30th July - light rain first thing (2mm), then cloudy, sunny spells late afternoon/evening, 23C, light NW

 Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Seven waders was good, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover, Curlew, Green and Common Sandpipers.

A Grey Heron, a Kestrel and green Woodpecker.

The Curlew looks like a juv with more streaking visible

29th July - mostly cloudy, sunny intervals late afternoon, light NW. 22C

Eyebrook res; afternoon.

A visit here this afternoon to see the Caspian tern, fortunately is was still present and showed well and in flight.

Single Wood Sandpiper, Dunlin, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Curlew were seen.

Plus Osprey several times and other regulars.

28th July - mostly cloudy, sunny spells late, 22C, light NW

Willey; morning

Two Redstarts still in their usual place,  Nine Mistle Thruses about and Ravens heard/see several times.

Stanford on Avon

Two Spotted Flycatchers, and a Green Woodpecker.

Stanford Res; evening

15 Goldfinches, some food begging juvs too. Green Woodpecker

Two Teal, Pochard 1 drake, Teal, 2, Lapwing two on dam, one Wigeon.

27th July - A rather flat day with high cloud, only a few brief sunny spells pm, light NW, 20C

WIlley:

This morning the Redstart as yesterday and another in the next field on the fence line, a male.  

Two Mistle Thrushes and a Green Woodpecker in the middle field near the barns.

Five Mistle Thrushes on the Perkins Sheep pasture and four Ravens flew over westward.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

A Green and two Common Sandpipers, two Oystercatchers and Little Ringed Plovers, 42 Lapwings.

A Little Egret dropped in.  Otherwise rather quite, just the regulars.

Stanford Res; afternoon.

Three Teal, 11 Cormorants among the Geese on the dam.

A Hobby over the Leics wood.

A roving mixed Tit/Goldcrest/Warblers flock.  Whitethroats in the orchard area and female Reed Bunting..

c30 Lapwings over to the stubble field, plus a few later on the dam.  Two grey Wagtails in the spillway.

A green Woodpecker and two Red-legged Partridge along the entrance drive field.

Several young Common Terns now flying around the res, off the rafts.

26th July - light rain/drizzle on/off till 1300hish, light NW, broken cloud pm, sunny intervals, 22C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

Four Little Ringed Plovers, two Common Sandpipers and 55 Lapwings.

A Little Egret, and Grey Heron,  a Reed Warbler taking food to a nest.

Shawell lagoons, morning.

Large juv and adult Great Crested Grebe still, 16 Lapwings, three Moorhens and Coot and 32 Canada Geese.

With the Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull a Common Gull, first post-breeding record.

25th July - 27C, light NW, Sunny

Willey; a female/juv Redstart again along the top fence line this morning.

Monks Kirby; afternoon.

Went to check the conifers near Newham Paddox for Crossbills, none seen/heard.

Nice selection of Butterflies for the count along the  field footpath, several Brown Argus and lots Common Blues.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill:evening

Basically the regulars, including the seven Egyptian Geese juvs.

24th July - cloudy, quite dull pm, light NW, 20C

Willey; morning

A female Redstart on the top fence line.  I think my fifth this 'autumn', so early too.

Seven Mistle Thrushes on the Perkins Sheep pasture.

23rd July - Mostly cloudy, light-mod NW breeze, 20C

Willey: Four Mistle Thrushes first thing feeding on the Perkins pasture, mid-morning seven flew west past the village toward Perkins fields.

Bittesby Country Park; afternoon.

A roaming feeding flock of c70 Goldfinches.  Several Skylarks on the meadows but keeping low out of the breeze, a calling Buzzard.  A hen Pheasant, and noisy Jay and a Green Woodpecker.

Butterflies included Common Blue, Green-veined, Small and Large Whites, Red Admiral, numerous Gatekeepers and  a worn Speckled wood.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

Three Oystercatchers and redshanks, two Little Egrets,  Little Ringed Plovers and two Common Sandpipers.

A Sedge Warblers singing quietly, several Linnets, c70 Starlings feeding on the sheep fields.

22nd July - light rain/drizzle first thing, then cloudy, showers around pm, light W/NW, 20C

Shawell sandpit/landfill; afternoon.

Generally the regulars were present, 10+m Red Kites, a Little Egret, two Egyptian Geese, still, only the two male Pochards.  Single  Sand  Martins at times.

Lutterworth;

Checked for roof nesting LBB Gulls with Paul.  Evidence of one nest on one roof.  The previous nest noted, which had young in last week was empty.  I do consider it very likely that the recent spell of very hot weather was detrimental to the nesting Gulls and their young. With loses being had this year that may not ordinarily occur.

21st July - sunny spells, light SW, humidity increasing, 21C

Willey; morning

0830h three Redstarts along the usual top fence/hedge line (2m, 1f).

13 Mistle Thrushes feeding on the Perkins area Sheep pasture., 0900h.  This is the highest count I've had there.  Previous highs, all in July, were 11 in 2020 and 12 in both 2014 and 2018.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

Two Common Sandpipers.

A Hobby flew  over northwards, low and quickly.

Stanford res; evening

12 Common Sandpipers on the dam.

20th July - rain, then sunny spells, thundery showers pm, light S-SW, 20C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

Green and Common Sandpipers x2, Redshank family, four Oystercatchers and 9 Little Ringed Plovers, c 30 lapwings.

Stanford res; afternoon.

Common Sandpiper on dam, also two grey Wagtails among the usual Ducks and Geese, two Grey Herons.

Common Terns busy with chicks.  One large youngster just about ready to fly had managed to leave the raft and was floating around it on the water, looking to get back in/on whilst its parents were busy calling it - I'm sure it would work it out pretty soon.

Warblers included Chiffchaff, Whitethroat family, Blackcap and Sedge.

Swallows and House Martins around and a singing Song Thrush.

Butterflies were Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Gatekeepers, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large and Small Whites and Green-veined Whites

19th July - showers am, sunny intervals pm, light SW, 21C

Welney WWT; afternoon.

Called in just before steady rain started meaning not too much out and about.

Two Snipe, four Green Sandpipers, 12+ Ruff, a few Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwings.

Three Shoveler, a single Wigeon, injured Whopper Swan.

Plenty of Swallows and House Martins, a few Sand Martins.  A good number of House Sparrows on the feeders, only one Tree sparrow seen there today. 

18th July - Sunny spells, light SW, 26C

Shawell sandpit/landfill; morning.

Five Egyptian Geese.10 Red Kites, plus other regulars.

17th July - Some light rain/drizzle early, then mostly sunny intervals, humid, light SW, 25C

Willey; first thing there was four Mistle Thrushes feeding on Sheep Pasture in the Perkins fields area.

Lubenham; checked here for the LROS House Sparrow survey, I found 15, but sure there is more they were often in the thick garden bushes and were quiet.

16th July - Sunny spells, light variable SW

 Lilbourne Meadow; evening.

Redshank family still and Little Ringed Plovers, a single Oystercatcher.

A grey heron and female Yellow Wagtail., 12 Swallows dropped in for a drink.

Shawell Lagoons;

The Great Crested chick that was, is now a nice large juvenile.  A Coot pair with a single youngster.  

18 Lapwings.

15th July - cloudy, light showers pm, breezy SW, 18C

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; evening

10 Sand Martins and two Swifts feeding over the pits.

Egyptian Goose family still present..  15 Red Kites.

A Green Sandpiper, single female Teal and a Little Egret.  A Shelduck dropped in for a brief stay.   Female Mallard with three small Ducklings.

An female Grey Wagtail being pursued by a juv for food.  And a Blackbird with a bill full of food for youngsters.

A Green Woodpecker calling.

14th July - sunny intervals, breezy SW, 24C

Soar Brook lake (afternoon).

A Mute Swan, Tufted Duck and Mallard each with brood of five youngsters.

A Green Sandpiper, two Little Egrets, two Stock Doves dropped in for a drink.  Two each of Little Grebes and Oystercatchers.

Shawell Sandpit and Landfill; afternoon.

15+ Red Kites, plus a few Ravens and other corvids.

A Little Egret feeding.  Seven Egyptian Geese.  One lapwing and Green Woodpecker heard.

Two Yellow-legged Gulls.

13th July - cloudy, breaking to sunny spells, light E, 26C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

Redshank, Lapwing and LRP families still. A Little Egret and Oystercatcher.

15+ Linnets, Goldfinches and a Sedge Warbler.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; morning

No sign of the Ferruginous Duck.

Two Little Egrets.

[Note - a female was found by Chris Hubbard late afternoon at Stanford res, presumed to be this bird having moved there].

Swift valley; afternoon.

Went to check for Blue Hairstreaks, didn't see any today.  Probably sheltering in the shade.  Plenty of other common butterflies though, like this Green-veined White. And Dragonflies/Damselflies.

Stanford  on Avon

Found a Spotted Flycatcher family, distant record shot.

Stanford Res; afternoon.

A very pale grey heron on the dam, seem to get one every year now.  A  Common Sandpiper.  Plus all the other regulars.

12th July - Hot, Sunny, 29C, light breeze E/NE

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; morning.

Did not find the Ferruginous this morning, maybe check again later.

A Little Egret, Yellow Wagtail, Egyptian Goose family, three Pochard (drakes) now, plus the other regulars.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

A Common Sandpiper on the dam, along with Common terns, Greylag and Canada Geese, Grey and Pied Wagtails.

The single Wigeon which has been back a few days was near the point feeding, along with c15 Gadwall and Tufted Ducks.

Ten species of Butterfly near the car park, including a Painted Lady, Comma  and Red Admiral.

11th July - Hot, 31C, very light breeze, Sunny

Willey;

Three Mistle Thrushes feeding on the Perkins pastures.

A Wren is feeding young again in the barn nest.

I did note, c25 Swallows on the wires yesterday at on point.

10th July - Sunny, hot, 29C, light breeze

Frolesworth Manor Lake; morning

Good to see broods of Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Coot, Pied Wagtail and Mute Swan.

Theddingworth; afternoon.

Spotted Flycatcher found feeding whilst doing the LROS House Survey 

Husbands Bosworth Sand Quarry; afternoon

Broods of Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Mallard, Coot and Little Grebes.

A Green Sandpiper and 16 Lapwings.

Shawell Sand Pit/landfill; evening

Ferruginous Duck, female still present.

Lilbourne Meadows

Young Redshank flying and the parent calling them from the post.

Six Swifts and several Swallows dropped in.  Oystercatcher and Lapwings plus Little Ringed Plovers and a Green Sandpiper.

Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting pair, Meadow Pipits

9th July - cloud claring to sunny spells, light mostly NW, 26C

Shawell Sandpit/landfill; later afternoon.

Ferruginous Duck still.  One each Little Egret and Grey Heron.

c25 Red Kites.

]

8th July - Sunny, light NW, 22C

Willey; a Red Kite over again, just about daily now.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; afternoon.

Ferruginous Duck still, two drake Pochard with Tufted and Mallards.

A Common Sandpiper and 22 Red Kites.

A Purple hairstreak spotted under the Oaks

7th July - Sunny spells, light-mos NW, 20C

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; late afternoon.

Ferruginous Duck still.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

Three Little Egrets and two Grey herons, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and Lapwing families. Single Oystercatcher..  42 Lapwings on the pasture.

A few House and Sand Martins dropped in to feed. Singing male Reed Bunting.

Five Meadow Pipits on the meadows, singing and juvs.

6th July - rain am, some heavy showers, lighter shower pm, mod NW, 18C

Shawell sandpit/landfill; afternoon.

The Ferruginous Duck was still present, not doing much, just floating and resting.  Still challenging to get a decent photograph.

A Common Sandpiper too.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

A look here around the dam end as Chris found a Ruddy Shelduck this morning, alas I filed to see it.

72 Mute Swans excluding cygnets were counted.  A couple of Grey Wagtails in the spillway and an Oystercatcher on the dam.

Lilbourne Meadows; late afternoon.

All the summer waders still as reported previously.  The male Yellow Wagtail was still collecting food for its young.

I also noticed a Meadow Pipit with food on a post with a big fledging begging for food, plus a male nearby in song and flight display.

A female/juv Kestrel flew past.

5th July - Cloudy am, sunny intervals pm, 22C, breezy SW

Willey; 0830h, a f//1W Redstart along top fence line.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and Lapwing.

Linnets and Meadow Pipits on the meadows

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; morning.

Ferruginous Duck still present.  A Tufted Duck brood of four ducklings.  Three Common Sandpipers.

Plus the other regular birds.

Bittesby Country Park.

11 species of butterfly seen. A Field Grasshopper was spotted, along with others too quick to see.

Plenty of Skylarks in the meadows, a Green Woodpecker along the old railway track.  Juvenile Pied Wagtails around the main lake. 

Cinnabar caterpillars

4th July - sunny am, cloudy increasing pm and SW breeze freshening later, 25C

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; afternoon.

Female Ferruginous Duck still present.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

A Green Sandpiper and 8 Little Ringed Plovers on the 'damp' field flood pool area, the LPRs were disturbed by something and most flew off.

At the island pond the Redshanks have two young and the Lapwing pair have three young, not one and and two as noted previously - they do spend a lot of time in the tall grasses!

A male Yellow Wagtail was collecting food for young.

3rd July - mostly sunny, light W, 23C

Misterton; afternoon.

Two Spotted Flycatchers, Nuthatch, Blackcap, two singing Song Thrushes, Goldcrest.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill.

Female Ferruginous Duck still present.

Five Little Egrets - site record peak count.  Six teal - numbers increasing now. 10 Red Kites.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

A lapwing pair with two well grown young.  Redshank with its youngster again.  Little Ring Plovers with young.

Two Oystercatchers, a Little Egret.

Goldfinch and Linnets with juveniles.

Skylarks, one with food and Meadow Pipits on the meadows area.

12 Swallows dropped in and a Swift over.

2nd July - cloudy, a bet of drizzle early, light NW breeze, brightening during the day, 21C

 Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

A young Little Ringed Plover with parent was seen, which was very protective, especially when a Redshank chased the youngster.  But the Redshank was only protecting its own youngster.  

Shawell Sandpit; evening

I did not see the Ferruginous Duck this evening, but may have been present just out of view..

A Green and Common Sandpiper were present.

1st July - Mostly sunny, hot, 28C, light NW, humidity high

Willey;

We have had more Barn Owl activity in a shed.  Some fresh pellets, but interestingly quite a few feathers have appeared down, mostly small body feathers but including this flight feather, I guess they will be moulting now.  I am saving the pellets, the mammel society will analyse them at some point in the future.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill;evening

The Ferruginous Duck female still present.  Associating with the two pochard and Tufted, but they sometimes send it away a little from them.  Clearly, smaller/shorter than both Pochard and Tufted.

Grey Heron, six lapwings, 7 Mutes still here, plus the current regulars mentioned previously.

Jay in boundary trees.

30th June - very hot 30C, light SSW/S, mod humidity

Willey; 0830h

A single  istle Thrush on Perkins pasture feeding.  The days of family groups seem to have long gone now.

Yesterday morning, about 0815h, already hot, I noticed a Lesser Black-backed Gull drinking from a cattle water trough.  I have never seen a Gull do this before, Corvids, Woodpigeons, but not a Gull.

The heat haze already preventing a clear photo to be taken.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill; morning.

Ferruginous Duck still present and distant from watch point.

Six Cormorants, is a high count here.

14 Red Kites, c 40 Tufted Duck now, two drake Pochards

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Quiet. A single Oystercatcher, c80 Starlings on the meadows, a Grey Heron.

.