May 4th 2008

Chiffchaff and Whitethroat heard when clearing moth trap at first light and a male Bullfinch seen. Out with Dave for shortened version of our normal Sunday jaunt. The turf field still held one Wheatear but no sign of yesterdays two White Wagtails seen by Mark Phillips and little else seen in valley on our way to Draycote. On our arrival we had two Whitethroat in car park and the walk to toft produced three more plus Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Common Tern 5, Common Sandpiper 2 and Swifts 300+.
A quick breakfast at Long Itchington then an hours walk at Brandon Marsh which produced Garganey male, Ringed Plover 2, Shelduck 2, Shoveler male, Teal pair, Redshank, Common Tern 8 and Kingfisher from the east marsh hide. Warblers were very much in evidence with 10 Cetties heard including three which showed really well, 14+ Whitethroats and plenty of Sedge and Reed. Also seen were Jay, Cuckoo and Great-spotted Woodpecker.


Garganey by Steve Seal

Only bird of note on Lawford Heath was a Great-spotted Woodpecker.
Well that's it from me for awhile unless I find some run down tinternet cafe and get a chance to update you on my efforts in Georgia, Armenia and Spain. Health and Safety warning - don't find something while I am away - still not managed to claw back the Collared Praticole in 96 which arrived as I took off for Slovakia, much to the delight of my closest friends - well they were friends.

Richard