April 5th 2010

Today was dull cool and not brightening up till late afternoon. A Barn Owl was out hunting in daylight along the Hill Road and the horse paddock at Grandborough Fields had both female Wheatear and female Yellow Wagtail while nearby Woodbine Farm had 3 Buzzard and 4 Linnets present. Between Woodbine Farm and Broadwell I managed Raven, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Red-legged Partridge and a group of 6 Lapwing.
Between Broadwell and Napton Reservoir there were 2 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Tree Sparrow and a Sparrowhawk while the reservoir it self held my first Sedge Warbler of the year along with 2 Cetties Warbler, 3 Swallow, 3 Reed Bunting and 2 Raven.
Draycote Water was busy with lots of walkers and no fun but still managed 2 White Wagtail and Wheatear male on the lower slopes of farborough bank, male Yellow Wagtail on toft bank and 2 Great-northern Divers out in the centre. Also present were 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 100 Sand Martin, 10 House Martin, 200 Swallow, 4 Goldeneye, female Gadwall, 6 Buzzard and 2 Jay.

Richard