12thn May - mostly sunny, 16C, light breeze SE

Willey; this morning the Lesser Whitethroat was singing to the east from its usual area.  Later a Jay flew from the Long Spinney across the fields.

Cotesbach landfill area; in the sandpit area 4 Ringed Plover and 5 Dunlin.  7 Red Kites in the area.  5 Shelduck and 2 Great-crested Grebe.

Stanford reservoir; a walk around here this afternoon, very pleasant, more Butterflies than of recent, Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell and Painted lady (my first here this year).  Damselflies and my first Dragonfly zoomed by, possibly a Broad-bodied Chaser.

Birds included all the usual Warblers, including the Whitethroat singing atop a bush, several Yellowhammers were along the hedgerow.  The drake Wigeon now looks settled, also looking very splendid in it summer plumage.  A Raven and Red Kite flew passed, and Oystercatchers were heard, a single Common Sandpiper was on the dam. At least 2 Yellow Wagtails have territories on the reservoir-farmland.  Hobby were hawking higher over the adjacent wood today and many less hirundines around.