Draycote Water

Red Admiral

Pied Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Dunlin

Dunlin (&Dead Trout!)

Teal & Dunlin

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

With a run of good birds, I decided to visit Draycote this morning. Leaving home in sunshine I was disappointed to arrive to a very thick mist which persisted until arrival at Toft. I am sure that a wealth of rare birds were present, it was just not possible to see them! I was convinced that the "drifting" Northants Great White Egret would turn up, but alas no! A total of 53 bird species were recorded and it was good to meet up with Richard M, Bob H, Francoise F and another guy that none of us knew. Also had a chat with Terry B on Farborough Bank.

Farnborough bank, despite the mist, produced at least 4 Grey Wagtail and perhaps 40+ Yellow Wagtail. Bouy J provided a resting place for the Yellow Legged Gull. There was no sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper at the start of Toft Bay but 4 Dunlin were busily feeding. Toft Bay produced one Kingfisher and little else but the mist was now clearing and a very warm late morning / afternoon was to be had. Continuing the perimeter walk, Treecreeper, Bullfinch (6), Common Sandpiper, Wigeon and Buzzard were seen. In the sky above the Valve Tower two Sparrowhawk's were being harrassed by Corvids and a Raven was heard. The Inlet area produced many fishermen and a lone Black Tailed Godwit. A Jay flew over Rainbow Corner and the Outlet produced two juvenile Ringed Plover and a vocal Dunlin.

Lunch was had at the Visitor Centre followed by a walk back to Toft to see if anything had materialised now it was sunny. Sadly, little more was seen.

Todays Sightings:

Robin; Wood Pigeon; Chaffinch; Carrion Crow; Rook; Greenfinch; Gt Tit; Jackdaw; Green Woodpecker; Blue Tit; Wren; Moorhen; Coot; BH Gull; LBB Gull; Grey Wagtail; Pied Wagtail; Mute Swan; Mallard; Tufted Duck; Yellow Wagtail; Gt Cr Grebe; Meadow Pipit; Yellow Legged Gull; Starling; Dunlin; Grey Heron; Dabchick; Teal; Gt Sp Woodpecker; Lapwing; Kingfisher; Gadwall; Dunnock; Blackbird; Magpie; Bullfinch; Song Thrush; Long Tailed Tit; Cormorant; Grey Lag Goose; Canada Goose; Treecreeper; Common Sandpiper; Buzzard; Wigeon; Chiffchaff; Sparrowhawk; Black Tailed Godwit; Jay; Ringed PLover; Pheasant; Reed Bunting; Raven.