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.

Thursday, 21 April 2011

Draycote Water


Yellow Wagtail


They're Back! Fishing has re-started and the dreadful flies! I will leave you to decide which are worse, but for me it has to be the flies! At one point, I was covered, head to toe, and could not see more than a few yards!

A very warm day with a keen easterly breeze and hazy sunshine greeted my arrival as I walked the perimeter. I was pleased to see that House Martins were back investigating traditional nest sites on the old boathouse, but this has now become the fishing lodge and disturbance has increased. I wonder how the Martins will fair? At least five Yellow Wagtails and two Wheatear were along Farborough Bank and a single Dunlin flew towards the visitor centre. Several Garden Warblers sang out with the Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps in Toft Shallows until the arrival of a Sparrowhawk! Grays Barn held a single Willow Tit. A Common Sandpiper was near the inlet and Rainbow Corner had a drake Shoveler. Having walked the perimeter, I met up with Bob H and Richard M for a chat on Farborough Bank. While with them, eleven Black Terns came out of no-where but remained in the centre of the reservoir.


Yellow Wagtail


Shoveler


Proud Mum - Mallard


Pied Wagtail


Pied Wagtail


Todays Sightings:

Rook; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Goldfinch; Willow Warbler; Carrion Crow; Wren; Chaffinch; Robin; Great Tit; House Martin; Tufted Duck; Little Ringed Plover; Coot; Mallard; Black Headed Gull; Song Thrush; Pied Wagtail; Great Crested Grebe; Yellow Wagtail; Mute Swan; Chiffchaff; Wheatear; Dunnock; Dunlin; Canada Goose; Skylark; Cormorant; Jackdaw; Gadwall; Blackcap; Magpie; Blue Tit; Garden Warbler; Green Woodpecker; Sparrowhawk; Swallow; Willow Tit; Starling; Common Gull; Moorhen; LBB Gull; Pheasant; Common Sandpiper; Yellowhammer; Shoveler; Teal; Greenfinch; Buzzard; Whitethroat; Linnet; Black Tern.

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2 comments:

  1. ShySongbird22 April 2011 at 13:49

    Lovely photos Kevin, I could only manage rather distant ones, on the bank, of the Yellow Wags.

    Those flies are horrendous and seem to be worse this year, what with flies, fishermen and school holidays I may not visit for a while. Added to that I have been bitten again (as last year) by the vicious Blandford Fly, not I hasten to add at Draycote.

    I also enjoyed your Gibraltar Point photos!

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  2. Kevin Groocock22 April 2011 at 20:04

    Cheers, ShySongbird. I hope the bite is not too bad.

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