8th Oct - mostly cloudy, mod-breezy SW wind, 15C

Willey; just after 0800h this morning a flock of c40 Redwing flew low and fast SW, no even calling.  Then during the morning singles were heard in various hedgerows.
Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Great-spotted Woodpecker were all in the Church lane area.

Stanford Reservoir; a look after lunch, but the weather was not as good as forecast, quite a breeze at times.  At the inlet end Little Egret were present, a total of 14 all together.  With them a Great Egret, I managed some photos of it atop a Hawthorn bush. A Fisherman told me that there are lots of small young Pike in this area, so may be that’s what has attracted the Egrets?

Duck numbers appeared down today but the usual species were present, a couple of female Pochard in with the Tufties, only 4 Wigeon, 29 Shoveler, c10 Gadwall, a few Teal and Mallard.   A Little Grebe near the dam, on which was 2 Grey Wagtails.  Still only a couple of Common Gulls, Black-headed and Lesser Black Backed Gulls are increasing in numbers.

Passerines were hard to find due to the wind, but were about. A Cetti’s Warbler was vocal, and a couple of Chiffchaff were calling. As usual a mixed flock of Tits Goldcrest and Treecreeper along the by-pass path.  A flock of 25 Linnets flew over and headed for the cultivated field nearby.  Along the by-pass path a Bank Vole was busy gathering items, unfortunately it avoided my camera.