13th April - Sunny spells,,light SW, 12C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

I checked out the flood pools area, again not passage waders, hopefully soon.

Two Wigeon still.  Two Yellow Wagtails.

Watched a Chifchaff gathering nest material in the corner 'wood'.

Otherwise, all the recent regilar bords.

Three Roe Deer (2 stags).

Bittesby Country Park; top north side/development sites.

A Wheatear, Skylark and Yellowhammer (male).

Kimcote; evening.

1815h, c40 Fieldfares in field trees next to lane at SP572859.

12th April - Sunny intervals, showers pm, short heavy/hail in some, fresh/blustery SW, 11C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

All the current regulars, plus three Wheatears on the east end of the bund.  A female Kestrel and Buzzard.

Single Little Egret, Redshank and Oystercatcher pair.

A single Wigeon.

Warren Hills; afternoon.

Four Wheatears and a female Ring Ouzel.

Green Woodpecker, Willow Warbler, Song Thrush and Linnet pair.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; late afternoon.

Egyptian Goose family still present.

One each Common and Green Sandpiper.

11th April - some early light rain/drizzle, then sunny spells, with SE/S light, picking up to fresh and blustery by mid-day. 11C, but feeling very cool.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

Two Wigeon, 12 Teal, Shoveler and Mallard.  An Oystercatcher flew off the flood pools towards island pond.  A couple of Mute Swans.

Yet again, the Water rail was out feeding on the damp patch.

A Mistle Thrush sang near the sheep barns and Blackcap in the corner tree area.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

A redshank on the dam still (originally spotted this morning by Chris).  A single Wigeon.

A great Egret in Blowers  L Bay. and 6 Pochard (5 males).

10th April - mostly high thin cloud, hazy sun at times, 14C, light S/SE

Willey 1130h

I can confirm there is a Little Owl where I mentioned on the 7th.  I saw one sitting on the tree, but it dropped down before I could 'snap-it'.

Also, Green Woodpecker calling.

At home a Pied Wagtail has been busy gathering nest material off a shed roof. 

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

The Water rail was again on view, feeding next to the hedge in a damp patch.

A Snipe was walking in the cover - or so it thought!

A pair of Linnets feeding on the ground by the entrance gate., Blackcap singing in the corner trees area.

10 Starlings, a Red Kite over. Single Yellow Wagtail.

Misterton; morning.

Checked, just in case the Pied Flycatcher had decided to stay, but no.

A noisy and busy Nuthatch was close.

Alvecote - Mill Pool; afternoon.

I decided to check out the Hooded Merganser that has been present a few days, a female. Thought to be the one first seen in Avon, and presumed wild (currently) and no rings etc.  Good views, but I only managed a poor photo as looking in to the sunlight and a bit too far.

9th April - high cloud, sunny intervals, mod SW 15C, becoming blustery, short shower and pretty cool early evening

Willey;  Red Kite over 0930h.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

Single Redshank, otherwise fairly quite.  Kestrel hunting.

The Water Rail was feeding and showing quite well.

Misterton; afternoon.

I went here to do the annual Rookery nest count, but as I walked down the lane towards the lake I noticed several passerines feeding in the nearby tree some 30feet in front of me and about 25 feet up, so I checked them out hoping for a Coal Tit. A Blue Tit, Blackcap, Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit  and  a male Pied Flycatcher - wow totally unexpected.  I was able to watch it for 5 mins before it flew off  with the other birds.

I thought this may be rather early, but referring to the West Midland report, where they are frequent, the average (8-year first arrival date is April 7th) so spot on actually.

Shawell Sand pit; evening.

A Green and Common Sandpiper.  Six Little Ringed Plovers seen.

Six Red Kites, several Ravens.

Six Swallows, 2 House Martins and 3 Sand Martins.

Egyptian Goose pair with 7 young ducklings.

8th April - Sunny, 23C, light breeze

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

Two Wigeon still, three Yellow Wagtails.

A White Wagtail at the island pond.

Oystercatcher pair, single Redshank.

Plus other recent regulars.

7th April - touch of grass frost last night. sunny light breeze, 18C

Willey; 0915

Just seen a pair Grey Partridge at the top of the field barn track, they only flew a short way and later spotted feeding in Hurls Furlong field.

More extraordinary,  I was putting the trail camera up in the barn to check for Barn Owl, when one flew past me and landed on the beam, we both stayed motionless!  It was marvellous seeing one so close, eventually it flew out, but I’m sure it will be back.  Flew off in the direction of another old shed where I also have Owl box.

Another bird flew out of an old tree, not a good view but maybe a Little Owl, will have to check that out .

 Ash Tree farm; afternoon.

Plenty of Butterfly activity being so warm, 7+ Peacocks, Speckled Wood 2, Small White 3+ and a Orange-tip.

4+ singing Chiffchaffs, a Jay,  Green Woodpecker, Buzzard and Red Kite over. 

Four Canada and two Greylag Geese at the lake.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Three Yellow Wagtails and a 'Channel' Wagtail.  Very difficult to get close enough for pics, but managed some short record video clips at distance.