Ogston Work Party – Mon 19th Oct

Yet another work party for the dedicated/foolish/those that haven’t been before.  Much the same as for previous work parties, scrub clearance, willow lopping and burning.  A lot of effort has been put in by members over the last few weeks but it is bearing some fruit with close views of perched kestrels, a sparrow hawk and a kingfisher (although not while the work party was present).  However, 2 members of one of the work parties did disturb a probable Jack Snipe so it’s clearly worth joining in.

Again, whatever your fitness, abilities and inclination, there’s always something for everyone to do.

The work party is scheduled for 09:30 – 12:30.  If you can attend, please email Martin Kaye using the link below.

email Martin

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Ogston Work Party – Thurs 15th Oct

If there’s anyone up for a bit more labour, there’s a need to burn the rubbish that we cut from the last effort on Monday.  Those without arsonist tendencies might wish to continue with scrub clearance and/or try out the club waders to clear round the dragonfly pond.  Whatever your fitness, abilities and inclination, there’s always something for everyone to do.

The work party is scheduled for 09:30 – 12:30.  If you can attend, please email Martin Kaye using the link below.

email Martin

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JMNR work party – Saturday 17th October 2015

If you need a respite from all the work parties at Ogston Reservoir, or perhaps want to help out but can only come at the weekend, then please consider joining the next work party at the Jim Mart Nature Reserve. Saturday’s weather forecast is, at the time of writing, for light cloud and a moderate breeze. Some areas of old Rosebay Willowherb and nettle, along with a section of better quality grassland, have just been cut so the main task is to remove the arisings. If enough members turn out then the work will be relatively light going, and there is the possibility of having a monster bonfire. If that is not enough to tempt you, then you might also miss the opportunity to record the second ever sighting of a Dipper at the reserve, first seen flying up and down the brook on Sunday morning.

To help out at the work party, meet at the reserve on Saturday, 17th October, 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 (nettle-proof) gardening gloves or equivalent. Bring a sturdy garden rake or pitchfork, and even a wheelbarrow, 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 visit the Jim Mart NR pages on the Ogston Bird Club website https://ogstonbirdclub.co.uk/ , or contact Peter Faulkner by email ([email protected]) or by telephone (0784 214 8888).

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Kingfisher Pond is revealed

Friday 9th Oct

 

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Ogston work party – Mon 12th Oct

The work party is 09:30 – 12:30.  The work will focus on clearing willow (loppers) and scrub (rake, sickle/shears) from round the ponds and raking and burning the cut grass from the meadow.  In addition, the bullrushes pulled from the Kingfisher Pond need to be spread out to dry prior to burning.

While this is happening,  we will be marking out the levels for the scrapes in front of the main hide to be ready for a ‘JCB’ to renovate them.

If you can attend, please email Martin Kaye using the link below.

email Martin

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October 2015 Guided Walk Report

After the Indian Summer experienced throughout most of September it was feeling autumnal for this month’s walk, with one person wisely deciding to wear gloves. The dry conditions, good visibilty and absence of wind made the Ashover Hay circuit a well judged choice by the leader, Paul Beard.

The low water level in the reservoir dictated a stop at Chapel Bay where three male Mandarin Ducks were spotted, although too distant to be seen at their best. On to Ashover Hay, to find that unusually-large mixed groups of small birds were busy in the hedgerows and scrub. A Green Woodpecker was put up here, unfortunately only being seen at close quarters by the first person in the group. The return route was via Clattercotes Farm, some of the party mistakenly thinking that the leader was only joking about having to pass a bull on the path across the field. Eighteen started the walk, and eighteen finished, all arriving back in close formation.

Special ‘thanks’ go to Jenny for her home-grown Discovery apples. Other fruits of the morning’s foray were: Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Common Buzzard, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Crested Grebe, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Kestrel, Lapwing, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Mandarin Duck, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Nuthatch, Pied Wagtail, Pink-footed Goose, Robin, Starling, Teal, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer. A total of 44 species.

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Now you can see out of the Sue Worsey Hide

View from Sue Worsey Hide

View from Sue Worsey Hide

After today’s work party, it’s now possible to see out of all three windows of the Sue Worsey Hide so while the good weather holds and if you’re interested in watching dragonflies, now might be a good time to go.  Photos were taken from the other windows but sadly the view was obscured by smoke.

 

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Ogston Work Party – Sun 4th October

By special request from a member that works during the week, a weekend work party has been arranged for this Sunday.  The work will include raking up the vegetation cut by the flail and digging weed from the edge of one of the ponds.  Work is starting at 08:30 and will continue into the afternoon so turn up at a time convenient to yourself.

If you are available, please try to bring some/all of the following:

rake, spade, wellies, gloves.

Upon arrival at the hide, report to Steve Slack.  If you intend to attend, please email Martin Kaye using the link below.

email Martin

 

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September 2015 Work Party Progress Report

Two very well attended working parties were held on the 23rd and 28th September with 15 and 12 members carrying out a variety of tasks.  These included trimming the hedge alongside the track approaching the main hide, opening up a gap in this hedge opposite one of the seats so that members can relax with a view of the meadow beyond and clearing scrub from the area in front of the Main Hide.  The weather was glorious on both occasions which helped us achieve a great deal (see photos before and after below).

Much more is still to be done so if members have the time to attend work parties, please come along.  There are always jobs to suit all abilities and levels of fitness – every little helps.

 

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Ogston Work Party – Wed 30th September

Intended to be less strenuous  then the previous two (see report and photos) unless of course the fit and able are capable of breaking their backs again.  Work to include burning the piles of vegetation, surveying the area in front of the main hide prior to having the scrapes re-modelled and clearance around the Sue Worsey Hide and ponds.  Times as usual 09:30 – 12:30.

If possible bring any/all of the following, equipment e.g. sickle/scythe, fork, rake, loppers.

Please let Martin Kaye know if you can manage to attend.

email Martin

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