March 20th 2010

Disappointingly the mild temperatures overnight (min 10c) did not bring in any moths to my trap which I thought was down to overnight rain but Dave rang all excited this evening that he had caught 30 moths of 11 species so that theory went out the window and in one catch he’s over taken my year list so he’s due a slapping in the morning.
I spent the morning searching for grounded migrants and despite the rain returning the quarry on Napton on the Hill produced White Wagtail on the slope by the side of the mill and in and around the church there were at least 3 Chiffchaff and a few Redwing/Fieldfare. Also seen were 4 Mistle Thrush, 2 Coal Tit, Willow Tit, 2 Raven and 3 Buzzard.
Unfortunately the rain continued so gave Flecknoe and Shuckburgh a miss and headed for the Long Itchington Diner pigging out on the mother of all fry ups watching a roadside Great-spotted Woodpecker and Chiffchaff before heading on to Napton Reservoir where there was a lone Sand Martin plus 2 Buzzard, Cetties Warbler and Raven.
On the way home I gave the pond a look with a Twin-spotted Quaker and Clouded Drab on the lights of the visitor center but after seeing a White Wagtail below farborough bank the heavens opened up again so viewing became poor and had to find shelter but still managed 2 Great-northern Diver, Oystercatcher and 3 Sand Martin before called it a day and arriving home drenched.

Richard