23rd Aug - cloudy, dullish still morning, becoming sunny spells pm 20C, wing fresher West

Willey; first thing there were 2 Wheatear in a stubble field just along the Pailton road, about half hour later another was found on the field track just east of the village.   A Sparrrowhawk flew along the village then back each time pursued by the Swallows, about 150 flying around alarm calling.  A Nuthatch and Chiffchaff were calling in the church yard area.

I've not seen any Yellow Wagtails with the cattle in the fields on migration, usually now we have several stopping over to fatten up, may in the next day or two.

After lunch I had a look at the BH wood, there were 4 Spotted Flycatchers feeding from the Hawthorns on the bank.

I spotted a spider that must have hitched a ride on my car, phone photo, I thunk it is a False Wolf Spider..

Stanford reservoir; visited here in the morning as it was hoped some migrants may have stopped over. A Redstart had been reported nearby and with my Wheatear it suggested they may be others about to find.  In terms of passerines there were several roaming feeding flocks of Chiffchaff, Willow Warblers, Goldcrest and Tits.  At least 2 Whitethroat were in the thickets and a Blackcap along Blowers Bay.
The  2 juvenile Shelduck are still here, the adults probably gone to moult off Germany.  The usual duck and plenty of Lapwings were around too.  A single Little Egret in the inlet area.  A couple of Raven flew over SE.

Shawell Lagoons; mid afternoon look here. There were plenty of Gulls present but none found with colour rings.  Yellow-legged Gulls are frequent now, like this sub-adult pictured.

Also present was a Common Sandpiper on the shore, 97 Canada Geese, a Little Grebe, several Tufted Duck including the female with 3 ducklings still.

Cotesbach Sandy Lane; next was a look in this area, a Red Kite was in the tree and a Green Sandpiper on the flooded area.  A couple of Bullfinch were calling from the lakeside and 4 Buzzards were overhead, one a juvenile calling and pestering a parent.