Willey; 0800h, first of the post-breeding Redstarts was on the fence post, usual top hedge, prob a juv.
Stanford reservoir; afternoon.
Common and Green Sandpipers are taking advantage of the little shore now appearing after the long dry spell, two each.
The female Ferruginous Duck was with the main Tufted Duck flock. Two drake Pochards too.
A juvenile Little Ringed Plover was in the spillway.
Willey
A Black rabbit was seen in the Perkins fields (middle hedge/spinney corner. A recent release? Funny, as we recall often seeing a black Rabbit here along time ago (25 years?).
40 Swallows on the wires 1650h
Ash Tree Farm, Bitteswell; morning.
A quick walk around here; all rather quite. Little Grebe, Moorhen and Mallards on the lake. Two Green Woodpeckers and two Ravens in adjacent sheep field.
Eyebrook Reservoir; afternoon.
Waders included a Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit, five Dunlin, 4 each Greenshank, Snipe and Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers, two Ringed and three Little Rind Plovers, 148 Lapwings.
Plenty Common Terns, Little Egrets and a Grey Heron.
High over a mixed flock Swifts and House Martins (often chasing the Kites away when too close) and Swallows over the water).
Several Egyptian Geese including a pair with two mid-sized goslings.
Six Red-legged partridges came to drink., Linnets and Goldfinches.
A Clouded Yellow flew past the Leics bunker.
Stanford Reservoir; evening
This evening birds included two each Green and Common Sandpipers, a Hobby, three Grey, two Yellow and numerous Pied Wagtails.
The female Ruddy Shelduck was again present, also several Teal and Shovelers.
A single Lapwing on the dam.
Warblers were very active, with a Lesser Whitethroat showing well 'flycatching' from the boundary hedge
Still plenty of Common Terns present with youngsters, c20.
