December 17th 2008

A Cracking Day
Overnight rain cleared to a clear frosty morning with clear skies and good visibility for a change so checked on Draycote Water at first light then the Grandborough valley in the afternoon.
Toft shallows had 3 Siskin, Treecreeper and Kingfisher while Water Rail, 2 Snipe, Willow Tit and 3 Goldcrest were in gray’s barn and the male Smew was mobile off farborough spit.

Smew by Terry Southgate
Three Great-northern Divers were together off the fishing platform loafing on the surface plus Grey Wagtail and the windsurfing area had the long staying Common Sandpiper. Rainbow corner was very productive with a Peregrine, male Merlin with in minutes of each other and a roving flock of 26 Siskin and the leam valley from rainbow produced 2 Buzzards, 200+ Fieldfare, 3 Jay, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 17 Pheasants and Corn Bunting which flew over calling heading towards the country park. The Goosander flock by the inlet included 17 female and 8 males along with Kingfisher, 2 female Shoveler and female Ruddy duck and the 4th Great-northern Diver was by the valve tower. Biggen bay had male Blackcap, Treecreeper and another 2 female Shoveler. Also seen were Green Woodpecker 4, Bullfinch 9, Lesser Redpoll 2 and Sparrowhawk.
Back out again early afternoon and spotted adult Glaucous Gull flying over the Rugby Rd, Dunchurch possibly heading for Draycote just a couple of minutes after leaving home so perfect timing.
Walked the waterlogged footpath between Dunchurch and Grandborough in the afternoon, heavy going but sure worth it with a Short-eared Owl flushed from a stubble field east of Bunkers Hill wood along with 4 Snipe and a nearby Willow Tit and male Stonechat. Nearing Grandborough village there were plenty of winter thrushes with one field alone having over a 600 Fieldfare. Also seen were 4 Tree Sparrow amongst a party of 30+ Yellowhammers and 67 Golden Plover. Decided to stay late and do some “trunking” in Bunkers Hill wood and rewarded with a hunting Barn Owl and perched Tawny Owl while moths found were Winter Moth 5, Chestnut, and Mottled Umber.

Richard