December 10th 2009

I managed a single Barn Owl and Woodcock down the Southam Rd this morning with the fields opposite holding a first winter Caspian Gull in the post roost gathering before they dispersed for the day. Also in area were 100 Fieldfare, 300 Redwing, 17 Pheasant, 1000+ Wood Pigeon, 140 Stock Dove and a very large mobile finch flock.
Draycote Water was a lot brighter than of late with a light westerly wind and the Great-northern Diver was near B buoy accompanied by 2 female Common Scoter and the male Green-winged Teal was mobile due to disturbance by hedge slashers and wombats walking close to the shoreline. The highlight of the morning was a Red Kite over toft bay heading north. On a more local front some duck species have increased with Teal 103, Gadwall 29 and Goldeneye 32 but Wigeon numbers are still poor.
Also seen were 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 150 Redwing, 50 Fieldfare, 3 female & one male Goosander, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Chiffchaff, female Blackcap both in country park, 15 Bullfinch and a Curlew over west.
Back home I have loaded the garden with bird food ready for the cold front that’s due to arrive so I expect the 3 December Moths at the pond today and the Mottled Umber and Winter Moth in my garden trap last night will be some of the last I may see for awhile.
It’s forecasted to be foggy tomorrow but hopefully the visibility on Saturday will be Ok for my walk starting at 10:30am. Target species will be the Common Scoter and Diver if they are still around. The outside catering unit should be open for coffee, tea etc but at the moment it no longer operates in mid week and there are no plans to open the café in the visitors centre till the proposed development of the visitors centre and surrounding area is completed, 2000 and what ever.
Finally the Swift / Avon Valley Great White Egrets is still giving me the run around having been seen last weekend at Long Lawford and on Tuesday it was reported flying over Newbold on Avon going up stream. Wormleighton bird seen today.

Richard