April 23rd 2008

Out before first light to Draycote Water to see if "Frankie" was still present considering there was no news from the roost last night but got me self distracted by 4 Whimbrel feeding on the grass bank in toft bay. As for the Whimbrel they soon departed when the first runners and fishermen descended before 7am. Little Gulls 8 adult and one first winter, Artic Tern 2, Common Tern 4 Wheatear male, Yellow Wagtail 10+, Linnets 10 and a Meadow Pipit on farborough bank.
Started working the valley with a Fieldfare near Kites Hardwick but the heavens opened so back home to change and wait till it cleared.
Second visit and Draycote was heaving with Artic Terns as many groups varying in numbers adding up to 224 passed through in an hour with another 53 remaining all afternoon and at least 30+ still present at 2000hrs but there was no sign of "Frankie" in roost which is a lot smaller since the weather has improved and they were coming in a later as well. Also doing roost were By Bob & April Hazell and Steve Valentine and we managed Med Gull adult and second summer and two adult and one first winter Little Gull. Other sightings included Great-spotted Woodpecker, Gadwall 4, Buzzard 9, Shelduck 5 and Bob Hazell found a Pintail hybrid possiblie crossed with Gadwall which showed in rainbow late afternoon. A Whimbrel flew in late evening and tracked by April Hazell as it circled reservoir to fly in to rainbow corner and settle on dam wall till flushed by some shapely lica wearers. Stevie V managed to get me bike in his car so good chance its a rest day tomorrow.
Bright-line Brown Eye and Brindled Pug trapped last night.

Richard