28th Sept - cloudy, light SW wind, 18C

Willey; 0830h, three Swallows around the cattle and four Meadow Pipits over eastwards.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Unconfirmed report of a Bittern came in at lunchtime, but seen earlier, so my main attention was focussed on the reed bed areas and margins.  However, I never found it.

On the inlet weir a Little Egret was feeding.

The four Red-crested Pochards ware still present in Keepers Bay, three drakes (one in part moult still) and a female.

15 Little Grebes seen today.

27th Sept - medium high cloud, wind SE light, becoming mod, then fresh and gusty pm, 19C

Willey;  first thing 20 Swallows feeding over the old railway track trees and paddocks.  A Great-spotted Woodpecker flew into the lane tree near the allotments, 1330h.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Four red-crested Pochards (3 drakes) in Keepers bay and a Stonechat along the Leics bank (both initially spotted this morning by Chris Hubbard).

Eight Pochards, nine Little Grebes, along with Shovelers and Gadwalls.  

A Kestrel was hunting, 12 Meadow Pipits around the dam area and a Grey Wagtail. 

Four Ravens around.

15 House Martins feeding over the settling pool area, where a Little Egret was too.

26th Sept - rain am, then sunny periods, light/mod SSW, 19C

Misterton; morning.

c60 Canada Geese flew in on to lake, grey Heron present too.

Several Blackbirds feeding on the Yew berries.

Two Chiffchaffs, Goldcrest.

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

Eight Swallow, nine Moorhens, 15 Starlings, two Buzzards and a Kestrel.

c80 Goldfinches feeding on the bank.

One Red Admiral.  Plenty of Common Darters and a few Hawkers about.

25th Sept - sunny, light SSW, warm 19C

WIlley;

First thing 15-20 Swallows feeding over the Sheep fields - Perkins area.

Chiffchaff calling in Church yard Yew, 1315h

Lots of Red Admirals around today in the sunny areas along the hedges, 25+, also two Commas

A Forrest Bug (Red-legged Shield-bug) was spotted on the drive fence.

Stanford Reservoir; evening.

The two drake red-crested Pochards still present.

A considerable number of Sallows and House Martins around the reservoir and adjacent woodland, possibly 100 of each.

A Chiffchaff with the Tit flock.

Only a few Starlings in to roost this evening.

A Barn Owl carrying prey flew off the field headland set-aside.

24th Sept - cloudy, drizzle, mod S, -am, sunny spells and fresh/blustery S pm, mild 19C

 Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

A quick look to see if any pools are bad yet, only a very small one though.

13 Moorhen, a Teal, c80 Goldfinch feeding.  Two Swallows.

Shawell sandpiper/Landfill; afternoon.

A quick look, two Red Kites, 12 Ravens, still c300 Greylag Geese resting.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

Swallows and House Martins, a Red Kite and Buzzard.  Common Sandpiper and Little Egret on the dam.

Cetti's Warbler heard.

12 Ravens on adjacent arable field.  Tawny Owl called (1500h) in Downton Wood

Four Red Admirals and a Large White.

23rd Sept - Sunny spells, light/mod W, 16C

 Salthouse Marshes; morning.

A look here revealed two Cattle Egrets and a Grey Heron with the cattle.

Cley Marshes, morning/mid-afternoon.

A walk along east bank to the shore and then around the reserve, highlights included - Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tits, Little Stint, Grey Plovers, Godwits, Turnstones, Knot, Snipe, Green Sandpiper.  Yellow Wagtail, On the sea Guillemots, Razorbills, Red-throated Divers, Manx Shearwaters.

A female Emerald Damselfly was on bushes next to the picnic tables at the reserve centre (quick phone pic)

Stiffkey Fen and Blakeney Point Marshes; afternoon

21 Spoonbills, Cetti's, Chiffchaff, Egyptian Goose, Curlew, Knots, Ring Plover, Grey Plover, Pintails, Shelducks, five Brent Geese, Red Kites, Buzzards.

North Point Pools; late afternoon.

A quick look, and the Pectoral Sandpiper was present on the east pool, also a Greenshank

22nd Sept - mostly sunny, 18C, light winds

 Titchwell marsh; afternoon.

All the usual birds around the reserve and along the shore, a couple of Spoonbills, Common Sandpiper, Bar and Black -tailed Godwits, Turnstones, Golden Plovers,  Common Scoter etc.

 

North Point Points; evening.

When to look for the Pec Sandpiper which had been here, but not this evening.  

12 Barnacle Geese (feral), Pink-feet flying over and landing on adjacent fields, c1000, Snipe, Ruff, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Egyptian Geese, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Little Egret, Cetti's' Warbler.

Two Chinese Water Deer.

Wells-next-the-Sea - I was surprised to hear 4-5 Tawny Owls calling whilst I walked through the town about 2030h.

21st Sept - Mostly sunny am, showers and cooler pm, light WNW, 18C

 Willey; 0830h 6+ Swallows around the Sheep fields feeding

Shawell sandpit/landfill; a quick evening visit

c50 Canada ands c350 Greylag Geese.  Six Teal.  A Little Grebe feeding a youngster still on the water.  Six Ravens.  

20th Sept - Gusty wind SW, and frequent rain, easing early evening, 17C

Willey; Perkins area - c20 Swallows feeding around the Sheep first thing and a Blackcap with a Tit flock.

Brandon Marsh; afternoon.  Pretty Quiet.

C200 Lapwings, 6 Wigeon, c200 Teal, c10 Shovelers, one Snipe, two Cormorants, a Grey Heron.

19th Sept - cloudy, a few brief showers, gusty SW, 30-40 mph gusts

Willey; 0830h three Swallows feeding around the Sheep, probably others around the fields.

A nice big Four Spotted Orb Weaver Spider!

18th Sept - scattered showers, light/mod SSSW breeze, fresher later, 18C

Soar Brook Lake; afternoon.

c55 Stock Doves and c200 Woodpigeons feeding on adjacent arable field.

Not too much at the lake, a little grebe, 28 Greylags and a Cormorant.  Chiffchaff in the hedge.

Stanford reservoir; evening

A Kestrel, Three Teal, two Pochards, one Shoveler, two C0mmon Sandpipers.

c100 Starlings came into roost in reed bed 1840h.

17th Sept - mostly high cloud, light/mod breeze, 19C

Mere Lane Lake; morning

Two more broods of Little Grebes being fed by parents.  Mute Swan pair with 2 juvs.  One Water Rail heard.

A couple of Jays.  Two Chiffchaffs in the reeds feeding.

Soar Brook Lake; morning.

Five Grey Herons and a Little Egret.  Very few ducks compared to this time last year.  Mute Swan pair with three juvs.  One Little Grebe. Three Cormorants.  Seven Goldfinches.

Lilbourne Meadows, afternoon.

c20 Pied Wagtails and three Yellow Wagtails around the Sheep.

A roving Tit flock in the hedgerow, Blue, Great and Long-tailed included several Chiffchaffs.  Several  Goldfinches and two greenfinches.

16th Sept - mist clearing, mostly high cloud, mod NE breeze, 22C

Shawell sandpit/landfill; morning

Only a quick look here today.  Greylags numbers still up at 363.  Three Teal, Tufties and Mallards.

Five Red Kites and 20 Ravens enjoying the breeze.

A Yellow-legged Gull (1w) and Caspian (1W) Gull among the LBBs and HGs.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Common Sandpiper on dam, and Grey Heron.

Roving Tit flock, with at least six Chiffchaffs present.  Two Whitethroats and a male Blackcap in the orchard area.  Two Ravens over.

Two Marsh Harriers flew from the point area off over the wood, one was wing tagged.

Since my first sighting of a red-wing tagged Marah Harrier here on the 7th Sept, another red-wing tagged bird and an untagged bird have been seen.  Chris Hubbard has been fortunate to see them all together and has also read the tag codes and obtained the tagging information for the birds:-

ZC   ringed 19/6/23 Breydon Water, had two siblings too.

6A  ringed 2/7/23 Welney WWT, had two siblings too (although only this one tagged for this nest).

I did see 6F on the 4th Sept when I visited Welney, which was also tagged there.

15th Sept - early fog clearing to sunny periods, light S, 23C

Willey; eight Swallows (families) on wires this morning.  Two Ravens heard over mid-morning.

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

Fewer Pied Wagtails today. a Meadow Pipit with them.  several Chiffchaffs around hedges still, two Yellowhammers and a female Reed Bunting.

Stanford reservoir; evening.

Single Hobby seen several times.  25 Wigeon, a Common Sandpiper on the dam.  Nine Little Grebes.

c200 Swallows, c10 Sand Martins, c10 House Martins

c200 Starlings to roost in the reed bed (1848h).

14th Sept - mostly cloudy, light SSW, 18C

Lilbourne Meadows, afternoon.

c30 Pied Wagtails, three Yellow Wagtails, two Meadow Pipits.

A Green Woodpecker.

13th September - sunny spells, 18C, ESE light

Lilbourne Meadows; late afternoon  

I though I would check whether yesterdays rain had created any flood pools, it had not.  

However, the hedges seemed to be holding quite a few passerines.  One hedge corner had 6 Chiffchaffs, a male Blackcap, a pristine Lesser Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer and a Reed Bunting.

One the meadow, at least 30 Pied Wagtails and a Yellow Wagtail, a Kestrel flew over.

A flock of Goldfinch, 50+, were feeding along the bank.

Sept 12th - steady/heavy and drizzle rain from 0830-1630h, 18C, humid becoming cooler

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Miserable conditions and not too much around, a Common Sandpiper on the dam.

11th Sept - sunny intervals, 23C, light breeze, humid, brief shower afternoon

WIlley; Eight Swallows around the Stables and back field this morning.  John M says there is one nest with young in being fed still.

Stanford reservoir; evening

Highlights were a Hobby seen several times, Ruddy Shelduck flew in (1910h) with Canada Geese, settled in field on the Leics side.  A Common Sandpiper on the dam.

10th Sept - mostly cloudy, very humid, 28C, very light SSE, light thundery shower during the afternoon.

Willey; Five Swallows seen this morning.

Soar Brook Lake; morning.  Fairly quiet.

Two Red-legged Partridges.

Two grey Herons,a Little Grebes, six Tufted Ducks.  One Cormorant.

Mute Swan pair with two juveniles.  A Green Woodpecker.

Seven Goldfinch feeding and eight Pied Wagtails.

Shawell sandpit and landfill; afternoon.

A quick look, nothing new, two Red Kites over.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Common Sandpiper on the dam, 42 Gadwall counted, most at the point, no further Wigeon increase noted.

Roving Tit flock, with Chiffchaffs present.

9th September - sunny, very hot again, 30C, very light breeze

WIlley; A Swallow this morning and a Red Kite flew over, low, northerly, mid-afternoon.

Shawell sandpit/landfill; morning.

Seven Teal, Three Shoveler, Five Gadwall, 361 Greylag Geese and a few Canada Geese.

10+ Little Grebes

A Green Woodpecker

8th Sept - thin/hazy cloud, clearing mid-day to sunny and hot, 29C, very light W

Willey;  Seven Swallows over the village this morning, maybe some have fledged from the stables.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Two Common Sandpipers on the dam.  Five Pochard, a few more Wigeon in, three Teal, Shoveler 20-30.

Four Little Grebes (2 in Keepers bay, 2 off the point). 

Juv Hobby along the Leics bank and a Jay calling.

Hovering flight photos

The Crab Apple tree has an exceptional crop, spilling many on to the floor already.

7th Sept - Sunny, very hot, 31C, ligh ENE

Willey; 

Two pairs of Swallows still feeding youngsters in the Stables, Parsons Close.

Red Kite over first thing.

Stanford reservoir;

Two Common Sandpipers on the dam.  Now 11 Wigeon present.

A juv Marsh Harrier flew over Blowers, then off over the wood south.  I could see it had a red flay tag in each upper wing.   Interestingly Welney WWT has tagged their juvs  this year in this manner.  Unfortunately, this time I could not see the tag code.

6th Sept - cloud/mist early, clearing to sunny, light ENE, 29C

WIlley;

No Swallows seen today.

A couple of Chiffchaffs in the church land area.

A Collared Dove busy building am nest

Stanford reservoir; late afternoon.

Highlights were:

A Wheatear, a Spotted Flycatcher, two Yellow Wagtails and a male Red-0crested Pochard.

Two Pochards, one a female.  A Red Kite over.  Common Sandpiper on dam

A Red-underwing Moth was seen flying at the base of the dam and settled on the trees.

5th Sept - sunny, 28C, light ENE

 Willey; a Red Kite over.

One Swallow around the Stables and back field.

Stanford Reservoir; evening.

Common Sandpiper on dam. Pochard and Wigeon four each, 10 Teal, c 20 Shoveler.

4th Sept - Sunny, hot, light East breeze, 29C

Willey; a few Swallows seen this morning, but the sunny, warm morning meant they were over the fields away from the village very early today.

Welney Washes; afternoon.

I had a look here this afternoon, being in the area and despite the heat.

50+ Ruff, c20 Black-tailed Godwits, not too many ducks about at all yet. The resident Whopper Swans were seen.  Two juv Marsh Harriers., one red-wing tagged 6F.

4 Great White Egrets, a Little Egret and several Grey Herons.

Two Yellow Wagtails in front of the main observatory.  House Martins were still feeding young in their nests, and a few Swallows around. 

3rd Sept - sunny, v light SW, 26C (hot)

Willey;  c80 Swallows this morning on the wires.

Husbands Bosworth Sandpit;l morning.

A Green Sandpiper, 10 Little Grebes.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill area; late afternoon.

Seven Teal, six Gadwall, 266 Greylags, four Canada Geese, Little Grebes, one still feeding a large youngster.

A Sparrowhawk over, a few Ravens.

2nd Sept - cloudy am, becommg sunny, light ENE, 22C

Willey;     81 Swallows on the wires first thing.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; morning.

Several Yellow-legged Gulls, a Cormorant, a Green Sandpiper, plus other regulars.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Warblers included; 4+ Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and a Cetti's.

A Marsh Harrier flew in along the narrows and into Blowers Lodge Bay.

Two Ravens, several Buzzards and Red Kites around, especially over the large grass field being cut.

A single Little Grebe - Blowers.  Four Teal, a drake Pochard.

A Yellow Wagtail near the spillway.

Southern Hawkers and Common Darters seemed quite numerous today.

1st September - initially dull, later sunny spells, light breeze, 19C

Willey; first thing 268 Swallows on the wires.

Stanford res; afternoon - quick look at the dam area.

Common Sandpiper on dam, 18 Cormorants too.  Grey Wagtail in spillway.  A Raven over.

Brandon marsh; evening.

c220 Lapwings, a Green Sandpiper.  Great White Egret flew in for 15 minutes, was chased by a Grey Heron to far end of east marsh.

A Water Rail, showing well on edge of Teal Pool.

Great-spotted and Green Woodpecker.