March 10th 2009

Overnight night rain with a blustery westerly wind continued this morning putting off any chance of working the valley looking for owls so did not go out till mid-morning and went straight to the pond. Probably a good idea as there were few people about on arrival and the almost annual early spring Rock Pipit migration continued with one on draycote bank near the valve tower and Sand Martin were present with one off hensborough and one also in toft bay (Glen Giles). Red-necked Grebe was off farborough spit before moving to grays barn and one Great-northern Diver still out in centre. Other sightings included 14 Goldeneye, 21 Gadwall, 25 Wigeon, 20 Teal and 2 male Shoveler, Grey Wagtail, single Redwing and 20 Meadow Pipit. Chatted with Glen Giles before checking the valley hoping for the harrier but no luck and very few winter thrushes either so the clear out has begun. Returning to Draycote Water late afternoon for the roost there was evidence of more migration with 3 Curlew and a Ringed Plover heading north while the gull roost benefited from the wind dropping. First and second winter Iceland Gull, adult Med Gull in almost summer plumage and first summer Caspian Gull found.

Richard