August 7th 2008

Arrived at Draycote Water just after first light in time to see a Barn Owl crossing the southam rd and presumed to be one of the many juveniles that are now in the area. Immature Turnstone near valve tower was my first for the autumn passage, 4 Common Sandpiper on farnborough bank and a Redshank circling were the wader highlights while the most productive place for warblers was the lower sailing club car park and the sailing graveyard which between them held Sedge Warbler, Blackcap 2, Whitethroat 2, Chiffchaff and Garden Warbler plus Goldcrest. Other birds noted in a two hour visit were Common Tern 2, Great-spotted Woodpecker 2, Green Woodpecker 5 and Grey Wagtail 4. Went home via the valley and found an immature Whinchat along the hill rd and on a return visit with Dave in the evening we had 6 Tree Sparrows near Sawbridge. Well I am off to the Bay of Biscay and the latest reports show that we have a good chance of seeing something with the last ferry trip having Fin Whale 42, Minke Whale 3, Cuvier's Beaked Whale 11, Long-finned Pilot Whale 39, Common Dolphin 199, Risso's Dolphin 7, Striped Dolphin 290, Bottlenose Dolphin 22, and Harbour Porpoise

Richard