Draycote Water (Not quite so gloomy!)

My aim was to head out to Morton Bagot to see if the Great Grey Shrike was still showing, but with a deteriorating weather forecast, I ended up at Draycote Water. Arriving at 0800 as the gates opened, I walked the perimeter in the hope that something special might be waiting for me. As per usual, it was not! Only the usual waterfowl, and not a glimpse of the Great Northern Diver or Red Crested Pochard's. The cool north easterley breeze encouraged me to walk at a brisk rate, pausing only to scan the water (in hope!).

The fields below Farborough Bank held Lapwing and at least 250 Fieldfare (in three fields) with a few Redwing all of which were very "flighty", probably due to a Buzzard overhead. At least seven Golden Plover were seen with the Lapwings when they took flight. As I approached Toft, two Mistle Thrush's flew ahead of me, but little else was seen.

The rest of my walk was uneventful and on arriving at the visitor centre, the book recorded Great Northern Diver (Bob H). I walked back out to Farborough Spit, scanning the water but, alas, no joy.

Not you again? - Pied Wagtail

This is my good side! - Rook

Breakfasting Great Crested Grebe

The rare birds went that way! - Tufted Duck

Does my bum look big in this? -  Moorhen

Blow Dry? - Moorhen

Moorhen

Pigeon Chested? No I'm a Moorhen!

Moorhen - a bird of two halves!

(More images on my website - see link opposite)

Todays Sightings:

Rook; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Carrion Crow; Blue Tit; Blackbird; Black Headed Gull; Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Great Tit; Robin; Coot; Lapwing; LBB Gull; Mallard; Tufted Duck; Cormorant; Great Crested Grebe; Goldeneye; Goldfinch; Dabchick; Pied Wagtail; Wren; Canada Goose; Starling; GBB Gull; Fieldfare; Buzzard; Wigeon; Mute Swan; Green Woodpecker; Grey Heron; Teal; Mistle Thrush; Common Gull; Pochard; Dunnock; Gadwall; Moorhen; Bullfinch; Long Tailed Tit; Jackdaw; Golden Plover; Redwing.