May 21st 2010

Out by 3am to look/listen for Quail down the Grandborough Valley but did not have any luck though 3 Barn Owls at 3 different locations indicate a possible good breeding year. Trawling the back of beyond at this time of night gave me a chance to do some lamping for moths and managed to net 5 species – Maidens Blush, Swallow Prominent, Rustic shoulder-knot, Green Carpet and a first for the year Rivulet. Also seen were a brief view of a Badger near Sawbridge, 2 Foxes on the Hill Road, Grandborough and both Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher just after first light on the River Leam near Kites Hardwick.
Draycote Water had 2 Black Tern till 7:30am when they headed off east, Common Sandpiper in toft bay and a Hobby over toft shallows enjoying the sunny weather plus the usual warblers.
Another good night for moths though numbers were smaller than the previous night but added Tinea semifulvella and Esperia sulphurella to the garden year list.

Back out in the afternoon with Dave taking a look at Brandon Marsh but no sign of the Temminick’s Stint. All we could manage was 6 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank and a single Kingfisher on the marsh and Nuthatch and Great-spotted Woodpecker on the visitors centre feeders.

Tomorrow Saturday 22 May LNER A1 Class 4-6-2 no 60163 Tornado is scheduled to stop at Rugby Station between 10:01 and 10:08am pulling The Cathedral Express from Euston, London to Chester and will leave Rugby on the Trent Valley Line heading towards Nuneaton where its due to take on water. It will return in the evening making a one minute stop at Rugby at 19:01. Full details of the route can be obtained from www.uksteam.info/tours/t10/t0522a.htm.

Richard