Draycote Water :: 17 October 2015

After a frustrating morning had a relaxed stroll around Draycote Water. The cool breeze was quite a contrast to the last time I was there. Having no coins for parking I was forced to visit the shop and buy a Twix - my story and I am sticking to it. Charms of goldfinch and flocks of meadow pipit on the grass slopes near the main visitor centre started the visit off well. On the water there were great congregations of tufted ducks, great-crested grebe and coot; later I was to find some of this was due to Toft Shallows being almost dry, most visible when viewing from the hide.

Never have I seen so many little grebes, in singles and in groups of up to 10. Only my second green woodpecker of the year was seen through the railings into the water treatment facility on the far side from the Visitor Centre. Met Sarah and Jeremy Vasey at the halfway point for a short chat - nice to bump into people in unexpected places.

Turned out to be a good decision to go but unfortunately didn't see the rock pipit or common sandpiper. Maybe moved on or just keeping out of my way.

Sightings (32) included: mallard, mute swan, tufted duck, meadow pipit, reed bunting, blue tit, goldfinch, blackbird, pied wagtail, dunnock, robin, starling, little grebe, woodpigeon, cormorant, carrion crow, great-crested grebe, black-headed gull, magpie, great tit, long-tailed tit, lesser black-backed gull, green woodpecker, little egret, grey heron, common gull, rook, moorhen, teal, wren, canada goose and greylag goose.