September 2002 Ogston Bird News – 103 Species – 30 Days Covered.

September was a predominantly dry, warm and sunny month with wind mostly from an Easterly direction. The only rain during the month occurred on only three days but when it came it was very heavy.

This month the work on the West Bank to form the Plover Island and to increase the number and size of the scrapes took place during the last eight days of the month, which obviously had some effect on the birds in that area.

Birdwise the month started very well with Osprey being seen every day for the first eight days. It gave excellent views on many occasions and its fishing trips became quite predictable. Another bird of note seen on one day only on the first of the month was a Ring-Necked Parakeet. Dipper was seen throughout the month but could be very elusive. Kingfishers were also much in evidence this month several times they were seen taking fish from the pond at the side of the members hide.

The increasing water levels made wader viewing very difficult, as birds were feeding out of site hidden by grass. Alders wood hide appeared to be the best place to view from and it was from here the Water Rail, Ruff and (the bird of the month) a WOOD SANDPIPER were all seen well. The Wood Sandpiper was seen and identified by Tim Sexey early evening on the 19th but it flew out of sight and could not be relocated, however it turned up the following day on mud in front of the New Napoleon and was eventually seen by many as it stayed until at least the 22nd.On the 24th four Curlew Sandpipers were seen to fly in but only stayed a very short time an were not seen again.

Common Buzzards were noted over to the West on several occasions, with up to four birds in the air together. On a couple of days Peregrine was seen and Hobby gave excellent views on the 7th with three birds hunting Hirundines over the West Bank car park.

The combination of the vegetation and rising water levels have meant that the area is very attractive to Ducks and some very good counts have been had. On several days Teal numbers were estimated at well over 100 and Tufted duck numbers peaked at over 100. Other duck seen this month were Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, Pochard, Pintail, Mallard and Wigeon. On the 18th a group of 8 Common Scoter were seen but were gone next day 3 more came in on the 28th but stayed only a few hours. Two Redhead Goosander were seen on the 29th

A Little Gull was noted late afternoon on the 7th and a Wheatear was in the West Bank car park on the 8th (it actually perched on a telescope). Two Swifts and three Sand Martins were noted on the 7th and on the 14th 2 Crossbills were seen in the top of pine trees near Milltown inlet. On the 21st one Arctic Tern was seen over the reservoir and in the evening 50 Pink-feet were observed flying East. Snipe were present on several days and one was even feeding in the scrapes whilst the digger was working close by.

Bryan Hartley