March 14th 2010

The day started blustery and cold with a bitter NNW wind but the spring sunshine pushed temperatures in too double figures for only the second time this year. I had my second Grey Shouldered Knot of the year in the moth trap this morning.
We started the day trawling the Grandborough Valley with 24 Skylark, 20 Yellowhammer, 100 Fieldfare, 40 Redwing and 3 Red-legged Partridge plus 3 Roe Deer then on to Draycote Water where there was little change with one of the Great-northern Divers close in off farborough bank and 24 Goldeneye. Only other birds of interest here was one of two Meadow Pipits that was showing a grey cast on its mantle and crown, 5 Skylark heading north and 30 Wigeon in toft.
The fields near the A45/M45 junction had more winter thrushes with a mixed flock of 300+ and after breakfast we had 3 Corn Bunting and 4 Buzzard on our way to Brandon Marsh which being smothering Sunday was alive with the blue rinse brigade being dragged out for the annual family walk – poor things. Surprisingly no Snipe considering how many were present on Friday but east marsh had 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 32 Shoveler, 2 Cetties Warbler with 4 Sparrowhawk and 9 Buzzard overhead.

Richard