June 18th 2011

A cracking start with a Juniper Pug in my trap despite a low catch due to the damp conditions. My 474th species for the garden and brings my county list to 658.

Dave, Terry and I joined four other enthusiasts at Wormleighton to watch the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe race past just before 8am at full throttle looking good in the bright but rain threatening conditions. There were many young Great-spotted Woodpeckers and Whitethroats in the area also but little else.


Earl of Mount Edgcumbe by Dave Cox and Terry Southgate

After breakfast Dave and I trawled around for awhile ending up at Harbury Spoilbank where despite the showers we managed Cinnabar, Marbled White, Meadow Brown and Ringlet but a brief look at Brandon Marsh produced zilch of interest.

With the sky’s darkening we waited for 48151 at Cathiron ending up looking like a couple of drowned rats as a deluge dropped on us and to add to our discomfort JJ rang to say it had arrived at Rugby Station. Bugger – some jobs worth must have made a last minute route change and transferred her on to a different line. I was not a happy bunny but at least JJ and Alfie enjoyed it close up and managed some great shots. Did manage 2 Tree Sparrows here.



48151 arriving at Rugby by John and Alfie Judge

Richard