The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Ogston Reservoir News

Ogston Bird News June 2007-30 Days Covered- 90 Species

Five records during the month of Little Grebe including a pair with one well-grown chick on 19th, Great Crested Grebe had a maximum of eighteen with four nests occupied, whilst Cormorant numbers peaked at forty-two on 12th. A Little Egret was a very welcome addition on 10th but sadly only on that date, with Grey Heron reaching twenty-four on 11th. The two Mute Swan were present on a daily basis, a single Barnacle Goose was a surprise on 5th with twenty-three birds flying south west on 21st (presumed to be the Carsington residents) whilst Ogston's Canada Geese had a best count of one hundred and twenty five on 19th(including thirty birds which had taken a liking to the public hide during a storm). Two Shoveler were present on 1st with a drake present on 21st, with a pair of Gadwall on 2nd whilst Tufted Duck had a maximum fourteen on 12th. A female Pochard on 29th was a new bird for the month.

Two very welcome Osprey records occurred on 2nd and 5th, Common Buzzard were noted on at least fourteen occasions with a maximum of six on 21st(four birds on a thermal over Ashover and two birds over Ogston Hall). Just five records of Hobby during the month all, one bird on 27th with a Swift as prey. A Merlin observed on 11th was a very good record and the fifth record this year. Sparrowhawk (seven sightings, max: two) and Kestrel (thirteen records, max: three on 28th).

Nine wader species were recorded during the month with again Little Ringed Plover the most prominent, with at least four young fledged. Ringed Plover was noted on just four dates with two birds present on 11th/12th and 13th, Dunlin was recorded on eight days with a maximum of eight on 15th. Two Redshank were present on a daily basis until 14th when, sadly the nest was predated and the birds have not been seen since. On a brighter note the Oystercatchers finally produced young on the 24th a first ever breeding record for Ogston Reservoir. There were three Curlew records with four birds a best count on 8th and just a single Whimbrel noted on 4th. Common Snipe was recorded almost every day until the increase in the water level but not after 16th.

Common Tern noted on at least nine dates but only as flying through and no attempt made to investigate the new Tern raft.

Eight warbler species have been either seen or hear; with a maximum for Blackcap of four bird's, six a best count for Whitethroat, single record only of Lesser Whitethroat, two the maximum for Sedge Warbler, eight a best for Chiffchaff and three records for Reed Warbler (two birds 16th, single 17th and 30th), the first records of the year for this species.

Although not within the recording area a Quail heard singing on June 22nd at 22.00 hours very close to the Jim Mart Reserve was an excellent record.

A very welcome addition to the year list and the first sighting for eleven years came on June 26th when a Barn Owl was watched for almost two hours from 21.15 until 20.10 hours, sadly the bird has not been seen since.

Keith Turton.

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