18 members arrived on a cold, still and misty morning with quite a few of the team unprepared clothes wise for the very chilly conditions  which they would later regret. From the noisy car park, the trip got off to a good start with the first (for most) Willow Warbler of the year singing from the top of a nearby tree. In addition, a Red Grouse was heard ‘clucking’ behind us, a pair of Curlew flew over and across the road and a patrolling Red Kite was seen off by a concerned Lapwing.

Male Red Grouse

Moving through the first section of woodland, we were entertained by two Song Thrushes and then a Mistle Thrush singing, along with more common small birds. Up into Jarvis Clough more Willow Warblers were holding forth but no sight or sound of Ring Ouzels. Indeed, we had to wait until approaching the rocks of Stanage Edge before the first one was spotted. Then came a flurry of, “there’s one over there” and “there’s another on that big flat rock”. (Not regarded as particularly helpful because the area was littered by big flat rocks.)

Male Ring Ouzel with the checkered breast markings showing well

Anyway, in the end, all had excellent views of this iconic bird.
While 17/18 were totally absorbed with watching Wheatears, the 18th member’s calls of

Male Wheatear

Peregrine fell on deaf ears so only he saw the falcon’s attempt to slaughter one of the pair of ouzels which scattered screeching their warning.

The Ogston hoard watching Ring Ouzels

To top it all, someone spotted a Golden Plover in summer plumage. The under-dressed

Golden Plover

were then complaining of frostbite/hypothermia so a return was made to the relative warmth of the valley picking up a Kestrel on the way.

32 species seen – photos thanks to Jayne Jankinson, Dave Griffin and Bill Padley

Encouraged by sunny weather, 15 members assembled on the Common although some arrived via the Major Oak in a sneaky effort to tick a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (sadly it didn’t co-operate). However, those that joined the group by walking through Sherwood Forest did manage to see a couple of Woodlark.
For those that started from the Pumphouse car park, we had early sightings of Red Kite, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk while over the adjacent field, Skylarks were singing. Heading down the track to the gate onto the Common, Yellow Hammers were spotted on one of the hedges and 4 Red-legged Partridge were seen scuttling across the field.

On to the Common and disappointment for most. Except for two Woodlarks that flew over the heads of 3 members, there was no sight or sound of the target species in the 2 hours wandering the heath. Indeed, we had to be satisfied with sightings of a pair of Stonechat, a Jay, Great Spotted and a Green Woodpecker.

A member telling off the leader for taking him on a wild goose chase.

The only explanation seemed to be their reluctance to brave the wind.
Risking yet further disappointment, we headed for the Pumping House near Ollerton hoping for Brambling. Whose stupid idea was that? A thorough search  revealed a small flock of Fieldfare and nothing else of note.
“Sod it, off to Welbeck where the combination of sun and wind should be good for raptors.” Those that stopped off at the feeding station were rewarded with views of a Marsh Tit while at the watch point everyone had plenty of opportunity to watch Goshawk with often two in flight. Buzzards were numerous and probably 4/5 Red Kite. A Great White Egret also graced us with an appearance.

All in all, 53 species identified. Photos courtesy of Dave Griffin and Bill Padley.

Starting at an unearthly time of 9.00 8 club stalwarts met at Frampton Marsh for the first Club trip of the year.  A bright but bitterly cold morning meant that a lot of the water was frozen so sightings were limited. Highlights included Whooper Swans, geese including Brent, Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Snipe and Ruff on the wader front and Peregrine and Marsh Harrier made up the raptor contingent. 

Moving south to Deeping Lakes, the highlight was the view of a roosting Long-eared Owl in an ivy covered tree only a few feet from the hide. A walk around the site couldn’t find the Glossy Ibis supposed to be there but a lovely Barn Owl was spotted flitting between fencepost and tree. Deeping is always worth a visit with Goosanders on the River and Golden Plover and more Whooper Swans in adjacent fields.

Finally onto Willow Tree Fen. What’s not to like about this reserve? Plenty to see right in front of the car park – you could bird watch in your slippers. The target species was undoubtedly the Common Crane. And tthey certainly didn’t disappoint. An advance group of three turned up whilst the light was still excellent and not much later another 16 dropped in. As instructed by the trip leader, all the birds didn’t skulk about in the reeds but strutted their stuff on the grassy clearances. As the light slipped away, a Great Egret flew over before the Cranes were joined by many Marsh Harriers including one leucistic bird which, through squinted eyes, I tried to make into a male Hen Harrier. However I was put in my place by other members.

All told 63 species seen during the day. A good day enjoyed by all.

Nine members arrived at first light at Rufford Country Park on a cold but gloriously sunny

That’s how early!

day and it was shortly after that when eagle eyed ‘Blue Beard’ spotted a group of birds high up in one of the trees bordering the car park. Binocular view suggested Hawfinch and this was confirmed by scope. And there they remained as the light improved giving us excellent views of these superb birds. In addition, a small flock of Redwing browsing around the base of the trees gleamed in the sunlight and it also made the colouring of the Greenfinch  vibrant. 

Reluctantly the group left the car park and headed for the lake while being surrounded with bird song from Robins, Mistle and Song Thrushes. Overhead a pair of Great Spotted

Goosanders

Woodpeckers flew past. On the lake, as expected were Goosander and Pochard but not a lot else of note and sadly, after a complete circuit and back at the car park, there had been no sign of Siskin, Redpoll or Marsh Tit.

Following a report on Notts Birds website, we drove to Boughton Pumping Station, hoping to find Brambling in a corn field. Similar to Marsh Tit, we again drew a blank and were somewhat perplexed as to what these birds could have been feeding on.

So onto Welbeck Raptor Watchpoint arriving before 11:00 which might explain why there was no raptor activity. However, as the day warmed, Buzzards began to emerge and indeed

at one point there were 10 in the air. Then they were joined by Red Kites and finally a Sparrowhawk  followed by the jewel in the form of two Goshawks that spent quite a lot of

Goshawk at 1500 metres – a tad too far but you can see the long tail

time, wheeling and interacting with each other. Subsequently, a Raven flew over vocalising and a Great White Egret flew in.

All in all 63 species ID’d.
Thanks to Hilary Hodkinson for the photos

Ten members enjoyed a warm, wind and bird free visit to some of the RSPB reserves in the Dearne Valley. Bird free sounds pretty bad – well 50 species were identified but there was little that was unusual, a fact that was bemoaned by another Ogston member who often volunteers at Old Moor so knows the place intimately.
We started at Edderthorpe Flash where the only bird of note was a Pintail, observed by Hilary who had been there since the break of day, but by the time the trip started, it had disappeared leaving just more common species of wildfowl.
Then onto Wombwell Ings where the start was delayed by folks following their SATNAVs ending up at the wrong place. However, since the reserve has been fenced, to distance humans and dogs from the wildlife, this place usually delivers an interesting variety. On this occasion, there were Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper and a flock of Linnets. Also a Kestrel – our first raptor of the day.
And then to Old Moor where we saw a further 3 Green Sandpipers, a single Redshank and a Great Egret. Three of the group who had had to leave early, also saw a flock of Pink-footed Geese fly over and, to their great surprise, a Cettis Warbler singing from the top of a tree.
Now for a few lovely photos courtesy of Hilary Hodkinson.

Pintail at Edderthorpe Flash

Green Sandpiper at Wombwell Ings

Dunlin at Wombwell Ings

Linnet at Wombwell Ings

Great White Egret at Old Moor

Wigeon at Old Moor

Gadwall at Old Moor

8 members made the journey to Frampton Marsh and experienced superb birding. Only the leader was late having not read his own instructions. The birding this year was unusual in that there was little to see from the sea wall and little to the north of the 360 hide.  However, the rest of the reserve made up for this. In all 54 species were seen the best of which were 23+ Spoonbills, 3 Curlew Sandpipers still with vestiges of

Curlew Sandpiper

summer plumage, 6 Great Egrets, a Spotted Redshank, Common, Wood and Green

Spotted Redshank

Wood Sandpiper

Sandpipers and a lifer for all in the form of the vagrant Bar-headed Goose which, almost hidden at a distance in long grass, was spotted by Mike – an impressive effort.

Bar-headed Goose taken at great distance

What was pleasing to see was the numbers of juvenile Avocets, Little Ringed Plovers and Yellow Wagtails – seemingly a successful breeding season. Also of interest was seeing 2 Hobbies pursuing Sand martins, although with no obvious success and Sand Martin chicks at the exit from their nesting tunnel, waiting to be fed.

Thanks to Hilary Hodkinson for the photos.

On a chilly, cloudy day but with a gentle breeze, 10 members visited Annesley Pit Top Nature Reserve and over the next 3 hours were treated to some excellent birding. It started well when a Sparrowhawk and a Whitethroat were seen from the car park. On the track up to the top lake, the wood to the left was alive with warblers with Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff and a Garden Warbler all being heard but not seen. Upon arriving at the lake, we were treated to our first sightings of the iconic Black-necked Grebes. Eventually 7 were identified but there could well have been more. In addition,

Adult Black-necked Grebeall the common hirundines were present as were Swifts and both Sedge and Reed Warblers. At the lowest point of the reserve, we turned off the main track and headed east, coming upon the most stunning wildflower meadow crammed with kidney vetch and ox-eye daisies but sadly not a singlebutterfly – just too cold. Beyond, to the top of a slight rise, came the icing on the cake; here we were treated to quite a lengthy

Garden Warblersighting of not one but two Garden Warblers with an adjacent Blackcap for comparison. Initially, confusion was caused when ‘Merlin’ declared it to be a Woodlark which caused much mirth and ‘dissing’ of Merlin. A few moments later, a

Bird on a wire – Woodlarkbird on a high pylon wire was scoped and found to be a Woodlark. (Jury now having to reconsider the worth of Merlin). Back on the main reserve, an LRP was spotted, but disappointingly, other than a Kestrel and an unidentified raptor, no other birds of prey were seen – possibly another product of low temperatures.

Total of 45 species seen. Thanks to Steve Sutcliffe for the bird photos and the meadow by Dave Griffin. 

On a cold, breezy evening, 22 members arrived at the Flash Lane parking spot, fortunately, most dressed in their winter birding gear. At 9 pm we set off to walk the few hundred metres to the viewing spot. Disappointingly, with the exception of a couple of Black Birds, the place was silent except for the sound of the wind in the trees. Not put off by this lack of avian life, the assembled multitude stood alert and patient and this was eventually rewarded at about 9:30 pm with the appearance of a couple of Woodcock flying above the trees. We then had fairly frequent sightings of Woodcock although it was impossible to know whether it was the same bird doing circuits or different ones. At about 9:45 pm, the sharp of hearing picked up the first churring sounds of a nearby Nightjar. Subsequently, we were entertained by a number of fly passes, more churring and also occasionally the yapping type call of the Nightjar. On one occasion, one bird perched on the top of a nearby dead tree trunk. Based on sound alone, there were two males in the near vicinity. At just gone 10:00, our leader, Steve Slack called time and sent us home to defrost. A very successful trip and very well attended too.

No photos – too dark!

A small but perfectly formed group of members met at a wet Whisby to stroll around the park lamenting the absence of the Nightingale. Nonetheless, we took in a nice stroll and picked up a decent list.

The site is always good for warblers and we got Willow and Garden Warblers, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff. We heard distant cuckoos and a Green Woodpecker cackling (probably laughing at us as the rain continued). A Sedge Warbler teased us from the reeds whilst a Buzzard and a Kestrel were the only raptors showing. Heading back to the cafe for a warm drink, a muntjac deer showed itself to us before somehow disappearing in front of our very eyes. 32 species for Whisby.

Off to Langford we went and as the rain eased we we were hopeful of  a decent showing.  For most of us, lunch was the most important first activity. The mound at Langford allowed us to eat and birdwatch at the same time. It wasn’t long before a couple of Hobbys appeared. Although higher than we have seen in previous years they gave us a good display. We saw a maximum of 4 Hobby’s in the air at any time. Around us there was the ever elusive Cetti’s Warbler, a Sedge or two and, of course, several Willow Warblers.

We saw quite a few Common Tern looking for somewhere to nest with the Black Headed Gulls having occupied the rafts first. We heard but didn’t see any Bittern and in the distance we picked up at least two Great Egrets. A bedraggled Red Kite came over us as we packed away our lunch boxes.

Social media reported a sighting of a Grey Plover, again in the distance at the southern end of the reserve although it was much too far to spot. This did, however, encourage us to get a little closer. This meant we needed to take a circular walk back to the carpark. Having never walked this path, the group put their trust in yours truly to use the OS Maps app to work out the path.

The path was ultimately disappointing, not giving us the views we were hoping although we did spot a Greenshank. But it was a good free 2.6 miles of free exercise, something the group really appreciated (not!).

22 species at Langford, making a total of 54 for the day. A grand day out.

Steve Slack