The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Ogston Reservoir News

Ogston Bird News February 2008-29 Days Covered - 76 Species

Five records of Little Grebe with a maximum of three birds on 7th, just a single record of Great Crested Grebe involved two birds "weed dancing" on 29th, twenty-eight Cormorant were present on 15th.Grey Heron numbers improved as the month went on and a best count of twenty-four birds were seen on 24th.There were four Mute Swan records with a maximum of five on 9th, Pink-footed Geese were noted almost on a daily basis with five birds a best count and the resident Canada Geese peaked at ninety-five on 12th.Thirteen species of duck were recorded during the month, maximum numbers were; Shelduck( two),Wigeon(seven), Gadwall (eight), Pintail(two), Shoveler(four), Teal(thirty-five), Mallard (six), Pochard (twenty-six), Tufted Duck (ninety-eight), Scaup (one), Goldeneye (twelve), Goosander (three) and Ruddy Duck (one).

There were five raptor species recorded during the month with Common Buzzard being the most prominent, recorded on at least fourteen dates with four birds a maximum on 26th, Sparrowhawk was noted on seven days with two on 27th, Kestrel seen on eleven days with three birds together on 27th and singles of both Merlin (7th) and Peregrine (25th).

Water Rail was seen on nine dates all singles, two Grey Partridge on 24th were the first record for the year, single Oystercatcher on 22nd/23rd and 28th(hopefully another breeding pair this year), single Redshank on 29th, single Curlew on 22nd and 23rd with two birds on 27th, two Woodcock records both of single birds, sixteen of Common Snipe with forty a best count on 10th.

There was a dramatic reduction in the gull roost primarily caused by a falconer being employed on Erin Void Tip to "disturb" the birds. During January there were records of "white winged" birds on twenty-nine of the thirty-one days, February gave us "white winged" birds on just ten days. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were noted on 15th, 1-2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull on 13th, 1-1st winter Caspian Gull on both 13th and 14th, whilst Iceland Gull was recorded on just eight days, (1st and 2nd winter birds), with one bird showing characteristics of "Kumlien's" Iceland Gull. Glaucous Gull was noted on just four dates all 1st winter birds, with two present on 1st.

The first record of Kingfisher for the year came on 7th, with four Skylarks over the west bank car park another first on 25th. A Stonechat recorded near the "oak tree" on the west bank was another addition to the year list. The only other birds of note in a disappointing month were nine records of Willow Tit with a maximum of three birds on both 10th and 15th, Raven noted on eight days with two birds on 15th/23rd/24th/25th and 27th and although not a rarity, a Yellowhammer in the car park on the west bank was the first in the area for many a year.

Keith Turton.

Top of Page