October 25th 2008

Locally the wind moved to the south east for a couple of hours in the night before swinging back to south south west just long enough for a mid morning rush of thrushes through the dunsmore gap and down the Grandborough valley. Fieldfare reached 2300 and Redwing 1100 with 200+ Blackbirds noted along with the usual Starling flocks and 100 Golden Plover. One of the highlight was a White Wagtail amongst the “pieds” feeding on the old maize field between Sawbridge and Willoughby which has recently been ploughed and raked. We dont get many of these in the area being mainly a spring migrant and a Merlin imm/female racing along the hill rd could be one thats hanging around for the last few weeks.
A long overdue visit to Napton Reservoir produced a very elusive Water Pipit near the car park but little else and no Cetties Warbler so not sure if they still remain here.
As the wind picked up Draycote Water looked inviting but was hard work and though the usual Little Gull was present I could not find the Shag and spent too long in biggen bay freezing me nuts off trying to get to grips with a small warbler giving appalling views in the shore line willows, not the right shape or size for a chiff/willow but never showed for more than a nano second and wasn’t calling. Other birds of note were Yellow –legged Gull first winter, Redshank, Long-tailed Tit 10, Little Owl at the new location, Green Woodpecker 2, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit 30+, Grey Wagtail 3, Kingfisher inlet, Buzzard 2, Sparrowhawk and Goldeneye 2.
Late evening in the valley eating out gave an opportunity to listen for owls – Little and tawny calling

Richard