August 21st 2008

Arranged to meet up with Steve Seal and Dave Hutton at Draycote Water this morning and was half way there when Steve rang to say juvenile Shag had just been found by Lee in toft shallows. On arrival it was resting on a log in front of the hide where it showed well and occasionally moving off to feed letting Steve, Dave plus April and Bob Hazell to get close up pictures while I could only manage a scenic shot with my little lens. This was my 23rd record of Shag for Draycote and a welcome year tick.

Shag by Steve Seal

We all spent some time searching toft & farborough bank and surrounding hedgerow managing to see Grey Wagtail, 4 Wheatear including juvenile male, Spotted Flycatcher and 2 adult Lesser Whitethroats while 2 Common Tern patrolled off shore.

Wheatear juv male by Steve Seal

Wheatear by Steve Seal
After coffee a walk to rainbow corner produced the five Goosanders and a few Teal then we all met up again to photograph the Red Underwing which had been on the café wall earlier and may have been the same one as me and Dave had on Sunday.

Red Underwing by Dave Hutton
Other birds seen were Buzzards 2, Swift 20+, Lesser Black-backed Gull 30+, Herring Gull and Willow Warbler but on leaving could not relocate the Shag. Butterfly’s seen were Brimstone 2, Common Blue 3 and Vapourer moth.
Back home after my Shag at Draycote I enjoyed two Old Lady's - all very legal the girls were in the moth trap. Another large count including 188 Large Yellow Underwing.

Richard