August 23rd 2008

Early bird catches the worm? Arrived at Draycote Water before sun rise and had the place to myself – what bliss. Two Med Gull immature were in the field behind farborough spit at first light amongst 200 Black-headed Gulls, Wheatear and three Curlews. Once the farmer came out to do his early check on cattle they all left though one of the Curlew was still hanging around at 1130am circling reservoir calling or in adjacent fields. Further along farborough bank there were two more Wheatear’s including the immature male, Grey Wagtail 5 and Dunlin flying around calling. The stretch from farborough bank to outlet had Great-spotted Woodpecker, Common Tern 5, Lesser Whitethroat, Green Woodpecker 5, another Wheatear on hensborough bank and a stunning juvenile Knot on the shoreline of the windsurfing area. Next area to explore was the lower car park and the sailing graveyard where in one hour I managed Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat 4, Whitethroat 4, Garden Warbler 2, Chiffchaff 3, Goldcrest 3 and adult and immature Hobby.
Bob Duckhouse had located two Shags and when we caught up with each other he thought there may be at least 5 and possibly 6. I managed 4 from the café and on my second circuit finally confirmed there were six, all immature though one bird on the fishing platform looks ill. After dinner immature Peregrine seen chasing the gulls and at 2pm an Osprey came in and landed on one of the buoys before hunting and once successful flew off with its catch towards Bourton Hall.
Other birds noted were Teal 6, Shoveler 3, Gadwall 2, Kingfisher 2, Yellow-legged Gull 2 adults and Common Sandpiper 3 and Goosander 5 still off draycote bank.

richard