7th January 2017 Guided Walk.

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Paul Beard

The first walk of 2017 took place on a mild, dry day. Paul Beard led a group of sixteen adults and two children to Brackenfield and back. A total of 48 species were seen.

Species: Blackbird, Buzzard, Black-headed Gull, Bullfinch, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Canada Goose, Coot, Coal Tit, Cormorant, Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Gadwall, Goldcrest, Goldeneye, Goosander, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jackdaw, Jay, Kestrel, Lapwing, Long-tailed Tit, Little Grebe, Lesser Blacked-back Gull, Mistle Thrush, Magpie, Moorhen, Mallard, Nuthatch, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Reed Bunting, Shoveler, Snipe, Song Thrush, Starling, Treecreeper, Tufted Duck, Teal, Wren, Woodpigeon, Willow Tit, Yellow Wagtail.

Philip Needham

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West Bank Car Park Gate Repair

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Martin Kaye

Severn Trent has informed us that on Monday 19th December, the West Bank car park gate will be repaired. This may result in some access problems when the gate is being tested.

Apologies and thank you for your patience while all the essential work is undertaken.

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December 2016 – Guided Walk Report

Posted on December 3, 2016 by Nikki M

Paul Beard lead the way on the Brackenfield loop; anticlockwise for most of the participants this month. Windless conditions meant it was relatively pleasant for December. The sheer abundance of birdlife between the West Bank car park and the church was noteworthy, and the species total respectable at 50. Opinion varied on both the number of starters and number of finishers on the walk, 16 being the average.

Species: Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Fieldfare, Gadwall, Goldfinch, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Greylag Goose, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Linnet, Little Grebe, Magpie, Mallard, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Nuthatch, Pied Wagtail, Pink-footed Goose, Redwing, Robin, Rook, Shoveller, Song Thrush, Starling, Stock Dove, Teal, Treecreeper, Wigeon, Willow Tit, Woodpigeon, Wren.

Peter Faulkner

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Report on trip to Blacktoft Sands 23/11/16

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Martin Kaye

Eight members had a fabulous day at this RSPB reserve. The weather was dry much of the time although it was quite cold especially inside the hides. Some folks actually tried going outside in an effort to warm up in the weak autumn sunshine.

Forty nine species were clocked up, the highlights being excellent views of lots of Common Snipe which seem to be attracted in by the new developments.

Four of the many Common Snipe

Four of the many Common Snipe

In addition to this we were lucky enough to see a Jack Snipe from the Marshland Hide. By the time a camera was stuck onto the eyepiece of one of the scopes, it was taking a nap but if you check the photo carefully, you’ll be able to see the dark crown in an otherwise beautifully camouflaged bird. (Double click the photo to get a bigger image).
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One of the target species for this trip was the Hen Harrier. Sadly we missed the one in the morning and none had appeared before we left at dusk. However, we did get to see a Kingfisher speeding past, a Great White Egret, great views of Bearded Tits with their colours enhanced by the setting sun, a female Merlin flashing her beautifully barred tail from her perch before flying off like a fighter plane to persecute a Buzzard and as darkness brought the day to an end, more than ten Marsh Harriers coming in to roost in the reed bed.

Just as were about to leave, a Barn Owl flew across the reeds – icing on the cake!

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JMNR – 15th October 2016 work party report

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Nikki M

Four members turned out for the penultimate work party of 2016. The main aim was to improve the amount of light reaching the edges of the enclosed garden area (Cyril’s Patch). The ground vegetation had been cut in preparation so it just remained to rake this up, then most of the loose rocks were moved to underneath the hedge allowing us to attend to cutting out the higher overhanging branches. Finally, selective pruning of the lowest branches and the end result admired – a much more open and light area without losing the feel of a naturally growing hedgerow. Amongst all this activity, the Membership Secretary found time to tend to the planted willows and the rest started clearing tall vegetation from the Hide Pond area.

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Membership Fees and Renewals for 2017

Posted on October 8, 2016 by Steve Slack

Join today and your membership will include the rest of 2016 and ALL of 2017!! No need to renew until January 1st 2018. What a bargain! And for all current members, please think about renewing now rather than leaving it until next year. It will really help with the admin load on the Membership Secretary. Thank you….. 😉

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1st October 2016 Guided bird walk report

Posted on October 3, 2016 by Paul Beard

Leader : Nigel Cater

Participants : 23

Conditions : Still and bright becoming dull and misty

Birds : Blackbird , Black-headed Gull, Bluetit , Bullfinch , Buzzard , Canada Goose , Carrion Crow , Chaffinch , Chiffchaff , Coal Tit , Coot , Cormorant , Dunnock , Gadwall , Goldcrest , Goldfinch , Great Crested Grebe , Great Spotted Woodpecker , Great Tit , Greenfinch , Grey Heron , Greylag Goose , Grey wagtail , House Martin , Jackdaw , Jay , Kestrel , Lapwing , Linnet , Little Grebe , Long-tailed Tit , Magpie , Mallard , Mistle Thrush , Moorhen , Mute Swan , Nuthatch , Pied Wagtail , Robin , Sparrowhawk , Starling , Stockdove , Swallow , Teal , Tufted Duck , Willow Tit , Wood Pigeon , Wren .

The bracket fungus was identified as a small example of Dryad’s saddle also known as Scaly Polypore.

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Report on trip to Frampton Marsh – 18/9/16

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Martin Kaye

Eight of us had a great day at this fantastic reserve although the early risers definitely got the best pickings. It was a particularly high tide that morning with the sea coming right up to the sea wall (apparently this only happens about four times per year). As a consequence, those arriving at 08:30 got views of 5 Marsh Harriers and a Short Eared Owl. They were also lucky enough to see several Spotted Redshank and Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint.
Oddly enough, the reserve was rather quiet from the visitor point of view but there was plenty of avian fauna to get to grips with. All in all, the group identified 67 different species with the highlights being large flocks of Goldfinch and Linnets which were enjoying themselves on the sunflowers that have been planted around the reserve, a large flock of Common Snipe, returning Brent Geese, a solitary Wheatear on the sea wall, a Green Sandpiper identified in flight and 5 or more Yellow Wagtails. The part of the group that missed out on the owl, were however, rewarded with a lengthy close up view of a water vole munching upon a phragmites leaf.

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Birding in Costa Rica – Talk Reminder

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Steve Slack

Costa Rica has long been a top destination for bird enthusiasts with more than 850 species showing spectacular plumage. Ogston Bird Club is pleased to invite you to join Paul Bingham for an illustrated talk on his trip to this fascinating Central American country.

Blackwell Community Centre, Woburn Close, Blackwell, Derbys, DE55 5HH

Tuesday, 27th September 2016, 7.15 for prompt 7.30 start

This will be the first of a several meetings that are planned for club members.

Can you come?! If you can, please reply: [email protected] ASAP.

Let’s make it a great evening!

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September 2016 Guided Walk Report

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Steve Slack

22 stalwart people turned out for the September walk on an overcast day. Our leader, Paul Beard, had had to withdraw through illness at the last minute (hope you are better soon, Paul) and it took several dedicated members that willingly stood in and supported the walk. With rain forecast for midday, we opted for a shorter walk to Brackenfield with a review at the Church as to where we went from there. Barely an hour after leaving the car park, the rain started and never stopped. On reaching the Church, of those left on the walk at that stage, the decision was made to return to the warmth and comfort of the hides. Well done to everyone for making it such an enjoyable event, despite the inclement weather.

Thirty-one species were noted down by the scribe: Blackbird, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, , Goldfinch, Great Crested Grebe x7, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron x10, Greylag Goose, House Martin, Kestrel, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Magpie, Mallard, Robin, Rook, Sand Martins, Shoveler, Snipe, Swallow , Teal, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon,

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