Bob comes up with the goods

Having arrived at the pond with Dave at 10am the first birds we noted were 3 Black Tern battling against a blustery south westerly wind near e-buoy so contacted Paul C and Bob H who were on site. As we joined Paul he had found 2 Redstarts by the water trough in the field below farborough spit in a mixed flock of birds which included 3 Tree Sparrow and 5 Yellowhammers. Heading back we kept an eye on the reservoir hoping for something to blow in and was just by the fishing platform when Bob rang informing us he had found a Cattle Egret in biggen bay, a first for Draycote. Naturally panic broke out as all we could make out at first was four white blobs in the distance but once we clarified which one we needed to concentrate on then some of its more salient features became obvious – even more so when it was flushed by a fishermen’s boat accompanied by 2 Little Egrets. It flew west along the north shore and dropped down out of sight somewhere near the pool behind the old fishery.

Cattle Egret with Little Egrets by Bob Hazell

We tried looking for the bird in the grandborough valley after learning that it was seen flying off behind the country park but saw nothing of interest. Arrived home just before a beaming Bob arrived to take pictures of a couple of moths Dave and I had overnight. Really pleased for him that his persistence got its just reward after hours of plodding. The bird was relocated at the pond and still present this evening but mobile. Hopefully it will roost.

Ypsolopha sequella

Orange Swift
both by Bob Hazell