April 28th 2011

I managed to see all 3 passes of the shed last night including the last down the valley before mid-night as it passed just above the horizon shared with calling Tawny and Barn Owl.

Its faint but Pa Phillips did well to catch the shed on the first pass over Rugby.

Despite the sun eventually emerging the cold north easterly wind made today’s morning visit hard work and all I managed was 19 Yellow Wagtail with 5 on farborough bank and 14 in the country park joined by a White Wagtail. Also present were Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, 8 Whitethroat, 25 Swift and Raven so Bob and I cleared off and went looking for butterflies along Ashlawn Cutting where it was a lot more sheltered and warmer. Probably 50 Green-veined White present along with 20 Orange-tip, 2 Red Admiral, 20 Speckled Wood and 2 Brimstone plus Red Twin-spotted Carpet and Bee-fly. Interestingly we walked the stretch from the southern entrance to Pytchly Road where nearly 50 years ago I use to sneak under the bridge for a day’s train-spotting rather than go to school. How times have changed – never thought it would end up as a nature reserve although shamefully it’s a dog shitters paradise these days.
Late afternoon trip to the garden centre gave me a chance to look at the pond from the country park top car park briefly with 7 Artic Tern and 4 Common Tern off the sailing club.

Richard