Ditchford WeBs

Hello

The first part of today was taken up completing a WeBs count at Ditchford Gravel Pits. In breezy but sunny conditions, large numbers of dragonflies and butterflies were on the wing, the best perhaps being quite a number of Clouded Yellow butterflies. Seven species of raptor included two Hobby, three Peregrine and a juvenile Marsh Harrier heading west. A pair of Egyptian Geese with eight goslings was a nice surprise, and a brood of Tufted Duck were noted too. A family party of Cetti's Warblers with just-fledged youngsters were a treat and a Willow Tit was the first recorded here for many long years. Waders were poorly represented with just a Common Sandpiper and three Oystercatchers but there were at least nine Kingfishers whizzing around. Other birds included four Little Egrets and about half a dozen Grey Wagtails.

At Pitsford Res this evening, the gull roost provided two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls and three adult Yellow-legged Gulls. The Common Scoter was still present just north of Pintail Bay and the pair of Ruddy Shelduck flew in with the geese. Other birds included singles of Little Egret and Common Sandpiper.

Regards

Neil M

Egyptian Geese

Hobby

Peregrine

Common Tern

Female Banded Demoiselle

Greylags

Pitsford Res from the
yacht club looking towards
Holcot church