Willey; this morning there may have been a few less Swallows around than yesterday. I checked one nest in our shed, they have very young chicks and will be at least another 3 weeks to fledge, by then very few others will still be here.
During the afternoon I had a walk around the fileds and wood to the east of the village, Nuthatch and Treecreeper were calling, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest were present. Two spotted Flycatchers were in the wood and along its edge. A couple of Stock Doves flew off, while a Grey Heron headed for the top pond. The slightly raised callers of Swallows made me scan the sky to see a Hobby drifting overhead southward, clearly not hunting and the Swallows knew this.
A Grey Squirrel jumped out of the hedge and paused, its check pouches were stuff full of food it will be hording for the winter. If you look around closely signs of autumn are showing, with leaves beginning to change colour and some even dropping. The morning dew is now quite heavy, a sure sign of a change.
Cotesbach Sandy Land and Landfill area; I had a look here as occasionally Redstarts have been found here, and with another netted at Stanford reservoir nearby early morning, I thought there may be a chance. I did not find one but seeing Red Kite, a Buzzard family, 4 Ravens, Green Woodpecker and other common species was good anyway.
Shawell Lagoons; I next looked here, a Common Sandpiper was on the shore, 65 Lapwing were roosting too and a single Little Grebe was present. Otherwise the expected other species were seen.
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