The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Ogston Reservoir News

30 Days Covered-110 Species

Little Grebe have again been very vocal, as far as I am aware just the one occupied nest so far, Great Crested Grebe reached a maximum of thirteen on 18th, whilst Cormorant had a best of fifteen on 11th. A Little Egret, which visited on 12th, was a very welcome addition to the year list but unfortunately could not be found next day. Two Mute Swan were present on five dates and fourteen Whooper Swan (including five juveniles) on 2nd was a very good record. Two Gadwall were new on 8th and again on 13th, with Shoveler present on four dates, the last of the Goldeneye left on 11th but the drake Scaup was still with us at month end. The first brood of Mallard duckling were observed on 15th when at least twenty were seen in two groups.

A Red-breasted Merganser on 23rd was a very welcome addition to the year list.

There were eight species of raptor recorded with a Red Kite on 7th the best of the bunch, (incredibly Red Kite was recorded on same date last year), Peregrine was noted on 1st with a Goshawk record on 7th. Common Buzzard was again the most frequently recorded with a best of three birds on both 7th and 8th. A Merlin was recorded in the evening on 20th.First Whimbrel on 24th.

The only record of the year so far of Red-legged Partridge was on 6th, with a single record of Water Rail on 4th.

Eleven species of wader with Little-ringed Plover being the most prominent, up to eight recorded on some dates, Oystercatcher present on 11th, 19th and 20th and 24th, the first Common Sandpiper was noted on 12th with three birds on 23rd, whilst Redshank was recorded on at least eight dates. Common Snipe was noted on a daily basis with a maximum of eleven on both 9th and 10th, records of Curlew on at least five dates, and two Bar-tailed Godwit on 13th and thirteen on 29th, which were another welcome addition to the year list. A Ringed Plover was noted on at least three dates.

Sadly the gull roost appears to be at an end for this winter period with the last record of Glaucous Gull on 1st and Iceland Gull on 4th. It really has been a fantastic few months and our thanks go to the dedicated group who have spent countless hours recording the huge number of " White winged Gulls" that have been seen.

Two new additions to the year list occurred on 10th and 11th in the form of Kittiwake and Little Gull respectively. Two Black Terns were present on 29th.

Migrants finally began to appear with some regularity, with the first Willow Warbler located on 6th with three birds present on 7th, single Wheatear on 12th with two on 19th, Lesser Whitethroat on 15th with three birds on 18th, and Common Whitethroat on 16th.Chiffchaff were recorded on almost a daily basis with fifteen birds noted on 9th.

The bird of the year so far the Great Grey Shrike made what proved to be it's final appearance on 6th, although the bird could be elusive it gave a vast amount of pleasure to many people during its long stay. The first Common Tern passed through on 21st, Swifts were noted on 22nd, as was the first Cuckoo in Clattercotes Wood with the first Yellow Wagtail seen on 24th. The first Garden Warblers were on 26th..

Ravens were recorded on just two dates (two birds on each date) and the only record of Fieldfare was of a bird near Clattercotes Wood on 15th.

Keith Turton.

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