May 29th 2011

Three pairs of Graylag have nested behind the grassy field down the Southam Rd with 9 young seen while we waited for Draycote Water’s main gates to open this morning. A Whitethroat was in the country park and a quick check from the defunct visitors centre across the reservoir showed another 16 Graylags with a tag along plastic White-fronted Goose among 100+ Canada Geese. At least 400 Swifts and our short walk produced 10 Ringed Plover and 3 summer plumage Dunlin, Yellow Wagtail and a House Sparrow feeding 3 young.
Met up with Dennis in the Long Itchington Diner then went looking for Spotted Flycatchers on Napton on the Hill. Although very windy in the overcast but mild conditions we were treated to stunning views of the seven counties including the Malvern Hills for the first time this year and met up with Martin and Neville who I had not seen since our trip to Norfolk.
Very few birds about but we did find SF in the churchyard along with a couple of Goldcrests, Raven and Sparrowhawk and while we chatted waiting for the service to finish so we could pop inside and fill in their notebook a Red Kite drifted low over our heads – magic.
While entering our records members of the congregation invited us to coffee and cake so we soon found our way to the front of the queue and met many of those we normally just give a nod and a wave.
The only butterfly of the morning was a Common Blue which fluttered past as we were leaving and at Napton Reservoir where it was far too windy we had very little.
Back to Dave’s for dinner and a check on his moth trap produced 127 moths of 21 species including our first Dark Arches and Pale Mottled Willow of the year and later in the afternoon when I checked mine I managed 16 species from 64 moths.
The “space shed” is starting to re-appear again but presently its just above the horizon so no decent passes predicted for awhile.

Richard