Wildlife at Willey, Warks
Monday, 16 February 2026
16th Feb - a few short showers, 7C, light/mod NW. Touch of frost last night
Sunday, 15 February 2026
15th Feb - Rain until 1300h, then showers, light S, 7C
Another disappointing wet day, but at least the afternoon was bearable. However, birds are on the move and green shoots of Spring are appearing widely.
Shawell sandpit/landfill; afternoon
Duck numbers were low, 24 Teal, c 10 Mallard, c15 Tufted and 8 Gadwall. Six Little Grebes and c100 Coot.
It seems that Common Gulls enjoy flying towards a Coot or Little Grebe, perhaps to steal food, only for the other bird to quickly dive out of the way. It happened lots of times.
14 Red Kites, Ravens heard and 13 Lapwings. A singing Song Thrush.
Stanford on Avon - monument field.
The monument field held a good flock of Canada and Greylag Geese and with them 35 Russian White-fronted Geese. Presumably the same ones which have spent their time in the vicinity of Stanford reservoir, but there must be some movement as numbers do vary a little.
14th Feb - Sunny, light S, 6C
Cottesbrooke; afternoon.
I checked an area where Crossbills have been appearing, we don't get too may in the midlands. However, none were showing. Nice to hear two Tawny Owls calling though.
Ravensthorpe Res;
On the way back popped in to see the Red-throated Diver, it was showing well,but not very active. Again not too many of these linger inland.
Friday, 13 February 2026
13th Feb - rain, wintry mix am too, mod NE, 4C
Another very wet and unpleasant days weather.
A single Red Kite over the Perkins fields/long spinner area at 0900h.
Checked Stanford Hall for White-fronts after lunch, only Canada Geese though. Popped in to Stanford reservoir to check the five drake Common Scoter reported by Chris, they were riding out the big waves in the centre of the res.