Draycote Water

Arrived at Draycote this morning at 0600 in thick mist - just my luck! But it improved and a good day was had. Despite the mist, it was good to see hedgerows full of mixed flocks. Large numbers of Blackcap, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and mixed Tits. The valve tower was shrouded in mist with eerie images of the female Goosander and Wheatear.

Goosander in the Mist

Pied Wagtail & Wheatear in the Mist

Very little could be seen along Draycote Bank with two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers near the inlet and a juvenile Shelduck which later showed well near the wind sailing area. The bushes at the inlet held Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, and Chiffchaff. A Nuthatch was seen in the wooded area below, with a second bird being heard below Farborough Bank.

The sun began to burn off the mist as I approached the Outlet and Hensborough Bank. Five Ringed Plover were off Hensborough Bank with three Dunlin. Two Little Egrets were mobile around the reservoir, at least fourteen Yellow Wagtails at various locations and the smaller hirundine flocks contained at least ten Sand Martins. Onward towards Toft only produced a Sparrowhawk and Toft Bay held one Common Sandpiper and the long staying Egyptian Goose. While in Toft, Bob H phoned me to say that a Sanderling had been spotted in Rainbow Corner. My car was parked in Thurlaston, so I legged it back, noting Buzzard and Jay, before heading to the main car park. Huffing and puffing and near to collapse, I arrived back on Hensborough Bank and the very obliging Sanderling! An adult Yellow Legged Gull engaged in a fly past and a Grey Wagtail showed briefly.

A good number of local birders made the most of the sunshine - Bob H; Richard M; Francoise F; Kath E; Max S; Mark P; Dennis; Terry B and others unknown.

A complete list of sightings can be found at the end of this post.

Chiffchaff as the mist begins to lift

Ringed Plover & Dunlin

Ringed Plover & Dunlin over Tufted Duck

Sanderling

Sanderling

Sanderling

Sanderling

Little Egret

Little Egret

Juv Shelduck

Juv Shelduck

Juv Shelduck

(More Images on my website - see link opposite)

Todays Sightings:

Robin; Green Woodpecker; Wood Pigeon; Carrion Crow; Wren; Blue Tit; Jackdaw; Blackcap; Song Thrush; Black Headed Gull; Great Crested Grebe; Moorhen; Magpie; Great Tit; Goldfinch; Chaffinch; Blackbird; Coot; Mute Swan; Long Tailed Tit; Bullfinch; Dunnock; Chiffchaff; LBB Gull; Mallard; Teal; Grey Heron; Dabchick; Tufted Duck; Wheatear; Goosander; Pied Wagtail; Yellow Wagtail; Little Ringed Plover; Willow Warbler; Common Whitethroat; Shelduck; Lapwing; Nuthatch; House Martin; Swallow; Gadwall; Reed Bunting; Ringed Plover; Dunlin; Cormorant; Pheasant; Canada Goose; Little Egret; Yellow Legged Gull; Sparrowhawk; Common Sandpiper; Sand Martin; Egyptian Goose; Stock Dove; Greenfinch; Jay; Buzzard; House Sparrow; Sanderling; Grey Wagtail; Wigeon; Rook.