May 17th 2009

Arrived at pond at 7am too be treated to 2 Hobby circling low over the country park above our heads giving fantastic views before they drifted east and probably the same two were seen later by Dave Hutton hunting the many Swifts feeding over farborough bank. Another walk out with the Bumbling Bears to toft bay produced Dunlin and Turnstone flying over east otherwise it was pretty disappointing considering the easterly wind and rain threatening. Other sightings included 500+ Swifts, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Sparrowhawk.
We had another Hobby over the A426 near Dunchurch and after breakfast we called in to see the Early Purple Orchids before moving on to Brandon Marsh.


Arrived too late to see the Red Kite seen by Colin, Sarah and Graham over the courtyard but did managed 2 Turnstone on east marsh pool. Also seen were 2 Cuckoo, Cetties Warbler and the usual breeding species and once the heavens had finished dumping the wet stuff on us the sun brought out a Hobby over the golf course and 6 Buzzard. The visitors centre bird feeders had female Nuthatch and male Great-spotted Woodpecker making a number of visits.
Afternoon spent catching up with some zeds and between the rain showers Bullfinch and Coal Tit both made brief visits to the garden feeders as well as a Squirrel.

Richard