31st October - fresh, gusty strong at time, band of heavy rain/short sharp showers late morning until early afternoon, then sunny spells my feed station this afternoon after the rain. 13C

Cotesbach Landfill; a look before the rain came, despite the wind. As expected most birds were already hunkered down, except the Green Sandpiper feeding in a sheltered bay. Only a single Red Kite was braving the conditions.

Willey;  a check of  my feed station and immediate area this afternoon after the rain had stopped.  I had. been watching a couple of Great Spotted Woodpecker squabbling and at least 30 House Sparrows at the feeders when I noticed what appeared to be a large Blackbird fly along the tall hedge. It just drew my attention and I quickly found I had a 1st winter Ring Ouzel in my sight, it called a couple of times too.  This is only my second record here.

30th October - cloudy, light-mod SW, mild at 15C

Cotesbach landfill; The five Ruddy Shelducks are still present, none are ringed.

A Green Sandpiper at the usual pool.

29th October - light rain-drizzle all morning untill early afternoon. Mod SSW, increasing duirng the pm. Temp rising to 14C by dusk.

WIlley; a look at the feed station just before mid-day.  c25 House Sparrows were present, a male Great Spotted Woodpecker was feeding on the nuts.  A few Redwing and Fieldfare were flying around.  Otherwise too wet for many birds to be out and about.

Cotesbach landfill; a check here after lunch, no Ruddy Shelducks found nor anything else new compared to recent days.  A check again later, 1620h, found the Ruddy Shelduck were back again.  Some were feeding by up-ending, no ring could be seen on any legs visible, but further checks would be useful hopefully to see all legs.  A ring may help identify their origin, maybe from mainland Europe rather than possible feral birds.

North Kilworth; three Red Kites were over 'Stud farm'; building near the canal-station road.

28th October - Norfolk, fresh WSW, 12C, broken cloud

A trip to North Norfolk to have a look at a few places.  It is always good to catch up with birds that I don't usually see around here, even if the scarce ones evaded me today like a Dusky Warbler at Holme NOA.

There was a nice selection of birds to be seen, especially on the grazing marshes, three Ruff with the Lapwings plenty of Brent Geese and a few Pink-Footed.  A look over the sea produced several waders flying along the coast, a male Marsh Harrier was seen heading west out over the sea, and an Arctic Skua heading east.  A Red-throated Diver was on the sea.

At Wells-next-the Sea I always enjoy a look across the harbour and sea area. The tide was still well out so plenty of waders seen feeding, including Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Curlew, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Ringed Plover and Grey Plover.  A Gannet flew off shore eastward.  

One sight that I always find a spectacle is the evening in-land flight of hundreds of Pink-footed Geese to feed in the fields from the salt marshes. 

There was a Great Egret at the pools just east of Wells too.

27th October - rain/drizzle most of the day, breezt

WIlley; a checked my feed station late afternoon, not much present.  Three female Chaffinches, male and female Great spotted Woodpeckers, a Coal Tit, Blue and Great Tits and a few House Sparrows.  c15 Fieldfares flew over and four Redwings were feeding on Haws.

Cotesbach Landfill;  two Egyptian Geese still present.

I forgot to mention that yesterday I spotted a Jackdaw that showed characteristics of a 'Nordic Jackdaw', unfortunately it quickly disappeared behind an island not to be seen again.  

 I looked again this morning and again it was feeding in the sandpit area with other Jackdaws.  The weather was awful and it was very active feeding and flying failing to get any photos.

Its interesting how the 'white' collar area and size changed as it moved about depending on the light and how it held head/and neck.

A brighter spell seemed to be forming mid-afternoon so I went back hoping to get a photo.  Fortunately, the bird was still there, but unfortunately the weather quickly deteriorated - wet and dark.  So, the photos I managed are not brilliant, but I have included most as they show the bird in different postures and the collar.

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26th October - sunny spells, Light WSW, 11C

WIlley; a busy day. I did notice a Mistle Thrush fly from the Church Yew tree and a Jay nearby this morning.  During the afternoon, c30 Fieldfares were in the tree tops in the Perkins fields area.

Cotesbach landfill;  a late look here (1600h) and a surprise as five Ruddy Shelduck were present.  They were a little distance and swimming out of view behind islands, I took some record photos as quickly as I could.  I wonder if a family group?

Also present were two Egyptian Geese.

A Green Sandpiper was feeding along the waters edge too.

25th October - cloudy am, showers pm, some short/heavy, mod SW, 10C

Stanford reservoir; rather quite this morning, no doubt to the weather.  A small number of Redwings and Fieldfares present.  A couple of Shoveler on the dam, otherwise no other new Ducks in.   A male Sparrowhawk flew over the feed station bushes.

Cotesbach landfill; most notable were the seven Red Kites and Green Sandpiper on the usual pool.

Pitsford Water;  a walk here from the causeway to the Scadwell bay area.  Plenty of Wigeon, Pochard, Teal, Gadwall also c20 Pintails and four Goldeneye.  Three Great Egrets were seen, plus a few Little Egrets and Grey Heron.  Most Lapwing were roosting long the causeway side.

In the feed station bushes were Blue and Great tits, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and at least seven Tree Sparrows.

I noticed a Yellow-legged Gull on a buoy, then another flew by and landed on the water.

An occasional heavy, short shower came through giving dramatic sky and rainbows.

24th Oct - drizzle/light rain and mod S, 15mph all day, 13C

Shawell Lagoons; Nothing new on the pools, 15 Long-tailed Tits in the border hedgerow.

Cotesbach landfill; very little happening here too.  Less Teal and Shoveler than recently, single red Kite. 

Pailton area; this afternoon a look at a new area along footpath to lake area towards Pailton Fields Farm.  Weather was not too good.  The lake held c150 each of Canada and Greylag Geese.  A party of Long-tailed Tits in the buses and 5+ moorhens.  A flock of c50 Starlings flew over the fields, and a few Fieldfare and Redwings.

23rd October - cloudy am, sunny spells pm, light-mod WSW, 13C

Cotesbach landfill; this morning all the recent usual's, including the two Green Sandpipers still.

Late afternoon Carl Baggott text that there were 8 Egyptian Geese present, I was passing nearby so dropped in to see.  I think the highest count of these at this site, their occurrence has been increasing in this area over recent years.  

Also, 24 Stock Doves came in to roost in the Spinney.

Brandon Marsh; I had a look here from the main trek and hides early afternoon.  Plenty of Wigeon, Shoveler and Teal present, also Gadwall.  A Kingfisher flew passed the Teal Pool hide.  I counted 241 Lapwings on the east marsh.  A single Little Grebe was seen.  A green and Great Spotted Woodpecker were heard.

A Butterfly flew in and out of a hide, to brief to identify, possibly a Peacock or Small Tortoiseshell.  Lots of other insects, including Hornets.

22nd October - sunny periods, light-breezy WSW, 13C

Willey; early a Jay was nosey in the top hedge before flying into the trees along the long disused railway.

During the morning a couple of Ravens were flying with the Rooks and Jackdaws over the Rookery at the Long Spinney site.  Three Fieldfares flew over from Hurls Furlong hedge, where a few Redwings were feeding.  A flock, c40, Starlings were raiding the Blackberries on a bush in the barn stack yard. 

A Green Woodpecker called near the feed station, where a Coal Tit visited for food. A Goldcrest flew from  the Churchyard Yew tree.  A few Redwings and a Fieldfare were taking berries from the Yew.

Stanford Reservoir; a look this afternoon.  A Coal Tit was at the feed station, not seen too often here.  Most notable a flock of Teal had come in, I counted 79, not had such a high count here for a quite awhile.  Otherwise, all the current usual birds were seen, still low numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares feeding on the berries though.

Cotesbach Landfill; a Little Grebe and two Green Sandpipers.  Still large numbers of Canada and Greylag Geese.  Teal still, so not translocations to Stanford Reservoir, and Shoveler 

21st Occtober - light rain all day, 13C, light NW

Stanford reservoir; a look here this afternoon.  Four Pintails, were with the Wigeon.

The roving Tit flock included Goldcrest.  Only a few Redwings eating berries.  A female Kestrel.

Otherwise the rain wasn't helping finding anythung new.

Cotesbach landfill; a quick look when passing, a count of 54 Teal was good.  Five Lapwing were on the shore in the sandpit arera.

20th October -0 cloudy and mild, 17C, light SW

Cotesbach landfill; a quick look this afternoon, not too much different, seven Red Kites were around.

19th October - cloudy, few bright spells, light SW, 12C

Willey; a rather quiet day.

A fruiting fungus in the paddock.

Yesterday's interesting insect is a Ichneumon Wasp, a female, most likely Perithous Scurra (no common name).

Cotesbach Landfill; Many Gulls were suddenly spooked from the landfill, I think the Falconer was back with his Gyr type falcon.

Nothing new to report today here.  39 Lapwings were present.

18th October - high cloud, almost still, 12C

Willey; Redwings were helping themselves to Holly, Yew and Hawthorn berries this morning around home. 25 House Sparrows were at the feed station, along with the usual visitors, including four Chaffinch.

While checking the area an interesting insect landed on my telescope, I need to check what it is.

Mere Lane Lake; not been here for awhile.  at least 3 Little Grebes, a Wigeon, 4 Reed Buntings feeding, Goldcrest (2) and Tits in the bushes.

Rutland Water; this afternoon off Old Hall the Red-necked Grebe, at least 15 Goldeneye and other usual ducks were showing well. 

With practically no breeze I have never seen the main water flat calm before - eerie

Birds around the Egleton reserve (lagoons 1, 3 and 4) included five Redshanks, six Curlew, a Black-tailed Godwit, eight Snipe, c300 Golden Plovers,  two Stonechat, Great and Little Egret, Grey Heron, Water Rail, Pintail, Gadwall, Teal, Pochard and other common ducks.

A Cormorant was quite puzzled by a Great Egrets feather!

17th October - low cloud, dullish, few brief sunny spells early pm, very light NE, 9C

Shawell lagoons; No Stonechat seen this morning, a couple of Wigeon, five Teal and 19 Lapwings.

Cotesbach landfill; this morning nothing new here. 14 Shoveler, 11 teal, four Red Kite.  A juv Buzzard is still calling for food. A green Woodpecker called from the spinney.

Stanford reservoir; an afternoon walk here. With the cloudy weather the passerines were not very noisy, the Tit flocks were therefore a bit harder to find.  Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Blue and great Tits were around.  Redwings c50 and twom Fieldfares eating Haws.  The Stonechat was on the rushes near the dam again.  

On the dam, with the Greylag Geese were three Egyptian Geese, not seen any here for a while.  Wigeon in good numbers, c 15 Pochard, a few Gadwall.  A Grey Heron was around too.

Trees are now taking on their Autumn colours.

16th October - cloudy/dull, light NE, 12C

Shawell Lagoons; I was planning to visit here this afternoon, then about 1230h Carl text to say he seen a Stonechat near the south pool, so it was well worth seeing this. When I got there it took awhile to find the Stonechat, it actually had moved but was in fact closer to the viewing area.

On the north pool a couple of Wigeon were asleep and 11 Lapwings on the shore.

Cotesbach Landfill; the Green Sandpiper was present feeding, six Red Kite, and most of the other usual birds expected.

The number of Gulls present was high today, probably because they were actively tipping at the landfill area which meant they were mobile.  Also, those resting often gave there repeated alarm call, which can only mean a falcon was present.  Sure enough the falcon present sat on a spoil heap but was one of the Falconers birds used for scaring the Gulls off the landfill, it seemed to have gone AWAL.

Cotesbach Sandy Lane pools area;  a look here next.  A couple of Chiffchaffs, 10 Goldfinch feeding  and c15 Redwings in the lake trees.

15th October - sunny spells, light N/NE, 13C

Willey; a trickle of  Redwings passing over during the day, or staying in the trees along disused railway.

A Coal Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch and House Sparrows, Blue and Great Tits at the feed station mid-day. A Chiffchaff was heard in the Church Lane hedge.

14th October - sunny spells, 13C, light becoming breezy mod NE

Willey; during the morning a steady trickle of Redwings flying over westward.

Cotesbach landfill; Shoveler 23 - highest count this autumn, 23 Teal too.  10 Red Kites were flying over the area.  c400 Starling feeding on the landfill area. 

Stanford reservoir; 11 Teal and 5 Pintails in Blowers Lodge Bay, Wigeon and gadwall too.  Otherwise the wind was keeping things down.  A roving flock of Tits included 1-3 Chiffchaff.  A Kestrel was hunting.

13th October - mostly sunny, light NW, 11C

Croft hill; a look here this  morning, particularly to search for the Yellow-browed Warbler, but no luck.  A little quieter than recently, but still plenty of small passerine activity. Also, a couple of Nuthatch, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and Coal Tit were also seen.  a flock c70 Fieldfares flew over westward.  A couple of Ravens also flew by.

12th October - cloudy, light rain from midday, light SW, 11C

 Willey; Two Mute Swans flew over westward, low about 0845, not often seen in the village area.  

Midday - A male and female Great Spotted Woodpecker visited the feed station.  A single Greenfinch dropped in, five Goldfinch flew in to the close Holly tree. House Sparrow numbers are increasing at the feeder, 15 today.  A Buzzard and a few Redwing flew over.

Cotesbach Landfill; All the usual birds, Greylag Geese numbers were c375 and Canada Geese 110.  They seem to like the sandpit area at the moment.  Only a single Red Kite seen and c 30 Lapwings present.

11th October - sunny, cloud increasing during the day, light NW, 12C

Willey; at about 0950h and couple of flocks ~30 of Redwing circled before moving off southward.  This morning many reports were coming in of winter Thrushes moving inland.  

Later on a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit, House Sparrows, Blue and Great Tits were on the feeder. A Red Kite drifted over.

Croft hill; I spent some while here looking for the Yellow-browsed Warbler which has been seen in recent days.  No luck, but a nice selection of passerines, including at least two Chiffchaff.

Cotesbach Landfill; a look here after lunch, very quiet, the Green Sandpiper was still present.

Stanford Reservoir; a walk along the Leices bank.  Twenty Fieldfares were feeding on Hawthorn berries, they moved off.   A little later c75 Redwings were seen flying over the far side.  Five Pintail were visible in Blowers Lodge Bay, among the other ducks, mostly Wigeon, a few Gadwall too. 

Several Little Egrets were along the inflow river and two Grey Herons around the reservoir.  A Kestrel flew over.  More Gulls are now coming in to the reservoir, some to roost. Good to see Common Gull numbers increasing, at least 10 today.

10th October - a few sunny spells, breezy mod W, 12C

Cotesbach Landfill; a look in the sandpit area this morning, very similar to yesterday.  A Green Sandpiper in the usual pool, a couple of Wigeon plus Shoveler and Teal, a couple of Red Kite.

Borough Hill, Daventry; This afternoon I decided to visit Borough hill at Daventry, a site I've not visited before and to see a Black Redstart which has been present a few days,  I had a general location for the bird so decided to stack it out, no one else was about.  After about 45 mins it showed on the fence top, then on the ground, giving some good views, an immature.

Also around were Goldfinch flocks, Meadow Pipits and two Stonechats, a male and female.

Daventry reservoir; I stopped off here after the hill for a look.  A good selection of Ducks, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Tufted and Shoveler.  A couple of Lapwing on the edge and at least 10 Common Gulls on the water.  

This Lesser Black-backed Gull was resting on a post.