July 14th 2009

Feeling better I was out down the Southam Road just after day break in time to enjoy 2 Barn Owls still out hunting and a Little Owl perched on the roof of an old farm building before moving on to nearby Draycote Water. The pond was very calm with the female/immature Goosander was still present swimming along side a female Shoveler for a few minutes and at least 4 Common Sandpiper and single Little Ringed Plover in the toft area while the gull roost has grown considerably in the last few days with one adult Yellow-legged Gull and a summer plumaged Med Gull noted before they dispersed. Also recorded were Common Tern, Redshank, Green Woodpecker, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Grey Wagtail, Sparrowhawk and Willow Warbler. Hadn’t the enthusiasm to stay longer so called it a day before the fishermen, joggers, pram pushers and cick-a-lists spoilt the peace and quiet.
The garden trap is picking up again after the weekends rain with record garden numbers of Gothic, Early Thorn and Single-dotted Wave.
Although it clouded over after a clear start the threatening rain still never materialised so once rested I searched Ashlawn Cutting for butterflies managing 4 Small Skipper, 4 Comma, 5 Gatekeeper, 5 Marbled White, 2 Meadow Brown, 10 Ringlet, Green-veined White, Large White and Small White in an hour as well as Shaded Broad-bar moth. In the damper areas there were a few Common and Blue-tailed Damselfly along with a couple of Brown Hawkers but when the rain finally arrived it had me peddling for home.

Richard