April 24th 2009

Willow Warbler in garden at first light and the mildest night of the year brought my best moth catch of the year with 11 species and 21 moths including two new for the year in Bright-line Bright-eye and Shuttle-shaped Dart.
Abandoned the ironing to look for the male Black Redstart on Lawford Heath but had no luck but I was in the right place for the Marsh Harrier female that went over heading east. Also seen in the area were 4 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Blackcap, 3 Shoveler and a summer plumage Bar-tailed Godwit circling the heath over Bernard’s.
Out with Dave again this afternoon to Draycote Water and it was dead – two hours on farborough bank produced 2 Yellow Wagtail, Swallow and a tailless Raven and apparently it was pretty quiet yesterday. Valley just as bad with only 5 Buzzards noted. Rain front supposed to be coming in so hopefully that will stir things up.

Richard