April 26th 2009

The 2 Wheatear and a Whinchat found along Hill Rd in the valley this morning delayed us getting to the pond so we missed the Sandwich Tern by seconds found by John Richardson which had been sitting on a buoy just off the sailing club as we walked down the steps near the visitors centre. All three of us searched hoping to relocate it and Dave’s shout of a tern flying fast towards the valve tower put us on to bird far smaller than expected - adult Little Tern which we followed as it flew down the length of the reservoir and straight out. A Warwickshire and Draycote Water tick for Dave and both terns were Draycote ticks for John so two happy bunnies.
Not much else about with more Swift over Thurlaston, Oystercatcher, 3 Common Tern, Yellow Wagtail, 12 Goldfinch, 5 Gadwall, but missed the Shelduck.
Brandon Marsh was alive with warblers especially Whitethroats which seemed to be everywhere and on east marsh there were 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Redshank, Oystercatcher, Snipe and a fleeting glimpse of a Cetties Warbler. Also from here we had 20+ Swifts, 3 Sparrowhawk and 10 Buzzard. A walk around the reserve produced Garden Warbler, more fleeting views of gropper and 2 Lesser Whitethroats plus at least 10 Orange Tip butterflys.

Richard