August 9th 2009

Draycote Water was hard work this morning when we walked out to the valve tower with hardly any birds calling or flying despite the sunshine and the only birds of note were the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull loafing around the fishing pontoons with a Herring Gull adult, party of 9 Sand Martin and 2 Common Sandpipers that were being kicked about by the early rush of cick-a-lists, walkers and lica wearers. The Green Sandpiper that flew over hensborough bank while chatting to Andy appeared to gain height and continued north west and considering the state of the local rivers after last weeks rain this was probably a bird looking for somewhere more suitable to feed more than an overnight arrival. Only other birds of local interest were Grey Wagtail, male Gadwall and a notable increase of Little Grebes since the beginning of the month.
Wappenbury Wood was just as quiet and as the cloud started to build up the butterflies were reluctant to perform but managed 3 Purple Hairstreak, Silver-washed Fritillary and small Skipper. The few birds noted included at least 3 Nuthatch, 24 Bullfinch, Great-spotted Woodpecker and 4 Buzzard. Moths here were Shaded-broad bar, Vapourer and Pebble Hook-tip.

Richard