March 14th 2008

Arrived at draycote 5.45am to a stunning pink washed sunrise and a Barn Owl sitting on the fence of sewage farm, unfortunatly in my haste I missed the female Scaup found later by Bob Hazell in grays barn, Treecreeper near valve tower, Jay, Raven, Long-tailed Tit nest building, Kingfisher, 2 Curlew over and Muntjac Deer.
Garden feeders had two Brambling, female Siskin and at least three Buzzards went over high separately and all going west.
In the afternoon on our way back from Daventry Dave and I had one Stonechat (Terry Southgate had three earlier) and 203 Golden Plover resting close to the Hill Road near Barn Farm. Coffee and cake at Draycote and sharp eyed Dave found a male Stonechat on the fence below farnborough bank.
Did the roost with John Judge and we managed to find the first winter Glaucous Gull, third winter Iceland Gull, a very pink washed black-headed Gull and a second winter hybrid showing characteristics of Glaucous and Herring Gull. Curlew calling but not seen. Towards the end of roost we lost the light to grey skies and drizzle.

Richard