May 25th 2010

Draycote Water has gone quiet and is a struggle to find anything of note so you have to excuse the tone of the following observation this morning.
Bob and I were checking the willows of the north bank from toft bank hoping for the Garganey when we spotted what we thought was a poacher (Dave and I found one on Sunday morning) lurking in the bushes only to realise he was exercising a certain part of his body vigorously while wading in to the cold water. Now I know it takes all sorts to make the world go round but how the hell do you get your kicks doing that sort of thing. Anyway I won’t be drinking water for awhile.
Luckily on the way back the sun soon had the butterflies out and we were treated to 40 Common Blue on farborough bank with a further 10 in the country park and 20 in the sailing club car parks along with 6 Grizzled Skipper, single Small Copper and my first Brown Argus of the year.

Grizzled Skipper

Common Blue
We also managed to find 3 Pyrausta aurata while the only birds of note were 4 Yellow Wagtail and an increase of the local nesting House Martin population which is up to 25. The new arrivals were busy collecting mud and building their nests.

House Martin

Pyrausta aurata

Wood Mouse

As you can see from the photos Bob is back from his week away so I have also kept him busy taking photos of the moths Dave and I have caught recently.

Richard