5th Aug - thunderstorms through during the day and showers, some heavy. 18C, Light- gust u=in storms, 18C

Misterton; a quick look early morning produced a good selection of the commoner woodland birds, plenty of Goldcrests, Nuthatch, Tits and Thrushes.

Willey; mid-morning during a Thunderstorm a Shield Bug landed on jeans, I managed a photo with the phone to identify later.  It is a Red-legged Shieldbug - of a colour variant - only the front legs appear red.

Red-legged Shieldbug

Pitsford reservoir; I visited here in the afternoon, the water level is very low, a reflection of our drier than average year so far.

Near the old Scaldwell road 20+ Tree Sparrows and c 10 Chaffinch were in the bushes where feed is laid down. As I walked along the path I spotted a Small Copper, it settled briefly and I managed a quick record photo.  There was also lots of interesting insects whizzing about too, another day to investigate these I think.

There were plenty of duck, Tufted, Gadwall, Shoveler and single moulting Goldeneye too.  There were plenty of Common Terns, adults and juveniles.  Some juveniles were still being fed by their parents.  A good number of Lapwing were present, the low water being ideal for them.  Other waders included 4 Common Sandpiper and a Black-tailed Godwit.

A Hobby was hunting over the woods past the Scaldwell bay area, also a Red Kite and Buzzard flew over.

There were a number of Little Egret and grey Heron, best was a Great Egret.