30th Aug - sunny intervals, light SW, increasing to mod, cloud increasing - light rain late afternoon., 20C

Willey, 0800h

Top fence line a superb male Redstart and a Wheatear (this disappeared quickly).

c15 Swallows around the cattle fields, and c 15 Linnets again feeding on the ground.

Record shots of the Redstart despite the bright sun and heat shimmer.

Pitsford res,; afternoon.

Five Black-tailed Godwits, two Green Sandpipers and four Greenshanks.

A Black tern and still a good number of Common  Terns.

Six Wigeon among the regular ducks.

A hirundine flock, c200 House Martins, Swallows and a few Sand Martins.

Grey Heron , Little Egrets and Great White Egrets 4+.

An adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Great Black-backed picking at a dead Pike.

29th Aug - sunny spells, thundery showers pm, light SW, 21C

Willey;

c 20 Linnets feeding on the track near the barns, six Starlings around the cattle troughs and a Whitethroat in the top hedge,.

Late afternoon 10 Swallows were on the telegraph wires.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill;

A quick check here and soon the female ferruginous Duck was located.

The lighting/reflection etc again was bad for photographs, but at least it was closer today.

Lilbourne  Meadows; afternoon.

The Curlew was again present and flew off over the A5 in to Warks as usual, a Little Egret and Grey Heron, otherwise pretty quiet.

Stanford reservoir

Two Common Sandpipers and two Wigeon on dame, three Grey Wagtails in the spillway, eight Shovelers on the main water.  

Among the Gulls was an adult Yellow-legged.

A Chiffchaff was singing.

28th Aug - sunny spells, a couple of very brief showers pm, light-mod SW, 21C

Shawell Sandpit/landfill; afternoon.

No sighting of The Ferruginous Duck, but due to workings the Tufties/Mallard/Pochard were not in their usual area and it may have been lurking somewhere - we shall see tomorrow.

Otherwise just he regulars, including c10 Red Kites and c20 Ravens over the landfill.

27th Aug - sunny spells, blustery SW, 21C, a brief shower early afternoon

WIlley; 0800h a Red Kite over the fields to the east.

Stanford res; afternoon.

Two Common Sandpipers, four Grey Wagtails on the dam/spillway.

Five Shovelers on the main water.

A mixed Warbler and Tit flock making their way along the by-pass bushes/trees, mostly Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers.

Swallow, House and Sand Martins out over the water.

A Kestrel on the adjacent field near the entrance drive.

A pair of Common Terns with two juvs on the raft.

26th Aug - a few spots of rain first thing, then giving way to sunny spells, mod-fresh SW, becoming very warm 25C

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

A Curlew again, looks like the same juv bird.

Two Little Egrets and a Grey Heron.  Two Kestrels.  c30 Lapwings.

25th Aug - Sunny, mostly mod S, hot 28C.

This maybe the last hot day and remnants of a hurricane head towards the UK over the Atlantic and  hopefully will bring some very urgently needed rain  - enough scorched earth weather!

Willey;

0800h, female type Redstart still top fence line.

Waited for the Black Redstart to come to roost, but didn't see it this evening.

1945h, a Little Egret flew strongly NW over the village.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

Four Buzzards were 'playing' in the wind over the bank.  Two Kestrels hunting and a Red Kite over.

Two Little Egrets at the island pond and a Curlew came in, tended to rest most of the time.  I did wonder whether it was a juv type.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill; early afternoon.

A quick check here, the female ferruginous was showing well.

A single Egyptian Goose, a Pochard, two Teal among the Mallards and Tufted.

About 20 ravens and three Red Kites over the landfill (not operating today).

Stanford res; afternoon.

While checking the bushes for warblers two Stoats were playing along the grass track.

Warblers included Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler, plus a Spotted Flycatcher.

A Sparrowhawk flew across the res.  A single Pochard and Shoverlers in Keepers bay.

Lutterworth

On Friday (21st), this micro-Ladybird landed on the vehicle door frame, a 16-spot Ladybird I believe.

24th Aug - cloudy, then sunny spells, then cloudy, light S, 25C

Bittesby County Park;, morning

Still no Chats found.  Three Meadow Pipits, two Kestrels and Green Woodpeckers.

Soar Brook Lake area; morning

At last a Little Grebe pair has bred here with one juv present.  Three Cormorant, c200 Lesser Black-backed, c20 Herring and c10 Black-headed Gulls. A few Canada and greylag Geese, two Mallard and Stock Doves.

Pitsford reservoir; afternoon.   Low water now.

Waders included seven Greenshank, five Ruff, four Green Sandpipers, eight Snipe and a Wood Sandpiper.  Still plenty Common Terns, Grey Herons, Little egrets and minimum three Great White Egrets.

A marsh Harrier dropped in for a quick wash and an Osprey flew along, harassed by the Terns,.

23rd Aug - mostly cloudy, very light variable breeze, 22C

Willey; 0815h, a male Redstart on the top fence line.

At 1900h, per chance I caught sight of the Black Redstart rapidly flying to to it's roosting shed.  I'll have to stake it out, but it disappears so quickly.  Nor can I find it around the village during the day, its now very elusive.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

Still quiet here, on the island pond a Grey Heron, single Teal and a Dunlin.  Two Meadow Pipits on the island.

A female Blackcap in the corner hedge with Tits.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; afternoon.

Mostly all the regulars, including the female Ferruginous Duck.

Only one Pochard, but Teal and Shoveler are very slowly increasing, with five each now.

Very challenging to get decent photos/video due to distance, light and water reflection, but here's a few video clips.

22 Aug - mostly cloudy, light NE, 20C

Willey

A bird dashed out of a shed about 0800h, it may well have been the Black Redstart.  This is where it has been going to roost.

A female type Redstart still on top fence line first thing.

I spotted fresh Barn Owl pellets on a parked trailer in the old barn, I will have to put the camera up.

1600h; a Red Kite over the village, plus a juv Buzzard calling and at least two Ravens calling to the west of the village.

21st Aug - cloudy, a few sunny spells late afternoon/evening, light NE/NNE breeze, 20C

Willey;

1145h; I noticed about 30 House Sparrows in the field 'slang-way', many were eating Blackberries on the hedge, others were on the ground eating weed seed I presumed.

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

a immature Green Woodpecker, a few House and Sand martins and Swallows over the isalnd pool, otherwise pretty quiet.

General

Proper rain is so badly needed everywhere.  The trees are now rapidly losing leaves, and fruit is dropping, including many green acorns.

20th Aug - some drizzle first thing, then cloudy, mod-blustery NW, 19C

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

The ringers caught a Barred Warbler and visitor spotted a Bittern this morning - amazing.

Along the entrance drive a Tit and Warbler flock working the bushes, including a Spotted Flycatcher.

The juv Ruff was still present on the dam, busily feeding, also a Shoveler and Grey Wagtail.  Quite a few House Martins and Swallows feeding around, a Sparrowhawk flew along the edge tree line.

I also saw a Red-Underwing, on the Ringers gazebo, on the railway track be the rear entrance gate.

Hornets have built a nest in a 'nest box', which quite a frequent event.

Shawell Sandpit; evening

The Ferruginous Duck was present and resting on the water, mostly having a nap.

19th Aug - mostly cloudy, light-mod, fresh later NE, 21C

Willey; morning

A male Redstart on the top fence line.

A Yellow Wagtail with the Pied Wagtails in the top Sheep fields.

Stanford res; late afternoon.

A juv Ruff on the dam, found yesterday by Chris, fairly unusual to stay (unless we have mud) especially on the dam, but very busy feeding.

Three Common Sandpipers seen and two Black Terns over the main water, with a few Common Terns.  

A couple of Shoveler, two Red Kites over.

Shawell Sandpit; late evening

I checked for the Ferruginous Duck, but was not able to be sure as many Tufted females were asleep on the water and the light was fading.

Interestingly I had my highest, ever, Little Grebe count of 29.  Clearly, the main pit is much to their liking at the moment. I expect a few more could be found hidding away!

18th Aug - cloudy, light-mod NE, 20C

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

Pretty quiet this evening.  Only 10 Lapwings, a Teal, three Gadwall, a Green Woodpecker and two Pheasants.

Shawell sandpit/landfill.

A short check here showed the Female Ferruginous Duck was still present, associating with a drake Pochard.

17th Aug - sunny, 22C, light-mod NE

Bittesby Country Park; morning

I checked here first thing for Chats, but di not find any.  

A family party of Swallows were busy feeding over the meadows, 11 Goldfinch on the weeds, a juv Buzzard calling.

In the hedge a roving Tot flock that included a Whitethroat and Chiffchaff.

Two Kestrels and a Red Kite over.

Unexpectedly a Kingfisher flew passed me near the orchard entrance

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

A Lesser Whitethroat near the entrance and two Yellow Wagtails.

At the island pond a Wheatear was feeding on the far side, c40 lapwings were resting and a Grey Heron.

A red Kite over, and  Green Woodpecker.

A couple of Small hath butterflies on the path near the island pond.

16th Aug - Cloudy, light, sometimes mod NE, 20C

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

Very quite, a Reed Warbler called from the reed ditch where it nested.  On the dry flood pool area six Yellow Wagtails with Pied Wagtails, also c20 Starlings.  Two Grey Herons.

Shawell Lagoons

Among the Gulls dropping in was a Yellow'legged Gull.

Shawell sandpit/landfill.

338 Greylag and 31 Canada Geese, four Egyptian Geese, plus 140 Mallards, are all high site counts.

Single Cormorant. 10 Red Kites and several Ravens.

Female Ferruginous Duck still, some distant video grabbed.#

15th Aug - mostly sunny, light NE, hot 28C

Willey;

Two Redstarts first thing on the top fence line again.

A Red Kite over Perkins area and a Kestrel hunting there.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; afternoon.

All t he regulars including two Egyptian Geese.

Ferruginous Duck, the female has re-turned and was showing well, all be it distance

.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

A Curlew and Snipe, c 40 lapwings, otherwise fairly quite until a Marsh Harrier put in an appearance.

A confiding Meadow Pipit too.

14th Aug - mostly cloudy, a few sunny intervals, 25C, light SW

Willey;

0830h - three Redstarts on the top fence line, two male, and female type

1030h - two Hobbies hunting down Perkins fields area and over fields along brook eastward.

1300h - Red Kite over village.

Evening, I waited for the Black Redstart to show at the roost site, but not seen today.

13th Aug - Hit, sunny, cloudy/hazy sun evening, 30C, light/mod S/SW

Willey; A Blackbird has bean gathering food for nestlings the lat few days, I'm sure this excessive heat will affect the food available and the young's survival. 

2000h - I just caught sight of the Black Redstart briefly on the roof ridge before it slipped in to the shed again.  It doesn't hang around.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

A Curlew flew over, then returned to the meadows the other side of the A5 (Warks).

Otherwise pretty quiet - 12 Goldfinch, four Teal, c60 lapwings.

12th Aug - Hot, 32C, light SE, Sunny

 No obs today.

11th Aug - Mostly sunny am, becoming hot, 27C, pm flat cloud forming, light-v light mostly E

Willey;

The Black redstart spent ca minute on the roof at 0700h, before flying off, again could not be relocated.

1100h, a Red Kite circling over the fields to the east of village.

As it was rather a dull evening I decided to stake out the yard area at 2000h, in fact the Black Redstart was already sitting on the shed door.  Very gingerly and peeking over a car I snapped some record shots, over exposed, but better than nothing!  It disappeared in to the shed to roost again.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

Fairly quiet, but a Snipe feeding was a surprise.  Also a single Teal, two Gadwall, c20 lapwing, several Stock Doves and a Kestrel.

.

10th Aug - Sunny spells, light SW, 26C

Willey; 

Redstart on top fence line still this morning.

Black Redstart  possible again in the farm yard, but very brief flight view, in to sunlight.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

c50 Lapwing and a Curlew, a Little Egret and two Grey Herons.  A Buzzard and Green Woodpecker.  A single Teal a 6 Mallards.

Mere Lane Lake, afternoon.

Several pairs of Coot, Moorhen and Little grebes still feeding young, these will be at least second broods.

A Sparrowhawk flew into cover, and a Green Woodpecker was nearby.  Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls dropping in for a drink and bathe.

Plenty of Dragonflies, but Butterflies thin on the ground due to lack of thriving flowers in this dry, hot period.

9th Aug - sunny intervals am, longer sunny periods pm, mod-breezy W, 25C

Willey;  Redstart still on top fence line first thing.

Bittesby Country Park; morning

A walk over the meadows, two Kestrels, Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove and a worn Chiffchaff calling from the hedge.  

A random 15-min stop for a butterfly count produced Red Admiral, a Comma, a, Large and Green Veined Whites, Speckled Wood and a Brimstone.

 Stanford res; afternoon.

Common Sandpiper on the dam, two Shovelers and juv Little Grebe plus the regulars.

I did a butterfly count here too, which included a Small Copper, but the best was three Clouded Yellow that flew over the hedge from the field chasing each other, they disappeared, so I explored the field margin and found them again, but very active and the breeze didn't help, managed a pic though.

8th Aug - sunny, 25C, light SW

Willey; 0705h, the Black Redstart left the roost (and a few House Sparrows), was very briefly on the rear roof, then driveway before dashing off over the houses.

Unexpectedly, I looked in the yard at 2055h, and it was on a shed door, flying up inside as if catching food from the roof area, and back to the door.  I grabbed my camera and got two rapid pictures.  It flew back in to the shed and that was it!

Eyebrook Res; afternoon.

A look here which proved interesting.  A adult and juv Sandwich Tern, plenty juv Common Terns.

A Cattle Egret was with the Cattle at the inlet area, plus plenty of Little Egrets about.

A Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, three Dunlin, plenty Lapwings.   Two Little Ringed Plovers at the island area.  Teal numbers increased since my last visit.

A Stonechat at the inlet end.