April 21st 2008

Yippee, at last a bit of sunshine today though there is still a fresh north easterly wind making the roost at Draycote Water challenging to say the least. The Franklins Gull was found at 1840hrs from the valve tower but with it being so far a way and bobbing up and down something rotten those present took the gamble of going back to hensborough bank to view and we had reasonable views near 'M' buoy till it moved further out. John Judge managed this record shot.

Also in the roost were Med Gull adult, and Little Gull 1st summer and adult summer while earlier in the afternoon there were at least 3 adult and one first summer present off sailing club along with 2 Common Tern. Also seen were Wheatear male below farborough spit, Common Sandpiper 2, Yellow Wagtail 16, Buzzard 2, Sparrowhawk, Gadwall 2, Teal 4 and three Whimbrel went over west. Change in cloud cover meant that the majority of the Sand Martins we have had for the last few days have gone with only 50+ left along with 80 Swallows, a few House Martins and one Swift remaining along draycote bank while the first Orange-tip butterfly of the year was near the hide

Richard