31st July - Mostly cloudy, some sunny spells, light NW, warm and humid, 20C

This afternoon I walked around Stanford reservoir, at the overflow there were eight Grey Wagtails, with three Pied Wagtails on the dam.  A single Common Tern was over the water, more Gulls are now present with small numbers of Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed with a single herring Gull.

The drake Goldeneye was found among the Tufted Duck, a female had five ducklings and a Mallard duck had eight small ducklings.  The first Wigeon of the autumn was a eclipse male, a single male Pochard was on the dam and Grey Heron was hunting around the waters edge.

 Wigeon, eclipse male

Wigeon, eclipse male

Tufted Duck family

Several Whitethroat families were about, one female was still collecting food for young in a nest.  Reed and Sedge Warblers could be seen and heard and an occasional Chiffchaff called.  A few Reed Buntings were around, like this one that spent awhile preening.

 Whitethroat with food

Reed Bunting, female

A variety of common butterflies were seen, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Peacock, Red Admiral, Green-veined White, Large White.  Several Brown Hawker dragonflies were on the wing.

Peacock

30th July - Sunny intervals, 22C, light SW

A quick look around Misterton during the morning did not produce much, although three or more Nuthatches were noisy, a Coal Tit sang a little, otherwise things were keeping out of sight.

I checked Slip Inn Quarry in the evening, unfortunately they have now started to in-fill one of the pits which has always been good and a another pool is becoming over grown with willows.  Still, there is still good habitat left which should produce some interesting sights in the future. It was good to see a Kingfisher on another pool and a Green Woodpecker was present.

29h July - cloudy, some light drizzle early, mild, light breeze at times

Under the dull skies first thing the Swallows were sitting on the village telegraph wires, I counted 60 and there were others too.  Not surprising most were juveniles, some adults are attending to other young in the nests  or sitting on more eggs.

During the afternoon I had a walk to the small wood east of the village. A couple of Gatekeeper were on the hedge, a Small Tortoiseshell pasted by and at the wood several Green-veined White were on the nettles and brambles.

A juvenile Buzzard flew out the wood, which a juv Great-spotted Woodpecker pursued its parent in the tree tops.  A Treecreeper was calling and collecting food on the Ash trees, I'm sure youngsters were nearby.   Similarly, a Wren was feeding a youngster whiles others called nearby. a Stock Dove and Chiffchaff occasionally sang.

An Ash tree that fell down a couple of years or so is rotting and providing home for many invertebrates, it is now covered in a fungus.

28th July - some light rain occasionally, cloudy, light SW, warm 18C

This morning both Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers and Treecreeper were heard in the local wood.

This evening a look at Shawell lagoons revealed a 2w and juvenile Yellow-legged Gull.

A few Sand Martins were flying about, a few Canada, Mallard and Tufted Duck were on the water.

Carl was also present and due to the lack of Gulls we decided to take a look at the nearby landfill site.  There were still plenty of Gulls present, including an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a single Great Black-backed Gull, many Lesser Black-backed and a few Black-headed Gulls.  One LBBG had a juvenile with it that was begging for food still, the adult trying to regurgitate for it.  The adult was colour ringed, J+M and originates from the SW (Gloucester, Bristol region), I wonder where it nested this year.

On the edge of a pool a Green Sandpiper was feeding.

27th July - cloudy morning, early light rain, clearing sunny warm pm, 22C

An errand took me past Frolesworth manor lake this afternoon, so a quick look.  I was pleased to see that there were three Tufted Duck broods, with 5, 4 and 2 ducklings respectively.  Also, the Great-crested Grebe pair had a chick visible on an adults back hitching a ride.
The local House Martins seemed to have done well, lots of juveniles flying and resting in the top of a large conifer.  Plenty of Swallows too.  Several Linnets and Goldfinches were feeding on the weeds and ground and c40 Starlings, many juvs, were on the horse paddock.  A Green Woodpecker called nearby.

A good number of the commoner 'wayside' butterflies were about, Meadow Brown, Peacock, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Small Tortoiseshell.


At home about 1630h a Sparrowhawk dashed past the church Yew tree in to the lane, with the Swallows chasing.

26th July - sunny intervals, mostly cloudy, warm 22C, breeze SW

Not too much time today, however this  morning I did explore the large round hay bales that were due to be moved from the field - the reason being that these bales provide good sites for Owls to sit at night while hunting and can often Owl pellets can be found.

About 10 pellets were found, but of which species?  The pellets were about 2 cm long max and 0.5 cm wide, the ends were generally pointed.  An initial examination showed them to consist of vegetable matter and beetle remains, no mammal bones etc.   This suggest Little Owl, but can not completely rule out Tawny.  tawny Owl pellets are usually larger and more square ended, but not as large as a Barn Owl pellet - which is the large pellet in the photo below.

I know Tawny Owl are in this area but have not seen a Little Owl, although I did find another suitable pellet about 3 weeks ago on a gate post.

Some of the small Little Owl pellets were quite red in colour and contained stones, these I think are cherries.  Now, where there is a Cherry tree near the hay field I don't know, so need to do more detective work to solve this mystery.

25th July - sunny interval, cloudy light SW breeze, 22C

This afternoon two Green Woodpeckers were feeding on our hard driveway.  Late evening two Bullfinch flew over calling and landed in the church yard trees.

An quick evening visit to Stanford reservoir to see if any thing had dropped in.  Three Common Terns, Nine Cormorant, two drake Pochard, but no sign of the Goldeneye.  A Grey Heron was feeding  near the hide.

There was a Whitethroat family near the bay, with at least six Linnets going to rose in the Hawthorns, and a Long-tailed Tit family foraged in the hedgerow.  A Sedge Warbler and three Reed Buntings were feeding in the same bush.

Sedge Warbler - keeping an eye on me!

Two Green Woodpeckers were feeding on the earth side of the dam, while a Common Sandpiper fed on the water side.

Gatekeeper and Ringlet butterflies were seen.

24th July - sunny spells am, cloudy pm, light SW, 24C

Visited Eyebrook reservoir during the afternoon, a Little Stint was present, can you spot it in the photo?  Probably not, very small water left hand side.

About 200 Lapwing at the inflow plus one Black-tailed Godwit and a Dunlin.  Few ducks were about, just a hand full of Teal, mostly Tufted Duck and Mallard, plus a reasonable flock of Mute Swans.  Two Little Egret and a Grey Heron were present, about 20 Common Terns were busy feeding and a few Sand Martin were about.  A Kestrel was hunting over the rough ground, which is where Linnet and Goldfinch were too.

23rd July - sunny spells, hot 27C, humid, little breeze

This morning a Red Kite quartered a grass field that had been rowed up about 1000h near the cross in hand roundabout.  Several  Buzzards were flying around and calling, making the most of the thermals again.  A Kestrel passed over the village near the sharp bend.

This afternoon I visited Bucknell Wood, which is in Northants near to Silverstone, a forestry commission wood.  Bird-wise the expected species were seen, lots of Goldcrests, Treecreeper, but the best bird was a Marsh Tit seen close, taking fluffy heads off some seeds and eating them.  It's call was distinctive and I could see the white base to the upper bill that also confirmed its identity.

 Marsh tit

Marsh Tit with food

Butterflies were very numerous, Large and Small Skipper, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Meadow Heath, Ringlet, best of all two Purple Emperor, and several Silver-washed Fritillary.  I spotted one PE on a willow/Sallow, before I could get a photo it flew and landed on my shirt, then off again, high in to the tree canopy.  No doubt other species could be found with more time and searching.

 Large Skipper

 Red Admiral

 Peacock

Silver-washed Fritillary

 Silver-washed Fritillary

One the drive back, just past the Cathorpe A5 turn, a Red Kite was quartering an adjacent field.

22nd July - sunny periods, humid, hot 27C, little breeze

About 1145h a Hobby was seen circling slowly over the fields and moved toward the village, the Swallows became alerted, but not too bothered, as the Hobby was only hunting insect food and not the Swallows, it moved off westward.

Around mid-day two recently fledged Bullfinches were in the trees next to the village pond calling to their parents.  A Great-spotted Woodpecker flew from the nearby garden and a couple of Goldfinch flew over.

Shortly afterwards a single Swift was flying low over the roof tops feeding, along with the Swallows, for about 10 minutes.

About 1330h a single Yellow Wagtail flew over the fields near the sewage plant, Moors Lane, mid-afternoon the same or another flew over east, calling.

A Red Admiral was seen in the yard during the morning and the Buddlea flowers are now attracting Small Tortoiseshell butterflies.

21st July - sunny morning, cloud increasing from W, showers evening, very warm 23C

I visited Shawell Lagoons this evening, not many Gulls in, more Black-headed Gulls including two at least juveniles, also two Yellow-legged Gulls among the Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  A Great-crested Grebe, Little Grebe, a few tufted Duck and Mallard were present.  A juvenile Green Woodpecker frequently investigated the banks, a Chiffchaff was singing and a couple of Bullfinch were present in the thickets.

20th July - sunny, with cloud forming during the day, hot 29C, short shower late afternoon

During the night I heard the Tawny Owl call again from the Church area.

A field of hay that was baled today become quickly attractive to Rooks and Jackdaws looking for food.

Whitethroat and Yellowhammer still singing the morning as the other day.  In the evening a Green Woodpecker was calling near the centre of the village.

John, from the village, told me e watched a Stoat stalking a Rabbit along the Moors lane the other evening.  Personally, not seen a Stoat for a while around here.

19th July - Hot, sunny, 33C, light breeze

Not quite record breaking, but pretty dammed hot today!

This morning a Whitethroat was still singing in the road hedge towards cross-in-hand-roundabou, also a Yellowhammer was singing most of the day.  A Mistle Thrush was heard just to the east of the village.

The Swallows were not in their shed this morning, so must have flown early, maybe they will be back to roost tonight.  An update, this afternoon I noticed about 15 young Swallows sitting on the wires in the village nearby, then this evening about 10 flew around the yard and entered the shed, much noise and excitement, before they all left.  I'm sure the nesting family will be back to roost later this evening, I'll leave them alone.

I popped to Wolvey to check for Spotted Flycathcer this morning, every time there seems disturbance when I go, lawn mowing today. I though I heard a SF call once, but I would like to have seen/heard it again to be sure.  I'll keep trying as there're is still time for youngster, or even migrants in the autumn.

There were a good number of Dragonflies about over the wetland reserve pond, I need to check my photos.

Male Black-tailed Skimmer

Female Black-tailed Skimmer

I visited Stanford reservoir this afternoon, the heat was a bit too much and I think most wildlife were sheltering too.  The eclipse drake Goldeneye, a single drake Pochard still, the usual flock of Greylag and Canada Geese.  A single Common Tern sat on the duck decoy, a single heron on the point and three Cormorant.  Swallows chased a bird or prey, could not see what, but probably a Sparrowhawk, from the noise they were making.

Linnet, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Redd Warbler were all seen or heard.

18th July - sunny hot , 28C, very light breeze

A catch-up day back from Norfolk.

The four Swallows have fledged, although they spent most of the time today in the shed sitting on various items or back in the nest while the parent brought food.  They did fly out at least once though, I'm sure they will venture more in the next few days.

The mini heat wave is forecast for at least another day, with higher temps then thunderstorms, we shall see.

17th July Norfolk- sunny, hot 25C, steady SW breeze

Today was spent at Morston, during the morning I walked the sea wall area from the village to Stiffkey fen.

Morston marsh was alive with colour and plenty of Skylark and Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, singing Yellowhammer and Whitethroat, and Swallow, Swifts, House and Sand Martins feed overhead.

A Pied Wagtail was busy collecting food, ignoring everyone most of the time.

A Little Egret was on the edge of a creek, while another fed in the creek with a Herring Gull and juvenile Black-head Gull nearby.  The Herring Gull was doing some foot-paddling to search for food.

Stiffkey fen is quite small and located immediately behind a creek and sea wall.

On the fen a flock of about 30 Black-tailed Godwits and a similar number of Redshank were feeding and roosting.  Several Avocet were present, one had a nest.  A lone female Pintail was present along with Teal and Mallard.  The is a Black-headed Gull colony here too with many juveniles.  A Buzzard flew over calling.

During the afternoon I explored the Morston area for butterflies, there were several of the common species present, unfortunately nothing else, Large Heath, Gatekepper and Small Skipper for example.

While doing this I heard a very evocative call from above, 8 Whimbrel were flying over and pondering whether to land to not, I think they moved on to Skiffkey fen.

16th July Norfolk - sunny periods, high humidity, very warm 26C

An early rise to visit Cley reserve before breakfast. 10 Spoonbills were on the marsh and frequently flew to a new area, a single Greenshank, many Avocet, about 50 Black-tailed Godwits and 10 Ruff too, in various stages of moult.

Photo of distant Ruff

Otherwise it was fairly quite for other waders and duck as expected, only Mallard, Teal and Shelduck being noted.  Sedge and Reed Warblers were busy outside the hide, while Swift, Sand and Hoise Martins were seen.  Two Whitethroat were singing near the main car park, with Greenfich and Goldfinch on the wires.  Little was happening off shore, Sandwich and Little Terns, the usual Gulls, several Gannet, a Curlew and Cormorant.

After breakfast it was off to the Weeting vintage and steam rally, but first a quick look at the NWT Heath reserve, which conveniently was about a mile away.  Happily as I walked along the path I could hear Stone-curlew calling, from the hide one flew off over the pines to the heath the other side of the road, but one remained and gave very good views.

Stone-curlew

A Kestrel family was present with at least three juveniles present, and four Stock Doves fed close to the hide.

15th July Norfolk - sunny intervals becoming more cloudy, light - steady SW, 20C

During the morning we headed for Blakeney in Norfolk for the weekend, arriving 1300ish at the Cley beach car park for a picnic lunch before a walk along the coast overlooking the Cley reserve.  Off shore Sandwich, Common and Little Terns were fishing and taking food off to their young.  Gannets could be seen in the middle distance, heading eastward while a good number on Black-headed Gulls headed westward.

Meadow pipits were still singing and several Pied Wagtails were about along the shingle.  Swallows and Sand Martins were overhead.

On the reserve Spoonbill and Little Egret were seen feeding.  Four Ruff were feeding and preening, along with numerous Avocet, a single Lapwing, a good number of Teal and several Shelducks, some with very small ducklings still.  Two Marsh Harriers were hunting the marsh, often causing panic among the other birds, a chick is a tasty snack for their young.

Later at Cley, a Kestrel hunted the recently baled hay field, several Swifts were screaming and a good number of House Martins were present too.

14th July - Sunny periods, light SW, 22C max

I decided to have a look at a local site this morning as it one of the few places remaining near to me where Spotted Flycatcher can be found  - with patience.  On arrival there seemed quite a lot of bird activity in the wooded area.  Nuthatch, lots of Goldcrest, singing Coal Tit, Great-spotted and Green Woodpecker.  Very slowly I made my way along the lane looking carefully over the lake area, extensive gardens and wooded area.  The edge of the wood was in the sunshine and looked great for a Spotted Fly, nothing - so I moved further on to the end of the lane, then re-traced my route.  Back at the wood edge a Spotted Fly flew out and caught food.  I was able to watch it for quite a while, sometimes high up near the tree tops.  It often disappeared in to the wood and then came back, maybe taking food to a nest.  All was fine until a Buzzard flew in to the wood which made it become agitated and moved off deeper in to the wood often giving the alarm call.

This evening was the best 'summer-like' evening we have had for ages, A fledged Pied wagtail was still pestering its parents for food on the village hall roof.  At least 30 Swallows were flying overhead against the setting sun.  I now know I have four youngsters in my Swallow nest and possibly one pair has returned to a nest that was raided earlier, we shall see.

When doing some work in the veg garden I noticed several fungus, I believe these to be a Shaggy Parasol type, Chlorophyllum brnneum, that is found in rich soils and compost heaps.  However, if you know differently please let me know.

13th July - sunny start, becoming cloudier, light showers afternoon, 18C, light NW

I visited the local lake this morning, the good news was that the 9 Mute Swans cygnets are still all present with their parents, only bigger now.  Also, another Little Grebe pair were feeding 3 small chick on the water, a Moorhen and several pairs of Coot were doing the same.  Sedge and Reed Warblers were noisy, Blackcap and Chiffchaff sang, a family party was in the hedgerow. Whitethroats also had young in the thicket going from their parent agitated behaviour.
Five Goldfinch were present and 2+ Bullfinches were heard and seen flying.  Two Yellowhammer were calling from the hedge.  A Kestrel was calling, probably a young one, from a nearby tree.  Overhead two Swallows and a single Sand Martin fed.  The nearest Sand Martin colony I know is 2-3 miles away.
Unfortunately the sun went in while here and the butterflies disappeared, I did see Ringlets, Large White and two Gatekeepers.

12th July - cloudy, light NW, 16C, showers evening

Another non-summer day!
I visited Stanford reservoir during the afternoon, not expecting too much given the weather.  The drake Goldeneye was resting on the dam with the usually geese, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot and two Cormorants.  At the inlet end there was two drake Pochard.  A single Grey Heron was resting on the edge of the reservoir.  A female Grey Wagtail was on the overflow feeding.  Four Common Tern were present feeding. A single Herring Gull flew over heading west.

A number of birds were still singing, including Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Song Thrush and Linnet.  Two Green Woodpecker were on the dam and trees.  A Long-tailed Tit family were in the hedge and a Treecreeper family in the willows where they nested.
At least 15 Swallows were on the telegraph wires, Sand Martins and Swifts were feeding high over the inlet end and Rookery wood.

11th July - sunny intervals, steady SW, humid at times, max20C

A day of jobs, but I did see a flock of about 30 Starling around the village and then in an adjacent field this morning.

A couple of Frogs were in the allotment garden area, one full grown and a small one.

I check my remaining Swallow nest, it has 2 maybe 3 fairly large young, these probably will leave the nest in the next few days.

Rooks and Jackdaws are making the most of mown and cleared grass fields at the moment, being damp is also helping them find food compared to dry hard ground. We would expect in mid summer. This evening there was a mixed flock of about 500 on the fields to the east of the village.

10th July - Cloud clearing to sunny periods, quite breezy at times and humid, temp up and down, max 23C

This morning popped to a site that holds Marbled White, at first none were found, then just as I was about to give up I found them, 10+ were flying, they are very photogenic.

Also flying were ringlets, Meadow Brown, Small and Essex Skippers.  The Small and Essex are very similar, but the Essex has black under tips on the antennae.

On the pool there were several Red-eyed Damselfly, and a Hawker I could not identify as it was too far away.

I went to Brandon Marsh this afternoon again for butterflies, Dragonflies as well as birds.  The breeze really picked up and was not ideal for the insects, only the expected common species were seen.
On the east marsh a tufted Duck had four young and a female Gadwall had five ducklings.  An adult Little-ringed Plover and two juveniles were on the island along with five adult Oystercatcher and two juvs.  Several Black-headed Gull juveniles were with the adult flock, one was still food begging from an adult.  Several Common tern were catching food for their young still.
On Teal pool three Green Sandpiper were feeding and a hobby hunted insects in the mid-distance.  In all some 40 species were seen today.

9th July - showers early am, then sunny intervals, becoming warm, 22C, light SW

About noon a Red Kite flew low, westward, over the village.

At Shawell lagoons this afternoon 400+ Lesser black-backed Gulls, c20 Herring Gulls and three Yellow-legged Gulls were present.  There were at least four juvenille LBBGs present and the YLGs consisted on two adults and one 2 summer plumed bird.  Another gull showed characteristics of a Caspian Gull  but it's age meant it was difficult to distinguish it from Herring Gull.

Also present there were a small number of Sand Matins feeding, a Little Grebe, several Tufted Duck, a female Mallard with very small ducklings, a Common Sandpiper appeared feeding for awhile along the shore.  Long-tailed and Blue Tits foraged in the hedgerow.

8th July - cloud clearing to sunny periods, light SW, humid warm, 22C

This morning there were about 20 Swallows sitting on the wire fence next to the cattle field, the majority were youngsters, no doubt the first adventure away from the nest area for some of them.

A short visit to Stanford reservoir was interesting.  The geese and ducks use the dam as a main preening site during their moulting season so it's well covered with feathers.  A Common Sandpiper was feeding along the edge, while four Cormorants rested there too.  A Grey Wagtsil female was feeding there and three others were near the outflow pool.

Swifts and Sand Martins were feeding high above the water and adjacent fields, sometimes coming lower.  In the same area I spotted a Hobby hawking insect prey, then a second, although this did not stay as long.  Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers were present and a Treecreeeper family was in the willows near where they nested.  Some warblers are still singing, this time I heard, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Garden and Reed Warbler and Whitethroat.

7th July - Cloudy all day, drizzle light rain ahowers am, little brither late pm, 16C, light breeze SW

Lots of Rook and jackdaws now feeding on the mown grass fields.  Quite noticeable now the increased number of Gulls flying over and visiting the mown grass fields with the corvids.

This evening the Wren family was still around the barns, how the parents keep track of their youngsters is
a nightmare for them.  they do call loudly though giving their whereabouts away to all.

6th July- am sunny intervals, pm cloudy, practically still later, 18C

A quick look around the local lake this morning showed the usual birds were present.  I am puzzled by the Mute Swans though. There were nine cygnets originally, today five were visible, but a cob Mute keeps driving them in to the reeds. I am wondering whether this is not the cob from the pair that bred but an interloper.  Nor have I seen the pen with the, now, large cygnets.

Whitethroat with food, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiifchaff, Reed, Sedge and Willow Warbler were all seen, also Goldcrest heard from the bushes.  A male Bullfinch flew atop a bush and repeatedly called, others were heard, presumably a family party.

Meadow Brown and Ringlets were fairy numerous, but no other butterflies were seen today here.

Evening visit to Stanford reservoir was fairly quite, the cloud cover made it dull.  Only a single (unringed) Common Tern was seen, sitting on the duck decoy used as a marker by the fishermen.  110 Greylag and 20 Canada Geese, about 40 Mallard, 20 Tufted duck, the drake Goldeneye and Pochard still.  A group of 10 young Swallows were on the wires near the outflow.  A Cetti's Warbler sang, along with the usual warblers, while five Goldfinch flew overhead.

5th July - Sunny periods, humid pm, light wind NW 18C

This morning newly fledged Pied Wagtails were on the roofs and lawn, although not from the next under our old tiles, so another nest must have been nearby too.

This evening I took a look at Shawell lagoons, at first there seemed little about, the reason soon became obvious, a Fox was scavenging along the shore.  I then spotted two large cubs further back, playing and exploring.  The Vixen looked quite thin not doubt will be pleased when the cubs leave her alone.

 Vixen

 Cubs playing

Cubs playing

When the Foxes disappeared in to the undergrowth birds returned to the shore, keeping a wary eye open.  However, most Gulls decided it was too much and left, probably to roost at Draycote reservoir.

A Common Sandpiper flew in, then a Grey Heron and Pied Wagtail.  A single Canada Goose lingered just off shore with two Mute Swans.  On the south lagoon 16 Tufted Duck kept a Little Grebe company.   Several Sand Martins were flying around and three Swallows did some belly flops in to the water to wash.  A Green Woodpecker flew on to the grassy bank-side.  Blue and Long-tailed Tits were foraging along the boundary hedgerow.