31st Jan - mod NW, sunny am, patchy cloud pm, 7C, but feeling much cooler

Willey; a Raven flew over first thi8ng.

Stanford Hall; The three White-fronted Geese were among the Canada/Greylag Goose flock on the parkland, also the escapee Cackling Goose.  

Stanford Res; a quick look around the dam area.  A Chiffchaff was in the usual area at the by-pass outflow.  A Red Kite flew over and a Buzzard sat in the bush top by the river bridge. A single Grey Wagtail in the spillway.,

30th Jan - frost last night. Sunny am, becoming cloudy, 5C, light NW/W

WIlley, am. a check of the feed station included a Great-spotted Woodpecker, a Nuthatch and Coal Tit

Middleton Lakes; pm.  a trip here, a good selection of birds included 3 Goldeneye, a female Goosander, 3 Pochard among the usual winter ducks, plus many Lapwing and three Oystercatchers.  

Many Grey Herons, several Little Egrets and three Great Egrets.

A Treecreeper and Nuthatch in the wood.

29th Jan - sunny am, becoming cloudy, NW mod- blustery wind, 7C

Swithland reservoir, pm. strong wind blowing over the southern section.  A pair of Mandarin Ducks was in shelter, and a female Scaup was present.  Grey Herons were all seeking shelter around the edge, 19 counted, plus a Great Egret and three Little Egrets.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill;  Shelduck and Egyptian Geese pair, Gadwall pair, two Wigeon and Mute Swans.

28th Jan - light frost last night - slowly warming. light cloud, light-mod SW, 8C

Pitsford reservoir; pm.  I made a visit to the reservoir today, not having been there this year yet, also hoping to see the juv Great Northern Diver which has been around a few days.  The wind was rather fresh over the expanse of water and made viewing a bit tricky and most birds where elsewhere, just a few Cormorants and Great-crested Grebes braving the open water, anyhow after scanning, from a fairly sheltered spot, for 45 minuter I did get reasonable views of the Diver. It was almost in the middle of the open water towards the dam.

A good number of Lapwings were around the causeway sides and a few other spots, otherwise a good mixture of the expected winter and resident ducks.  Only a few  Redwings and Fieldfares were seen.

 

27th Jan - cloudy am, sunny pm, 11C, light SW

Lilbourne Meadows; pm. Two Stonechats (m+f) on the ditch reeds and pasture feeding.  

On the water meadows flooded area I was surprised to see two drake Pintails.  Also present Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall pair,   A single Fieldfare on the pasture, several Starlings about.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; c 600 Lapwings, plus the usual ducks and Gulls.

27th Jan - sunny am, cloudy, light SW, 7C

Shawell sandpit/landfill; a look pm.  Unfortunately as I arrived something spooked the Gulls in the sandpit and were reluctant to return , still many hundreds around the landfill though.  Also, 3+ Red Kites and c30 Ravens.

Other birds in the sandpit included a pair of Egyptian Geese, two Mute Swans, c150 Teal, 29 Shovelers, 11 Tufted Ducks,  c10 mallards and 20 Coots.

25th Jan - thick cloud, over cast, almost still, 2C

Harborough Magna; I checked the sunflower field today. C200 Linnets, c20 Brambling, c30 Chaffinch and c80 Starlings in the tree tops.

24th Jan - Thick cloud, very light W, 4C, dull

Stanford Hall; pm.  Could not find the White-fronted Geese in the area.  A Nuthatch was calling by the main entrance gates.

Stanford reservoir;  Six Ravens flew over, 23 Siskin were feeding in the tree tops, and a Chiffchaff was in the usual outflow area.  A flock of Long-tailed Tits included a Treecreeper.  A female grey Wagtail was in the spillway.   Nothing new on the water, a single Teal and c10 Goldeneye.  

Under the Beeches on the verge and lane near the entrance c 50 Chaffinches were feeding and on the pasture a good number of  both Fieldfares and Redwing.

23rd Jan - cloudy, 5C, light nNW

Soar Brook Lake, WeBs count today. It looks like the recent cold spell has caused a number of birds to move out as the count and variety was down on last month.  Thought 21 Wigeon and 12 Mallards.  Herring, Lesser- Black Backed and Black-headed Gulls were more abundant (20, 90 and 80 respectively).

22nd Jan - sunny spells am, cloudy pm, 7C, light cool NW

Magna Park lake area; a WeBS count today, but not much about, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and Mute Swans.  A few Goldfinch were feeding in the trees, a couple of Song Thrush on the grassy areas. Two Buzzards being harassed by a Carrion Crow.  A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming.

Mere Lane Lake; a count here too.  A Water Rail was heard calling,   Four Little Grebes, 15 Coots, Moorhens, Tufted Ducks and a couple of Mute Swans.  A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over. 

21st Jan - frost last night again. Mostly cloudy, slowiy warming to 6C, light NW

Willey; a check of paddock feed station and near fields mid morning.  Despite the cold weather still a low number of birds coming to the feed station.  A couple of Chaffinch and male Yellowhammer, three Greenfinch, 20 House Sparrows plus the common Tits.

On the fields a few Redwings, Fieldfares and two Mistle Thrushes.

Stanford Hall, pm . The White-fronted Geese could not be found, although they had been reported earlier.  Seven Moorhens, Wigeon, Mallard, two Mute Swans and Little Grebe were present.  A Nuthatch and Treecreeper were heard near the main gates.

20th Jan - -3C last night. Sunny am, light cloud pm, 4C, light NW

Brandon Marsh; pm'  Four Goosanders, eight Pochard, a good number of Tufted, Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler, five Shelduck.   c200 Lapwing, 13 Snipe on the east marsh bank, a Little Egret and Grey Heron.

In the reeds around the river pool  there were two Water Rails which kept popping in and out.  

19th Jan - cloudy am, sunny pm, 8C, mod NW

Stanford Hall Park; pm'  The three White-fronted Geese were on the parkland grass feeding with the Greylags today.   Also, a Great Egret dropped in, walking over the grassland and the Egyptian Geese pair were resting near the lake.  Four Little Grebes could be seen on the lake.

Stanford reservoir; pm highlights, 2 Raven, female Goosander, 20 Stock Doves, Bullfinch - male, Jay, plus all the regulars.

18th Jan - -3C last night. Sunny am, cloudy pm, light breeze, 5C

Harborough Magna; the Finch flock is still present on the sunflower field, c50 Bramblings, c 100 Linnets, plus Chaffinches.

WIlley; no many birds coming to the feed station this winter and no Tree Sparrows at all yet.

A Grey Heron was stalking across the pasture behind the church.

Stanford - on - Avon.  The three White-fronted Geese were with Greylag in the field next to the monument this afternoon (Northants).

17th Jan - a touch of frost lasrt night. SUnny, 8C, very light SW

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; pm.  Plenty of Gulls, a 3rd cycle Caspian and adult Yellow-legged Gull were noted.   Two Egyptian Geese (a pair), - will they breed here?  Pochard - 12- my highest ever count for here.

Eight Red Kites, a Buzzard, Ravens still.

Lutterworth; c70 Goldfinches coming in to roost again near Health centre, 1545h

16th Jan - slow warming, 8C, light SW, a few sunny spells, light drizzle late afternoon.

A5/DIRFT; a look this morning.  No Whooper Swan today.  lapwing numb ers up, 493 counted, with others out of sight, c600.   Two Shelduck too, probably the ones I saw at Shawell a few days ago. Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon and two Gadwall.

Stanford Hall; pm. highlights viewing from entrance gate were, two Egyptian Geese, six Little Grebe, a Little Egret, Nuthatch calling, a Mistle Thrush.

Stanford reservoir; highlights were: Chiffchaff at by-pass footbridge, Grey Wagtail, a Bullfinch Pair, 10+ Tree Sparrows at feed station, two Egyptian Geese, Raven 3+, Caspian Gull (3rd cycle).

15th Jan - frost last night -4C. Foggy, slowly clearing, but remaining misty, light SW, 3C, chilly and dull

Shawell Sandpit/landfill; a look this morning, a lot of the water was frozen which made counting the Teal easier as they were along the ice edge.  I counted 256.  However, I have taken a photograph and a re-count will be ,made which may alter this number. [photo count was 287],  30 Shoveler, 9 Coot and Tufted Ducks, a single Wigeon and single Mute Swan.  Some gulls, but nothing new today.  Several Ravens and a single Red Kite.

Borough Hill; early afternoon a look here for the Black Redstart, I found it on the concrete blocks, feeding, light was not good for a record photo though.

Daventry reservoir CP; stoiped here for a quick look on the way past.   Plenty of Ducks and Gulls present.  Highlight was a juv Shag on the raft and a drake Goosander.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; highlight here was a Whooper Swan, plus 33 Shoveler, a good number of Gulls gathering pre-roost which needs more checking.

14th Jan - frost last night -3, mist/fog clearing slowly, sunny, 4C, light SW

Willey; mid-afternoon a Great Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming, probably in the BH wood.  c40 Fieldfares feeding on the adjoining pature with Redwings too.  A Pied Wagtails around the barn-cattle yards.

A late look (1530h) at the paddock feed station again, five Greenfinches were in the area, a Coal Tit again, plus the regulars.

Greenfinch in full late sunlight, whilst the moon was shining too.

13th Jan - frost last night. Sunny, 7C, light SW

Harborough Magna; I checked the sunflower field after lunch, c250 Linnets, Less Bramblings only c15 seen, also only two Greenfinch, c30 Chaffinches.  Starlings were in the tree tops and kept increasing c50.

Lutterworth; whilst picking something up I noticed a flock of birds settle in the tree tops near the medical centre.  A closer look proved they were Goldfinches, coming in to a pre-roost gathering.  I estimated 70 birds, they dropped in to the evergreens in the area.

12thnJan - frost last night -3C, Sunny, light W, 7C

Willey; a look at the feed station late afternoon - along came 10 Long-tailed Tits for a late feed.  No significant numbers of Redwings (1) or Fieldfares (5) coming in to roost on old railway.

Shawell sandpit/Landfill; afternoon.    37 Shoveler - a good number for here, stilll plenty of Teal.  13 Red Kites, 10+ Ravens.

Plenty of Gulls, the following colour rings were seen. Herring  F=F, and Lesser B;lack Backed V1R9, N8CT.

11th Jan - light cloud, 8C, light wind

Stanford Hall; a look here after lunch, however nothing new, very few Geese. A Heron was present and a Great Spotted woodpecker called.

Stanford reservoir; highlights here included 3 Pintails (2 drakes), 2 Shovelers, 8+ Goldeneye, 2n Grey Herons, a Chiffchaff, 4 Reed Buntings, drake Goosander, 2+ Ravens, a Jay.

10th Jan - cloudy, very light breeze, 8C

Beeby; I visited a farm near here today, there were at least 30 Collared Doves around the cattle buildings and homestead.

Nearby a Red Kite was flying low over the fields.. A single Fieldfare was guarding fallen apples under a tree next to the lane.

9th Jan - sunny, light SW, 6C

Shawell sandpit/Landfill; this morning h9ghlights were 197 Teal, two Shelducks,  an Egyptian Goose,  20 Shoveler, a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker again.  Four Red Kites and several Ravens., Coot numbers have risen to 12.

Eyebrook reservoir;  highlights this afternoon included the female Ring-necked Duck, 2 female Smew,  6 Scaup, 3 Avocets, 27 Dunlin, 2 Shelduck, 2 Ravens, 

8th Jan - rain until 1300h, then showers clearing. Cloudy, light SW, 7C

Shawell sandpit/landfill; a look early afternoon.  conditions weren't great and nothing new found.  

Stanford Hall Park; views from entrance gate. an Egyptian Goose was with the Greylags, c 50 Wigeon feeding on the parkland.  

An albino Grey Squirrel (pink eyes) was spotted, not seen here before.

Lilbourne wet meadows; 4 Wigeon, 13 Shoveler, 65+ Teal, Redwing 10, Greenfinch 2, Goldfinch 1, 

7th Jan - cloudy, breezy, 5C

Willey; two Coal Tits at the feed station - mid day.

Harborough Magna -  a check of the Sun flower seed field.  43 Brambling counted, c30 Chaffinch, c70 Linnets, c20 Greenfinch., c40 Starlings, a Buzzard, and Sparrowhawk came through.

6th Jan - Frost last night -5C, cloudy, light NW. brief light snow, then light rain pm, 3C

Willey; a check at the feed station mid-day produced a male Yellowhammer, two Coal Tits and four Robins, two Dunnock, plus other regulars.

5th Jan - frost last night -3C. mostly sunny, 5C, light NW

Willey; around mid-day.  A few Redwings and Fieldfares, plus a Mistle Thrush feeding on the Church lane pastures.  A c15 Starlings around and a Coal Tit visiting the feed station, but overall not that much for January.

Late afternoon, 10+ Long-tailed Tits in the Church Horse Chestnut tree.

Stanford Hall; pm. a look here across the parkland, very few Greylags, mostly Canada Geese but no Whitefronts though.

Stanford reservoir; pm. nothing new, 7+ Goldeneye plus the usual winter ducks.  Two Siskins in the Alders by the foot bridge, a Treecreeper further along.  Two Goldcrests in the conifer on the dam.  A Jay near the feeders, a good number of Long-tailed Tits along the by-pass.

4th Jan - mostly sunny, mod NW, 3C

The exceptional mild spell has ended with northerly airflow today.

WIlley; a Cormorant flew passed this morning, heading east.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; pm. 

c175 Teal, c10 Shoveler, 21 Tufted, 1 Pochard, Mute 2, Coot 7, Lapwing 18, Kite c10, Raven c30 - a group of c15 were taking in in a lot of social behaviour, flying up and down in small groups in the wing aside the spinney.

Two Foxes were hunting through the vegetation.

Catkins in bloom

3rd Jan - sunny spell am, high cloud, mod SW, 9C

A change of scenery today by heading off to the Nene Washes area.  Firstly, checking the fields off New Cut lane near Thorney.  A flock, c80 Whooper Swans, was feeding in a winter wheat field at mid-distance.  Eventually, two Bewick Swans were spotted among the Whoopers.  A Kestrel hunted nearby.

Then to Eldernell to walk here and to view the marshes, this is a great area and if you have never visited you really should make a visit.   Although still early afternoon, two Short-eared Owls were sitting out, preening and snoozing, very close to the car park at the base of some bushes.  They were very obliging today.

In this area other birds included Marsh Harrier, Little Egret. Grey Heron,  Kestrel, Whooper and Mute Swans.

The marshes closest to the car park were relatively dry, but the distant ones towards March Farmers held water and large numbers of Ducks, Lapwings and Golden Plovers could be seen.

2nd Jan - spell of heavy rain before dawn, cloudy, mod SW, 10C, sunny spells short-lived then cloudy, showers late afternoon.

Harborough Magna; am. I checked the sunflower  field.  Still the finch flock, c150 Linnets, c15 Greenfinch, c30 Chaffinch.  I counted 35 Bramblings, with others present for sure.  c80 Starlings in the tree tops.  A couple of Buzzards too.

A Kestrel was hunting nearby, and a flock of Fieldfares feeding.

Stanford Hall; after lunch.  The three White-fronted Geese were again present with the Greylags.  A Little Egret was near the small lake.  Four Mistle Thrushes were present, with one singing.

Stanford reservoir;  The usual birds, notable were 21 Teal, a Shoveler drake, two 'redhead' Goosanders

1st Jan 2022 - light cloud, odd early shower, mod SW, 13C

Checked a few local areas this morning.

Shawell lagoons; c 150 Lapwings on the shore, but others had just flown off and moved into the fields towards Rugby Road (Warks), estimated another 300 inn that area. 

A Buzzard and Green Woodpecker were close to Newton Lane..

A5 Pools/DIRFT;  another Lapwing flock here c 150.

Stanford Hall; a check on the Park Land/lake - no White-fronts or Pink-Footed Goose, but an Egyptian Goose near the lake.  A couple of Mistle Thrushes were heard singing.

Eyebrook reservoir; pm, water level low still..  Teal are very numerous here at the moment, all the usual winter ducks, and Lapwing flock.  Three Avocets still present, 13 Dunlin on the mud.

Three Red-crested Pochards (drakes), a Great Egret, several Grey Herons, five Shelducks.  South of the island 9+ Smew and four Scaup.