June 2003 Ogston Bird News – 95 Species – 30 Days Covered

Little Grebe were observed most days with a maximum of six on 27th and Great Crested Grebes were seen every day with a maximum of twenty-six recorded on 20th. At least five broods of young were recorded during the month with the largest five. A Little Egret put in an appearance again on the west bank on the morning of 21st, staying for a few of hours. Grey Heron numbers peaked at twenty-eight on 17th with several juvenile birds evident. Mute Swan was present most of month with a maximum of four on 26th and Greylag Geese were recorded on three days with the maximum of six recorded on 7th & 8th.

Shelduck were noted on three days with two being present on 21st and Gadwall were seen on nine days with three on 2nd. Teal reappeared on 26th with four until the end of the month and Mallard were constant all month with a maximum of seventy-nine on 9th. A welcome visitor on 4th was a male Garganey, which unfortunately only stayed the one-day. Two Pochard visited on 5th and Tufted Duck remained constant throughout with a maximum of thirty-three on 20th. Ruddy Duck were seen throughout with a maximum of eight on 18th.

Hobby was seen on four dates with one on 4th & 20th and two on 25th & 26th. Peregrine Falcon was recorded on three dates 4th, 18th & 26th and Common Buzzard was regular with a maximum of two on 12th & 13th. Both Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were recorded as normal and a single Grey Partridge was noted on 5th.

Waders continued to enjoy the scrapes with Oystercatchers on five dates including two on 12th & 20th. Ringed Plover were recorded on 24th & 27th and Dunlin were found on 4th& 8th. Curlew was noted on 11th, 18th & 28th and a single Redshank was present on 5th, 9th 21st & 29th. Reverse migration started early with a single summer plumaged Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper both on the hide scrapes on 27th. Common Sandpiper were seen daily from 18th with a maximum of three on 26th to 29th. Common Tern was recorded on most days with a maximum of seven on 16th with one pair displaying and showing interest in the scrape area near the island.

Kingfisher returned in earnest from 7th and was seen daily with a maximum of two on 11th & 24th. Great Spotted Woodpecker was noted most days and Green Woodpecker was recorded on six occasions Hirundine numbers remained constant with good numbers of Swift on several days including three hundred on 6th. Single Meadow Pipits were noted on four days and a Yellow Wagtail was found on 21st.

Sedge Warblers peaked at three on four days and Lesser Whitethroat’s maximum was two on 9th. Whitethroat produced a count of ten on three dates with seven Garden Warbler being the maximum on 5th. Blackcaps were still singing all month with ten counted on 18th, as were Chiffchaff with thirteen on 11th. Willow Warbler numbers were disappointing with eight heard singing on 1st.

Spotted Flycatcher continued to have a good year and four were recorded on 18th & 25th. . Reed Bunting was present all month with a three on five dates and the Breeding Bird Survey count of eighteen Yellowhammer on 21st indicated this species is still doing well at Ogston.
Richard Wesley