September 23rd 2008

It was cool, breezy and overcast at first light and I’m thinking what the bloody hell am I doing out?, thirty minutes later and all is well with the world with roosting Tawny Owl in bunkers hill wood and yesterdays two Little Egrets were feeding quietly next to Bar-tailed Godwit 3, Dunlin and Water Rail on a pool near the River Leam. Very few small birds at first but as it became brighter managed 7 Siskin, Blackcap female and scared the wits out of three Grey Partridge on the footpath in front of me. There were a couple of hundred gulls loafing around various fields including a first year Yellow-legged Gull and Raven and Sparrowhawk went over. Decided to carry on walking to Grandborough and re-found the Stonechat before returning to Dunchurch
Arrived at Draycote just as the wind picked up and it rained heavily so failed the first time round but after it had passed I saw Ringed Plover 2, Common Sandpiper 2, Goldcrest 4, Swallow 2, House Martin 10, Raven, Goosander 3, Shag 2, Great-spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker 4. There were also two young Foxes playing on the shore in toft shallows.
Moved on to Napton on the Hill and gave the place a good search around the quarry, windmill and churchyard areas. Bullfinch 8, Siskin 2, Great-spotted Woodpecker were the best of the local population while migrants were represented by Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler in churchyard, 17 Meadow Pipits over the quarry and 5 Snipe inside. What looked like a Pied Flycatcher in the garden of the windmill showed briefly but I could not get a decent view from the entrance and this location is off limits to birders.

Richard