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.

6th April - slight ground frost again last night. Warming to 15C, light/mod SE, sunny spells.

Willey;

First thing nine Canada Geese flew over low, north, I could also hear the two at the back field pond (which seem to have become resident at the m), calling as these flew over.

A Mistle Thrush was singing from the back field/allotment field corner tree top.

Two Swallows spotted on the telegraph wires today - need more back yet.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

A pair of Greenfinches, two Swallows at the island pond and Oystercatcher.

Three Wigeon on the flood pools, plus Tufted pair, Shovelers, c10 Teal, Gadwall and Mallard.

Three Meadow Pipits on the meadows and Skylark.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

This mornings male Wheatear still present on the ploughed set-aside triangle.

Common Sandpiper still on dam.

Female Grey Wagtail and Pied Wagtail in spillway.

A male and two female Goldeneye and two female Goosanders spotted.

Butterflies included a Comma, several Peacock and Small Tortoiseshells.

5th April - 11C, blustery SW, sunny intervals, odd cloud shower around, feeling cool

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

The Oystercatcher, Redshank and Lapwings were present again.

Tufted Duck pair.

Most notsable was the singing Cetti's Warbler.

Stanford Reservoir.

The first site Spring Common Sandpiper was on the dam, spotted this morning by Chris, and still present this afternoon.

c30 Fieldfares flew into the trees by the dam car park, then off westward over the dam.

Female Goosander and two Goldeneyes.  SIngle Little Egret.

c100 Sand Martins feeding and a Swallow with them.

Male Grey Wagtail on the dam.

4th April - high cloud, light SW, increasing fresh then strong and gusty afternoon/night. 15C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

No Wigeon seen this morning.  Lapwing pairs seem in good numbers, especially around the island pond.  Single Oystercatcher.

A few Gulls dropped in, Black-headed, Common, Herring and Lesser Black-backed.

Female Reed Bunting near island pond.    Several Skylarks and Meadow Pipits on the rough fields. 

Stanford reservoir, afternoon.

Five Goldeneyes, two Goosanders.  A Great Egret. 

A Grey and Pied Wagtails on the dam.