Thursday, September 28, 2017

πŸ“– Diary Update #58

πŸ‚ ⛅18C Thursday 28th September 2017 ~ After the overnight rain and the promise of a fine autumnal day I decided to have a few hours at Draycote Water this morning!

Meadow Pipit ~ Several along Farborough Bank
I began with a walk along to Farborough Spit, a few Meadow Pipits along the route, as well as the usual haul of Little and Great Crested Grebes. A Wheater was feeding along the bank and pausing at the spit for a while, just a single Ringed Plover. Bob Hazell told me a little later that he'd recorded at least seven Ruff and a Greenshank here earlier, but they'd obviously moved on by the time I arrived!

Wheatear ~ Farborough Bank

Rock Pipit ~ Farborough Bank
Just prior to reaching the centre on the way back a single Rock Pipit appeared, pausing for a while for a few snaps. From here I decided to walk as far as the Valve Tower, taking some time out at Hensborough Bank. While here an illusive Weasel darted in and out of the rocks but never stayed still long enough for a snap. Two Grey Wagtail on the waterline and a singing Chiffchaff from the treeline. Overhead a few Skylarks passing through and while searching for them a Hobby drifted high, plus a single Swallow, my only hirundine of the day.

A late Hobby ~ Heavily cropped due to the height!
Along Draycote Bank, three noisy Ravens cronked their way past, eight Little Egret and four Buzzards enjoying a thermal in the warm sunshine. Sadly the feeding station was empty, so no Tree Sparrows on this occasion!

Little Egret ~ Firmly established now at Draycote
Spotting Bob in the distance I waited at the Valve Tower so we could walk back to the centre together. On arrival Bob's words 'I presume you've got the Egyptian Goose down their', Erm no says I #oblivious....

#Oblivious
Only a Sparrowhawk to report during our stroll back to the centre, although the elusive Weasel did make another appearance, evidence of how elusive he was below....

Weasel