Tuesday, 8 February 2011

February 8th 2011

It was stunning morning weather wise at Draycote Water, no wind and blue sky’s after a frosty start with a number of birds in song but no new arrivals.
The male Smew was mobile between farborough bank and lin croft shoal taking a keen interest in a the female Goldeneye and the female Scaup was off hensborough bank while again no sign of the finch flock so presumed they are feeding elsewhere or have gone.
Birds of interest were 20 Yellowhammer below draycote bank, single Golden Plover with 50 Lapwing, 15 Buzzards as they enjoyed the thermals for the first time this year and a Raven over inlet. Also seen were 9f & 2m Goosander, 4 Bullfinch, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Skylark, 30 Stock Dove, Jay, 24 Wigeon, 4 Barnacle Geese and 2 Stoats. Green Woodpecker heard but considering the weather Robin and Wren were almost absent with only one Robin seen (average 12 per visit)
A mid afternoon look at the Long Lawford Little Egrets produced all three before they went back to feeding in the ditch and out of view while the Bewick’s Swan remains with the Mute Swan flock between Church Lawford and Bretford along with single Grey Partridge and 2 Snipe in adjacent fields.
Lawford Heath had female Goldeneye and Shoveler on the large pool, Willow Tit, 2 Buzzard and 2 Raven.
Tried lamping for moths while owling at Napton Reservoir and caught 3 Early Moth and single Pale Brindled Beauty plus Little Owl heard and a Barn Owl flew across the road near Calcutt. I managed a glimpse of two meteorites.

Richard

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