30th Sept - sunny spells am, cloud increasing light rain later, light SW, 15C

Willey; 4 Swallows on the wires this morning, 1 adult and 3 very recently fledged juveniles - will we see them in October?

Cotesbach sandy lane pools; I had a look here in the morning, very little found, although Pied Wagtail numbers have begun to increase, c15, as they did last autumn.

Stanford reservoir;  a mid-afternoon visit, with cloud increasing and rain not too far off it was a quick walk to the hide for shelter.  Three Ruff were in the flooded vegetation with Lapwings, Teal and other duck.  There was over 200 Teal today, still a good number of Shoveler too.  The high number of Greylag and Canada geese at the moment sometimes get very excited and cause the other duck to become alarmed and often fly off to a new area of water.  The female Red-crested Pochard is still here, and still only a single drake Pochard, the others seen having left which makes me wonder if this one is injured and can't flew.

The Greenshank was also feeding along the waters edge, 4 Snipe flew over and the green Sandpiper was again on the inflow weir.

A roving mixed Tit flock was in the bushes, including Chiffchaff and Goldcrest.

29th Sept - RCP - rain am, clearing to sunny spells pm, 19C, light SW

Willey; this morning 2 Swallows were over the fields to the east.

Theddingworth; mid-morning there were 8 Mistle Thrush feeding on Rowan berries on a tree at my brothers.

Stanford reservoir; a late afternoon visit, a female Red-crested Pochard was feeding off the point, first record of the year, maybe others to follow.  Also, 3 Juv-near adult Shelduck and the other usual ducks. A single Ruff was spotted in the flooded vegetation.

28th Sept - rain through the night, sunny spells, light Westerly, 18C

Willey; no Swallows seen by mid-day, still good number of Chiffchaffs in the hedges/trees.  Mid-afternoon 4 Swallows were resting a short while on the telegraph wires.  This morning there were 4 Greenfinch sitting atop the neighbours fir tree, they have feeders in the garden.

Stanford reservoir; a quick look later afternoon produced 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Ruff, A Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper on the inflow weir and a single Snipe flew over calling.  A Few Chiffchaffs in the bushes and a roving Tit flock.

27th Sept - sunny am, I treading cold pm light evening, 20C

Willey; a busy day, at least 4 Swallows this morning, 4 Mistle Thrushes and a good number of Chiffchaffs around.

26th Sept - very misty damp start, sun breaking through slowly, mild 18C, light easterly

Willey;  last evening I found a Great Crested Newt under the wheelie bin I was moving, managed a phone photo in the gloom.

This morning at least 10 Swallows over the village, also 5 Buzzard together and Skylark was heard flying over. In a sunny spell ~20 Starlings were up hawking insects.  Again a number of Chiffchaff were around and could be seen or heard.

Several butterflies were on the wing, Speckled wood, Red Admiral and Small White.

25th Sept - rain first thing slowly easing to a murky but mild day, light SE, 15C

Willey; once the rain eased this morning there was quite a lot of activity around the village.  A mixed flock in the church yard contained Blue, Great, Long-tailed and Coal Tits, Goldcrest and 5+ Chiffchaff.  A Nuthatch appeared and 8 Greenfinches flew over.
Over the fields just off the lane bend there was at least 50 Swallows and 10 House Martins feeding, super watching them and a Cormorant flew over eastward.

Stanford reservoir; a look this afternoon produced 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a single Ruff (reeve), at least 47 Wigeon and c200 Teal.  Otherwise things much as usual.

24th Sept - Blackwits and Swallows - sunny am, high cloud building pm, warm SE light wind, 21C

Willey; this morning there were about 20 Swallows on the wires before they scattered, about 1730h there were 30 feeding high over the village with again at least 1 House Martin.  Also, this morning there were at least 2 Chiffchaffs singing and a small number of Meadow Pipits flew over the Perkins field area.

This afternoon, about.   There were 7 Buzzards over the stubble fields in the Cloudsley Bush area (2 miles to the west of the village) and 2 Red Kites, all hunting over the fields.  Then, 2 Hobby flew eastward along the Long Spinney edge - amazing to watch all together.

Stanford reservoir; mid-afternoon I set off to here for a stroll.  The 7 Black-tailed Godwit were again present on the island, as was the single Greenshank and a Snipe among the Lapwing.  New in were 2 female Pochard with a male, otherwise duck numbers were as recently seen.  I did count/estimate the number of Greylag and Canada Geese at 400 and 250 respectively.

23rd Sept -Mistle Thrush- cloudy, slowly brightening by pm, 15C

Willey; at least 6 Swallows and at least 1 House Martin over the fields this morning.  Mid-morning 6 Mistle Thrushes flew in to the Holly tree, it is loaded with berries this year.

Rutland Water -Egleton; I decided to visit Rutland water for the afternoon, there had been an American Wigeon here for a while which I was hoping to find.  On the way near  Stockerston I noticed 8 Red Kites over a recently cultivated field.

Once at Rutland Water I headed off to lagoon 2, it was covered in Wigeon so my task of finding an American Wigeon in eclipse plumage was challenging.  Needless to have a very considerable time of searching throughout the afternoon I could not find it.  Other duck present included Pintail, Gadwall and Teal.

Two Hobby were hunting insect prey, sometimes passing very close giving superb views.   There were many insects and Dragonflies about for them to catch.

Generally things were very quiet, on lagoon 4 the only waders were Lapwing and a single Greenshank. Walking to lagoon 2  I could see 2 Great (white) Egret standing on an island.

22nd Sept - Blackwits - sunny most of the day, cloud forming late afternoon, light SSW,18C

Willey; this morning there were c20 Swallows sitting on the telegraph wires.  A couple of Raven flew over low towards the sheep fields along Moors Lane.

Stanford reservoir; a late afternoon visit here was interesting as 7 roosting Black-tailed Godwits were on the island, until something made all the Lapwings go up and they did too, they then flew off.  Also, on the island was a Ruff (reeve) and 3 Snipe, this did not fly up with the Lapwing.  A little later 3 Ruff (2 reeves and a ruff - male) flew along the reservoir, with the one still on the island, so a total of 4 Ruff are still around the reservoir.  A single Green sandpiper was on the weir again.  Wigeon numbers were up a little again, to 25, with plenty of Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall still.

A Jay was flying between the trees, whilst a mixed tit and warbler flock made its away through the water side willows.

21st Sept - Ruff - rain most of the day, light Westerly, 14C

Willey; A Marsh Tit was heard in a Tit flock as it moved through the Perkins spinney.  No Swallows seen early as rain started early, not until late afternoon was one seen over the cattle fields to the east.
One of the old landed pasture fields has a good number of these fungi over it.

Stanford reservoir; I made it here for the late evening/disk.  A Jay and green Woodpecker were calling. Notable birds included a Snipe, Greenshank and Ruff on the islands.  Up to 4 Ruff have been around for a couple of days, photo by Chris Hubbard.

20th Sept - Blackwit - sunny spells, light to breezy Southerly, 18C

Willey; this morning about 10 Swallows were over the village, Chiffchaff singing and 5 Skylark moved over north.  A Grey Wagtail flew over, yesterday too, so as usual back for the winter around the village.

Stanford Reservoir; a mid-afternoon visit, the number of Wigeon have increased again, to 9 and a second drake Pochard has turned up, still c50 Shoveler, c100 Teal, plus Gadwall, Mallard and Tufted Duck.  Waders included 2 Green Sandpiper on the inlet weir, a Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit on the island.  This morning Chris had 4 Ruff and a Stonechat still.  About 25 Swallows flew along the water, no other hirundines seen though.

19th Sept - misty start, sun breaking through, fine day, 16C

Willey;  it was misty first thing and not much about, however we moved some lambs in to another field and immediately about 30 Swallows appeared swooping around the lambs for disturbed insects - they must have been watching!

During the afternoon several Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell were making the most of the warm sunshine.

In the evening I went to look for the Barn Owl again, not seen again.  I did take the Bat detector and found the small Bats were emitting at 55 and 77, whilst the larger one was emitting at 101 and 122.

18th Sept -Stonechat - sunny intervals, showers pm, 14C, light NW

Willey; only 5 Swallows seen today around the village, soon there will be none.

Stanford reservoir; news from the ringers this morning of 2 Whinchats and a Stonechat, so mid- afternoon I made my way there hoping to see them.  I did find the Stonechat sitting on the hedge bushes and hawking insects, but not the Whinchats.  Plenty of roving Mixed Tit/Warbler flocks, In one I was able to find several Willow Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat, which was good because around here these have been hard to find this summer.
Four Wigeon were present, so some new arrivals since yesterday, a couple of Little Egrets and 2 Little Grebes were among the usual ducks.  A much smaller number of Swallows and House Martins were around the reservoir today.
Several butterflies were on the wing, Small White and Red Admirals.

17th Sept - Hen Harrier - cloudy, clearing to sunny spells pm and short showers, 17C, light NNE

Willey; First thing there was a good number of Blackbirds and several Song Thrushes, plus a single Mistle Thrush feeding in the Holly tree, church Yew and lane hawthorn hedge.   This morning 11 Swallows were around the cattle fields, then the flock increased to c30, all busy feeding over the pasture.  A Grey Heron flew over the fields on its way to a pond.
About 1900h a Kestrel was hunting over the cross-in-hand spinney field.

Stanford reservoir;  Chris found a hen harrier hunting over the adjacent fallow field so I went to have a look, I did see it hunting for a while before it went to ground.

While looking for the Harrier a Hobby flew passed scattering the hirundines present, of which there were many - 500+House Martins, c50 Sand martins and c100 Swallows.  Later a kestrel and Sparrowhawk were seen too.  Golden Plover were heard calling as they flew passed, whilst a Greenshank was roosting on an island and a Snipe was probing the mud.  All the usual ducks were present, also still only 1 Wigeon and Pochard.  A Little Egret was feeding along the waters edge.  Even ore then ever Greylag and Canada Geese seemed to be present, they seem to be making the most of the uncultivated cereal fields.
There was a couple of roving Tit/Goldcrest flocks with plenty of Chiffchaffs and occasional Willow Warbler. Several Jays were noisy and flying around, as were 2 Great-spotted Woodpeckers.  A Kingfisher zipped by on its way to the nearby pool.

16th Sept - cloudy, light fine drizzle am, 12C, light breeze NW

Willey; I counted 14 Swallows flying around, some adults were catching food and feeding the juvs on the wing.  Several Chiffchaffs were about singing too.

Late afternoon a villager told me he has seen a Barn Owl at the old shed across the fields, hopefully it will stay awhile.  About 1930h I positioned myself near the field gate overlooking the area and waited until dark, the Owl did not appear.  While waiting a number of bats fed around the hedge and field, one likely a Pipistrelle or similar another was a lager bats with a different flight, unknown species (I'll have to take the detector).  Also, a Fox walked up the field, unaware of me, and was scent marking.


Mere Lane Lake; I popped in here for a quick look mid-morning. Little Grebes, Mute Swan family, Tufted Duck, Coot and Moorhen were on the water.  Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler in the bushes with the usual Tits and Goldcrest. Three Reed Warblers were still present in the reeds, calling and popping up, a Reed Bunting was nearby too.  A Jay was in the trees adjacent calling loudly.

A colour ringed Reed Warbler I mentioned a couple of weeks ago was ringed at Brandon marsh - still waiting for full information though.

Shawell Lagoons; some Gull watching here during the afternoon.  A good number of LBBGs, some with colour rings that Carl was busy reading, at least 3 were ringed in the Channel Islands. several Herring Gull and at least 5 GBBGs were present, 5+ Yellow legged Gulls and a Caspian Gull.

News of a colour ringed LBBG I read - J374L - in August is that it was ringed 12/7/16 as a chick at Udvaare in Norway, about 817 Km direct.

15th Sept - Grey Phalarope -sunny spells, becoming more cloudy with showers, light NW, 15C

Willey; this morning there were about 10 Swallows around the village and fields.  On one Sheep field there was about 7 Meadow Pipits feeding.  Near the church the Nuthatch was calling loudly and Chiffchaffs were heard singing.

Hollowell reservoir; I visited here mid afternoon to see the Grey Phalarope that has been present a couple of days, it was in the Guilsborough bay among Black-headed Gulls, some chasing it, then along the shore where a Moorhen chased it.  As it is something different its often the case that other birds will not ignore them. So as not to disturb it the views were quite distant, the light was too bright too, I managed some awful record photos through the heat haze, but you can see what it is.

The only other waders present were a Redshank and juvenile Ringed Plover.

Theddingworth; later while at my brothers I spotted this Devils Coach Beetle, that readily takes on a threatenng 'Scorpion' like pose.

14th Sept - SABINE'S GULL - sunny spells, a few light showers pm, light- fresh NW 14C

Willey;  Swallows still around village and fields.  A few Meadow Pipits heading over south this morning. A Jay flew from the cross-in-hand spinney over the fields, no doubt looking for food it may hide for the winter.

Daventry CP.  Sabines Gull, a Juv was reported yesterday evening and was still there this morning so I went to see it. A lovely small Gull, especially when it flies and shows its distinctive wing pattern. At times it was very close on the shore, before flying off and coming back to the reservoir.  I managed some record photos, though the sun was very bright,  before it went on a flight.

_ 

Other notable birds present were 2 Ruff, a Greenshank and 3 Common Sandpipers, with Sand and House Martins preset too.

Several Red Admiral, Comma and other butterflies were on the wing like these on Ivy.

Stanford reservoir; I made a visit here late afternoon, there were many hirundines, ~ 1000, overhead and it was not long before I could pick out a Swift among them.  Two Sparrowhawks were flying around, sometimes together and disturbing the Lapwings went the flew past them.  At least 50 Shoveler were counted, plus Teal, Gadwall and a single Wigeon, Mute Swan totaled 57.  In the larger bay a Tern appeared in to view, it was a juv Arctic Tern that was first spotted last evening by Chris and unexpectedly was still here today.

Photo Chris Hubbard

Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers were heard and a skulking Whitethroat was spotted in the bramble thicket.

13th Sept - sunny am, showers pm, light- moderate SW, 15C

Willey;  a storm went through during the night from the SW, with gusty strong wind and rain, although here we got away much better than elsewhere.
~25 Swallows still around the village.  Occasional butterfly - Peacock, Red Admiral or Small Tortoiseshell - on the wing still.  In the evening a couple of Sand martins were feeding over the village with the Swallows, as dusk arrived some of the Swallows dived in to the sheds to roost.

Shawell Lagoons;  I had a look here this morning, unfortunately it was really quiet with only a few Gulls, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and Pied Wagtail, with a flock of Canada Geese.  I then looked at the pools at nearby Sandy Lane, these were also quiet apart from a Red Kite overhead being hassled by Jackdaws.

12th Sept - sunny morning, cloud building and wind freshening. 17C

Willey; About 25 Swallows seen around the village and fields this morning.  Last year my last Swallow seen here was on the 9th Sept and the year before the 1st Oct.

Stanford reservoir; a trip here this afternoon produced a Swift among the many hirundines.  A Greenshank was feeding around the edge of an island, a Green Sandpiper was at the inlet pool weir.  Three Kestrel were around, one a juvenile calling loudly.

11th Sept - sunny spells, frequent showers, sometimes blustery, 15C

Willey, Swallows still around village and fields.

No time for further obs today.

The west of the country has been experiencing good numbers of seabirds coming close inshore or inland due to the strong winds, also a number of North American waders are beginning to turn up due to the weather conditions.

10th Sept - few sunny spells, cloud increasing showers late pm, moderate, sometimes strong blustery, SSW, 15C

Willey;  Swallows still around village and fields.

Stanford reservoir;  there were many hirundines here this afternoon, maybe as many as 1000, the majority were House Martins, with Sand martins and Swallows too.  Not surprisingly, a Hobby showed up and tried to catch hirundine.  A Red Kite flew over eastwards.

The ringers have been busy this weekend at Stanford reservoir and clearly shows that migration is going on, even though the weather is not brilliant for us and that while birding few birds are sometimes seen.  This weekend they ringed 657 new birds, which included 450 Blackcap and 75 Chiffchaff.   I was lucky to see a handful of Blackcap when birding during this time!

9th Sept - sunny spells and showers, light, sometimes breezy WSW, 16C

Willey; c30 Swallows still around the village and fields.  Jackdaws seem to be more active this time of year inspecting the Sheep for possible food, like this one and several others this morning.

Stanford reservoir; the Marsh Harrier was again reported, but my searching and watching failed to find it. There were plenty of hirundines in again including a single Swift.  A single Black-tailed Godwit was among the Lapwing on the island and a Snipe flew over calling.  Mixed flocks of warblers and Tits were roving around the bushes.  Otherwise all the usual species were seen again, with Teal and Shoveler numbers still increasing, heading towards 100 each.

8th Sept - sunny spells and showers, especially pm, 16C, light SW-W

Willey; about Swallows still around the village and fields, occasional Meadow Pipit. A 'charm' of ~20 Goldfinch around the village this morning, probably visiting a garden feed area, Nuthatch in Church yard trees.

Stanford reservoir; the Marsh Harrier was reported again, so mid afternoon I managed to get there, but the bird was not found again.  It very likely hunts the fields in the area too, of which there are many suitable.  While waiting there were many hirundines again and I managed to find a single Swift, I think my latest record here.  At one point all the birds went up off the island, promising as they react like this a predator, nothing was spotted particularly but a Black-tailed Godwit was present with the Lapwing and another wader, but too late to identify before out of view, possibly a Golden Plover.  Hopefully, the Harrier will stay a little longer yet.

7th Sept - sunny spells am, clouding over pm, 18C

Willey;  at last some Yellow Wagtails with the cattle this morning, if only 2, a Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit with them.  A little later a couple of Meadow Pipit flew over southward, so maybe some movement today.   In the morning there were 5 Swallows around the fields and the 2 feeding young, so some still here.  At 1430h there were 27 sitting on the wires, obviously been feeding all morning over the fields.

Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood butterflies were showing well today.

Stanford reservoir; news came that a Marsh Harrier was hunting here, I was busy and managed to go about an hour later, but was unable to find the bird.  While searching for it I did find 2 Pintail on the water, a female and juvenile, they flew off, the first here since Spring.  Overhead were many hirundines, at least 500 House Martins with Swallows and Sand Martins and a single Swift.

6th Sept - fine morning, sunny periods, light breeze WNW, 18C

Willey; I did not see any Swallows on the wires this morning so thought the rest may have left, except the pair feeding 4 young in our shed.  However, in the evening, 1920h, 10 were back around the village pre-roost flights.   So, some may have left but not all; I would say the young have about 10 days to fledge, finding food for them will become more difficult as we are forecast an unsettled wet few days from Friday.

Stanford reservoir;  a interesting walk here this afternoon. All the Lapwings went up high suggesting a bird of prey, and sure enough a juvenile Peregrine was atempting to catch a Black-headed Gull.  Interestingly, opposite to the Lapwings the BHGs all gathered in a loose group on the water and did not fly up, they just sat tight while the Peregrine tried to pluck one off, but it had no chance.

A little later a Hobby flew over hawking insect food, there had been a moxed flock of hirundines, but it seemed uninterested in these. A Green Sandpiper, Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit were still present, a couple of Little Grebe were on the water near the islands.   Around the bushes a mixed flock of Tits, Goldcrest, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, included a Willow Tit.

On the adjacent field the two Whinchats were still present catching food from the tall vegetation.

5th Sept - dull, cloudy light rain am, sunny spells pm before showers, 21C

Willey; 25-39 Swallows on the wires this morning.

Stanford reservoir; After lunch I headed here, hoping for the Whinchat that have been here a few days.  On reachng their usual field area I quickly spotted 2 sitting on vegetation and catching insects. I managed some record photos through the heat haze without getting too close to disturb them.

As I walked towards the field along the hedge path there was a number of roving flocks of Tits, Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers, at one point I heard a Redstart call and after a few moments it flew from the hedge in to the waterside Willows chased by a Whitethroat.  Although a brief view it was good to see, as usually the only chance to see one is when netted for ringing and this year they have caught several over the last couple of weeks.

A Hobby flew over catching insects before flying off, maybe the last I'll see this year.  A Little Egret was on the islands along with many lapwing and ducks.  A Green Sandpiper was on the weir at the inlet.

4th Sept - cloudy, mild misty start.

Willey; about 30 Swallows on the wires this morning. On the top field pond mud a Green Sandpiper was feeding. During the evening the Swallows were participating in a pre-roost flight and chatter over the village.

Stanford reservoir; a look here mid-afternoon did not produce anything new, and seemed fairly quiet, no hirundines either.  The Black-tailed Godwit was on the island.

High cloud, light sometimes fresher SSE, 16C, light rain pm

Willey; There seemed about the same number of Swallows around first thing as yesterday, with young still being fed in one nest.  Around the church yard area the Nuthatch and Goldcrest were calling, c10 Linnet were in the top of the Horse Chestnut tree and a family party of Greenfinch kept flying about with juveniles calling loudly.

Bittesby Mere Lane Lake; a look here did not produce too much as the wind was rather fresh keeping thing well hidden.  A couple of Sedge warblers still in the reed bed, 4 Little Grebes on the lake and a couple of Bullfinch and a Chiffchaff were heard.  A number of Puff-ball fungi were just starting to fruit.

Stanford reservoir; after lunch I made a visit here, again the weather was a little unsettled, but you never know.  A good number of hirundines were feeding over the reservoir, Swallow, Sand Martin and at least 150 House martins.  I was hopeful there would be a Swift too, and after some while one did appear feeding among them, my latest record for this site ever.  Only 1 or 2 Wigeon still, no more arrivals and the single drake Pochard was present.  While the water level remains low it is less suitable for diving duck, but great for the dabblers (Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall).  Passage waders included a Greenshank, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Green Sandpiper.  57 Mute Swans were counted on the water along with a single Little Grebe and Little Egret at the inlet channel.

Theddingworth; in the evening I visited my brother and could here a couple of Raven calling over the nearby woodland, about 2100h there was a Barn Owl on the fence along station lane.

2nd Sept - Mostly sunny after a misty start, 19C, light SE

A busy day with little time for obs.

Willey;  There was 25 Swallows sitting on the wires this morning as the mist cleared.  A Sparrowhawk flew over the fields just east of the village.  Good numbers of Speckled Wood are still flying around the hedges and thickets.

Autumn dawns 1st Sept - mostly sunny 19C, light W

Willey; well only 14 Swallows were on the wires this morning, with odd ones flying around, suggesting that more left on migration since yesterday mornings count.

Stanford reservoir; another try to see the Whinchat, again no sighting.  A Common Sandpiper flew passed, a couple of Little Egret where on the islands again.  Chiffchaff, Willow Warblers were numerous, with Blackcaps, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat also seen.  Otherwise things are much as expected, there's an expectation the migration will turn up something unusual in the next few weeks, as well as more returning winter visitors.