The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Ogston Reservoir News

30 Days Covered-114 Species

Little Grebe had a maximum count of six birds on 7th, Great Crested Grebe managed fourteen on both 12th and 20th, Cormorant had eighteen birds on 7th/10th/14th and 20th and Grey Heron had fourteen on 7th. First candidate for bird of the month was the Black-necked Grebe which was present for some of the day on 5th.

There were three Mute Swan records all single birds whilst four Whooper Swan were present on 15th. Shelduck Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye were all recorded during the month. Mandarin Duck was recorded on at least eighteen days with five birds a best count on four of those dates (there were just ten records in total in 2005/6/7 and 2008). Mallard was noted with young on at least five dates a total of nineteen birds in two different broods. Four Common Scoter which were present for most of 28th were another very welcome addition to the year list.

Eight species of raptor were noted with Osprey on 5th and 10th, Red Kite on 29th and 30th Common Buzzard on thirteen days maximum thirteen birds, Sparrowhawk on eleven days with three a best count on two of those dates, single record of Goshawk, Kestrel on at least nine dates with three birds on 9th, three single Peregrine records and the first Hobby on 24th (three days later than 2008) and a second bird on 29th.

Twelve species of wader have occurred so far with Little-ringed Plover and Oystercatcher recorded on almost a daily basis, Oystercatcher had a best count of three birds whilst Little-ringed Plover had eight birds on 24th. A single Ringed Plover was present on 17th, sixteen Golden Plover on 5th, single Grey Plover on 4th was a very welcome addition to the year list. There were four records of Dunlin with two birds on 23rd, Common Sandpiper noted on dates with four birds on 27th, ten Redshank records with three birds on 17th, Curlew was noted on eleven dates with three birds on 6th and Common Snipe on fourteen dates with twelve a best count on 12th. A Whimbrel which was on site on 30th was another welcome addition to the year list.

Three additions to the year list arrived on 16th when fifteen Little Gull, 1 Common Tern and ten Arctic Tern were present until early evening.

Three Swifts arrived on 25th (three days later than 2008), sixteen records of Yellow Wagtail with the first bird on 7th (six days earlier than 2008), three records of Wheatear with two birds on 20th, last Fieldfare noted on 10th and last Redwing on 6th.

Migrants continued to arrive throughout the month; Willow Warbler on 5th (single, five days later than 2008), first Sedge Warbler on 19th (five days earlier than 2008), Whitethroat single on 20th (one day earlier than 2008), Lesser Whitethroat on 22nd (two birds, one day later than 2008) and first Garden Warbler on 28th (four days later than 2008). Other birds of note were Raven, Tree Sparrow, Brambling, and Common (Mealy) Redpoll.

Keith Turton

Recording Secretary

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