31st July - sunny spells, short showers, 19C, light NW

Cotesbach Landfill/Shawell Sandpit; morning.  Several Red Kites and Ravens about (Carl later counted 21 Ravens).  The two juvenile Shoveler were still present, a single Teal and today five Common Sandpipers. 

Welford and Sulby reservoirs; I had heard that the water level had been dropped for works, so thought it may be interesting to check the site out.

Around the Sulby section were four Common Sandpipers.  Both sections held Greylags (c200), Canada Geese c50, Grey Herons, Mallards and a Common Tern.  

Among the Mallards was the following duck, haven't decided what it is yet - let me know if you know.  Clearly, a escapee, with a single cream ring on each leg.

 

30th July -

Shawell sandpit; three Common Sandpipers feeding this evening, a single Little Grebe and two Shovelers - juveniles.

29th July - mostly cloudy, light SW, 20C

 Willey;  The Redstart was seen again this morning in the same area as the other morning.  A Kestrel hunted over the Hurls Furlong grass being topped during the morning.

Cotesbach Landfill/Shawell Sandpit;  this afternoon there were 18 Ravens and 13 Red Kites.  a 3CY Yellow-legged Gull.  in the evening a Common Sandpiper was present.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening.  Three Little Ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Egret and seven Yellow Wagtails were notables.

Lilbourne Meadows evening.  Seven Green Sandpipers.  A Greenfinch family with at least two fledglings in the trees with parents.

28th July - sunny spells, thunderstorm c1700h, 18C, light SW

Willey; Nuthatch calling from Church yard trees this afternoon.

Shawell Sandpit; this evening two Common Sandpipers.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; this evening, two Common Sandpipers, four Little Ringed Plovers and a Ringed Plover.

27th July - cloudy, short light brief showers, light SW, 20C

No Obs today.

26th July - increasingly sunny and hot, 26C, light WSW

Stanford reservoir; a walk here in the afternoon, birds included two Jays and Bullfinches, a Treecreeper, three Common Sandpipers, many Pied Wagtails on the spillway, plus other regulars.

Lilbourne Meadows; a look this evening, sightings included five Green Sandpipers, Lapwings, c300 Starlings, three Little Grebe and the female Redstart still.

25th July - mostly cloudy, light N, 22C

Willey; this morning there was 35 Swallows on the wires and around home as it warmed, plus others elsewhere, great to see the families flying around together.

Ann B saw a Hedgehog in their garden a couple of days ago, so we still have a small population here.

I saw a super male Redstart on the fence posts at the top fields, 1135h.  I don't think I've had an autumn migrant in July before.

Soar Brook Lake; WeBs count today, still a pair of Oystercatchers present.  14 Goldfinches were feeding on the weeds.

Eyebrook reservoir; a trip here this afternoon.  

I saw something I have not seen before.  A Fox was working the reeds and waters edge along the inlet stream, a little later I could not believe it was actually swimming across the stream, to the other side, with its head just above the water and submerged totally except for a little rear back, it looked very confident swimming.  I have only ever seen them trying to avoid getting wet in the past!

Birds included - Great Egret, several Little Egrets, two Grey herons, a Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, to Green Sandpipers, a Garganey (female/eclipse male?), two Snipe, a Little Ringed plover,  Plenty of Gadwall, a single Shoveler, a few Teal.

24th July - mostly cloudy, 21C, light-mod NE

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit; this morning nine Red Kites over the landfill, a Teal and 23 Tufted Ducks in the sandpit area, also two Little Grebe, a few Lapwings and other regulars.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; this evening, notables were -  two Little Egrets, a Greenshank, a Redshank, seven Little Ringed Plovers, and a Common Sandpiper.

23rd July - sunny spells am, becomoing cloudy pm, light easterly, 22C

WIlley; this morning five Mistle Thrushes were feeding on the Sheep pasture to the west.

I saw a Red admiral this afternoon, the first for a long time here this summer.

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit; this evening a Green Sandpiper again, which was stalked along the shore by a Fox, but it stood no chance of surprising it.  A couple of Gadwalls and Little Grebes again.  Six Lapwings.

Two Ravens, and the number of Rooks has increased notably during the recent hot dry weather - maybe food is hard to come by on the hard fields.  A green Woodpecker called, whilst two Stock Doves had a drink at the waters edge.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; A single Greenshank, nine Little Ringed Plovers still (adults and juvs), several Lapwings.  c 100 Starlings were feeding around the site.  The Yellow Wagtail family was very active feeding.

22 July - sunny hot, 29C, very light East

A5 Pools; a quick look this morning produced a Greenshank, a Curlew, two Little Ringed Plovers and a Little Egret.  Plus Lapwings and usual Gulls including a near adult Yellow-legged Gull.

This evening, nine Little Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin, two Snipe, Greenshank still, a Common Sandpiper, Little Egret still, four Yellow Wagtails (juvs being fed).

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit; a Green Sandpiper was present this evening, a couple of Raven heard.

21st Ju;ly - Sunny, hot, 29C, light ENE

A evening visit to three locations, when a little more bearable from the heat.

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit/ a nice Caspian Gull sitting out on an islet, a Little Grebe, two Gadwall and a Grey Heron were notable.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; a greenshank,  two Green and one Common Sandpiper, six Little Ringed Plovers, 10 Lapwings, a single Snipe showing, four Yellow Wagtails and c100 Starlings feeding.

Lilbourne Meadows, four Green Sandpipers, two Little Egrets, three Little Grebe, c150 Starlings and the female Redstart still near the Oak tree.

20th July - Sunny, Hot, 29C, light breeze

Busy day and only managed a quick late evening look at Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit.  

A Red Kite was feeding on a Gull corpse, a single Little Grebe, Tufted Duck and Mallards.  A Grey Heron was resting on an islet.

19th July - Sunny, hot, 29C, very light N

Willey; this morning over the grass being mown for hay (west top fields) a Red Kite, two Buzzards (a juv begging in trees), two Kestrels (one caught prey and flew off southward over fields), a Whitethroat singing from hedgerow.

1430h c20 Swallows sitting on telegraph wires.

c1440h about six Swifts were flying around the Church tower and Horse Chestnut tree, so quite low, a scream was heard once, they then moved off.  Unusual to see here.

1530h, a Raven circled over home for a while calling before heading off south.

Two or three Swallows fledged from one nest today at home, looking at another nest in the shed I could see three very small heads poking over the top.   This is good because for a while I thought none were going to be successful.

18th July - Sunny, Hot, 31C, very light breeze

Willey; this afternoon over the Perkins Hay fields being rowed and baled were a Kestrel, 4 Buzzards and a Red Kite, a Raven did a circuit flight over once.

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit; a look this morning, four Gadwall were new visitors. Otherwise all the usuals.

17th July - sunny, hot, 29C, light NE.

Stanfird Reservoir; afternoon look around the dam area.  Two Common Sandpipers, a single Lapwing, three Yellow, several Grey and 25+Pied Wagtails.  A Gadwall family were feeding hidden the reeds and a very recently hatch broods of Mallard were about.  Six Common Terns were very noisy all afternoon, we have youngsters on the rafts, which makes them much more protective.

Butterflied included Large White, a Comma, several Small and Large Skippers..

A Grass Snake slipped in to cover off the track in front of me.

16th July; sunny, hot, 27C, light NE

Willey; four Mistle Thrushes we’re feeding on the Sheep pasture all morning in the Perkins fields area. A Male Sparrowhawk was circling over, being hassled by a Swallow, midday.

Just at the moment the grass fields and hedgerows are alive with Meadow Browns, I don’t think I have ever seen so many.  On one section of hedge only 5 yards long, with a flowering Bramble there were easily 50 MBs.   Also, a single Gatekeeper and Small Tortoiseshell.

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit; a look this evening.  Shelduck family still present. A Raven was heard and 65 Carrion Crows in the sandpit, with more over the Landfill area.  There Little Grebe, 24 Mallards and 15 Tufted Duck.

15th July, cloudy am, clearing to sunny, 23C, light NW

Willey; a Red Kite over the mown grass fields again early afternoon.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; this evening notables were 2 Greenshank, a Common and Green Sandpiper, a Dunlin, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, plus Lapwings and Little Egret.  A 4CY Yellow-legged Gull was on the pools, many Gulls on the distant hard standing this evening.

Lilbourne Meadows; this evening notables were the female Redstart still, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Grebe juvs, a Little Egret, 2 Teal and c100 Starlings.

14th July - increasingly sunny and war, light NW, 24C

WIlley; a Red Kite visited a field of grass that was being mown to the west.

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit; this evening the Shelduck family was present, more spread out and some of the now immature duck flying strongly.  I guess they will be moving on over the next week or so.

Four Little Grebe and 10 Tufted Duck, the latter being new in .

A5 Polls/DIRFT; a look here produced 11 Little Ringed Plovers, 22 Lapwing, 2 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper,a Dunlin and a Snipe.

13th July - cloudy, sunny spells, light N, 22C, slightly humid

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit;  2 Oystercatchers, Yellow-legged Gull in sandpit.  Many more Gulls today over the landfill site.

A5 Polls/DIRFT; Greenshank, Common Sandpiper 2, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plovers, Lapwings, Oystercatcher 2.  Swift, Starling c20.

12th July - mostly cloudy, light N, 20C

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit; Yellow-Legged Gull, Teal 3, Tufted Duck 3, Raven family -4, Green Woodpecker - 2, Little Grebe -  4 (2 adults/2 juvs). No Shelduck family seen today.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening visit.  Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Lapwing 31, Oystercatcher2, Little Ringed Plover 9.

Lilbourne Meadows;  late evening.  Good views of the female Redstart on the fence near the Oak tree.

11th July - mostly cloudy, a little humid, 20C, light S

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit;Morning -  Shelduck family still all present.  Two teal were new in.

A5 Pools/DIRFT;  Morning - A Common Sandpiper was present feeding, two Oystercatchers.

Stanford reservoir;  a walk here this afternoon.  A Grey Heron at the dam, and a Green Woodpecker on the dam feeding.  Two Little Egrets on the overflow wall,  Several juv Swallows, House and Sand Martins on the wires being fed.  Several Grey and Pied Wagtails in the spillway.  A pair of Linnets in the orchard area, the usual Warblers were around the reservoirs, a Song Thrush was singing at the hide point.

I spent some time looking for butterflies, but it was a poor day, except for Ringlet.  A few Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, a Peacock, Large White and a couple of 'unidentified' Skippers.  

Several Black Tailed Skimmers were seen too.

10th July - cloudy, becoming brighter, sunny spells, humid at times, 20C, light S

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit; early afternoon, rather quiet, 12 Red Kites.  No sign of the Shelduck family.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; Two Red Kites were hunting over the area, flushing the two Black-tailed Godwits which were trying to have a nap.  Very distant record photo possible, with heat haze being a big problem. 

Only a few Lesser-black backed Gulls, including an adult Yellow-legged Gull. 

 

9th July - Mostly cloudy, light S, 19C

Stanford reservoir; a look here late afternoon, rather quiet.  17 Grey Wagtails (mostly juvs) and a single Yellow with a few Pied Wagtails in the spillway.  A few House Martins have nested on the house (Stanford Lodge) and are busy feeding youngsters.

8th July - Mostly cloudy, light SW, 22C

Misterton; a look here after lunch.  A Kingfisher was at the lake, a Green Woodpecker called, two juv Spotted Flycatchers were calling to an adult, Blackcap singing.

Lilbourne Meadows; this evening a look at the wet meadows and pastures. A female Redstart kept popping on to the fence from the hedgerow. Five Green Sandpipers in the wet meadow area, along with 10 Lapwings.

7th July - sunny spells, becomomg cloudy, humid, short showers, 19C, light breeze

Cotesbach landfill; a look this evening,  a couple of juv Little Grebes feeding and Shelduck family still together.  The number of Black-headed Gulls has noticeably increased this week.

While watching a Fox walked along the top of the bank immediately in front of me, taking no notice of me, only 6 feet away from me, I had to use the phone camera.

A5 Pools-DIRFT; next a look here, not too much present, but new were two Dunlin and a Little Egret flew over, and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was present.

6th July - mostly cloudy, mod w-SW, 19C

Willey; the Raven family flew passed the village 0830h, calling.  Their call is one of my favorites.  

At least 10 fledged Swallows were sitting on a field gate, probably their first excursion from the nest.

Stanford reservoir; a luck around the dam area after lunch. Three Common Sandpipers and a Yellow Wagtail were notable.  Several juv Grey Wagtails were in the spillway.

Lilbourne Meadows; this evening a look, but the weather was keeping much activity down.  Several Lapwing, two Oystercatchers, two adult Little grebes with two juvs, two each of Grey Heron and Little Egret.

5th July - mostly cloudy, 20C, light breeze

Willey; first thing four Ravens, a family, in the Hurls Furlong field trees.

Ullesthorpe; a search here this morning for the Rosy Starling that was found late yesterday, however this mornings searching proved negative, although there was a report when I was not there.  I returned late afternoon for another go, after an hour a call went out that it was found and was sitting on an ariel, and there it was.  After a while it flew to feed in a Cherry tree, then back  atop a conifer.  I managed some record photos, despite the poor light.

A5 Pools-DIRFT;  in the evening I had a look at the pools here, several Lapwing, two Oystercatchers, and two Curlews flew in and had a wash.  I noticed a 'wader' in the far corner which was a Wood Sandpiper.  It as feeding, sometimes in the vegetation, and occasionally having a preen.

4th July - sunny spells, short shar showers/thunder pm, 18C, light S

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit; Shelduck family still present.

A5 Pools-DRIFT;  a couple each of Teal and Oystercatcher.  Six Little Ringed Plovers and a juvenile.  A single female Shoveler, two Lapwings, an adult Yellow-legged Gull.  Whitethroat singing on boundary fencenear lay-by.

3rd - cloudy, showers, 17C, light SE

Cotesbach Landfill; this morning very quiet, Shelduck family still and an adult Little Grebe, not the juv as seen previously.

2nd July - cloudy until pm, then sunny 20C, light S

Willey; a couple of Red Kites were checking over the yesterdays baled grass field.

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit; the Shelduck family is still present this evening, also 12 Red Kites

A5-DRIFT pools; this evening 3 Oystercatchers, 11Lapwing, a juv and adult Little Ringed Plover, two adult Yellow-legged Gulls, single female Shoveler.  A Male Reed Bunting singing from some Willow was new here for me.

Lilbourne meadows; viewed across the wet meadows and pastures from the path near entrance gate.  Five Green Sandpipers in the vegetation, two Curlew, an Oystercatcher, 11 Lapwings, three Little Egrets, two large Little Grebe chicks were feeding.  Four Teal, several broods of Mallards.

1st July - mostly cloudy until late afternoon and evening which were sunny, 20C, light W

Willey; Two Red Kites, Two Kestrels and several Lesser Black Backed Gulls over grass fields being baled.

STanford reservoir; a visit to the dam area and Blowers Lodge Bay, generally quiet, just the regulars.  A Sedge Warblers was gathering food and a juv Whitethroat was calling for food.