31st Oct - sunny spells, becoming cloudy, rain evening, light SE, 15C

Shawell sandpit/landfill, afternoon.

Plenty of Gulls, mostly distantly towards the new works area, in the sandpit Gulls included Yellow-legged and a Common Gull (I've not seen many of these seen here this autumn).

20 Red Kites, plenty of Ravens.

63 Teal, 19 Shoveler, Gadwall pair, Wigeon 4, Tufted Duck 6 and a few Mallards.

30th Oct - morning cloudy, light rain showers, mod breeze S, 15C

Cley - Coastguards, early morning.

A slow trickle of birds similar to yesterday, Gannets, Razorbills, a few Common Scoter including two Velvet Scoter.  Two Great Skua flew close in shore eastward.

Cley - East Bank - morning.

A good selection of waders, Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin, Little Stint (2), Ringed Plover, Avocet,Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Turnstone and Oystercatcher.

A Kestel and Marsh Harrier were hunting.  A Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail were heard.

Whilst approaching Arnold's marsh news came of a Desert Wheater just along the shingle towards the north screen - I could actually see the group led by Marcus Nash (finder) presumably looking at it.  So, a short walk soon allowed me to see the splendid bird flitting around feeding.

Wells - north point pools- afternoon.

Very quiet here, the west pool area was dry and the east pool less than half full. A couple of Red Kites nearby. 

Holkham Gap, late afternoon.

A look at the sea here.  Distant Divers and Grebes to far to identify.  Three Red Breasted Mergansers were in close, a fly-by Gannet.  Quite a few Common Scoter around and at least four Velvet Scoter with them.

29th Oct - mostly sunny, light breeze SW, 19C

Cley - coastguards SeaWatch, morning.

A Great Northern Diver was showing well not far off-shore.  Red-throated Divers seen frequently, also Gannet, Razorbills, one Guillemot, Common Scoter c30.

A Barn Owl was hunting behind over the edge of the Eye field.

Kelling Water Meadow area.

All the usual expected birds including Curlews and Black-tailed Godwits.

A Chiffchaff was present with Tits in the hedge and several Redwings were feeding on the berries.

Walsey Hills - Snipes Pool, late afternoon.   Two Jack Snipe showing well.

28th Oct - cloudy am, sunny pm, 19C, light-mod SW

Travelled to Norfolk, one site visited was the Swan Lake and mashes at Salthouse.  Fortunately. The Long-billed Dowitcher (juvenile) was still present showing well and busy feeding.  Although difficult to digiscope.

A nice selection of other birds was also present as was a Jack Snipe feeding around the lake edge,   

On the adjacent dry marsh were two Shore Larks among the Linnets, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. 

Cley - coastguards

A sea watch this afternoon did not produce too much. A Razorbill and several Red-throated Divers, plus the usual Gulls and ducks.

27th Oct - light rain early, then sunny spells, light S, 18C

Willey; midday.

Seven Greenfinches in the church Yew, also Redwings, a Mistle Thrush and Blackbirds. Fieldfares around the church lane fields.

Raven over.

North Kilworth; evening.

A Tawny Owl on the verge side of Station road possibly with prey.

26th Oct - rain till midday, then sunny spells, becoming warm, 18C, light SSE

Shawell sandpit/Landfill, late afternoon.

At least 30 Ravens, otherwise all the regulars, only one Red Kite though.

 

25th Oct - mostly sunny, light S, 15C

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Six Red-crested Pochards, 4 males, 2 females, two female Pintails and at least seven Pochard among the Wigeon, Tufted, Teal, Shoveler and Mallard.

15 Ravens were flying together over the wood.

In the spillway a Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and two Pied Wagtails.

24th Oct - cloudy, then sunny spells, light SE, 15C

Willey; this morning there was a good number of Redwings and Fieldfares about, with c100 of each coming on the old railway and church Yews/ paddock Holy trees.  A Mistle Thrush was around too.

Plenty of field Fungi have started to show well following the recent rains.

23rd Oct - steady/heavy rain am, suny spells pm, light SE, 17C

Willey; during a short morning break in the rain c30 Redwings ventured in to the Pikel field trees, Tits and Chaffinch in the Curch lane hedge and a Treecreeper.

Shawell sandpit and landfill; late afternoon.

Pretty quiet, 52 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 21 Wigeon and 4 Tufted Ducks.   One Red Kite, 8 Ravens.

One Green Sandpiper.

22nd Oct - Sunny, 17C, light S

Welney WWT; afternoon.

As I was in the area a look here this afternoon.  I was surprised by how dry the 'washes' were, even the reserve pools were very low.

There were plenty of Whooper Swans and seen on the farmland in the area too.  Several Ruff, Snipe, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwits.  A Red Kite and Marsh Harrier flew over.

Ten Cranes and two Cattle Egrets were on the 'washes', a single Little Egret on Lady Fen.  Kestrels seemed quite numerous, no doubt as the 'washes' were so dry providing lots of food opportunities.

21st Oct - cloudy am, steady rain pm 14C, light S

Willey; 

The yew trees and bushes around the Church and lane have been noticeably absent of Thrushes, and other birds of late.  However today, two Mistle Thrushes were present and three Greenfinches.  Now the winter thrushes are arriving no doubt we shall soon have them eating the berries.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon

A small number of Redwings in the bushes and a single Fieldfare.  The four Red-crested Pochards still, a couple of Pintail off the point and two Green Sandpipers near the dam.

20th Oct - cloudy/misty first thing, then light rain until late afternoon, sunny spells, 14C, light SW

Willey; 1400h.

c200 Fieldfares and a few redwings in the Perkins fields hedge trees.  A Starling flock c50 too.

Shawell sandpit/landfill; late afternoon.

62 Teal, Shovelers, c 20 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes. a Grey Heron, two Red Kites.  Not too many Gulls, just the regular species.

19th Oct - breezy, Easterly, sunny spells am, cloudy pm, 14C

Willey;

This morning a trickle of Fieldfares moving over and/or dropping down in the area.

A very smart Male Greenfinch atop the Church lane hedge, where are the rest?

Red Kite over 1350h.

18th Oct - sunny, 17C, light Sw

Stanford Hall Park,

Regularly checking the Canada/Greylag Goose flock, but as yet no wild Geese found with them.

A Nuthatch was calling near the main gates.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

A look hear, the four Red-Crested Pochard still and two Pintail off the point.  Three Green Sandpipers on the Leics shore.  A Great White Egret among the Mute Swans on the point.  A couple of Little Egrets and Grey Herons too.

17th Oct - mostly sunny, 17C, light SW

Shawell sandpit/landfill; afternoon.

Not long after arriving the Falcon flew round and flushed a lot of the Gulls, which was then a little later followed by the Falconer who had to recover his bird from the pools area and disturbed everything, so not good timing.

I did read one colour ring on a Herring Gull, orange P7HT.

Birds included 10 Wigeon, a Green Sandpiper, two Gadwall plus Shoveler and Teal.

Ten Red Kites, and 10+ Ravens.

16th Oct - SUnny, 16C, light SW

Harborough Magna - St. Mary's

I checked the Sunflower/bird food field this morning, c120 Linnets were present.

Little Walton;

At the junction with the lane a flock of 20 Chaffinches and three Yellowhammers.

Eyebrook Reservoir; afternoon.

Little Stint, Dunlin 9, Ringed Plover 4, Golden Plover c70, Red Kite three, Pintails three.

The Kites were feeding on, what looked like dead geese, I wonder if these died of avian flu, if so, will this affect the Kites?

15th Oct - sunny intervals, mod SW, 14C

 Shawell sandpit/Landfill; morning.

Fairly quiet, but six Wigeon and three Gadwall, plus 11 Shoveler and a good number of Teal.  Two Red Kites, several Ravens and a Green Woodpecker.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Two Green Sandpipers, Two Pintails, the four Red-crested Pochards still, a Kingfisher, singles of Kestrel, Red Kite and Buzzard, plus all the regulars.

14th Oct - cloudy, some light rain briefly, sunny spells pm, 15C, light SW

Willey; 

Three Redwing flew over SW, 0830h.

Eyebrook reservoir; afternoon

Water level low here still giving plenty of shore.

At the inlet end c70 Golden Plovers mixed with Lapwings.  Along the shore four Ringed Plovers and four Dunlin, amongst them was a Little Stint.  One of the Dunlin was colour ringed, unfortunately I could not read the code as it was actively feeding.

A Great White Egret, two Red Kites and a Buzzard were at the inlet too.  C30 Linnets we’re feeding on the weeds here and a further c20 near the island bunker.  A couple of Pintails near the island too, with five Shelducks at the inlet.

                                                    Low Water at the Inlet -  Eyebrook

13th October - cloudy, am becoming sunny pm, 15C, light SE-SW

Willey; 

Two Green Woodpeckers were feeding on the lawn at lunch time.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Went searching for then YBW again along the Leics bank and paddock, didn't find it, but there was an estimated 15 Chiffchaffs feeding with the Tits in this area.

Two Pintails seen in Keepers and the four Red-crested Pochards were still present near BL bay.  Plenty of Raven activity.  A Cetti's Warbler and a Water Rail was heard.

Sibbertoft, evening.

Went to look for reported Barn Owls, didn't see any, but found a dead 'ringed' Kestrel on the Welford Road, details have been sent off.

12th Oct - mostly cloudy, light-mod S, 15C

Willey;

I was surprised when a flock, c30, Fieldfare flew low, quick and direct passed me this morning (0850h), heading south, they didn't even call!

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

The YBW was briefly seen this morning by Chris, but I didn't find it this afternoon.

Four Red-crested Pochards were present (two pairs), also a great White Egret and two Little Egrets.  Shoveler numbers seemed up, with 25 in Keepers Bay alone.  Three Pintails still present.

11th Oct - a touch of grass frost last night. sunny, broken cloud pm, 15C, light SW

Stanford reservoir; morning.

Fortunately, Chris searched diligently first thing for YBW and he found it, very close to yesterday's spot, with the Tit flock again.  Luckily, it showed better, and he was able to get some good record photos, thanks to Chris for allowing me to share some here.  The nineth record for this site.

photos courtesy Chris Hubbard

10th Oct - sunny, light-mod NW, 15C

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

I decided to Check out the favoured areas on the Leics side for Tits, Crests and Warblers as each year we usually find a scarce species.  Indeed, the Ringing group caught a Yellow-browsed Warbler on the 30th Sept on the Northants side.

As I approached the Crab Apple Tree area (1500h) I could hear a Long-tailed Tit flock in the bushes and scrub, standing a waiting for them to work passed me I could see a there were Blue and Great Tits with them.  Then a Chiffchaff appeared on a particular bush before moving off, the next bird appeared in the same spot, a pause then bingo, a Yellow-browsed Warbler.   It fed around the edges of the bush, moving, resting, flicking its wings a lot before moving off deeper into the bush area. It called twice, otherwise it was quiet.

It wasn’t found again, despite searching, especially by Chris.

Other birds of note included a Bullfinch pair and three Stonechats in the rough paddock area.

9th Oct - Mostly sunny, light breeze S, 17C

Soar Brook Lake; morning.  WeBs count day.

Birds included - Four Little grebes, two Grey Herons, a Little Egret, Cormorant two,  A Red Kite, Green Woodpecker, Treecreeper hard, a Meadow Pipit.

Harborough Magna, St. Mary's;

c60 Linnets on the sunflower seed field.

Along the Pailton Road towards the A5, many Gulls on the cultivated fields, plus five Lapwings.

Pitsford reservoir, afternoon.

The water level is low, giving a good shore all around the reservoir now, I explored the northern reserve area.

Highlights included: - a Marsh Tit at the feed station with six+ Greenfinch, five+ Tree Sparrows, Chaffinches and Tits.

In Scaldwell bay a Wood Sandpiper was feeding among the Ducks and Lapwings.  Nine Great White Egrets were around, plus many Little Egrets and Grey Herons.

Few Pochard seen, but good numbers of the other expected Ducks, including Pintails.

Butterflies included a Red Admiral and Small WHite.

8th Oct - sunny, light SW, 17C

Willey;

A Chiffchaff in the Church area at mid-day.

Magna Park Lake; 

A Water Rail was heard calling this morning.

DIRFT/A5 Pools

This area is still completely dry so not attractive to water birds currently.   At the east side c50 Linnets were feeding and a Kestrel was hunting.

Stanford Hall;

The Canada and greylag Goose flock is present again (66/159) feeding on the parkland around the lake area.  Unfortunately, no other Goose species with them yet.

Stanford reservoir; late afternoon.

Two great White Egrets, three Little Egrets, two Pintail, three Green Sandpipers, one Snipe.

7th Oct - cloudy, light SW, becoming mod. blustery pm, light showers too, 17C

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; afternoon.

No tipping but about 400 Gulls, most sitting distantly on new levelled area, only 50 or so in range at any one time.  An adult Yellow-legged Gull dropped in.  A colour ringed Lesser Black-backed (V.UL9 - Danish) was spotted.

Three Red Kites, plus the other usual birds.

6th Oct - sunny, becoming cloudy pm, light becoming mod SW, 17C

Stanford reservoir, late afternoon.

Highlights included - three Green Sandpipers, four Little Egrets.  Kestrel, Ravens, three Pintails.

5th Oct -cloudy. little rain, mod-blustery WSW. 16C

Willey;

Eleven Collared Doves sitting on telegraph wire, 1700h

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; morning.

No tipping, very few Gulls.

21 Teal, 6 Shovers, only one Red Kite, however a Great White Egret dropped in, my first record for this site.

4th Oct - broken cloud am, light SW, then mod SW pm and cloudy, 17C

Willey; a Chiffchaff roving in the top field hedge first thing, later Jays collecting acorns in the Perkins area.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Nothing new found today.

c12 Meadow Pipits around the dam, 8 Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail.

Usual ducks and a single Pintail.   Moorhen numbers have been good this year at the reservoir.

Ravens and a Red Kite around.  A single Little Egret and Grey Heron seen.

A Green Woodpecker feeding on the dam.

3rd Oct - sunny am, broken cloud pm, light S, 17C

Shawell sandpit/Landfill, morning.

No sign of the Little Stint, but a Common Sandpiper.  11Red Kites, 11 Wigeon.

Lots of earth moving activities around the landfill area.

Little Walton; morning.

A flock, c200, of Linnets feeding on Rape Seed stubble fields and two Red Kites hunting over.

Harborough Magna; morning.

c60 Linnets feeding on last year’s sunflower/ bird food filed opposite St. Mary’s

 

2nd Oct - sunny am., sunny spells pm, 17C, light NW

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill;

The Little Stint was still present, historically they don't stay long here.   Strong sun, distance and bird size made photos difficult.   A Green Sandpiper was present too.

Shawell Lagoons; morning.

Lapwing 6, one Cormorant.

Soar Brook Lake; early afternoon.

Highlights here were first records of a Peregrine, juv messing with the Gulls and of a Kingfisher.

1st Oct - sunny am, then cloud building, sunny spells, light-mod WSW, 17C

Shawell sandpit/landfill; morning.

Dale found a Little Stint and a Ruff here later afternoon yesterday, so I checked out this morning.  I found the Little Stint (juv) but not the Ruff.  A Common Sandpiper was also present today.

10+ Ravens, two Red Kites, Sven Wigeon, p[lus Shoveler and Teal.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

A report of a Rock Pipit at the dam/spillway came in as I was leaving.  The very few seen here have never stayed long, so I was not hoping to see it, however, when I got there it was still present feeding, along with a couple of Meadow Pipits.  It stayed all afternoon, still present when I left at 1645h.

Also seen were two Green Sandpipers, a Red Kite, three Pintails, two roving Tit/Chiffchaff flocks, three Ravens, two Little Egrets, plus usuals.