TOTAL BIRD SPECIES (LIFE LIST) SEEN AT LH = 135
TOTAL BIRD SPECIES SEEN 2021 = 103 ; 2022 = 100 ;
2023 = 108 ; 2024 = 108 2025 = 102 ;
Special thanks to ANDREW CLARKE for the historic records and thanks to all Lower Hartshay Bird Group members – Alison Farnsworth, Andrew Wilde, Nigel + Anne Cater, Andrew Faloon , Dan Martin, Giles Pease , Wayne Reeves , Gordon Shaw , Scott Watson, Keith Banks + Malc Green for providing the sightings to enable compilation of this record.
Barn Owl – uncommon at LH –
one seen in July 2021; seen 5 different months in 2022; seen 7 different months in 2023 ; Seen every month in 2024 ; seen Jan 25 and not again in the year ;
Black-Headed Gull – the most regular Gull visiting LH all year round with increasing numbers in winter – possible highest count – 144 on 9 Feb 25
Black-tailed Godwit – an uncommon passage migrant and occasional fly overs at LH :
one on 26 August 1997 and remained until 4 Sept 1997 ;
Blackbird – common LH resident lots in the area
Blackcap – common LH summer visitor and rare winter visitor
Apr – Oct 2023 ; Mar – Aug 2024 ; Apr – Sept 2025 ;
Blue Tit – LH resident and regular ; lots in the area + around feeders
Brambling – passage migrant and winter visitor but unusual to LH
2 on 10 Mar 2008 ;1 seen Dec 2022 ; 1 seen Nov 2023 ; Feb, Mar , Nov + Dec 2024 ; Oct 2025 ;
Bullfinch – fairly common LH resident but currently elusive
Buzzard (Common) – regular LH resident normally 1 or 2 possible highest count of 12 on 8 Oct 2023
Canada Goose – a common resident + occasional visitor to LH possible highest count of 21 on 31 Dec 2024
Carrion Crow – LH resident usually 6 or more around
Cetti’s Warbler – an uncommon Derbyshire resident but often seen at LH ;
1 on 28 Feb 2017 with 1 on 10 Mar 2017; 1 on 18 Dec 2020 then Jan to March 2021 ; 2021 – 1 on 29th April ; 1 on 27 Oct ; 1 present all of November with 2 all of December; 2022 – 2 all month in Jan ; seen until May ; 2023 seen Apr and then Oct – Dec ; 2024 – Jan to Apr + Oct to Dec ; 2025 – seen every month except July
Chaffinch – fairly common LH resident often around the feeders possible highest count of 31 on 27 Dec 2024
Chiffchaff – fairly common summer visitor at LH and scarce winter visitor possible highest count of 19 on 12 April 2025
2023 – Feb to Oct ; 2024 seen 11 months of the year ; 2025 seen every month ;
Coal Tit – LH resident often near feeders
2021 – one not spotted until 15th May ; nest found in June near The George ; very few about in July ; but then seen every month to end of year ; 2023, 2024 + 2025 seen every month ;
Collared Dove – LH resident often around but can be only 2 or up to 10
Common Crane – A very rare vagrant to Derbyshire
one of the rarest birds ever seen at Lower Hartshay which appeared on 21 Oct 1996 and departed 22 Oct 1996 ;
Common Gull – a fairly common visitor and winter migrant – rare at LH
2021 – 1 on 22 Oct + 1 on 20 Nov ; 2022 – seen Mar+ Sept ;2023 – seen Feb – Apr + Oct ; 2024 – Feb, Oct, Nov + Dec ; 2025 – March ;
Common Sandpiper – a fairly common passage migrant but unusual at LH
25 Apr 1994 then singles in 1996, 1997, 1998 + 2015 ; 2022 – 1 on 10 April ;2023 1 in April ; 2024 – August ;
Common Tern – a regular passage migrant and often visits LH very occasional visitor but often seen annually
pair seen 21 May 2021; 1 on 5th July 2021; 1 on 1st Aug 2021 ; 1 in October 2021 + 1 in November 2021;
Coot – previously a common LH resident but seems to have disappeared
Cormorant – a fairly common and increasing resident – regular fly-overs at LH ;
one 12 Oct 2010 ; now regular flyovers recorded every month ;
Cuckoo – becoming rarer around LH
23 May 1997 ; and seen/heard 1998 + 2000 ; 2024 – May ; 2025 – May ;
Curlew – quite a regular visitor to LH ;
3 in June 2002 ; 2023 – May, June, Aug ; 2024 – May, June, Aug ; 2025 – Feb to June
Dunlin – a fairly common passage migrant but rare at LH
17 Mar 1996 then 17 Apr 1996 ; 14 Mar 1997 ; 17 Oct 1997 ; 3 on 2 Dec 1998 ; 2022 – 7 flew over on 9 Dec ; 2024 – March ;
Dunnock – common LH resident plenty often around
Egyptian Goose – an uncommon resident of feral origin
2 on 9 May 2019
Fieldfare – fairly common winter visitor to LH possible highest count of 373 on 26 Feb 2023
regular winter visitor - 200 on 16th April 2021; 2023 -Jan to Apr and Oct to Dec ; 2024 – Jan to Mar and Oct to Dec ; 2025 – Jan to March and Oct to Dec ;
Gadwall – an uncommon resident and regular winter visitor to UK + LH ;
2 on the 14 May 2013 ; 4 on 22 Apr 2015 ; 9 on 23 Sept 2021; 7 in June 2022; 2023 seen Feb, Apr, May, Sept + Nov ;2024 – Feb, May , July ; 2025 – Feb, Mar , May + June ;
Garden Warbler – summer LH visitor
2021 – one on 7th May ; one on 9th June ; seen few times in July ; 2022 – seen Apr – July ; 2023 – seen May – Sept ; 2024 April to July ; 2025 – Apr, May, June + Aug ;
Goldcrest – common LH resident and winter visitor secretive but are regular in the bushes
Golden Plover – rare winter visitor and passage migrant to LH
5 on 20 Nov 1998 ; 15 on 21 Dec 1998 ; 5 December 1999 ; 100 present on 17 Feb 2000; 2023 – 1 in Oct
Goldfinch – common LH resident regular especially around feeders possible highest count of 100+ on 16 Sept 2022
Goosander – a fairly common winter visitor but rare at LH
5 on 7 Feb 1999 ; 3 on 10 Mar 2017 + 29 Mar 2017 ; 4 on 2 Jan 2018; 5 on 30 Oct 2018; 1 on 8 Dec 2020. 2021 –seen Nov + Dec; 8 on 30 Jan 2022 ; 2023 - seen 7 separate months out of year ; 2024 – seen 7 different months ; 2025 seen Mar,, July + Sept ;
Goshawk – an uncommon resident – rare at Lower Hartshay ;
13 Mar 2008 ; 24 Feb 2009 ; 4 Oct 2021 ; 29 Oct 2023 ; 2025 – Sept ;
Grasshopper Warbler – uncommon LH summer visitor
First record of 1 reeling on 4 June to 14 July 1997; also one on 7 June 2020 ; 2024 – April ; 2025 – May ;
Great Black-Backed Gull – common winter visitor to Derbyshire with occasional sightings at LH 2 seen on 7th June 2021; 2023 – Nov + Dec ; 2024 – Jan + Dec ; 2025 None ;
Great Crested Grebe –
2022 – 1 in Nov ;
Great Tit – LH resident and regular ; lots in the area and around feeders
Green Sandpiper – an uncommon passage migrant (mainly in Autumn) and an increasing winter visitor in Derbyshire but rare at LH
First seen 17 Apr 1990 ; also in 1994, 1996, 1997 , 1998 , 1999, 2000, 2001 + 2014 ;
Great White Egret
2023 – 1 seen Mar, Aug + Oct ; 2024 – Feb ; 2025 – Jan + Oct ;
Green Woodpecker – regularly seen around LH
Greenfinch – common LH resident ; often near feeders
Greenshank – an uncommon passage migrant – mainly autumn – rare in winter + rare at LH
Seen 28 Sept 1995 and again in 1996; 2 seen in 1997 with 1 single in 1998 ;
Grey Heron – common LH resident+ breeding has occurred normally 1 or 2
Grey Lag Goose – a fairly common resident and regularly visits LH ; possible highest count of 67 on 2 Oct 2025
Grey Partridge – a fairly common resident but not often seen around LH
1 on 6 July 1994 ; 2 in 1996 ; Twice in 1997 and seen in 1999, 2000, 2001 + 2003 ;
Grey Wagtail – fairly common LH resident
Great Spotted Woodpecker – often seen around LH
Hawfinch
2023– Seen Feb, Oct + Dec ; 2024 -Mar, Oct, Nov ; 2025 – None ;
Herring Gull – a common winter visitor with few seen at LH
Hobby – a fairly common and increasing summer visitor and passage migrant often seen at LH
4 on 21 May 2021; 2022 – One seen May, June + July ; 2023 – One seen May – August ; 2024 – May, June, Aug, Sept + Oct ; 2025 – May to Aug + Oct ;
House Martin – summer visitor to LH possible highest count of 1472 birds on 30 Sept 2025
House Sparrow – common LH resident
Jack Snipe – Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant + rare at LH
1 on 24 Jan 2003 and remained Feb + March ; 2 on 5 Feb 2007 ; 1 on 7 Apr 2009 ; 2022 – One seen Jan, Feb + March and returned December ; 2023 – 1 in Feb ;
Jackdaw – LH resident and often up to 100 birds can be seen ; normally 20 or 30 birds around possible highest count of 3000 birds on 27 Jan 2023
Jay – LH resident and often seen nearer Ballys Pond
Kestrel – LH resident and probably breeds in the LH area
Kingfisher – LH resident very scarce at the moment
Lapwing – regular visitor to LH
100 on 7 Feb 1999 + 170 on 17 Feb 1999 ; 350 on 12 Dec 1999; 600 viewed in Jan + Feb 2000. 2 pairs nested in 2000 and later in year Dec 300 were present ; 400 appeared Jan 2001 ; 321 in December 2022; 2023 – seen 9 different months ; 2024 – seen 8 different months ; 2025 – seen Jan, Mar, Apr + June ;
Lesser Black-Backed Gull – regular visitor to LH but in small numbers ; regular – possible highest count of 300+ on 18 Sept 2022
100+ on 29 Sept 2021 ; 300+ in Sept 2022;
Lesser Redpoll – a fairly common resident with occasional sightings at LH
2021 – 4 on 24 April ; 2024 – Jan to Mar and Nov to Dec ; 2025 – Jan only ;
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – very rare at LH
One seen 3 May 2018 ;
Lesser Whitethroat – an uncommon summer visitor to LH + Derbyshire
1 heard on 14th May 2021; 2 seen on 15th June 2021 ; 2022 One in August ; 2023 Singles in June, July + Sept ; 2024 – June + Aug ; 2025 – Apr to June + August ;
Linnet – common LH resident and partial migrant ;
Little Egret – a fairly common and increasing visitor with regular ad hoc sightings at LH
1 June 2001 ; 2021 – one seen April ;11 May ; 17th Sept ; 3rd Dec ; 2022 – one seen in Jan, Feb, Apr + Aug ; 2023 - seen Feb, Apr , July, Aug + Dec ; 2024 – seen in 9 different months ; 2025 – seen 6 different months ;
Little Grebe – regular winter visitor to LH
2021 – seen in July, Aug , Sept ; 2022 – Jan 2 all month ; 2023 – seen Apr + Oct only ; 2024 – Jan , Nov + Dec ; 2025 – Jan, Feb, Oct, Nov + Dec ;
Little Owl – unfortunately quite unusual around LH
16 Nov 1996 and every year until 2018 ; 5 July 2021 and seen again in November 2021 ; 2022 – seen Jan, Feb, Oct + Nov ; 2023 – seen from Aug – Dec ; 2024 – July, Aug + Dec ; 2025 – NONE ;
Little Ringed Plover – occasional visitor to LH ;
4 Apr 1996 ; then seen yearly with maximum of 2 birds; 2021 – 1 on 1st April ;
Long Tailed Tit – LH resident seen every month and in quite high numbers in winter possible highest count of 29 on 28 Feb 2025
Magpie – common LH resident normally 3 or 4
Mallard – a common LH resident + breeds normally around 60+ birds
Mandarin Duck a fairly common resident and often seen at LH –
18 on 20 Aug 2013 ; 50 on 9 Aug 2017 ; 2021 – 4 on 14th April ; 2022 – max 6 in Sept 2023 – seen in 7 separate months ; 2024 – Feb to Aug + Oct ; 2025 – Mar – Sept ;
Meadow Pipit – fairly common LH resident + passage migrant possible highest count of 117 on 29 Sept 2024
Merlin
2023 – 1 in October ;
Mistle Thrush – fairly common LH resident
Moorhen – common LH resident normally 3 or 4
Muscovy Duck – native to America but feral populations established in UK
1 on 16 Feb 2016 ;
Mute Swan – a fairly common UK resident but unusual at Lower Hartshay (LH)
9 June 2017: 9 Jan 2018 ; 23 May 2021; 2022– Jan, Apr, July + Nov ; 2024 – Apr + May ; 2025 – Feb ;
Nuthatch – a fairly common LH resident
Osprey – an uncommon migrant and very rare at LH
One seen on 2 Sept 1997 ; 2022 – one flew over 26 July ; 2024 – seen June + Aug ; 2025 – March ;
Oystercatcher – an uncommon passage migrant but odd birds visit LH
1 on 26 Aug 1997 ; 1 on 26 April 2018; 2 on 18 May 2018 + 1 on 12 June 2018 ; 1 on 6th May 2021 ; 2022 – 2 on 11 Apr 2022 + 1 on 3 May 2022 ; 2023 – 1 in Mar, May + June ; 2024 – May ; 2025 – June ;
Peregrine – occasional visitor to LH
28 Sept 1995 and a record on 23 Feb 2018 ; 3 on 13 July 2021; 2022 – one over in July, Aug, Sept + Nov ; 2023 – one seen Apr, May, Aug, Oct + Nov ; 2024 – seen 7 different months ; 2025 – seen 5 different months ;
Pheasant – a fairly common resident and often seen around LH
Pied Wagtail – common LH resident possible highest count of 127 on 12 Oct 2023
Pink Footed Goose – a fairly common winter transient but unusual at LH possible highest count of 400+ on 23 Oct 2025
28 Dec 1996 ; 30 Nov 1997 ; 1 landed 20 jan 2017 ; 9 Oct 2019 ; 15 Oct 2019 ; 15 Nov 2021 ; 20 Nov 2021 ; Jan 2022 + Sept 2022 ; 2023 – 15 Jan (213) ; 12 Nov (60) ; 16 Nov (224) ; 10 Dec (5) ; 2024 – Jan, Sept + Nov ; 2025 – Sept to Dec ;
Pintail – an uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor – rare at LH
1 on 1 Feb 2019 ;
Raven – occasional LH fly overs –
2 on 18 Sept 2005 and seen in 2015 + 2017 ; 5 overhead on 7th Aug 2021 ; fly overs every month to end of year ; 2022 – 1 over on 16 Jan ; 2023 seen 10 different months ; 2024 – seen 10 different months ; 2025 – seen 11 different months ;
Red Kite – an uncommon but increasing overhead visitor
2021 – 1 over 9 May ; 1 on 2nd June ; seen a few times in July ; 1 on 1 Aug ; 2 on 6th Sept ; 1 seen on 6 Oct + 1 on 12 Dec ; 2022 – 1 over on 3 Jan ; in Feb, Mar, May, Jun, July + Sept; 2023 - seen 8 separate months of the year ; 2024 – Mar to Aug + Oct ; 2025 – seen 9 different months
Red Legged Partridge – very rare to Lower Hartshay
2024 – 1 seen March 15th ;
Redshank – an uncommon breeder and winter visitor and unusual at LH – a rare visitor ;
2 on 17 Apr 1990 then 1-2 every year up to 2003. Not seen again until 2021 – 1 on 21 Sept ;
Common Redstart – summer visitor but not common at LH
1 on 21st April 2021; 1 on 24 Sept 2021; 2023 – One in July ; 2024 – Aug ; 2025 – Sept ;
Redwing – fairly commonwinter visitor to LH possible highest count of 400+ on 9 Oct 2023
2025 – Jan to April + Sept to Dec ;
Reed Bunting – fairly common LH resident and passage migrant
Reed Warbler – a fairly common and increasing LH summer visitor
First sighting 15 May 2000 ; 2021 – heard + seen on 29 May ; 2022 – seen June + July ; 2023 – seen May – Sept ; 2024 – May to July ; 2025 – May to July ;
Ringed Plover – scarce passage migrant and scarce breeder in Derbyshire and rare at LH –
14 on 14 May 1994 ;
Ring Ouzel – very rare bird for LH
2024 – 1 seen on 2nd April
Robin – common LH resident plenty around the area
Rook – LH resident usually 6 or 7 around
Ruff – an uncommon passage migrant – rare in winter + rare at LH
1 Apr 1990 ;
Sand Martin – summer visitor to LH – usually between April and Aug/Sept
Sedge Warbler – a fairly common LH summer visitor – usually April to August
Shelduck – an uncommon but regular winter visitor to the UK but rare at LH
26 Apr 1995 ; 17 Apr 1996 ; Aug 1999
Shoveler – an uncommon visitor throughout the year but unusual at LH
2 on 6 June 1998 ; 2023 – 20 Jan (2) ; 2024 December ;
Siskin – common winter visitor to LH – often Jan to Apr then Sept to Dec ; possible highest count 27 on 9 Jan 2022
Skylark – a common Derbyshire resident although limited numbers at LH
Common Snipe – common winter visitor to LH possible highest count of 80 on 26 Oct 2001
Historic high counts of 76 on 8 Feb 1999 ; 80 on 26 Oct 2001 ; 77 on 11 Feb 2008 ; and 50 on 3 Feb 2015 ; 17 on 24 Dec 2021; 47 on 14 Jan 2022 ;
Song Thrush – fairly common LH resident often 2 or more about
Sparrowhawk – regularly seen flying through LH
Spotted Flycatcher – fairly common LH summer visitor
First sighting on 14 August 2001 and seen in 2015, 2017, 2018 + 2019; 2021 – 3 on 5th Sept; 2022 – seen July – Sept; 2023 – seen July + Aug ; 2024 – Aug ; 2025 – Aug + Sept ;
Starling – common LH resident often seen flying about
Stock Dove – regularly seen around LH often a couple near feeders
Stonechat – uncommon passage migrant and unusual at LH
9 Oct 1996 + seen 2004 + 2005 ; 2023 – 1 in March ; 2024 – Mar, Sept, Oct + Nov ; 2025 – Feb, Sept + Oct
Swallow – summer visitor to LH ; possible highest count of 1500+ birds on 26 July 2024
Swift – often seen flying over LH during the summer months possible highest count of 100+ on 25 July 2024
Tawny Owl – unfortunately quite unusual around LH
First record 24 Jan 2001 ;2022 – seen July + Sept ; 2023 – seen Jan, Mar, July, Oct + Nov ; 2024 – Mar, Sept, Oct + Dec ; 2025 – July, Sept, Nov, Dec ;
Teal – a scarce breeder but regular winter visitor to LH – possible highest count of 130 on 7 Jan 2001
120 on 9 Jan 1997 ; 130 on 7 Jan 2001 ; 127 on 12 Dec 2021 ; 73 in Jan 2022;
Tree Sparrow – very rare at LH
27 Mar 2008 ; Oct 2022 ;
Treecreeper – fairly common resident ;
Tufted Duck – a fairly common resident but rare at LH -very occasional visitor
1 on 31 Aug 1997 + 16 June 2017; 2 on 22 May 2018 ; 7 appeared on 22 May 2020 ; 2021 – 2 on 11th May; 2022 – June ; 2025 – May + June ;
Water Rail – A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant but often seen ; at LH - regularly present although very secretive-
3 on 17 March 1996 + seen yearly since with 4 in 2014 and 4 in 2015; 4 or 5 heard (breeding suspected) on 22 Nov 2021 ; 2022 – present every month with max 4 in Nov + Dec ; 2023 – present every month with max of 5: 2024 – seen 11 different months ; 2025 – seen every month ;
Waxwing – rare winter visitor to LH
25 on 1 Apr 2005 ;
Wheatear – fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant but unusual at LH
male on 17 Mar 1996 ; 2021 – 1 on 20th April ; 2023 – 1 in May ; 2024 – Mar + Sept ; 2025 – Sept ;
Whinchat – uncommon passage migrant and rare at LH
1 on 23 Aug 1997 + 2 Sept 1997; 2 on 6 Sept 2002 with 1 on 5 Sept 2017 ; 2022 – 1 in Sept ; 2023 – 1 in August ;
Whitethroat – a fairly common LH summer visitor ; possible highest count of 11 on 2 June 2024
Whooper Swan – a rare winter visitor
2021 (13 overhead) ; 2023 – 12 Oct (4) ; 28 Nov (8) ; 2025 – Oct + Nov ;
Wigeon – a common winter visitor to UK and LH – possible highest count of 150 in Dec 1995
150 in Nov + Dec 1995 ; 100 seen in Nov 1997 ; 130 on 17 Nov 1999 ; 2021 –53 on 25 Dec 2021; 55 in March 2022; 2023 – last one 14 April , first one 15 October; 2024 – Jan to Mar + Oct to Dec ; 2025 – Jan to Mar + Sept, Oct and Dec ;
Willow Tit – an uncommon Derbyshire resident and unusual at LH
3 on 17 Oct 1997 then seen every year since ; 2021 – 2 found on 15th June with young ; 2023– seen Aug – Dec 2024 – Jan to Aug ; 2025 Regretfully none ;
Willow Warbler – a common LH summer visitor
Woodcock – very rare to the area
2025 – 1 seen on 15th March
Wood Pigeon – LH resident normally 20+ birds in the area possible highest count of 300+ on 16 Oct 2023
Wood Sandpiper – a scarce passage migrant in Derbyshire + LH
seen 14 Aug 2000 and remained until 17 August 2000
Wren – common LH resident abundant in the area
Yellow Wagtail – now an uncommon summer visitor
2022 – none seen ; 2023 – 1 in April ; 2024 – July ;
Yellowhammer – becoming rare in the area
2023 – Feb to June plus Oct + Nov ; 2024 – Mar, Aug + Sept ; 2025 – March only
Harris Hawk – a falconry bird not on the British list – One was seen 14 times from 4 March to 8th June 2001, including feeding on a Moorhen. Bird was viewed from the road as the towpath was closed due to foot + mouth
Lower Hartshay Bird Group 