Tuesday 28 April 2009

April 28th

An unusually large flock of about 40 Bar tailed Godwit flew high east over the main pool at 9:45. Not only does this record represent only the second record of the species at the site as far as I am aware, but is one of the largest groups to ever be recorded in Warwickshire. A Yellow Wagtail flew over the eastern end of the main pool at 9am. Also noted this morning were 3 Gadwall and at least 7 Swift.
L Johnson...

Saturday 25 April 2009

April 25th

1 Arctic Tern dropped in to the main pool during a heavy shower @ 9:00 and was still present until 9:30 at least. 3 Common Tern flew through at 8:30. The showers also brought down a Swift and a Yellow Wagtail flew west over the main pool at 9am. Also noted were 2 Gadwall.
L Johnson...

Late Morning:
6 Swift, 2 Oystercatcher
K Wimbush...

Friday 24 April 2009

April 24th

The first Swifts of the year were present this morning, with 2 over the western end until 10am. A common Tern flew high south over the main pool mid morning, and a Common Sandpiper was present on the north shore. Other species noted were 7 RL Partridge and 5 Gadwall.
L Johnson...

Thursday 23 April 2009

April 23rd

Once again there was very little of note (especially given the time of year). The only new migrant was a rather silent Lesser Whitethroat, which was being harassed by Blackcaps at the eastern end. This addition to the site year list now brings this years total to 100 species so far. Other species of note were 1 Curlew, which flew south over the main pool at 8:30 and a Kingfisher.
L Johnson...

Tuesday 21 April 2009

April 21st

The site was very quiet this morning, with the only exception being someones escaped Cockatiel which circled the car park calling for several minutes before flying off south. The only other birds of note were 2 Oystercatcher which flew over mid morning and a Whitethroat.
L Johnson...

Monday 20 April 2009

19th April

2 Little Gulls were present in the evening.
D Galletly...

Friday 17 April 2009

April 17th

2 Yellow Wagtail were present briefly early morning at the western end before flying off west. Shelduck were up to 4 and Gadwall to 7. With large movements of Little Gulls and Arctic terns over the last two days, it is interesting that none have been recorded at the site, dispite several observers visiting at regular intervals on both days and the sites good track record for both species.
L Johnson...

Late update for 12th April

A Common Sandpiper was present in the morning. This represents the first for the site this year.
P Forbes...

Thursday 16 April 2009

April 16th

After a few days away I was hoping that some more migrants would have arived, however the site was relativley quiet this morning. 2 Shelduck were again present on the main pool along with a drake Shovler and 3 Gadwall (2 drake). There were good numbers of Swallows brought down by the rain but very few Martins and no sign of any Terns (dispite some passage through other Midland sites yesterday and today).
L Johnson...

April 15th

A late 2nd summer Common Gull was present in the afternoon
Many observers...

Saturday 11 April 2009

April 11th

A Sandwich Tern arrived from the west at 6:40. After flying around the centre of the res and settling on one of the bouys, the bird flew off north west at 7:10. The first Redshank to be recorded at the site this year was present early morning at the western end, along with 2 White Wagtail. A probable Mealy Redpoll was present for just a few minutes high in trees along the streamline before flying off east. Also noted this morning were Little Owl, 5 Shovler (4 drake), 2 Shelduck and 4 Gadwall (3 drake).
L Johnson...

Wednesday 8 April 2009

April 9th

2 Shelduck were present again at the eastern end of the main pool briefly early morning. A Peregrine flew east mid morning, and a Willow Tit was noted around the small pool.
L Johnson…

April 8th

Numbers of warblers had increased again this morning with Willow Warblers up to 4 and Blackcap to 5, whilst Chiffchaff numbers are now around 10. 1 House Martin, 1 Swallow and just 3 Sand Martin were present. Other species noted were 6 RL Partridge, Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher.
L Johnson…

April 7th

The first Willow warblers of the year were present, with 3 around the main pool, along with 4 Blackcap. 30 Golden plover flew north early morning, whilst a single Curlew flew south. Small numbers of House Martins and Swallows dropped in during a shower with around 50 Sand Martin. A drake Gadwall was also present.
L Johnson…

Friday 3 April 2009

April 3rd

Although long overdue, the first House Martin to be recorded on site this year was present for just 5 minutes over the main pool early morning. Another male Blackcap was singing in the car park, however there was no sign of the original two birds. A pair of Shelduck were at the western end of the main pool again mid morning. Also noted were RL Partridge, 4 Swallow and a Sand Martin.
L Johnson...

Thursday 2 April 2009

April 2nd

Arrived mid morning, after being side tracked by a long over due Warwickshire (and tame valley) tick. After plenty of movement yesterday through Draycote, I was hoping the res might have something a little more unusual this morning. A Curlew circled the main pool at 9:20. 1 swallow, 2 Sand Martin and 40 Fieldfare flew north. Other species noted were Blackcap, Reed Bunting and 3 RL Partridge. Alas not even 1 Black necked Grebe, you would have thought we could have borrowed 1 of the Draycote 7 for the day, even the 1 that hadn't finished moulting yet would have done!
L Johnson...