15th May Friday - Chilly night again, sunny spells, mod/fresh WNW, 14C, but feeling cool

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon

Similar to yesterday, with Hirundines being attracted again to the island pool for food in this cool weather - c10 each Swallows and House Martins, one Sand Martin.

Dunlin and two Ringed Plovers still present.

14th May Thursday - sunny spells, slightly warmer, less windy and fewer showers than yesterday.

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

Four Mute swans, Gadwall and Mallards.

Redshank, a Dunlin, Oystercatcher pair and two Ringed Plovers at the flood pools.

Swallows and House Martins around the island pool, and a single Swift.

Flock Starlings with noisy juvenilles.

Three Small Heaths, a Brimstone and a few Orange-tops

13th May Wednesday - a blustery day, N/NW, only 11C but feeling much cooler, sunny inteerval and many showers some sharp ans short (a bit wintry too) especially pm.

Lilbourne Meadows - a very quick look at the winter flood pools, 1920h, nothing new except a Shelduck pair.

Also, a Barn Owl flew into the lane trees from the fields, then off again just as a heavy blustery showers was about to hit.

Stanford Reservoir; early evening.

A good flock of Hirundines over the water due to the poor weather, c100 each Swallow and House Martins, c10 Sand martins and c30 Swift.

A pair of Yellow Wagtails washing at the spillway and two Little Egrets over westward.  Two Grey Herons present near the spillway.

Plenty of Great Crested Grebe display activity.  

A single Red-legged Partridge and a Green Woodpecker.

12th May Tuesday - sunny interval, mod W breeze, 13C, but feeling cooler

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

Single Ringed Plover, and Redshank. Gadwall pair, oystercatcher pair.

A male Yellow Wagtail.  A Cormorant on island pool.  

Plus other usuals.

11th May Monday - drizzle light rain am, sunny intervals pm, mod NE, 12C

A very cool day for May, and cool nights

No obs today. 

10th May Sunday - high broken c,loud am, sunny intervals pm, mod-fresh NE, 13C, feeling quite cool.

Willey;

First thing a Raven over.

Two Grey Partridge at middle gate, four Canada Geese and four Mallards at Earls Furlong pond area.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

Nothing new, a Little Egret and Grey Heron, a Redshank and Oystercatcher pair (lost first brood).

Single Swallow and House Martin over. Sedge and Reed Warbler singing near island pool.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

Not much happening on the water, c 12 Common Terns and four Black-headed Gulls see (hope they don't drive the Terns off the rafts).

A Hobby and a few Swifts hawking over the water.  

Plenty of Garden Warblers singing and the occasional Blackcap.  A Whitethroat was carrying food.

Butterflies were - Peacock, Red Admiral, Green-veined Whoite, Orange-tip and Speckled Wood.

Quite a few Red-eyed Damselflies about to.

9th May Saturday - hazy sunshine, 20C, light SE

Willey;

Little Owl again.   

J Moore found a Pheasants nest with 18 eggs on the edge of a grass field.  We don't find many nests these days, since local shoot on Newnham paddox ceased.

Stanford Reservoir; morning

Rather quiet with no Sandpipers seen on the dam.  A Red Kite over. Cuckoo, 3, singing.

Northants Wood; afternoon

Visited a wood where Nightingales occur, heard one singing, no chance of seeing it though.

Garden Warblers, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs singing well.  Jay and Green Woodpecker.

Yellowhammer on the hedge, two Red-legged partridges, Pied Wagtail pair, House Sparrow pair on the farmhouse chimney and Collard Dove singing.

6+ Small Heath Butterflies on the sparse meadow, plus orange tip, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood and Large White seen.

A Hare crossed the track.