The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Ogston Reservoir News

31 Days Covered-101 Species

There were at least fifteen records of Little Grebe during the month with fifteen birds a maximum on 23rd of which five were juveniles, Great Crested Grebe was noted on twelve dates with a best count of twenty two on 27th, juveniles were noted on four dates with four birds the highest count, Cormorant were recorded on nineteen occasions with a maximum of sixty four on 22nd. Greylag Geese were noted on nine dates with a maximum seventeen flying east on 29th, Canada Geese had three counts over one hundred during the month, there were four Mandarin records with a female and a juvenile noted on two dates each, best count for Tufted Duck was of sixty nine birds on 5th, five Common Scoter were present on 18th and a female noted from 19th-25th inclusive. The male Chiloe Wigeon although it is classed as an escape from a collection is quite a striking bird and was present until month end.

Six raptor species were noted during the month Common Buzzard on nine dates with a best count of three birds on both 4th and 25th, Sparrowhawk on just four dates with two birds on two dates, Kestrel recorded on thirteen days with a family party of five birds on 13th/14th and 15th, five Hobby records all singles apart from the two birds noted on the Lower Amber on 31st, there were also five records of Peregrine with a juvenile bird on 11th.

Twelve species of wader recorded during July three more than last month, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper had the most records, twenty three, eighteen and twenty eight respectively. Included among the records for Little Ringed Plover were sightings of juvenile birds on six occasions, sadly there have been no breeding records at Ogston this year so far. Ringed Plover (two juveniles), Lapwing (two hundred and one maximum), Dunlin (four records), Green Sandpiper (single), seven Redshank records with a juvenile noted on 17th, two Greenshank records with three birds on 2nd, two single records of Whimbrel and four Curlew records with four birds present on 9th.

Bird of the year without doubt was an adult Whiskered Tern in summer plumage present from 06.35-07.20 hours on 30th. A wonderful addition to the Ogston list and no doubt a memorable one to the observers who were able to witness it.

Common Tern was recorded on a daily basis with a maximum of ten birds on 25th and for the first time in a few years a bird sitting on eggs in Chapel Bay. Latest news is of one chick recorded on 31st, the first juvenile at Ogston for nearly ten years. An adult Sandwich Tern was present for fifteen minutes on 19th the fourth record in a very good year for this species, an Arctic Tern was also present on 30th.

Keith Turton

Recording Secretary

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