24th April - Sunny, light wind E, 18C

WIlley.

This morning I spotted the pair of Grey Partridge again, back in the usual area.  Then two Red-legged Partridge in the adjacent field.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

Two Little Gulls had been seen by Chris, but when I arrived I found one over the water with 8 Common Terns.

A Little Egret and Grey Heron, a few Shoveler and Gadwall and a single drake Wigeon.

Five Yellow Wagtails on the dam, also the Redshank still.

Bittesby Country Park; evening.

A singing Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat.  Several Vlackcaps too.

Seven Tufted Duck and a Canada Goose pair on the lake.

23rd April - Sunny, mod NE, 16C. Feeling cool after another chilly start.

Willey:

This morning the Little Owl was seen flying into the Oak tree in the thick hedge and a  Wheatear was on the old muck heap.

A Mistle Thrush was singing frim the Long Spinney near Muswell leys entrance.

1430h, a Red Kite over, and several Holly Blue's seen in the church garden and church lane.

Lilbourne Meadows; mid-day.

A single Grey Plover was present today, the Greenshank was not seen today.

22nd April - Sunny, breeze increasing to fresh-blustery Easterly, 17C - feeling quite cool. Chilly early mornings still

Willey; 

Little Owl still present, but very wary.

Swallows, at last two are visiting our shed.

Stock Doves, four flew out of the field barns.

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

A Greenshank today was new in.

Otherwise the current regulars, only a single Wigeon spotted though.

Orange-tip, Holly Blue, Green-veined White and Peacock were seen today.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill area; evening.

A quick visit, fairly quiet.  The Egyptian Goose family still, c10 each House and Sand Martins.

Little Grebe pair., Blackcap singing in the spinney.

Buzzard and Red Kite.

21th April - sunny, mod, brisk at times NE, 12C. Feeling chilly in the wind

Willey.

Very disappointingly we have not yet a Swallow pair using the sheds, as they usually do. One has made a few visits, but very infrequently. It’s not looking good!!!

Single Holly Blue in the church lane, mid-morning.

1530h, two Ravens over.

Lilbourne Meadows, morning

The flood pools area was remarkably quiet.  The two Wigeon still and a handful of Teal. A single Oystercatcher.

A Goldfinch pair in the tall hedgerow, six Starlings busily feeding on the pastures then flying off before returning, maybe they have young in the village.  The Blackcap was singing again.

A single Holly Blue on the Hawthorn flowers.

20th April - Sunny spells, light/mos NE, 14C

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

A Dunlin and Oystercatcher, two Wigeon still, a few Teal, two Gadwall and three Shovelers

A Little Egret, two Yellow Wagtails and a Grey Heron.

A Holly Blue and two Orange-tip butterflies.

Stanford reservoir; evening.

Eleven Yellow Wagtails at the dam and three Linnets.

Three Goldeneye, eight Shoveler and a single male Teal.

A Cuckoo calling. An Oystercatcher on the overflow wall.

19th April - Sunny spells, light-mod NW, 13C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

Dunlin still present.  10 Teal and Tufted Duck air on island pond.

The Oystercatcher and Redshank pairs showing and vocal today.

Three Wheatear along the meadow fence posts.

Single Yellow Wagtail.

Two drake Wigeon.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

Three Common Terns, two Oystercatchers.

Drake Goldeneye and Shoveler pair.

Raven over. Red-legged Partridge pair.

Plenty Warbler activity, Reed Buntings and c15 Linnets feeding near the car park.

Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood and Orange-tip seen.

18th April - 14C, sunny spells, mod SW breeze

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

At last a new arrival on the wader front, a Dunlin.

The two drake Wigeon still present.

Other recent regulars still present.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill area; morning.

The Egyptian Goose family still.  Two Shelducks chasing each other.  10 Red Kites, several ravens.

Three Mute Swans and three Little Grebes.

Female Orange-tip

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Mixed flock House and Sand Martins high over the res.  Several Sedge Warblers singing, Whitethroats and Willow Warblers too, and a Grasshopper reeling in Blowers L Bay.  Cetti's Warbler heard.

Pair Goldeneye and a Little Egret.  Two Common Sandpipers on the dam.

Two Red-legged Partridge at the dam area.

Brimstone, Peacock and Orange-tip butterflies in reasonable number