The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Ogston Reservoir News

31 Days Covered-106 Species

Little Grebe had a maximum of eight birds on 18th, Great Crested Grebe had eighteen on 3rd, two Black-necked Grebes found on 24th were an excellent record, three birds of this species have been noted this year. A single Pink-footed Goose was present on 29th, Greylag Geese have occurred on at least fourteen dates with eleven birds on 7th, a single Barnacle Goose on 17th was the first record of the year and Mandarin Duck was seen on nine dates with two birds a best count on 16th.

There have been eight raptor species recorded during the month, Red Kite on 10th/ 16th and 24th, Osprey on 25th and 27th and 28th. Common Buzzard on at least sixteen dates with eight as a maximum on 17th, nine Sparrowhawk records with two a best count, Kestrel noted on seven dates again with two a maximum. Hobby has been noted on at least ten days with three birds on 18th, two Peregrine records with two a maximum on 2nd. The only Honey Buzzard of the year so far was noted on 16th.

Fourteen wader species have been noted this month, unfortunately just one breeding record, that of three Lapwing chicks. Oystercatcher was noted on almost a daily basis with a maximum of three birds, the single nest which had eggs was predated. Little-ringed Plover was recorded on at least twenty dates with six a best count on 1st, Ringed Plover was noted on eight days with three a best count on 7th. Dunlin gave a maximum of twenty three birds on 7th from fifteen records; maximum of two Common Sandpiper from eight records, two Redshank on 10th and 11th, Greenshank had five records with fifteen birds as a maximum on 15th. Sanderling had two records with four birds briefly on 14th; Turnstone gave four records with three birds on 15th, Whimbrel had five birds as a maximum on 16th and Curlew had twelve records with two birds a maximum. A Grey Plover which moved through north very early on 30th was the second record for the year.

Bird of the year so far was a Fulmar which spent a few minutes flying around the reservoir on 31st before leaving to the North West. Only the third record the first being 1973-74 and one in 2000.

Yellow-legged Gull was noted on two dates, Common Tern on at least five days with seventeen on 14th, Artic Tern was noted on six dates with nine birds on 14th, there were two Black Tern records with three birds a best count on 14th. Single Cuckoo was recorded on 24th, two Grey Partridge on 21st, Tawny Owl on 3rd; five records of Little Owl all singles and a single Barn Owl on 17th.Six single Yellow Wagtails were noted during the month. Just two Cuckoo records, which is quite a concern and shows how the species has declined quite drastically.

May 1st gave us the first Pied Flycatcher record since 2003; sadly it was a single observer record and not heard or seen after that date.

May 17th gave us another addition to the year list, that of a Grasshopper Warbler, which was heard singing adjacent to the “the oak tree” on the west bank, sadly it has not been recorded since, this was the first record of the species since 2005.

Keith Turton

Recording Secretary

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