April 4th 2011

Draycote Water was cold, dull, and windy this morning with good views of a Stoat on farborough bank plus 6 Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and Wheatear with a Little Ringed Plover in toft. As Bob continued his circuit and I joined up with Mark to walk to rainbow and we had 2 Chiffchaff and 6 Blackcap singing by the windsurfing area with some occasionally showing themselves. Over 300 Sand Martins and 30 Swallows were feeding high above draycote bank and another Little Ringed Plover flew over the inlet. Only other birds of note were 11 Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk so it was off to the Long Itch Diner.
Having been fed we decided that Napton on the Hill would be too windy for migrants and ended up at Brandon Marsh.
I have not bothered mentioning some of the horror stories of birders waiting 8-9 hours for the Spotted Crake to show when it first arrived so if your one of those people – look away now.
Walked in - sat down – cleaned me bins - counted me toes, counted the Little Ringed Plover (3) counted the Snipe (7) saw the crake and left – job done inside 20 minutes. Less than thirty minutes waiting in two visits.

Heads up steam lovers
Princess Class 4-6-2 no 46201 Princess Elizabeth will be moved from Tysley to Southall on April 15th passing Leamington Spa 10:12 and due to stop in Banbury 10:42 to 11:08 before continuing south so in between that time she will be going through Fenny Compton and past Wormleighton Reservoir. The following day she is scheduled to take the Cathedral Express to Chester leaving Euston, London 07:39 stopping at Milton Keynes 08:40 before arriving at Rugby 09:23 and leaving 09:35 on the Trent Valley line. On her return she is due to stop at Atherstone 18:03 to 18:15 then pass Nuneaton at 18:21 and arrive in Rugby 18:37 leaving at 18:41 to continue south. As usual time may change so will try and keep you updated.

46201 Princess Elizebeth passing through Long Lawford last July by Jon Hall

The space station is due over again 06:07 tomorrow but unfortunately the weather around here is forecasted to be cloudy and raining compared to this morning when she gave another cracking pass over the garden – O I do love my flying tin shed. The rest of the week shows a number of early morning passes so hopefully the weather will improve.

Finally a couple of moth pictures to share taken by Bob Hazell

Engrailed, Draycote Water last week

Brindled Beauty in Daves trap Saturday night

Richard