August 28th 2008

A welcome Tree Pipit accompanied by a Wheatear female was on the toft banks perimeter road, Draycote Water till flushed by a Severn Trent van - my first here since 2005. There were at least 4 Shags dotted around the reservoir, two on fishing platform, one on outlet and one with 5 cormorants on valve tower and three Common Terns. Other sightings today included Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Dunlin over toft bay, three Yellow Wagtail farborough bank and two raven over country park heading in to valley. Caught up with Bob Hazell in rainbow Corner and he had seen a family party of Goldcrests, Common Sandpiper, Spotted Flycatcher and another two Ravens. His sharp eyes found a Red Underwing which makes this at least the 6th one of the year so spent some time photographing it before putting the worlds to rights over a cup of coffee. Plenty of Common Blues, Speckled Wood 4 and two Vapourers also seen. A few Spotted Flycatchers reported from Napton on the Hill and John Judge rang this afternoon reporting two Crossbills in Bilton Rd, Rugby. A long overdue sighting for this part of Warwickshire considering there has been a large influx recently of this species from the continent. Nice one John.

Gold Spot trapped last night

Richard


Richard