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.