October 17th 2011

I was chatting to Dave Hutton at Draycote Water when a Short-eared Owl dropped out of the sky harassed by a Crow and headed for the country park. Dave relocated it resting before it hid itself in a clump of grass. Unfortunately despite frantic efforts to stop them approaching it was flushed by a dog walker and flew out of sight and not seen again.


Short-eared Owl by Dave Hutton

A Draycote tick for Dave and a few frantic phone calls got Bob on to the bird as he was doubling back. Up until then the visit had been dire with only 2 female Goosander on farborough spit for our efforts while the increasing south west wind (gusts over 40mph this evening) put a stop to any visible migration.
Tried looking for yesterdays Red-crested Pochard but the fishermen were all over hensborough bank and rainbow corner so stayed in the picnic area and the highlight here was a male Merlin flying low past me just feet away plus 4 Goldeneye, another 2 female Goosander and a distant wader flock on inlet. A good count of Great-crested Grebe with 227 recorded.

Bulrush Wainscot by Bob Hazel

Richard