The low water level at Daventry Country Park revealed lots of lovely mud so perhaps no surprise that a few waders were seen! A couple of Green Sandpiper (pictured above) and three, maybe four, of the smaller Common Sandpiper (pictured below). The shores were buzzing with wildfowl; plenty of Canada Goose with a couple of Greylag too, Grey Heron, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, female Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler. Also large numbers of Black-headed Gull, quite a few Lesser Black-backed Gull and a few Common Gull. Walking around the reserve we spotted a couple of Grey Wagtail, Great Crested and Little Grebe. Very few passerine seen, just a Robin, Blackbird and Song Thrush. Just the one butterfly observed – a Large White; ditto Dragonfly – a Migrant Hawker. Fungi are appearing now with large clumps of both Shaggy Parasol and Dryad’s Saddle spotted in the woods. As we enjoyed a cuppa and a snack at the café a sign that Autumn was well and truly with us as a few Swallow flew over heading south back to Africa.
Bruce White
