30th Sept - sunny morning, cloud increasing from SW, 16C

A small passage of Meadow Pipits and Skylark over southward first thing.

To the west of the village over the sheep fields six Swallows and a single House Martin were feeding, while a Chiffchaff called from the hedgerow.

A single each of Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral have also been seen flying.

This evening six Swallows came back to the village to roost.

29th Sept - sunny periods, light SW wind, 16C

This evening there were nine Swallows over the village, again two went to roost in our shed where they nested.  Will any make it in to October I wonder?

28th Sept- sunny spells, very warm 22C, SW wind light, freshening afternoon

There was a steady trickle of Meadow Pipits over southward through the day.

I noticed one Swallow late afternoon, so I checked over the village this evening and found six feeding.  Eventually two went to roost in their nest shed and four went to the other village area.  Will there be any seen tomorrow?

27th Sept - dull cloudy morning, some drizzle, becoming brighter later, light SW, mild 16C

This morning I spotted three Swallows over the village.   During the evening there were eight Swallows, eventually at 1855h, at least four swooped down and entered their nesting shed to roost, perhaps the last family to hatch there.  The others moved off to the top of the village, probably to roost in the sheds they use to nest in there.

To the west of the village this morning a Chiffchaff, or More than one, was heard in the spinney, also a Green Woodpecker called.  In the grass field with the lambs there were at least 30 Meadow Pipits feeding.

During late afternoon about 35 Jackdaws were chasing each other and very noisy over the village, this continued for quite a while.  They seemed to be enjoying themselves in the moderate breeze up there.

26th Sept - cloudy, light rain, dry late pm, light breeze SW

Little time today, but I did notice several Chiffchaff dotted around a number of hedges.

25th Sept - sunny spells, odd shower, light southerly wind, 16C

Only time for a walk to the local wood this afternoon which produced two each of Goldcrest, Great Tit, Treecreeper, plus a single Stock Dove and Nuthatch.

On the hedge laden with Blackberries there were several Speckled Wood, Red Admiral and Comma butterflies. I could see four of the later at one time feeding on the ripe Blackberry and bathing in the sunshine.

 Comma on Blackberries, open winged

Comma, so well camouflaged with closed wings

It was quite noticeable today just how many leaves were beginning, to not only change colour, but also to fall from the trees.

24th Sept - high cloud, fresh southerly breeze, 20C

Two Swallows seen sitting on the village telegraph wires this morning.

This evening there were four Swallows flying over the village.

23rd Sept - sunny spell, light SW, 19C

This morning I only saw one Swallow in the village, no doubt there will be a few more sightings, but clearly the village summer residents and their off-spring have moved on southward.  Early morning saw another southward movement of Meadow pipits.  In the Perkins spinney to the west a Nuthatch called and a Goldcrest was singing.

Late morning I took a walk around the local lake, it seemed fairly quite bird-wise but with patience some were found including Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Bullfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Reed Bunting.  Very few duck were on the lake itself, however there were several Little Grebe and the Mute Swam family - all still doing well.

Several Dragonfly were out and about, Southern hawker, Ruddy Darter and these Common Darter.

Fungi are becoming more numerous now, as last year Common Puffball have begun to fruit at this site.

Several Speckled Wood were flying too.

An afternoon visit to Stanford reservoir produced more Wigeon, 76 were counted, so more have arrived to the winter, counts all over the country are on the up.  Gadwall numbered eight and six Little Grebe were spotted.  A single Common Sandpiper was feeding on the dam, these are on passage and soon we may see the last until Spring.   Several Chiffchaff were calling, but no other warblers were seen.

A single Comma, Red Admiral and several Speckled Wood were flying, plus Dragonflies.

22nd Sept - Light rain first thing giving way to sunny spells, 20C, light breeze

II Swallows were flying over the village in the rain, a little later I noticed three juvenile Swallows were sheltering in their nesting shed during the rain, so there may well be others about the area too.

In the evening I counted 13 in their pre-roost flight, at 1910h 5 zoomed in to the 'nest' shed where they remained, no doubt roosting the night there.

21st Sept - sunny spells, light breeze, 20C

A busy day so little time, but a nice surprise mid-afternoon -  I found a male Stonechat atop of a low bush in a field cross hedge - east of the village.  This was really nice to see as Chats in this area are very scarce even on migration, none to two a year is normal. This is the first record for this farm area, last autumn I found one in late September about two miles away.

This morning I noticed 13 swallows on the telegraph wires.  A heron was feeding again at the top pond.

20th Sept - sunny spells, very light westerly breeze, 18C

About 40 Swallows were sitting on the telegraph wires this morning.  A couple of Mistle thrush flew from the Holly tree in the Paddock.  I expect they are staking their claim on it for the early winter food.

I visited Stanford reservoir during the afternoon for a couple of hours, one of the first creatures was a Red Admiral butterfly, the only other species I saw was Speckled Wood.  Quite a lot of Southern Hawker dragonfly were about too.

On the water there was only about half the Wigeon than the last visit, one female Shoveler, a couple of Gadwall and six Pochard were dotted about.  However, the best find on my return walk was two female Pintail, not found too often here, so a nice find, although too far away for a decent photo, but you can make the typical shape out in the photo below.

In the scrub area two Lesser Whitethroat called and a good number of CHiffchaff were around, on;y one Blackcap was heard giving the alarm call.

As I made my way to the dam a Kingfisher flew passed me calling and could be heard on several occasions.  At the dam the hoped for Common Sandpiper was feeding and preening, a single Grey Wagtail was on the overflow wall.  I had already seen about 40 each of Swallow and House Martin around the reservoir feeding and drinking, when I heard the Swallows above me calling excitedly, looking up I saw a Hobby slowly circling not far above me, it slowly drifted along the reservoir.  The light was awful for a photo above me, but the silhouette is useful to show off the bird.

A pleasant walk and some good sightings in the end.

19th Sept - light rain/dense drizzle until 1800h, 16C

A pretty horrible day here with the rain keeping much out of sight.  During the day I did see a couple of Swallows in the rain.  At 1840h, after the rain had stopped and the sky lifting there was 16 Swallows over the village Looking for insect food.

18th Sept - cloud and sunny periods later, light NW breeze, 20C

This morning there were 60+ Swallows sitting on the wires in the village and a further ~100 to the west feeding in a sheep feed and on the electric wires there, together with ~ 10 House Martins.

A walk to the local wood mid-morning produced both Green and great-spotted Woodpeckers, a Nuthach, Chiffchaff and female Blackcap, plus the usual common residents.  Several Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell were flying, plus one Comma butterfly.  In the wood interesting bracket fungi were seen on Ash wood.

I then decided to go and take a photo of the Swallows sitting on the village telegraph wires, just as I got there they all flew off alarmed, and sure enough a Hobby was flying through them and attempting to catch one.  I watched it for 10 mins flying and swooping after Swallows , but did not succeed.  I managed a couple of flight photos.

During the afternoon I walked around Stanford reservoir which was very pleasant.  About 50 Wigeon are now present, coming in during the last for days. Also, 12 teal, three Shoveler, nine Gadwall and five Pochard.  Little Grebe numbers have increased, I could see 11 and there may have been others too.  A Red Kite flew over, a Buzzard had a go at it to chase it off, but it took no notice of it, eventually climbing and moving off eastward.

There was plenty of Chiffchaff around and several Blackcaps. Thirty plus Goldfinch fed on the set-aside field edge.  Several Bullfinch were in the thickets and Linnet were heard.  Eight Lapwing were flying around but did not land, a Kestrel was calling from nearby trees.

A mixed flock of Swallows and House Martins were feeding over the water and fields, a single Meadow Pipit flew up from the neigbouring field calling as it went off and finally a Raven flew in from the east and headed off to the south.  In all 48 bird species were seen here today.

17th Sept- flat cloud, light steady NW, 15C

First thing two Cormorants flew over the village westward.

There was about 30 Swallows around the village, the young Swallows from the nest spent a lot of time in the shed again.

I popped in to Froslesworth manor lake during the morning. Plenty of Swallows and House Martins there around the horse paddocks and c50 Starlings feeding.  The Great Crested Grebe pair and juvenile were still present, then a Hobby flew by towards Fosse Meadows.  Four plus Chiffchaffs were in the thick hedge and three Goldfinch feeding on the rough ground.  Otherwise it was fairly quite there today.

I spent the afternoon in the Shawell area, on arriving at the lagoons Carl told me there was very few gulls present, so we headed off to the landfill site.  Here too, there was very few gulls, on the small pool was a few Mallard and Teal, then a call was heard overhead and a Ringed Plover circled for a while before heading off NW.

After looking at another pool, which had a few more Teal, we went back to the main Lagoons.  Some gulls had returned and quickly some colour rings were read, one being a Danish ring.  On the sandy shore about 75 Lapwings were resting.  After a while the Lapwings and Gulls all flew up as if a predator was about, but nothing could be seen.  Then Carl spotted four waders flying in, these touched down very briefly, a Ruff, A Ringed Plover a Dunlin and another small wader, then they were off again.  The Lapwings and Gulls were still flying about disturbed, fortunately the waders came back and touched down again, briefly, but long enough to see the smallest wader was a adult Little Stint in winter plumage  They flew off together northward, an odd group of waders we thought to be travelling together, but then these are often seen together at principle wader locations.  For this site these are really good records.

On the south lagoon were the flock of Canada Geese and three Little Grebes, a few House Martins were feeding low over the reeds and hedgerow.

16th Sept - a fresher day with light rain during the morning, light NW, 18C

Last night I set up my moth lamp, a pleasant warm, still evening I thought would be just fine.  By 2300h I had only three moths caught, two 'brown' jobs and one Dusty Thorn (common species).  So, where are the moths?  Two Tawny Owls were began calling from the nearby trees.

Today was back to typical September weather, the young Swallows decided to stay in the shed/nest and let their parents do the 'food' run for them.  About 25 others were sitting the rain out on the wires for a time.  Late morning these and a couple of House Martins were feeding over the village.

Just after 0900h a single Snipe was flying around, probably heading for the local pond.  About 1000h 12 Meadow Pipit flew over southward, migrating as yesterday.

A Green Woodpecker called and again the Goldcrest with Tits was in the Church Yew tree.

Yesterday, I also heard a single Mistle Thrush, I've still not seen any family flocks in the fields.

15th September - very misty start, sun breaking through 1230h, then sunny pm and very warm, 25C, light breeze

0845, 35 plus Swallows around the village waiting for the mist to lift.  During the afternoon they continued to fly over the village.  About 1530 I noticed chatter and flight in the shed were the nest was, I then spotted the four young Swallows had left their nest and were sitting on the cattle feeder.  Although I was in bright sunlight peering in to a dark shed I took some photos that shows them quite well given the lighting.

Late morning there were at least 30 House Sparrows on the village street and another 20 on a nearby fence, so it looks like they may have had a good breeding season.  Three Chiffchaffs were chasing each other in the hedgerow.

About 1130h 14 Meadow Pipits flew over southward on migration, in the mist.  About 1400h, now pretty warm, five Buzzards were circling over the village before dispersing.  Mid afternoon a female Yellow Wagtail flew over and landed on the church tower having a good look before departing.

A quick look at the local lake followed, all the usual birds were seen, plus several Speckled Wood butterflies.  New birds included a drake Pochard and eclipse drake Wigeon, both first records of the autumn/winter for this site.

Before it became too dark I popped to Shawell lagoons to see what was about, plenty of Gulls, Herring, Yellow-legged, Black-headed, Lesser-black Backed and one Great-black backed Gull.  About 40 lapwing were on the sandy shore area, and a fox was feeding there again, they just kept a safe distance from it.  There were a lot of Canada Geese, ~150 and Greylag Geese ~25, at least two Little Grebe were present too.

On the road verge I noticed a fungus which looked pretty good.

14th Sept - misty start, autumnal feeling, but becoming hot, humid be afternoon, 25C, southerly, veering NE

A Yellow Wagtail flew east over the village, 0840h. While a Nuthatch and Goldcrest were vocal in the church trees and a single Linnet flew over.  At the village pond a party of Long-tailed Tits were heard and one Chiffchaff was singing.

A Raven flew off east past cross-in-hand roundabout, 0925.

A few Swallows were seen first thing, by about 1400h there was ~35 and three House Martins over the village.  At 1540h it was very hot and humid and there must have been a hatching of insects as now over the village there was~70 Swallows and ~30 House Martins.  The latter were extremely high  at times and only just visible through x10 binoculars.  Also, joining in the feast were a number of Black-headed and Lesser-black Backed Gulls, Jackdaws and Starlings.

13th Sept - Hot and humid at times, 25C, high cloud southerly wind, veering NW evening

First thing there was about 50 Swallows sitting on the telegraph wires, well quite jittery really so flying off and returning.  Mid-morning they were feeding high over the village and at least three House martins were with them.

During the morning a Grey Heron was feeding at the top pond before being disturbed by cattle.  In the wood a Nuthatch and Great-spotted Woodpecker were calling.  A Sparrowhawk flew out - chased by a Jackdaw and a Jay flew, calling,  in to the old railway Ash saplings.  A single Spotted Flycatcher was hawking from the Hawthorn bush on the bank.

The recent rain and now heat has encouraged a number of fungi to fruit, here are some examples spotted around the wood and field.

In the evening I visited Stanford reservoir hoping to find bats, but the wind picked up and I decided not to wait until dark  However, while there I did see seven Shoveler, and the Gull roost is building up, but still only Black-headed and Lesser-black Backed Gulls present.  A Common Sandpiper was feeding on the dam and a small flock of Swallows feed overhead.  Just as it was late dusk a Hobby zoomed in and was feeding over the outflow area.

12th Sept - steady breeze from the south, very mild, 22C, a bit humid, mostly cloudy

Today was a bit busy and although out and about very little to report.  Early morning about 20 Swallows were on the telegraph wires and the young in the nest are getting a substantial size now, but  not old enough to leave the nest yet.

Two Treecreepers and a Nuthatch were very vocal in the wood to the east this morning, while 8 Moorhen were feeding in the back field and chicken pen area.

11th Sept - sunny periods, light SW breeze, 19C

This morning a Chiffchaff made a brief visit to the garden before flying up to the telegraph wires to join the Swallows before flying off. On the wires there was about 30 Swallows, with others flying around, further Swallows were around the fields to the west and on electric wires there, making at least 70 Swallows around still.  A couple of Meadow Pipit flew over fields to the east of the village, first of the autumn.

During the morning I visited the local lake, things were fairly quite, but with patience things could be found.  Four Bullfinch were calling from the thicket, a female Blackcap dashed in to cover while Long-tailed and other Tits roamed the bushes.  A cormorant flew over and a Grey Wagtail called as it passed.  On the water only one Tufted Duck, 12 Coot, six Moorhen, three Little Grebes and plenty of Mallard.  A Reed Warbler called from the reeds.

During the afternoon I walked around Stanford reservoir, plenty of Speckled Wood and Southern Hawkers flying.  Duck number have not yet started to increase much yet, but I expect this to change from mid-month. The eclipse male Goldeneye was feeding among the Tufted Duck, six Pochard, Mallard and two Gadwall. A good number of Great-crested Grebes were present and three Little Grebes.

Adult and juvenile Little Grebe

A Hobby was frequently seen hunting Dragonflies, with the thermals perfect for the Buzzards to get up high several could be heard and seen making the most of them.

A good number of Chiffchaffs were in the bushes, plus Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat, often with the roaming Tit and Goldcrest flocks.  Several Chaffinch and Tree Sparrows were at the feed station.  Two Jays called noisily as they were disturbed.  Some 10 each of Swallow and Sand Martin were feeding over the water, a little later ~60 House martins appeared and many took a dunk in the water to drink or wash.

Hornets have done well this year, three nest boxes have been used by them in which to build nests, like this one.

10th Sept - light rain through the morning from SW, mild, light SW breeze, dull cloudy pm, 15C

At 1040h there were 81 Swallows sitting on the telegraph wires in the light rain, so still plenty around the village area.

I decided to visit Cossington Meadows just north of Leicester, I have never been and there has been an American Wigeon present the previous two days, so worth taking a look.  Arrived in light rain and pretty low dull clouds, but still headed off along the main track to the Teal pool first.  On the pool there were Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, Mallard and about 20 Wigeon.  Scanning through I was able to spot the American Wigeon preening and then feeding among the other duck and Coots.

 American Wigeon (left bird) with (Eurasian) Wigeon and Coot

 On the Pool a Little Egret was feeding, along with several Moorhen and A Grey heron landed in the reeds.

The weather was not very helpful to seeing other birds and animals but a nice selection were seen.  Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers, Goldfinch and Bullfinch, Blackcap and Chiffchaffs, 15 Greylag gesse flew over.  Also above was a mixed flock of Swallows and House Martins, a single meadow Pipit called as it passed by.  A Sparrowhawk flew low over the bushes, making the Long-tailed Tits give alarm calls from the hedgerow.

9th Sept - sunny spells, mild, more cloud and fresher S/SW pm

A busy day, so not too much time for observing.  This morning about 10 Swallows were around the village, down on yesterday's 30.  Along the Wood Farm driveway there were 6 Linnet feeding.

8th Sept - Sunny periods, 20C, slightly fresher breeze today, SW

Last night, while enjoying a drink in the local - a warm evening so the door was open - a large (~ 2cm) Cricket/hopper flew in and landed on the bar post.  A light brown colour all over, not too knowledgeable on these insects, need to do some digging.  However, today in one field I spotted a very small (~3mm) bright green 'hopper', then this afternoon in another meadow there were many, hundreds, of similar sized 'hoppers' skipping out of the way as I walked.  I assume these small ones are young, but I know little of their life history so need to read-up.

I only saw ~ 40 Swallows around today, the numbers should drop now, last year my last one in the village was on the 4th October - depends when the young leave the last nest this year.

I did hear the Nuthatch, Coal Tits, Goldcrests and two Treecreepers in the local wood when I walked past this morning.

7th Sept - cloudy, humid at times, 22C, light SW breeze

This morning a Yellow Wagtail was on the roof of a building adjoining us, flitting with House Sparrows for a short while before flying off.

I took a walk down the village lane to Bittesby farm area.  On the way I spotted a Red Admiral warming itself on a wall, several 'Whites' on Lavender, several Speckled Wood and a Small Tortoiseshell.  A party of Long-tailed Tits were in the hedge, a couple of Goldfinch, several Chaffinch and a Green Woodpecker called.  The Swallows are still present over and around the local fields, more later.  High and distant a Hobby was hunting insect prey.

The Bittesby farm area, a higher stewardship with lots of good habitat was rather quite, probably the humid, still weather.  A single Yellowhammer, a couple of Reed Bunting, several Chiffchaff, three Bullfinch, a Linnet and a Jay were the bird highlights.  Similar butterflies as mentioned earlier, a Small Tortoiseshell was feeding on the few remaining Buddleia flowers.  Several Dragonfly were out and about, Common and Ruddy Darter, and a Southern Hawker.

Near the brook, an old dead Willow tree had a group of great looking bracket fungi on.

At 1700h I had a look at the Swallow flock (about 100) that had gather high over home, then suddenly dashing low over my head two Hobbies pursued a Swallow at high speed. One was very close to it, the Swallow twisted and turned very sharply and lost the Hobby, the second one dashed in and tried, further high speed manoeuvres and the Swallow escaped. The two Hobbies flew around quickly looking for another but ended up flying off 'empty' handed.  I have never seen two working together to catch prey, it was spectacular.

At 1920h a Sparrowhawk dashed over the garden, not stopping and with several birds giving alarm calls making its presence widely known.

6th Sept - cloud breaking afternoon, very war 24C, light. SW

A Hobby flew over the village at about 1030h, circling on the hunt, however the Swallows and House Martins had spotted it and had formed a loose flock (about 100) much higher looking down on it. The Hobby moved half a mile to the east before swinging back, but still no luck, it then headed off westward.

Just after this a party of three Yellow Wagtails flew over, I had already seen several single about moving between the fields.  A charm of about 6 Goldfinch were around the village and a single Linnet flew over.  The Coal Tit was back in the Church Yew tree, which Collared Doves were singing and displaying, this warm spell must have set then off, two pairs were seen.

In the village Richard and Stella tell me they found a Red-underwing moth they other day and a fairly large green Cricket in their garden.  Also, they have seen a few, they thought were, Holly Blue butterfly earlier in the year.

I made a visits to Stanford reservoir during the afternoon, although quite short it was interesting.  A juv Hobby sat atop their favourite tree before flying off to catch Dragonflies (a good number about today).   Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were all seen.  On the water the usual candidates, plus a Wigeon and four Shoveler.  Two Common Sandpipers were on the dam feeding and two Kingfishers were noisy along the waters edge willows.

A Muntjac crashed through the undergrowth and then moved off rather slowly to cover.  Speckled Wood were numerous, several Green-veined White and a single Common Blue butterfly was seen.

5th Sept - fine drizzle clearing mid-morning, cloudy slowly breaking to sunny spells evening, very warm, 22C, light breeze SW

I have now completed one year of this blog, thanks to those who have looked at it and especially to those who return.  I intend to continue as it makes for a great diary to look back over comparing the seasons and days.  Apologies for the many typos, sometimes they can be funny!

I can say that the Swallows did not leave, this morning about 20 were feeding around the horse paddocks near the old railway and ~40 were feeding just above the ground and heads of the Sheep in the field to the west.  Food is being taken to the nest, I wonder whether others help as often more than two will go into the shed where the nest is, but I can't see what they do when in there.

The Grey Wagtail flew over this morning, the Nuthatch was quite vocal, while the hedgerows seemed to hold plenty of Chiffchaffs.  A single Yellow Wagtail flew over calling late morning.

At 1315h a female Sparrowhawk landed atop of a garden shrub and had a good look around, spying birds as they flew past, clearly on the hunt.

I visited Shawell lagoons early evening, a Buzzard kept flying over low scaring all the gulls, so I had a general look around.   A Common Sandpiper flew in and fed on the sandy shore, several Lapwing flew off leaving just one. On the water the usual Tufted Duck and Mallards, four Little Grebe on the south lagoon, a single Moorhen and several Coot, a Chiffchaff called from the hedge.

Late evening a Green Woodpecker called from behind the village church.

About 2015h a bat was flying around the garden so i got my detector out, it was emitting at 47/48kHz while feeding, a Pipistrelle species, maybe a Soprano

4th Sept - clearing to sunny spells, light NW, 19C

This morning I could only find a max of six Swallows, so did they decide to move off early today given the wet weather that came through yesterday, will see how many are around tomorrow.

Today I decided to go on a twitch for the Western Swamphen that has been at Alkborough Flats (on the Humber estuary, Lincs), one was seen at Minsmere, Norfolk for a few days, so presumably the same one having moved north at little.  The species has not been accepted onto the British list yet as previous records have been of escaped ringed birds, this one is un-ringed and looks pretty good for a valid vagrant (southern Spain being the nearest population).  The following give you a idea of this large, clourful bird.

We made our way to the area where it was last seen and sure enough it was soon seen at the edge of the reeds, sometimes walking out, other times disappearing from view.  It was distant for my camera, but I'll see if any photo is worth posting.  The bird seemed quite happy clutching food in its large toes and eating it.

Other birds present included a Avocet and Ruff, a flock of Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank, and Curlew.  Ducks were Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, Shelduck and Mallard, together with Little Egrets and Black-headed Gulls.  A Marsh Harrie headed east along the fields next to the Flats.

Around the marsh a good number of Swallows and House Martins fed. A single Yellow Wagtail and Meadow Pipit flew over.  On the dry mud five Stock Doves and several Woodpigeons feed.   Small birds included Reed Bunting, Goldfinch, Linnet, Long-tailed tits, a Chiffchaff and Starling to name a few.

The whole area looks really interesting and well worth a visit.

3rd Sept - rain spreading from the SW by mid morning, staying unsettled with showers through the day, 17C

This morning first thing I count 60 Swallows on the telegraph wires, plus a few flying around.  These seemed all present in the evening over the village again.

I went to a sale at Willoughby Waterleys, a Sparrowhawk flew overhead and a good number of Swallows were feeding over the fields there too.

2nd Sept - cloudy most of the day, brightening late pm, light Westerly, 19C

30+ Swallows were feeding low of the grass fields first thing this morning, then this evening they were all over the village again, much chatter and song in their pre-roost flights, sometime between 1945 and 2000h they vanish to their roost.

During the morning I visited Frolesworth manor lake to see if any migrants were in.  On arrival some 20 House martins and a few Swallows were busy feeding near the car park.  On the lake the Great-crested Grebe pair had one juvenile that was calling for food but they were unimpressed by its calling.

 juv Great-crested Grebe

Great-crest grebe pair, with Tufted Duck passing by

A number of Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow were around the hedges and track.  A few Chiffchaff were in the thick hedge calling and chasing other small birds, a Whitethroat popped up out of the hedge and chased a Yellowhammer.

Back at the car park a Red Kite appeared from behind the office building quite low, the House martins were agitated and a few buzzed it.  I managed to point the camera a get a couple of quick photos before it drifted off.  Of course the light was terrible, never-the-less still worth a record photo.

 Red Kite being buzzed by House Martins

Red Kite - look at the tail 'steering'

2nd Sept - cloudy most of the day, brightening late pm, light Westerly, 19C

30+ Swallows were feeding low over the grass fields first thing this morning, then this evening they were all over the village again, much chatter and song in their pre-roost flights, sometime between 1945 and 2000h they vanish to their roost.

During the morning I visited Frolesworth manor lake to see if any migrants were in.  On arrival some 20 House martins and a few Swallows were busy feeding near the car park.  On the lake the Great-crested Grebe pair had one juvenile that was calling for food but they were unimpressed by its calling.

 juv Great-crested Grebe

Great-crest grebe pair, with Tufted Duck passing by

A number of Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow were around the hedges and track.  A few Chiffchaff were in the thick hedge calling and chasing other small birds, a Whitethroat popped up out of the hedge and chased a Yellowhammer.

Back at the car park a Red Kite appeared from behind the office building quite low, the House martins were agitated and a few buzzed it.  I managed to point the camera a get a couple of quick photos before it drifted off.  Of course the light was terrible, never-the-less still worth a record photo.

 Red Kite being buzzed by House Martins

Red Kite - look at the tail 'steering'

During the afternoon I had a walk at Stanford reservoir, the highlights were a Little Egret flying over the dam, a good range of Warblers (including Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat) roaming with Tits and Goldcrest. Not unsurprisingly a Sparrowhawk hunted the hedgerows.  Duck included Gadwall, Shoveler and Pochard. A family of five Little grebes included 3 juveniles, maybe they bred in a quite corner this year.

Plenty of Speckled Wood and several Dragonfly still.

1st Sept - sunny periods, 22C, light breeze

I spotted a Fox this morning running off with a rabbit locked in its jaws, plenty of both species in the area, although rabbits are certainly at lower numbers than in recent years.

30+ Swallows around the village and on the wires, now we are in September these will have to be moving on in a short while, although the pair feeding very small will be a few weeks yet.

The Sparrowhawk made a showing again late afternoon.