September 10th 2011

Telephone calls last night backed up with photos have some of us thinking the pond may have had 2 Manx Shearwaters over the 7th and 8th. Certainly the photos show a difference in the under wing of the bird seen after mid-morning on the 7th and the one on the 8th while I’m trying to hunt down the photographer who was present when we first found the Manx on the 7th as this bird may have been the one reported by walkers as being killed by a Greater black-backed Gull as this bird appeared a lot duskier than the other two.
Interestingly of the 13 records involving 14 birds I have at the pond I have never had one stay longer than a day and the only previous multiple record was when 2 appeared in September 88 with one of those being taken in to care after being found on the shore-line of the inlet.
Out with Dave for breakfast in Wood Street then we ambled down to the railway station joining JJ and Alfie waiting for Tornado. She sounded brilliant as she approached the platform still traveling at speed and even better when leaving standing just feet away.

Tornado arriving platform 2 Rugby Station bang on time - Dave Cox

Preparing to leave
Back home and it was another good night for the moths after a record braking overnight minimum temperature of 18c in my garden with Sallow, Orange Sallow and Lunar Underwing new for the year. Unfortunately I was out all day and the same tomorrow so could not meet with Bob to take photos hence a few from the library

Red Underwing

Sallow

Orange Sallow

A late visit to the pond produced 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull, Black Tern, Greenshank, Litte Stint, 3 Common Sandpiper, 4 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 3 Wigeon, 3 Wheatear, 6 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Siskin with many hirundine heading south.

Richard