JMNR – 20th February 2016 work party report

Two members turned out for this month’s work party. The priority task in the advertised list was cleaning out of the twenty nest boxes in Liz’s Wood, so it was indeed fortunate that this had already been attended to by a couple of mid-week volunteers. The morning was therefore devoted to gathering up all of the cut vegetation, from compartments C1 and C2, and piling it up in the north-west corner of the reserve. Part of the west ditch was also raked out before the light rain convinced us that it was time for an early lunch.

Posted in JMNR Work Parties | Comments Off on JMNR – 20th February 2016 work party report

JMNR work party – Saturday 20th February 2016

This month’s work party will be finishing work on the area around the Hide Pond, removing old typha and willowherb stems from the shallows and island. There is recently cut vegetation in the grassland nearest Press Lane to be raked up and formed into a stack, and the nearby ditch to be raked out. If it has not been completed in advance of the work party, the survey and cleanout of the nest boxes in Liz’s Wood (on our neighbour’s farm) will also need to be attended to. So, there is plenty to do.

To help at the work party, meet at the reserve on Saturday, 20th February 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. 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 website or contact Peter Faulkner by email ([email protected]).

Posted in JMNR Work Parties | Comments Off on JMNR work party – Saturday 20th February 2016

JMNR – 16th January 2016 work party report

A sunny, though cold, winter’s morning greeted four members, all keen to get started on the list of jobs. Much was achieved, but there is still plenty needing to be done over the next month.
All of the reserve’s bird boxes, bar one, had the contents recorded and were then cleaned out. Hawthorn and Blackthorn saplings were culled on the sunny bank above the Hide Pond, and a start made on clearing brambles and Sycamore regrowth in the same area. Debris from recent hedge-laying work near the reserve entrance was removed to the fire-site and added to a good bonfire.

Posted in JMNR Work Parties | Comments Off on JMNR – 16th January 2016 work party report

JMNR work party – 16th January 2016

January’s work party will be focusing on the area around the Hide Pond, and in particular removal of bramble regrowth on the sunny bank above the pond. There is also the job of removing old typha and willowherb stems from the shallows and island. For members hoping for a more ornithological-oriented task, the annual survey and cleanout of the reserve’s nest boxes awaits you. The weather is forecast to be cooler than of late so wrap up well.

To help out at the work party, meet at the reserve on Saturday, 16th January 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. Your favourite secateurs and a spade or fork would all be useful tools to bring, though some are available at the reserve. Recording materials for the nest box survey will be provided.

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 https://ogstonbirdclub.co.uk/ , or contact Peter Faulkner by email ([email protected]).

Posted in JMNR Work Parties | Comments Off on JMNR work party – 16th January 2016

January 2016 Guided Walk Report

This month’s report was provided by Jenny Johnson:

“I see from my birding diary that dark and wet has been the order of the day for the past two January walks, 2016 proving to be no exception, however who would mind the finger – numbing chill that eventually set in, the gloom being pierced by the pink plumage of Bullfinch, red rump of Great Spotted Woodpecker and azure shimmer of Kingfisher. The latter showed really well atop Reedmace and then Phragmites where it successfully launched itself to catch fish. A flock of Lapwing and several Snipe flying over the reservoir also enlightened the scene.

“Most species were spotted from the main hide (30) with a few extras added from a very quick sortie along the West bank by a couple of folk towards the end.

“Participants 10; Species 37: Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Common Gull, Common Snipe, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Jay, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Grebe, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Nuthatch, Pheasant, Pochard, Reed Bunting, Robin, Sparrowhawk, Tufted Duck, Wood Pigeon, Wren.”

Posted in Guided Walk Reports | Comments Off on January 2016 Guided Walk Report

Work Party report from Fri 4th Dec

The ramp to the main hide was made safer by covering some of the exposed timber with wire mesh.
The path and steps to the Alders Wood hide were massively improved but please note that parts of the path are still slippery.  In addition, emerging willow was cut down from in front of the hide. In the same area but courtesy of Severn Trent, a swanky new gate has been installed so there’s no longer any danger of it falling on top of you.
Keen gull watchers will now get a pretty much unobstructed view of the roost from the road along the west bank after a lot of willow was cleared.
Many thanks to the nine members who took part.

Posted in News & What's On, Works Parties | Comments Off on Work Party report from Fri 4th Dec

December 2015 Guided Walk Report

Storm ‘Desmond’ failed to deter 12 people from setting off for the Brackenfield loop under the guidance of Paul Beard. Poor light and a strong breeze made some of the more distant identifications challenging, but at least the weather stayed dry and relatively mild. Thirty three species were recorded, the highlights being a Shelduck (regrettably seen by just one person) and a female Goldeneye (seen by everyone).
Full list: Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Coot, Cormorant, Fieldfare, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Great Black-backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Long-tailed Tit, Mallard, Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, Pied Wagtail, Redwing, Robin, Shelduck, Starling, Stock Dove, Teal, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon.

Posted in Guided Walk Reports | Comments Off on December 2015 Guided Walk Report

Subscription Reminder

Dear Members – It’s that time of year again – a time for giving! We hope that you have enjoyed your year at Ogston and plan to renew your membership with the Club for 2016. The rates remain the same, and we have lots of new things planned for 2016. The renewal form can be downloaded from the website. Please use the new form as we have included a tick box to ensure you are happy for us to apply for the Gift Aid benefit with your subscription – https://ogstonbirdclub.co.uk/how-to-join/

Thank you in anticipation of your continued support. Happy birding!
Julia, Membership Secretary, Ogston Bird Club
Posted in News & What's On | Comments Off on Subscription Reminder

Cancelled – Trip to Langford Lowfields 6th Dec

This trip has been cancelled simply because the starlings have ‘disappeared’.  A few weeks ago numbers had but up to over 20,000 but since then, they’ve relocated.  Whether it’s due to the mild weather????
If the situation alters, the trip will be re-scheduled.

Posted in News & What's On | Comments Off on Cancelled – Trip to Langford Lowfields 6th Dec

Ogston work party – Fri 4th Dec

There will be a work party at Ogston on Fri 4th Dec 09:30 – 12:30.  Jobs to do include clearing the path to the Alders Wood hide, removing large stones from the island and the scrape in front of the main hide and cutting scrub on the west bank to improve the view of the forthcoming gull roost.

If you have them, please bring shears, sickles/similar, loppers, tough gloves, rake.  Also hot drink and a bite to eat.

Posted in News & What's On, Works Parties | Comments Off on Ogston work party – Fri 4th Dec