March 5th 2009

Draycote Water was quiet with Red-necked Grebe off toft bank and 3 Great-northern Diver off draycote bank otherwise the only other bird of interest was the hybrid falcon beating up the local pigeons. The valley was a lot more interesting in the afternoon with the female Hen Harrier showing well along the Hill Rd near Grandborough and at one stage even perched for a while before continuing quartering various fields and at least 2 Raven and 4 Buzzard were along the Flecknoe Rd with another Raven at Broadwell. Napton Reservoir had 2 Waxwing by the paddock a location first for me but the reservoir itself was very quiet apart from Grey Wagtail and 4 Meadow Pipits. Cycling back there were Barn Owl, Buzzard and Stonechat at Calcutt then unfortunately my day ended tits up when some old biddy clipped me from behind and I ended up doing a double summersault with pike over the handlebars – bloody nose, double vision, headache and a new wheel required.

Richard