Draycote Water

Rook


Juv Little Ringed Plover


Juv Little Ringed Plover

Juv Little Ringed Plover

Pied Wagtail

Goldfinch

I had not visited Draycote for several weeks, so with a couple of hours to spare, decided to walk to Toft and back. Arriving at 0645, I amassed 44 bird species before leaving at 1015. The day was warm with sunshine but the usual "Draycote breeze"!

The walk started well with a Yellow Legged Gull on the fishing pontoons. A cyclist who obviously could not get his gears to engage, crunched loudly past me, setting up two Redshank on Farborough bank, just as I was getting my camera on them, which flew towards the Visitor Centre. Further along Farborough Bank, an adult and two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers took flight, with a further juvenile located later in front of the bird hide. Two Common Sandpipers also took flight up and down the length of Farborough Bank before being re-located near the boardwalk. Very little else of note was seen. The number of people fishing seemed reduced (always a pleasure) but hordes of walkers and cyclists were arriving as I left.

Sightings:

Greenfinch; Chiffchaff; Wood Pigeon; Carrion Crow; Magpie; Chaffinch; Rook; Blackbird; Wren; Robin; Goldfinch; Swift; House Martin; Mallard; Dabchick; Coot; Mute Swan; Black Headed Gull; Tufted Duck; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Great Crested Grebe; Pied Wagtail; Redshank; Yellow Leggesd Gull; Little Ringed Plover; Meadow Pipit; Common Tern; Jackdaw; Cormorant; Common Sandpiper; Whitethroat; Moorhen; Lapwing; Grey Heron; Green Woodpecker; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Canada Goose; Herring Gull; Common Gull; Linnet; Reed Bunting; Dunnock.