14th June Sunday - sunny intervals, light mostly W-NW, 20C

Willey; morning

Six Stock Doves were disturbed from the barns where they nest and the Barn Owl too, he landed in a nearby tree but will be back there very soon.

A Red-legged Partridge was flushed from a gateway, but the Little Owl was not seen at its recent past location.  Two Red Kites patrolled overhead.  A Green Woodpecker called.  A Muntjac grunted loudly from the BH wood.

Newbold Quarry Park; afternoon.

I explored here for Butterflies, no Silver-washed Fritillary today, maybe to early but 11 species found, and unexpectedly this included the Marbled White.  

A family of Wrens and Blackbirds, Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing, a Great Crested Grebe and Mallard on the water.  A Collared Dove singing nearby.

13th June Saturday - sunny spells developing, mod-blustery NW, 18C, but also feeling cool.

Shawell Sandpit; morning.

A Peregrine chased a Jackdaw, but was out-maneuvered by it.

Mallard number are increasing still, 40.  Coot may be increasing too at 28 and I found eight Little grebes, the highest for a while, but no young yet this year.

The Egyptian Goose adults were present but only three large youngsters, so have we lost the other three? 

Eyebrook Reservoir; afternoon.

I just arrived as Andy M had spotted a flock of 10 drake Common Scoters, way out on the water.

A single Shelduck, plus the other usual duck. A single Great Egret.  Plenty of Swifts and Sand Martins over the water.

A Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and a pair Yellowhammers along the boundary hedge.

A group of 12 adult Egyptian Geese were feeding on the Rutland side

12th June Friday - sunny spells developing, blustery W, 17C

Ash Tree Farm; afternoon

A walk around the area, birds were few due to the wing but the warmth made the insect activity very lively.

A single Little Grebe was on the lake, we believe there is a pair and the other is on a nest (this was conformed the following day when young were seen - first known site breeding record).

Butterflies included; Small Copper, Common and Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Browns, Ringlet and Large Skippers.  Many Chimney Sweep moths.

Black-tailed Skimmers and other Dragonflies.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

I specifically went here to check for Marbled White as Mick & Sandra had just reported their first at Newbold.  Despite the rather breezy conditions I did spot three.

11th June Thursday - rain from 0800h til 1730h, about 12mm, also cool 12C, until evening then 16C and cloudy, mod-fresh mostly SW.

Very poor weather for June, hopefully young birds are getting enough food.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Rather quiet again due to the weather.  Three Oystercatchers, four Little Egrets, a Yellow Wagtail, Linner and Reed Bunting

10th June Wednesday - Thundery showers am, showers pm, mod, beconing lighter SW, 14C.. A cool June day!

Misterton; afternoon.

Rather quite due to the poor weather at the time, but a Wren was taking for to a nest.

Shawell Sand Pit/Landfill/evening.

Two Egyptian Geese adults and one gosling seen, the other may have been asleep in the vegetation.

A Grey Wagtail family was feeding around the main pit, also a Little grebe pair and a single Great-crested Grebe.  A Coot had three youngster on the south pit.

Sand Martins feeding and (only) three Swifts overhead.  Green woodpecker heard. 

Several Red Kites and Ravens around the landfill area and a few Herring and Lesser Black-back Gulls.

9th June Tuesday - mod to brisk W, 16C, cloud showers

Willey:

The only obs today is a Small Tortoiseshell about 1400h at home.  These are still low in numbers following the wet cold year and have still to read in numbers.

8th June Monday - Showers early am, the sunny spells, mod variable direction, 17C

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Four Oystercatchers, plenty of 'piping' activity, hopefully further breeding attempts will be made.

I've not seen the Redshank pair  for awhile new, they were frequenting a very grassy area, often where a Fox roamed!

A make Linnet and female Reed Bunting. A single House and Sand Martin over the Island pool. 

Three Little Egrets and a Grey Heron at the flood pools area, also Stock Doves.

Skylarks adn Meadow Pipits active over the meadows area.