31 Aug - mostly sunny, 21C, Little wind

Willey; a Jay flew across. Field from the wood this morning.  Interestingly few few Swallows were on the telegraph wire, I think they were off feeding.

Cotesbach Landfill; a late afternoon look here, 4 Red Kite were seen, 2 Green Sandpipers were feeding at the sandpit pool, then 3 Yellow Wagtails dropped in for a wash.  I was able to read two colour ringed Gulls, will have to wait for details, although one was likely ringed in Gloucestershire.

30th Aug - sunny spells, light NE, 19C

Willey; Swallows are beginning to gather increasingly on the telegraph wires in the morning, preening and preparing themselves, 26 together today.  About 15 Goldfinches were around the village and a single Meadow Pipit flew over southward.

Croft Hill; only a single female Blackcap in the scrub, a Linnet family and Goldfinches in the quarry edge bushes, male Kestrel again and 10 House Martins overhead.

Cotesbach landfill; the sandpit area has been fairly quite the last few days, no sandpipers, as this evening.  Opposite the Gibbet lane gate a Mistle Thrush was feeding in the stubble field.

Stanford reservoir; this evening a Common Sandpiper, single Grey Wagtail on the dam and a Little Grebe nearby.   The first autumn/winter Wigeon have returned, spot on time, with 3 feeding among the Tufted Duck,/Gadwall and Teal out on the water.  Their numbers should rise now as each day passes.


Although nothing scarce today and no big movements, never-the-less migration is occurring before our very eyes.

29th Aug - cloudy, bright pm, 19C, mod WNW

Willey; after lunch a Red Kite over recently cultivated field off Moors lane.

Croft hill; had a look here after lunch, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, a couple of Ravens and Kestrel.   Still House Martins and a few Swallows feeding over the countryside and the hill, 1 Swift too.


On the 21 August I read a colour ring on a Gull at Cotesbach Landfill, I though it was an adult Herring Gull, but the information back today says it was ringed as a female Caspian Gull,  nesting in Poland on the 2nd May this year.  When I saw it I could not discern any of the typical Caspian Gull features, I hope I see it again to have another look.

28th Aug - cloudy, brighter pm, light SW, 19C

Cotesbach Landfill;  little around this evening, about 50 House Martins were feeding above and with them 1 Swift.

Stanford Reservoir; quiet here too, a Common Sandpiper and Grey Wagtsil on the dam, a Little Grebe off shore there.  A Little Egret in the trees near the hide.

27th Aug - cloudy am, brighter pm, 18C, light - mod southerly

Willey; a Red Kite first thing over the fields to the east.

Croft Hill; this morning the gorse and scrub contained a good number of Blackcap, I counted 10 together, most were males.  A single Whitethroat and Chiffchaff but no other Warblers or Flycatchers found.  A few House Martins were busy feeding and 4 Swifts with them.  A male and female Kestrel sat atop the tall hedgerow.

Cotesbach Landfill; little of note here except a Common Sandpiper.

Rutland Water; a look around the North arm this afternoon, a Red-necked Grebe has been seen here a few days now.  However, apart from others claiming to see it distantly I did not connect with it.  I did spot the Great Northern Diver though.  A Greenshank,  3 Curlew and a Lapwing were the only waders on view.  Plenty of House and Sand Martins overhead. At least 3 Common Terns still over the water.  Plenty of usual duck species and Great and Little Grebes. A feral Barnacle Goose was with the GreyLags, Canada and Egyptian Geese.

Afew Yellow Wagtails were still feeding in the fields, and on the floating vegetation. Little Egret were numerous and several Grey Heron.

26th Aug - rain from 0930h, steady, breezy, 14mph at times, southerly, 15C

Willey; first thing this morning a Spotted Flycatcher was along the hedgetowards the top spinney, where seen last week.  Around the cattle feed Ring were 3 Pied Wagtails, a good sign, and very nearby a 1st winter Wheatear.

Cotesbach Landfill; a look here just as the rain was beginning, unfortunately no waders or new birds had dropped in.  A few House Sparrows, with Tits, werein the hedgerow eating Blackberries.  A Whitethroat was keeping in cover.  Over the sandpit area at least 70 House Martins. 4 Red Kite over the landfill area.

25th Aug - sunny spells and occasional short showers, 15C, light-mod NW

Croft Hill; a visit this morning proved interesting.  6 Spotted Flycatchers were feeding in the lee of the wind near the Oaks, along with Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Chaffinch, plus Tits and Nuthatch.  While watching these I noticed a bird perched atop a Hawthorn bush, a Tree Pipit, I lost it briefly, then saw it being chased by a Chaffinch, it flew to the ground and return to the bushes several times.  The Kestrel was present again and a small number of House Martins.

Cotesbach Landfill; this afternoon in the sandpit area a range of birds of prey were seen here, Kestrel, Peregrine, Hobby, Buzzard and Red Kite (10) - not half bad I would say.

A Greenshank and Green Sandpiper were also present, an adult Ringed Plover flew in for a very short stop-over. (Carl had seen the Greenshank and a juv Ringed Plover in the morning here). 

Four Teal and a single Little Grebe were new records for this site..  At least 100 House Martins, 20 Sand Martins and a single Swift were feeding over head. Several small groups of Starling flew over to the landfill area. A flock of about 30 Linnets were feeding on the far side.

24th Aug - Occasional light shower, 16C, light-mod SW

Croft Hill; this morning 3 Sp0tted Flycatchers in the same area as yesterday, Goldfinch family, Linnet over and 2 Kestrels present.  Chiffchaff and a Whitethroat were found in the gorse area.  House Martins feeding around the hill and 3 Swift dashed by and a Sparrowhawk a little later.

Stanford reservoir; a late afternoon visit to the dam end. 3 Little Egret, 3 Grey Wagtails and a Common Sandpiper were on the dam, also a few duck including 6 Gadwall and 9 Cormorant.  The female Mandarin Duck was feeding on the grass in front of the corner hide.  Plenty of House Martins and Sand Martins were feeding overhead, which may have accounted for the Hobby, while a Sparrowhawk flew passed the dam bushes.

23rd Aug - dawn shower, cloudy, light - mod westerly, 22C

Cotesbach Landfill this morning produced 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Red Kite and other expected species.

Croft Hill; a location I should visit more, this afternoon was interesting.
Along one section of hedge on the hill quite a bit of activity with about 10 Chaffinch feeding and fly catching, and with them 3 Spotted Flycatchers plus Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, various Tits and Goldcrest.
Over head and over the countryside numerous House Matins, 200+, a few Swallows and 2 Swift.  An adult Peregrine with a Juvenile was flying overhead and around the quarry area.  A male Kestrel was hunting the very dry hill pasture, it found what looked like a very large black beetle.

A Raven gave a close view as it passed, as did a Yellow Wagtail. A family of Goldfinch were around the hedgerow.

22nd Aug - hot humid, sunny spells, light SW, 24C

A walk at Stanford reservoir this afternoon, although fairly quiet, not surprisingly.  a flock of 20 Linnets were drinking at the out flow after feeding on the adjacent field. 2 Grey Wagtails here too and  Red Kite flew over.  Teal numbers now up to 9, most other duck in cover fro the heat, apart from the Tufties.  Blackcap and Whitethroat plus Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were about.

Ciotesbach landfill; a look here in the evening produced a Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers, a few Swallows and 3 Swift with them.  A Sparrowhawk glided over.  Gulls numbers were good, at least 4 Caspian and Carl had got about 20 Yellow-legged Gulls.  It is good to see the juveniles of both of these species.  A single adult Common Gull was present, so we expect more of these at the waters and here from now onward.

21st Aug - cloudy am, sunny pm, 24C, very light SW

We Continue to be bathed in very warm humid tropical air, things seem generally quite, but deceptive really.

Stanford Reservoir; a look this evening produced a single Common Sandpiper, 2 Grey Wagtails, the female Mandarin Duck still, a Shoveler and 2 Teal.  ~30 Tree Sparrows around the feed station, a few Reed Buntings gathering for roost and 2 Red-legged Partridge.

I was not present but this morning the ringers netted 4 Tree Pipit and an acredula-like Willow Warbler.  Later an observer reported a Marsh Harrier.

20th Aug - mostly cloudy, very warm 23C, humid, very light westerly breeze

Cotesbach Landfill;  early afternoon a Little Egret was in the sandpit area, a new species here for me. 9 Red Kite were feeding over the landfill area.

19th Aug - cloudy am, sunny spells pm, 23C, mod breeze westerly.

Willey; a charm of c20 Goldfinch in the allotment area this morning.

Cotesbach Landfill; this morning produced a new wader for the site, a Greenshank, also 3 Green Sandpipers. 8 Red Kite were feeding.  The sandpit area has become attractive to GreyLag and Canada Geese recently, with flocks regularly resting and feeding here.  A another new site bird was Cormorant.
Several common Butterfly species including the Red Admiral sunning on a wire fence.   Hornets were quite busy Flying about too.

Shawell Lagoons; next stop here, nothing special apart from c120 Lapwing resting.

Eyebrooke reservoir; an afternoon visit here produced a range of waders, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 11. Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 2 Snipe, 7 Ringed Plover and Lapwings.  Also, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Terns, 8 Little Egret and Grey Heron. Plus the other usual species regularly seen here.

18th Aug - cloudy, light breeze west, 22C

Willey; first thing a Wheatear in the top field around a cattle feeding ring, still there at 1600h.

Cotesbach Landfill; a look here produced 7 Red Kite feeding and a single Green Sandpiper of note. A Red Admiral was sunning itself.

Bittesby; this farmland can produce chats and more Wheatear, so a walk here seemed a good idea, but none were found.  6 Yellowhammers, a female Reed Bunting, a few Linnets and Great-spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap were all noted.  On the stubble fields plenty of Rooks and Jackdaws feeding, along with 10+ Stock Doves.

17th Aug - cloudy, breezy at times, WSW, 20C

Willey; first thing 3 Meadow Pipit flew over heading strongly SE, the first autumn movement of these seen here this year.  At the top spinney a Spotted Flycatcher was busy feeding.

Cotesbach Landfill; a single Green Sandpiper and 6 Rec Kite over the landfill.

Stanford reservoir; this evening a Common Sandpiper was on the dam, along with several Cormorant and a Grey Heron.  An adult Common Tern with 2 juveniles were fishing, 5 Teal were roosting along with Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Mallard on the calm water.  The injured drake Pochard was roosting on the dam too.  A Sparrowhawk chased, but failed to catch a passerine in the dam bushes.


During the morning a fly on the bonnet of a truck caught my attention, need to identify it yet.  Take a close look at it's colour pattern and feet.

It is a Flesh fly species, apparently hard to distinguish them without close examination, may be a ‘red-eyed’?

16th Aug - light rain till mid morning, then sunny spells light WSW, 20C

Willey; a Red Kite flew passed early afternoon westward.

Cotesbach Landfill; mid-a single Green Sandpiper in the sand pit area.

Stanford Reservoir; a look here after lunch, seemed pretty quiet, a few Warblers in the bushes, staying well hidden.  A Common Sandpiper on the dam and a Raven was heard calling a little way off.

15th Aug - sunny spells pm, clouding over pm, 22C, light -freshening. SW

No obs today

14th Aug - sunny spells, 22C, light NW

Willey; both broods of Swallows fledged today, sitting on the shed doors and flying around.  Presumably there will be no more nesting attempts by these adults thiS year.

At times a number of Buzzards were up very high, often calling, in the thermals.

13th Aug - sunny spells, humid, light-fresh NW, 23C

Willey; first thing this morning at least 8 Greenfinches were flying around the tree tops New the church.  Including juveniles calling and pursuing adults still.

Cotesbach Landfill; singles of Green and Common Sandpipers.

Stanford Reservoir; this afternoon seemed a lot quieter, fewer Warblers in the bushes were apparent.  However, HouseMartins were more numerous c200, with Swallows and Sand Martins too.  The Mandarin Duck was present still.  Juvenile Gadwall were seen, at least 4 and one of the Tufted Duck broods of 6 ducklings were seen.

12th Aug - cloudy, light southerly, rain spots and drizzle at times, 18C

Willey; checked the 2 Swallow nests this morning, the youngsters are growing well and filling the nest, but the number of young is again low.

Cotesbach landfill; looked here this morning in case some waders had dropped in to the sand pit area. There was a single Green and Common Sandpiper, nothing else new.  A Jay was making a lot of noise in a tree about something but nothing spotted in the tree.  4 Red Kite were over the landfill area.
Stanford reservoir;  highlights included, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Common Tern and Little Egret with Grey Heron on the dam.  A Hobby hunting, 100+ House Martins, a few Sand Martin and Swallows.  Warblers were scarcer today, but 10+ Whitethroat seen.  The female Mandarin Duck still.

11th Aug - sunny spells am, becoming cloudy light rain evening, 23C, light SW

Stanford reservoir; a Little Egret was fishing by the dam. a good number of House Martins were feeding over the water and fields.  The male Pochard was near the dam and the female Mandarin Duck near the hide on the water, a Little Grebe was heard in the bay.  There was a good number of Warblers in the bushes again, indicating good passage.  A Raven flew over calling, Goldfinch, Linnet, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting were around.
A lot of Common Blue Butterflies were about today too.,

Cotesbach Landfill; during the afternoon there was 4 Green and 1 Common Sandpiper in the sand pit area. 9 Red Kite were over the landfill area.  Carl picked a a fresh juv Yellow-legged Gull.

10th Aug - cloudy, a few spots of rain, 19C, light SW

Stanford reservoir; a Hobby was hunting insects over the wood, at least 100 House Martin were feeding too. The female Mandarin Duck was in its usual area.  12 Linnets were feeding on the neighbouring bean field. Good numbers of Warblers were in the bushes, including Lesser Whitethroat.

9th Aug - sunny am, 23C, becoming cloudy with showers evening, light freshening SW

The end of the very hot weather seems to be upon us, hopefully some decent rain spells of the next few days will come.

Stanford reservoir; a look here in the afternoon at the dam end and along to the bay. 6 Yellow Wagtails, Grey and Pied too, the Common Tern family still, 10 Swallows. The Mandarin Duck female, 6 Gadwall, Grey Heron, and Common Sandpiper on the dam.  Plenty of Warblers in the bushes especially Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat.

Shawell Lagoons; evening visit - Lapwings 118, Mute Swan 7, Grey Lag Goose c70.

Cotesbach Landfill; 2 Black-tailed Godwit were along the shore of the sand pit area, then I noticed another wader a Sanderling was feeding.  Most likely these had dropped in due to the showers that were all around and distant thunder storm.

8th Aug - sunny spell am, clouddier pm, light-sometimes fresh SW, 23C

Stanford reservoir; the female Mandarin duck is still present,2 Teal  also a single male Pochard.  50+ House martins were feeding over the water, plus a few Sand Martins.

A Green Sandpiper and 2 Grey Wagtails were on the dam.

Cotesbach Landfill; in the sand pit area this evening were 4 Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper and Dunlin.  Earlier Carl had seen a Little Egret.

7th Aug - mostly sunny, SW, 26C

Brandon Marsh; a walk here this evening.  3 Little-ringed Plover, 3 Snipe feeding, 326 Lapwing. Common Tern included a adult with a juv and another adult with 2 juvs, these were making erratic trial flights. 4 Grey herons and a single Little Egret.  About 20 Swallows were around, several Goldfinch were near the centre.10 Starlings were feeing among the Lapwings on the east marsh island.  A good number of Gadwall and Teal were here and a recent brood of 6 Tufted Duck ducklings.

6th Aug - sunny, hot, 29C, light westerly

Willey; I noticed a Hedgehog road casualty on the coal pit lane close to the Brewery this morning.

Our Swallows have been feeding young for a couple of weeks, these will have further in the nest before they fledge.

Stanford Reservoir; a walk around the bay this evening.  The female Mandarin Duck was still here and 5 adult Common Terns, plus the juvs on the raft.
A nice array of Warblers were showing with patience, along with Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Linnet.   A couple of Little Egrets flew along the Reservoir and 2. Common Sandpipers were on the dam.

5th Aug - sunny, hot, 28C, light SW

Willey; first thing to the east a juv Spotted Flycatcher and a Whitethroat were feeding around the pond.

Cotesbach Landfill; a quick look here this morning, only 1 Green Sandpiper and 4 Red Kite were of note.  A Treecreeper was in the spinney calling whilst feeding.

Stanford Reservoir; 6+ Yellow Wagtails around the dam area, also several Grey and Pied Wagtails.  Warblers were active in the bushes, but keeping well hidden most of the time, Willow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Whitethroat. About 25 Tree Sparrows and a few Reed Bunting were in one weedy area.
Duck numbers seemed low, but a new site tick for me was a female Mandarin Duck.  The Common Tern pair were present attending their youngsters on the raft.  A couple of Grey Heron were on the dam.

4th Aug - sunny, hot, 26C, light NW

Daventry Reservoir; had a quick stop here as I was passing, looked over the shores from the causeway, typical birds including 6 Common Sandpipers.  Muddy shore looks good for autumn migrants if it remains.

Eyebrook Reservoir;  looked at the inlet end this evening, waders included 3 Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, Redshank and Juv Ruff, 2 Snipe, 2 Ringed Plovers, 4 Little-ringed Plovers including 3 juvs. And a sizeable Lapwing flock.  Over 14 Little Egret, several Grey Herons, 80+ Mute Swans, 1 Shovleler plus plenty of Mallard, Tufted and Gadwall.

3rd Aug - sunny period, light westerly, 27C

Willey; late afternoon John M spotted 2 Red Kite Fleming over.

Stanford Reservoir; the only new obs was 3 Little Grebe at the inlet, one a juvenile.
In the hide a fairly large moth was fliting about, I think a Copper Underwing.

Cotesbach Landfill; a look at the sandpit area this evening revealed 3 each of Green and Common Sandpipers and 42 Lapwings, plus 2 Yellow Wagtails.

2nd August - Sunny spells, 22C, light SW

Cotesbach Landfill; this morning 4 Green and 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Red Kite.
I had a look in the evening too and totalled 6 Green and 2 Common Sandpipers.  A Buzzard nested in the adjacent spinney and the juvenile is still present calling for food.
A Painted lady Butterfly was also spotted.

A Fox patrolled the pools area in the sandpit and it picked up a poorly Lesser Black Backed Gull off the shore, it took it on to the hard area but did not seem too interested, the Gull had some life in it but not a lot.  The Fox then went along the shore and found a dead Gull, this it picked up and strutted off with it, I followed it through my Binoculars as it made its way out of the sandpit area to a thicket in the distance.

Stanford Reservoir; a couple of Yellow Wagtails, plus several Pied and Grey Wagtails.  A drake Pochard on the dam and 2 females on the water.  7 Swift flew over NE feeding, a Green Woodpecker and Sparrowhawk, male.  Only the Common Tern pair looking after their large chicks, these should fledge in the next week.  A Grey Heron at the outflow.
Several Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. Sedge Warblers were still singing.  The Great -Crested Grebe pair still have their 2 youngsters.

Shawell Lagoons; I had a look here first in the evening, there was 36 Lapwing on the north lagoon, then a Green Sandpiper flew in. Plenty of Grey Lag and Canada Geese too.  On the south lagoon a Little Grebe and 2, maybe 3 broods of Tufted Duck with half grown ducklings.
Walking back I looked at the north lagoon only to find 2 Black-tailed Godwits had dropped in whilst I wasn’t there, nice.

1st August - sunny, 24C, light SW

Cotesbach Landfill; a look in the evening produced 5 each of Green and Common Sandpipers.
Carl spotted a super looking juvenile Caspian Gull.

31st July - sunny and warm, 24C, light SW

Eyebrook Reservoir; made an evening visit here, very pleasant evening.  An Osprey caught a fish and made off with it, followed by a LBB Gull, but it did not drop the fish.

Waders included 1 Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank, 2 Wood Sandpipers, plus Lapwings. Plenty of Common Terns and Little Egret.

A Reed Bunting pair were still feeding young in a nest.