March 22nd 2009

Out by 5:30am with Dave looking for owls in valley but failed miserably so moved on to Napton Reservoir where we had 3 Fieldfare, 6 Reed Bunting, 200 Common Gull, Chiffchaff, Cetties Warbler and 4 Gadwall. Draycote Water was cold and blustery with Redshank and Wheatear present on toft bank at 7am and flushed off by runners by 7:15am, Shelduck out in centre along with 3 Great-northern Diver, 7 Sand Martin toft bay but couldn't find the Red-necked Grebe and duck munmbers were very low with only 2 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall 7 Teal and 6 Goleneye so once the fishermen arrive later this week then that be it for this year. Chiffchaff in country park.
A female Marsh Harrier was flying south over the A45 near the Princethorpe flyover and after breakfast we had 200 Fieldfare, male Wheatear and 8 Buzzard on Lawford Heath before moving on to Brandon Marsh where there were 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 15 Sand Martin, Shelduck, Cetties Warbler, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, 3 Water Rail calling and 3 Buzzard.
Next stop was the pool at the Great Central Walk nature reserve, Newton and treated to fantastic views of the Kumlien’s Gull. Also in area Peregrine and 4 Buzzard but no sign of the Rough-legged Buzzard that had been seen at nearby Shawell.


Richard