October 7th 2008

With south east winds and rain predicted I went to Napton on the Hill hoping for migrants. The Barn Owl at Calcutt flying across the road in front of me was a good start to the day and the first couple of hours after dawn were very productive with 30+ Redwing, 40 Skylark, a very late Swift and 10 House Martins going west. In the churchyard there were plenty of Song Thrushes and one Spotted Flycatcher still present. Two Ravens were at Broadwell.
Draycote Water was blustery but warm with occasional showers and it took me over three hours to finally locate the Grey Phalarope which was seen from the wind surfing area out in centre of reservoir some distance away between D and N buoy feeding and making short flights. Needed luck and scope to see it.

Grey Phalarope by Steve Seal taken yesterday when it was a lot closer
In between the showers a Black Tern arrived and left while there was a trickle of House Martins (28) and Swallows (4) heading south though one or two may have remained. The conditions were ideal for windsurfing which unfortunately caused the Common Scoter male to become very mobile appearing all over the place eventually settling off rainbow corner.
Other migrants today included a Yellow Wagtail on draycote bank and a few Redwings on the boundary hedges while the long staying Wheatear, Little Gull 2 first winter and Shags 2 remained but could only find one Goosander.
In the grandborough valley a Short-eared Owl was hunting along the hill rd and six Ravens with a few Stock Dove in the area.

Richard