April 22nd 2009

It’s been another glorious day of sunshine and light variable winds becoming cloudy and turning to the south west then south so spent the afternoon cycling to Napton on the Hill with at least 7 Buzzards going over very high heading north which could have been migrants (3+2) while another 8 local one’s noted along with 2 Sparrowhawk. Other birds included a Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, 4 Bullfinch, Stock Dove, 4 Lapwing, 3 Red-legged Partridge, 6 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail plus a few Linnets, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and Chaffinch.
Napton on the Hill had the usual warblers with Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcaps the most common followed by Whitethroat. Single Garden Warbler seen in the quarry along with Bullfinch and Linnet, 3 Mistle Thrush churchyard and a Swift over. Butterflies on the hill were 3 Brimstone, 1 Green-veined White, 3 Small White, 8 Large White and 2 Comma
Draycote Water this evening had first for the year in Hobby over the treatment plant. Common Tern was on OL buoy, Great-northern Diver out in centre and 3 Whimbrel over heading north east. Also seen were 3 Gadwall, 2 Teal, female Pochard, 3 Mistle Thrush, 3 Yellow Wagatil, 6 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff and 5 Willow Warbler.
Moth trap has gone quiet again but 2 Brindle Pug worth mentioning.

Richard