5th July - cloudy am, sunny periods pm, light W, 26C

Shawell sandpit/Landfill; morning.

The Egyptian Goose family were still present on the south pit.

On the main pit a Common Sandpiper, seven Little Grebes, and the other current usual birds.

The Red Kites, Ravens and other Corvids were over the landfill area plus a small number of Lesser Black-Backed and a few Herring Gulls.  

Magna Park Central; afternoon.

I walked the north boundary corner area, particularly for butterflies.  I spotted 6 Marbled Whites, Small and Large Whites, Meadow Brown, Peacock, Red Admiral, Holly Blues, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Comma, Brimstone, Gatekeepers, Small Skippers and Painted Lady.

Birds included two Green Woodpeckers, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Linnet with a Raven over.

4th July - Sunny spells, light W breeze, fresher evening for awhile, 26C

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill area; morning.

Two Common Sandpipers (main pit) and a moulting male Ruff (south pit).  I think the my last Ruff record here was in 2022.  Some record photos in to the sun.

A Grey Wagtail and plenty of Pied.  Tufted Duck numbers have increased since the last visit on the 1st, 77 counted today.  

Among the Lesser Black-backed and a few Herring Gulls were two adult Yellow-legged Gulls.

Two Egyptian Geese flew over towards the south pit, later the 6 large goslings were seen with them.

Plus all the other current usual regulars seen.

Misterton; afternoon.

Still no Spotted Flycatchers found here, will this be the first year none appeared to have bred here.

A noisy Nuthatch tough.

Shawell Lagoons; afternoon.

A check here to confirm that the Great Crested grebe pair bred again, they have two fledglings with them.  Also Coot pairs with young and a couple of lapwing on the shore.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

The winter flood pools are drying fast now and may disappear if the hot dry weather continues.

Two Snipe were feeding, plus Lapwings and Little Ringed Plovers, two were juveniles.

An adult linnet and juvenile on the pool island.

Plenty of Pied Wagtail families and a single Yellow Wagtail.

c100 Starlings again, a single Swift over and a few Swallows.

Two Oystercatchers were seen to fly off the rough lorry park area.

3rd July - mostly sunny, light W, 25C

Willey; morning.

In with the ewes and lambs this morning a Fox was seen, initially standing around, it then went over to the water trough and placed its paws on the side and reaching over to have a drink.  It then walked a little among the ewes and lambs before a largish lamb decided to  purposely walk towards clearly driving it away, the Fox walked off slowly in to the BH wood.

Ash Tree farm, Bitteswell; afternoon.

A walk around the area.  A Little Grebe pair with two young on the lake, first known breeding record here.  Also Moorhen pair with two young.

Other birds included Swallow, Blackcap, Jay (4), Green Woodpecker, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mallard, and Goldfinch.

Butterflies included Meadow brown, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small and Large Skippers, Small and Large Whites, Gatekeepers, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Brimstone,  Holly Blue, Comma and Ringlet.

2nd July - light shower very early, then clearing to sun by pm, blustery NE, 22C

Willey; a Red Kite over the fields today.

 Stanford reservoir; evening.

A Kingfisher flew from the river up the spillway area. A Teal on the dam with a few Gadwall and Mallard, Tufted and the feral Geese flock.  A Common Sandpiper on the spillway wall.  Two Grey Herons on the dam.

A Grey Wagtail family and plenty of Pied Wagtail juvs avbout too.

A few Swifts, House martins and Swallows feeding over the water.  A single  Linnet feeding on the dam side grass area.

1st July Wednesday - sunny spells, high cloud, light-mod W, 23C

Shawell Sandpit/landfill area; evening.

c70 Sand Martins feeding over the main pit high and low.

Egyptian Goose family still together. 

10 lapwings and a Little Egret flew off, not seen very often at these pits.

Five Little Grebes, one a juv, but I didn't see any young here so likely to have moved in.

30th June Tuesday - mostly high cloud, 19C, light/mod SW

Willey;

A Red Kite, Buzzard and Kestrel around Hay field (Earls Furlong) during the morning.

A Raven did the circuit during the afternoon.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

The first young Lapwing found this year, with a guardian parent looking out.  Single Oystercatcher.

A Skylark was taking food to  nest/young in the meadows, see 'shaky video'

Three Linnets, to male and a female on the meadows.

Four Teal today, with the Mallards.

c100 Starlings feeding on the fields/dry flood pools, many juvs visible suggesting a good breeding season.

29th June Monday - mostly broken cloud sunny intervals, light breeze SW, 22C

Willey; Red Kite over fields southward at 0800h.

Magna Park Central; evening.

Three Mallard on the lake and a female with two ducklings on the small pool.  Also, on the pool at Little Grebe with three young. 

Blackcap and Chiffchaffs heard.  A goldfinch singing. At least three Jays. Green Woodpecker heard.

Four+ Purple Hairstreaks on the Oaks, also see were Small Skipper, Ringlet, Red Admiral and Meadows Browns.

10+ Rabbits and a Fox.

Lutterworth; evening.

One Lesser Black Backed Gull on a nest in the industrial area, seven others around, including a very agitated one, suggesting further nests.  More roofs to check.