June 17th 2008

A very early morning walk around Brandon Marsh after last nights mothing session produced Barn Owl, Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat 6, Cetties Warbler 3, Great-spotted Woodpecker 2, Oystercatcher 2, Shelduck 2 and Ringed Plover.
Back out again at mid-day to Draycote Water where it was very windy for butterflies but did managed to find Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Small Copper and Brimstone in the more sheltered areas of the country park and sailing club car parks and had the added bonus with a draycote tick in the shape of Smooth Snake sunning its self on a pile of rubbish and also a new location tick of three Bee orchids which is just as well as normal site in rainbow has none showing at the moment. Grass Snake in country park.
On the birding front I came away with good June counts for Canada Geese 174, Mute Swan 54, Tufted Duck 87 and Great-crested Grebe 84 while Garden Warbler are really doing well here with record breeding numbers and as I left there were two Common Tern and Gadwall 4 feeding in toft bay.

Richard