31st Dec - grey misty, clearing by midday, but dull, light SW, 8C

A look around Lutterworth country park this morning was quite interesting. A minimum of 12 Magpies were present together, chasing and making a lot of noise, possibly pairing up.  Greenfinch and Goldfinch were present near the road, and two Lesser Redpoll were in a tree near the brook for a short while.  A few Redwing and Fieldfare flew over, one Fieldfare was eating hips on the hedge.  Five Starlings were on the nearby house roofs, with a couple of Collared Doves.  Five Moorhens were on the pool.

This afternoon I had a short walk at Stanford reservoir.  Goosander were busy feeding, I counted 24, they were busy near the edge along which 6 Little Egret were prowling.  Plenty of the other usual duck were present, but new in were two pairs of Red-crested Pochard.  The Long-tailed duck was also busy feeding. I did not see it, but the Smew was also reported present still by another birder.

IN the bushes four Bullfinch were feeding along with a large Long-tailed Tit flock and Goldcrests.  A single Chiffchaff was also seen feeding along the water edge bushes.

Finally, to end the year, while scanning through the gathering Gulls, Pete Asher spotted what he thought was a Mediterranean Gull, sure enough it was a nice winter adult.  Then about 15Linnets came in to roost in the thicket.

39th Dec - Foggy, clearing in some areas, 6C in sunshine, colder in the fog. Light breeze

Decided to go to Stow-on-the Wold to see a Blue Rock Thrush that has been present a week or so, however by the time we left it had not been reported present.  We arrived at 1130h and there was still no reported sighting, it was foggy and cold, so we decided to have a walk around.  After about an hour someone found it at a garden feeder so the word soon got out and a crowd quickly gathered to view through a garden hedge. Its been a considerable number of years since the last UK record.

Here is a few photos I manages to get.

29th Dec - frost last night -4C. Sunny light breeze, 4C

Amother good frost last night leaving hard ground and frozen water, but the sun soon started to take it away and only that in the shadow was left frozen hard.

Things are fairly quiet around the village with the usual species seen, still no new birds coming to the feed station even though we have colder weather.

I had a look at Shawell lagoons this afternoon, a few Gulls were in, but these soon disappeared and very few came back later.  However, over the landfill I could see several thousand gulls in the air above the tip, they were filling-in today so this would attract the Gulls as food would be available.

On the lagoons there were 47 Teal, a drake Gadwall, a female Shoveler and then 190 Wigeon came in and settled.  Two Little Grebes, a Moorhen, a Pied Wagtail and Snipe were also seen and a Buzzard viewed the scene from the top of a bush.

28th Dec - Frost last night -4C, sunny, light breeze (but fog in some areas see below)

This morning two Goldcrests, a Coal Tit and others were busy in the Church yard Yew tree, with the sun shining on the tree many invertebrae/insects must have been active.  A few Fieldfare flew over head, looking splendid against the blue sky.

After lunch i decided to head off to Rutland water to see a Surf Scoter that turned up, near the dam, among Tufted Duck.  The sun shone all the way there until I was about a mile away then I hit fog, the visibility was very poor so thought my chance of seeing the Scoter was low.   Once on the dam the visibility was about 150m, fortunately a flock of Tufted Duck were off shore and visible through the murk and with them the Surf Scoter.  A first winter bird, so the general brown colour did not help clarity in the fog.  I did manage a few 'murky' record photos.

In the fog the temperature stayed low, about 2C, so not surprisingly little else was visible or flying about. A Kestrel flew by and dissappeared in to the fog and a Green Woodpecker called from somewhere behind me.

27th Dec - Night frost, Sunny, becoming cloudy, still, 3C

First thing there were at least 25 Redwings feeding in the sheep pasture in the Perkins area and the Mistle Thrush was on the telegraph wires again.  The Green Woodpecker was calling often close to the village this morning too.

I visited the local lake before lunch, nothing new but plenty of Blue Tits feeding in the Alders, a couple of Goldfinch too and a Long-tailed Tit flock searching the thicket, with a pair of Bullfinch nearby.  The Mute Swam family was on the lake and three Little grebe, apart from Mallard no other duck were present.  A Water Rail was briefly seen in the reeds.

After lunch I was about to leave for Brandon Marsh when I got a message that a Long-tailed Duck was at Stanford reservoir, so I headed off there.  Long-tailed Ducks are scare in the Midlands and very infrequent at Stanford res, this is my first here.  On arrival I scanned the reservoir but could not see it, so I headed closer to the last reported area, another patch birder was the other side looking towards my direction, a quick call to him was able to put me on the bird.  Some good views showed it to be an immature or female in winter plumage.  A little distant for my camera, but I got some record photos.

26th Dec - sunny, light SW, 8C

I visited Pitsford reservoir reserve this afternoon, the water level is quite low with much shore visible, this is surprising being the winter period when it should be full.

Around the shore there were a number of Lapwing, and one Redshank was near the dam. There was a good number of Wigeon on the water, as well as other common duck including Goldeneye, although I did not see any Shoveler,

Three or more Little Egrets were visible and several grey heron, but best of all was four Great White Egrets together in one bay.  To think that only a few years ago this species was a rare visitor to the UK.

A couple of Buzzards and Sparrowhawk were flying over the woods next to the shore.  In the feed station thicket there were Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch and a few Redwing and Fieldfare.

25th Dec - cloudy, some sunny spells in morning, light- moderate SW, 13C

A very mild Christmas Day, although the wind made it feel a little cooler than the temperature actually was.

This morning a check of my feeding station yielded ~25 House Sparrows, 2 Tree Sparrows, a Nuthatch, two Great-spotted Woodpeckers, several Collared Doves, a couple of Chaffinch and a single Yellowhammer plus the usual common Tits, plus one Coal Tit, and corvids.  A Raven flew low along the old railway area southward.  A Few Redwings and Fieldfare flew over between the fields occasionally.

24th Dec - mostly cloudy, light - mod SW wind, 9C

Merry Christmas to you all.

This morning there was a small flock of Redwing feeding on the sheep pasture to the west of the village. Here too, most mornings a single Mistle Thrush sits on the telegraph wires, no doubt one of them that visits the Holly trees in the village.

This afternoon I had a short walk at Stanford reservoir, 10Goosanders were present, plus the usual ducks, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted, 10+Goldeneye, -15 Shoveler and 10 Teal dropped in.  A Snipe was flushed from the muddy path area, only one Little Egret was seen.  Two Little Grebe were out on the water, usually they stay close to the shore.  Only a couple of Fieldfare were seen, and a couple of Song Thrush.  The Long-tailedTit flock included Goldcrest and a Treecreeper.

On the return walk some 36 Linnet flew in to their favourite thicket to roost.

23rd Dec - increasing SW wind, strong gusts, some rain later for a short time, 8C

Storm 'Barbara' swept past the NW during the day, only giving us strong gusty winds during the afternoon and a brief spell of heavy rain, but mild for December.

This morning a Green Woodpecker was present in the church lane, but otherwise most creatures were keeping their heads down.

22nd Dec - night frost, sunny, some cloud pm, 7C, light pm

Well that's the shortest day out of the way, but plenty of winter left yet.

A quick look at the local lake this morning, fairly quite, a couple of Little Grebe, several Mallard and the Mute Swan family were present.  Currently there only a few Redwing and Fieldfare in the area, although now most of the hawthorn berries have been eaten.  

I spent the afternoon at Stanford reservoir, I was hoping the 'redhead' Smew was still present, on first looking over the main reservoir it was not seen so I moved further on.  Scanning again I could see it near a flock of Pochard after watching it for a while i walked further to get closer.  The Smew was still a reasonable distance off but I tried to get to record photos, no very good but with cropping you get it's 'jizz' and can compare its size to a Black-headed Gull and Mallard.  A very infrequent visitor to the reservoir, so a bonus to see here.

All the other expected birds were present, 12 Shoveler were nice to see and a few Goosander were around.  Nice to see were seven Little Egret, the number increasing as the water continues to drop slowly.  A couple of grey heron were hunting too.

Passerine birds seemed fewer, with only a handful of Redwing and Fieldfare, but c35 Tree Sparrows were at the feed station with Blue and great Tits.  A good number of Great Tits were searching through the thick leaf litter under the beeches with a few Chaffinch.  Several flocks of roving Tits were seen, the number of Long-tailed Tits must be in excess of 40 around the reservoir.

21st Dec - mostly cloudy, light SW, 7C

This morning a Great-spotted Woodpecker chased another from the Long spinney over the fields to the west of the village in to the Perkins spinney making quite a lot of noise in the process.

During the afternoon i visited the area near Stanford where the Hen harrier has been spending some time, I did not find it.  However, there is still a good number of Tree Sparrows, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch and a few Yellowhammers still feeding on the game cover area.  A Sparrowhawk flew over and settled in the tree for a while.  A very pale Buzzard sat atop a thorn bush and another was seen flying nearby.  Later on as the sun was going down about 20 Gossander flew over on their way to the reservoir.

20th Dec - mostly a sunny, day, 6C, light breeze

Good to see the sun again, a lovely winters day.

Visited Melton Mowbray market today and got stuck in a traffic queue on the M1 for a long time due to an accident further along, thereby no extra observing time.

I did notice a Mistle Thrush in the central village Holly tree late afternoon, protecting the many berries that remain.

18th Dec - dull, cloud and misty, 8C, light breeze

Visited Stanford res this morning, could have done with some sunshine to cheer the day up.

At lease four Little Egrets were feeding around the waters edge, on the water there were the usual ducks including six Shoveler and seven Goosander. Several Water Rail squealed from the reeds at a couple of locations.  The large Greylag Goose flock was feeding on the adjacent winter wheat field, eventually moving to the reservoir with lots of noise.  Still could not find the Smew that is reported
present.

A party of Tits were feeding in the Willows, including a Treecreeper, no Firecrest today, although it has been seen a few more times by others so it may still be in the area.  Several Chaffinch and Goldinch were feeding in the tops of the Alders.

19th Dec - misty, cloud, dull, 6C, still-very light breeze

About 1000h two Raven flew over home heading to the fields along the Moors lane.  Travelling along there about 1030h a Green Woodpecker flew off in front and three Bullfinches moved along the lane side bushes.

A Kestrel sat on the telegraph wires along the Frolesworth lane toward the village.

16th Dec - pretty foggy/misty until midday, then only a little brighter for a while, 10C, light SW

Very little happening today, on the bird feeders in the paddock two Nuthatches were feeding, a single Coal Tit briefly, plus c25 Hiuse Sparrow, Collared Doves and Jackdaws joining in.  A Mistle Thrush was in the Holly tree again and a Pied Wagtail was flying around.  Very few Redwing and Filedfare seem to be in the immediate village area just at the moment.

15th Dec - cloudy, mist and dull, light SW, 9C

I visited Stanford reservoir this morning to check out if a reported Smew was still present.  However, not long after arrival the local shoot started and this caused many of the ducks to take flight and move around a lot. Slowly, things started to settle down, but the Smew was not located.  There were 24. Goosander present, which is a good number for here, as in recent years the numbers have been declining.  Four Little Egrets were at the in-flow area.

14th Dec - sunny spells, light SW, 12C

Feeeling very mild.  Quite a lot of insect Bout, including some larger flies and Wasp, well above average Dec temp.

Two Mistle Thrush were quarrelling in over the Holly berries on the trees in the village centre, berries still abundant on many Holly and other bushes.

Mid afternoon I went to Stanford near the reservoir where the Hen Harrier has been staying to see if it was still around.  Luckily not long after arriving and walking along the old railway track the Harrier flew past in front of me and continued hunting over the fields.  Hopefully it will stay longer as it must be finding food in the area, hopefully in to the new year.

There were Redwing and Fieldfare along the railway track, on the bird food crop 40+ Tree Sparrows, 10+ Reed Buntings, two Yellowhammers and a few Chaffinch.  Buzzard and a female Kestrel were also hunting over the fields.

13th. Dec - very dull damp start, only brightening later. Light SW, 10C

This morning a flock of about 50 Fieldfare flew over the fields to the east of the village.  Otherwise things were not too showy today.

12th Dec - cloudy, dull, light SW, 9C, occasional light rain

A couple of Bullfinch flew over home early morning.

A visit to Frosleworth manor lake this morning  did not produce the number of finches and Buntings I was expecting on the bird/game cover areas.  Several Reed Buntings were there, but less Chaffinch, Linnet and Yellowhammer.  About 75 Lapwing were flying overhead having been disturbed off the nearby field.  On the lake 12 Tufted Duck and 20 Black-headed Gulls were floating around, a few Coot and Moorhen were also present.  Several flock of Starlings were flying around between the fields and horse paddocks.  A Kestrel was around and seen hovering several times over the rough field areas.  Possible as many as 20Blackbirds were feeding around the lake paths and paddocks.

11th Dec - Mostly cloudy, light SW, 9C

The Sparrowhawk was siting on the bird feeder first thing.  I think the other birds are getting wise to this and appear less frequent here now.

I decided to go on a twitch to see the Dusky Thrush that has been around for a week around an orchard in Beeley, near Chatsworth.  Many birders have been during the week and today was no exception, when I arrived there must haev been about 100 others present.  Apparently it was in a tree and cue flew off to the nearby pasture with Redwings.  Searching through the feeding Redwing it was spotted, but moved behind the hedge, a couple more brief views then it flew off back to the orchard area.  However, more waiting and searching failed to locate it again before I left.  Brief views yes, but still disappointing as on other days it has showed really well.

Also seen in the orchard and pasture area were Blue and Great Tit, a single Coal Tit, Nuthatch and Great-spotted Woodpecker.  Goldfinch, two Lesser Redpoll and a couple of Collared Dove.

10th Dec - cloudy, some mist, rain late afternoon, light SW, 11C

A cock Bullfinch was in the lane allotment hedge this morning.  I pooped to the local lake, it was very quite there.  The Mute Swan family is still present, but very little lease on the lake.  More than eight Long-tailed Tits were in the bushes, with a few other Tits with them.  

After lunch I went to Shawell lagoons, quite a few Gulls were in, but quickly flew off, Carl had seen a Mediterranean Gull there this morning, but long gone.  A Buzzard flew over, this discourages the Gulls a little.  Two Little Grebe were on the south pool, with only a few Tufted Duck for company.

9th Dec - cloudy, but very mild, 15C, wind mod SW

No obs.

Where has winter gone?

8th Dec - cloudy, mild

A day of meeting, sadly.

7th Dec- mod SW, sunny intervals and very mild 12C

Up and out to Musselburgh for a morning birding prior to my meetings.  The tide was in, just beginning to turn.  On the sea there were god numbers of Goldeneye and Eider, six Long-tailed ducks were found, also Red-breasted Merganer were some distance out, except two females which feeding next to the shore and one Velevet Scoter was out on the sea.  Mallard and Wigeon were around the Esk estuary area.  Several Cormorant and Shag were fishing off shore.

A nice selection of waders were on the shore and muscle beds, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew and Oystercatchers.  Also, on the mussel beds there were a lot of Carrion Crow, two Hooded Crow and a Rook.

Linnet and Meadow Pipit were feeding in the grassy margins.

6th Dec - Foggy

A complete wasted day due to my Edinburgh flight delay from last night due to fog.  However, the weather was misaerable in Edinburgh when I eventually got there, so no observations.

5th Dec - mostly cloudy, 4C, light breeze N

Not too much time today. A Sparrowhawk dashed along the village street near the bend late morning. Along the Moors lane a good number of Fieldfare and Redwing were feeding on the bushes.

Off to Edinburgh for a meeting, will try and get out while there.

4th Dec - frost last night, mostly sunny, light easterly, 6C

This morning visited my brother at Theddingworth, a Kestrel was calling over the field there and a Marsh Tit was feeding on the peanut hanger.

At Stanford reservoir this afternoon a juvenile Whooper Swan was present, along with 18 Goosander and 26 Shoveler.  The Wigeon numbers seemed low, but Pochard, Mallard and Tufted Duck were about normal. Two Little Grebe could be heard near the Reed bed, from which two water rail 'squealed'.  Over 100 Greylag Geese feed on the neighbouring winter wheat field.

Several Grey Heron and a single Little Egret were feeding around the edge.

There was the usual roving Tit flock, several Goldcrest but no Firecrest today.  Chaffinch were fairly numerous feeding under the trees and on the cover crop.  Four Reed Buntings were spotted too.

3rd Dec - mostly cloudy, light northery, 7C

I looked at Shawell lagoons this afternoon, there was 163 Lapwings there, may some more have moved down from the north during the recent cold spell.  Otherwise things were a little quite, four Cormorant were among the few Gulls present.    A Fox strutted along the bank side out of view of the birds.  The only Duck were five Tufted, and the south pool was empty apart for two Little Grebe.

At the nearby landfill site there were a few more Gulls, one Herring Gull type had a Lithuanian colour ring on, found by Carl.  I spotted a Black-headed Gull with a colour ring, as yet to find out where it was ringed.  Carl had seen two Caspian Gulls, but these had departed before my arrival there.

2nd Dec - cloudy, dull, mostly still, 9C

No serious obs today.

A Meadow Pipit flew over the village southward late afternoon.

1st Dec - sunny spells, light Northerly, 7C

This morning there were at least 100 Redwing in the wood to the east of the village, with a few Fieldfare.  To the west of the village at 75 Fieldfare were feeding on sheep pasture with -35 Starlings and a few Redwing.

Late afternoon the Nuthatch, Coal Tit and other usual were at the feed station.  While a good number of Thrushes started to come in to roost in the trees and bushes along the old railways track.

30th. Nov - frosty night -5, sunny most of the day, 5C, light breeze

I managed a quick look along the inlet end of Stanford reservoir late afternoon.  In this area there was a reasonable amount of surface ice on the water, just indicating how cold the last two nights have been.

Twelve Goosanders were present, plus the usual other ducks.  The mixed Tit flock was in the usual area, but no Firecrest seen today, instead a couple of Chiffchaff were present.  Several Linnet and Red Buntings were in the bushes and rough area feeding on grass seeds/heads.

29th Nov -night frost -5C, Sunny, 5C

No obs today.  I did see the female Sparrowhawk perched on the garden bird feeder at 0740h this morning.

28th Nov - sunny, light breeze east, 8C

A busy day but I did see two Great-spotted Woodpeckers fly in to the church horse Chesnut at 1530h

27th Nov - broken cloud, light easterly, 8C

Well, today turned out pretty good.  I had a text from Chris to say he had three Common Scoter at Stanford reservoir in the morning, not that scarce in the right place, but we don't see many here, but I did not rush off. Having done my jobs I decided to head off to see them, I decided to go to the dam end and look over the deeper water and then walk down one side, but which side, I decided to walk done the north side as this would let me see the other bays at the lower end.  Anyhow, from the dam I could make out three ducks way out roosting that looked like Scoter.  A I made my way closer they became clearer, females/immature, but they had their heads tucked in and were doing nothing.  Eventually I got clearer views but to far off in the dull-ish weather for a photo.

I continued further to check the bays, Shoveler, Gadwall, Goosander and the other common duck were all present.  I then noticed a roving flock of Long-tailed Tits and other Tits/Goldcrests so decided to check them out thoroughly for a possible Firecrest (we have had them before in the winter).  Whoopee, the second small bird I looked at was a Firecrest - a very smart male, with a super orange central crown stripe.  I texted Chris, fortunately he was nearby and on arrival was also able to see the Firecrest.  This is a great bird to find, the ringers may catch one in their nets, but to find one roaming is really special here.

On the way back a grey Wagtail was foraging on the waterline at the dam, a very smart bird.

For the afternoon I headed off to Brandon Marsh, walking through nHorsetail glade there were some interestingn bracket fungi and another roving flock of Tits/Goldcrest/Treecreer and two Nuthatch was found, but nothing scarce this time.  A number of Chaffinch, Goldfinch and ~8 Siskin were feeding in an Alder tree.

On East marsh plenty of Teal and Shoveler, a male Goldeneye and two Pochard and all the other regulars. At the ted Jury hide a Peregrine was easily visible sitting and preening in the top of the first dead tree, with two Stock Doves in the opposite side of the tree.

 

26th Nov - high cloud, light wind NE, 8C

Last night when driving towards Lutterworth from Gilmorton a Barn Owl rose up from the verge and disappeared over the hedgerow.

This morning there were 16 Collared Doves on the drive at home, a Green Woodpecker called from nearby too. I visited the local lake, there was about 100 Redwing, 10 Fieldfare and at least 20 Blackbirds feeding on the berries and track.  Little else was about, a couple of Goldfinch feeding in the Alder tops, two Bullfinch and Long-tailed Tits, a Jay scalded nearby.  On the lake a single Little Grebe and Tufted Duck were with the Mallard and Mute Swan family.

Shawell lagoons beckoned this afternoon, very few Gulls were present, maybe there had been an earlier disturbance, as they didn't come back, as they usual would do.  Nine Lapwings flew by but did not settle, a single Snipe was feeding by the reeds, 20 Wigeon and a Little Grebe was on the south pool.

Some fungi were spotted near the quarry area.

25th Nov - Sunny, 8C, mod-steady e/NE wind

A lovely sunny day which has got out of the dull and wet spell.

This morning there were seven+ Moorhen in the back field, they have learnt that there is plenty of food around the various chicken and farm pens nearby.
About 0900h nine Lapwing were flying slowly NW past the village.  We have lost our big (1000+) winter Lapwing flocks from this area and rarely see any flying over, although occasionally a feather or two can be found.  Small numbers, a few hundred, do winter a little further away though.

During the afternoon I visited Stanford reservoir hoping to see and maybe get a photo of the Hen Harrier. Initially I walked along the Northants side next to the fallow field so I could see the res and the fields.  I had stopped and was counting and checking the duck when the Hen Harrier flew across the bay in front of me, then over the hedge in to the fallow field, quite good views, but not long enough to get a photo.

On the reservoir the duck numbers were good and the usual species present.  Teal numbers remain high at 24+ and it was nice to see 17 Goosander, only three males though.

Next was to head to the old railway track to view the valley along which the Harrier flies to roost.  I decided to view a field on the south side first (it was reported here the other day).  As I walked along the track a Merlin dashed along the track in front of me then in to the field.  Harrier not there, so I headed back to my usual spot.  At 1542h the Hen Harrier appeared and duly flew past, I managed some quick record photos as the Harrier was 'harried' by a Carrion Crow and flew by quickly.  Just look at the shape and size difference between the two.

24th Nov - cloudy, light NE, 9C

I went to Draycote water this morning to meet the ranger to discuss possible work at Stanford reservoir.  So, while at Draycote I managed to view the water from the bank next to the sailing club.  Just off shore a flock of Tufted Duck also obtained a female Scaup.  A single Dunlin and a few Moorhen were feeding along the shore line.  Out on the water Grant crested and Little Grebes, Cormorant, several Gull species, Coot, Mallard, Goldeneye, Gadwall and a single male Goosander were visible.

Several Redwing and Fieldfare were in the bushes near the car park and Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit were flying around.  Unfortunately I ran out of time to explore further today.

In the village, at 1530h, a Sparrowhawk sat on my garden birdfeeder.

23 Nov - cloudy, mist and dull later, light NE, 8C

No obs today

22nd Nov - cloudy, dull, mist, 6C, light breeze, shower late afternoon

I was surprised to hear several Song Thrushes singing this morning, but then it did feel a little warmer  and not raining, so perhaps they just felt 'good'.

There was 13 Collared Doves in the church Horse Chestnet and a Mistle Thrush was nearby.  A Meadow Pipit flew over to the east.

I visited Stanford reservoir this afternoon, the water level had risen considerably and the bypass was full, the water now very brown.  Four 'redhead' Goosanders were present, plenty of Teal c30, two female Shovele a Litle Egret near the inflow plus the other usual species.  The number of Cormorants present seems to be increasing, 28 were counted, with others likely present out of view.

In a mixed flock of Tits there were several Goldcrest, Treecreeper and a Coal Tit.  Several Water Rail were 'squealing' frequently from the main Reed bed. A Raven was heard calling from nearby.  A couple of Goldfinch were feeding on the weed heads and c15 Linnet were in the same area.

21st Nov - rain all day, heavy pm, ceased 1600h, light NE, 7C

A very wet day with little opportunity to get out and very little else venturing out.

20th Nov - wind and rain through the night. Clearing slowly, Cloudy all day, light N/NW, 5C

After lunch it was dry enough to venture out to Stanford reservoir, as I arrived at the entrance area I stopped to check the Beeches for any Brambling feeding, none present, but a Ring-necked parakeet was in the tree tops calling loudly as they do.

At the reservoir all the usual birds were present, four Shoveler, ~10 Goldeneye, four Teal and the other regulars. Two Little Egret were feeding in the reeded area and several Grey Heron were around.  24 Cormorants were sitting in the trees or fishing.  At least two Water Rail were calling from the main reed bed. Kingfishers seemed to be everywhere, busy chasing each other, not sure how many there was as they are very mobile.

A flock of 16 Long-tailed Tits moved along the hedgerow, with Goldcrest and other Tits mixed in.  At the feed station there were more than 20 Tree Sparrows feeding.  Plenty of Redwing and a few Fieldfare were feeding on the hedgerow berries. Also, at least eight Bullfinch were feeding around the reservoir and a few Reed Buntings were around.

19th Nov Sat - ground frost, sunny am clouding over pm, light W, 5C

A look at the local lake this morning produced all the usual birds, a single Wigeon was with the Mallards. A single Little Grebe was visible, no doubt others were in the reeds.  The Mute Swan family is still present, despite them practicing take-off the other week.  A couple of Jay called from the trees, and a small number of Redwing and Fieldfare were feeding on the bushes.

A look at Shawell lagoons after lunch was disappointing, someone had walked around the perimeter of the pools flushing most Gulls and other birds. Eventually a couple of Snipe came out of the reeds and fed on the mud. Two Wigeon and three Little Grebe were on the south pool and a Green Woodpecker fed on the bank.

The neighbouring small pool held 45+ Teal and 4 Shoveler,

I decided to go and see if the Hen Harrier could be seen near Stanford reservoir, again it seemed generally quite in the area.  Although on the bird/game plot about 30 Tree Sparrows were feeding together with Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, on the cultivated field a small flock of Linnet and about 30 Lapwing were feeding.  Waiting until late small flocks of Starling headed west to their roost site and Gulls over to their roost on the reservoir.  Unfortunately the Hen Harrier was not seen.

18th Nov - grass frost. sunny spells, light SW/W wind, cool 6C

Fairly quite around the village today, a Great-spotted Woodpecker was on the peanuts and a Green Woodpecker was heard this morning.

For the last two days a ringtail Hen Harrier has been seen briefly near Stanford reservoir, also today Whooper Swans were reported there, so it seemed a good idea to explore the area.  Not knowing where the Whoopers were exactly I decided to have a look at he dam end first.  Not there, plenty of the usual birds though, so I moved to the inlet end.  A quick scan and there they were, out on the water, I moved a little closer to view and get some record photos, but not too close to alarm them.  There were seven Whoopers, five adults and two 1st winter birds (born this year).  It has been many, many years since I had seen Whoopers at Stanford reservoir.

I then moved over the lane to view the valley where the Hen Harrier had been seen, my hope was it would fly in on the way to a roost site along the valley.  At 1540 it did fly past, heading along the valley, good views if brief.  I decide to wait in case it should return, whilst doing so, a Peregrine flew over slowly and at 1550h the Whoopers Swans were seen flying eastward and out of view.

So, all together good sightings were had.

17th Nov - high cloud, light SW breeze, 6C

I managed a pre-breakfast walk in Hyde Park, around the western end of the Serpentine and general area.  On the water there were 20+ Shoveler, several Pochard, Tufted Duck, five + Egyptian Geese, Canada and Greylag Geese.  Two Egyptian Geese were perched high on a tree that had been topped another pair were preening around the fountains of the garden area.  Photos were taken with the phone, but you get the picture!!

Two Great-crested Grebe, plenty of Coot, Moorhen, several Cormorant and Black-headed and Lesser black-backed Gulls.  Two Grey Herons were fishing around the edge, under the bushes.

A foraging flock of Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits, with Goldcrest were in the bushes, a single Song Thrush was by the bridge and several Blackbird were feeding.  A Mistle Thrush flew over the parkland and another nearby was singing.

A Gren Woodpecker was heard calling and the, now, inevitable Ring-necked Parakeets were around calling noisily.

16th Nov - sunny spells 13C

Had to be in London for meetings all day, no chance of any obs.  Hopefully a pre-breakfast walk in Hyde Park tomorrow if weather reasonable.  Let's wait and see.

15th Nov Tues - cloudy, light rain shower pm, light S/SW, mild 14C

I popped to Stanford res this afternoon, it was a bit dull and misty with some light rain for a short while, but pleasantly mild.
The number of Goosanders has increased to 12 and 10 Goldeneye were seen.  Slowly a shore is appearing as the water level is allowed to drop for some planned maintenance work, this means that the number of Herons is increasing with several around, and two Little Egrets today.  The last time the water level went very low it became very busy with tens of these two species present for the easy fishing.  We shall see what happens this time.  The usual duck species were seen, three Teal, only one Shoveler drake though and two Little Grebe.

The roving Tit flocks were about as usual, while looking through one flock in the trees over head a Chiffchaff showed well, another species benefiting from our mild recent winters.   More Redwing were feeding on the Hawthorn bushes today, with a few Fieldfare, Blackbird and Song Thrushes.  Two Kingfishers were seen and heard dashing along the waters edge.

14th Nov - cloudy, light SW breeze, mild 13C

I checked what was coming to the feed station late morning, single Coal Tit, Nuthatch and Tree Sparrow, about 20 House Sparrrows, several Great and Blue Tits, Chaffinch, Jackdaws and a couple of Magpie.  Five Greenfinch were around and sometimes feeding, a male Bullfinch was eating Blackberries on a nearby bramble in the hedge.

It became noticeable that a steady stream of Redwing and some Fieldfare were flying in from the north, most were resting in the Ash saplings along the old railway track.  Flying over the paddock were Collard Doves, a Pied and Grey Wagtsil. A Mistle Thrush flew in to the church Yew tree.

After lunch I made a visit to the local lake, fairly quiet, except a possible missed sighting.  I was peering through the willows, not to disturb anything on the water, when a fairly large brown bird rose from the reeded area at the inlet and flew low away from me, seemingly settling in the reeds a little further to my right.  I had very poor, brief, partial views and did not identify it, but I do wonder if it was a Bittern!
A flock of Long-tailed Tits were feeding, with several Bullfinch calling. A single Little Grebe was seen, the Mute Swan family still, the juvs becoming whiter now.  Two Jays were noisy in the hedge nearby.

13th Nov - Sunny, light SW/W breeze, 11C

Waxwing had been reported for a couple of days in Loughborough, and again this morning.  As none have yet been reported  close to me in Warks, I decided the 35 mins trip up the M1 would be worth it.  On arrival the news was that 4 Waxwing had been flushed by a Sparrowhawk from the Rowan in the Iceland store car park, so I decided to wait.  After about 40  mins one was spotted atop a tree across the road looking down at the Rowan and occasionally calling.  I managed some reasonable photos, such a great looking bird I have included several pics.

There were more reports of Waxwing in Leicestershire today, so soon some should be found in Warks.

While waiting for the Waxwing other birds were seen in the town area, these included Grey and Pied Wagtail on the roofs, A flock of Long-tailed Tits, with Blue and Great Tits. House Sparrow and Wren in garden bushes, two Goldfinch and Corvids over and on roofs - Carrion Crow, Rook, Magpie and Jackdaw  A Sparrowhawk spent sometime circling low over town, occasionally diving at the feral pigeon, without success.

I visited Stanford reservoir during the afternoon, the usual birds were present including a Chiffchaff, a Raven over south, plenty of Redwing and Fieldfare feeding.  Wildfowl highlights included 224 Greylag (highest count for quite awhile), Goosander 8, Teal 3, Pochard c30 as well as Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Mallard.  A Kingfisher was watched, a single Little Egret fed along the reeds, two Grey Heron.

12th Nov - wet and windy night. Light rain am, slowly clearing pm, 8C, light S breeze

The wet weather, and mist later made the day very quite.  I wanted to count the duck etc at Shawell lagoons and sand pit for the WeBs survey, Carl usual does this but he is away.

This afternoon, in the drizzle, the first stop was Shawell sandpit, here there was on 18 Teal and a single Moorhen.  Next to the lagoons, very few gulls, but some of all the usual species including 35 Great black-backed Gulls.  A small number of Mallard and Tuffted. Duck were present and 54 Lapwing were on the shore, two Snipe were feeding near the reeds.  The Fox decided to have an amble over the shore area, most birds ignoring it unless it got too close for them.

Then some loud noise and commotion as about 40 Canada Geese flew in, these were quickly followed by a good number of Wigeon, these likely had been disturbed from another water somewhere locally, eventually I counted 185 Wigeon.

11th Nov - mostly sunny, light SW, 8C

Early morning a couple of Great-spotted Woodpeckers attended the peanut feeder in the garden and at least 15 Collared Doves were flying around.

This morning I took a walk along the old railway track near South Kilworth, it has a good area of rough and bird food/cover crops.  At least 40 Tree Sparrows were feeding there, along with Chaffinch, Reed Bunting and a few Linnet.  One of the Tree Sparrows perch up nicely on a Hawthorn bush.

Two Bullfinch were in the thick bushes along the track, along with a good number of Fieldfare and Redwing.  A couple of Buzzard were flying and calling over head, while a Kestrel was hunting on the fields.

Late afternoon quite a few Redwing were feeding on the Church Yew tree, the sunshine was encouraging quite a bit of subdued sone too.  At my feed station, still only two Tree Sparrows, but about  15 House Sparrow.  A Nuthatch, Coal Tit and two Great-spotted Woodpeckers paid a visit too. A couple of Chaffinch, but no Yellowhammers, maybe the generally good weather of the autumn so far is allowing birds to find food all around, certainly the bushes still are loaded with berries and the fallen apples under the trees are not attracting the number of birds as I would expect.

10th Nov - occasional shower, mostly cloudy, 9c, light NW

I made a visit to Stanford reservoir this morning, shooting nearby was causing some disturbance, but still plenty about.  The female Scaup was still present, diving off the main Reed bed.  The other usual ducks were present and four Little Grebe were out on the water.  In the reed bed, two Water Rail were 'squealing'.  A bird flew over and caught my attention, it was a male Peregrine Falcon, it disappeared behind the adjacent wood.

Near the inlet there was at least 300 Fieldfare and along the by-pass bushed about 70 Redwings were feeding.  Plenty of Long-tailed Tits were around roving the trees and bushes, along with them were Goldcrest and Treecreepers, although I could not find a Chiffchaff today.

After lunch I had to pop in to Lutterworth, so I decided to have a quick look at the country park area, really with the thought of potential Waxwing here or on the nearby estate which has a variety of food trees.  The thick hedgerow on the northern boundary is very good as it has a variety of food bushes, trees, including apples.  At least 12 Blackbirds were there, a few Redwings and plenty of Tits and Finches.  There is a small pond area too, which is reed fringed, three Moorhen and Mallard pair were visible and two Water Rail were calling from reed cover - I was not expecting that.

9th Nov - rain last night, clearing, cloudy cool dull morning, slowly clearing, 4C

About 1130h two Ravens were flying low and calling just east off the village.

Three Mistle Thrush were feeding and squabbling in the church Yew tree early afternoon.

8th Nov - Frosty night, sunny, clouding over 4C, light breeze W

The other day I mentioned I heard two Ring-necked Parakeets at Stanford reservoir, well today Chris Hubbard, who lives in the nearby village saw this bird on his feeder this morning.  So, I did not image it.

Ring-necked Parakeet (thanks to Chris Hubbard)

I visited Stanford reservoir this morning, all the usual birds were seen, new birds included a Little Egret flying over and later feeding in the reeds, two male Goosanders in the bay and a Chiffchaff calling in the willows.

I had good views of a Cetti's Warbler as I surveyed the water, feeding in the reeds and then singing nearby.  Plenty of Redwing and Fieldfare were feeding on the bushes or the adjacent fields, one field held 26 Lapwing and four Stock Doves feeding.

7th Nov - touch of frost, sunny morning, becoming cloudy, light NW, cool, 6C

A Heron flew over the village first thing, probably doing the local ponds, seen again a little later.  There seemed to be more Redwing around locally today and a small number of Fieldfare.   A couple of cock Pheasant were feeding near the wood to the east.

6th Nov - touch of frost, cloudy cold NW, 6C, cold shower (3C) early pm, dull at times

I had a quick look at Shawell lagoons this morning, very few Gulls, as is often the case when the nearby landfill is non-operative.  However, made up for by my first Goosander for this site, a female, along with 18 Wigeon.  Four Cormorants were present and a single Snipe was resting near the reeds and a Pied Wagtail was feeding nearby.  The Green Woodpecker flew past calling urgently, a Blackbird gave alarm and dived in to cover both were disturbed by a Sparrowhawk.  A Fox was on the shoreline again.

Back to Stanford reservoir this afternoon.  Duck numbers were up today, with a good number of Gadwall, Shoveler, 9 Teal, 7 Goldeneye, 50+ Tufted Duck, c200 Wigeon, the 3 Scaup were seen briefly as they flew along the reservoir and probably left, but a new arrival was a single drake Red-crested Pochard, seen in the murky photo due to the weather conditions

A Snipe flew around over head and two Grey Herons were present today.  Plenty of Long-tailed Tits and several Goldcrests were around, but generally the cold wind was keeping small birds out of sight.  Another Muncjac briefly showed on the track.

5th Nov - cloudy, feeling cold, NW light/mod wind, 9C

This morning I had a quick look around the local lake, The main hope being that the food bushes may be attractive to Waxwings.  A good number have made their way to the east coast over the last week or two and some are now spreading across the country.  Of course most years we don't get many, if any, so this year we need to keep searching our Midland areas.   From there I moved to Lutterworth country park, again, an area planted with possible food trees.  Needless to say, neither location held Waxwings, but early days.

During early afternoon I visited Shawell lagoons, fewer gulls than hoped for, a lot were on local fields and also a Fox was wandering around the shore line.  When I arrived Carl, who had been there awhile, told I had just missed a Caspian Gull, I had to settle to see his photos.  Generally, the
Lagoons were fairly quite.  A Green Woodpecker did put in an appearance but little else.

I have just had the ringing details of a Lesser Black-backed Gull I spotted at Shawell late October.  It was ringed as a nesting adult at Orfordness (Suffolk) on 8th June 2011, since then reported in 2012 and 2015 at the same site, then my record at Shawell this year.   So at least five years old and showing some summer/nest site fidelity.  Does it stay the whole winter in the UK or move south, only more sightings will tell.

4th Nov - cloudy, very light shower early, then sunny spells, light SW, 9C

There were 10 Collared Doves in and under the church Horse Chestnut, this is the largest number I've seen for quite a while.  Some years ago the number seen around the village took a tumble, and possibly only a pair lingered, but the last couple of years or so the number has been increasing again.

This afternoon I went back to Stanford reservoir to see the Scaup again, alas they were not there.  In fact all duck numbers were down compared to yesterday, all the usual's were present.  A couple of Little Grebe were visible, half hiding in the reeds.  Kingfishers were dashing about along the waters edge and a grey Heron was hunting.  The Water Rails were particularly noisy, it seemed that almost every patch of reed heard at least one.

Two Great spotted and a single Green Woodpecker were seen, Chaffinch were numerous, a couple of Greenfinch and Goldfinch were around while a single Lesser Redpoll flew over head and continued by.

3rd Nov - Grass frost, sunny spells, clouding over later and dull afternoon, light SW 9C

This morning I visited Stanford reservoir which proved interesting.  A Water Rail was showing on the dam, but soon shot in to cover two  others were 'squealing' in the main Reed bed.

I could hear the calls of two Ring-necked Parakeets in nearby trees near the old sandpit, but could not see them from my viewpoint.  This is the first time I have recorded them here, their slow spread from the south (London area) is continuing.

Out on the water there was plenty of Wigeon today, four Teal, 10 Shoveler, one female Pontail, c20 Pochard, four Goldeneye, then I spotted Scaup, in fact three. These are not common here and often short stayers, it looked like a female and two juv/first winter females.

A Kimgfisher dashed by, a Grey Heron flew off while both Pied and Grey Wagatail were flying about.  A small number of Redwing and Fieldfare were feeding on the bushes.  Many Long-tailed Tits, with Goldcrests were roving about.

A few Gulls were on the water, mostly Black-headed and some Herring, on top of the withdraw tower stood a Yellow-legged Gull.

I also spotted a couple of fungi growing, one in the grass the other a bracket fungus on a old tree stump.

2nd Nov - Grass frost, Sunny start, sunny periods later, light NW, 10C

The Sparrowhawk zoomed over the paddock first thing, doing its garden feeder rounds.  Mid-day I heard Buzards calling above, and looking up could see one performing a territory display flight warning the other to stay away.

Early afternoon c40 Fieldfare were feeding on Hawthorn berries, west of the village.

I took a look at Shawell lagoons mid-afternoon, there were hundreds of Gulls in, as the following photos show. In the first photo there are two Caspian Gulls, a 1st and a 2nd winter, but you won't spot them, nor the three Snipe in the third photo close to the reeds.  75 Lapwings flew in and joined the Gulls.  The majority of Gulls were Lesser-black Backed, followed by Black-headed, then Herring.  About 30 Great-black backed, a few Common and a single adult Yellow-legged Gull.

On the south pool there were Wigeon, Tufted Duck and four Little Grebe.  Then some Grey Lag Gesse and one Canada Goose flew in to the north pool.

1st Nov 2016 - cloud, fog and light drizzle clearing but remaining cloudy and dull, light NW, 9C

A new month and the weather has turned cool and 'proper' autumn.  A massive fall of leaves last night and during today was very noticeable.

Little time today for observing.

A Sparrowhawk dashed over the paddock and passed the church late afternoon.

31st Oct - Foggy start, becoming sunny and very warm, 17C, very light SW/Still

An incredibly mild, mostly sunny day which is most rare for the last day of October.  Jackdaws and Starling were having a great time hawking insects over the village.

I popped in to Frolesworth manor lake this morning.  At the game cover a number of finches and buntings were present and their numbers will build as winter progresses, also several Tree Sparrow were present.  On the neighbouring field were c75 Lapwing.  Very little was on the lake, it contains a very small island which has been taken over by a large blackberry bush, right at the top of this was a Moorhen eating ripe blackberries, I managed a (poor due to the light) photo before it dropped in to the bush.

  The afternoon saw a trip to Brandon Marsh.  There was plenty of Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Mallard and Gadwall, a single drake Goldeneye and Great-crested Grebe on the east marsh.  A Little Grebe from the Carlton hide and at the bottom hide a Green Sandpiper was heard calling in flight.  A Grey Heron flew in and settled.

In the trees six+ Stock Doves were sitting, a Kestrel settled on the marsh post for a while.  Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrest and Treecreeper were heard, then a Chiffchaff heard calling in the willows.  A great-spotted Woodpecker flew over and several Fieldfare and Redwings were seen.  Water Rail called from the reeds in a couple of places and a Cetti's Warbler burst in to song.

Next to one path there was an old (Ash) stump that had a fantastic grouping of different fungi on it.  I've not identified them yet, but they looked great and can be appreciated as is.

Another fungus was spotted along the path.

The autumn colours could be appreciated today as the sunny made them stand out, here is a view across Brandon marsh reed bed.  I did see a butterfly going away from me, possibly a Small tortoiseshell.

Finally, back at the village at 1725h (nearly dark now we have put the clocks back) a Tawny Owl flew on to the church roof cross and called a few times, another answered it, before flying off.