24th June - Sunny, hot 32C, light breeze at time NW-N-NW

WIlley; afternoon.

A male Kestrel was seen down Perkins fields area and a Jay seen flying from the old railway in to the Long Spinney

Swift Valley WWT; evening

I checked here mainly for Purple Hairstreaks, and was not disappointed, every Oak I checked had them flying around the tops, often in two's 'dancing' together.  Other Butterflies included Meadow Browns, Large Skipper, Essex Skipper, Red Admiral and unidentified 'whites'.

Not too many birds were showing, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling, a singing Song Thrush, a juv Stock Dove.

23rd June - initially high cloud, clearing mid-morning to strong sun, hot, 32C, light S

Willey;

One, possibly 2,  Nuthatches heard in Long Spinney opposite the Perkins field double gates.

22nd June Monday - Sunny, hot 28C, cloud increasing and a light shower early evening.

Shawell Sandpit and Landfill areas; evening.

I have not seen any Sand Martins here during my last two visits, I do wonder if earthworks have destroyed their nesting area!

The female Egyptian Goose and here six large) goslings were all back together today, only Tufted and Mallards around the its, plus three Mute Swans.

All the Covids, LBB, Herring and a single Black-head Gull in.

A great Spotted Woodpecker call from the lane trees.

A single Red Admiral.

21st June Sunday - sunny, 26C, light breeze

Vintage Rally again, but nice to see Red Kites occasionally over the Ashby Magna site.

20th June - mostly high brokent cloud, a few sunny spells, light SW, 23C

No obs today, Vintage rally day.

19th June Friday - mostly sunny periods, cloud increasing late, mod-gusty SW, 26C

Misterton, afternoon.

A walk here did not produce much, just the regular woodland birds.  Still no sign of Spotted Flycatchers, hopefully they are tucked away in a corner somewhere!

18th June Thursday - sunny intervals, mod SW, 24C

Bittesby CP- afternoon.

A mixed family flock of Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits, Blackcap, Chiffchaff  and Whitethroat (2 locations) seen.  A Jay along the old railway line.  Reed Bunting singing near the lake., Buzzard over calling loudly - may have a young one nearby.

c20 Stock Doves were around the area, some liking the roadway.  two Green Woodpeckers heard.

Butterflies included 100s Meadow Browns, Ringlet, Large Skipper, Common Blue, Green-veined White, Painted Lady (4), and Large White.

17th June Wednesday - rain first thing, 4mm, sunny intervals, light SW, becoming fresher pm, 22C

Willey;

We are seeing more Red Kites again, now breeding is coming to end end.

The Swallows have 3 young in the Stable nest.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

The Lapwing flock has grown a little more to 38 now, plus a few dotted around the reserve in territories still.  Unfortunately, I have not yet seen any young here this year - yet.

A pair of Teal and eight Gadwall were showing, the ducks, including Mallards are showing signs of moulting now.  Three Oystercatchers. Single Little Egret.

Singing male Reed Bunting. A Kestrel over. Still Skylarks and Meadow Pipits on the rough meadows, also a female Linnet.

16th June Tuesday - Sunny spells light W-SW, 22C

Hinckley; morning

Whilst in town I checked out St Mary's and Argent Mead park.  An adult Peregrine was on the church, but I am told they did not breed there this year, but were regularly seen around.

There were 65+ Feral Pigeons - to provide plenty food for the Peregrines.  Four Swifts were over the town area.  On the pond was 14 mallards, a Moorhen with a fledgling, two Dunnock nearby and plenty of Blackbirds 6+.

A Small Tortoiseshell was on a flower bed.

15th June Monday - Sunny spells, high cloud, light E, 19C

Soar Brook Lake; morning

Rather quiet today, disappointingly no sign of either Little Grebe or Tufted Duck young.  Nor, was the Oystercatcher pair seen, hopefully around with young.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

Four Oystercatchers, a flock of 35 Lapwings (post breeding) flying around.  Two Little Egrets.  Otherwise the other summer residents.

14th June Sunday - sunny intervals, light mostly W-NW, 20C

Willey; morning

Six Stock Doves were disturbed from the barns where they nest and the Barn Owl too, he landed in a nearby tree but will be back there very soon.

A Red-legged Partridge was flushed from a gateway, but the Little Owl was not seen at its recent past location.  Two Red Kites patrolled overhead.  A Green Woodpecker called.  A Muntjac grunted loudly from the BH wood.

Newbold Quarry Park; afternoon.

I explored here for Butterflies, no Silver-washed Fritillary today, maybe to early but 11 species found, and unexpectedly this included the Marbled White.  

A family of Wrens and Blackbirds, Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing, a Great Crested Grebe and Mallard on the water.  A Collared Dove singing nearby.

13th June Saturday - sunny spells developing, mod-blustery NW, 18C, but also feeling cool.

Shawell Sandpit; morning.

A Peregrine chased a Jackdaw, but was out-maneuvered by it.

Mallard number are increasing still, 40.  Coot may be increasing too at 28 and I found eight Little grebes, the highest for a while, but no young yet this year.

The Egyptian Goose adults were present but only three large youngsters, so have we lost the other three? 

Eyebrook Reservoir; afternoon.

I just arrived as Andy M had spotted a flock of 10 drake Common Scoters, way out on the water.

A single Shelduck, plus the other usual duck. A single Great Egret.  Plenty of Swifts and Sand Martins over the water.

A Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and a pair Yellowhammers along the boundary hedge.

A group of 12 adult Egyptian Geese were feeding on the Rutland side

12th June Friday - sunny spells developing, blustery W, 17C

Ash Tree Farm; afternoon

A walk around the area, birds were few due to the wing but the warmth made the insect activity very lively.

A single Little Grebe was on the lake, we believe there is a pair and the other is on a nest (this was conformed the following day when young were seen - first known site breeding record).

Butterflies included; Small Copper, Common and Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Browns, Ringlet and Large Skippers.  Many Chimney Sweep moths.

Black-tailed Skimmers and other Dragonflies.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

I specifically went here to check for Marbled White as Mick & Sandra had just reported their first at Newbold.  Despite the rather breezy conditions I did spot three.

11th June Thursday - rain from 0800h til 1730h, about 12mm, also cool 12C, until evening then 16C and cloudy, mod-fresh mostly SW.

Very poor weather for June, hopefully young birds are getting enough food.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Rather quiet again due to the weather.  Three Oystercatchers, four Little Egrets, a Yellow Wagtail, Linner and Reed Bunting

10th June Wednesday - Thundery showers am, showers pm, mod, beconing lighter SW, 14C.. A cool June day!

Misterton; afternoon.

Rather quite due to the poor weather at the time, but a Wren was taking for to a nest.

Shawell Sand Pit/Landfill/evening.

Two Egyptian Geese adults and one gosling seen, the other may have been asleep in the vegetation.

A Grey Wagtail family was feeding around the main pit, also a Little grebe pair and a single Great-crested Grebe.  A Coot had three youngster on the south pit.

Sand Martins feeding and (only) three Swifts overhead.  Green woodpecker heard. 

Several Red Kites and Ravens around the landfill area and a few Herring and Lesser Black-back Gulls.

9th June Tuesday - mod to brisk W, 16C, cloud showers

Willey:

The only obs today is a Small Tortoiseshell about 1400h at home.  These are still low in numbers following the wet cold year and have still to read in numbers.

8th June Monday - Showers early am, the sunny spells, mod variable direction, 17C

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Four Oystercatchers, plenty of 'piping' activity, hopefully further breeding attempts will be made.

I've not seen the Redshank pair  for awhile new, they were frequenting a very grassy area, often where a Fox roamed!

A make Linnet and female Reed Bunting. A single House and Sand Martin over the Island pool. 

Three Little Egrets and a Grey Heron at the flood pools area, also Stock Doves.

Skylarks adn Meadow Pipits active over the meadows area.

7th June Sunday - cloudy, mod-gusty SW, 18C

Mere Lane Lake; morning.

Nice to see that there were two broods of Little Grebes being fed on the lake.  

No broods of Mallards were seen, eight adults were present and a pair of Tufted Ducks.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

A Green Woodpecker and a single drake Teal and Shoveler, c60 Greylags, a few Canada Geese and two Cormorant.

Two Great Spotted Woodpeckers along the by-pass.  Blackcaps and Garden Warblers still singing.

Long-tailed, Great and Blue Tit families.

A Red Kite, two Buzzards and a Kestrel were about.

A single Cuckoo singing.

Butterflies were few, just singles of  Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue.

6th June Saturday - SHowers early and and late, mostly a brisk SE, 16C

No Obs today, other than a House Sparrow taking food to nest under eaves of  Elm Cottage.

5th June Friday - sunny spellsa, light-mod SW-S, 18C

Willey -The Blackbirds in the shed fledged today, the parents have been very attentive to the fledglings.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Rather quiet, a flock of 13 Lapwings flew off from the island pool area.  There are still pairs in their breeding territories on site.

Two Little Egrets and a Grey Heron.  An Oystercatcher pair feeding.

Several Meadow Pipits and Skylarks over the meadows.

4th June Thursday - Breezy SW,18C, sunny spells, the odd short shower

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill area; evening.

Egyptian Goose family still present., Mallard number building, 34, plus two broods.  Drake Pochard and several Tufted.

At least 12 Red Kites and a Buzzard flew over carrying food, looked like a Frog.

Sand Martins again and six Swifts.

3rd June Wednesday - a few showers, becoming blustery, sometime strong, SW, 18C

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill area; evening.

The blustery wind had brought in more Sand Martins to the main pit, c60, plus a few Swifts and a couple of Swallows.

29 Mallards, plus a pair Gadwall and a drake Pochard.

Plenty of Covid activity around then landfill area, including Rooks, now they have left the Rookeries.

At least six Red Kites.

2nd June Tuesday - initially rain, then clearing to sunny spells. Thundery showers later afternoon, then sunny spells.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

Pretty quiet, a nice pair of Yellow Wagtails on the island.  A single Oystercatcher.

1st June Monday - cloudy, mod SW, freshening S, 19C, drizzle/light rain evening.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

A look here this evening, a couple of Oystercatchers and two Little Egrets on the flood pool area.  A Grey Heron and drake Gadwall at the island pool. Otherwise the other current regulars.

A couple of Roe Deer bucks were next to the island pool, later a hind was seen nearby.

30th May Saturday - mostly sunny, light SW, 26C - hot again

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

Just checked the winter flood pools area. Two Ravens still at the dry winter pools area, a couple Black-Headed Gulls at one small pool. 

Misterton; morning

Still no Spotted Flycatcher found here.  

A surprise was a Bullfinch, c 50 ft up in the canopy base feeding.  A Moorhen with chi9cks at the lake.

Shawell Area; afternoon.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker pair were feeding young in a nest.

A walk through the meadows area towards the old railway Whitethroat was seen and two Garden Warblers were singing, a Green Woodpecker was heard..

Various Butterflies were spotted, plus quite a few day-time flying moths.  A nice Brown Argus, several Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood.

29th May Friday - becoming sunny and warming to 24C, light SW

Lilbourne Meadows; evening. Circular walk

A Raven family (2 adults, 3 fledged juvs) were very noisy, the reason being a Fox was searching the ground for food and they didn't like it.

Several Reed And Sedge Warblers seen, and Meadow Pipits, pair Yellow Wagtails.  A fledged Whiitethroat being followed by a parent along the fence line.  Four Stock Doves.  Three Reed Bun ting singing males.

The Painted Lady was n the regular area on the posts.  Several others were seen during my walk.  Other Butterflies included Small heath 10+ and Large Skipper, 

A Hare was on the edge of the development area and two Roe Deer.

28th May Thursday - hot again, 28C, light.mod SE, mostly sunny.

Sea Palling.

I decided it was time for a 'twitch' and try for the Black-winged Kite at Hempstead Marsh near Sea Palling, Norfolk, so it was off to find it.  Somewhat nervously as by early to mid-morning it had been reported on a bird news service,, but today it had not been reported, and still not reported when I was less than an hour away!

I was lucky that on arrival and scanning the area I quickly spotted it hunting over the marsh area.  Sometimes, quite high and with short hovers too.  I had good views of it for quite awhile, also again later from a different location over looking the marsh area.

A super looking bird in flight and well worth the trip, despite that photos were not possible due to heat shimmer and haze and also too active.

At Sea Palling there were quite a lot of Painted Lady Butterflies, particularly on Red Valerian.

27th May Wednesday - sunny, hot, 27C, mod Eastery

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

A Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, Reed Warblers singing, male Reed Bunting, Skylark and Meadow Pipit, plus other usual current birds.

Painted Lady, same area as the other days report/photo.

Red Fox - walked close past me carrying TWO Rabbits - obviously cubs somewhere nearby.

26th May Tuesday - Mostly sunny and hot, 34C, light S. Some spots rain later afternoon but no thunderstorm as suggested

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

Nothing new today.  Whitethroat singing usual area and a pair Yellow Wagtails on the flood pools.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill area; morning

The Common Scoter was not present today.  

Egyptian Goose family still. and the other recent regulars.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

Chris found an Avocet on the dam this morning, it stayed and was still present late afternoon.  Last recorded here in 2017, so overdue.

Misterton

I spot this lovely 'Beautiful Demoiselle', in fact there were two.  Still, cant find any Spotted Flycatchers here though.

25th May Monday - very hot, sunny, very light SW, 32C

Willey; Two Red-legged partridge in the barn fields stack yard area, 0800h

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; mid-morning

Egyptian Goose family still, c 20 Sand Martins, A few Gulls.

Single Great Crested Grebe still.  Buzzard and two Red Kites (landfill not working today.

The surprise today was a female Common Scoter on the main pit, feeding. 

I got some poor record shots.  The last record here was in July 2023, also a female.

Newton Arches; afternoon.

A search for Butterflies here in the heat with Mick and Sandra (the Butterfly Lady), a nice selection of commoner species and some first of the year for me.

Species included, Peacock, Common Blue, Brown Argos, Orange-tip, Painted Lady, Large and Small Skippers, Speckled Wood, Small Copper and Small Heath.

Also a Banded Damoiselle.