19th June - Mostly cloudy, light breeze E, 17C

Willey; first thing a Whitethroat was singing near the barns to the east and three Ravens were down the Perkins fields.

Cotesbach landfill; the Shelduck family still, the ducklings are losing their down now and feathers beginning to show.  Also, three other adults were present, two went down an old hole, but came out again.

Also present was an Oystercatcher, it had a metal ring on, and the foot/leg was damaged.

The four Egyptian Geese and two Mute Swans were present, otherwise nothing else notable was present.

Middleton Lakes RSPB; I decided to visit here in the hope of seeing the Blyth's Reed Warbler that had been found yesterday here and reported again today.  It had been loyal to a small area of Willow near the river.   After a while it was heard to call and showed briefly low down in vegetation.  After a further wait it popped out on a branch and showed well from various angles, and called again.

A good selection of other birds were seen on the reserve including Bittern, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover.