August 25th 2009

I was clearing down my traps this morning after a very poor catch due to the drop in temperature when a Yellow Wagtail landed in the garden. Probably my first record of one to be seen strutting its stuff in the garden though it’s not uncommon to hear/see them go over.
I eventually ambled down to Draycote Water mid morning but it was hard work with so much disturbance. There was 8 Shoveler in toft bay, Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper in toft shallows plus a Little Ringed Plover but all were being kicked around by joe public walking the shoreline. Chatted with Bob and Francoise before spending an hour in the country park where I saw Great-spotted Woodpecker, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, 2 Buzzard, 4 Stock Dove and Spotted Flycatcher before a Hobby took an interest in the martin/swallow flock overhead. The area between toft shallows and M45 had Treecreeper, 5 Buzzard, Whitethroat and 2 Garden Warbler.
Butterflies were out but numbers down as the food supply dwindles. 2 Common Blue, Small Copper, 6 Painted Lady, Red Admiral, 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Speckled Wood, 2 Green-veined White, 20 Large White and single Small White.
Back home and I had Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard over the garden this afternoon.

Bob Hazell captured this image of a Lesser Black-backed Gull a few weeks ago and his investigation has led to finding out it was ringed on the 10th July 2008 at Havik, Karmoy, Rogaland, Norway.

Gold Spot by Bob Hazell. Dave and I are having an excellent year for this species and according to other moth'ers in the country there has been an influx from the continent over the last week.

Angle Shades by Bob Hazell

Richard