27th Aug - sunny periods am, thunderstorm developing pm with period of rain, sometimes heavy, 19C, moderate easterly

I visited Stanford reservoir just after the thunderstorm had past through hoping some migrating birds (Hirundines, Terns etc) may have taken shelter, nothing unexpected though.  There was c15 Swallows, c20 Sand martins and c15 House Martins.

A Moorhen make a rapid exit from the water and stood on the overflow making a very agitated noise with its wing arched and staring back at the water. I could not see what had caused the moorhen to be alarmed, may be an Otter as a Fisherman said he heard them last night in that area.  Then a Common Sandpiper flew on to the overflow looking a little agitated too.

A charm of 35 Goldfinch were in the tree tops, feeding on the nearby bird/game food area.  A party of Long-tailed Tits were heard in the bushes, along with several Chiffchaffs. Six Grey Wagtails were feeding along the overflow weir, one Pied Wagtail was present too.

I could count 64 Mute Swans, only Mallard and Tufted Ducks were seen from my position near the dam, others may have been closer to the inlet end today.  Canada Geese numbered 35 and Greylag Geese were feeding on the adjacent stubble field.