November 2002 – Ogston Bird News – 85 Species – 30 Days Covered

November was mild but wetter than normal. The first week brought mainly southeasterly winds with some heavy rain and showers. The second was quiet with predominantly mild southwesterlies and more rain. The last two weeks remained quiet with light winds producing foggy conditions particularly during the morning.

The first day of the month began well with two Bewick Swans, which were found in Woolley Bay and three Common Scoter, which were observed near the dam wall. However the highlight of the month was a Little Egret that came into roost in South Bay late afternoon on 27th. This was unfortunately not relocated the next day. A single Mute Swan continued its stay and was seen most days throughout the month.

Wildfowl counts remained good with a maximum of one hundred and three Wigeon, one hundred and thirteen Teal and one hundred and forty-one Pochard on 9th. Two Shelduck were noted off the west bank on 23rd and Gadwall were present most days with a max of four on 1st. Shoveler was recorded on six days with a max of four on 28th and Tufted Duck was seen most days with a max of thirty-six on 30th. Goldeneye were also well recorded with a max of six on 2nd & 20th. Goosander were observed most days with up to max of eleven on 23rd.

Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were seen regularly throughout the month but a single Common Buzzard was only noted on four days. A Peregrine was seen with prey, a Blackbird on 15th and a Water Rail was heard calling from the west bank on 28th. Pheasant which have been seen regularly, with up to ten on 2nd, have probably been released locally.

Small flocks of Lapwing have been recorded around the reservoir on several days and a single Oystercatcher paid a short visit on 24th. Single records of Dunlin were noted on 3rd and 17th as they flew through and Snipe became more apparent towards the end of the month with six on 29th and 30th. A Redshank was noted on 10th and a Woodcock was disturbed in Carr Wood on two occasions.

An excellent late record for November was two 1st winter Little Gulls that appeared for a short time on 16th. Gull roosts continue to be small with most birds continuing on to Carsington after a short stay at Ogston. All five of the commoner gulls have been recorded with numbers of Great Black-backed Gull increasing towards the end of the month.

Little Owl was noted on several days and on one day 23rd, Tawny Owl was heard. On the same day a Kingfisher was seen hovering over the new top scrape and landing on the island. Great Spotted Woodpecker was recorded most days and Green Woodpecker was seen on four days with two on 4th. A good record on the 9th was a Rock Pipit, which appeared giving close views for ten minutes by the island.

A female Stonechat kept us company near the members’ hide all of the month and three Tree Sparrows were seen on the feeders on 30th. Small flocks of Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet and Redpoll moved around the reservoir all month and single sightings of Reed Bunting were noted along Hide Lane.

Richard Wesley