April 16th 2009

It was warmer last night than today as the next series of weather fronts from the north east came in bringing dull overcast conditions most of the day with poor visibility and heavy rain showers at 12:30 & 3pm. If you think it sounded bad – rest assure it was bloody awful but boy o boy today has been absolutely magical. Ding Dong, well worth soggy underwear, bins and notebook
The morning started by sorting me moths out ending up with 167 trapped for 23 species adding 3 to my Draycote Water list then it was off to hensborough bank for a 6:30am flask leering in to the gloom. The rest is history.
Osprey: its arrival was spotted by the gulls 7:20 am and they were not happy
Great Skua: one came 7:05 am in close to hensborough bank after arriving from the south west and beat up the gulls before disappearing in to the gloom. This is my 6th record, the last in 2002. Bird guides is reporting a Skua sp today but gives no time so not sure if its this bird or another. Apart from Francoise I never saw another birder till early afternoon.
Gannet: while counting the Little Gulls an adult stood out against the gloomy background as it crossed the reservoir 1:25pm just as the heavens opened up even more and visibility dropped. Waited an hour to look for it but alas it must have gone straight through. This is my 5th record with the last in 2002.
Little Gull: 2 adults all morning joined by another 34 adults at 1pm when the heavens opened. Just part of a large movement inland today.
Med Gull: first summer in amongst the 500 black-headed Gulls present
Kittiwake: adult found in gull flock 3pm
Artic Tern: 8 present most of the morning.
Black Tern: 4 came in at 1pm with the above, 2 still present 3:30pm
Sanderling: one in winter plumage on windsurfing area shoreline.
Ringed Plover: 2 over early afternoon.
Dunlin: 7 over early afternoon.
Wheatear: 3 on farborough bank – all females and all arrived after the mid-day deluge.
Great-northern Diver: still one present.
Yellow Wagtail: 10
Also seen were Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 2 Green Woodpecker, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 6 Gadwall and 2 Teal. Please note unless its an unusal migrant I will not be mentioning sites as we come in to the breeding season.


This is whats left of toft shallows after the timber hackers trimmed back a few over hanging branches so the public can trounce the place safely. Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit and Great-crested Grebe nests destroyed plus to the left is the area where GWT was hanging about in but alas no more.


Streamer, one of four trapped last night.

Richard