30th June - sunny spells, light-mod, breezy at times WSW, 22C

Willey; first thing 3 Red Kites were hunting over the same field as yesterday. A Green Woodpecker flew from the adjacent field in to the trees.

Mid-day another Red Kite was hunting over the hay field about a mile to the west, a Kestrel too.

Cotesbach landfill; a Black-tailed Godwit was present this morning, 2 Lapwing and a Common Sandpiper.  

Stanford reservoir;  main sightings were a Common and Green Sandpiper, a juvenile  Cuckoo, all the usual Warblers including singing Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler, 3 Common Tern. Several Grey Wagtails feeding in the spillway. Swifts, Martins and 3 Swallows around.

Butterflies seen were - Marbled White 1, Comma 2, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Red Admiral 1, Large Skipper many, Meadow brown many, Ringlet many, Speckled Wood 1,Small Skipper 2, Painted Lady 2.

Several Banded Demoiselle (male and female -photo, and larger Dragonflies, including Black-tailed Skimmer.

29th June - very hot, 30C, light-breezy at times SE

Willey;  a Lesser Whitethroat was heard to sing first thing along the old railway hedge.

The grass fields to the east had been cut yesterday, this morning they were rowed up ready to be picked up for silage.  This activity attracted the attention of 5 Red Kites, 4 Buzzards, a Kestrel, a Raven and 4 Lesser-black backed Gulls - all looking for food.

We also have quite a gathering of Jackdaws at the moment, no doubt many families, at least 150, maybe 200, most afternoons these fly very noisily over the village.

Misterton; a look here this morning produced 2 Spotted Flycatchers in different areas, so I suspect 2 pairs are Present.  Soon, I hope to find some juveniles in the area.  Other birds included lots of Goldcrest, Blackcap, Coal Tits, Nuthatch, Buzzard and a Red Kite.

Cotesbach landfill; rather uncomfortable this afternoon due to the heat.  4 Red Kites, 7 Lapwings, 3 Shelduck, 2 Sand Martins, several Buzzards, a Grey Wagtail and Swifts over.
A new bird for me here was a drake Pochard, sitting on a tiny islet preening itself.

Painted Lady, Meadow Brown and several Dragonflies were noted.

28th June - becoming sunny and very warm 24C, light Easterly.

Willey; a Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were over the field to the west this morning. A Coal Tit was vocal in the spinney.
A Red Kite was hunting over mown grass mid-afternoon.

27th June - becoming sunny, 21C, light- mod ENE

Willey.   I noticed the half grown Hedgehog today asleep in a shed on a pile of straw.  It moved a little during the day, on checking late evening it had vanished.
Over the field to the west which were being mown for hay a Kestrel was hunting, often taking its prey off, presumably to a nest. Three Buzzards were also hunting the field, sitting in the tall hedge and flying down, at least one a juvenile.  A single Swift was noted feeding over head moving off NW.

An adult Frog was spotted in the mown grass and moved to the shelter of the hedge grass.

26th June - cloudy, dull, mod NE breeze, 15C

Willey; my first Swallows have fledged from their nest and now flying around, the next nest should follow in a few days.
A couple of young Buzzard can now be heard in the area, calling for food having left their nests.
Also, we currently have a considerable sized flock of Jackdaws around the village and farm yard areas, 150-200, I expect many family groups have bumped the numbers up.

Cotesbach Landfill; a quick look this evening.  A Grey Heron was present in the sand pit area, trying to eat something that did not look healthy.  Otherwise similar birds as yesterday.  House Martins were hawking just over water the water, protected from the breeze.  At least 6 Grey Wagtails, mostly juvs, often chasing the Pied Wagtails away.  Only a single Red Kite seen, Buzzards were constantly flying over the area.   It was interesting to see the first juvenile Black-headed Gulls present here today.

25th June - rain am, cloudy, dull misty pm, 15C, light-mod NE

Stanford reservoir; this evening things were a bit miserable due to the really unseasonal weather. Some 30 Starlings were in a pre-roost murmuration early.  Plenty of Sand and House Martins and Swifts overhead. The Grey lag Goose flock has now grown to 97, and Canada Geese to 15. Apart from a Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Mallard things were quite on the water.  A roving mixed flock of Tits and Warblers was making it's way through the Willows.

24th June - Mostly cloudy and mist, humid, very light SW, 22C

Willey; this morning, to the west, a Raven was heard calling and Kestrel (with food) flew passed.

At 2300h a young Hedgehog was heard calling in the yard, on checking it was seen going into a storage shed through a gap.

Cotesbach Landfill; this evening in the sand pit area, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Shelduck, Shoveler pair, the female Gadwall and 2 juveniles, only a single Red Kite seen.

A Fox was present and as it walked along the bank edge it was followed by a small group of Mallards keeping their eyes on it.

23rd June - mostly cloudy, a few sunny spells, light-mod easterly, 22C, humid at times

Cotesbach Landfill; a morning look here produced 2 Shoveler, 7 drake Teal, a couple of Shelduck, Canada Geese now at 28 (including juvs). An adult Peregrine flew in to the sand pit area looking for prey, settled a while then off.  3 Grey Wagtails, with the usual Pied Wagtails were feeding.  Red Kite numbers were building, with 10 present. 3 Lapwing were resting on the island shore.

Stanford reservoir; initially after lunch I had a look at a local site where Marbled White occur, although none were seen today, a couple of Painted Lady, Meadow Brown and Small Tortoiseshell.  so, I headed here to check for Butterflies in the wildflower area, here too little was happening. I think the weather was to dull, cloudy and humid.

While there I noticed several Grey Wagtails (adults and juvs) feeding, including this male on the spillway.

22nd June - mostly sunny, light SSE, 22C

Cotesbach Landfill; 3 Little Egret were present , feeding this morning.  Gull numbers were quite low as no tipping today, however 11 Red Kites were looking for food. and a Raven was circling high above.
A Cinnabar moth settled close-by.  It seems to have been a good season for them this year.

Willey; I spotted a bright-iridescent reddish Beetle making it's way across a paving slab, lo oks like Nebria brevicollis, no colloquial name though, nor is it unusual.

21st June - sunny spell, 19C, light northerly

Stanford reservoir; a look this afternoon, a sleeping Redshank on the dam, 2 Common Sandpipers, several Grey Wagtails, usual Warblers singing and feeding young. A female gadwall still has her 3 mid-sized ducklings. A Shelduck pair on the outflow wall, single male Pochard on dam.  A couple of Common Tern on the raft.

Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large White and Banded Demoiselle.

20th June - sunny spells, light westerly, 18C

Willey; One of our Swallow pairs has 4 youngsters they are busy feeding and are growing well, another nest has young too, but these are smaller and not showing over the nest edge yet.

Cotesbach Landfill; an evening visit, not too much happening. A couple of Red Kite and Buzzards, a Red-legged Partridge flew by. House Martins, Sand Martins and Swifts were all feeding here, a couple of Shelduck, 10 Mute Swans and 18 Mallards, a couple of Tufted Duck.  Plenty of juv Pied Wagtails busy feeding around the waters edge.

19th June - cloudy am, some sunny spells pm, 17C

Willey; a Hedgehog was spotted about 2230h on the pavement opposite the pub, made its way into the gardens. This is good as no live Hedgehog reported this year, some our small population hangs on.

Stanford Reservoir; an evening visit, nothing new to report. An Oystercatcher flew over eastwards, probably to the golf course. They must have nested locally, just off site this year.

18th June - cloudy hunid am, cloudy and light rain pm, 18C, light southerly

Willey; a Goldcrest spent the morning in the Church area singing and a Lesser Whitethroat was singing in it's territory to the east.

Cotesbach landfill; a look here after lunch, nothing much to report.  A couple of Shelduck drakes were chasing each other, often flying around, a female was nearby.   Several Red Kites and Buzzards were seen, a couple of Sand Martin over the water.

17th June - sunny spells, 18C, light southerly

Stanford reservoir; a late evening -dusk visit, especially for Owls.  Before dark 3 Pochard, a reeling Grasshopper Warbler, a Bullfinch pair, 2 singing Lesser Whitethroats and 2 Common Terns  were noted.  A Barn Owl came passed hunting just after 9 O'clock and 2+ Tawny Owls appeared later and others could be heard.

16th June - cloudy am, sunny spells/showers pm, 19C, light-mod SW

Willey; this morning 2 young Swallows were sitting on a fence post at the top pond while the parents hawked for food.  First youngsters I've seen out.

Around my feed station 4+ Greenfinch, Yellowhammers and Coal Tit visiting plus other regularsd. A Nuthatch flew passed.

Brandon Marsh; this afternoon a walk here, the river has risen and flooded much of the marsh - hopefully not too many nests swamped out.  The island on East Marsh is only a third of its normal size, still a couple of Little-ringed Plover, Lapwing, 3 Redshank and other regulars were on it.  Plenty of Sand Martins gathering food, a 10+ Swifts were overhead.  A juv and adult Kestrel were on the bottom marsh, often on the Osprey nesting post.  6 Little Grebe (2 juvs) from the Carlton hide.  Plenty of Warbler song, including a Lesser Whitethroat.  One Cuckoo was calling too.

It is said that all of the Common Tern chicks (14) on the rafts have been predated this year!!

15th June - early sunnhine giving way to showers by mid-day-pm, 16C, light southerly

Cotesbach landfill; a look here after lunch, I managed a total of 22 Red Kite, plus several Buzzards.  A single drake Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, a few Mallard and Tufted Duck were on the water.  70+ House Martins and a few Sand Martins and Swifts were feeding over the water.  A couple of Linnet were on the soil heaps.

Shawell Lagoons; a look here next nothing much though.  Some fungi were noted and a Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown braved the brief sun between the showers.

14th June - rain till midday then showers, a few very short bright spells, slightly warmer, 16C, light southerly

Stanford Reservoir; a look here after lunch.  Despite the rain plenty of Warblers singing, including one Cetti’s. Since the continuous rain a few days ago there has been very few wildfowl present, today was no exception.  A few predated eggs are being seen at the moment, including quite a few Coot eggs.  A couple of Common Terns were present.  A female Cuckoo was seen in the side willows

13th June - rain all night. rain until late morning, then showers, clearing early evening, light W-NW, 13C

Willey; a look at the feed station this afternoon showed it to be very busy with House Sparrows, Great Tit, Yellowhammers, Greenfinch and a Coal Tit.  I'm sure they were all hungry having sheltered again during the days rain.  The Sparrows seemed to to taking food off, probably to youngsters.

A Buzzard flew over then after a short while it came back, this time with a young Rabbit carcass in its claws, a couple of Carrion Crows hassled it but soon gave up, the Buzzard moved off westward.

Stanford reservoir; a walk here this evening (while dry!), from the dam to Blowers Lodge Bay.  A Yellow Wagtail flew from the field and a Grey Wagtail was on the outlet bridge.  100+ Swifts, plus Sand and House Martins with Swallows were feeding.  A Hobby flew over the reservoir then over the fields.  A Barn Owl was out early, hunting, no doubt desperate to find food for its young.

Cotesbach Landfill; a look here on the way back, a young Buzzard was feasting on a dead Gull.

12th June - cloudy,light SW, 13C. Light rain from1730h

At least dry for most of the day and a touch warmer - but more rain to come!

Willey; this morning a Spotted Flycatcher was on the wire fence next to the top spinney- where they bred last year - hopefully a pair here again.  To the west a Kestrel flew from an Oak and off over the Long Spinney.

A Fungus under the wood pile where the Stoats were the other day was spotted.

Lubenham; around the Cattle market grounds male of Whitethroat, Goldcrest and Goldfinch were all singing.

Cotesbach Landfill; the water level in the sand pit area has risen reducing the size and number of islands present but still plenty of shore to attract waders and Gulls.  Surprisingly there were 3 Shoveler present (2m, 1f) which have started their moult, a couple of Shelduck too.  A single Little Grebe - often 'trilling'. Not many Red Kite, no doubt when the warmer weather returns they will too.  A single Swift and only a few House Martins feeding.  The Grey Heron was still present as yesterday, Stock Doves are often seen here flying for on the ground as a couple were today.

The number of Gulls is increasing post-breeding, at least 2500 today.

11th June - windy and rain most of the day, cool at 11C

Last night was quite windy and wet, which continued most of the day, easing slightly late afternoon.  Several trees and many small branches had come down during the night.  Not Our usual June weather and set to continue awhile yet.

Cotesbach Landfill; went to have a look here late afternoon, but it was very unpleasant conditions and  not a lot on show.  However, a Goldcrest pair was feeding some recently fledged youngsters in the spinney.

10th June - light rain most of day with a breezy NE, 12C

A unseasonal day of weather, feeling cool, no obs today to record.

9th June - sunny initiaslly, thren cloud forming, shower in evening. 18C, light SW

Cotesbach landfill; early visit -yesterdays Dunlin had gone, generally quite with nothing new.

Newton; visited a fishery near here to check up on a Little Egret carrying a stick - nothing was found. A Great-spotted Woodpecker and 2 juveniles were seen, the juvs fighting each other on the ground.  A Goldcrest was singing and a Kestrel pair was present - nesting in a box erected for them.

Turtle Dove site; I had been told of a site in Warks where there were Turtle Doves, these are very scarce around here now, so I went to check it out.  Sure enough I found 2 'purring' and displaying birds.  One flew over me and settled on top of a bush, the other was watched again sitting on top of a tall hedge not far away.  It was great to hear them again, we used to have 3-4 pairs every year at Willey.

8th June - rain- mod-heavy at times till 1330h, breezy westerly, 10C, clearing to sunny spells in evening 14C

Brandon Marsh; many young birds about now, Tits, Nuthatch, Warblers, Woodpeckers, Duck, Waders etc. With the weather generally having been good through the breeding so far, hopefully success will be higher than recent years.
Young Lapwing and Oystercatchers are feeding on East Marsh island.  Three Little ringed Plovers were seen here, no youngsters were spotted, but they can easily hide.  The number of Lapwing is also increasing - failed breeders likely to about 25. Ducks (Mallard and Gadwall) have also started their moult and beginning to look 'scruffy'.  Near the hide a Cetti's Warblers was feeding young.  Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers were calling excitedly from the trees, a Goldcrest was singing and Coal Tit frequently called.  Two pairs of Little Grebe were seen from the Carlton hide.

Cotesbach Landfill;  Carl had found two Dunlin in the sand pit area this afternoon, so after Brandon I headed there to check these out and hoped other waders may have come in.  Also, earlier Carl had a record count of 47 Red Kites, will we beat this record number?

A couple of Yellow-legged Gulls were present.  Swifts, House and Sand martins were feeding here too.  

7th June - light-mod rain until evening, then sunny spells, 14C, light easterly

Willey; I'm still putting some seed feed at my feed station, today 6 House Sparrows, 3 Yellowhammers and a Greenfinch were present about mid-day. A Green Woodpecker flew by too.

Cotesbach landfill; 24 Red Kite were notable this morning before the rain .

Stanford reservoir; this evening a look around the dam and Blowers Lodge Bay areas.  a couple of Stock Doves were on the dam.  Nearby Red-legged Partridge were feeding.

Four Pochard were present this evening, only one Gadwall was seen.  Three Common Terns were noisy and chasing.  None seem to have attempted to nest yet, I've got the feeling these were 2 males after a female, finally two did rest on a nesting raft.

Garden Warblers, Blackcap, Willow Warblers and Sedge Warblers are still singing well.  Swifts and House Martins were feeding high and a couple of Swallows were around the water tower. A single Yellowhammer flew from the scrub in to the neighbouring field, several Skylarks were singing there too.