July 2nd 2009

I decided to get out early before anyone woke and was down the pond by 4am watching a Little Egret fly across the reservoir towards the valve tower and a distant Barn Owl hunting in fields near the entrance. The partial eclipse male Red-crested Pochard was still present and the “lump” below draycote bank had 2 Little Owl.
A male Redstart opposite the entrance to Draycote Meadows was a welcome surprise and by 7am the old fish ponds at Frankton were producing Teal, Tufted Duck and 4 Grey Heron along with another or the one I saw earlier Little Egret.
By the time I had left insects were already out and managed Beautiful Demoiselle, Red-eyed Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly and while on the way home I had a few butterflies at Draycote Meadows including Painted Lady, Marbled White, Ringlet, Comma, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown and Large Skipper.
The afternoon was spent photographing another good catch then collating 5000 moth records I have received this month.

Barred Red worn

Barred Yellow

Meal Moth

V-Pug

Scarce Silver-lines

Dave and I checked the valley this evening on the way to the pub and had very little while the pub night it self was raucous affair as Terry showed the Orange-tailed Clearwing he had caught that afternoon in his garden. It was not only Warwickshires second record of this moth but he had great delight in explaining he also caught the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th record. Amazingly he had caught six. well done.
Finally got back late and e-mails report the Quail is still in the valley. Yippee - must have bred.

Richard