12th July - cloud clearing quickly, then sunny, 28C, mod-fresh NE breeze

Willey;

A Red Kite checking the fields out to the west first thing.

This afternoon the Green Woodpecker family was very noisy around the Church yard area.

It's nice to see so many  (common) Butterflies around this summer after several poor years. Currently, Meadow Browns, Peacocks, Comma, 'Whites', Red Admiral, Gatekeepers and Holly Blue are numerous around the village.

Shawell Sandpit; morning.

Again quiet, 9 Little Grebes, c12 Lapwings, a few Red Kites, a Buzzard and juv calling from Spinney, a Green Woodpecker.

11th July - Sunny, 33C, light NE

Shawell Sandpit; morning.

Usual birds, a bit quiet with most birds already resting from the sun/heat.

12 Red Kites.  15 Little Grebes, so some new in.

10th July - Another scorcher. Sunny, light breeze, 33C

Willey; a Greenfinch pair and juv on the Earls Furlong to hedge, 0815h.  I think they nested in the bushes around the pond.

Husbands Bosworth Sand pit, afternoon

Sometimes Tufted Duck have bred here, but I didn't see any young today.  However, Little Grebes, Moorhen and Mallards did have youngsters on the water.

Stanford Res; late afternoon.

Two Common Sandpipers and 36+ Pied Wagtails, 4 Grey and 2 Yellow Wagtails on the dam.

Otherwise quiet, no doubt due to the heat.

9th July - Sunny, very hot, light W, 33C

Willey;  0900h a Red Kite over the Perkins fields.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

A male Redstart along the western hedge down to the flood pools area.

Red Warblers singing a little, Linnets and Goldfinches around, a single Oystercatcher and Grey Heron.

8th July - Sunny hot, 31C, light NW-W

Willey; mid day

20 Red Kites and 3 Buzzards over grass field being mowed behind the village pond area.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; evening

A Common Sandpiper and a few Lapwings on the main pit shore.  Six Egyptian Geese in the vegetation south pit.

The female Ferruginous Duck was showing again on the main pit, first seen last Saturday by Carl.

7th July - mostly sunny - light/mod W/NW, 29C

WIlley;

A Red Kite over a grass field being mown to the east, 1540.

30 Swallows resting on the telegraph wires, 1625h.

Frolesworth Manor Lake; afternoon.

Checked for Tufted Duck broods, one female had 4 ducklings young.

A single Great Crested Grebe seen, at least three pairs of Coot with young.

Several Swallows and c6 House Martins (although I could not find any nests on the buildings here).

Stanford -on-Avon; evening

Three+ Spotted Flycatchers near the church high up, presumed family. Another one+ near the lane bridge/corner.

Stanford reservoir; evening.

A look around the dam area and over the reservoir.

A Little Ringed Plover juv and four Common Sandpipers on the dam.

Plenty of Tufted, Mallard, a few Gadwall and the feral Geese now gathering for moult on the dam area.

Several broods of Mallard seen.

Two Grey Herons.  A Mute Swan with one cygnet.

6th July, sunny, light/mod W, cloudy late afternoon evening, 30C

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

A look around the (nearly dry) winter flood pools area, produce a Oystercatcher, and Little Ringed Plovers. 

A male Sparrowhawk skimmed low over the meadow and the pools area.

c6 Swifts were overhead and several Swallows were around.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill area; evening.

Very similar to the last visit.  The Egyptian Goose family, a single great Crested Grebe, Little grbes 'trilling' and possibly looking at potential nest sire.  c10 Lapwings.