December 6th 2008

Took advantage of the clear cold spell in the weather to work the valley around the Woolscott, Sawbridge and Wolfhamcote area before tomorrow’s forecasted fog and Monday’s rain with a Barn Owl between Laurel and Tollgate Farm along the A45 just after first light and 7 Tree Sparrow and 5 Yellowhammer among a party of Chaffinches on the minor road between the A45 and Woolscott. No gulls were seen around Sawbridge Grounds but 150 Fieldfare and 30 Redwing present along with Green Woodpecker and Raven while the county lane between Woolscott and Sawbridge had 2 Red-legged Partridge, 7 Pheasants another Sparrowhawk, Blackcap male, 20+ Yellowhammer, 4 Siskin and 4 Tree Sparrow with more Fieldfare and Redwing. The county lane between Sawbridge and Flecknoe had Great-spotted Woodpecker, 6 Bullfinch and Little Owl.
Wolfehamcote had 4 Snipe, 6 Reed Bunting and 3 Teal near the Old Vicarage with distant Buzzard. Returning home along the A45 there was a Peregrine over the Onley Prison heading in to Northamptonshire and 56 Golden Plover in adjacent fields then my third puncture of the week so a 3 mile walk home.
John Judge gave me a lift to do the roost at Draycote Water and with the Hall brothers we managed a first winter Glaucous Gull near the valve tower. Also seen were 12 Goosander and 2 Great-northern Divers from the café and Francoise had the Common Sandpiper earlier in the day. Both Jupiter and Venus seen in the evening sky as we walked back to the car park. Back out again half way through me dinner to see the Barn Owl that was perched on out buildings along Ashlawn Rd. Thanks sis.

Richard