October 2nd 2008

Ambled out after 9am to Draycote Water and disappointingly despite the wind there seemed to be no obvious new arrivals even though I stayed most of the day. Little Gull first winter was off biggen bay and still remained late afternoon moving to toft bay where it showed well and the Common Scoter male was off draycote bank and thanks to Bob Hazell's diligence one of his photos show the bird has been ringed.


Common Scoter male by Bob Hazell
The 2 Shags were pretty elusive for most of the day and did not show well till after 3pm when they returned to the training boats.
Due to someones misfortune the Air-Ambulance landed mid-day opposite the entrance and its low arrival flight flushed a Little Egret off the River Leam and it flew up stream into the grandborough valley. The same disturbance flushed 12 Siskin which flew over country park and 3 Lesser Redpoll which landed near the sailing club car park. Other sightings included Wheatear 3 draycote bank, Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Green Woodpecker 2.
No sign of Rock Pipit, Goosanders, Pintails or House Martin and not sure if it was successful in getting its brood off or the urge to migrate was stronger. Certainly its food supply has dwindled with very few insects about.
Missed the Dunlin and Yellow-legged Gull seen by John Oates and the Swallow by Bob and Francoise.

Richard