April 26th 2011

On our arrival at the pond there were 6 Common Tern leaving over biggen bay with another 2 remaining till mid-day around N Buoy. Farborough bank had Wheatear and 5 Yellow Wagtail but the bitter north east wind produced very little else so I split from Bob to search the sewage farm.
Being more sheltered I managed Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler and Grey Wagtail but being out of view of the reservoir I missed the 4 Black-tailed Godwit that Bob had by the hide in toft bay that were flushed by fishermen. On the way back to the country park a Common Sandpiper flew past farborough spit, 10 Swift over the valve tower and a summer plumaged Sanderling in front of the fishing lodge.
The country park was quiet until I managed another year tick in the form of 6 House Sparrow then 26 Yellow Wagtail and 20 Swift arrived mid-day.

House Sparrow by Bob Hazell - once upon a time they were common as muck but now it takes nearly 5 months to put it on the draycote year list.

A brief early evening look at Brandon Marsh produced the hoped for Grasshopper Warblers with at least 3 seen plus Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti’s Warbler, Common Tern, Snipe, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Redshank and Oystercatcher

Orchids are starting to appear on my patch. Mason Phillips

Dotted Chestnut by Bob Hazell

Blood-vein by Bob Hazell

Richard