Sunday 2 October 2011

October 2nd 2011

I was asked to find the constellation Equuleus so pretty chuffed that Dave’s app confirmed I was in the right place as we waited for the “space shed” to go over while listening to 2 Tawny Owls. As day light improved we had 2 Buzzard, Raven, 31 Graylag and a few Skylarks over.
A walk out to farborough spit Draycote Water produced Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, 10 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plover on the island, Yellow Wagtail, Rock Pipit and Grey Wagtail on farborough bank and 20+ Skylarks over while on the water there were136 Great-crested Grebe, 28 Mute Swan and 7 Shoveler.
Met up with Colin in The Diner before moving on to Napton on the Hill where we had 30+ Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, Willow Tit, 8 Siskin, Willow Tit, the odd sight of a Sand Martin feeding around the church tower, 4 Buzzard and 21 Raven. At least 3 Vapourer Moth and 10 Red Admiral were also present
Two more Raven went over Napton Reservoir where the Black-necked Grebe had gathered one of the largest “Nap” crowds for some time – 12. Only other birds of note were 3 Wigeon and a Pochard.
Back home the increasing cloud cover made visible migration a little easier to pick out with 12 Skylark, 5 Siskin and 3 Meadow Pipit noted mid afternoon and a Painted Lady butterfly appeared in the garden later.
Tonight I have all lights blazing away hoping for migrant moths – its still over 20c and my first of the year Merveille du Jour for the garden arrived 20 minutes ago while last night I had a Dark Sword Grass.

Richard

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