April 2nd 2010

Despite the damp and murky conditions from last night’s rain I took the risk of a few hours birding in the valley before the next weather front brought more rain.
Started by searching the fields along Hill Rd at first light for Wheatears and managed to find a female near the entrance to Valley Farm while opposite 2 very bedraggled Golden Plover were resting before they continued north. Just out side Grandborough Village there were 4 Tree Sparrows in the horse paddocks along with another migrant in the shape of a male Yellow Wagtail with another along the Grandborough Fields Road.
The Flecknoe Road had 3 Buzzard together near Woodbine Farm and on Cym and Dave’s small holding there were 2 Reed Bunting and 2 Grey Partridge before retuning home.
First part of the afternoon was wet but as the front passed a trickle of Sand Martins went over the garden so went down to Draycote Water where between toft shallows and the valve tower there were 15 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler along with a pair of Blackcap and Goldcrest. At least 4 Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail and 7 Meadow Pipits were on draycote bank. Hirundines numbers had increased from yesterday with at least 200 Swallow and 250 Sand Martin and amongst them were 5 House Martin. No sign of yesterdays Common Scoter that I had missed but a female Goosander was off dunns bay. one Great-northern Diver still present.

Richard