Friday, 26 June 2026

25th June - stupidly hot 33C, light E, sunny

Willey; Three Kestrels down Perkins fields this morning, at least one a juv.

Newbold Quarry; evening.

Mainly a Butterfly hunt for Silver-washed Fritillaries, but I didn't see any. Plenty of other common species about. 
The Great-crested Grebe pair have two young with them on the water.

Wednesday, 24 June 2026

24th June - Sunny, hot 32C, light breeze at time NW-N-NW

WIlley; afternoon.
A male Kestrel was seen down Perkins fields area and a Jay seen flying from the old railway in to the Long Spinney

Swift Valley WWT; evening

I checked here mainly for Purple Hairstreaks, and was not disappointed, every Oak I checked had them flying around the tops, often in two's 'dancing' together.  Other Butterflies included Meadow Browns, Large Skipper, Essex Skipper, Red Admiral and unidentified 'whites'.




Not too many birds were showing, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling, a singing Song Thrush, a juv Stock Dove.

Tuesday, 23 June 2026

23rd June - initially high cloud, clearing mid-morning to strong sun, hot, 32C, light S

Willey;

One, possibly 2,  Nuthatches heard in Long Spinney opposite the Perkins field double gates.

22nd June Monday - Sunny, hot 28C, cloud increasing and a light shower early evening.

Shawell Sandpit and Landfill areas; evening.

I have not seen any Sand Martins here during my last two visits, I do wonder if earthworks have destroyed their nesting area!

The female Egyptian Goose and here six large) goslings were all back together today, only Tufted and Mallards around the its, plus three Mute Swans.

All the Covids, LBB, Herring and a single Black-head Gull in.

A great Spotted Woodpecker call from the lane trees.

A single Red Admiral.

Monday, 22 June 2026

21st June Sunday - sunny, 26C, light breeze

Vintage Rally again, but nice to see Red Kites occasionally over the Ashby Magna site.

Friday, 19 June 2026

19th June Friday - mostly sunny periods, cloud increasing late, mod-gusty SW, 26C

Misterton, afternoon.

A walk here did not produce much, just the regular woodland birds.  Still no sign of Spotted Flycatchers, hopefully they are tucked away in a corner somewhere!