31st March - slight ground frost, sunny periods, light breeze W, 13C

Early on, a Raven flew past the village, occasionally calling, while two Mistle Thrushes were heard singing and. Green Woodpecker kept calling loudly.

22 Fieldfare were feeding on pasture to the east of the village, and a Jackdaw poked its head out of a hole in an Ash tree which no doubt contains its nest.

30th March - slight ground frost last night, chilly start, becoming sunny, 12C

A busy day, but managed to check out the feed station, while doing so a Swallow flew over and around the village, to see one at the village in March is early.

At the feed station there was at least 7 Yellowhammers, 4+ Chaffinches,  several Greenfinch, 2Tree Sparrows, Great, Blue and a single Coal Tit.  A male Great-spotted Woodpecker fed on the nuts, with several Jackdaws making raids and spilling plenty of the food.  Three Buzzards conducted display and courtship flights overhead and a Green Woodpecker called nearby, a male Bullfinch flew in to the top of the church Horsechestnet, called awhile, then flew off.  

In the evening I made a brief visit to the local reservoir to see infamy waders were in, there was not.  However, I did count 29 Goldeneye present still and a Cetti's Warbler sang a few times.

I returned via a favourite Little Owl tree stump and luckily it was perched right on the top, half dozing.

A Robin has been seen around the big hay/straw bales for a few days, these bales are currently being used, so I investigated and found it has a nest with 3 eggs.  Fortunately, we are able to leave the bale with the nest undisturbed now we know, so hopefully there will be a successful outcome.

29th March - sunny spells, light SW wind, showers later, 9C

A flock of c40 Starlings and ~30 Fieldfare were feeding on pasture first thing.

A male Sparrowhawk flew over the Lutterworth bypass mid-morning.

Mid-afternoon a flock of Filedfare headed south over the village.

I released a Peacock  butterfly from a shed window, it may have over wintered in the shed.  I also spotted a Ladybird in the garden during the afternoon.

28th March - mod-strong gusty westerly, rain until late morning, sunny spells pm, max 10C

Storm 'Katie' passed through over night and this morning bring strong winds and lots of rain from the SW, cool too.  Ideal for birds turning up inland that are not usually seen.

A small flock of Redwing were feeding along a hedge in the rain and wind first thing.

Late morning when the weather had eased I decided to pop-out to Shawell lagoons to see if the injured Iceland Gull had survived, it had and looked quite healthy.  On scanning one pool closer I spotted two dark small ducks, these were a male and female Common Scoter, probably here due to the weather, I managed a couple of record photos.

Other birds present included a single lapwing, a Great-crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebes, 2 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Green Woodpecker and a Bullfinch pair.

The bird highlights of an afternoon visit to the local reservoir included my first Swallow and House Martin of the year, and a single Sand Martin.  There were 12 Goldeneye and 3 Goosander on the very choppy water. I counted 40 Mute Swans, most are non breeding immatures and 41 Greylag Geese.  A small number of Redwing were feeding under the hedge for shelter, a Bullfinch pair, a single Goldfinch, 3 Stock Doves and single Grey Heron flew over.  A kestrel was battling the wind to hunt.

27th March - sunny spells with a fresh SW wind, 9C

A small number of Redwing and Fieldfare were around this morning.  Typically, here I see Redwings until mid-April and Fieldfare a little later, the latest being early May.

Mid- afternoon a Red Kite was flying over house gardens at North Kilworth.

Two Mistle Thrush, presumably a pair, flew over Montilo lane next to the cottages.

26th March- cloudy, spots of rain am, wind SW increasing, late strong gusts and heavy showers, 9C

Checked at Shawell lagoons for the injured Iceland Gull, it was on the bank, clearly can not fly any distance.  So, its chances of survival is not good, we shall see.
A Sand Martin flew by a couple of times while there, my first of the Spring, otherwise most the usual birds were present.

25th March - sunny, some patchy cloud mid afternoon onward, breeze/light wind NW/W, max 14C

An early visit to the local lake did not produce as much as I expected.  Plenty of Little Grebe 'trilling' and one collecting nest material, I could see 5 adults in total.  A pair of Bullfinches were present, with the male giving song.  Yellowhammer, Chaffinch and Skylarks were all singing on the neighbouring fields.
As I waited, quiet and still, I noticed a Fox walking along the path towards me, I waited, camera ready, as it came in to full view I was able to get a quick photo before it went under cover.  No doubt it has cubs somewhere and is looking for food.

Next stop was Shawell lagoons, for gulls and a possible an early Little Ringed Plover.  On the middle bank I noticed the juvenile Iceland Gull, the same one as the previous visit.  However, all was not well as one wing was damaged and hanging, touching the ground, see photo, center front bird.  I assume it can still fly, but its prospects are not good in this state. I did not see it fly while I was there.

Unfortunately, no LRP today, but the Shelduck pair were present again. a male bullfinch and green Woodpecker added colour.

The local reservoir during the afternoon was visited next, much quieter than I expected, but with effort some 45 bird species were found.  My first butterflies of the Spring, a Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell were spotted too.

On the water, some 60 Wigeon were still here, a single drake Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, c25 Goldeneye, 4 Goosanders, 20 Pochard and numerous Tufted Duck.  Around the reservoir there was a Treecreeper, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, 22 Fieldfare and 2 Redwing.  Goldcrest, one singing, several pairs of long-tailed Tits, 20+ Tree Sparrows, Linnets and Bullfinches were seen.  4 Meadow Pipits and singing Skylarks on the adjacent fields.

The 'white' Chinese Goose (farmyard) was still present, I wonder where this came from!

24th March - cloudy am, light rain mid-day onwards, becoming breezy from SW, 9C

The high that has been stationary over the UK is slowly on the move today and we will be soon back to the usual SW weather systems coming in from the Atlanic.  Hopefully, this change will trigger migration to pickup.

Otherwise another similar day to the last few.  Three Buzzards were up, circling and calling at 0730h to the east of the village.
~25 Fieldfare and a couple of Redwing move south alittl economy later.
18 Common Gulls were feeding on the pasture and a single Meadow Pipit flew over south, calling as it went.

23rd March - cloudy, dull, 9C

The usual birds around, although I did hear a Meadow Pipit early morning that may indicate some migration going on.  Still no Chiffchaff heard locally yet.
A mixed flock of ~20 Redwing and ~10 Fieldfares were seen around the fields and flying over the village during the day.

22nd March - high cloud, light breeze NE, occ sunny spell, 10C

First thing a Mistle Thrush was singing, this time from the long spinney to the south of the village and a Green Woodpecker called several time.

Late morning ~ 10 Redwings were feeding on the pasture behind the church, with a single Fieldfare flying over.  Early afternoon 11 Fieldfare flew over low south, then a little later about 20 came back and settled in the tree top near the old railway-pixel paddock.

21st March - sunny start, clouding over and cool NE light breeze, 8C

About 15 Redwings were around the fields and old railway first thing. The charm of Goldfinch, ~10, flew over the village too.
Late afternoon; a few more Redwing a single Fieldfare flew over the village.

Two Mistle Thrushes were showing a lot of interest in a particular tree, continually 'climbing' around where the the truck splits in to several boughs, a possible nest site?  But then I was puzzled as a further 2 Mistle Thrushes appeared from the ground, with lots of agitated noise from them,  they all flew off north, two later returning to the top of the Holly tree, still noisy,  so I'm not really sure what they were all doing, I'll keep an eye on the area though.

20th March - cloudy, a few sunny spells during the day, light NE breeze/wind, feeling slightly warmer 10C

This afternoon I visited the local reservoir as I have not been for a couple of weeks.  On the water there were 10 Goosanders, c15 Goldeneye, 2 Teal, c25 Pochard a good number of Tufted Duck and Mallard.  A pair of Oystercatchers flew along the reservoir, hopefully these will stay and breed, 6 Snipe were flushed from the edge and a single Dunlin, in winter plumage, was on the dam.

A small flock of Greylag  and 2 Canada Geese were present, also a large white 'farmyard' Goose has turned up. A Grey Heron hunted the reed edge and 10 Cormorants were feeding or resting in the trees.

A Tawny Owl 'hooted' during the mid-afternoon, not that unusual. On the adjacent game cover there were ~6 Linnets, 10 Red Buntings and 3 yellowhammers.  Around the reservoir I found 5 pairs of Long-tailed tits and two Bullfinch pairs. Four Stock Dove were at the feed station with 30+Tree Sparrows.

On the pastures next to the inlet there was ~20 Fieldfare, 5 Redwings and 50 Starlings feeding with a good number of Jackdaws too.  The Rooks were very noisy in their Rookery nearby

At the outlet weir a male Grey Wagtail fed actively.

19th March - cloudy, dull, cool light NE, 7C

First some of the lambs that we have now in the fields, and the ones the Fox was looking at the other day.  This morning, although not sunny, some 80 in a group were running and skipping, they must know the Spring equinox is here.

This morning first thing Redwings were chattering away again and later feeding on pastures, although Fieldfare seem absent at the moment.

Mid-morning a Cormorant flew past the village to the east and at least 10 Goldfinch were around again.  Two were sitting in the church Horse Chestnut and one singing, a favorite tree for them to nest in.

This afternoon it was back to Shawell lagoons for another look for the Iceland gull.  This time I was not disappointed, on arrival it was quickly spotted on the water by the middle bank which it often walked up and then preened.  Some record photos were made of this juvenile Iceland Gull. These breed in Greenland and North Canada (not Iceland), so it has made a considerable journey to be in the Midlands.

Also present today was a single Pied and Grey Wagtail, a Snipe, 3 Little Grebe and the Shelduck pair.

Spring migrants are returning now, soon Little-ringed Plover and Sand Martin should be present, some have already been seen in a few places in the country.

18th March - little fog first, cloudy, dull, occasional light drizzle, light NE breeze, 6C

First thing there were quite a few Redwings chattering/ sub singing on the old railway until the fog cleared.  Two Green Woodpeckers were calling frequently too.

Three Mistle Thrushes were in dispute in the church Yew tree.

During the afternoon I made a visit to Shawell lagoons, hoping the Iceland Gull would be present, it has been seen a couple of times this week.  There was, maybe, 1000+ gulls present and more over the landfill, unfortunately I did not find the Iceland during my visit.  A large number of Black-headed Gulls were in, the most I have seen there recently.  The other day there was an adult Mediterranean Gull present too, hopefully it will return another day.

A pair of Shelduck, 3 Mallard pairs,  20+ Tufted Duck, two Little Grebe and 5 Canada Geese were present.  A single male Wigeon was on the side preening.  30+ Carrion Crows were on the central bank amount the gulls resting there.

17th March - cloudy morning, giving way to sunny spell, 10C, but NE light wind/breeze still feeling cool

First thing on entering the field to feed the sheep with lambs a young, well grown, Fox was spotted right next to them, looking around and at them whilst picking up items from the ground and eating, probably sheep droppings and other morsels.  It was completely oblivious to me and then it ran down the side of all the sheep and lambs, by this time they had made it to their troughs, eventually about 15 yards from me it spotted me and decided to make a hasty retreat.

There were about 30 Redwings with a few Starlings feeding on one of the pastures this morning too.

16th March - mostly cloudy, occasional sunny spell, 10C, but cool NE light, steady wind

A couple of Pheasant are still coming to the feed station, every now and then the cock will make his display and call.

A small mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare were feeding on the pastures mid-afternoon.

On checking a manhole to turn on the stopcock I noticed a Frig in the bottom of the hole, about a meter deep with vertical brick walls.  I decided to take it out and place safe nearby.  In the past it's not unusual for me to find Frogs and Toad in manholes, probably they overwinter there, but I doubt they can get out.  Also, the brick sides had a reasonable number of large snails, maybe 25 or more, stuck to them, these definitely over wintered there.

15th March - mostly low cloud and dull, light NE feeling cool, 8C

8 Redwings flew over NW early morning.

Late afternoon a 'charm' of ~12 Goldfinch flew around the central village area, some song and chasing going on.

14th March - mostly sunny day, 10C max, but cool NE light wind

First thing several Redwing and a few Fieldfare were flying every which way, no particular direction seemed to have been opted for.

Mid morning a Raven flew past the village, low north, no doubt for the lambing fields where carrion can be found this time of year.

There were more than 10 Yellowhamers at the feed station today, as well as the usual species so don't give up feeding your birds yet.

13th March- touch of frost, early fog clearing to give sunny day, light NE breeze, 10C

A few Redwings were flying from the old railway north over the village.

A small flock of Fieldfare were chattering most of the morning from trees before the continue their northward journey.

One maybe two Coal Tits were in full song throughout the day, sometimes joined by a Goldcrest and the Nuthatch often called from cover.  Another good day for Buzzards to be up high and calling and in territory display.

12th March - mostly a calm and sunny day, 10C

A busy day with lambing meant I did not venture out.  Carl text to tell me he had an adult Mediterranean Gull at Shawell lagoons, alas I could not make it.

I found a Song Thrushes 'anvil' along the main village street next to a wall, there were at least 15 broken snail shells present.

A male Sparrowhawk caught a Tit at the garden feeder at breakfast time, they usually fail.

Fieldfare could be heard calling across the fields to the north of the church.

Last night about 1150h, at least one Redwing flew over home calling.

11th March - after a goofy start a sunny and calm day, maybe 10C in the sun.

Feeling a lot warmer, with many more insects about today including several Bee species.  No doubt somewhere there were the first butterflies too.

A couple of Buzzard were high over the village in their flight display.  Plenty of birdsong today, a Goldcrest and Cold Tit was in the church Yew again and a Mistle Thrush could be heard nearby.

At the feed station there were still 10+ Yellowhammers, with several Chaffinch, House Sparrows, only two Tree Sparrows.  The Nuthatch was feeding along with a single Long-tailed Tit and several Blue and Great Tits.  At least 15 Jacdaws were feeding on spilt seed on the ground.

On the fields behind the church, late afternoon, some 50 Starlings and c10 Fieldfare were feeding on the pasture.

10th March - a cloudy but settled day, feeling a little warmer, 8C

A flock of about 150 Starling were feeding on the sheep pature to the east of the village first thing.

During the afternoon there were 5-6 Goldfinch chasing around and singing in the church Horse Chestnet. Frequently a pair will nest in this tree.

As this evening was calm and feeling warm it encouraged a burst of Blackbird song, just as it got dark, about 1830h.  Five mins later the Tawny Owl started calling again.

9th March - The rain started around mid-night and kept going, easing about mid-day. N/NE light wind, 6C

I have not seen so much standing water on the fields here the whole winter.  All the brooks are overflowing and the ground is sodden with standing water.

Fearing the worst for the lambs in the fields given the conditions (cold, very wet, ideal for  hypothermia) it was promising to see them up and about with their mums and some sheltering, only one succumbed to the weather.

8th March - another good frost last night. Morning cloudy, little rain shower, afternoon similar, light N breeze, 7C

Another busy day.
I noticed a single Canada Goose flying low over the village, probably heading for Newnhan pool.

Mid afternoon c30 Fieldfare and c10 Redwing flew over the village, quite low, northwest.

About 20Common Gulls and a few B-H Gulls were feeding on the pature.

A Tawny Owl was calling at about 1915h from the old railway track

7th March - good frost last night, the day staring bright and sunny and remaining so all day. A night northern making the 8C feel cooler.

Busy helping with the lambing most of the day.

In the evening about 10 Redwings were roosting in a thorn hedge.  

A Fox trotted across a field just to the east of the village at 1815h, to an area where they usually have a den.  It trotted away from where turned out lambs are, usually we have no problem with Foxes taking lambs, although in the past I have seen  a Fox eyeing them up and the parent ewes taking postures against  a Fox protecting the lamb.

6th March - good frost last nigh. Sunny start, clouding over, light northern, 5C, chilly day

I checked out the feed station today, the Jackdaws were busy, funny how they have learnt to cling on the feeders, while two Grey Squirrel took their fill, one spilling much food to the ground.   Once Jackdaw were quite unusual to see around the village, one or two visited but never stayed.  However, now they are quite numerous in the fields and also nest in several chimneys!  The spilt food was handy for the 9+ Yellowhammers,  5+Chaffinch, Dunnock, Robin and Blackbird.  The male Yellowhammers are looking quite splendid now, one could be heard singing not too far away.

Only one Tree Sparrow was seen, the number visiting this winter have been very disappointing.  8+ House Sparrows, with others noisily in the nearby hedge.  Fortunately we have a reasonable population still around the village.  The Nuthatch made a brief appearance, and two Long -tailed Tits feed on the fat balls a short while.  A Goldcrest could be heard in the church Yew tree and a couple of Buzzards were calling nearby.a

Four Redwings flew from the east towards the old railway at about 1530h.  Currently numbers of these and of Fieldfare are low around the village fields.

5th March - sunny intervals, light NW, 6C

A pair of Pied Wagtails are around the center of the village where a pair nested last year, very close to the street.  Possibly the same pair.  Three Redwings dashed over calling as the flew south.

This afternoon I visited Shawell lagoons particularly for the gulls, there were about 500 present with a steady movement in and out.  Two Oystercatcher were on the shore, these return most Spring and sometimes breed here or within the vicinity at another site, seen in this photo with Black-headed and Common Gulls.

In the road boundary hedge there was Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits foraging with a Treecreeper and Goldcrest.  The Tits frequented a peanut feeder I placed there a couple of weeks ago.

There were a good number of Tufted Duck today, but no Wigeon, probably now on their way to breeding grounds.  Two Mallard and Canada Goose pairs loafing about with 16 Coot and the grey heron hunted the shallows again.

4th March - winter rain last night and a frost, sunny am, clouding over from SW, 6C

The lambs which have been turned out survived last nights wet and cold weather, thankfully the morning sun warmed them up.

Great-spotted Woodpeckers are drumming well now in the early mornings, though they are still coming to various garden feeders in the village.

25 Fieldfare flew low over the village generally southerly at 1330h.

3rd March - sunny until clouding over mid-morning onwards, light NW breeze, 7C

This morning there were about 40 Commom Gulls feeding on the Sheep pastures and a Stock Dove again.

Four Bullfinch flew over the village circled back and settled in the thick Blackthorn hedge.

2nd March - a day of occasional winters sewers, blusterly NW, feeling cold, 6C

Few observations today.

Four Magpies were searching for left-overs at Sheep troughs and a Stock Dove fed on the pasture nearby.  I have noticed that 4 Stock Doves (2 pairs?) have returned after the winter to the nearby barns where they usually nest.

I did hear one Fieldfare call this morning, but no others seen today.

Hopefully, once this winters unsettled spell has past through Spring will arrive with warmer temps and some sunshine.

1 March - light rain through the night until mid-day, brighter pm, 14C, light -mod, sometimes gusty SW

A Sparrowhawk dashed through the garden at lunchtime.

A quick visit to the local lake after lunch was fairly quite, probably due to the gusty wind.  The adult pair of Mute Swans were present, presumably the ones that nested last year.  Little Grebes were displaying, 3 Tufted Duck, one female and 2 males, maybe they will breed again here.

A Goldfinch and a single Siskin flew over calling heading to Alders.  A Raven was heard calling as it flew northward. 

An abundance of fungi, I believe Common Puffball, was found along the edge of the path.