Since the first stage of the autumn work has been completed on the site, it’s now a lot easier to see what’s about.  A water pipit was reported recently and without the cutting back of the vegetation, it would not have been seen.  And then there’s the kingfisher which is now being seen regularly close to the main hide.  Here’s some photos taken by one of the members to whet your appetites.

A tremendous amount of work has been carried out at Ogston during September and October and as you can see from the photos below, views from either the Sue Worsey or the Main Hide, are much improved.

In the near future we hope to get a ‘JCB’ on site to clear out and remodel the scrapes in front of the Main Hide and to re-membrane and gravel the main island and the bund, spits and islands of the re-modelled scrape in front of the Main Hide.  If sufficient money is available, the moat around the big island and ditches around the reed bed just north of the Main Hide will be cleaned out by the machine.  The aim of this work is to improve the habitat for breeding birds while at the same time, enabling club members better viewing.

Osprey over Ogston 12th August

We had an amazing few weeks at Ogston with Osprey sightings being unprecedented. These hopefully being enjoyed by all. Certainly many people visited the reservoir keen to see these birds. Some never having seen an Osprey before. The sightings being regular and I don’t think anyone was disappointed. I showed a couple of new members around one Sunday afternoon and they were absolutely thrilled to see their first Osprey and watch it fishing. We now must wait and hope that they or some of them return from their wintering grounds in West Africa.

I think it is well known that one juvenile was identified by it’s ring. It is thought by the experts at Rutland that the Ospreys we have been sighting are Scottish. They have now a population who are needing to find homes at some point, and to breed.

Female Osprey 12th August

I would like to thank all those who have helped in any way, I am not mentioning names in case I leave somebody out. You all know who you are. Also to those valuable photos and accounts of sightings. Thank you all. I look forward to seeing more photos next year (hopefully). I also thank the Rutland project for valuable support and input. They believe that our hope of having breeding Ospreys in Derbyshire will be a success. I am told that once a male Osprey takes to our own nesting platform we will be successful.

Hopefully more sightings 2016 and onwards.

John Parlby
(Photos P Rhead)