October 18th 2008

Entered valley just before first light and a Little Owl was on farm buildings just outside Willoughby village then worked the county road between Sawbridge and Flecknoe, another Little Owl perched and at the same time Mark Phillips had one at Grandborough Fields Farm so at least three in the area. The Flecknoe to Wolfhamcote to Sawbridge area was very quiet with Stock Dove 14, Snipe 2 and Teal 3 the highlights. No sign of any little owls as I passed Grandborough Fields but did have brief views of Kingfisher, Raven 2 and the first of many Fieldfares with 20 going North West. Hid the steed by the barn at Grandborough and worked the footpaths to toft farm fishing lagoons and managed Snipe 6, Wigeon 2 and another group of mixed winter thrushes heading north with Fieldfare 30 and Redwing 10.
Nearby a very tasty set-a-side field was worth working and in an hour managed to see Red-legged Partridge 3, Linnets 150, Reed Bunting 10, Skylark 20, Meadow Pipit 140, Chaffinch 10 and Stonechat while overhead another 30 Fieldfare, 2 Buzzards and 3 Raven. Returning to my bike a pale lark flew past near the barn but could not get any other features looking in to the sun so remains a mystery. Retraced steps but no sign.
From Hill Rd you could see Draycote Water was heaving with Joe public enjoying the mild weather so on arrival I worked farborough and toft banks and left by the half way lane entrance. Rock Pipit amongst the 30+ Meadow Pipits, distant views of Shag, Common Sandpiper, Pintail female, Kingfisher 2 and first winter Little Gull in toft bay along with Chiffchaff and 12 Siskin in toft shallows.
Lawford Heath had 100 Meadow Pipits, 70 Redwing and 50 Fieldfare going over west with the silage barns holding Tree Sparrow 6 and Corn Bunting. Cycling back towards Rugby along Ling Lane and a Red Kite adult flew overhead as it came off the tip. Flew back in so may still be around.
Back home and the garden had its first returning Siskin on the feeders while the moth trap had November Moth agg, Red-lined Quaker, Blair’s Shoulder-knot and Sallow.

Richard