25th April - Mostly cloudy, a few brief sunny spells, 10C, light NW. Still well below average temps!

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Shoveler and Gadwall pair, 2 Mute Swans, 6 Teal, a Little Grebe and the Wigeon pair still here.

Heron Over, Gren Woodpecker calling, 3 Swallows over the water.  A single Yellow Wagtail.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill.

Oystercatcher 2, a Shelduck, Teal 4, c50 Swallows and c20 House Martins,

Single Red Kite and several Ravens over the landfill.

Two Greenfinches on the grass by the office.

I read a CR Lesser-black Backed Gull earlier in the month, here are the ringing details.

Ringed  30/6/23, Place Bath, Read at Shawell sandpit 0n 13/4/24 age 1st summer.

24th April - initially sunny, then cloudy and sunny evening, light N, 9C

Stanford Reservoir, afternoon.

Two Goldeneye, A Common Sandpiper, c50 Swallows and c20 House Martins.

Great-spotted Woodpecker drumming again.

A Willow Warbler singing a little.

23rd April - cloudy, mod N, 9C

Stanford reservoir, evening.

A Common Sandpiper on the dam, 7 Goldeneye, 2 Shoveler drakes, a Red Kite, a male Yellowhammer on field hedge behind car park, Great-Spotted Woodpecker drumming in new Covert.

c70 Swallows and c 50 House Martins.

22nd April - Light rain until later afternoon, cloudy, very light N, 8C

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Two Redshank, a Common Sandpiper and a Yellow Wagtail on the dam, c25 Swallows and c50 House Martins otherwise nothing new.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

6 Swallows feeding.  Shoveler 2,Teal.

21st April - another cold night. Sunny periods, gentle NE breeze, 11C

Brandon Marsh; morning.

News of a Green-winged Teal this morning, so given I had missed two already I popped over.  It was busy feeding under Willows then decided to take a long siesta.  So, photo opportunities were very limited, just a distant record photo through the heat haze was possible

Misterton; afternoon.

Rather quiet, a Nuthatch calling, Blackcap singing.

Stanford reservoir;

A Common Sandpiper and Redshank on the dam.  

Chris had just spotted a Common Scoter seemingly asleep on the water with Tufties.  A 1CY male.

Otherwise just the regulars and the returned summer migrantds.

20th April - mod N, 11C. grass frost last night

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

Similar to yesterday, except Wigeon pair again, 15 teal, Gadwall pair, Blackcap singing, Grey Heron.

Lutterworth; midday

Mistle Thrush singing behind monument Chapel Bitteswell road.

Honey Hill; afternoon.

Two Ring Ouzels were found today.  In hedge and feeding in Bean field, alas no photos possible.

Three Whitethroats, Buzzard, Stock Dove singing, Green Woodpecker, Linnet, Skylarks.

Private site

Two Short-eared Owls hunting,

Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat.  Chaffinch collecting nest material.

19th April - mod-fresh WNW, 10C, mostly cloudy

Honey Hill; morning

Went in search of the Ring Ouzels, no luck.

Red Kite, Green Woodpecker, Chiffchaff.

Soar Brook Lake, afternoon.

Three Oystercatchers, lots of 'piping'.

Not much else, a Mallard pair, Tufted drake (maybe duck on nest?), Mute Swans 2.

Lilbourne Meadows, afternoon.

Teal 2, Shovelers, Gadwall 1.

Two Yellow Wagtails, Goldfinch pair,Lesser Whitethroat singing, Kestrel, Goldfinch pair, 5 Little Egrets.

Private Site

Short-eared Owl hunting

18th April - sunny spells, mod WSW-W, 12C. Light rain evening

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

Very similar to yesterday, except two Wigeon were present feeding and a Lesser Whitethroat was singing in then hedge.

Stanford reservoir; evening.  unpleasant conditions and feeling cold in light rain.

c70 Swallow and c10 Sand Martins feeding low over the water.

Twp Common Sandpipers on the dam, one female Goldeneye.

17th April - sunny spells, mod-fresh NW, 12C but feeling cold

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Drake and Female Goldeneye, c10 each Swallow, Sand and House Martins.  Little song from the Warblers, apart from Chiffchaff, Blackcap and a Sedge Warbler.

Two Common Sandpipers on dam.

Two Shelducks and Lapwing again on inlet field pools.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Eight Teal, 6 Shovelers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, two Little Grebe, Canada and Greylag Geese.

Goldfinch and Song Thrush singing.

16th April - mod-fresh/gusty WNW, 10C, wintry showers arouns

Honey Hill; early afternoon.

A check here for Ouzels, but none.  A Kestrel and Buzzard.

Stanford reservoir;

No sign of the Ferruginous Duck.

Two Shelducks and Oystercatchers on the inlet field pools.  A single Goldeneye.

15th April - strong- gusting WNW, 10C, wintry showers at times, feeling cold

Stanford Reservoir

Chris found a Ferruginous Duck, a drake, near the dam this morning. Fortunately still present when I got there 1330h.  I believe only the forth record here, the last record was 1997!

A couple of distant record photos.

A Common Sandpiper, Two Teal, Little Egret. a good number of Swallow and House Martins I.

14th April - mod SW, 14C, sunny spells

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon

Shoveler 12, Teal 4, Gadwall 1, Canada 8, Lapwing displaying, Stock Dove 2, Meadow Pipit.

Two Roe Deer.

Shawell sandpit/Landfill, afternoon

Two Little Grebes, 11 Teal, Buzzard, Ravens c40. Red Kites 3.

13th April - mostly cloudy, hazy sunshine, mod-fresh SW, 17C

Willey; 

Two Canada Geese on barn field first thing, these have been seen around various fields or flying over a while now.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill; morning.

A Jay in the old house area, Blackcap pair in the spinney. Stock Dove singing in the spinney.  A House Martin over the pool.

12 Teal, c25 Tufted, 4 Gadwall, a Little Grebe, a Common Sandpiper.

Rutland Water; Egleton Lagoons 1-4. Afternoon.

Female Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye female,  (L3), A Little Ringed Plover, 3 Avocets, 2 Greenshanks, Redshank, ad Yellow-Legged Gull (L4).

Many Sand Martins, Osprey, Marsh harrier, 2 Curlew, 3 Arctic Terns (L1).

12th April - cloudy, hazy sun. mod-fresh SW, 17C

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Still rather quiet due to the wind.  Two Goldeneye, 2 Gadwall, 2 Yellow Wagtails, Grey Wagtail pair and a Pied Wagtail.  Two Common Sandpipers on the dam.  Two Ravens over.  

A Lapwing on inlet field.

11th April - Mostly cloudy, mild, 18C, light SW

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Surprisingly quiet.

Four Goldeneye, 7 Yellow Wagtails on the dam briefly.

Walton; evening.

A Kestrel over the field, a Great Spotted Woodpecker called from hedgerow trees, singing Collared Dove and Starling on house/buildings

10th April - rain from mid-morni g until mid-afternoon, blustery SSW wind, 10C, feeling cold.

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

Pretty awful conditions which was keeping things in cover.  A few Teal, Shovelers and a Little grebe.

9th April - rain first thing, then occasional sharp showers, strong gusty W wind, easing evening, 10C, feeling cooler.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

After seeing a Whitethroat, the highlight had to be a Purple Heron found by Chris Hubbard, fortunately while I was there and a call from him was able to get me on it

Most of the views were of it just inside the reed bed, also a short flight view.  Photos were difficult but I digiscoped some record shots anyway.   Only the second site record.

8th April - cloudy,, light SW, 15C. Light rain evening

WIlley;

Still the two Swallows today.  Mistle Thrush and Son Thrush singing well.

Started my annual Rookery count for SP58, about a third done and numbers so far similar to last year.  We shall see when all are counted, but with the mild winter there should have been no extra mortality during that period.

Peatling Parva, evening

Green Woodpecker 'yaffling', Goldcrest singing and a Tawny Owl calling.

7th April - brisk-strong, sometimes v gusty, SSW, 17C, sunny intervals pm

Willey;

First two Swallows back, feeding around the Sheep first thing (last year first was on the 18th, which is late).

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

Two Wheatears on the pasture, feeding.

On the pools a single Shelduck, a Little Grebe pair (nest material), c15 Teal.  A Curlew heard.

Stanford reservoir;

Two Yellow Wagtails, a pair Grey Wagtails.  Single Goldeneye (f) and drake Pochard (not seen any for awhile). A Little Egret and Grey Heron.

57 Woodpigeons feeding on the inlet pasture field.  A Lapwing on the field pools.

6th April - Brisk-strong, gusty at times, mostly cloudy, 17C

Shawell Sandpit; morning

c30 Ravens, a Red Kite, Oystercatcher pair, c10 Teal, a Little Grebe.

Middleton Lakes; afternoon.  Very windy

A escapee Red-breasted Goose with the Greylags/Canada Geese.  A Sand Martin battled the wind.

Shelducks, Oystercatchers, Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal (but didn't find the Green-winged Teal).

5th April - fresh-gusty SW, 15C, mostly cloudy

Stanford reservoir; evening

Two Swallows, 4 Goldeneye, a Lapwing inlet field pools, Red Kite over and a single Red-legged Partridge on the entrance drive.

4th April - light rain early. mostly cloudy, light SW, 14C

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

A Common Sandpiper on the dam (spotted this morning by C Hubbard), first Spring record here.

Several Blackcaps singing now, plus Chiffchaffs.  Otherwise, just the regulars, including 4 Goldeneye.

3rd April - rain last night. Cloudy, some drizzle am, mod-fresh at times westerly, 13C

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

A quick look this evening, still 9 Wigeon hanging -on, 8 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 3 Little Grebes.

A Chiffchaff and Song Thrush singing.

2nd April - sunny spells, light SW/S, 15C, light rain and cooler from 1800h

Stanford reservoir; evening

Eight Little Egrets flew over dam at 1835h to roost site nearby.

I each of Little Grebe, Common Gull  and Goldeneye (f).

1st April - rain early, then sunny spells, mod SW, 15C

Shawell sandpit/landfill; morning

No tipping over Easter so little Gull activity, a Little Grebe pair, Mute Swan pair, two pairs Canada Geese, c40 Tufted Duck, 15 Teal.

Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker heard.  A female Blackcap hawking insects from the hedge.

Eyebrook Reservoir; afternoon.

A drake Garganey was way-out on the water with Teal.  

A male Stonechat.

31st March - Misty start, cloudy, mod-keen easterly, 10C, a little drizzle pm

 Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

Still c40 Wigeon present, a Little Egret, a Little Grebe, one Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal and Mallard.

Chiffchaff singing near main gate, a Robin pair - one collecting nest material.

DIRFT;

A quick look at the non-developed area by the A5, unfortunately soon to be developed.  An Oystercatcher, a Little -ringed Plover and Meadow Pipit were noted.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Rather quiet, due to the weather no doubt.

A pair of Shovelers, two Shelduck on field pools, Red Kite over, a singing Song Thrush, single Goldfinch.

30th March - mostly sunny, mod SSW breeze, 15C

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Water birds were few, a drake Shoveler and 7 Goldeneye were notable.

A good number of Chiffchaffs around the reservoir now.

It was nice to see a early an Yellow Wagtail on the dam, my first March record.

Two Peacocks and a Comma butterfly too.

29th March - mod-brisk sometimes gusty SSW wind, with frequent (heavy) showers, mostly pm, 12C, but feeling cool

No obs today.

28thn March - cloudy, mod S wind becoming gusty with frequent squally/sharp showers, 9C, feeling cooler.

No obs today.

I did notice a pair Greenfinch yesterday enter the evergreens in the Church yard.  They have nested in these inn previous years.

27th March - Showers, 9C, but mod/brisk S - feeling like 5C, Showers

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon

A quick look at the field flood pools. 

Only a few Wigeon now, c 10.  Shoveler, Teal, a Tufted Duck, Moorhens and Coots.  Little Gerbe pair.

Buzzard over  Linnets heard.

March 26th - mod high cloud, very light SE, 15C. Light rain started early evening.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

First butterfly, a Peacock.  A couple of Muntjacs seen too.

Two Fieldfares in the settling pool tree tops, a Little Egret on the field pools.

The Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags in the adjacent field near the spillway.

Seven Goldeneye, only 2 Wigeon seen. a Raven.

25th March - Light rain until midday. 9C,ight SSE

Willey;

Despite the mild, but wet weather, I've not seen a Butterfly anywhere yet.  However, Richard T said he saw a Brimstone a few days ago in his garden.

24th March - mod/fresh NW, 12C, sunny spells, mostly pm.

Willey; 

The Blackthorn in full flower along the church lane hedge - waiting for the singing Blackcap and passing Ring Ouzel!

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

A Curlew and Oystercatcher pair on the rough meadows before flying off.

c20 wigeon, 65 Teal, 7+ Gadwall, c 15 Shovelers on the flood pools.  

Little Egret, three Buzzards overhead in territory dispute, A hunting Kestrel.

DIRFT;

Three Little Ringed Plovers, two Lapwings, one displaying.  A single Linnet and Meadow Pipit.

23rd March - Initially bright, the showers developing, short and sharp at times, brisk NW ,8C, feeling cold

Shawell sandpit/landfill; morning.

Fairly quiet, Shoveler 4, Teal, Tufted Duck c30, a Little Grebe. House Sparrow at the Redlands feeder.

Rain stopped play!

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.  Views mostly around dam area.

Chiffchaff 2, Goldeneye 3, Red Kite over.

Oystercatcher pair at inlet field pools and 3 Lapwings on the field (one displaying).

No Wigeon seen

22nd March - Sunny spells, light WNW, 12C

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

Goldeneye 3, Wigeon 15, Shoveler 3, Raven, Grey Heron 2.

Pink-footed Goose with Greylags still, on adjacent field near overflow.

Chiffchaff 3.

21st March - mostly cloudy, a few sunny spells pm, light/mod SW, 15C

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; evening.

Three Shelducks, 21 Teal, Tufted Ducks, 9 Red Kites, Ravens, Grey Heron over, a Buzzard

20th March - cloudy, some drizzle and showers, 15C, light SW

Soar Brook Lake; 

Oystercatcher pair in residence, otherwise rather quiet.

Lilbourne Meadows, evening.

Two Little Egrets, 16 Shoveler, Shelduck drake, Tufted Duck pair, Teal, a Little Grebe.

19th March -0 showers, light SW, 15C

 Busy again, but I did notice a Muntjac in the Long Spinney just after the village turning.

18th March - cloudy/showers am, sunny intervals pm, 15C, light SW

No obs today

17th March - rain un til nearly mid-day, another 12mm, saturating the ground. Sunny spells and warm, 15C during the afternoon.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

After the rain the reservoir is very 'discoloured' again due to the river flowing through bring the run-off straight in.  This make it unfavourable for the ducks as it becomes difficult feeding conditions.  

so, I was surprised to find 8 Pintails (4m/4f) resting on the water.  Also, 8 Goldeneye.

For me,  a count 8 is good for here, only once before and the only higher count is of 10. both in the autumn.  

Here's some data of my Pintails obs here since Sept 2011, excluding todays count..

16th March - sunny start, clouding over, light breeze SW-S, 11C, shower evening

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

Skylarks and Meadow Pipits have returned, some song.

A Peregrine sat in a tree near the flood pools.

Oystercatcher pair near a pool. c100 Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal.  

9 Fieldfares, 6 Stock Doves.

Shawell sandpit/landfill;

14 Red Kites, c30 Ravens, 2 Great-crested Grebes (unusual here).

Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufed and Mallard.

15th March - mostly cloudy, light/mod SW, 14C, showers pm.

Willey;

0900h - a Barn Owl flew from the barn yard in to the old tree near Hurls Furlong gate.  Pellets have been found under the barn where there is a box, the tree also has some cavities.

14th March - cloudy, a few short breaks, light/mod SW, 14C, showers late afternoon.

Willey; 

Red Kite over SW, 0850h.

c 20 Fieldfare over NW.

13th March - Cloudy, light/mod SW, 12C

 No obs today.

12th March - rain all morning, then cloudy, mod SW, 8C

 Willey; afternoon.

Two Red Kites over south, one whistling

A pair Mallard over, towards back field pond.  A male Yellowhammer and two Chaffinches at the paddock feed station

11th March - drizzle first thing, then cloudy/dull at time, light NW, 8C

Willey; this morning a Goldcrest was singing quietly in the Church Yew.  A couple of Ravens flew over low, squabbling as they went.

Lilbourne Meadows; late afternoon.

Usual duck selection, c150 Wigeon, c 25 Teal.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit,

10th March - rain most of the day, 13mm by evening. Light E, 8C

Mere Lane Lake; morning.

14 Tufted, two Little Grebes.  Mute Swan pair.

Soar Brook Lake;

Oystercatcher pair, a Great-crested Grebe (infrequent here), two Little Grebes, only one Wigeon.

9th March - sunny spells, mod E, 12C. Chilly in the wind

Stanford Reservoir; 1300h

A highlight was to see the Firecrest that Chris found this morning near the inlet, always a treat to see this colourful, busy bird.  Spent a lot of time in an Ivy covered bush.  A Goldcrest too, that confused some!!

Stanford Hall;

Two Oystercatchers were lake side, 41 Wigeon, 3 each Grey Heron and Little Egrets.

52 Canada and 14 Greylags.  One Cormorant.

8th March - mostly cloudy, brief sunny spells late afternoon, mod/breeztye, 9C, but feeling cold

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon, field pools.

19 Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Little Grebe pair, Coots and Moorhen.

A male Sparrowhawk flew through, a few Redwings and Fieldfares.

DIRFT - A5 pools

Five Shelducks

7th March - dull, low cloud early, slowly lifting, a few sunny spells late afternoon, light E, 10C

Willey;

Lambing in full swing now.

Mistle Thrush singing well still in BH wood area.  Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming too.

A Buzzard over mid- morning.

6th March - dull/low cloudy first thing, lifting, patchy cloud pm, light ESE, 10C

Willey; a Red Kite over fields behind village pons, 1450h.

5th March - Sunny spells, light NE, 11C

Stanford-on-Avon; late afternoon- monument fields and lakeside (Northants)

Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Great White and Little Egret.

Plenty of Greylags and Canada Geese present.

Two Song Thrush, one singing.

Stanford reservoir;

The Gull roost is much smaller now.  Only a handful of larger Gulls.  About 80% Common Gulls, the rest Black-Headed.  

A Buzzard was around the dam area.

4th March - Frost -2C last night. Sunny am, cloudier pm, 9C, light SE

Busy.

But, the Mistle Thrush was singing just about all morning near the BH wood.

3rd March - Frost -2C last night. sunny am, patchy cloud pm, light W, 9C

No rain today - yet!! (2100h)

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

c300 Wigeon, c15 Shoveler, c20 Gadwall, c 50 Teal, 2 Little Grebe, a Little Egret.

c250 Golden Plover circling very high, gaining height and lost from view.

Four noisy Carrion Crows in an Oak tree draw my attention, in the tree a Raven.  It was pulling off dead/rotten bark from branches.  It eventually flew off east towards the wind turbines with a beak full.

A Mink was seen along the Clifton brook (BCN WT informed).

DIRFT;

An Oystercatcher, 37 Lapwings, a few Wigeon and Teal.

Stanford-on-Avon.

The Cattle egret was present in the monument field area again, among the Sheep.

2nd March - cloudy, light-mod SE/S, 6C, light rain/showers pm

Willey; 

Nice to see a Yellowhammer (m) and 3 Chaffinches at my feed station this morning.

A Collared Dove pair are busy building in the garden pyracanth bush.

Misterton; morning.

Nuthatch calling, 2 Goldcrests busy feeding in Ivy.  Red Kite over.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill; afternoon.

10 Red Kites, 20 Ravens, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Only a few Gulls, including this colour ringed GBBG.

Stanford Hall;

c40 Wigeon, Great White Egret lakeside.

Stanford on Avon, monument fields

Cattle Egret still present.

Also, c25 Siskin and 12 Goldfinch feeding lane and lake side trees.  Green Woodpecker

Stanford reservoir;

Rather quiet, only looked from dam end.  Drake Goosander, 43 Wigeon, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Grey Herons, 6 Red-legged Partridges.

Pink-footed Goose with Greylags grazing on pasture near outflow river.