One man and his Pond

January 18th to 21st 2012

2012-01-21T20:45:00.003+01:00

January 18th
First light produced 37 Waxwing feeding on berries in Mancroft Walk, Norwich, Norfolk then it was a look at the adult Lesser White-fronted Goose with the Taiga Bean Geese flock on the Buckenham Marshes RSPB reserve. Once satisfied with our views we pushed on to Egmere near South Creake for a Great Grey Shrike then hit the North Norfolk coast at Cley Marshes NWT for the long staying Western Sandpiper. Unfortunately it was not on show when we first arrived so took the opportunity to check out the sea with Great-northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver and 3 Red-breasted Merganser offshore before the Western Sand decided to show from Avocet hide.
With time against us we moved along the coast taking a quick look at the Black Brant on the pitch and putt course at Wells-next the Sea before arriving at Titchwell RSPB reserve. Luckily the Coues’ Arctic Redpoll was on show with a few Siskin and Lesser Redpoll while in fading light 5 Long-tailed Duck were offshore and Short-eared and Barn Owl showed on our return to the car park. Two Barn Owls seen on the way home

January 19th
Draycote Waters male Smew was off draycote bank and after walking with Bob to toft shallows I sat in the hide for an hour in case of pending rain when a Nuthatch landed in the Oak tree opposite having flown in from Thurlaston village. Not a lot else on offer, 3 Siskin in toft shallows, 60 Pochard, 2 Meadow Pipits and 112 Golden Plover over in 5 flocks.

January 20th
A wet miserable day with 11 Lesser Redpolls and 3 Treecreeper at Brandon Marsh

January 21st
A damp blustery morning with male Smew, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail at the pond, Great-northern Diver and Grey Phalarope on Farmoor Reservoir and an unexpected Temminick’s Stint for this time of year at Rushy Common, Oxfordshire.

Richard

January 16th 2012

2012-01-16T15:25:00.010+01:00

Failed to see the space shed go over this morning just before we went to the pond and the cold weather has affected duck numbers with increase in Wigeon (150), Teal (150), Pochard (41), Goldeneye (50+), Shoveler (6) and Gadwall (16) but Goosander numbers have plummeted with only 4 present. Seems to be some confusion whether the Red-breasted Merganser is present but as far as I am concerned it’s gone. The male Smew is still around but mobile being seen off draycote bank, farborough spit and hensborough bank today. Only other birds of note were 37 Golden Plover in two separate flocks both heading south, 5 Lesser Redpoll and 12 Siskin in toft shallows, 24 Greylag, Sparrowhawk, 18 Long-tailed Tit and 40 Linnet.

Redwing by Bob Hazell

The space shed is still going round and round and round and round and round and ....

Can you tell what is yet - if so your doing better than me - Iv no idea how it will end up - thats the fun of it.

I had to break a life long promise never to go back to my old school but as they were holding a BBC Stargazing Live Showcase I had to eat humble pie – well at least my promise lasted 45 years though soon as I walked through the doors memories of some of my dastardly deeds and punishment came flooding back.
There was a very good turn out with various talks and workshops as well as many telescopes available to look through but the star of the show was the sky it self. Mark and I were like kids in a sweetshop especially as we added M36 and 37 to our Messier List. I was also thrilled to get my best views of Andromeda and through someone’s telescope Jupiter’s band were incredible and Orion’s Nebula awesome. Listen up family – I know what I want for my 60th birthday so start saving. We also had a meteorite and 2 satellites.

Richard

January 14th and 15th 2012

2012-01-15T23:50:00.000+01:00

Thank god for clear nights and Astronomy to save the weekend as birding was frustrating with everything either giving poor or very brief views leaving one thinking why the bloody hell do I bother.
Early Saturday morning was spent on Lawford Heath studying the constellation Orion managing Tawny and Barn Owl while the juvenile Glaucous Gull arrived just after daybreak then promptly disappeared.
Sunday with Dave found us down the valley enjoying the planets Mars and Saturn either side of a bright moon and freezing temperatures which probably meant good hunting conditions for Short-eared Owls and they roosted earlier than usual. Also on the downside we failed to see any Barn Owls for the first time in ages but in the valley we did find 6 Tree Sparrow and 56 Yellowhammer but failed to see the Peregrine at Broadwell resting on a tree stump until it was too late and we drove to close.
Napton Reservoir had an impressive 45 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall and 10 Pochard while Brandon Marsh was again quiet with Lesser Redpoll, Shelduck, Snipe and Cetties Warbler.

Richard

January 13th 2012

2012-01-13T21:10:00.000+01:00

With the night remaining clear and the temperature dropping like a stone I grabbed a few hours sleep before going out extremely early so I could look for owls before early mist hampered viewing, Back home my second Spring Usher of the year was in the trap and must have arrived long before the frost set it last night then it was off
to Brandon Marsh at mid-day with Dave but it was very quiet with only 3 Shelduck worth noting

Spring Usher me

and by Bob Hazel

Its progressing - I'm pleased though Dave thinks its a bunch of squiggles - animal

Lesser Redpoll by Bob Hazel at the pond today

Richard

January 12th 2012

2012-01-12T21:13:00.000+01:00

A brief glimpse of a Barn Owl near Oxford as we travelled south to Hampshire was a good start to a very long day adding 2 Red Kite, Little Egret and Little Owl by the time we arrived at our first port of call Calshot where we had excellent views of the Spanish Sparrow. Some argue that its credentials are questionable either helped or hindered by the presence of a Dark-eyed Junco at Hawhill Inclosure where again good views were obtained. But what ever your views are who cares – 2 good looking birds in the bag so now it was time to explore the surrounding New Forest area where we had Great Grey Shrike, Ferruginous Duck, Black Redstart, Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, Peregrine, Firecrest, Woodlark, Dartford Warbler, Crossbill and Hawfinch. Unfortunately we missed Goshawk by seconds and ran out of time to see, Cattle Egret, Ring-billed Gull and Iceland Gull. Still with over eighty species recorded that is what I call a good day out.
No sooner home then it was out again to meet up with the boys in the pub at Cubbington with this and next years holidays high on the agenda then on the way home we trawled for owls managing a Barn Owl by the junction of the Fosse Way and Coal Pit Lane before parking up and doing a bit of star gazing on Lawford Heath. Despite the temperature dropping we had at least 15 Winter Moths flying around. The impressive constellation of Orion and especially the Orion nebula (M42) showed brilliantly while the open star cluster Pleiades (M45) more commonly known as the Severn Sisters revealed many of its 1400 members. Also worth looking at were Jupiter and Sirius. BBC Stargazing Live starts this Monday for three consecutive nights and in conjunction with this program many local astromany societies are holding there own events so well worth finding out what’s going on in your area. Clear sky’s are forecasted for the next few nights so get out there and enjoy.

Richard

January 11th 2012

2012-01-11T20:44:00.001+01:00

I was doing a good impression of billy no mates on farborough spit totally pissed off that the place was dead and why do I bother when suddenly a male and female Smew flew past.
A quick heads up call to Bob who was on the north side and he returned the call 20 minutes later to say they were off draycote bank so Keith and I decided to leg it to hensborough bank for better views and found another male nearer the valve tower.

Smew male by Bob Hazel

While Keith continued to join Bob I stayed in the picnic area managing to locate the Red-breasted Merganser female, watch my second Peregrine of the day attack the many gulls that were present and have a female Merlin fly past close while finishing off the last of my Christmas cake. So a crap day turned in to paradise. Other sightings included adult Yellow-legged Gull, 10 Meadow Pipits, 50 Goldeneye, 60+ Wigeon, 130+ Teal, 8 Gadwall and 30 Pochard although other duck species such as Mallard and Tufted Duck have left in droves.

Richard

January 10th 2012

2012-01-10T18:04:00.004+01:00

The Space Shed continues to pass over my estate with a few more passes that are visible though those at 8:28am on the 16th and 8:10am on 18th will be in daylight but should still be bright enough to see as long as we don’t get the dreaded cloud which seems to appear every time I publish.

Moths are doing well this winter with this prolonged mild spell producing Spring Usher and Early Moth to my garden trap breaking my January record of species recorded in what is normally a dire month for moths – 7 so far.

On the birding front it was a cracking early morning owl session down the valley with 2 Little and 2 Barn Owl with the additional bonus of 4 Tree Sparrow by the entrance to Valley Farm and a Woodcock over the Hill Rd/ A426 junction.
Napton Reservoir on the other hand needs a bloody good shake up with very little of note and Napton on the Hill did not fare much better with only Coal Tit in the churchyard and 5 Raven over the windmill but I needed to be back in town to stock up on supplies for our forthcoming trip abroad so did not give it the coverage it deserved.

Another bright idea - we will just have to see if it avoids the dustbin that most of my paintings go in.

Richard

January 9th 2012

2012-01-09T23:55:00.000+01:00

Did not get out with Bob till gone mid-day so this gave us a chance at the roost joining up with JJ but we failed to produce any white wingers only managing 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull and a leucistic Black-headed Gull. Also seen were 3 Shelduck, 3 Raven, Peregrine, female Red-breasted Merganser, 40 Linnet, 2 Buzzard and 2 Dunlin.

Richard

January 8th 2012

2012-01-09T23:12:00.000+01:00

We decided on a early morning trawl for owls along the lanes around the Stoneton area managing a single Tawny and 4 Barn Owls before moving on to Brandon Marsh where yesterdays Whooper Swans had moved on but we managed views of a stunning Peregrine low over east marsh. Also recorded were 6 Snipe, Cetties Warbler, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, 5 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Coal Tit and 2 Nuthatch. Little of interest on Lawford Heath

Richard

January 6th 2012

2012-01-06T20:49:00.000+01:00

Finally got to grips with my 2011 garden moth records. Final scores on the doors for the year were 15,768 moths trapped adding 7 macros and 51 micros to my garden list with record monthly macro counts for January, March, May, July, October, November, and December. Garden list since August 2005 now stand at 523 species from 58,881 moths (305 marco and 218 micro). In the same period Dave has trapped 89,310 moths in his garden of 314 macro and 254 micro species with 12 macro and 79 micros added in 2011
This afternoon’s visit to Brandon Marsh with Dave produced 4 Goldeneye, 2 Snipe, Cetties Warbler, 3 Coal Tit and Great-spotted Woodpecker while on the way home we were luckily enough to find a Marsh Harrier male flying east between Lawford Grange and Billingham’s Barn towards Bretford.

Richard

January 5th 2012

2012-01-05T23:24:00.000+01:00

Finally met up with Bob for our first visit to the pond together this year which had great expectations after a very stormy night with winds of up to nearly 50mph and driving rain but we struggled to even see the Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Dunlin.

Richard

January 3rd 2012

2012-01-05T21:30:00.001+01:00

The stormy conditions over the UK today brought in horrendous weather to the pond with gusts of up to 56mph recorded and driving rain making standing almost impossible and viewing just as difficult. A Kittiwake adult was being battered against the north shore by the valve tower and I must have almost stepped on a Snow Bunting as it called very loudly close by but I failed to see it which was bloody frustrating. Also present today were Red-breasted Merganser, 51 Goosander, female Pintail, 14 Gadwall, 2 Siskin, Raven and Great-spotted Woodpecker while the roost held first winter Glaucous Gull, adult Iceland Gull and adult Yellow-legged Gull. The garden moth trap had 3 Chestnut, Dark Chestnut and Winter Moth so a good start to the year.

Richard

January 2nd 2012

2012-01-05T20:44:00.001+01:00

I spent the morning around Nocton Fen, Lincolnshire area seeing 2 male Hen Harrier, 10 Bewick’s Swan, 10 Whooper Swan, 46 European White-fronted Geese, female Merlin, Barn Owl and 3 Short-eared Owls. Also noted were Redshank, 4 Common Buzzard, 76 Mute Swan, 25 Red-legged Partridge and 200 Lapwing while on the way we had a Tawny Owl perched above the roadside on our way near Fulbeck.

Richard

January 1st 2012

2012-01-05T20:40:00.003+01:00

Out mega early with Dave but failed to start the year with decent views of any owls due to very poor light so moved on to the pond where some of Warwickshire’s finest were gathering for our annual catch up stroll before breakfast.

Male and female Pintail and Shoveler were soon found along with the Red-breasted Merganser female but not much else so after breakfast we searched Long Lawford, Lawford Heath and the Avon valley but found very little apart from 100+ Chaffinch, 15 Yellowhammer, 3 Buzzard, 40+ Wigeon and 24 Mute Swan and were about to give up and go home when JJ rang regarding adult Iceland Gull at the pond.
We raced back over and were soon reminded why we don’t go to the pond at this time of day at this time of the year as it was heaving with Joe Public trying to get rid of their hangovers and mince pies. Just as we started searching some donkey in a power boat was flushing all the gulls and duck but Dave finally found what we thought could be the bird in biggen bay but it was miles away and spent most of its time head on. While we were there a Little Egret flew over the reservoir and draycote bank, 4 Dunlin in rainbow and at least 54 Goosander counted flying around because of the disturbance.

Richard

December 31st 2011

2012-01-05T20:18:00.003+01:00

The year ended with the Red-breasted Merganser and Shag still present at the pond and a great view of the Space Station going over with Jupiter in the background but on the down side I failed to see a Great-northern Diver at the pond this year for the first time since 1996 and only the 5th year since 1977 I have not recorded one here.

Richard

December 30th 2011

2011-12-30T19:05:00.008+01:00

Despite the dull drizzly conditions Bob kindly took me over to Wormleighton to see Tornado go through with The Shakespearian Express where we met up with Terry and at least she wasn’t disappointing as she steamed past though I managed to cock up my shots but Terry and Bob captured it.
Before she arrived we had 20 Tree Sparrow and 100 Golden Plover over while the railway embankment was full of Fieldfare and Redwing but after coffee at Long Itchington we decided to give the pond a miss because of the rain.

Tornado Terry Southgate and Bob Hazell - oops the smoke is my picture

Alan Anscomb saved the day with this image between Leamington Spa and Warwick

Only seen the shed once over the festive period as the weather has been crap but lets hope it shows on the 1st

Moon and Venus by Mark Phillips taken on the 28th

Richard

December 29th 2011

2011-12-30T07:12:00.002+01:00

Dave and I called in on my little sister holidaying in Thornham, Norfolk for breakfast then spent the rest of the morning being blown about at Titchwell RSPB resulting in the reserve being quiet with only 7 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier and an Avocet on offer amongst the normal fare while the sea was a lot more productive with 14 Great-crested Grebe, Great-northern Diver, 22 Red-throated Diver (some very close in), 2 Black-throated Diver, 12 Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and 2 Fulmar.
On our return a Chinese Water Deer was showing on the marsh and we caught up with the redpoll flock by the visitors centre. Having found 10 Lesser and 2 Mealy Redpolls when we first arrived this second look finally produced the hoped for first winter Coues’s Arctic Redpoll amongst 17 redpolls and a couple of Siskin.
On our way out of Norfolk we took a look around Beacon Hill above Thornham finding 20+ Red-legged and Grey Partridge, 300 Linnet and 5 Marsh Harrier.

Richard

December 28th 2011

2011-12-28T23:54:00.000+01:00

Another mild night produced Chestnut and either Acleris hastiana or Acleris cristana in the garden trap which normally hibernates at this time of the year and one of those species you have to cut the gonads up to identify for certain, rest assured it flew off with meat and two veg still attached after Bob took its mug shot.

Draycote Water was blustery this morning with Grey Plover heading west over rainbow, female Red-breasted Merganser off draycote bank among a very impressive gathering of 50 Goosander (26 male), first winter Shag on the small island then draycote bank and adult and second winter Yellow-legged Gull. Supporting cast included 3 Goldcrest, 31 Yellowhammer, 350 Stock Dove, Dunlin, 3 Buzzard, 2 Raven, 75 Wigeon and 22 Goldeneye.
JJ offered me a lift back to the pond late afternoon to do the roost and we caught up with yesterdays first winter Iceland Gull and also found a first winter Glaucous Gull by which the time both Jupiter and Venus were on show. I was home in time to finally catch up with the shed as it passed over just before 5pm.

Richard

December 27th 2011

2011-12-27T23:14:00.000+01:00

Lots of e-mails recieved regarding info on Fridays train so here is the majority of the route.

Another mild night so out early down the valley lamping managing 8 Winter Moth and a single Acleris schalleriana along Hill Road though this was over shadowed by a probable Long-eared Owl on the roadside fence near Warsner Spinney and the ears briefly caught in the lamplight before flying off. A Barn Owl hunting near Gymswood but I arrived too late for any Short-eared Owl’s.

Richard

December 26th 2011

2011-12-27T23:11:00.000+01:00

My pressy from Mrs Dave - There's more chance of me finding a Bluethroat in my garden than sharing this beauty.

Five Short-eared Owls, 2 Barn Owl, Tawny Owl heard, 4 Hare and a Fox down the valley at first light and 10 Goosander, Yellow-legged Gull adult and first winter Shag at the pond.

Richard

December 24th 2011

2011-12-24T23:24:00.000+01:00

I couldn’t think of a better way to start off the festive season (apart from kicking the s*** out of Santa) than to be flat on ones back down the valley, watching the wonders of the universe spread out above me. After yesterdays rain the sky was crystal clear which gave me my first views of the Comet P/2006 T1 Levy as she enters the Great Square of Pegasus at +8th magnitude and there was plenty of other delights to see including the planets, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter, as well as a few meteorites from the Ursid meteor shower.
With the air still owls were very prominent with 2 Tawny and 2 Barn Owl heard and as the cloud cover came in at dawn then both Barn and Short-eared became active with 3 of each seen. Other birds seen in the valley included Woodcock, Buzzard, 3 Raven, 3 Red-legged Partridge and 6 Bullfinch. Called in on the pond on the way back home with Shelduck, 22 Goosander, first winter Shag and the Pintail hybrid worth mentioning. Garden had 3 Coal Tit plus Raven and 60 Redwing over mid-day.

Richard

December 23rd 2011

2011-12-23T22:20:00.002+01:00

Bob sent one of the moths he photographed in July we couldn’t identify to the county record and heard back it was a Small dotted Buff who said it’s status was common so while Bob photographed a Mottled Umber I had trapped overnight I checked the status of SDB for my garden – bugger me side ways – a tick. Don’t know why we never identified at the time all though on the night in question I trapped 428 moths of 99 species so must have suffered from overload.

Had lunch at Brandon Marsh with Dave and managed 2 Nuthatch and Coal Tit on the feeders while out on the marsh we were lucky enough to be in East Marsh hide when the heavens opened, birds of note were Water Rail, 21 Golden Plover, 5 Snipe, male and female Goldeneye and Jay.

No official times published yet but THE WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE steam excursion from Paddington to Stratford on Avon will leave on Friday 30 December via Banbury and Leamington Spa and due to arrive before mid-day. On departure from Stratford it will continue northwards via the North Warwickshire Line, Henley in Arden, Tyseley, Water Orton, Nuneaton, Coventry and Leamington Spa where it will rejoin the outward route.
The booked steam locomotive is GWR 'King' 6024 but there are now Network Rail gauging issues with this loco. If these are not resolved, 60163 'Tornado has been reserved for the complete tour. I will let you know the times when published.

Richard

December 22nd 2011

2011-12-22T18:34:00.000+01:00

and of course good health and happiness.

Bob managed to get out for a bit of fresh air today and we had a very relaxing walk to farborough spit then on to hensborough bank meeting up with Colin helping to confirm some of his bird photos he took in the Canaries and a brief chat with Kevin. The first winter Shag was found swimming between the islands and could have been a different bird to the one on the 16th due to it being paler around the neck and face, adult Yellow-legged Gull, female Red-breasted Merganser seen off draycote bank, female Mallard x Pintail hybrid on large island, 18 Goosander at least, 98 Cormorant, 40 Pochard, and 6 Meadow Pipits. A large juvenile female Peregrine beat up the many large gulls and Lapwings that were present while other raptors seen included Sparrowhawk and 3 Buzzard.
I had just arrived home when I was given a chance from the landowners to visit some private sites down the valley managing Barn Owl and 2 Short-eared Owls while a probable first winter Iceland Gull flew overhead towards the roost at the pond.

if your house is full of relatives this crimbo weekend drag um away from the telly if its clear to see the shed go over.

Richard

December 21st 2011

2011-12-22T18:33:00.001+01:00

A dull overcast day so once April confirmed Bob was still on his death bed I blitzed the local Sainsbury’s to fight off fellow sprout lovers for 2lb of Britain’s finest. Back home a Marsh Tit visited my feeders along with 2 Coal Tit and a Siskin.

Richard

December 18th 2011

2011-12-18T22:35:00.003+01:00

Out with Dave and mobbed by 5 Short-eared Owls before they dispersed just as quickly as they had arrived leaving us wondering what the hell brought that on. Earlier we had good views of Spica, Mars and Saturn before dawn broke plus 2 Barn Owls.
We moved on to Draycote Water just after 8am where it was -2c with little time to do it justice so only managed 3 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 60+ Greater Black-backed Gull and 12 Goosander before our stomachs demanded attention.
After warming up in the Long Itch Diner we took a look around Wormleighton managing 3 Tree Sparrow, Marsh Tit, 3 Snipe, 3 Buzzard and a Kingfisher, then trawling the lanes between Wormleighton and Priors Hardwick we must have had a couple thousand Fieldfares along with many Redwings in the hedgerows.

Richard

December 17th 2011

2011-12-18T22:33:00.001+01:00

I was out mega early before any cloud cover could develop to watch Mars rise above the horizon near the waning gibbous moon, due to recent rain and strong winds the atmosphere was very clean allowing views of Mars’s north polar cap. Andromeda was also showed well and as your eye got use to the fuzzy glow you could start to make out the shape of this galaxy some 2.5 million light years away. Of course the cherry on the cake of any winter viewing has to be the constellation Orion and well worth showing the family.
It’s always magical to be out watching the night sky and even better when joined by 2 Barn Owls and an unidentified asio species. On the down side it was bloody cold. A look at the pond and could find nothing different from yesterday.

Richard

December 16th 2011

2011-12-16T22:02:00.002+01:00

Bob and I had a Shag at the pond this morning (iv waited months to write that).
Before your eyes water it was a first winter swimming to the small island before hauling its self out and resting among the Cormorants. The 3 Pintails were very mobile including at least one attempt to leave when they were watched flying towards Northamptonshire before returning to settle off the outlet. Both female Red-breasted Merganser and Common Scoter were still present and the only other birds of note were many Fieldfare and Redwing feeding in the hedgerow, 4 Lesser Redpoll in the country park, 110 Golden Plover over toft, single Dunlin, 6 Buzzard and a distant Peregrine.
Out in the afternoon to Brandon Marsh with Dave but not a lot about, best were Coal Tit, 2 Marsh Tit and 2 Treecreeper.
The Mute Swan flock had increased at Bretford but could not stop due to flow of traffic.

Richard

December 14th 2011

2011-12-14T21:08:00.002+01:00

We witnessed the reality of nature when the squeal of a Stoat brought our attention to a Rabbit running for its life along hensborough bank which was soon extinguished by a stoat jumping on its back and biting in to its neck. Earlier there were 100+ Fieldfare and Redwing feeding in the country park and the female Common Scoter was off the big island. No new arrivals so the only birds of note were last weeks Pintails (3) and female Red-breasted Merganser in Rainbow Corner while 268 Great-crested Grebe and 10+ Bullfinch are worth a mention.
Barn Owl and Tree Sparrow at Calcutt this evening while Napton Reservoir had 3 Lesser Redpolls along the entrance track with 2 Snipe and a Raven overhead.

Richard

December 11th 2011

2011-12-11T20:43:00.002+01:00

A bad start to the day with a freshly killed Barn Owl on the A426 near Kites Hardwick while a live one was hunting just before dawn near Grandborough and nearby while watching a Fox hunting for voles it flushed a Short-eared Owl. They briefly stared each other out with the fox flinching first though the fox was more successful at hunting catching two voles in as many minutes.
I was limited to time due to a Christmas dinner to attend so we did a rare visit to the pond for a Sunday mid morning walk to farborough spit which produced amongst the sailing and cycling mayhem female Common Scoter, female Pintail, 6 Goosander an amazing 46 female and 15 male Goldeneye flushed in to toft bay, 97 Cormorant, 500 Lapwing and 20 Graylag Geese. The best bird on show was the Peregrine devouring a Lapwing on the large island for 50 minutes.

Richard

December 10th 2011

2011-12-11T20:42:00.002+01:00

Good set-a-side away from the normal fields in the valley is pretty hard to come by these days on my patch so a field just outside Bourton on Dunsmore left fallow for a couple of years was not an unexpected place to find a Short-eared Owl with so many in adjacent areas and counties though due to the ground sweeping down towards Draycote village I did not get the views I would have liked. Draycote Water had the female Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Pintails and Common Scoter female plus 2 Lesser Redpoll and 5 Siskin in toft shallows.

Richard

December 9th 2011

2011-12-09T21:50:00.006+01:00

Yesterday’s strong winds finally brought in some new arrival to the pond with the arrival of a female Red-breasted Merganser and 3 Pintail.

Record shot of the Pintail by Bob Hazel which with the low water level was miles away.
The merganser was off farnborough bank eventually flying to rainbow corner while the 2 male and one female Pintail were off saddle bank feeding. A single Tree Sparrow was found among the 150+ Linnets on the seed strip behind the inlet. Only other birds of note were female Common Scoter, 19 Golden Plover over, 12 Goosander on the reservoir and 2 Raven seen from the country park while looking for SEO's in the valley.
This afternoon Brandon Marsh had Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 3 Snipe and 22 Golden Plover and there are still only 19 Mute Swan in the Avon valley between Bretford and Church lawford. No sign of any geese as we drove past.

Richard

December 5th 2011

2011-12-05T22:23:00.002+01:00

Despite wishful thinking Draycote Water was poor again with 10 Long-tailed Tit and 50 Fieldfare on our arrival in the country park and only female Common Scoter and 10 Goosander on the reservoir worth mentioning. Heavy disturbance yesterday must have been the cause of the very poor numbers of Tufted Duck and Mallard present.
Bob and I decided to search the valley and managed, good numbers of Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, and Chaffinch, 26 Golden Plover on the deck with a further 19 over, two groups of Red-legged Partridge totaling 19 birds, 5 Kestrel, 3 Buzzard, 3 Sparrowhawk and a Tawny Owl calling twice.

Richard

December 4th 2011

2011-12-04T21:24:00.000+01:00

Woodcock and Barn Owl down the Southam Road just after first light.

Richard

December 3rd 2011

2011-12-04T21:20:00.000+01:00

Despite her looking great, seeing Britannia this morning was bit of an anticlimax due to her slow progress past Cathiron and even more frustrating was you could hear her increasing speed when she was out of view. Earlier we had a wander between Manor Farm and Limestone Hall managing 4 Grey Partridge, 7 Red-legged Partridge, 6 Corn Bunting, 5 Tree Sparrow 30 Skylark and 40 Yellowhammer. The Church Lawford geese and swan flock could be seen as we went past but did not have time to stop and look.

Francoise sent me this image of Jay with acorn near the valve tower at the pond.

Richard

December 1st 2011

2011-12-01T23:00:00.001+01:00

The pond had the female Common Scoter between the islands, 2 Dunlin among 500 Lapwing that were spooked by some unseen raptor, adult Yellow-legged Gull and 5 male & 2 female Goosander.
JJ has been seeing geese on his way to work but unable to stop and check them out so Bob and I toured the area between Kings Newnham and Bretford finding a Barnacle Goose and 10 Graylags among the Canada flock along with 19 Mute Swan. Only other birds of note were 40 Wigeon, Buzzard and a few Yellowhammers. Tawny and Barn Owl on Lawford Heath this evening.

Richard

November 30th 2011

2011-11-30T22:04:00.000+01:00

Due to her flight path, the time of day and the angle of the sun the “space shed coming in off the Atlantic over Cornwall did not become visible till she was way over France finally going out of sight approaching Bulgaria.
Our second visit in a row to the pond that can be classed as “dead” and even Bob did not do his circuit so we tracked back once we reached toft bay. Common Scoter female, Dunlin 3 and Goosander 5 was all we recorded. Hopefully this will be the last day of fishing till March so that might settle the duck down but with water levels still dropping there is little food for some species.
A surprise in the moth trapped awaited us when we arrived home with a Dark Arches among Grey Shoulder-knot, 4 Winter Moth, December Moth and a Dark Chestnut.
Normal flight period for Dark Arches in Warwickshire referred to in David Browns book Larger Moths of Warwickshire is June to September and occasionally October with only three records in November up to the publishing date of 2006. My previous last records for DA have been 12th September 2007, 16th September 2008, 3rd September 2009, 10th September 2010 and 29th September this year so just shows this individual is well outside the norm.

Dark Arches

December Moth

Winter Moth

all pics by Bob Hazell

Richard

November 28th 2011

2011-11-29T00:44:00.003+01:00

Spent yesterday at home enjoying my re-found interest in painting and sketching so with wind gusts recorded locally nearly touching over 40mph in the early hours of Sunday morning and no recent news coming from the pond Bob and I were convinced we would be on to a winner with today’s visit. Unfortunately despite extensive searching of the surface (248 Great-crested Grebe) we only found the female Common Scoter so we cleared off only to find out later a GND was there briefly at mid-day.

Fingers crossed BR Britannia Class 7MT 4-6-2 no 70000 Britannia will be hauling The Cathedrals Express to Chester from London on Saturday 3rd December 2011. She is due to arrive in Rugby at 9:34am departing at 9:56 heading for Stafford and Crewe on the trent valley line before arriving in Chester at 12:33pm. On her return she is due in Rugby 18:50pm departing 19:01pm.Times subject to change.

Richard

November 26th 2011

2011-11-29T00:36:00.003+01:00

Called in on Ravensthorpe Reservoir, Northamptonshire to see my first male Smew of the winter then a Slavonian Grebe at nearby Hollowell Reservoir before moving on to the Blueberry Farm, Maidwell complex where at least 6 Short-eared Owls were seen despite the blustery conditions.

Short-eared Owl by Terry Southgate

Richard

November 25th 2011

2011-11-29T00:35:00.002+01:00

Draycote Water was quiet and all we could find were the 2 Golden Plover, 9 Dunlin, female Common Scoter and 8 Goosander.

Richard

November 24th 2011

2011-11-29T00:12:00.002+01:00

On arrival at Chew Valley Lake, Somerset we had the Spotted Sandpiper and Water Pipit on herriott's pool while the bird we had come to see – Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was in stratford bay along with 2 Long-billed Dowitcher. Also present were 7 Bewick’ Swan, 30+ Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Snipe, Raven and Sparrowhawk.
With the south coast only 50 odd miles away we pushed on to Wyke Regis where the Hume’s Leaf Warbler appeared after a short wait in the trees above Littlesea Holiday Camp.

Richard

November 23rd 2011

2011-11-23T20:50:00.002+01:00

I woke with the space shed 15 minutes away from its 5:45am pass as she travelled over Peru and Brazil then north east towards Brest, France where I picked her up along the English Channel before she headed back inland over Belgium towards the Ukraine.
The second pass at 7:21am was in day light but she could be seen directly over head against a powder blue sky with partial cloud tinted pink and claret as the sun rose – magical.
The clear night brought the first real frost of the winter and I finally got back out amongst the living when Bob picked me up and joined by Keith Yates we had a pleasant walk out to farborough spit and as it was quiet we doubled back to hensborough bank with Bob continuing on to the inlet before all three us legged it back to the spit.
Unfortunately no new arrivals or any obvious migration but we managed a decent list with the female Common Scoter off farborough spit before the fishermen moved her on, 8 Goosander commuting between draycote and farnborough bank, adult Yellow-legged Gull on the big island then later in field behind farnborough spit, single Dunlin off the spit with a further 7 seen distantly in flight and later by Bob on inlet, 45 Golden Plover over and a stunning Peregrine attempting to catch a Wood Pigeon. Having missed the White-fronts we caught up with the party of 10 accompanied by 5 Graylag in the field behind farborough spit with 15 Helmet Guinea Fowl, 5 Red-legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard in the distance.

Richard

November 22nd 2011

2011-11-22T10:15:00.004+01:00

Barn Owl sitting in the middle of the A426 near the Kites Hardwick golf range last night on our way back from owling in the grandborough valley before today's fog came in.
I wont be holding me breath but the sheds doing a number of passes over the next few days so somebody out there may be lucky enough to have a clear sky in the morning.

Hopefully I will be back out birding tomorrow though this evenings walk left be buggered so might have to be another day at home.

Richard

November 20th 2011

2011-11-20T18:56:00.003+01:00

Poor visibility ruined my attempt to get back out in to the field though we eventually caught up with at least 9 of the 10 White-fronted Geese which have been at the pond for the last few days. Only other birds seen were 2 Dunlin and 11 Goosander (4 males). Unfortunately I ran out of energy by the time the weather started to improve so back to bed.

November 19th 2011

2011-11-20T17:36:00.006+01:00

Despite being still under the weather Dave took me to see the Vintage Trains, Steam Rail Tours special The Double Headed Panniers excursion from Tysley to Leicester featuring 7752[L94] (last Steam Train to run on the Underground) and 9600 going though Nuneaton this morning.

Afterwards Dave had a couple of Hockey matches to umpire so dropped me off at the Great Central Railway, Loughborough where they were holding a Steam Gala Weekend.

November 13th 2011

2011-11-13T20:00:00.002+01:00

Finally found a Barn Owl down the Southam road along with an adult winter Med Gull in the post-roost in the fields opposite plus single Buzzard and Raven.
Draycote Water was gloomy again but at least the sun managed to break through and we had 5 female and one male Goosander, Dunlin, Redshank and female Common Scoter.
Made the mistake of going to Brandon Marsh which was inundated with visitors from visiting bird clubs so not exactly peaceful 6 Snipe, Cetties Warbler, Willow Tit, 20+ Long-tailed Tit, and Goldcrest for our efforts.

Richard

November 11th 2011

2011-11-13T19:59:00.001+01:00

Another shitty day in paradise – more low cloud reducing visibility at the pond so the best Bob, Mark and I could manage was 5 female and one immature male Goosander, female Red-breasted merganser, Redshank, 30 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 10 Goldeneye and 9 Dunlin.
Mark and I moved on to Brandon Marsh to meet up with Dave and through the continuing gloom managed 2 Snipe, female Goldeneye and a Barn Owl that came out of its Newlands box at 2pm stretched and went back in.

Richard

November 10th 2011

2011-11-13T19:58:00.002+01:00

Early cloud looked like it was starting to break with visible migration starting to appear with a few Fieldfare, Redwing and mipits over the garden but by the time Mark came round the gloom had returned and our visit to the pond was a waste of time. We managed 5 Goosander Redshank and 5 Golden Plover in the gloom before clearing off and trying our luck on Napton on the Hill and Reservoir with the best sightings being Vapourer Moth and Red Deer.

Richard

November 9th 2011

2011-11-09T20:47:00.002+01:00

Half way through a bloody good breakfast in the Big Chill café, A47 Cambridgeshire 5 Cranes flew in to the field opposite and the same field they were using last week. Once finished we went outside for a better look and found 8 – all adults. Interestingly they were seen on Eldernell earlier in the week and may possibly be using this field as an early morning feeding spot.
Highlights in Norfolk were:-Another good visible migration off Hunstanton, Norfolk cliffs with 5500 Starling and 1000 Chaffinch the most prolific species with smaller numbers of Fieldfare, Redwing, Blackbird, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Meadow Pipit, Brambling, Siskin and Pied Wagtail plus single Ring Ousel over low and an immature Black Redstart landing on the cliff. Off shore were 22 Gannet, 5 Common Scoter, 10 Great-crested Grebe and single Eider.
Titchwell was a quiet with 1000 Golden Plover on the reserve plus 2 Marsh Harrier and 8 Little Egret while off shore there were immature male Eider, 5 Red-breasted Merganser and 8 Little Gull. We spent sometime playing catch up with Ian and Beth who we had birded with in Bulgaria and had not seen for sometime then went off to look at Holkham fresh marsh where we had 2 Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harrier and 2 Merlin before leaving.
Cheers to KG who gave us the heads up on the Purple Sandpiper at the pond today - the third one in a row I have missed but sadly it did not stay long.

Richard

November 8th 2011

2011-11-08T21:01:00.003+01:00

A look at the Draycote Water weather station before going out with Bob confirmed it was going to be a shitty day with poor visibility and drizzle and boy they were not wrong. A bloody crap visit for the first three hours only saved in the last half hour by the cloud lifting.
Red-breasted Merganser female with a deformed upper mandible off hensborough bank, 4 female and one male Goosander off hensborough, 16 Golden Plover over in four sightings of two singles and groups of 4 and 10, at least 33 Long-tailed Tit including 3 perched on my telescope, 40 Linnet, male and female Red-crested Pochard in the gloom of toft bay and 16 Dunlin were the best sightings.

Richard

November 7th 2011

2011-11-07T19:50:00.005+01:00

I getting ready to go out with Bob and put me gear outside the back door when I felt rain drops and instinctively looked up at the sky.
In the murky conditions I saw a would be cormorant heading towards me but soon realised the narrower faster wing beats and drooped head was no Cormorant and as it passed over I was watching a Great-northern Diver flying over the house no more than 200 feet above the ground. Gob smacked and though the conditions were awful today that was one bird I wouldn’t have dreamed of writing down next to 2 Robin and a Coal Tit.
Unfortunately when we arrived at the pond viability was poor but we perceived and found 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese (3adults and 2 juveniles) in the field behind farborough spit but despite only being 200 yards away it was so dark Bob did well to get this record shot.

Bob continued with Keith on his circuit finding female Pintail and a pair of Red-crested Pochard as I doubled back to inlet where there was a Kittiwake adult in rainbow corner and 13 Dunlin off hensborough bank. Other sightings included 4 female and one male Goosander, 2 Raven, 2 Tree Sparrow and a Kingfisher.

Dave's 5th record of Dotted Chestnut while I have never trapped one.

Richard

November 1st to 6th 2011

2011-11-06T18:14:00.005+01:00

November 1st
A poor visit to the pond producing 14 Dunlin on island, 2 Tree Sparrow in country park, Snipe over, Sparrowhawk and 50 House Sparrows.

November 2nd
Having spent 2 hours searching Eldernell and March Farmers, Cambridgeshire for Cranes with Dave and seeing virtually nothing we gave up and headed for The Big Chill on the A47 for breakfast a few miles away, just as we were pulling in to the car park 6 of the buggers were in the field opposite.
Next stop was the Ouse Fen RSPB Reserve where we had great views of the Rough-legged Buzzard along with 2 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 3 Marsh Harrier, 4 Sparrowhawk, Little Egret and 500 Golden Plover. Our final stop and the most frustrating was at Burwell where Short-eared Owls had been performing over the last few days including 9 the day before. Anyway we waited and waited and waited and waited and saw nothing.

November 3rd
Another poor visit to the pond only highlighted by good views of a Peregrine as it passed close while in the afternoon Napton on the Hill had 6 Goldcrest and in the Napton Reservoir area there were 2 Bewick’s Swan, 2 Brambling 4 Lesser Redpoll and a Barn Owl. Dave trapped yet another Dotted Chestnut.

November 4th
A rare visit this afternoon to Brandon Marsh produced.123 Golden Plover, 90 Shoveler, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Siskin, 6 Snipe, Kingfisher, Nuthatch, Grey Wagtail and Great-spotted Woodpecker

November 5th
What was intended as a morning trip to look the Steppe Grey Shrike at Wall Farm Nature Reserve, Shropshire turned in to a mammoth day out with a diversion to see the Squacco Heron on the River Erewash, Attenborough Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire then a sod it we are going dash to the Yorkshire coast to see the Isabelline Wheatear at Spurn, east Yorkshire. I couldn’t help but smile on the way home knowing I wasn’t in the dog house as the rest of the crew fought off the “where the hell are you phone calls.” Other sightings today included Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Short-eared Owl, Hooded Crow, Little Auk, Pink-footed Geese, Arctic Skua, Guillemot, Puffin and Merlin.

November 6th
The pond was a little bit more active than of late with Curlew 2, Shelduck 5 on island, Gadwall 25, Goosander 4f & 1m, Meadow Pipit 20 and Golden Plover 7. Plenty of visible migration with 4000 Wood Pigeon, Starling 600, Redwing 100, Fieldfare 500 and Skylark 50 over in 90 minutes.
Unfortunately the rest of the day was poor with not a lot on Napton on the Hill apart from 7 Raven and Napton Reservoir had 3 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler and 35 Wigeon before these dick heads arrived.

Richard

October 31st 2011

2011-10-31T20:53:00.006+01:00

An early message from Keith regarding 12+ Crossbills at Napton Reservoir meant Bob and I started the day there but alas they had pushed off so we carried on to Draycote Water.
It was a quiet visit with 9 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, 10 Pochard, 8 Goldeneye, immature male and 4 female Goosander and 40 Linnet and we had just decided to leave when a 100 Golden Plover circled the reservoir for 15 minutes before moving off south west.

Back home and this current warm spell brought in Yellow-lined Quaker, Grey Shouldered-knot, Large Wainscot, Juniper Carpet, Blair’s Shouldered-knot, Merveille du Jour and record counts for the garden of 5 Feathered Thorn and 3 Sprawler over the weekend.

Sprawler

Grey Shouldered-knot

Feathered Thorn

all pics by Bob Hazel

Richard

October 30th 2011

2011-10-31T20:45:00.004+01:00

The weather was not kind to us but we still had a stunning visit to the Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line running between Alton and Alresford, Hampshire with additional stations at Ropley and Medstead. We were allowed access to the Ropley sheds and yards as well as unlimited travel and with 9 engines in steam we were well occupied as were the large crowds that soon gathered when any of them arrived. After all the times I have seen 60163 Tornado go past it was a pleasant change to be a passenger in the first coach behind her and she sounded great doubled up with 4492 Dominion of New Zealand for our journey back from Alton to Ropley.

Not birding weather but did record 5 Red Kite, Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and a party of Redwing.

Richard

October 28th 2011

2011-10-28T08:55:00.000+02:00

Finally a chance to play catch up with my blogging after a busy week of travels

Space shed is due over a few times in the next few days so hopefully I don't put the kiss of death on the clear spell we are due tonight.

Dick kindly sent me this pic of the Black Prince at Sheringham Station last weekend which reminds me if your in the Alton, Hampshire area over the weekend they are holding a steam gala on the Watercress Line with at least 8 engines in steam. Me and the gang of three will be there.

Despite the rain my moth trap has produced 2 Silver Y and 2 Dark Sword Grass in the last few days so still a few migrant moths around.

Richard

October 27th 2011

2011-10-28T08:50:00.000+02:00

Having seen the female Pied Wheatear in Gloucestershire at Oldbury on Severn we decided to come home via the fosse way so we could check the high ground at Ilmington in the south of the county. Once upon a time this was a regular place to visit for migrants before discovering Napton on the Hill could be just as productive. With the rain ceasing for awhile we managed a good passage of Linnet, Chaffinch and Meadow Pipit, smaller numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing and amongst them were Siskin and Brambling. Called in on Draycote Water just as the heavens opened so got one hell of a soaking and only saw Rock Pipit, 4 Dunlin, female Goosander and Shelduck before giving up. Paul had a good passage over Napton on the Hill including Swallow.

Richard

October 26th 2011

2011-10-28T08:48:00.000+02:00

Two Barn Owls were seen as we passed the Wisbech area before another go at visible migration this time off Hunstanton Cliffs, Norfolk with Dave where there was a good passage of bird dominated by Starlings and Chaffinches hugging the coast.
In a one hour watch we had
Starling 1567
Chaffinch 885
Linnet 150
Meadow Pipit 50
Skylark 40
Lapwing 30
Siskin 5
Snow Bunting 2
Marsh Harrier 2 juveniles eventually made it after struggling to reach the coast
Lapland Bunting 1
The tide was going out so things became distant but managed 2 Gannet, 7 Red-throated Diver, 5 Common Scoter, 10 Great-crested Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser, Guillemot and Long-tailed Duck.
Titchwell was basking in sunshine so our walk to the coast was very pleasant but the birding was poor with only the Yellow-browed Warbler saving the visit.

Richard

October 25th 2011

2011-10-28T08:47:00.000+02:00

With the south easterly’s continuing but not as strong as yesterday and the occasional rain shower over night I decided to do a visible migration watch from Flecknoe Hill. As the rain front drifted away leaving clearer sky’s there was a steady passage of birds mainly on a north east to south west tract.
Starling 1400
Redwing 243
Wood Pigeon 300
Skylark 125
Meadow Pipit 67
Chaffinch 156
Fieldfare 45
Greenfinch 18
alba Wagtails 16
Linnet 12
Brambling 4
Siskin 3
Lesser Redpoll 2
Grey Wagtail 1
Local birds included 3 Raven, Jay, 4 Buzzard, Blackcap, Great-spotted Woodpecker and 24 Stock Dove while the pond had 4 Goldeneye, 7 Reed Bunting 8 Dunlin, 24 Lapwing, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 4 Pochard and 3 Siskin.
Back home after a heavy thunderstorm a Red Kite drifted over the garden mobbed by corvids heading east.

Richard

October 24th 2011

2011-10-28T08:46:00.000+02:00

It was a toss up between the south or north west coast so Spurn, Humberside won enjoying a productive day despite the very strong south east winds which made birding difficult at times and the walk out to the point hard going. No big numbers but plenty of species on the move with the highlights for me being Pallas’s Warbler, Shore Lark, Short-eared Owl, Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, Purple Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Black Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Woodcock, Merlin and a passage of Little Gulls.

Richard

October 23rd 2011

2011-10-28T08:45:00.000+02:00

A frustrating day battling the strong south to south east winds looking for migrants over Burton Dassett hills and Napton on the Hill. A good passage of Chaffinch, Starling, Linnet, Greenfinch, Redwing and Fieldfare but could not get enough on a possible Ring Ouzel or Crossbill over BD.

Richard

October 22nd 2011

2011-10-22T22:17:00.003+02:00

The crescent moon and Jupiter were just visible amongst the broken cloud as I arrived on Lawford Heath hoping for an owl and wasn’t disappointed. The first was a Tawny perched in the over hanging canopy on ling lane at 6am followed by a distant view of a Barn Owl going over the western end of the tip at 6:40am.
As day break arrived there were plenty of gulls arriving from there roost at Draycote Water with 2 adult and a first winter Yellow-legged Gull found once the light had improved plus good numbers of Common Gull amongst the many hundreds of Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gull present..
The wind was a light south east before freshening so hunkered down for a migration watch and in 2 hours recorded
Skylark 89 majority going south east in small groups
Woodpigeon 330 including local birds
Goosander female heading for Draycote Water
Teal 2 west
Greenfinch 21
Golden Plover 46 very high heading north west
Fieldfare 120
Redwing 12
Starling 234 including local birds
Meadow Pipit 12
Chaffinch 27
Merlin 1 went through 9:15 heading west and made no attempt to hunt
Siskin 5 south
Local birds included Tree Sparrow, 2 Red-legged Partridge, Corn Bunting, 25 Skylark, 9 Yellowhammer, 6 Reed Bunting, 12 Linnet, 11 Pied Wagtail, Treecreeper, 4 Buzzard, 2 Raven and 3 Sparrowhawk plus 4 Golden Plover in stubble field along with 60+ Chaffinch.

A “I think I have a phalarope” call had me dashing to the pond early afternoon – wont embarrass the finder as the plastic bottle was still bobbing up and down when I arrived but at least he was observant and more than pleased with the ringtail Hen Harrier that flew over toft farm and down the valley. Not much else to report as I did not stay long, 3 Dunlin, Ringed Plover 6 Reed Bunting and Siskin.

Richard

October 21st 2011

2011-10-21T20:39:00.003+02:00

Dave and I met up in the afternoon for our last coffee and cake of the season at The Just So café then a wander around Napton on the Hill. The Hill had 2 very large tit flocks roaming over a large area containing at least 20 Goldcrest, 50 Long-tailed Tit and 2 Nuthatch while above our heads were 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard but only one Raven.
Moved on to Napton Reservoir but could not find the Black-necked Grebe, just 28 Wigeon noted but did have a nice flock of 80 Fieldfare and 20 Redwing feeding and drinking in nearby stream.

Richard

October 20th 2011

2011-10-20T23:32:00.000+02:00

Draycote is at 48% capacity so as the shore line recedes further away the exposed mud is becoming hazardous with notices now displayed warning fishermen after one became trapped on Tuesday. Unfortunately this local ramblers group couldn’t give a toss about there own safety or the birds they flushed out of biggen bay.

Six more Whooper Swans appeared over the country park and landed off the inlet but there visit did not last long when a fishing boat pushed them off and they flew over toft bay heading east and could have been the same flock reported at Pitsford Reservoir, Northamptonshire. Bob rushed round for a quick record shot just in time.

Other sightings included 23 Golden Plover heading south, 237 Great-crested Grebe, 43 Mute Swan, 90 Skylarks over in small groups, 3 female Goosander, 14 Buzzard, 3 Raven and 5 Dunlin.

Met up with friends in Cubbington for beers and holiday stories of Scilly and Fair Isle now that everyone is back and they put me right on the Bulrush Wainscot pictures I published earlier in the week – should be Large Wainscot. On the way home we had a Tawny Owl perched side of the road near Princethorpe.

Richard

October 19th 2011

2011-10-19T21:44:00.000+02:00

Three Brambling flew over the garden just after first light.
Had the makings of another poor visit to the pond till a phone call from Bob doing his circuit while I was in the country park livened things up. Whooper Swans heading towards you he shouted but I couldn’t spot a bloody thing and while I was frantically searching the buggers had flown behind me and called just in time before my heart gave out. The flock of 15 (poss only one juvenile) flew back over the reservoir before leaving for the south east. Might be the same flock seen at Daventry Country Park later in the day.

Only record shots with my box brownie half a mile away

Also present was a Turnstone on the inlet, first winter Yellow-legged Gull, 2 female Goosander, Ringed Plover, 8 Buzzard, 3 Raven and a female Scaup. The Scaup had been present since Monday but distant and elusive and I am never 100% sure till the nail is nailed (couldn’t find it yesterday) so luckily had good views of it in rainbow corner.

Turnstone by Bob Hazel

Only a trickle of migrants over - mainly Skylark with the odd Redwing and Linnet.

Richard

October 18th 2011

2011-10-18T23:59:00.000+02:00

After heavy rain and strong winds last night the sky’s cleared and the mercury dropped so dug out the long johns before venturing out to the pond with Bob.

I had 2 more Short-eared Owls at the pond.

The first came in from the North West at 09:40 over farborough spit and flew towards toft hill where the local corvids saw it on its way and it continued towards the A45/Only Prison area and appeared to go down. The second also came in at 11:15 from the north west over Bourton Hall towards the valve tower where the local Rooks ganged up on it and escaped north over the golf course. Because both birds came in from the same direction and at some height I don’t think they were yesterday’s bird but probably individuals from last week’s influx re-orientating themselves.
Only other highlight was a House Martin heading south over the country park other wise a quiet breezy visit with only 2 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander and 7 Buzzard entered in my notebook.

Out with Mark and Pa Phillips down the valley tonight where there is less light pollution to look for various objects in the night sky with very good views of the Andromeda Galaxy which is the nearest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way and is approximately 2.5 million light-years from Earth. Well worth looking for despite it being very cold and we had at least 3 meteorites including one with a fiery tail.

Richard

October 17th 2011

2011-10-17T21:06:00.005+02:00

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

October 16th 2011

2011-10-16T21:52:00.004+02:00

My local area was covered in mist early morning so decided to go to Burton Dassett hills and had a good visible migration for 2 hours before it started to dwindle. Wind had turned to the south west but very light and 1500 birds logged though only half were identified with Redwing and Chaffinch in the majority followed by good numbers of Fieldfare, Siskin, Linnet, Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Blackbird while other species included Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Lesser Redpoll. Missed the Crossbills the Oxford duo had (good to see you again Gareth), couldn’t clinch a possible Twite, 3 Swallow and 2 Wheatear feeding near the car park.
Napton on the Hill had a fall of Chaffinch with many feeding up before pushing on and a few Redwing and Siskin over. Very little else apart from 5 Buzzard, 7 Raven and 17 Long-tailed Tit.
Martin had this Vulcan Bomber go over the hill.

Napton Reservoir had the Black-necked Grebe, 20 Wigeon and 3 Pochard but missed the Dunlin that went through.
Dave trapped 2 Bulrush Wainscot Friday and 2 Merveille du Jour last night other wise moth catches are very low with only 3 in my trap this morning.
Looks like Draycote’s Spoonbill which left 9:30 Saturday morning and flew over the other side of town to pitch up at Stanford Reservoir on the Northamptonshire/Leicestershire border so could have gone over my garden (I wish).

The Milky Way is showing well tonight.

Richard

October 15th 2011

2011-10-15T23:12:00.000+02:00

It was a stunning morning if you were out and about early with my first frost of autumn, low lying mist and both Jupiter and our moon fighting for attention as we waited patiently trackside at Wormleighton for 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe hauling a Solihull to Bristol special to come thundering past.

Again overnight migration soon dwindled after mid-morning but managed 200 Redwing, 50 Fieldfare and 2 Siskin over an almost empty reservoir while locally there were Willow Tit, Marsh Tit, Tree Sparrow, Nuthatch and my first Lesser-spotted Woodpecker for the location for many a year. We were standing by the level crossing when it flew over and returned 20 minutes later so probably been experiencing the delights of a local feeding station.
After breakfast we searched Napton on the Hill for migrants but apart from 40 Redwing feeding and a few going over along with Skylark and Fieldfare it was not until late morning that things warmed up with a passage of raptors. In a 40 minute spell 15 Buzzard went over high in singles along with 3 Sparrowhawk and immature Marsh Harrier all heading south and taking no interest in the local populations. Also seen were 12 Raven, 9 Long-tailed Tit and 2 Goldcrest.
The Bridge Nursery gardens had 2 Sothern Hawkers, Red Admiral, Peacock and Small Copper and 3 local Buzzards while the Lemon Meringue Cake in the Just So was scrumptious.
A later afternoon look at the pond produced a calling Snow Bunting over farborough spit but the Spoonbill had long gone, 2 Goldeneye, 23 Wigeon, 2 Dunlin, 2 female Shoveler, Grey Wagtail, 5 Reed Bunting and 2 Siskin. Had considered staying for the roost but with another clear night temperatures were dropping fast so left sharpish but couldn't resist another star gazing session later. Might as well enjoy it as the cloud cover is due to come back next week.

Dave Hutton kindly sent me these images of the Spoonbill and the Napton reservoir Black-necked Grebe which is still present
http://davehutton.zenfolio.com/ Website Birds & Insects etc
http://seeswoodpool.blogspot.com/ Seeswood Pool & Beyond Blog
http://dave-hutton.blogspot.com/ Rare & Scarce Birds Blog

Richard

October 14th 2011

2011-10-14T22:35:00.001+02:00

With south easterlies and broken cloud overnight I abandoned my domestics and did a visibly migration watch with a steady stream of migrants going over my garden. My final count in two and half hours was 18 Fieldfare, 55 Redwing, 189 Skylark, 25 Meadow Pipit, Brambling, 5 Siskin, 15 Chaffinch, 25 Linnet, and a Swallow.
Just packing up and getting ready to look at the pond with Mark when a text from Kevin asking what do I know about a Spoonbill at the pond. A quick call to check on what he knew then another to Bob who was at the pond so by the time Mark and I were passing Dunchurch at warp factor five Bob had legged it to the north shore and rang to say he had it on the other side of reservoir. Another quick call to JJ on Scilly to contact those whose numbers I don’t have then it was speedy walk from the top car park to hensborough bank where the juvenile Spoonbill showed really well. As the crowd grew to 25 souls it fed actively until a fishing boat encroached on the accompanying duck flock and flushed it. Luckily despite climbing towards draycote bank it returned and seemed settled when we left. Golden Plover heard and a few Skylarks over but did not give the reservoir any real attention though a Small Copper is worth a mention that landed in front of us.
Many thanks to Kath who after hearing about it got the ball rolling and to Bob who’s effort in seeing it meant a very long walk to back to hensborough in warm temperatures before he could enjoy it.

Gave Napton Reservoir a look hoping for a Bearded Tit to have joined the Black-necked Grebe but it was not to be. At least 3 Buzzards went over high plus another 5 local birds and 18 Wigeon present but no visible migration as the wind had changed.
Joined up with Dave in the Just So – what the hell are we going to do when she closes for the winter next Friday. We will all be skinny by next spring – god forbid. Tried our luck on Napton on the Hill but it was very quiet – almost birdless and only 2 Raven and a few Red Admirals to keep us occupied though very peaceful.

Tonight has been the first clear night for ages so Mark helped me put the family on to the Equuuleus Constellation and all the time we were hearing hundreds of Redwings going over.

Richard

October 13th 2011

2011-10-13T20:40:00.010+02:00

A Crossbill flew over the garden at 8:10am heading east while a steady movement of Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and Redwing also passed over.
Mark and I decided to stay in the county despite the Daventry Country Park Northamptonshire Grey Phalarope being reported (thanks Kevin) as it had the makings of a good day locally.
Unfortunately the pond was not going to be the place to be apart from the arrival of a female Red-crested Pochard and a good passage of Skylark and Redwing overhead it felt dead. Not helped by hundreds of joggers and fishermen. There was no sign of the Little Stint on farborough spit or the island and the only wader present was a Dunlin while 3 Rock Pipit and the Black Tern remained.

male Shoveler

female Red-crested Pochard

female Goosander
all pics by Bob Hazel

Napton on the Hill was a more like it with an increase in Blackbirds, Mistle Thrush and Chaffinch numbers while overhead at least 250 Redwing, 40 Fieldfare and 2 Brambling along with smaller numbers of Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch and Skylark were all heading south. Because the wind was lighter there were only a few Raven present until 17 appeared so now I wish I had counted them all – must at least 25 in the area. Other bird’s seen included Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and 2 Nuthatch while Paul and Martin had more Fieldfare and Redwing over and a large Long-tailed Tit flock before we arrived.

The long staying Black-necked Grebe was at Napton Reservoir joined by 10 Wigeon while overhead the thrush passage continued early afternoon with another 150+ Redwing, 20+ Fieldfare, 2 Swallow and 2 Snipe.

Richard

October 12th 2011

2011-10-12T20:33:00.006+02:00

It was a boring visit to the pond so thank god for Goodyear to liven things up.

Earlier while waiting for Bob Pied Wagtail, Siskin, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch and Linnet all headed south in small numbers over my estate while at the pond the most numerous migrant was Skylark with 55 recorded. Only other note worthy migrants were 4 Redwing and 2 Swallow.
We could only find one Little Stint while 4 Rock Pipits were still on the banks and both Black and Arctic Tern were in toft bay as the wind abated and 9 Dunlin and 6 Ringed Plover were on the spit. Other sightings were Raven, 4 Buzzard, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 6 Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff and Green Woodpecker.

I had forgotten I had taken this last Sunday - nothing special but the blobs are Raven on Napton on the Hill. Only mentioning it as Bob and I could see 10 Raven by the mill today from toft bank 4 miles away due to the clear visibility.

Clear skies tonight so Jupiter and 3 of its moons showing well and the moon its self is worth exploring.

Richard

October 11th 2011

2011-10-11T23:09:00.006+02:00

Despite the arrival of a second though difficult to see Little Stint (north shore of island) it was a disappointing visit considering how strong the wind was with virtually the same birds present as mentioned in my last three blogs (no sign of Arctic Tern). The Black Tern, 3 Rock Pipit, 5 Dunlin and Ringed Plover were all off farborough or toft bank while Bob confirmed the Ruff and 3 female Goosander were still around on the west side of reservoir.
I tried a two hour stint of visible migration but apart from a Fieldfare there was very little going over with a lone Siskin, 20 Skylark and 5 Meadow Pipits. Only other birds noted were 8 Reed Bunting, Buzzard and Raven while Bob had 3 Great-spotted Woodpecker and 3 Lesser Redpolls.
There was a break in the cloud late afternoon and 400 Wood Pigeon appeared going west over the garden so presumed migrants followed by 3 Buzzard and a House Martin.

Considering I had a reasonable catch last night Dave’s trap was very poor though this Red-green Carpet was worth clicking as it was so fresh and vibrant

Richard

October 10th 2011

2011-10-10T21:30:00.005+02:00

With 20 Skylark, a few Meadow Pipits and 20 Redwing over the garden after first light I was hoping for more visible migration at the pond but by mid morning the wind was so strong it tapered off.
A really battle to stay upright but the only new arrival was a juvenile Arctic Tern which arrived mid-morning while Black Tern, Little Stint, and 4 Rock Pipit remained along with 4 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover plus a few Meadow Pipits and Reed Bunting on farborough bank.
Overhead 40 Skylark, 12 Siskin and 16 Redwing went south and a single House Martin and Swallow appeared briefly before 5 more Swallow arrived but they did not stay long. Other sightings included 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker in country park, 4 Raven over biggen bay, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. Bob did his usual lap adding Ruff and 3 Goosander to the day list.

The state of her feathers shows the effect of todays wind on this female Goosander - Bob Hazel.

I tried for the Short-eared Owl at Brandon Marsh but had to give up on that silly idea as the wind gusted over 50mph on Lawford Heath and I ended up cycling backwards - managed a brief view of Stonechat by the quarry entrance with 7 Golden Plover and 45 Redwing west before turning back.

The last two nights have been good for moths - nothing special from the 25 species recorded, Bob took a fancy to this Angle Shades.

Richard

October 9th 2011

2011-10-09T22:56:00.000+02:00

Black Tern, Little Stint, and 4 Rock Pipit were seen on our walk out to farborough spit this morning with a steady movement of Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Siskin heading south.Other sightings included Chiffchaff, 30 Meadow Pipit, 4 Ringed Plover and 7 Dunlin.
Dave, Colin and I moved on to the Long Itchington diner where 11 Swallows flew east along with 4 Siskin and 9 Redwing while 21 more Redwing went over Napton on the Hill plus a lone House Martin. Twenty Eight Ravens enjoyed riding on the wind over the quarry.
More Redwing, (40) flew over the Just So and the Black-necked Grebe was still at Napton Reservoir along with a lone Swallow and 2 Raven.

Richard

October 7th 2011

2011-10-07T22:26:00.001+02:00

I ended up soaked doing me shopping so had not intended on visiting the pond this morning but Mark saved the day offering a couple of hours so we walked out to the sewage farm and back. Considering the strength of the cold north westerly wind it was a disappointing first hour with only Rock Pipit, 3 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover seen until just after 11am the wind strength lessened, cloud cover broke and skies brightened which resulted in scores of Skylark and Meadow Pipits to appear heading south, two flocks of Golden Plover numbering 9 and 4 heading west, a very large Wheatear presumed to be Northern, 2 Egyptian Geese came in over farborough bank but continued out over the country park, 4 Grey Wagtails landed in front of us and adult Yellow-legged Gull arrived. Two more Rock Pipits noted on the way back.

Met up with Dave in the afternoon and came across a very active mixed tit flock on Napton on the Hill numbering well over 250 birds and the biggest flock I have recorded in Warwickshire. Blue and Great Tits were in the majority but the flock also included at least 20 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 20 Goldcrest, 15 Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, 3 Treecreeper and 3 Nuthatch. It was just stunning to watch as they passed by and disappeared down towards the village. Another 4 Chiffchaff, Buzzard, Raven, 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush and Blackcap seen else where on the hill.

Skies clear tonight so while observing Jupiter both Skylark and Redshank heard going over garden but its bloody cold so no moths have arrived yet.

Richard

October 6th 2011

2011-10-06T21:46:00.001+02:00

It was a cool, bright and breezy visit to the pond with Mark managing to see the Little Stint and 2 Rock Pipit on farborough spit that Bob had found earlier.
While there we found another Rock Pipit on the spit and 2 more were along toft bank so at least 5 present. Despite the strengthening west wind a steady stream of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits flew over south but the only other birds seen were 16 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover and 30+ Meadow Pipit on the deck.
Napton on the Hill was extremely windy but the visibility was brilliant enabling Marks first view of the Malvern Hills and 7 counties though the bird life was limited to 10 Raven, Buzzard, 4 Chiffchaff and 10+ Meadow Pipit.
Conditions were just as bad at Napton Reservoir but the Black-necked Grebe came in close briefly and also present were 2 Wigeon and a Teal.
Now that the temperature has dropped I doubt I will get any more migrant moths and will have to be content with Rusty-dot Peal and Diamond-backed Moths that I have been getting in variable numbers over the last few days which will be a shame as a Vestal was recorded last night on the east side of town.

Richard

October 5th 2011

2011-10-05T21:53:00.002+02:00

After the turmoil of monday night when my neighbour collapsed I needed today.

A pleasant morning watching the adult Sandhill Crane and Willow Emerald Damselfly on Boyton Marshes, Suffolk in the autumn sunshine with Colin and Dave. The crane was distant when we first arrived feeding in a stubble field but came closer allowing good scope views but to far for the photographers in attendance. The damselfly which is probably just as rare as the crane was hunting the pond adjacent to the track we were on and was just as popular with the crowds.
Both immature Peregrine and Marlin were seen hunting over the adjacent marsh flushing hundreds of ducks and, waders with both seen later perched briefly on the ground with prey.
Other sightings included 4 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, Black-tailed Godwit, 200+ Golden Plover and 2 Goldcrest while the damselfly shared its residence with Southern Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Migrant Hawker and Common Blue Damselfly.

Bumbling Bears are on Scillies at the moment and are doing very well with seeing and photographing the goodies that are present so check there link out – if you did know what a Waterthrush looked like – you will.

Richard

October 3rd 2011

2011-10-05T21:43:00.004+02:00

Highlight of this mornings visit with Bob was the Red-crested Pochard flock of 4 males and 4 females that Francoise reported in rainbow corner which were off hensborough bank by the time I turned up. Highest number I have recorded here.
Yesterdays Rock Pipit had increased to 4 birds with 2 on farborough spit, one over farborough bank calling and another on the picnic area shore line flushed by litter pickers. Other sightings included a flight view of the Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff on island, 9 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover, adult Yellow-legged Gull, Yellow Wagtail, 4 Shoveler, 33 Wigeon and 8 Buzzard. Visible migration over the country park included 5 Siskin, 23 Skylark and 64 Meadow Pipit.

Red-crested Pochard by Bob Hazel (top two) and Francoise Farrington

Richard

October 2nd 2011

2011-10-02T20:57:00.001+02:00

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

October 1st 2011

2011-10-01T23:17:00.002+02:00

I couldn’t resist another session on Napton on the Hill this morning watching another double pass of the Space Station but I should have concentrated on Jupiter as another of its moons was reported showing making 5 visible with a pair of bins. Over a 100 Meadow Pipits went south along with a few Linnet and a Barn Owl hunting below the hill near the canal after day break. On the way home I had look at the Black-necked Grebe at Napton Reservoir but little else.
The warm nights are producing reasonable moth catches with record numbers of Grey Pine and Spruce Carpet in my trap last night while Dave caught his first locally scarce Dusky Lemon Sallow as well as his first Brick and Merveille du Jour of the year and we are both getting a few migrant Rusty Dot Pearls and Diamond- back Moths each night coming from the continent on the warm air.

Dusky Lemon Sallow

Merveille du Jour

Brick
Bob kindly got off his death bed to take photos and we witnessed the start of a mid day movement of Buzzards going over with 14 all heading south in ones and twos.

Richard

September 30th 2011

2011-09-30T22:51:00.002+02:00

After a lazy day rotting in the sunshine yesterday this morning found me sitting above the quarry at Napton on the Hill observing the gas clouds of Orion and enjoying a crystal clear night sky waiting for a double pass of the Space Station. The first pass because of the earths shadow appeared out of the dark almost over head before disappearing east while the second was more impressive because she passed just after dawn with Jupiter in the same field of view briefly. While all this was going on both Tawny and Little Owl were heard calling along with a Fox.
Unfortunately the high pressure system in place over the country means the majority of the migrants inland are pushing straight over high so apart from fly over’s there were not many refueling on the hill. Fly over’s in an hour were my first Brambling of the autumn, Redpoll and 2 Siskin along with a trickle of Swallows and Meadow Pipits. The churchyard had 6 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap feeding on the Elderberry while 5 Raven’s croaked over head. Other species included 2 Buzzard, Nuthatch, 3 Coal Tit, 3 Wren and Tree Sparrow.
After meeting up with up with Dave and brunch in the Just So then a look around the Bridge Nursery Garden produced 10 Linnet and a Small Copper before returning to the hill. The very warm conditions on Napton on the Hill brought out the butterflies with 12 Red Admiral, 2 Large White, Small Copper and a Comma but birding was quiet with 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Buzzard and a Raven only.

Richard

September 28th 2011

2011-09-29T01:07:00.000+02:00

Little sleep as I was up early getting terrific views of the Space Station going over early then a mid morning ambled down to the station appreciating the heat wave and Tornado's 10 minute stay.
With out the crowds it was a very relaxing affair although some comedian on the station platform staff referred to those waiting for her to arrive as aliens. I managed a few decent photos for a change while she waited for right of way before continuing on to London while earlier Alan had it pass under the road bridge near Brandon Marsh and Colin a wee bit further down the line.

60163 Tornado passing the road bridge near Brandon Marsh by Alan Anscomb

just arrived in Rugby

given the right of way and starting to leave

The Black-necked Grebe is still present at the pond along with Dunlin, Ringed Plover, 2 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, Pochard, 4 Gadwall and adult and third year Yellow-legged Gull while the Napton Reservoir bird is also still present so two birds on my patch at different locations - magic.

Over the weekend Ashton Roydon Hough arrived on this planet making me a Great Uncle (again) - well I knew I was great any way. Once he's on his feet and can sit on my cross bar he will be in the field.

Last minute invitation to observe how other moth'ers were getting on tonight at Shuckburgh produced 28 species in there traps while I was there including my first Autumnal Rustic, Merveille du Jour, Wax Moth and Red-lined Quaker of the year. I was grateful for not running my own traps as this gave me the time to study the milky way and a few metorites. Tawny Owl heard

Richard

September 27th 2011

2011-09-29T01:04:00.000+02:00

Took advantage of a light south east wind to look for migrants from the country park, Draycote Water and managed Hobby, Golden Plover east, 40 Skylark south and 20 Meadow Pipit south before a probable Sandwich Tern was seen over the reservoir off the sailing club. At the same time JJ text to say Tim had found 2 Sandwich Tern and a Black-necked Grebe earlier in rainbow so finished off searching the country park finding 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and Whitethroat before trying for better views. Also seen were Black Tern, Yellow Wagtail, Dunlin and Ringed Plover
Gardening in the afternoon produced Sparrowhawk, Raven and Buzzard over plus Large White, Red Admiral and Comma butterflies and the evening spent star gazing till late exploring unfamiliar constellations now I more confident where I’m looking and hoping for a sighting of the northern lights that were being reported but no luck.

Richard

September 26th 2011

2011-09-26T21:44:00.003+02:00

Black Terns at the pond had increased over night to 18 birds by mid morning but only 2 Arctic and single Common Tern remained from yesterday’s influx unless we missed them while the only waders noted were 11 Dunlin and 9 Ringed Plover. Two Ruffs and a Greenshank were reported. There was a good passage of Skylark’s and Meadow Pipits going down the valley watched from farborough bank but very few went over the reservoir and this movement had dried up by mid-day.
Only other sightings of note were third year Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Buzzard, 3 Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff and a distant Raven.

Main reason for going out today was to get Marks dad cracking view of a Raven and this was achieved at Napton on the Hill with 5 perched together of the 18 seen along with 2 Sparrowhawk and 8 Buzzard. Still plenty of Chiffchaff with at least 20 seen or heard, female Blackcap, 2 Coal Tit among a large tit flock, 2 Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker and Great-spotted Woodpecker. A search for visible migrants from the churchyard produced 2 Swift flying along the Warwickshire / Northamptonshire border heading east and a small passage of Swallows south. A Brimstone butterfly flew past and we left with Pa Phillips a happy bunny.

Small Copper

Black-necked Grebe, Sparrowhawk and Raven plus 6 Small Copper were at Napton Reservoir and a couple of more Buzzards seen on the way home.
My kitchen window at home was the place to be at 5pm when a juvenile Peregrine took a feral pigeon only to be robbed by the 15+ corvids that harassed it and later a Sand Martin went over the garden followed by a Siskin.
All three locations today had various numbers of Red Admiral butterflies flying purposely south so presumed on migration.
Mark had shown me his latest phone app earlier in the day which gave the location of all the key stars, constellations, planets and nebulas wherever you point the phone even in day light or below the horizon. Pretty impressive and even more so when he popped around tonight and we spent over an hour exploring the universe above my garden putting names to those I was not sure of before the cloud cover came in. Jupiter was also impressive just starting to rise above the horizon in Aries showing 3 moons in a triangle formation.

Rusty Dot Pearl by Bob Hazel

Richard

September 25th 2011

2011-09-25T23:25:00.003+02:00

Dave’s back from his holiday so we played catch up over a coffee while a heavy shower passed over. Once it finished we had time for a walk out to farborough spit, Draycote Water where the rain and southerly winds had brought in a few terns.
Over the next hour we had at least 20 Arctic’s arrive in small groups with some staying and others passing through so could have be more birds involved. They were accompanied by 5 Common Terns which joined the 4 Black Terns already present.
Waders included 16 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 2 Ruff and a Common Sandpiper while the best of the rest was 2 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting, Raven and Sparrowhawk.
On our way to Long Itchington a Hobby flew over Birdingbury Bridge.
Once fed and watered we arrived at Napton on the Hill to the incredible sight of 15 Raven hanging in the air above the church with another 8 further away. Later on we found 10 of the 15 on the ground in the quarry but I doubt if they stayed due to a sponsored motocross due to go through.
Other sightings included 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Goldcrest, 3 Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpecker and 2 Buzzard. A Vapourer Moth was also seen.
Not heard of any recent sightings of the Black-necked Grebe so pleased to find it was still at Napton Reservoir when we checked the place out. Only other sightings of interest were 85 Canada Geese, Chiffchaff and a steady stream of Swallows heading south.

Dave trapped a migrant Rusty Dot Pearl last night - will get my man to take snap shots.

Richard

September 24th 2011

2011-09-24T21:04:00.006+02:00

Finally caught up with the Grafham Water Sabine’s Gull and Grey Phalarope this morning still attracting plenty of admirers and a timely phone call diverted us to Stanford Reservoir to see the Pectorial Sandpiper. Apprently someone at Stanford said the Sab had gone walk about later in the morning.

Bair's Shoulder-knot

Now showing again - latest passes for the "space shed" although some might be a wee bit to early for some of you.

Richard

September 23rd 2011

2011-09-23T21:58:00.001+02:00

Did not bother looking for yesterdays Knot as the disturbance from fishermen on the east side of the pond was high today so just checked farborough bank, spit , daisy island and country park. 2 Ruff on island, the 18 Ringed Plover and 7 Dunlin were very mobile, 2 Greenshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Black Tern, Arctic Tern, 2 Raven, Sparrowhawk, 14 Meadow Pipit, 10 Skylark, 6 Yellow Wagtail, Sand Martin, 2 Chiffchaff, Blackcap and 2 Comma butterflies.

Tornado is due to transfer from the Severn Valley Railway at Kidderminster to Stewarts Lane on Wednesday 28th September leaving at 9:05 and due to arrive at Birmingham International 11:09 departing 11:24 then through Coventry 11:37 before stopping at Rugby 11:55 departing at 12:04. She will then continue south towards London passing Long Buckby 12:17 and Northampton 12:29. All times subject to operational changes.

Another train movement is due to take place on 1st October with 34067 Tangmere going from Carnforth to Southall so should pass through my patch but no times or route published yet.

Richard

September 21st 2011

2011-09-21T23:55:00.010+02:00

The 2 Swifts over biggen bay were the highlight of our visit to the pond today and must be one of my latest date I have recorded here.
Still plenty of Ringed Plover and Dunlin scattered around the reservoir but as the water level drops even further farborough bank and spit don’t seem to be to their liking with only 2 on there today. Water level is getting so low s a second island off dunns bay can’t be far off from appearing as its attracting swans, Coots and ducks feeding over it.
Sightings were 3 Greenshank, 18 Dunlin, 23 Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 3 Black Tern off windsurfing area close inshore due to strength and direction of the wind, 2 Arctic Tern, Goosander, 3 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 40 Teal, 20+ Greylag, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 4 adult Grey Wagtail, 10 Meadow Pipit, 10 Sand Martin and 5 Buzzard. The country park had 4 Bullfinch, 4 Chiffchaff, Blackcap and 2 Vapourer Moth.
Both Dave’s and my trap had a varied catch last night with Orange Sallow, 2 Sallow, Rosy Rustic, Brindle Green, 14 Lunar Underwing, 5 Black Rustic, 4 Beaded Chestnut, and Frosted Orange between us.
Out in the afternoon with a look at the Black-necked Grebe at Napton Reservoir but not much else apart from 7 Skylark going over west, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff and 4 Raven on Napton on the Hill and a look at Wormleighton produced juvenile Whinchat on the approach road, 17 Tree Sparrow, 2 Corn Bunting, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 3 Coal Tit, Green Sandpiper and Kingfisher. After a walk along the canal and a relaxing meal with friends at Fenny Compton a Barn Owl was hunting the roadside verge of the Southam bypass on the way home.

Andy Hale kindly sent me some photos from Mondays visit to the Scillies - always good to have something to jog the memory and his Sabines Gull means I must go and pay my respects before it goes. How I wish the ones I have seen at the pond had stayed as long.

Black and White Warbler my 296th species for the Scillies from 27 visits spread over 31 years

Red-eyed Vireo - my 9th record for the scillies

Solitary Sandpiper my 2nd record for the scillies - the first in 84

Sabines Gull Gratham Water, Cambridgeshire

Richard

September 20th 2011

2011-09-20T22:30:00.005+02:00

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

September 17th to 19th 2011

2011-09-20T22:27:00.003+02:00

I was already aware that there were a few american waders on the south west peninsular so after looking at last Fridays weather forecast I decided on a sea watching weekend in Cornwall hoping the strong westerly’s would turn north west as predicted
The following morning while watching the Scillionian being prepared for her sailing in Penzance habour I considered a trip to the Scilly Isles but my stomach didn’t fancy a force five so enquired about flights not expecting any luck so pretty chuffed to get them for Monday.
Even more chuffed when I found out that both Northern Waterthrush and Black and White Warbler were on the island.
Rest of weekend taken up with two good sea watching sessions plus visits to Polgigga and Drift Reservoir.
The day on St Mary’s, Isle of Scilly was pure joy with excellent scenary, helpful directions, cracking birds, a mouth watering crab salad washed down with a nice half bottle of wine while half of Warwickshire’s twitching brigade strode past.
Birding highlights were many but the Northern Waterthrush and Black and White Warbler were the icing on a very tasty cake.

Richard

September 16th 2011

2011-09-16T22:25:00.005+02:00

Black Rustic in my trap last night by Bob Hazel

Wind turned to the east becoming cloudier so I was hoping for some new arrivals when we arrived at the pond but apart from 8 Black Tern and 50 Meadow Pipit it was another quiet visit. The Ringed Plover and Dunlin numbers were difficult to ascertain due to disturbance but estimated at 20 each and I was lucky enough to find the Little Stint with Glen in the corner of hensborough bank and picnic area showing really well and close until some dork of a boat fishermen moored right along side and it buggered off. Other species seen included Greenshank, 5 Arctic Tern, 2 Common Tern, female Goosander, 2 Shoveler, 13 Wigeon, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtail and a lone Swift over biggen bay with the few hirundines that were around. Small Copper in rainbow corner Called in on the Just So where the garden had a Painted Lady and Comma then took Dave to see the Black-necked Grebe but there was no sign of it for twenty minutes until it crept out of the reed bed – showed for twenty seconds and disappeared again. Raven, Sedge Warbler, Buzzard, 3 Teal and 2 Gadwall also present.

short vid of BNG by Paul Cashmore

Had time for a quick look at Napton on the Hill with 3 Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Chiffchaff noted and Mark earlier had 10 Raven.

Rugby

September 15th 2011

2011-09-15T22:02:00.007+02:00

What a contrast from the beginning of the week – hardly a breath of wind this morning and very mild.
Once my domestic were out the way I joined up with Mark for a walk out to the spit at the pond but with so much disturbance we were wasting our time and did not stay long. The fishermen were flushing many of the waders off the spit and island so only found a single Curlew Sandpiper 11 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover and 3 Greenshank.
The only other birds of note were 5 Buzzard, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, White Wagtail, 4 Arctic Tern and juvenile Common Tern.
Please note the Sailing Club Car Park is now closed for development so will presumably mean the sailing fraternity will have to park in the country park and this could mean it being busy at the weekends. Sadly we watched a Bulldozer ripping up the Grizzled Skipper habitat.
Joined Dennis in the Long Itch Diner discussing the merits of a hot breakfast or a dash to Buckinghamshire but the sound of grapefruit fried in bacon dripping convinced us to stay then while D went looking for the BNG at Napton Reservoir we checked out Napton on the Hill where we managed to find 8 Spotted Flycatcher, Whitethroat, 10 Raven, 7 Buzzard, 10 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 3 Green Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 5 Long-tailed Tit and 7 Cormorant over.
Mark was a Just So newbie so treated to a slice of my cake while chatting to Tim, Paul, Dennis and Martin before taking a look at the Black-necked Grebe which was showing well. Also seen was a Sedge Warbler with another heard calling, 7 Buzzard, 2 male Pochard and male Gadwall.

Black-necked Grebe

Butterflies and Dragonflies seen today were Small Tortoiseshell, Green-Veined White, Small White, Comma, Small Copper, Red Admiral, Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker and Ruddy Darter
The aftermath of the recent gales is still being accessed and Max and Dick have sent me photos of Manx Shearwaters that were found in the county recently.
The first was at Hatton Locks last Tuesday and Wednesday when taken in to care.

The second was found in a garden in or near Rugby. I don’t have the full details but its being cared for with plans to release it on the coast.

Makes you wonder how many poor unfortunates were brought in on the storms and ended up where they are not found.

Richard

September 14th 2011

2011-09-14T21:27:00.004+02:00

Mondays Gannet was found dead by Roger one of the rangers yesterday while he was litter picking in biggen bay so Bob, Keith and Pete checked it over this morning while doing the circuit in case it had any rings on – what a sad end to a superb bird.

Gannet by Bob Hazell

The wind had died down and the only new arrivals were a Redshank and a few Arctic Terns with the 2 Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint remaining either on the island or spit. Other waders included 18 Dunlin, 14 Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper and at least 5 Greenshank.

Shag

No sign of the Black Tern but the Arctic Terns had increased to 4 with 9 reported mid-day accompanied by 2 Common Tern.
Other species included the elusive juvenile Shag flying towards the valve tower, 2 Hobby performing over the windsurfing area, White Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 10+ Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Swift, 4 Shoveler, 30+ Teal, 2 Wigeon, 5 Buzzard, Raven and 50+ Sand Martin.

Southern Hawker by Bob Hazell in toft shallows

With the Black-necked Grebe attracting so many visitors to Napton Reservoir not surprisingly plenty of other species were seen today with Rock Pipit, 4 Raven, Hobby, Yellow Wagtail and Tree Sparrow.
As the wind died down juvenile Stonechat and 3 Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler and 4 Chiffchaff were on Napton on the Hill

Dave surprisingly trapped a late Small Scallop last night - only his second garden record.

If you are bored put your coat on and look at the moon - stunning - milky way should be good later as well as Jupiter.

Richard

September 13th 2011

2011-09-13T20:33:00.004+02:00

Not surprisingly the tinternet was busy with every man and his scope trying to predict what might turn up next although as the night progressed it was turning out to be more of a want list than weather related, personally I was in the Leaches Petrel or Gray Phalarope camp.
With the wind relenting in the night, almost full moon and clear sky’s I wasn’t holding me breath when we arrived at the pond just after 8:30am though the wind speed increased through out our 5 hour visit with an average 15 to 20mph occasionally gusting over 30mph.
Our walk towards farborough spit produced overnight arrivals of 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and an increase in Dunlin and Ringed Plover numbers with 18 and 14 recorded with possible more dotted around the reservoir. Also seen were 3 Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Little Stint.
We were just reaching toft shallows when news reached us that Tim and Paul had found a Manx Shearwater but as we were unable to locate it from our position we doubled back and joined them at the wind surfing area where we eventually saw it. The bird spent most of its time keeping low in the water between B & Y buoy and the valve tower so was always distant preferring to swim and rarely showing well.

juvenile Shag by Bob Hazel

Other species seen today were juvenile Shag which was again on farborough bank before moving to rainbow corner, White Wagtail on farborough bank which could have been Sundays bird, adult and juvenile Arctic Tern, 2 Common Tern including one posing on the picnic area shore line, Black Tern, 10 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 100+ Sand Martin, 5 Swift, Buzzard and Little Ringed Plover in the wind surfing area.

juvenile Common Tern by Bob Hazel

We had been lucky in missing the predicted rain so called it a day when it eventually arrived just as Tim rang to say he had a Black-necked Grebe at Napton Reservoir so by the time we arrived it was nice and sunny and the juvenile was showing against the reed bed but would not pose for photos. A Hobby hunted over our heads and we had 11 Raven together plus another 2 over Napton on the Hill, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard also seen.

Richard

September 12th 2011

2011-09-12T20:38:00.001+02:00

The wind played a key feature today at the pond with averages speeds well over 35mph making viewing and walking difficult occasionally gusting over 45mph while in the night a gust of 54mph was recorded locally.
A Hobby was over the country park on our arrival followed by a Sparrowhawk doing its best to end the life of a Goldfinch and a juvenile Shag by the fishing pontoons showing well before it become elusive.
Wader numbers and variety were disappointing on the point with only Greenshank, 9 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover and Little Stint while out in the centre Black and Common Tern remained.
While Bob did his circuit I doubled back to rainbow corner adding 10 Swift, 200+ Sand Martin, Wheatear, 11 Yellow Wagtail and 4 Meadow Pipit but there were no sign of yesterdays Red-crested Pochard though close views of immature Merlin and Peregrine along hensborough bank more than made up for it. The long staying female Goosander was on the inlet.

A cracking shot of the Wheatear by Dave Hutton

After 4 hours and convinced we would not get anything good coming in we were just approaching Dunchurch on our way home when a phone call from Martin and Paul via JJ that a Gannet had just arrived has us doing a u turn and we soon joined them on farborough spit to watch a superb adult.

adult Gannet by Dave Hutton
It was very active and we stayed another 90 minutes though it never came close in after its arrival though Dave Hutton did managed to get a shot over lin croft point. It was joined by 2 Common Tern and a single Arctic Tern as the wind increased. Earlier Paul and Martin had a Red Underwing while a few Small White, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral showed in the sheltered areas.

Richard

September 11th 2011

2011-09-12T20:30:00.000+02:00

With the gates opening twenty minutes late our anticipation was unfounded. A blustery morning at the pond produced Black Tern, 2 Common Tern, 16 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Ringed Plover, Little Stint, 3 Greenshank 3 Common Sandpiper, Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, 10 Swift, 2 Raven and a Sparrowhawk. We had left when Dave H rang with news of 3 Red-crested Pochard in rainbow corner.
Napton on the Hill was hard work as the wind increased but we managed a count of 30 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 8 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, 3 Raven and 2 Buzzard. Migrant Hawker in the churchyard.
In the afternoon I went over to Pitsford Reservoir, Northamptonshire to see the Pectorial Sandpiper plus Slavonian Grebe and Black-necked Grebe while near by Hollywell Reservoir had Curlew Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank.
An evening vist to the pond produced a juvenile Little Tern but nothing of note in the roost.

Richard

September 10th 2011

2011-09-10T22:14:00.000+02:00

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

September 9th 2011

2011-09-09T21:26:00.003+02:00

Last night was mild, little wind and clear so Dave and I decided to leave the pub early for Lawford Heath hoping to see the supernova that’s on view but at 11th magnitude we could not pick it out amongst the trillions of stars on show. On the way we had a Barn Owl and a Fox cross the road in front of us between Cubbington and Weston under Wetherly.
On the heath we were treated to stunning scope views of the moon craters (probably the best views I have ever had), the dark belts of cloud parallel to the equator on Jupiter plus 4 of its moons, 3 satellites picked out heading north, 2 meteorites flashed past overhead and numerous constellations on show. Lady luck was on our side as we also heard Little Owl, saw 2 more Barn Owls between Rookery Hall and Lawford Lodge and at the junction of ling lane and lawford heath lane we had a Tawny Owl perched in the car headlights for a couple of minutes.
The mild night brought out the moths which have suffered this month with 25 species from 160 moths in my garden trap with Pink-barred Sallow new for the year.
Out with Dave this afternoon and we managed to find 2 Grass Snakes, Ruddy Darter and Migrant Hawker at the Bridge Nursery pond then moved on to Napton on the Hill where we had 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, Swift, Hobby, 4 Buzzard, Raven, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit and Nuthatch. Also Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and 5 Small White butterflies were seen.
Heads Up – a deep area of low pressure is due to track across the UK this weekend followed by the remnants of Hurricane Katia so we will be in for some wet and windy weather.

Richard

September 8th 2011

2011-09-08T20:00:00.000+02:00

The Manx Shearwater stayed overnight but was not very active preferring to stay off farborough bank at various distances for most of this mornings visit.
Most of yesterday’s waders were still present along farborough bank or on the spit with Ruff, 7 Ringed Plover, 18 Dunlin, 3 Greenshank, juvenile Knot, juvenile Turnstone, juvenile Little Stint, juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and 3 Common Sandpiper. Other sightings included 26 Graylag, Reed Bunting, 20 Swift, 3 Wheatear, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Raven, 2 Buzzard, 3 Little Gull, Common Tern and 3 Black Tern
After brunch with Bob and April at the Long Itch diner Mark and I had a look at Napton on the Hill and managed 5 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Nuthatch, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Hobby and 6 Raven.

Richard

September 7th 2011

2011-09-07T19:35:00.002+02:00

A few like minded folk were on farborough bank as soon as the gates opened hoping that yesterdays gales which continued as blustery overnight would have brought in something. In what turned out to be a cracking day the following were seen at the pond in 3 visits today.

Manx Shearwater: I was lucky enough to spot one while standing with Colin, Mark and Tim minutes after our arrival about 500 yards off shore. It occasional came closer in the morning but by the afternoon was much more obliging. At one stage it was claimed to have been eaten by a Greater Black-backed Gull but on our second visit I found it quiet happily resting off the sailing club and it was still present at 5:30pm.
Little Gull: juvenile out in centre
Black Tern: juvenile out in centre
Common Tern: 7 arrived mid-day
Hobby: Mark spotted 2 over lin croft point and not surprisingly they took great interest in the hundreds of hirundines present.
Ruff: one on farborough bank
Ringed Plover: 3 on farborough spit
Little Ringed Plover: 2 on farborough spit
Dunlin: 11 either on farborough bank or spit
Greenshank: 2
Knot: juvenile on farborough spit
Curlew Sandpiper: juvenile found by the Bobs in the afternoon on farborough bank
Little Stint: juvenile on farborough spit
Turnstone: juvenile farborough bank
Common Sandpiper: minimum of 3 present
Swift: 25+
Swallow 500
House Martin 400
Sand Martin 200
Wheatear: 2 on farborough and toft bank
Yellow Wagtail: at least 10 present
Raven: 2
Buzzard: 3

We also had time to visit Napton Reservoir which had
Reed Warbler
Chiffchaff 2
Sand Martin 20
Raven 2
Hobby
Buzzard 3
Grey Wagtail

Magic and it starts all over again tomorrow

Richard

September 6th 2011

2011-09-06T20:28:00.000+02:00

Gusts of up to 50mph winds were recorded locally in the night as a south westerly weather front went through but I took the opportunity of a lift to Farmoor reservoir, Oxfordshire to see the juvenile White-winged Black Tern that was still present along with 4 Black Tern and a Black-necked Grebe.
On the way back we called in on Avon Dassett where despite the difficulty of walking in the strong winds we found a Whinchat and Wheatear being battered by the conditions while nearby Wormleighton Reservoir had 2 Corn Bunting, 12 Tree Sparrow, Kingfisher, 3 Coal Tit, Marsh Tit and Common Sandpiper.
Just in time for a late lunch in the Long Itch diner then on to Napton on the Hill where anything avian was hunkered down and not showing so had a look at the reservoir where there was also very little to report so moved on to the pond.
Despite the blustery conditions a walk out to the valve tower produced adult Yellow-legged Gull, Swift, Redshank, 2 Greenshank, Ruff, 4 Common Sandpiper and Ringed Plover. On the way back a Grey Plover circled calling.

Red Underwing

LNER A1 Class 4-6-2 no 60163 Tornado will be pulling the Cathedral Express from London Euston to Chester on Saturday 10th September. Key times locally will have her arriving in Northampton at 09:48 and leaving at 09:58, arriving in Rugby 10:24 leaving at 10:26 and Nuneaton will see here arrive at 10:42 and depart 10:57. On her return she is due in Rugby at 18:48 departing at 19:00. All times subject to change.

Richard