April 26th 2008

A chilly valley before dawn but the predicted warm air came in by mid-morning making a very pleasant day with plenty of summer visitors and some migrant surprises. Concentrating on the area between Dunchurch and Grandborough I was pretty chuffed in hearing a Grasshopper Warbler which is a scarce bird in the valley and after a little patience I managed to track down to the centre of a bramble bush and further on near a fishing pool a male Whinchat was feeding on the edge of a field no doubt fueling up before pushing north. Other birds in area included Sedge Warbler 2, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer 8, Sparrowhawk 2, Buzzard 5, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Red-legged Partridge 2 and a Cuckoo.
Met up with Dave mid-morning back home to load tonight’s mothing gear having Swift, Sparrowhawk and Sand Martin going over then it was down to Draycote Water which by dinner time was crawling with walkers, runners, and buggy pushers so concentrated on the water where Black Tern 3, Common Tern, and Artic Tern 4 were dodging the sailing fraternity and in toft bay a Black-tailed Godwit tried to land near gray’s barn where a Sedge Warbler was calling. Also seen were Common Sandpiper, Swifts 50, Yellow Wagtail 4, Whitethroat, Goldcrest 4, Long-tailed Tit 4, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk 4, Buzzard 6 and a Hobby. As I was leaving via the half way lane entrance a Little Egret flew over M45 heading towards toft or Thurluston village but I did not have time to go back and check – moths are calling, well I hope they are as its been a poor season so far.

PATCH NEWS – Honey Buzzard reported over Draycote (bird guides) and Red Kite flew over JJs garden in Long Lawford while Black-necked Grebe reported at Draycote (warwickbirds). South winds and rain for tomorrow so could be a tern passage - well that's what I have told Dave he's only having 5hrs sleep for.

The mothing session went well at Brandon Marsh with approx 20sp caught including some unexpected ones (list to follow).


Pebble Hook-tip

After setting up traps nine of us wandered down to newlands getting Grasshopper Warbler, Cuckoo, Barn Owl 2 as well as Pipistrelle, Noctule and Long-eared Bat. Home 1 o'clock Sunday morning.


Richard