19Th. Aug - light rain 0800h from the SW, on/off until late afternoon, 18C, light wind increasing alittle

A Grey Heron flew over the village at 0830h, dropping its long legs as it headed for touchdown at the back field pond.

A quick call at Stanford reservoir in the evening produced some nice sightings.  Two Common Tern were present, a single Shoveler duck (first autumn record) and a couple of Pochard were with the Tufted Duck and Mallards.  On the dam two Grey Wagtails fed, sometimes perching on the tower walk-way, also two Common Sandpipers at the waters edge.

Several Chiffchaff and Blackcaps were in the willows, no doubt other warblers too, but they are so well hidden.  A party of Long-tailed Tits made their way through the bushes, Blackbird and Song Thrush called irritated by something.

Over the water six Sand martins appeared feeding, then 10 House Martins appeared tree height over the dam area, and a couple of Swallows joined in.

A green Woodpecker was around the dam area, while two Kestrels hunted over the adjacent fallow field.
Several lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls dropped in for a 'brush-up' before leaving for their roost.