Monday, 2 February 2026

Sunday, 1 February 2026

1st Feb - Dull, misty, then occasional fine drizzle/light rain pm, very light SE, 9C

Shawell Sandpit/landfill; morning

My first spot was of two Green Sandpipers flying together low over the water and landing on the far bank.

It was too misty for the Red Kites to be doing much, eventually seven sat in the trees.

Two Green Woodpeckers were yaffling, against each other.

The Peregrine was again resting atop a works yard light.

Otherwise usual regulars were present.

Despite the dull-misty weather I digiscoped a Red Kite and the Peregrine.








Brandon marsh; afternoon.

A look here this afternoon for the Firecrest, but it seems to have moved on at the moment.  However, a Marsh Tit showed well.  With a Long-tailed Tit flock was a Chiffchaff.

On east marsh the expected Duck species (water level pretty high on the marsh).  A couple of Oystercatchers have made it back early for Spring.

A Great Egret flew in and started to search for food, before a Canada Goose took exception it it!



Saturday, 31 January 2026

31 St Jan - sunny periods, light-mod SE, sharp shower 1530h, 11C

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; morning

Pretty quiet, with lower duck numbers than recently, only 47 Teal, 18 Tufted, a few Mallard, eight Pochard, four Pochard,  and two Little Grebes, Gull numbers very low.
c20 Ravens, 1 Red Kite, Green Woodpecker and 55 Lapwings.

Swithland Res; afternoon.

Checked the south side for the adult female Lesser Scaup that has been here several weeks now.  Good mid-distance views of it busy dive feeding.


Friday, 30 January 2026

30th Jan - a little light rain early, then cloudy, and a few sunny intervals pm, light SE, 9C

Lilbourne Meadows,; afternoon.

A good flock of Lapwings and Wigeon at the flood pools, c200 and c300 respectively.
c100 Starlings feeding, and on the hedges Redwings and Fieldfares.
Single female Kestrel.

Stanford hall; later afternoon.

c150 Canada Geese, but the Greylag flock and White-fronted Geese appear to have moved away.
c100 Wigeon on the lake/grassland.
Three Tufted Duck on the lake and a Mistle Thrush near the lane bridge. Coot number shave come up to 6+.
A Green Woodpecker called.

Thursday, 29 January 2026

29th Jan - am- cloudy, some mist, light E, dull, pm- high cloud, some what lighter, light SE, 5C

Bittesby Country Park; afternoon.

A quick check mainly of the sunflower area in adjacent field.  Not too much around, 19 Skylarks and c30 Chaffinches.

Wednesday, 28 January 2026

28th Jan - at last a decent day. Sunny periods, light S, 9C

Stanford res; afternoon.

A check from the dam end,  most duck etc present were far-mid/inlet end, so from here not too much visible (adjacent bird scare loud bangs!).  A Goosander, 2 Goldeneye, 4 Great Egrets. No other Geese with the Greylags on the park pasture field.

Stanford Hall

With the Greylags on the parkland were 45 Russian White-fronted Geese.
Mistle Thrush singing.

27th Jan - stron gust SW winds and rain during the night. Today, rain until midday, then showers/drizzle, cloudy, dull, 5C

Not a pleasant day!

Willey; late afternoon.

A brief check around the church and church lane area and paddock feed station.  Most notable was c25 Greenfinch in the pikel paddock tree top.