28th Feb - frost last noght -2C. Clear sky, sunny, light NE breeze, 11C

Cotesbach landfill/sandpit; new this morning were a pair of Pochard and five Lapwings.   A pair of Shelduck, 67 Teal and a Little Grebe were also notable.

Later a quick look, 1530h, there were more Lapwing, c 15 and a Peregrine flew in then off eastward.

Stanford reservoir; a walk here after lunch, a beautiful sunny afternoon.  A Treecreeper and Long-tailed Tits were busy along the by-pass path.  Near the Leics feeders several Pheasants and a couple of Reed Buntings.  

On the water, notable were five Goldeneye, a drake and female Goosander and two Shoveler.  

A Pied Wagtail and two Grey Wagtails were in the spillway feeding.

27th Feb - frost last night -2C. sunny, light NW, 11C

Cotesbach landfill/sandpit;  Five Shelduck, a bit of chasing by the drakes.  c40 Teal, 15 Shoveler, seven Wigeon, a Mallard pair and Tufted Ducks.  Three Buzzards, only one Red Kite seen.  

Two Lapwings, hopefully a pair to breed.

26th Feb - Frost last night -2C. mostly sunny, light SW, 12C

Willey; I've not heard Blackbird singing in  the mornings or during the day yet, but they are singing a little in the evenings, its no9ce to hear them from a tree top.

Cotesbach landfill/sandpit; another look here after lunch.  More Teal around today, c30, 10 Shoveler and the Shelduck pair.  New today was an Oystercatcher and Little Grebe, although both have been seen in the recent past.  Seven Red Kites over the landfill.

25th Feb - cloudy am, sunny spells pm, light WNW, 11C

Willey; a check of the feed station area, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, male and female, Nuthatch, a Yellowhammer, several Chaffinch and a single Tree Sparrow were seen, along with other regulars. In the tree tops 50 Redwings were near the old railway track and 14 Fieldfares in the Ash top near the old drain. A Buzzard flew over calling - hopefully it will nest locally, they do.

Cotesbach landfill/sandpit; a look after lunch, plenty of Gulls but otherwise quiet.  Notable were a pair of Shelduck and a separate drake, a Raven, and a couple of Red Kites.  Duck numbers were low today, only 7 Shoveler, c15 Teal, but 34 Tufted Duck. 

24th Feb - cloudy, mod SSW, 15C

No obs today.

23rd Feb - cloudy, mod, vey breezy at times S, 11C

Willey; a busy day. 

Goldcrest singing again in church Yews.

22nd Feb - light rain first thing, slowly brightening, with some sunny dpells pm, 10C, light SSW

Cotesbach Landfill; a look after lunch. 

Five Red Kites, six Ravens were noted.  In the sandpit area on the water were Shoveler, Tufted, Mallard, Teal, two Wigeon and three Pochard.  Two Mute Swans and two Canada geese.  A Green Sandpiper flew to the near shore.

21st Feb - mostly cloud, one rougue shower, light S, 12C

Willey; I could hear three Song Thrushes singing this morning and a pair of Bullfinch were feeding in the Church lane hedge.  A Green Woodpecker was heard through the day calling mostly to the east.

Stanford reservoir; a rather Spring-like walk here this afternoon.  The Stonechat pair were in their usual place.  Then a Curlew flew in, calling, before leaving west, a sign of winter birds dispersing to breeding grounds maybe.  A Bearded Tit was heard in the reed bed, but not seen, also four Reed Buntings were moving deep in the reeds.  At least two Water Rail were calling in the reed bed.

The usual birds on the water, including five Goldeneye, a Grey Heron and Little Egret feeding too.

 

20th Feb - cloudy, mod/breezy S, 13C

Stanford Hall Park; a walk along the lane overlooking the parkland and lake.  About 50m Redwings were feeding under the trees.  A Mistle Thrush was feeding on the parkland, along with Black-headed, and Common Gulls, along with Jackdaws.  Two of the Jackdaws showed characteristics of the 'Nordic' type.

On and around the lake were many Canada and Greylag Geese, c100 Wigeon, Mallard, two Gadwall, a Little Grebe and Little Egret. 

19th Feb - cloudy, mod S, 9C

 Willey; Since the cold spell I've not seen many Rooks at the Rookery nests.  I wonder why?

A check of my feed station just after lunch included a hen pheasant, three Chaffinch and Greenfinch, two Yellowhammers, a Coal Tit and two Long-tailed Tits. 10+ Blue Tits and several great Tits.  A few House Sparrows and two Robin, two Collard Doves, a Starling and two Woodpigeon.

18th Feb - showerrs, some heavy am, sunny spells pm, 9C, mod-fresh SW

Willey; the Goldcrest has been back in the Church Yews singing since the cold spell went away.

No further obs today.

17th Feb - sunny spells am, becoming cloudier, light rain late afternoon, light SSW, 12C

 Willey;  A neighbour, Richard, has told me that during last week when cold and snowy, a female Blackcap visited his bird table each day. It has not been seen since warmer.

Cotesbach Landfill; a drake Shelduck in the sandpit area, plus a pair flew over.  A group of 13 Ravens was near to the Landfill area, often flying in twos.

 

16th Feb - shower early, then cloudy, light SW, 9C

Shawell sandpit; had a look here this afternoon.   Eight Red Kites, several Raven were about.  Otherwise pretty quite.

A couple of colour-ringed LBBGs were spotted.  ATS a new visitor and 9FA1 was ringed in the Channel Isles.

15th Feb - cloudy am, sunny pm, 11C, mod SSW

What a difference a day makes - now warm and getting warmer!

Bittesby; a walk over this area this afternoon.  Main sightings were 22 Goldfinch feeding on teasels, a male and female Stonechat on the old fence posts (distant digiscoped photos, so not to disturb them), a small mixed flow of Yellowhammer 7, Reed Bunting 3, Chaffinch 3 on a fallow field area. A couple of Linnets, four Redwings and c150 Woodpigeon.,

Starling roost; estimated 30000 in to the roost this evening.

Some Rooks were gathering pre-roost.

14th Feb - cloudy, keen SE, 2C. Some very slow thawing, mostly pm. Wind chill -3C

Very slowly during the day the temp slowly increased, by late evening 3C and some rain.

Willey; the last few very cold days several Fieldfares have been feeding in the Pen-fold area under the thickets and apple trees.

Shawell Sandpit; a walk here even though the cold wind was most unpleasant and the pools were 80% frozen today.  

Five Ravens were present flying together, at least four Red Kites.  The Peregrine was again seen messing about, rising and stooping at the Kites and Ravens, sometimes being chased by them, although it seemed to be deliberately teasing them.  I'm sure its intent was to make the birds drop anything edible which they occasionally picked up.

Just the usual Shoveler, Teal and Tufted Duck, teo Mute Swans and now four Coot.

13th Feb - cloudy, mod SE, 0C

The temp didn't exceed 0C during the day, ground now pretty hard.  However, milder weather forecast  tomorrow and onwards.

Willey; a nice selection at the feed station this morning, including a Tree Sparrow, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, 11 Starlings, two Greenfinch, several Chaffinch, a Long-tailed Tit and male great Spotted Woodpecker.  A Song Thrush was feeding on the paddock and a male Bullfinch in the thick hedge.

Shawell Sand pit; I had a walk here this afternoon.  Seven Red Kites and four Ravens were around.  Most of the water was frozen, but 25 Shoveler, c60 teal, Tufted Ducks and a Shelduck were on the open water.

A colour ringed Polish Caspian Gull was seen, also reported this morning at Stanford reservoir.

12th Feb - frost -3C, Broken cloud, light-mod E/ESE, 1C

Willey; Nothing new today at the feed station. Although a Bullfinch pair was in the adjacent hedge.  One of the Starlings decided to sit atop the hedge and sing loadly.

Shawell Sandpit; a walk here after lunch was interesting as I had a Peregrine, Red Kite and Raven in binocular view all at the same time, the Peregrine was messing with them.

On the, part frozen water, Teal and Shoveler were gathered.  A male Sparrowhawk flew over too.

11th Feb - hard frost last night -5C. Broken cloud, light NE, 1C

Willey; Despite the hard weather birds and numbers coming to the feed station have not changed, apart from a few more Starling coming. 

The single Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit and a couple of Long-tailed Tits all put in an appearance.

10th Feb - afrost last night -3C. A little light snow shower, broken cloud/sunny spells, light NE, 1C, snow cover still, mostly frozen ground

Willey;  At the feed station today a couple of Yellowhammer, several Chaffinch, 4+ Greenfinch a single Tree Sparrow and Great Spotted Woodpecker plus other regulars.  A Coal Tit and Nuthatch popped in too.

On the ground several Blackbirds and a Redwing feeding. A Mistle Thrush sat atop the the tall hedge and Fieldfare was heard.

9th Feb - Frosty night -1C, high broken cloud, a few flakes of snow am, light NE, 0C. a few sunny spells pm, in sheltered spots a little thawing.

WIlley; Two female Great Spotted Woodpeckers were at the feed station, a Yellowhammer, a Tree Sparrow, three Greenfinch, two Starlings and other regulars.

Nine Fieldfares flew over, a single Stock Dove and several Rooks too.  Six Goldfinch were in the Church Horse Chestnut tree.

8th Feb - light snow fell most of the day, 0C, light NE

Willey;  a proper wintery day.  Just the usual visitors to the feed station, including the single Tree Sparrow.

7th Feb - sunny spells am, cloudy pm, mod/fresh NE, 2C (wind chill like -5C)

We are having over the next few days cold, maybe snow, from the east, so we shall see if this brings 'white-wingers' and more species to the feed station.

Willey; the single tree Sparrow was at the feed station this morning, pity others are coming (yet!).

Cotesbach Landfill; a look here this morning, three Shelducks, a pair and single drake, plus 19 Shoveler and a good number of Teal.  A couple of Red Kite, not many Gulls.  A Raven had found a bone and was enjoying it, whilst Carrion Crows edged closer hoping to steal it.

6th Feb - Foggy am until about mid-day, then sunny spells, 7C, light breeze N.

WIlley; this morning a single Tree Sparrow at the feed station with all the other regulars.  At least six Chaffinches today.

Cotesbach landfill; a quick look here as I passed produced a drake Goldeneye in the sandpit area, second record of the year for the site.

Stanford reservoir;  a walk here, along the Northants side round Blowers Lodge Bay.  A Great Egret was present. On the water duck included Pochard, Tufted, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal (5), Shoveler (1), Gadwall and Goldeneye.  

Redwings and Fieldfares were present in the hedges, a four Bull finch were spotted. A couple of Song Thrush were heard singing and a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming.  A couple of Tree Sparrows at the feeder.

5th Feb - cloud am, sunny spells pm, 8C, light S

Willey; This afternoon a Song Thrush was singing near the Church. At the feed station a male Yellowhammer was present with the other regulars.  A male and female Great Spotted Woodpecker again.

4th Feb -Fof clearing by mid-day, them light rain most pm, light ESE, 5C

WIlley;  Several Blackbirds were feeding on the Ivy berries, the Ivy is growing within a Yew tree and hangs out nicely for them to gain access.

We have a good number of Starlings roaming and feeding in the pastures at the moment, as well as Redwing and Fieldfare.

At the feed station, a couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, three Greenfinch, two Yellowhammers, several Chaffinch, plus other common regulars. A Green Woodpecker called nearby.  

3rd Feb - high broken cloud, light WSW, 8C

WIlley; this morning a Goldcrest and Song Thrush singing near the Church.

Stanford reservoir; a walk here this afternoon.  A few Pied Wagtails and single Meadow Pipit on the dam, a female Stonechat was nearby.  Plenty of Long-tailed Tits roving, with Blue and Great Tits and Treecreeper.  A Jay was heard and flew over to the Old Covert, as did a Great Spotted Woodpecker.  A couple of Lesser Redpolls were feeding on seed heads in the rough area.  A Song Thrush was singing well here.

A Kingfisher was heard as it flew off over the water.  The water is still very brown from the recent rains, which may part explain why duck numbers are low-ish, as are Great-crested Grebe.  Only three Goldeneye were spotted.

2nd Feb - Sunny spells, light S, 12C

Willey; a Goldcrest was back, singing, in the Church yews this morning.

Stanford Hall; a view over the Parkland and Lake from the main gates.  A Mistle Thrush pair, the male sometimes singing, was feeding, and a few Redwings on the parkland.  A noisy Nuthatch too.

Plenty of Canada and Greylag Geese, no 'wild' geese found with them.  Next to the lake an Egyptian Goose was just visible.  A Great Egret was looking for food in the rough area.

1st Feb - sunny spells, light N/ENE, 4C

Willey; A rather quiet day. First thing three Mistle Thrush were around the paddock and Church, probably sorting out territories.

Mid-afternoon I checked the feed station, nothing new there today.  At least 21 Stock Doves flew over, heading to their roost area.