June 29th 2008

The Lapwing flock has increased to nearly 200 birds in the "dead field" near Sawbridge with 5 Hares and a Yellow Wagtail while the country lane to Grandborough had a Tree Sparrow. Nothing seen at Draycote Water with in the blustery conditions but on arrival we were treated to close views of two young Great-spotted Woodpeckers in the country park and on leaving a Hobby flew over.
Being Sunday, we managed a cooked breakfast at Long Itchington before going to Brandon Marsh where Graham still has a massive smile on his face and a gentle walk produced Oystercatcher 2 + 2 well grown young, Ringed Plover, Lapwing pair with 3 young, first returning Teal, many Sedge and Reed Warblers and a very showy Whitethroat in front of east marsh hide and 6 Buzzards, also saw my first Southern Marsh Orchids plus Azure, Common Blue, Small-eyed and Blue-tailed Damselfly
We had explicit instructions to back at Dave's for dinner on time so did not visit anywhere else and afterwards we checked Dave's moth trap which had a very smart Small Angle Shades. Late afternoon at home and Chaffinches and Bullfinches coming to feeders.

Richard