29th June - Hot sunny, 28C, light to moderate Easterly

Cotesbach landfill;  a look here this morning to count the Red Kite, the were moving around a lot, 15-20 estimated.

Misterton; a lot here, no Spotted Flycatcher seen but hopefully they will soon have young making them more easy to find.  A drake Teal was on the lake, unusually, along with the Canada Geese and Moorhen.

28th June - sunny, hot, 26C, ENE light

Willey; Kestrel hunting over hay fields to the west again today.

27th June - cloudy and cooler at first some becoming sunny and hot, 26C, light NE

Willey; about 0830h at the top pond a Mallard duck flew off the pond on to the field very agitated, this was followed by a Moorhen, which was followed by a Green Sandpiper.  After a couple of low circles of the pond the Sandpiper flew off.   Never saw what caused their source of agitation, but without it I may not have seen the Sandpiper, my first of the autumn!

Shawell Lagoons and Land fill area;  at the north lagoon I was surprised to find 3 Green Sandpipers this evening. Clearly, they have been on the move today. Nothing else too exciting, Tufted Duck numbers increase to 27, unfortunately no broods seen so far, but they are often late breeders.  A couple more Mallard ducks with broods though.  5 Goldfinch busy feeding on the verge vegetation seed heads.  A flock of Starling, c100, flew low rapidly northward, presumable to a roost somewhere.

At the landfill area, plenty of Gulls resting before leaving to roost, 7 Lapwing and thankfully the chick is still present, although now somewhat bigger and loosing its ‘downy’ plumage.

26th June - sunny, hot, 25C, very light NW

Willey; a Green Woodpecker family in the trees to the west, 3 juvs call in different trees, presumable not long left the nest.
Rescued a Toad from the hay field to the long grass.

The other day I found a Drinker moth in the grass, and on the 1st June I had found a Drinker’s catapillar.  I was puzzled what the moth was actually on, I think it’s a cocoon containing a larvae. Not a uncommon moth.

Cotesbach Landfill; 18 Red Kite counted this morning.

Mere lake; usual birds, Mute Swans pair has 7 cygnets. Plenty of Ringlet butterflies, plus Small Skipper.

Found a pellet, seems fully composed of Beetle remains which could be a Little Owl, but the size and shape wasn’t typical, but could still have been so.

26th June - hot and sunny, 28C, light breeze NW

Willey; Red Kite over hay fields to the west this morning. Later a Kestrel was hunting over the fields and a Lesser Whitethroat was singing from the hedgerow.

Cotesbach Landfill; the number of Black-headed Gulls increasing slowly with 16 this morning including the first juvenile. 3 Red Kites, 6 Lapwing, Shelduck 2 and 19 Canada Geese.

Stanford Reservoir; late evening and dusk, mainly for bats.  On the dam a Common Sandpiper and Grey Heron were feeding, while 4 Common Tern were over the water.
Bats detected were: Sonoran Pipestrelle, Daubenton’s, Whiskered and Brandt’s. A single recording named as a Western Barbestelle, these are very scarce, so hopefully I can get this again to confirm it.

24th June - hot, sunny, 25C, light breeze NW

Willey; John D told me he had 4 Red Kites hunting over his hay fields (near Churchover) in the last few days.
Swallows have begun to fledge and some juveniles are hunting around the fields with their parents now.

23rd June - sunny spells, 20C, breeze light N

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk - I spent the afternoon here today, not often I visit here this time of year, in all I had 60 species.  5 Red-Crested Pochard, 2 Common Pochard, a Gadwall Duck with at least 8 young.  Just along the beach path from the centre 2 Tawny Owls we’re dozing in a tall Willow, a adult and juvenile.  All the usual birds over the marsh with Bearded Tits showing well.  Waders included 2 distant Spotted Redshank, c100 Knot and both Bar- and Black- tailed Godwits, 2 Little-ringed Plovers, 2 Sanderling were on the shore running along.
Common, Sandwich and Little Terns were present.  A good number of Mediterranean Gulls, plus some youngsters being fed, many juvenile Black-headed Gulls about to leave the nesting area.

22nd June - sunny, light NW breeze, 22C

Willey: a Kestrel was hunting over the grass field being mown near cross-in- hand roundabout and a Whitethroat was singing in the hedgerow.

21st June - very breezy and cool at first, easing NW and warming with plenty of sun during the day, 18C

summer solstice has arrived, with a big high approaching and very weather expected.

Draycote Water; a quick look from the dam area while waiting for a wardens meeting.  About 20 House Martins around the sailing club building where they have nests.  Swifts over the water, 1 Common Tern feeding. Not a lot else as the wind was pretty keen keeping things in shelter.

Stanford Reservoir ; a look during the afternoon,  Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker, families of Pied and Grey Wagtails on the outflow. A male Greenfinch in the bushes near the bridge and a Raven calling in the distance.  A Grey Heron was present, maybe because the water level is dropping making it more suitable. GreyLag Geese number over 60 now with several Goslings, also some juveniles. Canada Geese, 16 and some goslings.  A couple of Common Terns were present.

20th June - another day similar to yesterday - cloud/sun/drizzle/hot/humid at times

Yesterdays fungus - 1 day older.

19th June - cloudy, few sunny spells, humid at times, breeze light SW, 23C

Willey; about 0930h 2 Cormorants flew over NE. To think once we would never see these birds here.
I found a fungus on the lawn, it’s looks good for a Orange Webcap, but completely the wrong habitat according to the literature, so maybe I have the identity wrong, maybe another wax cap type.  I shall keep an eye on it, hoping it develops further. Ought to be a Meadow Waxcap. Any comments on identity welcomed.

Cotesbach landfill; a quick check here late afternoon.  The Lapwing chick was still present and 7 adults.  I managed a count of 8 Red Kite.

18th June - mostly cloudy, some sunny spells mid-day, 20C, breezy at times, westerly

A busy day.

Over the last few days juvenile Buzzards have become noticeable by their begging call for food now they have left their nests.

17th June - cloudy, light-moderate breeze, 16C

Willey; Red Kite again just to the west of the village.

Newton; a walk around the area of lakes this morning produced singing Willow, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Whitethroats, Blackcap and Garden Warbler. Two Pheasant broods, Stock Doves, several Linnet, Goldfinch and Reed Buntings.  Blackbird and Song Thrush singing too.  A Green Woodpecker was present feeding on the ground. Mute Swan pair with 4 cygnets still.

Common Blue, Small Heath and Large Skippers seen.

Stanford reservoir; this afternoon the weather was still not too brilliant for summer keeping much activity low.  A Little Egret flew over.  A family of Grey and Pied Wagtails were on the outflow weir.
Both Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers were present. A Good number of Swift, Sand and House Martins were feeding, often very high.

The Common Tern pair seem to be sitting on a nest on the new rafts we installed this Spring.

Speckled Wood and Ringlet were present today and at least 4 Banded Demoiselle.  A Muntjac trotted in front of me into cover.

16th June - unsettled, fresher SW, some light showers, 18C

Busy -No obs today.

15th June 2018 - sunny am, cloudier pm, light SW breeze, 20C

Bittesby Mere lane lake; a walk here this morning produced the following butterflies, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Large Skipper and Meadow Brown.
A Jay called from the hedgerow, Sedge and Reed Warblers around the lake with Blackcap and Whitethroat in the bushes.  A Little Grebe was on the lake with another hiding, many Coot with young.  A family of Long-tailed Tits were in the thicket and nearby at least 2 Bullfinches.

Cotesbach Landfill; 8 Red Kite were present about 0900h, soaring around the site. Plenty of Gulls feeding on the landfill or resting.

14th June - gusty morning, cloudy & cool, brighter pm and warming 20C

Leicester Abbey Park; while in Leicester had a walk around the park and adjacent river.  A Little Egret was feeding at the weir, a drake Red-crested Pochard was on the river below the weir.  The weather was keeping most passerines low, a Long-tailed Tit family, singing Blackcap and Goldcrest were noted.  Three Banded Demoiselle on the river side.

Brandon Marsh; an evening visit, very pleasant evening. Notable observations include 3 Hobby in dead tree (looked like 1st year birds), a Sparrowhawk in same tree with them. A female Kestrel in the adjacent tree, sitting with pre-roost Starlings gathering.  Grey Heron and Little Egret. 39 Lapwing, Oystercatcher pair with chick, 2 Redshank and Little-ringed Plover.  A Kingfisher flew passed.  4+ Cetti's Warbler were heard, plus usual Warblers.  1 Swift over, several Swallows and Sand Martins at their nests. Male and female Cuckoo present. Common Terns now with well grown chicks.4+ Song Thrush singing, 4 Linnets in dead tree top.
A Wasp species was building a nest in the east Marsh hide.

134th June - cloudy, freshening breeze, 20C, SW

Willey; Red Kite moved over eastward late morning.

Stanford reservoir; an evening visit, nothing new. Increase in Greylag and Canada Geese post-breeding, 10 and c50 respectively. A Red Admiral was flying, while Fox and Hare were seen.

12th June - cloudy becoming sunny during the afternoon, 18C, light breeze.

Willey; several Swifts Flying over the village feeding during the day.

Cotesbach Landfill; this morning the 2 Shelduck, showing signs of moult now, Canada Geese family, 3 Lapwings, Lesser Black-Backed and Herring Gulls, 2 Black-headed Gulls too.  3 Red Kites.

11th June - sunny, hot, light breeze, 25C

Willey; this morning a Red Kite was over the Sheep fields to the west. A. Buzzard came from  Newnham over the long spinney and tried to see the Kite off. The Kite can easily out-manoeuvre a Buzzard and soon the Buzzard left it alone, only to return the other side of the long spinney to give a full territory flight display.

One Swallow has hatched, probabaly a couple of days ago, so now busy feeding them.  A Sparrowhawk flew through about 1600h, quickly chased off by them.

Cotesbach Landfill; a quick look here about 1500h as I passed produced 8 Red Kites.

10th June - mostly sunny, thin cloud, 22C, light NE

Willey; Raven family again this morning in Ash trees at Sheep field.

Wolvey; I had a look around their small pond/marshy reserve and immediate area this afternoon as Spotted Flycatcher have been here in past years, not today though.  A nice selection of common birds though, a Swallows nest with young in the church porch, a few House Martins overhead, plus common Warblers, finches and Goldcrest. A Song Thrush was collecting food for its young in the church yard. A arrion Crow was also seen spread out sunning/anting itself.

At the pond a nice selection of Dragonflies and several large Skippers.

 Song Thrush with food

 Four-spotted Chaser female

 Broad-bodied Chaser male

 Large Red Damselfly

 Large Skipper

Carrion Crow sunning itself

9th June - High cloud, 18C, light breeze NE

Willey; the Raven family were again in the Ash trees to the West first thing, overlooking Sheep
fields.

Misterton; a early visit here, still looking for Spotted Flycatchers - which I found today, so hopefully there is breeding success.   Also, a Grey Wagtail on the lake outflow weir, plus all the other usual woodland birds found here.

Cotesbach Landfill, Carl had found 2 Sanderling there, when I arrived only one remained, busily feeding.  I spotted one largish bird near the Gulls on the ground in the water -a Curlew.  Nine Red Kites and a few Buzzards were present too.  The usual summer Gulls, plus a 2CY Yellow-legged Gull that Carl picked out.

I returned late afternoon to find a Peregrine hunting, 6 Red Kites still and a Raven too.

Shesrsby; someone I know had told me they had Spotted Flycatcher in their grounds, so I explored here this afternoon.  It wasn’t long before I was watching a Spotted Flycatcher catching food and taking itt, I think to it’s mate from the sounds I could here, maybe on a nest.  Unfortunately, I was in the wrong place for photos, but this shows one that was busy feeding from a gate.

The local Robin didn't want to be left out!

8th June - sunny spells, 20C, light breeze NE

Willey; a busy day.  I did disturbed a Stock Dove off its nest in a barn, a very quick peep showed it had one recent hatchling and 2 eggs, hoping they were just hatching too.

Unfortunately the Blue Tit chicks in the garden nest box all perished the other week during a wet unsettled day or so, presumably insufficient food was found for them.  This seems to be a re-occurring theme in our recent Springs.

7th June - cloudy am, sunny spells pm then cloudy again, light breeze NE, 18C

Stanford Reservoir; this evening a Red Kite was flying over, later a good number of Swifts came over and were screaming at times, Sand Martins dropped in too.  More Mallards with youngsters, only a handful of Tufted Duck, are any going to have bred this year I wonder?
Only 2 Common Tern present, still no sign of breeding though.  The Oystercatcher pair flew passed from the adjacent field.  The usual Warblers are still singing as are Blackbirds, Song Thrush and Reed Buntings.

Willey; the Raven family was in the trees of the Sheep field to the west.

6th June - mostly sunny, 20C, light NE.

Willey; a Swift was flying east along the long spinney 0910h.

Newton; a first short visit to a private site that has lakes and scrub and grassy areas - should have potential over the year.  Warblers were represented by Chiffchaff, Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat Sedge and Reed Warblers.  Several Linnet, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and several Reed Buntings feeding young. A Green Woodpecker called, Swallow were feeding over the water, a Buzzard, Mute Swan pair with cygnets, also Coot and Moorhen.  Several Stock Dove were present.  At least 2 Song Thrush singing.

Butterflies included Common Blue, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Speckled Wood, unidentifiable ‘White’.  Numerous Dragonfly and Damselfly, including Four-spotted Chaser, Banded Demoiselle.

With more time it may prove quite interesting here.

Blue-tailed Dameselfly

Black-tailed Skimmer

Small Heath

5th June - sunny spells, 18C, light NE

Willey; a Mallard hatch about 12 ducklings this morning at the back pond.
A Bat walk again produced a good number of Common Pipestrelle contacts along the old rail area.

Shawell Lagoons. An evening visit, the Shelduck pair was present, looks like no young this year.  The Great-crest Grebe pair were on the water next to their nest, on which 2 Coot stood and kept pecking at the Grebes to keep them away - so it seems like the Grebes will have lost their nest to the Coot pair.
 At least 3 Reed Bunting were singing in the ‘tall grass’ area, 11 Mute Swans were on the water, it seems to becoming more popular to them than it used to.  A Long-tailed Tit family in the hedgerow, Blackcap and Song Thrush singing too.

4th June - cloudy all day, light NE wind, 17C

Willey; a busy day.
Several families of Starlings around the village now. nice to see youngsters being feed.

3rd June - sunny, 25C, stll-very light easterly

Bittesby Mere Lane Lake; a look here before lunch did not turn up too many birds, Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat in territory and another male singing nearby.  Mute Swans have 7 cygnets, with several broods of Coots on the lake too.
Quite a few Butterflies, day flying moths, Damsel and Dragonflies and other insects were on the wing.

Eyebrook reservoir; an afternoon visit here, plenty of Common Terns, few Gulls. 13 Lapwing on the shore with Mallard, 1 Shoveler, plenty of Gadwall, 38 Mute Swans and a Little Grebe, lots Great-crested Grebes. A

Red Kite flew over northward and a Osprey was watched fishing for quite a while.

Willey; a 'bat' walk over to the old railway area about 2230h recorded (according to the detectors software), Leisler's, Noctule, Natterer's and Daubenton's.

2nd June - cloud clearing to mostly sunny, 20C

A busy day - no obs.

I did noticed 2 Swifts over the village in the evening while at the post-fete BBQ.

1st June - sunny 24C, light breeze SW

Offical first day of summer. - and it was.

Willey; a busy day seeing to Sheep because the humid hot weather is ideal for them to be attacked by ‘fly-strike’ which means fly they their eggs on the Sheep and Lambs which hatch and result in maggots - so best avoided by early action.

About 2330h a short walk near the church for bats produced Common Pipestrelle.

I saw this catapillar crawling across the yard, will try to identify later.

Wanlip Meadow; new came late afternoon of a female Red-necked Phalarope on the scrape at this site, still there during the evening so I had to go and see it.  A very colourful bird, managed some distant digiscoped photos.  A nice selection of other residents and summer visitors too.