The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Ogston Reservoir News

28 Days Covered- 85 Species.

Little Grebe had a maximum of nine birds on 23rd, Great Crested Grebe had fourteen birds on 26th, Cormorant peaked at forty on 4th.There were at least eleven records of Mute Swan with a best count of five on both 10th and 12th, one hundred and forty Pink-footed Geese were noted on 1st and a further seventy one on 20th.Two Greylag Geese were on site on 19th and 24th with three on 25th and nine on 28th.Single Little Egret was present on both 22nd and 24th.

A candidate for bird of the month had to be the dark-bellied Brent Goose which was present for a few hours on 6th was only the eighth record. First recorded on 14th March 1964, subsequent records read,12th November 1984, 4th December 1995, 19th/20th January 1996,4th/5th February 1998 and 4th December 2007 (two birds). All were of the dark-bellied race except the 1995 bird which was of the pale bellied form.

There were nine Teal records with a maximum fifty three birds on 12th, three Gadwall records with a pair present on three dates, six Shoveler records maximum three on 2nd, Goldeneye was noted on seventeen dates with seven birds on both 17th and 20th, a male Goosander was noted on 7th and six birds flew south on 18th.

Four species of raptor were recorded with Common Buzzard on fifteen dates with five a best count on 19th/21st and 23rd, seven Sparrowhawk records with two a maximum, Kestrel noted on nine dates with three on 7th and two records of Goshawk.

Five wader species were recorded with a single Oystercatcher on 7th, single Golden Plover on 4th with two birds west on 26th, Lapwing peaked at eighty four birds on 26th, Common Snipe noted on fifteen dates with forty a best count on 4th, five records of Curlew with a maximum of five on 20th.

Although the gull roost has been one of the worst on record there were three Yellow-legged gulls noted, 1-3rd winter type on 8th and 27th, an adult on 10th and 1-1st winter on 11th, two Caspian gulls an adult on 6th and 1-3rd winter on 14th, adult Mediterranean gull on 15th and 16th same bird both dates,1-1st winter Glaucous on 14th the first of this species since February 2008 and a 1st/2nd winter bird on 26th.A first winter Common Gull which was in the roost on 13th showed characteristics of the Eastern race ssp heinei.

Three Owl species were noted during the month with Tawny Owl heard on four dates (two heard on 22nd), Little Owl on three occasions and Barn Owl the most recorded on at least seven days with two birds on both 23rd and 28th.

The first Skylarks of the year (seven) were noted on 21st with another two birds on 26th, circa thirty Waxwings were present on 1st in the same location as the 2008 birds. Just one record of Marsh Tit on 16th, Raven on three dates with six (possibly eight) on 21st,seven Lesser Redpoll on 25th, four records of Siskin with four birds on 25th and the first Grey Partridge of the year on 13th. Just one record during the whole of 2008 of Tree Sparrow, so far this year five records with a maximum four birds on 23rd. All the birds noted visiting a feeding station close to Severn Trent treatment works.

Keith Turton

Recording Secretary

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