July 2003 Ogston Bird News – 96 Species – 31 Days Covered

Little Grebe were observed most days with a maximum of nine on 1st and Great Crested Grebes were seen every day with a maximum of forty recorded on 8th including six to seven broods of young. Cormorant numbers have started to increase with a maximum of forty-five on 8th and Grey Heron numbers reduced with a maximum of twenty on 3rd, 8th, 9th & 10th. Mute Swans continued their present this month with a maximum of six on 29th and Greylag Geese were recorded on one day with five on 17th.

An early pair of Wigeon were noted on 18th and a Gadwall was seen on 31st. Teal were present most days with a maximum of seven on 18th and Mallard were constant all month with a maximum of sixty on 8th & 9th. Pochard have started to return and were seen most days with six on 29th and Tufted Duck continued to increase gradually with a good count of eighty-nine on 16th. Ruddy Duck were seen throughout increasing to a maximum of fourteen on 31st.

A single Osprey was recorded on 1st but like all sightings this year was short stayed. A single Hobby was seen on 16th with Peregrine Falcon being noted on three dates 6th, 18th & 31st. Common Buzzard was regular with one on several days and both Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were recorded as normal.

Waders continued to enjoy the scrapes with one Oystercatcher on 3rd and a single Ringed Plover on 16th. Lapwing numbers increased to sixty-four on 28th and Dunlin became more regular towards the end of the month with a maximum of three on 26th. One Snipe was found on 5th and one Curlew was noted on 6th, 7th & 8th. The highlight of the month was several appearances of summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit. Two were short stayed on 12th being seen off by Lapwing and again late morning on 19th. Thirteen flew past the dam wall early evening the same day and six settled on the west bank on 25th giving excellent views in front of the hide from mid morning until late afternoon. Redshank was present on five days with a maximum of three on 3rd and a single Greenshank was noted on 13th, 16th, 21st & 29th. Green Sandpiper arrived on 29th and stayed until the end of the month with Common Sandpiper being seen all month with a maximum of seven on 21st, 27th & 31st. Common Tern were recorded daily with a maximum of thirteen on 20th including a pair of juveniles seen most days.

Kingfisher became regular during the period with a maximum of three on 1st. Great Spotted Woodpecker was noted most days and Green Woodpecker was recorded on three days 8th, 26th & 28th. A single Meadow Pipit was noted on 13th and Grey Wagtails were sparse with only six sightings throughout.

A Grasshopper Warbler heard reeling from Crow Lane was a pleasant diversion on 10th with warbler song generally declining through the month. Spotted Flycatcher continued to be recorded regularly with seven counted on 11th including two young. Raven was seen on several dates with three on 16th whilst another highlight for the month were five Crossbill, which were heard calling as they flew south towards the treatment plant from Crow Lane.
Richard Wesley