September 20th 2011

Back to local patch watching and Draycote Water was dire when Bob and I walked out to farborough spit with only 2 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, Greenshank and 2 Black Tern for our efforts but eventually we located the main wader flock between the wind surfing area and inlet with a total count of 26 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plover and 2 Little Ringed Plover. Other species seen were adult and juvenile Arctic Tern, juvenile Little Gull, 4 Gadwall, 3 Buzzard, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Meadow Pipit and Great-spotted Woodpecker.

John Judge and the Bumbling Bears have done some sterling work to move the bird information board that use to be along the entrance road, to its new location in the country park. Needs a few more touches before it’s finished but once done we intend putting the log book back so would appreciate your records to make this effort worth while. For the time being we are hoping to keep it unlocked as long as we don’t get any vandalism. This weekend was pretty pathetic with no records forwarded to John so I can’t believe a single birder did not visit over the weekend.

Meanwhile I received 2 cracking photos while I was away – the first taken on Sunday by the Bumbling Bears of the Black-necked Grebe at Napton Reservoir and the second last Friday of the Gratham Water, Cambridgeshire Sabine’s Gull by Terry Southgate which is timely as I saw many on Sunday flying down the coast – enjoy.



Well in to autumn moths now and Dave had quite a few of these in his trap this morning along with many Black Rustics and 2 Beaded Chestnuts.

Lunar Underwing by Bob Hazel.

Richard