12th July - sunny periods, WNW breeze, 21C

Willey; this morning a Red Kite flew over low heading east from the grass field.
The Pied Wagtail pair were taking food under the old pan tiled roof.  They raise a first brood elsewhere this year, but nearby.

Cotesbach Landfill; 8 Red Kites mid- morning, a Peregrine sat on top of a spoil heap for ages, just watching and preening.  3 Teal and a few Mallards.

Stanford Reservoir; an afternoon walk here, fairly quite. Plenty of Whitethroats and Blackcaps. A larger mixed roving Tit flock, many Long-tailed Tits, a.single Willow Tit heard.  A Treecreeper was calling too.  A Kestrel was taking food into a tree where Another was heard begging.  Plenty Pied and Grey Wagtails in the spillway feeding.  Only 2 Common Tern for a while over the water.

Quite a few Small and Essex Skippers, hopefully the photos show the difference - Essex black tipped on the antennae.

Also, I spotted a Toad.