Tuesday 26 February 2008

February 26th 2008

Heavy rain and high winds this morning, Managed as far as Dunchurch then turned back. Second attempt in warm sunshine and a strong breeze more productive with a Little Egret seen flying along the Millholme Brook between The Elms and Barn Farms heading towards Grandborough. Raven 2, Buzzard 2, Stonechat 2, and Yellowhammer 8 also in the area along with a few Fieldfares. Tried searching for the Stonechat found by Mark Phillips on Hill Rd yesterday, no luck but nice to know there are more in the valley. Perched Buzzard and Great-spotted Woodpecker seen.
Thurlaston Bridge, Kites Hardwick had roosting Little Owl in the river bank ivy covered trees, roving party of 20+ Long-tailed Tits, Treecreeper and a Red-legged Partridge.
Draycote late afternoon was very blustery looking more like the seaside than inland water and the windsurfers were enjoying it. Lesser Scaup still present in toft bay and still attracting the odd admirer while a Shelduck male was in biggen bay on shore line. Other sightings included Gadwall 12, Ruddy Duck, Goosander 18, Buzzard, Great-spotted Woodpecker 2, Jay, Lesser Redpoll 2, Skylark 4 and 5 Shoveler. The roost was hard work in the strong winds and did not help with the identification of possible first winter American Herring Gull - seemed to have most of the characteristics but wave motion and distance made it hard to rule out hybrid though I did not think it showed any odd parentage. First winter and second winter Glaucous Gulls and two adult summer Med Gulls seen.

Richard

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