July 25th 2009

At least 3 Whitethroats along Southam Rd before we visited Draycote Water this morning. A walk out to toft bay produced Dunlin, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Sand Martin, Whitethroat and 2 Yellow-legged Gull.
Even before 9am there were plenty of butterflies on the lavender by the visitors centre and in the lower parts of country park's top field, at least 6 Painted Lady.


Silver-washed Fritillary
Moved on to Ryton Woods managing 15 Purple Hairstreak if you didn't mind a stiff neck and 6 Silver-washed Fritillary among the many other species seen but not counted. A few larger dragonflies around with 4 Brown, 2 Common and 2 Southern Hawker and Emperor Dragonfly noted. We came across a large roving flock of young birds mainly made up of Great and Blue Tit but also included Bullfinch, 3 Jay, Great-spotted Woodpecker and 6 Nuthatch. At least 50 birds involved and else where we had a couple of family parties of Wren and a young Buzzard begging for food.

Richard