May 3rd 2008

Managed to get to the valley mid-day, later than expected but surprisingly (last night was clear) there were still Wheatears 3 in the turf field and exploring the track between here and Grandborough including 'franks' fishing pool managed to find Whitethroat, Blackcap and Garden Warbler while the Turtle Dove sitting on the track was my first of the year. TDs are getting pretty scarce around these parts along with the heard but not seen Cuckoo so hopefully they will hang around.
Rest of valley was quite with the usual corvids, Skylarks, Yellowhammers, Linnets, Buzzards and Kestrels and distant scope views of draycote showed it was busy with millions out for there constitutional enjoying this fine weather so decided to hide the steed and walked the footpaths between Grandborough and Dunchurch managing a flyover Hobby, Stock Dove 6, Long-tailed Tit 3, Little Ringed Plover, Sedge and Reed Warbler, Jay 2, Grey Partridge more Buzzards and a Willow Tit. On returning went to Draycote for the evening with Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail 2 on farborough bank, Black Tern 2, Common Tern 3 out in centre, Hobby over biggen Bay and Common Sandpiper 2 draycote bank.
Last nights moth trap had this Swallow Prominent.


Richard