pits (Derbys) on 3rd, two at Upton Warren (Worcs) on 10th, two at Farmoor Reservoir (Oxon) on 15th and one at Ogston Reservoir (Derbys) on 19th.
Arctic Tern
Over 520 were noted passing through the region, with the majority occurring early in the month, the largest count being 80 at Rutland Water on 6th.
Long-eared Owl
Unseasonal birds were noted at Upton Warren (Worcs) from 9th to 11th and Cotham Flash (Notts) on 31st.
Short-eared Owl
Singles were noted at Chasewater (Staffs) from 1st to 3rd, Winchcombe (Gloucs) on 3rd, near Bicester (Oxon) on 11th and Rutland Water on 22nd.
Hoopoe
The long-staying bird first discovered at Clayhanger Marsh (West Mids) in April was last reported on 9th.
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Hoopoe at Clayhanger Marsh, West Mids. Photo: Chris Cook
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Red-rumped Swallow
One at Ogston Reservoir (Derbys) from 29th to 30th constituted the sixth county record.
Tawny Pipit
One at Wellington Pits (Herefords) on 13th was an outstanding record.
Black Redstart
A number of late spring migrants comprised singles at Bredon Hill (Worcs) from 1st to 5th, Cleeve Hill (Gloucs) on 7th, Foremark Reservoir (Derbys) on 8th and Annesley Pit Top (Notts) on 13th.
Ring Ouzel
The final spring passage birds to be reported were singles at Bredon Hill (Worcs) on 1st and Muswell Hill (Oxon) on 3rd.
Great Reed Warbler
The first for Derbyshire, a singing male at Straw Ponds near Ilkeston from 12th remained on territory in to June.
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Great Reed Warbler at Straw's Bridge Ponds, Derbys. Photo: Mike Wakeman
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Wood Warbler
Passage birds were noted at Ladywalk (Warks) on 1st and Carr Vale (Derbys) on 3rd, while a singing male that remained on territory at Beacon Hill Country Park (Leics) from 15th in to June was a good county record.
Firecrest
Two were at Lightmoor Colliery (Gloucs) on 23rd while singing males were noted at Outwoods (Leics) on 23rd and Swithland Wood (Leics) on 24th.
Pied Flycatcher
A migrant was noted at Lime Park Pits (West Mids) on 10th.
Red-backed Shrike
Two were discovered: an elusive male at Tidenham (Gloucs) from 1st to 7th and a female at Clifton (Notts) on 26th and 27th.
Serin
One was reported on the outskirts of Leicester at Evington on 25th.
Crossbill
Three flew over Wassell Grove (Worcs) on 3rd, 13 were at Cannock Chase (Staffs) on 4th, one flew over Bredon Hill (Worcs) on 10th while the regular flock remained at Hanchurch Wood (Staffs) throughout the month.
Hawfinch
Up to two were still at Cromford (Derbys) early in the month and one was noted at Cleeve Hill (Gloucs) on 31st.
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