January 2003 Ogston Bird News – 85 Species – 31 Days Covered

The first week brought freezing temperatures and some snow with a cold easterly airflow. The second and third weeks were much milder with the winds turning to the southwest. The final week continued mild with westerly winds until northerly gales brought a cold blast with snow showers reminding us that winter was not over.

Grey Herons started appearing through the month with a maximum of ten on 27th. Several were back in the Heronry by the end of the month. Mute Swans continued their presence until 11th with a maximum of two. Two skeins of Pink-footed Geese were observed moving west with two hundred on 6th and sixty-two on 29th. Fourteen Greylag Geese late on 25th was a good record.

Shelduck appeared on four days with a maximum of three on 3rd. Wigeon were recorded throughout the month with one hundred and seventy nine on 13th. Teal numbers stayed constant at about forty. Two male Pintail were discovered on 16th whilst searching for Smew. Goosander sightings were regular throughout with a maximum of seven on 29th and one Goldeneye was found in Woolley Bay on 14th. The birds of the month however were two redhead Smew that came in late on 15th, but unfortunately had left by the next morning.

Two Common Buzzard were found near Prues Farm during our bird walk on 4th and three sightings of Merlin on 3rd, 11th and 12th gave further pleasure to Ogston regulars. Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were also seen on most days.

Twelve Grey Partridge were seen flying across the road at the top of South Hill late on 15th. Water Rail became a regular during the month and could be seen increasingly during the day from the west bank hide giving many members a great deal of pleasure. Snipe were also seen regularly from the hide with a maximum of twelve on 28th. Ogston listers were rewarded with views of Woodcock leaving Carr Wood at dusk with three on 10th and 11th.

Gull roosters were also rewarded during the early cold spell with a 1st winter Glaucous Gull on five days and a 2nd winter Iceland Gull on three. One adult Mediterranean Gull on 11th made up the threesome. Caspian Gull and Yellow-legged Gull were also noted on five days.

Stock Doves were well represented this month with a flock of ninety-four in a field at the top of South Hill on 31st. Little Owl was always available in its regular haunts and Tawny Owl was often heard at dusk. Green Woodpecker was more difficult and was only recorded on two days on 1st and 27th.

Brambling was only recorded once on 3rd near Prues Farm amongst a finch flock but Siskin and Lesser Redpoll were regulars with flocks of thirty to forty around Carr Wood and along the West Bank. The commoner tits and finches frequented the feeding stations, the Hall Drive feeders being particularly productive.

Richard Wesley