Out early to find the sixth Great-northern Diver at Draycote Water but however hard I tried I only counted five with four out in centre and one near valve tower before they split. From my observation point off draycote bank it transpired we were having a heavy does of the sofa and what’s about brigade so kept out the way concentrating my efforts on the “lump” and the “fishing pond”. Managed to find Treecreeper, Siskin 12, Tree Sparrow, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Redpoll 4, Jay and Kingfisher which was a good haul for this part of the reservoir and a Ringed Plover was on the outlet. Distant views of Shag.
I used the National Cycle Way Route 41 from Draycote village to Birdingbury, planning to join the Grand Union Canal at Gibraltar Bridge before using the towpath as a route to Flecknoe so I could explore the valley. There were 10 Bullfinch, single Lesser Redpoll, Goldcrest 3, Jay 3 and Great-spotted Woodpecker along the cycle route while the canal part of the journey was most enjoyable with a Peregrine, Teal 17 and Water Rail on nearby Napton Reservoir, plenty of Fieldfare and Redwing in the hedgerows and a field near Lower Shuckburgh had 100 Golden Plover. Kingfisher flew past. Left the canal near Mill Farm and went to Grandborough Fields Farm where 2 Stonechat and 2 Red-legged Partridge were present with nearby Fox Covet having 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker. Along Flecknoe Rd there were more Fieldfare and Redwings, many Yellowhammers, Bullfinch 5, Raven 2 and the double barns produced Little Owl, 3 Buzzards and the highlight of the day when a Crossbill female or immature flew overhead here calling heading west. The hedgerow between the large open barn and Grandborough village had 2 Brambling amongst the 12 House Sparrows and the road to Willoughby had Snipe 2, Raven and Buzzard 2.
Question – have you been to the pond recently?, have you put your records in book – with no records or very few e-mails to the Draycote web site being received then its on the cards this facility will end – make it so.
Richard
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