31st March - sunny spells, mod NW wind, 11C, feeling cool

Stanford reservoir; a short visit this morning hoping for Sand Martin and Swallow which had been reported, the wind was quite 'keen' which was likely why they weren't seen.
2 Great White Egret were showing, and a group of 19 Goldeneye still.

Brandon Marsh; a look here during the afternoon.
Duck included Shoveler, Teal, Shelduck, Gadwall, Tufted and Mallard.  Waders included Lapwing, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Little-ringed Plover and a Black-tailed Godwit.

c 30 Sand Martins were over the reserve.  A Little Egret was showing on the river pool.  A pair of Green Woodpecker was feeding on the tip area and a Nuthatch was extremely vocal in Horsetail Glade.
The cool wind was keeping passerines rather quiet and hidden, Chiffchaff and Cetti's Warblers were heard.  A single Sparrowhawk flew over quickly. In one area 4 Jays were making noises I've not heard before, maybe territory/pairing activity.

30th March - sunny, some haze, 16C, light NW

Another amazing sunny and warm day, I even saw a butterfly at about 0830h this morning
A wonderful Spring so far.

Cotesbach Landfill; a look here after lunch, just as I was leaving Carl text to say he had a 3W Iceland Gull, it was still there when I arrived before flying to the landfill area, it re-appeared briefly in flight before heading off, presumably to Draycote.

Also present were 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little-ringed Plovers, Shoveler, Teal and Mallard, a few Mute  Swans.  A Great-spotted Woodpecker was drumming in the spinney, where Chiffchaff and Chaffinch, and Song Thrush we’re singing. 4 Red Kite and several Buzzard over the site, a couple of Shelduck flew off.

29th March - Sunny, light SSW, 16C

Willey; first thing a chiffchaff was singing on the old railway behind the village.
Late afternoon  check of the feed station still showing good numbers of Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammers and Chaffinch.
A good number of butterflies , especisally Small Tortoiseshell out today.

Stanford reservoir; a look here again after lunch, 2 Great White Egrets in Blowers bay, a Grey Heron moved one off.  Duck included 16 Goldeneye, 10 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 6 Teal and only 5 Wigeon.
A couple of Kestrel were around, a Grey Wagtail pair were on the tower, 4 Stock Doves at the main feed station.   An obliging Skylark was on the path and showed well.

Several Small Tortoiseshell were seen.

28th March -Ground frost dissipating quickly, sunny, 15C, light SW

Willey; 1120h a Raven flew over southward, calling quite a bit.

Mistle Thrush singing most of the morning, and Goldfinch too in Church trees.

Stanford Reservoir; a look after lunch, more activity today, main sightings were -
Two Great White Egrets, a single Little Egret and Grey Heron today.  Duck included C40 Wigeon, only 4 Pochard, Goledeneyes still, a Shelduck pair, c12 Gadwall. A single Little Grebe was on the water, while Great-crested Grebes are well in to courtship.
At least 4 Treeecreepers were along the by-pass, a pair seen and song heard.  C10 Fieldfares in the bushes, 4+ Chiffchaffs were singing, a Cetti’s too. A female Kestrel, looked quite pale actually. A Snipe flew off from the Reed bed edge.

27th Match - cloudy am, a few sunny intervals late pm, 13C, light NW

Stanford Reservoir; a look here after lunch, very few Wigeon and Pochard today.
Only noteworthy birds were a single Great White Egret and Little Egret sitting together in a waterside Willow.

Cloudy am, sunny spells pm, light NW, 13C

Willey; 1615h there were 10 Fieldfare atop of BH wood Ash trees, they flew off westward.

Bitteswell area; this afternoon I managed to fit in the last BTO winter bird survey in this area. Nothing too outstanding, but a single Raven in one area  and then 2 sitting together atop a pine tree calling and surveying the scene, probably making 3 different birds.

25th March - mostly sunny, light NW, 13C

Willey; Blackthorn flowers have come out in the last few days.

Brandon Marsh; after a busy day I decided an evening 'sun-set' visit here may be a good move to see the reported Jack Snipe.  Looking out of Teal hide, several Teal and 2 Redshank.  Closely checking the reed edge I spotted 2 Jack Snipe feeding and 'bobbing' away, also 2 Common Snipe. I managed record shots and video in the dwindling light.

On the East Marsh a single Little-ringed Plover was seen, but at least 1 more could be heard.  Quite a few Shelduck and single female Wigeon among the other usual ducks

24th March - sunny, light-breezy WNW, 13C

Willey; 1615h, 55 Fieldfare and 2 Redwings feeding on the pasture next to the BH wood, near yesterdays birds.

Shawell lagoons; am, only new bird was a single Oystercatcher feeding on central bank. 65 Wigeon were present.

Cotesbach Landfill; am, only new birds were a pair of Oystercatchers resting on a bank.

Stanford reservoir; a look here after lunch, a full circuit walk.  a Green Sandpiper was on the dam, 14 Lapwing on the adjacent field, later display over the fallow field was noted. A Sparrowhawk circled over had high.  A couple of Little Egret at the inlet. At least 3 Chiffchaffs were singing, Bullfinch was heard ion the thicket, a Jay was in the hedge.

Otherwise, other usual birds seen, duck numbers getting lower now.  In a quite gap before migrants arrive.   Comma and Peacock butterflies seen.

23rd March - cloudy, light northerly, 11C

Willey; a quick check of my feed station this morning produced at least 10 Tree Sparrows, 6 Yellowhammers and the regulars.

About 1615h 37 Starlings were sitting atop of Ash trees with 2 Fieldfares to the east, a favourite pre-movement site.

Cotesbach Landfill; a couple of hours here after lunch produced the juv Iceland Gull again on the distant bank and at least 5 Red Kite.

Shawell Lagoons; here c70 Wigeon were feeding on the central bank, 6 Teal on the north pool, a couple of Great-crested Grebe and a single Little Grebe, otherwise just the regulars.

Cotesbach Sandy lane Pools; a pair of Green Wo0dpecker were feeding, Mute Swan, Canada and Grey Lag Geese were on the pools. A Red Kite was sitting in a Ash tree nearby.

22nd March - cloudy am, a few sunny intervals pm, but SW breeze freshening for a while, 13C

Willey; mid-morning c30 Fieldfares flew into tree tops along old railway cutting.  Late afternoon the Green Woodpecker was 'yaffling' behind the church and a Kestrel flew around quite low, seen here a couple of days ago too.
Last night (2300h) several Wigeon were heard calling as they flew over eastward.

Stanford reservoir; a look again this afternoon, still no Sand Martin.  A pair of Shelduck flew in, otherwise Duck numbers are definitely falling now.
A single Chiffchaff was calling and singing a little.

21st March - cloudy, very light WSW, 14C

Willey; first thing c70 Fieldfare in trees and feeding on pasture east of village. A little later 5 Redwing flew from the spinney trees west of the village.

Cotesbach Landfill; the Juv Iceland Gull showed well mid afternoon.  3 Red Kite, 49 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck 12 Teal, 2 Red-legged Partridge.

20th March - cloudy am, sunny pm, 15C, liught SW breeze

Willey; this morning to the west (Perkins area) a Coal Tit was singing in the Long Spinney and a Yellowhammer singing nearby in the field.
In the evening 17 Magpies were in the Paddocks behind the village farms.

Stanford reservoir; another afternoon look here from the dam end and Blowers bay.  Still no Sand Martins seen here although numbers are reported from several locations.
The 2 Pink-footed Geese were on the reservoir with the Grey Lags and a Great white Egret was sitting on a tree branch water-side.
A Chiffchaff was singing, there is several around now.  A pair of Bullfinches were heard in the scrub, including the males weak song.  A pair of Grey Wagtail were on the dam.

A Peacock butterfly was out in the sunshine.

19th March - sunny spells early then clouding over, light W, 12C

Willey; at last the Pied Wagtail has a mate and they have started building under the old roof pan tiles as always.
About 1900h I heard a couple of Redwing call as they flew overhead.

Stanford Reservoir; a look around the dam and Blowers Lodge Bay this afternoon. A female Ketrel was in a nest box, later flying with her mate nearby.  A Green Woodpecker was calling, but few other passerines around. On the water the usual ducks,  nothing new.  A Raven flew over the inlet end northward.

18th March - sunny spells, light westerly, 11C, light shower later afternoon

Willey;  as yesterday both Mistle Thrushes were singing.  No Fieldfare or Redwing in the spinney tree tops today.

Stanford reservoir; a look at the dam end this afternoon.  The Green Sandpiper was on the outflow, only the Pied Wagtail pair was on the dam. About 80 Wigeon flew in, otherwise no other new duck seen.  The Grey lag flock were disturbed off the field and flew on to the reservoir, including the 2 Pink-footed Geese.  I'm sure this is the longest stay for this species here, typically only a few days.

A Little Grebe was spotted on the near the dam over flow, at least 12 Goldeneye still present. A Red Kite flew over the adjacent fields.

17th March - sunny spells, mod-breezy W, 8C, short scatttered showers

Willey; first thing a Mistle Thrush was singing near the pub.  a little later at least 3 Meadow Pipits flew over westward, maybe signs on migration
In the Perkins spinney to the west about 50 Fieldfare and 20 Redwings were chattering in the tree tops.  Another Mistle Thrush was singing nearby and a Green Woodpecker was calling form the hedge Ash trees.

Shawell area; a look at the Lagoons late afternoon,  13 Lapwings, duck included Teal, Mallard, Gadwall and Tufted, a single Little Grebe, Coot numbers have risen to 10+, 2 Mute Swan and a Jay flew over.
Then a brief view at the landfill sandpit, just in case a Little-ringed Plover was around - there wasn't. 50 Shoveler was counted on the pools and a Raven flew passed.

16th March - cloudy, breezy, increasing to sgtrong/gusty again, 25mph+, SW, 11C

The fronts and lows from the west are expected to subside after today and more settled weather occur.  This should create ideal conditions in the coming days for migrants.

Peak lambing time has been occurring over the last few days tying in with the unsettled weather and thankfully little new bird activity.  Hopefully the forecast is right and settled Spring weather does return.

15th March - light rain early, clearing to sunny intervals, breezy - incrreasing gusty for a while, easing late afternoon - westerly, 13C

Busy, no obs to report.  No Fieldfare or Redwings feeding on pasture this morning.

This recent very windy weather appears not to have blown the Rooks' nests away, which they have been studiously building over the recent weeks.  Some years March gales can do this and they have to rebuild.

14th March - early light rain, becoming breezy again 20-25 mph gusts, WNW, 12C, sunny intervals

Willey; a late afternoon check of the feed station produced at least 15 Tree Sparrows, 5+ Chaffinch, 4 Yellowhammer, a Male Great-spotted Woodpecker.

Stanford Reservoir; a look here after lunch, little seen, very windy keeping things hidden.  Although the Pink-footed Geese had been seen earlier today I could not find them among the Greylag Geese feeding on the adjacent field.  c150 Wigeon flew in from feeding and still a good number of Goldeneye.

13th March - windy, very gusty at times (30 mph), westerly, easing late afternoon. mostly cloudy, 10C

Willey; c100 Fieldfare and a few Redwings feeding on the pasture to the west first thing.

Generally speaking, everything keeping out of the wind during the day.

12th March - rain from 0900h to 1500h moderate - sometimes heavy, moderate-very breezy with gusts westerly, 8C, colder in rain

Miserable wet and windy day.

I heard a couple of Redwing call as they flew, that's all today.

11th March - tough of frost last night, sunny, breezy, SW, easing late, 9C

Stanford Reservoir; a look after lunch around the dam area.  The 2 Pink-footed Geese were agin with Grey Lags in the field then flew on to the reservoir. Green Sandpiper around the dam and outflow.  A Chiffchaff was calling and fly-catching in the hedge behind the dam, a flock of Long-tailed Tits were nearby.  C100 Wigeon flew in, they often feed on the grass at/near Stanford Hall.

Cotesbach Landfill; a look here later, nothing different than normal. Although I heard an earlier visitor reported and photographed the Kumlien’s Gull.

10th March - windy, gusty for a while, 8C, sunny intervals and occasional short showers

No obs today.

9th March - becoming very blusterly westerley, 11C, sunny intervals odd shower, easing late pm

Willey; first thing c20 Redwing, calling Green Woodpecker and Nuthatch in BH wood.
Late morning 25 Tree Sparrows, 6 Yellowhammers at feed station.

Shawell lagoons; after lunch - 23 Lapwings, 28 Tufted Duck, 2 Great-crested Grebe plus all the usual Gulls.

Stanford reservoir; A Redshank was still on the dam (seen this morning by Chris), in the adjacent field with the Grey lags the 2 Pink-footed Geese were feeding.  A Great White Egret was seen flying in the distance and a Little Egret flew passed the dam.  At the out flow the Green Sandpiper was busy feeding.
A single female Goosander was with the Shoveler flock in the middle of the reservoir.  Several Goldeneye were present, but no Wigeon seen again.

8th March - mostly cloudy, light-mod SW, 9C, some light rain pm

Willey; a Mistle Thrush was singing in the village first thing, as yesterday.  No Redwing or Firldfare seen today, may be yesterday’s birds have moved off.

Cotesbach Landfill; a quick look this afternoon produced an adult Iceland Gull and a Juv Glaucous Gull. Plus 4 Red Kites and a Oystercatcher.

7th March - cloudy, moderate westerly, becoming wet and blusterly from midday, 8C

Willey; c100 Fieldfare, c20 Redwing and c30 Starling feeding on pasture near the BH Wood first thing.

6th March - rain last night. Mostly cloudy, sunny spells and showers later, mod Southerly, 13C

Willey; first thing about 10 Redwing in the BH wood, along with a vocal Green Woodpecker.

After moving a wheelie bin for emptying I noticed a female Great-crested Newt where the bin had been.

5th March - ground frost last night. sunny intervals, stready mod/breezy SW, 10C

Willey; a small mixed flock of Fieldfare, Redwing and Starlings were feeding on pasture to the east first thing.

Stanford reservoir; a walk along the Leicestershire side after lunch. A Sparrowhawk was circling, and a couple of Buzzards were around too.  The usual duck were on the water, but no Wigeon seen, 4 Goosanders were present.  A Little Grebe was 'trilling' on the far side.  On the Northants bank 3 Great White Egrets were feeding and sitting around.
A Water Rail was feeding along the board walk in the main reed bed.
A flock of c25 Chaffinch were feeding on the ground along the river by-pass, 4 Stock Doves were feeding on the adjacent field.

4th March - sunny intervals, moderate breezy SW, 9C

Willey; a busy day.
I did notice c 20 Fieldfare feeding on the pasture to the west late morning.

3rd March - light showers am, light-mod S, wind increasing, gusty later pm, clearing, 11C

Brandon Marsh; a fairly short visit here this pm.  On east marsh were 5 Oystercatchers (2 pr +1), 121 Lapwing plus one pair on each of two smaller islands, one bird was forming a scrape and building a nest.
I counted 39 Shoveler, c30 Teal, 4 Shelduck, several Gadwall, Tufted duck and 3 Pochard.
A Jay in the bushes near the centre, a Coal Tit near the feeders, at least 4 Reed Bunting, Long-tailed Tits, Blue, Great Tits and Chaffinch at the feeders too.