14th Nov - sunny spells am, cloudier pm, light NNE, 12C

Willey;

A couple of Mistle Thrushes were feeding on the road side field first thing, east of the village.   Often a pair take up territory in this area.

Stanford reservoir, afternoon.

A nice group of Fungi by the car park.

Plenty of Wigeon still at the reservoir, plus Pochard.  Today three Goldeneye (1m, 2f), two Teal and a drake Shoveler.

A single Lesser Redpoll and two Goldfinch were feeding in the orchard area.

13th Nov - Fog clearing to sunny spells, 9C, light NW

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

Fairly quite this morning, until a flock c 200 Golden Plover flew over looked to come down, but did not.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the hedge tree top.

Shawell sand quarry/landfill; afternoon.

Plenty of Gulls in today, vast majority were Herring Gulls, then Lesser Black-Backed.  180+ Great Black-backed Gulls counted.

21 Red Kites and a Buzzard.

12th Nov - mostly high cloud, light NNE, 10C

Bittesby Country Park; afternoon.

Checked out the weed fields for Stonechats, but only found a single male today.

Two Kestrels hunting, a Snipe flushed from a muddy path patch, a Green Woodpecker, a few Meadow Pipits, Redwings and Fieldfares around.

11th Nov - broken cloud, some sunny spells, light NNW, 11CX

Lilbourne Meadow; morning

41 Shovelers, Lapwings, Teal, a Gadwall, Grey Heron. Lapwings.

A female type Merlin dashed over the field low and fast hunting.  A Kestrel hunting too.

On the maize stubble several Redwings, five Yellowhammers, Chaffinches.

A single Skylark over NE.

10th Nov - cloudy, dull, light SSW-WSW, clearing a little pm, 13C

Willey;

c100 Linnets in the bottom Perkins field area in hedge/trees, going down on adjacent recently sown field, also a Reed Bunting, Greenfinch and Yellowhammer.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

Nothing new today, two Yellowhammers on pasture hedgerow.

Bittesby Country Park; morning

A Red Kite over.

Four Stonechats, possibly two more, in the weedy fields, but two were quite mobile, need to check again.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Very similar to the last visit.

Three Shovelers, three Teal, two Little Grebes, two female Goldeneye.

Along the Leics bank were several Goldcrests, a Treecreeper and three groups of Long -tailed Tits.

9th Nov - Blanket cloud, dull, very light NNE, 9C

Willey; a male Sparrowhawk shot over the street by the pen-fold 0845h.

Lilbourne Meadows;  very similar to yesterday except a Dunlin  was feeding among the Lapwings.

Shawell Lagoons; afternoon

Similar to yesterday, except only four Lapwings present.

Stanford reservoir;

A drake Goldeneye, a drake and female Pintail, plus all the usual ducks. Two Little Grebe.

Bullfinch pair.  

8th Nov - blanket cloud, dull, light SE, 10C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

40 Shoveler, c40m Teal, c25 Wigeon, 111 Lapwings, c80 Golden Plovers flew in, but did not settle.

On the adjacent maize stubble Redwings, Chaffinches, Yellowhammer 2, Greenfinch 2..  Ten Goldfinch on hedge side weeds.

Shawell Lagoons; afternoon.

108 lapwings, two Red Kites, drake Pochard, a Cormorant, plus usual Gulls.

Only the south lagoon now has free water as workings are reduced, the north pool is mostly reed now.

Shawell sandpit/landfill;

The drake Goldeneye is still present on the south pool.  Twenty Wigeon flew around, only two landed. Seven Mute Swans.  Eight Little Grebes.

24 Red Kites.  Green Woodpecker

Lutterworth; late afternoon.

I stopped off here to shop and saw a good flock of Feral Pigeons over the town centre - they are very messy here.  I though about 40, but the photo count says 64! 

7th Nov - cloudy, misty, light drizzle am, very light SE, 12C

Willey;

A Sparrowhawk over at 1150h, and c12 Goldfinches flew into Holly tree 1345h.

6th Nov - Cloudy, dull again, mist and fine drizzle occasionally, very light SW-SE, 13C

Willey;

Checking the Hawfinch area this morning I was fortunate to see one fly atop the hedge, have a look around before flying towards the Yew trees.   Once in the Yews they're impossible to see.

5th Nov - Blanket cloud, mist at times, dull, 11C, very light SE-SW

Noticeable that winter Thrush numbers were much reduced in the area today, presumable they have moved on after feeding.

No other obs today.

4th Nov - blanket cloud (again), very light SE, 13C

Willey;

No sign of Hawfinch today, but still plenty of Redwings and Fieldfares around.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker sat for ages on a small hedgerow bush branch at the top of the bush, not sure why!

Two Greenfinch in the Church Yews with many Great Tits.

3rd Niov - cloudy, dullish, light easterly, 12C

Willey; late morning.

I checked the Church trees and lane area as I do a lot this time of year as it has attracted scarce migrants, and I was not disappointed. After scanning the hedge and noting many more Redwings and Fieldfares around and four Greenfinch sitting in the top I then spotted a chunky finch - a Hawfinch, which flew atop my Holly tree and was joined by another, they then quickly flew off.  All too quick for a photo, but great to see.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

144 Lapwings and 38 Shoveler were good totals, plus Teal and Wigeon.  The maize stubble field is attracting Redwing, Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers. 

Along the brook was a male and female Stonechat, my first of the winter here for me.

Bittesby Country Park; early afternoon.

I could only find one Stonechat, female, here today, but others could be well spread over the fields.

A Cormorant too, which is an occasional visitor.

Shawell lagoons; afternoon.

The surprise here was a Redshank, we don't get many in SW Leics and mostly Spring/early summer, very unusual late to have a Autumn record.

2nd November - cloudy, dull pm with some drizzle, light ESE, 13C

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Six Red-crested Pochard, four drakes and two females.  A couple of days ago I saw three drakes and three females, so we may have seven here, as we did some while ago.

A few Redwings and Fieldfares around Blowers Lodge Bay.  Four Chiffchaffs were along the Northants side, with Long-tailed Tits,  Two Bullfinches in the orchard area.

1st Nov - cloudy, dull at times, light WNW, 12C

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

28 Shoveler present on the east pool, with Teal, Mallard and Wigeon.   c150 Black-headed Gulls were resting at the pools today, which is unusual, also one Common, six Herring and a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

61 Lapwing at the east pool, others out of view on the west pool.  A Kestrel was hunting.

On the adjacent maize stubble field and tall hedge feeding were c30 Redwing, a Fieldfare, c20 Chaffinches, two each Goldfinch and Greenfinch.  

31st Oct - cloudy/mist, slowly brightening during the day, a little sun late afternoon, light SW, 13C

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Six Red-crested Pochards (3 each drake and female) in Keepers bay with other ducks.  A couple of Little Grebes.

Pink-footed Goose with greylags and Canada Geese in field.

Three Fieldfares and c50 Redwings along the Leics bank bushes, a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

A Stoat was making its away along the path, until it noticed me.

30th Oct - Cloudy, dullish, light SW, 13C

Willey; this morning 16 Fieldfares flew over SW and two Ravens patrolling the fields again.

Shawell sand pit/landfill; late afternoon.

Plenty of Gulls present.

10 Shoveler,  three Gadwall, Teal, Tufted, Little Grebe, six Mute Swans.

20 Stock Doves came to roost in the spinney, three Red Kites, Ravens, Starling numbers building c300.

A few Lapwings at the south pool.

29th Oct - mostly cloudy, light NW, 15C

Willey; two Ravens over the Perkins fields area at midday.

Lilbourne Meadows, afternoon.

Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon and mallard on the flood pools.  Also c30 Black-headed Gulls, c150 Lapwings and three Grey Herons.

16 Goldfinch and 8 Linnets together feeding on the weeds, Greenfinch and Chaffinches around too.  A Kestrel.

Three Roe Deer on the bank.

28th Oct - cloudy, drizzle during the afternoon, then a little brighter, light SW, 15C

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

The Whooper Swan was spotted under the overhanging Willows near the point.  

All the other usual water birds, I thought I heard the Pink-footed Goose with the Greylags again but couldn't spot it.

A male Bullfinch, 21 Redwings and a Red Kite noted too.

A buck Reeves Muntjac was wandering around bushes in BL Bay, also a Hare was minding its own under a bush and enjoying the grass, it finally decided to take a nap, it didn't notice me only 15 ft away.

Plus an attractive fungi in fruit.

27th Oct - mostly sunny, 14C, light SW

Willey; John M told me he saw a Barn Owl a few evening ago fly from his paddock tree over the back fields.

Bittesby Country Park; morning

I found four Stonechats here today, two each male and female.  Also, four Reed Buntings, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits in the weedy fields.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill; afternoon.

55 Lapwings, single drake Pochard, eight Little Grebe, six Shovelers, seven Mute Swans, a hunting Kestrel, single Red Kite, a Green Woodpecker.  c20 Ravens and two Buzzards. 

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

A Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylags, presumably the one I saw a few weeks ago at Shawell sandpit with the Greylags.

A single Whopper Swan, flew off SW, not seen again.

Only a single drake Red-crested Pochard seen, others were reported this morning though.  A Kingfisher dashed along the Leics bank.

26th Oct - Cloudy until late afternoon, still/very light SSE/SW, 15C.

 WIlley; a Raven over the Sheep field first thing.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

50+ Lapwings, 38 Shovelers, c80Teal, c50 Wigeon, three Gadwall, a Grey Heron, c 40 Black-headed Gulls.  A few Redwings and Song Thrushes around the tall field hedge.

Magna Park Lake;

A Water Rail call from the reeds.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

A female Ruddy Shelduck with the Canada/Greylag flock on the field adjacent to the spillway.  More Pochard around today, four Red-crested Pochard in Keepers (1600h).  

    

A Great Spotted Woodpecker in the trees at corner of BL Bay, also in the tall field hedge a few Linnets and to Reed Buntings, feeding on the weedy field.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was reported on BirdGuides from the Welford rd end, I had a look around the area but did not find it.  There was plenty of Long-tailed Tits and a single Chiffchaff with them.

25th Oct - Cloudy, dull at times, mild 16C, light SW

Shawell sandpit/Landfill; afternoon.

A good number of Gulls in, but with water levels even higher the islands have all but disappeared and so ring ringing is still practically impossible.

15 Red Kites, several Ravens around, duck numbers low except a male Goldeneye was new on the south pool.  We don't get many of these here or in SW Leicestershire.  According to the 'birds of SW Leics' (BSWL) the first record here was in 2012 (a single), then another single in 2019 with three records in 2021.  Usually recorded in the winter months, this is already the second record this autumn, so unusual in that respect.  He thought it was Spring too, with some display occurring.

Single Great-crested Grebe present too.

This Harlequin ladybird landed on my note book.

24th Oct - mist/cloud clearing to a mostly sunny day with a light SSE breeze, 16C

Willey;  A red Kite over eastward at 1345h

Stanford reservoir; afternoon

A look around the dam and orchard areas produced a flock of Long-tailed Tits with Goldcrests, but not the Firecrest that was ringed this morning,  

A male Stonechat was showing in the weedy field along with four Roe Deer.

Five Red-crested Pochards still present.  Raven heard and Red Kite over.

23rd Oct - mostly sunny spells, light SW, 15C

Bittesby Country Park;

Three, possibly more, Stonechats present.  Need to do a detailed search of the whole area soon.

22nd Oct - sunny spells, light SW, 16C

Catching up with WeBs counts, not an awful lot about really.  Interesting of Little Grebes seem to have done well and found on just about any moderately sized lake or larger water.

No further sign of winter thrush numbers arriving.

21st Oct - cloudy, mod-fresh SW, 14C

 North point Pools, Wells; morning

Conditions not good again.  A flock Pink-footed Geese landed on adjacent stubble field, otherwise just the regulars.

A Kestrel, Buzzard and Red Kite were present.

Titchwell RSPB; morning

Only explored a limited area, but a Yellow-browed Warbler with the Tit flock still in the wooded/car park area.  A couple of Cetti's heard.

Good size flock Golden Plover, four Spoonbill (asleep), two Great White Egrets, plus all the other regulars on the Fresh marsh.

A rather pregnant looking Reeves Muntjac, took no notice of me on the meadow path.

Holme NOA area; late morning

The keen wind persisted keeping most birds down and in cover.  This was true for most on the water bodies, with Teal, Gad wall, Shoveler, Mallard mostly roosting.  A few Lapwing and Redshank were around the waters too, including a Greenshank.

On the beach a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits, with some movement of Black-tailed Godwits, Oystercatchers, Turnstone and other waders along the sea.

The 'crests' were diving for cover and keeping out of view as they moved through the pines, two Coal Tits were with the Goldcrests, but I never found the Firecrest.

20th Oct - very windy at times, southerly, cloudy showers and drapes of rain, clearing later afternoon.16C

North Point Pools; morning

Just the regulars, a couple of Egyptian Geese flew in.  One Avocet, three  Snipe feeding along the edge.

Cley NWT and sea

Only a few Common Scoter off shore, the two Velvet Scoters too.  A few Gannet passing by and a Guillemot on the sea, plus 2-3 Red-throated Divers.

I checked Pats pool from Bishop's hide and the Long-billed Dowitcher was present feeding very actively, so much so making a record photo difficult.

Holkham Fresh Marsh and sea; mid-late afternoon.

Not that many Pink-footed Geese around or coming in to roost.  These were eight Cattle Egrets with the grazing cattle on the marsh. 

c100 Linnets on the sea marsh.

I wondered where all the Common Scoter were, clearly taking shelter in Holkham gap c1000, with a Velvet Scoter spotted too.

Pinewoods Caravan Park; 1930h a Hedgehog was seen scurrying the road  across near the entrance barrier.