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A fairly uneventful month was enlivened by a very confiding Red-footed Falcon, a couple of Great White Egrets and a good showing of Spoonbills and Red-necked Phalaropes.
Common Scoter
Five at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) on 1st was followed by a drake there from 4th to 8th, while later in the month five were at Farmoor Reservoir (Oxon) on 27th and up to seven were at Carsington Water (Derbys) on 29th.
Red-breasted Merganser
An unseasonal bird was at Uttoxeter Quarry (Staffs) from 9th to 11th.
Quail
An impressive total of 60 singing males were noted across the region during the month including at least eight at Tilstock (Shrops) on 23rd.
Black-throated Diver
The immature at Carsington Water (Derbys) was last reported on 12th.
Slavonian Grebe
The long-staying bird remained at Pitsford Reservoir (Northants) throughout the month.
Black-necked Grebe
One was at Rutland Water on 9th.
Gannet
In Leicestershire, an adult was reported in flight between Empingham and Stamford on 8th.
Manx Shearwater
A flock of at least 150 were off Severn Beach (Gloucs) on 18th.
Great White Egret
An adult was at Carr Vale NR (Derbys) from 12th to 14th while one was reported at Pitsford Reservoir (Northants) from 28th to 30th.
Great White Egret at Carr Vale NR (Derbyshire). Photo: Jon Lowes
Purple Heron
One at Langford Lowfields RSPB (Notts) on 10th was reported to have been present for at least 10 days while and adult was reported at Wellington Pits (Herefords) on 22nd.
Black Stork
One was reported over Darley Dale (Derbys) on 24th.
White Stork
One was reported over Kidsgrove (Staffs) on 20th.
Spoonbill
Singles were at Marsh Lane NR (W Mids) on 4th which then flew north and at Port Meadow (Oxon) on 7th and 8th while three were near Sutton Courtenay (Oxon) on 7th. Further singles were at Blithfield Reservoir (Staffs) from 11th to 13th, Otmoor RSPB (Oxon) from 11th to 14th, Idle Valley NR (Notts) on 17th and 18th and two adults were at Slimbridge Wetland Centre on 23rd with one remaining to the end of the month.
Spoonbill at Slimbridge Wetland Centre (Gloucestershire). Photo: Mick Colquhoun
For more excellent pictures of the Spoonbill by Mick Colquhoun click here
Honey Buzzard
Three were reported during the final week of the month: at Welbeck Raptor Viewpoint (Notts) on 25th, at Cirencester (Gloucs) on 26th and at Summer Leys NR (Northants) on 30th.
Marsh Harrier
Four were noted: at Rutland Water on 4th, at Willington Pits (Derbys) on 5th, Shenstone (Worcs) on 8th and Wellington Pits (Herefords) on 22nd.
Hen Harrier
A ringtail was reported at Tirley (Gloucs) on 4th.
Osprey
At least two were seen regularly at Blithfield Reservoir (Staffs) throughout the month while at least one toured various sites in Northamptonshire. Further singles were also seen in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
Red-footed Falcon
A first-summer female was at Ledbury (Herefords) from 7th to 9th being reported again on 11th. This same individual was then relocated at Breaston (Derbys) from around 20th last being seen on 22nd.
Red-footed Falcon at Ledbury (Herefordshire). Photo: Carl Day
For video footage of the Red-footed Falcon at Ledbury by Steve Avery click here
Red-footed Falcon at Breaston (Derbyshire). Photo: Tony Davison
Common Crane
A probable that flew south-west over Rous Lench (Worcs) on 13th was almost certainly the same individual seen flying south-west over Eastington (Gloucs) on 14th.
Grey Plover
Four were at Rutland Water on 4th.
Sanderling
Following the influx during May, seven were at Rutland Water on 1st, with one still there on 6th and singles were at Kilvington Lakes (Notts) on 1st and Farmoor Reservoir (Oxon) on 18th.
Little Stint
One was at Rutland Water on 4th and 5th.
Temminck’s Stint
Two were at Venus Pool NR (Shrops) on 4th.
Temminck's Stints at Venus Pool NR (Shropshire). Photo: Paul Burgess
Curlew Sandpiper
One was at Rutland Water on 6th.
Bar-tailed Godwit
One was at Slimbridge Wetland Centre (Gloucs) on 1st and 2nd.
Spotted Redshank
Singles were Slimbridge Wetland Centre (Gloucs) on 23rd and Blithfield Reservoir (Staffs) on 25th.
Wood Sandpiper
Singles at Uttoxeter Quarry (Staffs) on 4th and Marsh Lane NR (W Mids) on 5th were presumably heading north but by the third week the first returning individuals appeared and comprised singles at Frampton-on-Severn (Gloucs) from 18th to 20th, Idle Valley NR (Notts) from 22nd to 26th, Collingham Pits (Notts) on 28th, Middleton Lakes RSPB (Staffs/Warks) on 29th and Kilvington Lakes (Notts) on 30th.
Turnstone
Two were at Bittell Reservoirs (Worcs) on 1st and singles were at Rutland Water on 4th and 9th while up to 12 were summering at Severn Beach (Gloucs) during the month.
Red-necked Phalarope
A female remained at Upton Warren (Worcs) until 2nd being seen again on 4th while what were likely to have been different individuals were also present on 10th and 14th. Elsewhere, singles were at Blithfield Reservoir (Staffs) and Kilvington Lakes (Notts) on 6th, two males were at Eyebrook Reservoir (Leics/Rutland) on 10th, a male and female were at Holme Pierrepont (Notts) on 18th and two different females were at Slimbridge Wetland Centre: one on 22nd and one on 25th.
Caspian Gull
Single first-summer individuals remained at both Kilvington Lakes (Notts) and Bittell Reservoirs (Worcs) on 1st, while another first-summer was at Middleton Lakes RSPB (Warks/Staffs) on 13th. Single immatures were also reported at Idle Valley NR (Notts) on 5th and 30th.
Kittiwake
Singles adults were at Bittell Reservoirs (Worcs) on 5th and Severn Beach (Gloucs) on 16th.
Little Gull
A first-summer lingered at Rutland Water for most of the month while further first-summers were at Slimbridge Wetland Centre (Gloucs) on 14th, Idle Valley NR (Notts) on 18th and Summer Leys NR (Northants) on 19th.
Sandwich Tern
Seven were at Blithfield Reservoir (Staffs) on 19th while four flew south over Westport Lake (Staffs) on 27th.
Little Tern
Singles were at Blithfield Reservoir (Staffs) on 5th, 19th and 28th, Eyebrook Reservoir (Leics/Rutland) on 7th, Slimbridge Wetland Centre (Gloucs) on 13th, two were at Rutland Water on 19th and one was at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) on 27th.
Black Tern
One was at Pitsford Reservoir (Northants) on 4th, four were at Rutland Water on 4th and singles were at Eyebrook Reservoir (Leics/Rutland) on 7th and Rutland Water on 28th.
Hoopoe
A mobile individual was at South Kilworth (Leics) on 4th.
Hoopoe at South Kilworth (Leicestershire). Photo: Kevin Groocock
Red-rumped Swallow
One was reported at Ogston Reservoir (Derbys) on 7th.
Savi’s Warbler
A singing male was at Rutland Water during the evening of 6th.
Marsh Warbler
A singing male was reported at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) on 29th.
Golden Oriole
One was reported at Ruardean (Gloucs) on 11th.
Crossbill
A mini-influx took place as the month progressed with notable counts including 30 at Maer Hills (Staffs) on 5th, 20 over Rutland Water on 24th, 15 over Arley Wood (Warks) on 26th and 25 at Annesley Pit Top on 28th.
Copyright: Birding Today (Copyright of photos remain with the credited photographers).
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