29th June - a cloudy day with light fine drizzle at times, dull with a light W, cool 14C

Not the heat wave we had this time last week.

I noticed what is likely a 'Polecat' road kill on the A5 near the village - was unable to stop and check though. Also, a Badger has succumbed to traffic near the broad-village junction.

Shawell Lagoons; I had a quick look here even though it was a bit gloomy early evening.  A Little-ringed Plover was feeding on the shore, wish there had been young too.  About 20 Sand Martins were feeding over the water, not sure where these are nesting either, no holes found in the neighbouring sandpit.  Other than that it was fairly quiet.

28th June - light rain until late afternoon, light breeze NW, 16C

This morning I left London early and directly from the station drove to Rempstone to find the Bee-eaters.  Arriving there in light but steady rain and fingers crossed I was informed 3 had been seen briefly looking quite wet.  I waited, with about 10 others at the viewing site overlooking a pool towards their favourite tree.  For an hour the rain fell and no Bee-eaters.  Then during a slightly brighter moment a Bee-eater appeared in the tree, then 3 others, they fed and called a little, as the rain returned a couple disappeared.  Still, I was able to watch them for a while and managed some digiscoped photos.  Maybe I'll return on a sunny day, as it is thought they may be breeding.

While waiting a Kestrel with prey, a Buzzard and Hobby were seen, plus other common birds.

Stanford reservoir;  I made a short visit in the evening, there was a lot of hirundines low of the water and 300+ Swifts.  The Hobby made an appearance hunting.  The Shelduck family is now down to 3 ducklings form 4.  A single Greenshank was feeding in the inlet bay.

27 June - mostly cloudy, rain in evening

In London, no time to get out. I hear the Bee -eaters are still present.

26th June - sunny spells, 20C, light NE breeze

Willey; a pair of Ribins feeding their young on the lawn at breakfast time.  The Goldcrest was singing and spent much time in the church yard Yews

Had to travel to London for a 2 day meeting, which is a shame as several Bee-eaters have been found near East Leake, hope they stay.

25th June - sunny spells early then mostly cloudy, light. 18c

Willey;  this morning 4 Fox cubs, well grown, were in the long grass by the BH wood corner.  I've previously mentioned 1 here but did not expect 4.  To the west a Red-legged Partridge was in the sheep field.

The swallows fledged this morning with 2 sitting on the door, a quick phone grab photo.

Stanford reservoir;  news came through there was an Avocet present, however I was busy and on the way out to Blaston show. I managed to stop as I passed and look fortunately it was at the inlet end quite close and had short but good views, also a Redshank was present.

I managed to make a visit late afternoon,  I was greeted by a Red Kite gliding over. The Avocet and Redshank were still present. On one of the islands 3 Little-ringed Plovers were feeding, an adult and 2 juveniles.  Lapwings were in good number with the majority feeding at the inlet which is still nice and shallow.
After a while 27 Black-tailed Godwits dropped in and joined the Lapwings feeding, they looked super and were chattering all the time.

Close examination showed that one bird was colour ringed, so details hopefully will be obtained.

A couple of Hobby flew over, the Godwits looked up but did not fly, unlike the Lapwings, but they soon settled down again to the important business of feeding.

A pair of Shelduck have 4 young, this is the first breeding record here.  Also, when walking along the track saw a Red-legged Partridge sneak off, then I noticed a small feathery object move, looking carefully I could see a brood on ~11 chicks on the path sitting still and tightly together.

24th June - sunny spells, warm and humid 20C,light SW

Willey; we have not had any reports of live Hedgehogs around the village this year, sadly this morning I saw an adult dead at the main road junction, exactly where I saw similar in the Spring.

To the west sitting in the mown field next to the Sheep, 4 Ravens were sitting, then they flew off in their usual southerly direction - no food today.

Shawell Lagoons; a brief look here first thing produced 2 Great-crested Grebes, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck and a mallard with a brood, a Green Woodpecker and Bullfinch.  About 200 Gulls, Lesser-black Backed, Herring and a single Black-headed Gull.

Mere Lane Lake; before lunch I had a walk around the lake, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Reed and sedge Warblers were all singing or catching food for young.  4 Little Grebe were on the lake, but no young were seen. the male Reed Bunting was still singing in territory.

There were plenty of Butterflies about, Damselfly and some Dragonflies, here are some of the butterflies, also a Damselfly and Moth.

 Large Skipper

 Red Admiral

 Meadow brown

 

 Ringlet

 ? Moth

Common Blue

During the afternoon I visited my Brother near Theddingworth, there were 6+ Small Tortoiseshell in the garden.

23rd June - mostly cloudy, fresher SW, 20C

A busy day, but I noticed 3 Swifts moving southward, feeding, over the village at mid-day.  The Swallows in the nest are looking now very close to fledging.

22nd June - sunny spells, light SW, feeling a little fresher, 22C,

Willey; the Pied Wagtails are busy feeding their noisy young under the roof tiles.  They must be getting close to fledging soon.

Stanford reservoir; a lovely evening, although there was a certain quiet feeling in terms of birds.  The usual birds were seen, a single Little Egret and 2 Grey Herons, -80 Lapwing, 2 Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher and a single juvenile Little-ringed Plover.  I then spotted the Osprey fishing at the dam end.  It was actively fishing and I watched it for 30 mins before it dived and successfully catch a fish, it looked like a Roach.

Photo C Hubbard

A few butterflies were still on the wing and going to roost in the trees and vegetation. Large Skipper, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and a Comma.

Comma

21st June - very hot, sunny spells, 30C, light breeze at times

A busy day but I did spot a Kestrel hunting over the fields to the west of the village this evening.

20th June - cloudy am, brighter and sun om before cloud again. NE breeze feshening. 24C

Willey; I noticed the first fledged Swallows flying in the village today.  I checked one of my shed nests and it has 4 well grown young, I'll have to check the others tomorrow.

Frolesworth Manor lake; I dropped in here this morning for a look.  The Great-crested Grebe pair had 3 well grown young.

Swallow families were flying over the lake and a small number of House Martins were around too, these must breed in the village.  A small number of Linnet and Goldfinch were present, a Skylark was flying over the adjacent field.  A juvenile Buzzard kept calling from the wood by the brook.

Several Dragonfly and Damselfly were present, I took some photos, which I shall add shortly.  Several Blue-tailed Damselfly were present.

Broad Bodied Chaser -

Stanford reservoir;  this evening I had a walk here.  The number of Lapwings definitely higher again with about 80 present.  Also, feeding in the inlet area were 3 Green Sandpipers, already on their return migration southward.

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 The usual resident birds were seen, many of Warblers are busy feeding young, like this Sedge Warbler.

A 'hopper' landed on my telescope, I managed a quick rear photo with the phone, of a Common Ground Hopper.

19th June -very hot 31C, mostly still or very light breeze, mostly sunny

I lent a hand today with the Sheep shearing, the Sheep must be glad to get the thick wool off this weather, it was sweltering fortunately the shearers got on with it despite the heat, even though they were in the shade they were still very hot.

This evening we relaxed at a BBQ held by the vintage club in a lovely small field suronded by good tall hedges.  A Song Thrush sang all evening, as did a Greenfinch, a small flock of Starling flew south to a roost somewhere unknown to me.

18th June - sunny, very hot, 30C, very light breeze

Willey;  a field was cut for hay today, several Lesser-black Backed Gulls were dropping down and picking up food items.  You never use to see Gulls follow the grass cutters, only the plough, but they have learnt to do so.
In the Long Spinney to the west I stood at a area which was once favoured by Spotted Flycatcher.  While I stood a Goldcrest sang, a Great spotted Woodpecker searched for food, a Song Thrush was in full voice and Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Blue and Great Tits were around.

Mid-morning I visited the Shawell sandpit area hoping for Marbled White Butterflies, none were seen. Good numbers of other common Meadow/hedgerow butterflies including several Small Heath, as shown here.

A Stock dove sat in a tree by the lane as I walked past.

Stanford reservoir; I visited here mid- late afternoon, it was very hot so decided on a slow short water on the shaded side.  I think all wildlife seemed to be taking it easy with few butterflies, Dragonflies and birds on the wing.  On the island in the narrows I did spot a Curlew, this later moved to the inlet area, and 3 Ringed Plover -one a juvenile.  A moulting Shoveler sat asleep, while the Canada and Greylag Geese numbers continue to grow.  Back at the inlet the Lapwing chicks are really a god size now and probably ought to be called juveniles.  I noticed a Curlew resting and spotted a second one feeding behind it, so one more than I initially thought.