The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Ogston Reservoir News

Ogston Bird News March 2008-31 Days Covered - Species

Six records of Mute Swan with two birds on two dates, six Whooper Swans passed through on 23rd, Greylag Goose was recorded on at least thirteen dates with a maximum of six on 15th, two Egyptian Geese which moved through south east on 23rd were a welcome addition to the year list as were two Common Scoter first noted on 22nd and still present on 30th. The first winter female Scaup was still present at month end, two Pintail were noted on 26th, Goldeneye gave at least nineteen records with nine a best count on both 2nd and 3rd, a single Red-breasted Merganser (another first for the year was recorded on 12th), with a second bird on 30th. The first candidate for bird of the month/year came on 26th when a Red-throated Diver flew in from south/south west circled for five minutes and departed high to the north east to return at 13.55hours and was observed fishing in front of the hide at 14.30 hours then left to the north east. This constituted the first record of this species since 1999 and was another very welcome addition to the list.

Six raptor species recorded during the month with the second candidate for bird of the month/year a Rough-legged Buzzard seen over the east bank from 15.00-15.15 hours, seen from the car park it was the first record since 2005. Common Buzzard was noted on at least eighteen dates with nine birds seen on 4th,Sparrowhawk was noted on fourteen occasions with three birds seen on three separate dates, Kestrel was noted on just eight dates with two birds the best count. Two Peregrines together on 21st were an excellent record, with a single bird on 30th. Three Goshawk records on 19th, 24th and 27th.

Nine species of wader were noted with single Little Ringed Plover north on 26th(one day later than 2007), Ringed Plover on 15th (21st April 2007), singles of Dunlin on four dates, Redshank on seven occasions with three birds on 26th, Curlew recorded on nine days with three birds on 27th, Common Snipe had a good count of fifty one on 18th, Oystercatcher noted almost on a daily basis and a single Jack Snipe which flew past the hide on 13th completed the list.

Sadly the gull roost came to an end very suddenly with no "white winged" birds recorded during the month, but two adult Kittiwakes present for a few hours on 26th were a very welcome addition to the list.

The first Sand Martins of the year were recorded on 19th (three days later than 2007), with four birds seen during the day, single House Martin was noted on 28th (10th April 2007), a report of the first Chiffchaff on 9th (same date as 2007), with first Willow Warbler on 31st(6th April 2007), there were three records of Stonechat on 1st, 11th and 29th. First Swallow record on 29th, with Wheatear noted on 31st and a single Brambling same date.

The other records of note were Raven on four dates with three on 23rd, two Lesser Redpoll records with four a best count on 14th, single Skylark on two dates, single Rock Pipit on 23rd was an excellent record and a first for the year and four Siskin were noted on 5th. A single Barn Owl seen on 6th was another excellent record and was another first for the year.

Keith Turton.

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