13th August Thursday - Very hot, 36C, sunny, light SE. Drought conditions worsen over much of England

Willey - 0820h two Red Kites over the fields to the east of the village.

Welford/Sulby Reservoirs; evening

I thought it may be worth check these waters as they can have good shorelines when the water is low, as now.  

Plenty Mallard and Greylags. Six grey Herons and three Little Egrets, two Common Sandpipers.

Swallows, House Martins, Grey, Pied and Yellow Wagtails around Welford dam.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

12th August Wednesday - Sunny, 32C, light SE

Shawell Sandpit//landfill area; evening

After the partial Eclipse at 1912h I had a quick look here. 

A single Egyptian Goose on the main pit with the other regulars and a Little Ringed Plover at the south pit.

I didn't see any Red Kites, I wonder if the Eclipse made them head to roost early!!

11th August Tuesday - Hot, 28C, Sunny, light SE

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.

10th August Monday - Sunny, light NW-NE, 24C

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Two Foxes were staking Rabbits in the long dead grass, they Rabbits knew they were there!

A Curlew, Green Sandpiper and Lapwing flock.  Ten Swallows dropped in over the pool.

The female Redstart still in the same area as the last visits.  A juv Yellow Wagtail on the dry flood meadow.

A Kestrel was on a fence post.  A reed Warbler was along the brook near the bridge.

9th August Sunday - Hot, hot, hot! 29C, light breeze, mostly W

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.

8th August Saturday - Another scorcher, 26C, light breeze, hazy sunshine pm.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

Notables included male and female Redstarts, a Green Sandpiper and Curlew..

Shawell sandpit/landfill; morning.

Single Egyptian Goose, Lapwing and  1CY Caspian Gull.

Greylag flock up to 155 today.

Brandon Marsh; afternoon. Water levels low, some pools dry

The European White-fronted Goose was with the Greylags on East Marsh, been seen on/off since the winter and prob last years bird too.

A Common Sandpiper, two Little Ringed Plovers.  A Kingfisher.

A few Teal,, Gadwall and Tufted Ducks.   A Common Tern pair and two juvs.

Several Little Egrets and Grey Herons.

A couple noisy Jays, small passerines included Goldcrest, Blackcap and Chiffchaffs.

7th August Friday - Sunny, light W, 24C

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.