Saturday 23 April 2011

April 23rd 2011

Moths just keep piling in – Coxcomb Prominent, Red and Green Carpet, Knot Grass, Bee Moth all new for the year while the early morning clear down of my trap also produced Little Owl and a Whimbrel over calling.
Out early with Dave to the pond where the reservoir was like a mirror and a male Garganey showed well off the wind surfing area. Only other birds of note were 3 male Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail and male and female Shoveler but did not hang around long.

Garganey (file picture)

After a relaxing breakfast we moved on to Wormleighton and with time to kill walked from Tunnel Bridge to Wormleighton Reservoir along the Oxford canal and back managing Raven, 2 Buzzard, 10+ Whitethroat and 3 Garden Warbler plus 3 Grizzled Skipper, 20 Orange-tip, 3 Peacock, 3 Large White, 15 Green-veined White, 2 Brimstone, Comma, 8 Speckled Wood and 2 Small Tortoiseshell. Also seen were Bee Fly and 3 Large Red Damselflies. Scared Dave to death when me mouth acted quicker than me brain (normal) and shouted Gannet but it was a Yellow-legged Gull adult drifting over – y I said gannet I will never know - keeps him on his toes.

Grizzled Skipper

Britannia took us by surprise as she came round the bend past Wormleighton Reservoir going full throttle and well in front of time. In fact she was so early someone who had joined us went walk about and missed it – embarrassment and blackmail prevents disclosing who it was.

BR Britannia Class 4-6-2 no 70000 Britannia pulling the Cathedral Express between Paddington and Stratford on Avon approaching Fenny Compton junction

on her way to Stratford on Avon by Alan Anscomb

Double pass of the shed tonight with the first pass between 20:37 and 20:46 peaking at 20:42 as it fly’s over northern France towards Germany. The second pass starting 22:12 peaking at 22:17 and ending 22:22 will fly in a line between Milford Haven and Clacton on sea before going out of view over Holland. Unfortunately storm clouds are due in my area.

Richard

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