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Eight members enjoyed fabulous weather and an excellent days birding with 59 species of bird seen. We started optimistically by visiting the Reedbed Screen hoping for Bittern and Bearded Tits but as is generally the case, we were unsuccessful. Back tracking into the main part of the reserve, the abiding memory was of ‘wall to wall’ bird song with the warmth of the sun on ones back just adding to the enjoyment. While most of the sightings we made were of fairly common birds, we did see a Mediterranean Gull, a blackcap and Willow Warblers which were readily spotted throughout. In addition to the birds, a stoat was seen and also peacock and tortoiseshell butterflies along with a single orange tip. After lunch optimism levels were still high so we tried the Reedbed Screen again but to no avail.
At about 14:30, the group moved to the neighbouring reserve of Broomhill Flash. Sadly, the new double decker hide is not yet complete and even more disappointing was the lack of any avian interest.
At that point, the majority called it a day, leaving 3 stalwarts to visit nearby Wombwell Ings. Although prone to disturbance by dog walkers, we nonetheless saw 28 different species of which a Wheatear, House Martin and Skylarks were new to our list on top of which we also had good views of 5 Little Ringed Plovers.
A cold start turned into a pleasant sunny morning, although it was still best to keep working to remain warm. The planned water-based activities were completed (removing overhanging branches, and repairing the mooring of the raft) along with removal of moss from the concrete block which forms the ‘basking’ area.
The remaining task, to do some more raking, was dropped in favour of studying mosses and lichens, which is rapidly becoming the favoured recording theme for 2016.
Two members participated in this month’s work party, and apologies were received from two others suffering from injury/illness/early kick-off.
Just for a change, this month’s tasks are of a light nature. In the rough-grass areas there will be some gentle raking out of dead vegetation, in a manner so as not to unduly disturb the emerging wildlife; on the concrete plinths a bit of scraping to clear moss from the basking areas; and in the brook some delicate footwork is required to make adjustments to the hazels in order to re-establish the perfect balance of light and shade over the water (wellies advised). The nautical-minded can attend to the moorings of the monitoring raft, which have been damaged by the winter swells.
To help at the work party, meet at the reserve on Saturday, 16th April at 9:30 am. We will finish around lunchtime. All members are welcome and no previous experience is necessary. Please wear appropriate work clothes, stout shoes, boots or wellies, and gardening gloves or equivalent. Bring a rake or a pitch-fork if you can.
Organised work parties take place at the Jim Mart reserve on the morning of the third Saturday in every month, except in December. For further information about the reserve visit the Jim Mart NR pages on the Ogston Bird Club website, or contact Peter Faulkner by email ([email protected]) or on 0784 214 8888 nearer the date.
OGSTON BIRD CLUB 46 th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2016
Will be held on Tuesday 24th May at 7:30pm at the Blackwell Community Centre, Woburn Close, Blackwell, Alfreton, DE55 5HH. This AGM has been called under constitution; at least 21 days’ notice has been giving via the web site and a poster is in the Members hide
AGENDA
Nominations Received
Keith Turton Proposed John Parlby, Second Jenny Marshall
John Parlby Proposed Mike Conroy, Second Steve Slack
Steve Slack Proposed Geoff Davis, Second Martin Kaye
Geoff Davis Proposed Martin Kaye,Second Mike Conroy
Martin Kaye Proposed Mike Conroy, Second Jenny Marshall
Mike Conroy Proposed Jenny Marshall, Second Dag Marshall
Jenny Marshall Proposed Dag Marshall, Second Julia Smith
Dag Marshall Proposed Jenny Marshall, Second Keith Turton
Julia Smith Proposed Keith Turton Second John Parlby
Evening Presentation “BIRDING USA” Illustrated talk presented by Ian Newton ARPS
Ogston Bird Club Open Hide Day Saturday 7th May.
You are invited to our open day, please come along to view from the 3 menbers hides, there will a limited number of telescopes and binoculars to use. We will be Open from 10:00 to 4pm
By Jennifer Johnson
Would the committee sanction heated hides and a tea wagon (including butties of course), was on the minds of the 17 bodies huddled in the main hide against the persistent rain on this grey and cold Saturday walk day? Paul, our leader, was in despair at this being the fourth in succession with similar inclemency.
Never mind things were not so bad, the feeders were colourful with the usual tits, finches and buntings , 5 Snipe whizzed back and forth Oystercatchers called rowdily right in front of us, and what seemed like swarms of Swallows and Martins, high and low, came increasingly close. Yes spring has arrived. 27 species were seen from here.
Eventually folk went their various ways, those staying on site were pleased to have seen Mandarins, Goldcrest, a Jay bathing and House Martin , whilst another 4 who did venture along the West Bank were rewarded with Buzzard, Treecreeper, Long- tailed tits, Fieldfare, Chiffchaffs within touching distance and very wet, disconsolate looking Herons on their nests .
Altogether 44 species were logged , 11 shy of last year’s total.
Blackbird , Black-headed Gull , Blue Tit , Bullfinch , Buzzard, Canada Goose , Carrion Crow , Chaffinch , Chiffchaff , Coot , Cormorant , Dunnock , Fieldfare , Goldcrest , Great Crested Grebe , Great Tit , Greenfinch , Grey Heron , Greylag Goose , House Martin , Jay , Lapwing , Lesser Black – backed Gull , Little Grebe , Long-tailed Tit , Mallard , Magpie , Mandarin Duck , Moorhen , Oystercatcher , Pheasant , Pied Wagtail , Pink-footed Goose , Reed Bunting , Robin , Sand Martin , Snipe , Song Thrush , Swallow , Teal , Tree Creeper , Tufted Duck , Wood Pigeon , Wren.
Eight members assembled beside the dam wall on a dull and decidedly chilly morning to be greeted by an absolute dearth of birds. In addition to us, a group of birders from DOS were being similarly disappointed. Suddenly the misery was dispelled by a shout of Goshawk! Overhead planed the distinct shape with its long tail with rounded corners, broad waist and bulk. Still frozen but now elated, we travelled to the north end of Howden reservoir and walked up through the forest to Slippery Stones getting few sightings of birds but hearing chaffinch, coal tits and wrens. Beyond the woodland, the valley was sheltered and walking was pleasant. The birding also improved with good views of a male peregrine combing the hillside for breakfast followed shortly afterwards by a Dipper. After that our labouring uphill to the lunch spot was rewarded by a well earned ‘sit’, a Red Grouse, Mistle Thrush, possible Raven but little else. Returning to the cars, three of the party extended the day by walking up the river Westend and suffered the same paucity of birdlife though another Dipper and a Tree Creeper could be added to our meagre list of 16 species. There was also the small bonus of good views of mating frogs – probably later here because of the cold.
In conclusion, a trip of mixed fortunes with views of Goshawk, Dipper and Peregrine being the highlights. Our hoped for afternoon attempt to see Ring Ouzels was cancelled as they don’t seem to have yet migrated into the UK. However, when they do, we may arrange another trip to see them – keep an eye on the website.
A decent turnout of 5 members saw all of the advertised tasks completed, with the exception of cleaning out the west ditch, which somehow got forgotten about. Some additional tasks were completed, including raking old vegetation off the drier part of the marshy area (C6a) and pruning the big Buddleia. A small willow was coppiced and suitable cuttings used to form the framework of the short ‘fedge’ which is under construction on the corner of the bank in front of the Hide Pond.
Amongst all this activity, four of the butterfly transect team held a pre-season session to refresh their memories on the finer points of procedure and on the survey route round the reserve, and to admire the conservation work carried out over the winter.
For those members not heading off to the Derbyshire moors on the first of this year’s club meets, the alternative is to come and help out at this month’s work party at the Jim Mart reserve. The accumulated ash in the fire-pit needs to be shovelled up and away, an area of cut grass needs a second raking to lift any remaining litter, and we need to rake leaves from the length of the west ditch that wasn’t completed last month. There are other general tidying jobs to do, but there will be time to watch the frogs ‘in action’ and generally soak up the sights and sounds of spring.
To help at the work party, meet at the reserve on Saturday, 19th March at 9:30 am. We will finish around lunchtime. All members are welcome and no previous experience is necessary. Please wear appropriate work clothes, stout shoes, boots or wellies, and thorn-proof gardening gloves or equivalent.
Organised work parties take place at the Jim Mart reserve on the morning of the third Saturday in every month, except in December. For further information about the reserve visit the Jim Mart NR pages on the Ogston Bird Club website, or contact Peter Faulkner by email ([email protected]) or on 0784 214 8888 nearer the date.
