29th Sept - a breezy day, sunny, SW, 15C

Willey; 0800h, six Swallows feeding over home, three Chiffchaffs, a male Blackcap, Goldcrest, Mistle and two Song Thrush, plus Blackbirds all around the Church Yews.  

Shawell sandpit; evening.  Nothing different to report, two Foxes were walking along one of the spits with the Ducks and Gulls eyeing them.  

A Raven from the other day.

28th Sept - sunny spells early, cloud increasing, rain later afternoon into evening, 15C, light-mod S

Willey; Six Swallows feeding over the village this morning.

27th Sept - showers first thing, some short/sharp and breezy, clearing to sunny periods, light SW breeze, 15C

Willey; two Swallows first thing, but eight feeding over home at 1700h when better conditions.

Shawell Sandpit;  early evening.  Nothing new, very few Gulls.  A female Kestrel flew over, small Linnet flock feeding on the weeds.  Two Wigeon, plus Shovelers and Teals, one Little Grebe.  Several Ravens.

Starlings, as I mentioned the other day Starlings have begun coming in to a roost nearby, I counted them this evening and estimated 400.  The number should build over the coming weeks, we shall see.

26th Sept - cloud clearing to a sunny and very warm day, 22C, light SW breeze

This could be the last day of 'summer' as 'fronts' and rain forecast to swept through the country from tomorrow early morning.

Willey; o800h eight Swallows feeding over the village, however this evening, 1815h there were 17 over the village.

Shawell sandpit; afternoon.  The immature Shelduck was present again, three Red Kites, and a Buzzard.  Shoveler at 15, a Little Grebe, 10+ Ravens and a flock of c10 Linnets feeding.

Colour ringed Gulls were:  LBBG: U=Y red/black and GBBG JC536 black/white.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; two Ringed Plover and a Curlew, otherwise the other regulars were present.

25th Sept - high blanket cloudy, clearing to sunny periods, 22C, light W/SW

Willey; mid-day. 4+ Chiffchaffs around Church Lane, plus 2 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, a Nuthatch and 6 Swallows.

Shawell Sandpit; first thing, very quiet.  Eleven Shovelers, five+ Ravens, single Red Kite, two Buzzards, a Green Woodpecker.

 

24th Sept - sunny periods, light SWS, 23C, very warm again

Willey; the Swallow families still around.  A Jay was seen in the Perkins fields, no doubt gathering acorns to stash away.

Shawell sandpit; new was an immature Shelduck, and 14 Wigeon, otherwise all the regulars were present.  An adult Yellow-legged Gull was showing well and some Gull colour rings were read.

LBBG adults- N:21A ringed Lancashire,  5XF ringed Gloucestershire

Caspian Gull -  X491 ringed Germany

A couple of days ago I read a Great Black Backed Gull ring too, JX224, ringed in Norway 15/4/20, presumably a breeding location.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening.  new here was a Greenshank, a Ringed Plover too.  The Cackling Goose - type bird was still present with the Canada Goose flock.

23rd Sept - cloud clearing to sunny afternoon, warm 22C, light NW/W

Willey; the Swallow families are still here today.

First thing a Raven 'cronking' as it did the field rounds, a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the Church lane.

Stanford reservoir; late afternoon.  sightings included c100 Wigeon, three Pochard, one Shoveler, c30 Gadwall, one Little Grebe.  Several Chiffchaffs,  two Treecreepers, two Jays, a Grey Heron, two Ravens. 

22nd Sept - sunny, 21C, light-mod SW

Willey the Swallows are still present today, feeding around the village, sometimes the fledglings were in the shed sitting on the pipes, with the parents bringing food to them.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; late afternoon.  fairly quiet.  Among the Canada Goose flock was an individual that showed features of a Cackling Goose, probably nearly half the size of a normal Canada Goose.  It was reported yesterday too, the reporter also suggesting a hybrid.  Interesting though.

21 St Sept - sunny periods, 20C, light W

Willey; I noticed more Swallows flying first thing so I checked the two nests and sure enough the young had fledged, the 11 counted matched the young and parent numbers.  So, how much longer before these leave the village?  Maybe when a weather front comes through in a couple of days - we shall see!

0830h - a group of 17 Cormorants flew over, quite low, in formation, clearly looking for one of the local lakes to descend on.

Only one Meadow Pi[pit on the Sheep pasture today, presumably the others have moved off on their journey.

Shawell sandpit; interesting this evening was the flock of 32 Stock Doves that came in to roost and the several small groups of Starlings heading to a roost - so I shall have to check out last years roost location.

20th Sept - sunny am, sunny spells, pm, light WNW, 20C

Willey; this afternoon c30 Meadow Pipits were in the long grass pasture Perkins field, must be recent arrivals.

Still 6 Swallows attending the nests.

Shawell sandpit; early evening. new were two Dunlin, also, two Little Grebes,  a Common Sandpiper and a Yellow-legged Gull. 

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening. Five Shovelers, two Little Grebes, a Grey Heron, several Teal.

19th Sept - light rain/drizzle am, sunny spells, later, light WNW, 18C

Willey;  Mid-day around the Church and lane;  Chiffchaff 2+,  a Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, c15 Goldfinches, three Greenfinches, a Mistle Thrush - eating Yew Berries along with Blackbirds, a Grey and Pied Wagtail, six Swallows plus those feeding young were all noted.

Shawell Sandpit; the regulars, plus a Common Sandpiper.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; new in were a Greenshank, a Dunlin and a single Wigeon.  Lapwing were up to 31.  A flock of 14 Goldfinch were feeding on the weedy area.

18th Sept - thick mist, clearing by 0930, then sunny, slowky cloud increasing, 22C, light S

Willey; Again Raven this morning to the east flying round the fields.

I checked the two Swallows nests today, one has four the other probably three youngsters (smaller), still some growing needed before they fledge, here they are-

Shawell sandpit; after the mist cleared expectations were not met, nothing new, a single Wigeon and Lapwing.  A few Shoveler, plenty of Teal and a Little Grebe.  Wigeon number about 35 currently.

Stanford reservoir; a walk here after lunch. A Green Sandpiper and Lapwing, along with a couple of Teal and other ducks on the dam. A single Grey Wagtail in the spillway.

A Red Kite overhead was being hassled by a Raven.  A Jay flew in to the adjacent wood.   A couple of roving Tit flocks, with a Chiffchaff and male Blackcap with them. 

Several Speckled Woods and a Comma butterfly were seen.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; late afternoon.  Highlights were two Ringed Plovers, a juv Dunlin, two Curlew (one a juv) and an adult Yellow-legged Gull.

17th Sept - high broken cloud, light SSW, 20C

Willey; 0800h and single Meadow Pipit flew up from the grazing meadow back field. During the afternoon c75 Starlings had gathered n the top of a tall Ash tree, eventually leaving in groups NE.

Clive Swallows around first thing, but this evening only those attending the two nests were seen.

Shawell sandpit; late afternoon.  

10 Ravens and eight Red Kites were around the area.  A Lapwing, Green and Common Sandpiper we’re feeding around the pools. 

16th Sept - mist & cloud early, clraring to a sunny day, 22C, very light S

Willey;  east of the village - 1000h a single Golden Plover flew over calling heading northward, also two Ravens were heard calling around the fields.

mid-afternoon c15 Swallows were on the telegraph wires, top end of village, quite a few were juveniles.  

In the evening nine Swallows were feeding low over the village as the sun went down, including those feeding young in the nests in our sheds.

Misterton; a look around the church and lake area early afternoon.  the usual common woodland birds were around, including Nuthatch, Goldcrest, Song Thrush and Tits.

15th Sept - cloud clearing slowiy to give clear, sunny evening, 19C, light W

Shawell sandpit;  new birds included a Common Sandpiper and seven Wigeon this evening.  Greylag Geese were up at 241 and Teal 51.  11 Ravens were around too.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; this evening waders were two each of Little Stint and Ringed Plover and three Curlews.  Four Shovelers were busy feeding and two Little Grebes.

14th Sept - rain/drizzle most of the day

 Willey; only the nest attending Swallows seen again, trying to find food in the rain.

13th Sept - mostly high cloud, 19C, light ESE

Willey; only the Swallows attending nests at home seen today.

Shawell Sandpit; evening. a quick look, four Red Kites, seven Ravens, two Little Grebes, SHovelers, Teal, Mallard and three Tufted Ducks.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening.  Not too much around -a Ringed Plover and two Little Stints on an island, only seven lapwings. A Little Egret and Grey Heron, a single Little Grebe.

12th Sept - sunny am, becoming cloudy, 19C, light WNW

WIlley; at least six Swallows over home this morning, plus those attending nests.

Soar Brook Lake; a 1st winter Wheatear was on the field fence line.  WeBS count day, included Mallard, Little Grebes, Little Egrets, Lapwings, Black-headed and Lesser Black Backed Gulls, a Cormorant.

Mere Lane Lake; four Little grebes and two Shoveler notable on the lake. A minimum of Four Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting too.  A female Kestrel was around.

Common Blue and Small Copper butterflies noted too.

Eyebrook Reservoir; afternoon. Highlights included Pectoral Sandpiper, two Great Egrets, c15 Ringed Plover, c10 <Dunlin, three Ruff, a Little Stint, Shelduck, 

11th Sept - sunny spells, 22C, light 22C

Willey; 0800h, c30 House Martins feeding over home, plus a few Swallows.

Magna Park lake area; morning.  Not much on the lake but several Blackcaps, a female Redstart and single Spotted Flycatcher (adult).

Shawell sandpit; afternoon'  14 Shovelers, plus Teal and Mallards, a Little Grebe.  Among the Gulls, Carl spotted a juv Caspian Gull, somewhat more pale individual than usual.  Ravens, Red Kites and green Woodpecker.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; late afternoon'  Highlights were two Little Stints, two Redshanks, a Ringed Plover, three Curlew.  Also, two each Little Grebes and Shovelers.  A Kestrel flew passed.

10th Sept - sunny spell, showers about, light SW, 20C

Willey; 0815 - 12 Swallows around home.  

Late morning a look around the Church and Church Lane area produced single Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Nuthatch, Goldcrest  two Great Spotted and a Green Woodpecker, several Greenfinch and Goldfinches.

Afternoon, a flock of c35 Starlings were around the village fields.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening.  Highlights were - four Little Stints (juvs), a Ringed, Little Ringed and Curlew, two Redshanks.  A Ruddy Shelduck (female). Two Little Grebes

9th Sept - sunny spells, light S, 23C, a few short showers around.

Willey; looked at one of the Swallows nest this morning, the tiniest youngster’s head was visible.  I will have to check the other nests, these will be awhile if they survive.  The most I saw today was 5 adults.

Croft Hill; afternoon. A Tree Pipit flew SW calling, it may have come off the ground.  Otherwise quiet, but good views of a female Kestrel and a friendly Robin.

Small Copper and Small Heath butterflies were seen.

Shawell sandpit; evening. three Green Sandpipers feeding at pool, 10 Shovelers, single Little Grebe.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening.  three Little Stints still (juvs).  Single Redshank and Ringed Plover.

8th Sept - sunny and hot, 29C, light ESE

Willey; first thing three Spotted Flycatchers feeding edge of BH wood.

Swallows still attending nests.

Shawell sandpit; evening. Single Lapwing and Green Sandpiper feeding at pool. Little Grebe and two Shoveler, six Mute Swans.

They are still pumping out water, which doesn’t seem to be helping attract waders, even though we have a good shore line, too many pools are disappearing.

A5 Pools/DIRFT: two Little Stint still, two Redshanks, a Dunlins and Ringed Plover.

7th Sept - hot, 30C, light SE, sunny

Willey; the Swallow countdown only included those attending nests in the sheds, so four.  I expect others will come through.

Croft Hill; a look this afternoon in the hope of a late day Pied Flycatcher, never mind, but two Spotted Flycatchers and a couple of Blackcaps.  Plus, the local Ravens and five Buzzards circling together.

Soar Brook Lake; early evening, two Green Sandpipers, two each of Little Egret and Grey Heron, plus Cormorants, Little Grebes, Lapwings, 45 Mallard, Stock dove and new here for me a Collard Dove.

Shawell sandpit; usual birds including a single Green Sandpiper.

6th Sept - cloudy early, soon becoming sunny and hot, 28C, very light S

Willey; 0800h a Hobby flew low over home.  1345h 23 Swallows on the telegraph wires.

Shawell sandpit; late afternoon.  a Green Sandpiper feeding, a couple of Raven, four Red Kite, otherwise all the regulars.

A5 Pools/DIRFT (early evening). Single Dunlin and Ringed Plover, two Redshanks and Curlew. Single Shoveler, several Lapwing sheltering in the vegetation. 

5th Sept - becoming sunny and hot, 25C, light E

 Willey; c20 Swallows whizzing around home and the sheds this afternoon, no doubt appreciating the better weather.

Shawell Sandpit; a look this morning here, very similar birds to recent days.  Fifteen Ravens were quite vocal and many flying around each other as they do.

A5 Pools/DIRFT, late afternoon). A nice selection of waders eventually seen, many places for them to stay hidden in the creeks.  Four Ruff, two each of Redshank, Little Stint and Dunlin, three Curlew (one juv), one each Ringed, Little Ringed Plover and Snipe.

4th Sept - cloudy, sunny spells pm, 21C, light ENE

Willey; 16 Swallows on the wires first thing, with a few flying around going in to the sheds where the nests are.

Shawell sandpit; morning.  A Green Sandpiper, four Pochard, Tufted Ducks, Shovelers, 40+ Teal and Mallards.  Five Mute Swans, a couple of Buzzards and Red Kites. 

A5 Pools/DIRFT; afternoon.  Little Stint (juv), a Dunlin and Redshank, adult Yellow-legged Gull, otherwise very quiet.

Stanford reservoir, late afternoon.  two Yellow Wagtails and three Grey Wagtails on the dam. Two Shoveler, one Teal, several Wigeon and Gadwall. A couple of Kestrels and Buzzard calling.  Two Ravens calling and circling high.  A Green Woodpecker was calling.

3rd Sept - cloudy, 18C, light NE

Willey; Nine Swallow on the wires today.

Shawell sandpit, evening.  a drake Pochard, four Red Kites, four Little Grebes. several Shoveler still.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening. two Redshanks, a Ringed Plover and Little Grebe, a Kestrel flew over.

2nd Sept - cloudy, 18C, light/mod NE

Willey; the only Swallows I saw during the day were the ones popping in and out of the sheds, however, this evening (1930h) a pre-roost gathering c25 were over home feeding.

Shawell sandpit; this evening a single Ruff and four Green Sandpipers were feeding around the same same.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; much quieter this evening, no doubt due to development disturbance, even so there was a large flock of Canada Geese, two each of Dunlin, Redshank, Little Ringed Plover and Ringed Plover, a single Curlew flew in.

1st Sept - cloudy, dull at times, light NE, 16C

Well Autumn is upon us, and this dim weather is with us a little longer yet.

Willey; first thing 22 Swallows were feeding low around the Sheep in the Perkins fields area.  We also have two pairs visiting nests, however, I can't see any young peering over the nest rim, so if they are there they must be very small - will see in a few days.

Shawell sandpit; evening.  Similar to yesterday evening, three Green Sandpipers still.  Five Raven flew over my head, low and calling!

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening.  another nice collection of waders, Redshank 2, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin two, Ringed Plover 2, Curlew and Ruff 1 each.  I had spotted the two Little Stints (one more than last evening and reported this morning), however by the end of my watch I had found THREE little Stints, roosting on an island.

Also, a female Ruddy Shelduck was with the Canada Geese and departed with them.