May 2002 Ogston Bird News – 95 Species – 31 Days Covered.

The month started with unsettled cool showery conditions, the winds being mainly from the north to northeast. The second and third week showed some improvement, being generally dry with the winds from south to southwest. The final week reverted back to the cool showery conditions of earlier and was dominated by a southwesterly airflow.

Great Crested Grebes held their numbers despite conditions with a maximum of thirteen on 14th. A Pink-footed Goose appeared towards the end of the month being observed on four days and three Greylag Geese were seen on 5th. A single Teal was about on four days and two Ruddy Duck put in an appearance on 7th. Mallard numbers increased during the month with a maximum of thirty-two on 31st. Shelduck were recorded most days with a maximum of two.

Common Buzzard continued to provide regular sightings with a maximum of four on 21st. A Hobby showed well for five minutes on 19th and a Peregrine Falcon attempted to take a Common Tern on 30th. The highlight of the month however was the Osprey, which appeared daily between 3rd and 10th taking fish regularly early and late and providing most birders with excellent views.

Twelve species of waders were recorded this month. Single Oystercatchers on 8th, 10th & 14th along with single Ringed Plover on 7th, 12th & 14th. Lapwings were observed daily with a maximum of ten on 29th. A diversion on 9th was a summer-plumaged Knot an unusual record here in spring. Another desirable record was a Sanderling on 18th, which was accompanied by a Dunlin. Whimbrel was short-stayed on 4th along with a Curlew. Common Sandpiper was recorded on five occasions with a maximum of two. Finally two Redshank were noted on 6th and one Greenshank on 1st.

A pair of Common Terns was seen most days with a maximum of six on 4th and singles of Arctic Tern were noted on 19th & 23rd with a maximum of three on 25th. Cuckoo was recorded on nine occasions. Single Little Owls were noted in the usual location throughout the month and Tawny Owl was heard on three occasions. Green Woodpecker was also heard on two visits.

Our final migrants arrived mid month with Spotted Flycatcher on 10th and a welcome Grasshopper Warbler on 17th. Pied Flycatcher was also noted in Carr Wood on 30th during a Breeding Bird Survey.

Other birds of note were Red-legged Partridge on 2nd, Grey Partridge on 4th, Yellow Wagtail on 9th, two Wheatear on 3rd and two Siskin on Ogston Hall Drive on 25th.

Richard Wesley