May 2003 Ogston Bird News – 113 Species – 31 Days Covered

Little Grebe was present most days with a maximum of four on 6th and Great Crested Grebes were seen every day with a maximum of twenty-three recorded on 5th. A Little Egret put in an appearance on the west bank on the morning of 5th, staying for a couple of hours. Grey Heron numbers peaked at twenty-five on 31st and Mute Swan was present all month with a maximum of three from 14th to 27th. Greylag Geese were recorded on six days with the maximum of two recorded on 17th and Shelduck were noted on several dates with four being present on 20th & 21st An Egyptian Goose was short stayed on the morning of 3rd showing in front of the members hide.

A pair of Gadwall was present for most of the month with the female disappearing on occasions. Teal numbers continued to decline and the last single was recorded on 3rd. Mallard increased towards the end of the month and reached seventy-four by 31st. A single Pochard was noted on 24th and Tufted Duck remained constant throughout with a maximum of thirty-two on 1st. Two Goosander were seen on 5th and a single Shoveler was recorded on 26th. A maximum of ten Ruddy Duck arrived on 4th and several were seen for the rest of the month.

The first Osprey was recorded on 3rd with two further birds on 7th and 10th all being short stayed visitors. Hobby returned on 4th and was seen on several other dates through the month. Peregrine Falcon was recorded on two dates 2nd & 31st the latter being our Breeding Bird Survey day. A maximum of two Sparrowhawk were noted on 4th,7th & 31st and four Kestrel were counted on 31st. Grey Partridge were encouragingly more evident this month with four sightings with a maximum two on 8th & 31st.

Waders continued to enjoy the scrapes and two Oystercatchers nested on the island. Unfortunately this was to be predated mid-month, as did several other nests including Lapwing and Little Ringed Plover. Five Ringed Plover were evident on 12th & 13th and a transitional Sanderling appeared on the west bank on 17th. A maximum of eighteen Dunlin were recorded on 18th and a single Snipe was noted on 10th. Whimbrel occurred on two dates with a max of two on 12th and a single Curlew was noted on 3rd. Two Redshank were present on 6th but sightings diminished as the water levels rose due to heavy rain and pumping operations. Common Sandpiper was seen on seven days with a max of two on 4th, 7th & 8th but it was its North American counterpart that continued to steal the show. The SPOTTED SANDPIPER was appreciated by many on 1st as it fed amongst rocks near the dam wall this being its final day.

Common Tern was recorded on most days with a max of twelve on 31st. Two Arctic Tern passed through on 1st and a Little Tern was an excellent find on 4th. A Turtle Dove on the evening of 15th was a good record being seen to fly along the dam wall and into trees by Ogston Hall. Cuckoo was present all month with a max of two counted on seven dates. A single Little Owl was noted on eight days and a Tawny Owl was heard on the evening of 10th.

Kingfisher is still difficult with the only records being along the Lower Amber. Great Spotted Woodpecker was noted most days and Green Woodpecker was recorded on four occasions with a single Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on 10th. Hirundine numbers peaked mid-month and then began to decline towards the end, as did the sightings of Swift. A Tree Pipit was found at Highoredish on 24th and remained towards the end. Yellow Wagtail continued a good year with another six single sightings and a Wheatear showed on the island on 8th & 9th. Grasshopper Warbler continued to be heard on Crow Lane and was noted on 1st, 8th & 31st. Sedge Warblers reached a max of four and Reed Warbler was noted on 8th & 30th. Lesser Whitethroat’s max was also four and twenty-five Whitethroat were counted on 31st. Surprisingly twenty Garden Warbler were counted on 31st along with twenty-four Blackcap. A Wood Warbler was heard on 15th and Goldcrest were recorded throughout the month. Thirty-three Chiffchaff were counted on 31st but Willow Warbler numbers were disappointing at ten.

The first Spotted Flycatcher arrived on 5th with a max of four on 26th seeming to indicate a potentially good year for this species and the pair of Pied Flycatcher also continued to do well. Raven was again evident this month and one was in a dogfight with a Buzzard above Carr Wood on 22nd. Reed Bunting was present all month with a max of five on 5th and the count on 31st produced twenty-one Yellowhammer indicating this species is still doing well at Ogston.

Richard Wesley