The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Ogston Reservoir News

31 Days Covered - 96 Species

Little Grebe had a maximum of twelve birds on both 16th and 31st, Great Crested Grebe had fourteen birds as a best count on 16th, whilst Cormorant peaked at thirty birds also on 16th, Two records of Whooper Swan, both were of the same nineteen birds present on 18th and 19th. Greylag Geese were on site on at least ten dates with a maximum four bird’s on12th. A welcome addition to the year list were the pair of Mandarin Duck seen on the guided walk on 7th and on at least another ten dates with five birds seen on 29th. Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Shoveler and Tufted Duck were all noted during the month. Goldeneye was again the most recorded species noted on at least twenty two dates, Goosander had eleven records with nine birds a best count on 29th whilst a pair of Red-breasted Merganser were present on 30th and were another welcome addition to the year list.

First candidate for bird of the month were the five Bean Geese (Anser fabalis ssp rossicus) which were noted flying around the reservoir very early on 22nd; unfortunately the birds did not land. The first record of this species since 2004 and only the third site record.

Six species of raptor were recorded with Common Buzzard on nineteen dates with thirteen on 1st, fourteen Sparrowhawk records with two a maximum on five dates, Kestrel noted on eleven dates with three on 22nd and 27th, three records of Goshawk, Red Kite on 7th and 19th and Osprey on 28th/29th and 31st.

Six wader species were recorded with a Oystercatcher noted at least eighteen dates with a best count of three birds on 23rd, Lapwing had twelve as a best count on 2nd, single Redshank recorded on five dates. Common Snipe noted on thirteen dates with thirty a best count on 18th, eleven records of Curlew with a maximum of five on 15th. The first Little-ringed Plover was a single bird on 29th with three more on 30th.

Single adult Yellow-legged Gull and adult Kittiwake were the only birds of note with regard to gulls.

Three Owl species were noted during the month with Tawny Owl heard on three dates (three heard on 31st), Little Owl on sixteen dates with two birds on six of those dates, Barn Owl recorded on at least six days.

All three woodpeckers heard or seen during the month with Green heard on 24th and seen on 30th, Great Spotted noted on at least sixteen dates with as many as ten different birds seen on 3rd, most elusive member of the family Lesser Spotted seen or heard on no less than six occasions. The first Sand Martins were noted on 13th three birds, six days earlier than 2008, single House Martin on 19th, nine days earlier than 2008 and Barn Swallow on 25th, four days earlier than 2008.First Chiffchaffs were two birds on 14th, five days later than 2008. A single Dipper on 31st was another very welcome addition to the year list, single Stonechat was noted on 1st, eight records of Tree Sparrow, whilst a Brambling was a notable find on 14th. Common (Mealy) Redpoll Carduelis flammea has been noted on at least six dates in different locations with five birds seen on 19th.

Keith Turton

Recording Secretary

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