Previously “Diary of a Birding Medic”; “Rugby Birder”; "Bempton Birder”. All views expressed in this blog are my OWN and do not represent the opinions or policies of any organisations or entities whatsoever with whom I have been, am now or will be affiliated. Reference to Bempton Cliffs in NO way promotes the organisation known as RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but rather the FREEdom of the cliffs.

Wednesday, 24 March 2010

Draycote Water

The spring migration appears to be passing me by, and with very little time off work this week, I decided to visit Draycote to see what was about. Arriving at 1125, having had a few hours sleep due to finishing nights, I decided to walk to Grays Barn and back.

Chiffchaff (12) activity was very evident with many singing birds around the site and a flock of about 50 Starling's also contained ten Fieldfare in flight over the fields behind Farborough Bank. For a change, one of the two Great Northern Divers was close in off Farborough Bank, posing well and calling. Little else of note on my walk to Grays Barn, other than the usual wildfowl but nothing in any great numbers. Grays Barn produced Treecreeper but it was not until I returned along Farborough Bank that a Wheatear appeared. I failed to locate any Sand Martin's  and while scanning the water from the windsurfing area, a male and female Pintail were found off the outlet.



Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

Cormorant

Wheatear

Wheatear

Wheatear


(More images on my website - see link opposite)


Todays Sightings:

Chiffchaff; Jackdaw; Wood Pigeon; Carrion Crow; Rook; Wren; Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Tufted Duck; Great Crested Grebe; Coot; Robin; Pied Wagtail; Mute Swan; Mallard; Starling; Fieldfare; Blackbird; Black Headed Gull; Green Woodpecker; Great Northern Diver; Goldeneye; Canada Goose; Wigeon; Common Gull; Gadwall; Pheasant; Teal; Cormorant; Blue Tit; Buzzard; Great Tit; Goldfinch; Long Tailed Tit; Dunnock; Reed Bunting; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Moorhen; Treecreeper; Dabchick;  Wheatear; Pintail; Magpie; Kestrel.
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2 comments:

  1. Max Silverman25 March 2010 at 14:51

    Great shots of the GND's.Very sharp.They were very distant when I was there on Tuesday.

    Well done with the Wheatear.I haven't seen one yet this year.

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  2. Kevin Groocock25 March 2010 at 20:32

    Cheers, Max. I only had a short time yesterday and will not be out again until next week. I suppose most of the early migrants will be well established by then! Haven't seen a Sand Martin yet!

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