November 10th 2008

Another fast moving depression went through last night so it was a mad dash to pond early morning before the next deluge of rain was due. There were two Kingfishers in toft bay along with 4 Siskin in toft shallows. The elusive Rock Pipit was on toft bank while in the fields below had a first winter Med Gull feeding in a mixed gull flock. The flock kept being flushed so suspect the Merlin was about but did not see it and the Little Owl was in its favorite place. Towards the fishing pontoons off farborough bank the Red-necked Grebe and one of the immature Great-northern Divers were close inshore and showing extremely well while the second bird was off the sailing club along with the first winter Shag. In rainbow corner there were female Ruddy duck, another Kingfisher and 2 Buzzards while in the right hand hedgerow of the field behind inlet there were 2 Tree Sparrows and also seen were Jay 2, Grey Wagtail, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. New arrivals were by the valve tower with male Stonechat on the fence of the purification works while a first winter Kittiwake and 3 female Common Scoter were further out. The expected rain came in so it was a damp journey home brightened by an impressive flock of 35 Long-tailed Tits crossing the old A45 just outside Dunchurch.


Red-lined Quaker (lower) and Feathered Thorn in last nights trap despite the weather.

Richard