The Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Ogston Reservoir News

Ogston Bird News October 2007-31 Days Covered-101 Species.

The highest Little Grebe figure of the year occurred on 26th when sixteen birds were counted, Great Crested Grebe managed a best count of eight whilst Cormorant reached fifty-one on 31st. Teal had a maximum one hundred and twenty two on 26th, Tufted Duck seventy five on18th, Shoveler were present on seven dates with a maximum of four birds, with two Pintail present on 3rd and two records of Red-breasted Merganser on 3rd and 16th.

Twenty seven Greylag Geese were noted on 6th, thirty seven Barnacle Geese on 8th (presumed to be part of resident flock from Carsington). Fifteen Whooper Swans were present on 17th but gone next morning, with a further three birds on 29th and two different birds on 30th, two adult Bewick's Swans on 23rd were a very welcome addition to the year list and the first record since 2003, although, they too had disappeared next morning. Three hundred Pink-footed Geese were noted flying east/south east on 10th with a further two hundred flying north east on 30th.Another welcome addition to the year list was a drake Mandarin Duck on 28th in front of Alder's Wood hide for most of the day and gave many excellent photographic opportunities.

Common Buzzard sightings have been fewer than in previous months just twelve with a maximum of five on 30th; Sparrowhawk was noted on eighteen dates and Kestrel on ten, with a single Peregrine sighting on 22nd.

Nine wader species during the month singles of Ringed Plover 2nd and 3rd, four Dunlin records with four a best count on 14th, single Curlew 19th, Lapwing peaked at two hundred and forty on 24th, single Golden Plover on 10th and eighteen on 22nd, at least sixteen records of Common Snipe with forty five a maximum on 16th, five records of Jack Snipe and a single Knot on 13th was another very welcome addition to the year list. A single Redshank was on site 30th.

Gull numbers began to increase towards the end of the month, although no "White Wings" have been seen as yet there have been eight dates when Yellow-legged Gull has been noted including three adults and two -3rd winter types on 27th, together with a bird showing characteristics of "Baltic" type Lesser Black-backed Gull " Larus fuscus fuscus".The first Caspian Gull was present on 30th in the form of a 3rd winter type bird.

Ten Common Tern, one Arctic Tern and four Sandwich Tern passed through on 9th the latter being another welcome addition to the year list.

The first Dipper record since 2003 occurred on 22nd when a bird passed overhead calling circa one hundred feet up flying south east, Rock Pipit was again noted with a maximum of four birds on 14th, Brambling observed on three dates with five a best count on 14th. Lesser Redpoll was recorded on at least six occasions with a maximum of nine and one record of Common (mealy) Redpoll during a visual migration watch with Common Crossbill and single Brambling and thirty one Siskin noted during same watch.

Keith Turton.

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