31 St Jan - sunny periods, light-mod SE, sharp shower 1530h, 11C

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; morning

Pretty quiet, with lower duck numbers than recently, only 47 Teal, 18 Tufted, a few Mallard, eight Pochard, four Pochard,  and two Little Grebes, Gull numbers very low.

c20 Ravens, 1 Red Kite, Green Woodpecker and 55 Lapwings.

Swithland Res; afternoon.

Checked the south side for the adult female Lesser Scaup that has been here several weeks now.  Good mid-distance views of it busy dive feeding.

30th Jan - a little light rain early, then cloudy, and a few sunny intervals pm, light SE, 9C

Lilbourne Meadows,; afternoon.

A good flock of Lapwings and Wigeon at the flood pools, c200 and c300 respectively.

c100 Starlings feeding, and on the hedges Redwings and Fieldfares.

Single female Kestrel.

Stanford hall; later afternoon.

c150 Canada Geese, but the Greylag flock and White-fronted Geese appear to have moved away.

c100 Wigeon on the lake/grassland.

Three Tufted Duck on the lake and a Mistle Thrush near the lane bridge. Coot number shave come up to 6+.

A Green Woodpecker called.

29th Jan - am- cloudy, some mist, light E, dull, pm- high cloud, some what lighter, light SE, 5C

Bittesby Country Park; afternoon.

A quick check mainly of the sunflower area in adjacent field.  Not too much around, 19 Skylarks and c30 Chaffinches.

28th Jan - at last a decent day. Sunny periods, light S, 9C

Stanford res; afternoon.

A check from the dam end,  most duck etc present were far-mid/inlet end, so from here not too much visible (adjacent bird scare loud bangs!).  A Goosander, 2 Goldeneye, 4 Great Egrets. No other Geese with the Greylags on the park pasture field.

Stanford Hall

With the Greylags on the parkland were 45 Russian White-fronted Geese.

Mistle Thrush singing.

27th Jan - stron gust SW winds and rain during the night. Today, rain until midday, then showers/drizzle, cloudy, dull, 5C

Not a pleasant day!

Willey; late afternoon.

A brief check around the church and church lane area and paddock feed station.  Most notable was c25 Greenfinch in the pikel paddock tree top.

26th Jan - Cloudy, light E-SE, 4C

Willey;

A Red Kite over fields 1000h.

25th Jan - cloudy, dull, light ESE, 7C, some drizzle.

Willey; morning

The Big garden bird count this morning, based on the paddock feed station area produced there or nearby the following; 

two Blackcaps (m+f), 6 House Sparrows, 7 Blue and 6 Great Tits, 3 Dunnock, a Robin, Collared Dove,  Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Jackdaws, 5 Fieldfares, a Chaffinch and Goldfinch, 2 Blackbirds.

Plus 4 Woodpigeon, Rook, Carrions Crow and Magpie.

24th Jan - Sunny, mod easterly, 9C

A day in north Norfolk - much to see on such a nice sunny day for a change.  A few notes here.

In Wells-next-the-Sea out harbour, all the expected waders, geese and Red-breasted Merganser.  But best was an incredibly close great Northern Diver, that took no notice of me at all.   Very bright sunshine.

A Stiffkey flood meadows, a Glossy Ibis was showing well.

Late afternoon at Holkham did not disappoint for wildfowl and especially the Pink-footed Geese.  You can never get tired of seeing and hearing skeins of Geese flying over the marshes.

23rd Jan - another mostly cloudy, dull day, with light rain at times and feeling very damp, mostly light-mod ESE, 7C

Ash Tree Farm; afternoon.

I took a couple of trail camera here to place around the lake as the owner saw what was a likely Otter.  We did find some Otter scat and a nearby location has also reported seeing one on camera.  Hopefully we can get a photo.

While here c20 Redwings along one hedge, c10 chaffinches feeding under the tree coppice and four Bullfinches feeding (two each male/female).

22nd Jan - light rain until 1100h, then cloudy, light SE, 8C

Willey; a Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeder 1130h.

Eyebrook Res; afternoon.

A flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover at the inlet area, plenty of Teal around.

A couple of  Great egrets and a Little Egret.

From the Stoke Drying parking a single drake Smew among the other ducks, later four drake Smew and a female were just north of the island.

Along the inlet river a juvenile Whooper Swan was associating with a Mute Swan.

21st Jan - cloudy/mist, light/mod rain through the day. Mod-breezy SW, 9C

Shawell Sandpit/landfill; morning.

A session here this morning did not produce any 'white-winger', although plenty of Gulls present.#

20 Gadwalls and c130 Coot on the main pit with other regular water birds.

20th Jan - cloud giving way to sunny intervals, wind SE, increasing fresh-blustery, 9C

Stanford res; afternoon.

30 White-fronted Geese in the narrows, with Greylags.

Very few Ducks about it seemed, water very 'muddy' after recent rains.  Five Goosanders, 5 Great and 3 Little Egrets.

c70 Fieldfares and 10 Redwings along the Leics bank bushes/trees.

19th Jan - Cloudy dull, shower am, almost still, 10C

Willey; a Raven heard over early morning.

Draycote Water; afternoon.

The main sighting was a Great Northern Diver, otherwise the expected wildfowl and water birds.

c70 Linnets on weeds along shore near sailing club.

Very distant record pic.

18th Jan -Cloudy, damp, dull and quite misty at times, very light E/SE, 7C-

A WeBs count day.

Water level was high at the five sites I count, which probably explains why I did not find the usual Water Rails, no doubt in nearby ditches.  

I did find a Woodcock near Magna Park Lake (thermal camera) and a Song Thrush was singing here.too.

At Soar Brook Lake a new high Cormorant count of 30.  plus a nice mix of expected waterbirds, including 8 Wigeon.

Stanford Hall held 120 Canada Geese, , c 60 Wigeon, plus Teal, Mallard and Tufted Ducks.  Also, a single Cormorant and Great Egret.

17th Jan - high cloud, a few sunny intervals pm, light SE, 9C

 Shawell Sandpit/landfill; morning

Another check here for Gulls, but generally very few were hanging around, with many leaving.

The usual wildfowl, plus 50 Lapwings and c 30 Fieldfares over and two Snipe at the waters edge.

Hurley Sewage Works, Warks; afternoon.

Visited here to see the Yellow-browed Warblers which has been showing everyday  - except (you guessed it) today.  However, at least four Chiffchaffs were present along the bushes and exit ditch, plus one that showed really good characteristic plumage features for  Siberian Chiffchaff.

A Stonechat and a pair of Dunnocks also entertained.  

 

16th Jan - high cloud, sunny intervals, light S, 8C

Soar Brook Lake; morning

21 Cormorants, a new site record count for me here.  Five wigeon - first of the winter I think.

46 greylags, 7 Mallard and two Tufted.  

Shawell sandpit/landfill; morning

A check again for the 'white' wingers, none whilst I was there but one seen about 1300h, concluded to be a adult Iceland Gull.

Bittesby Country Park; afternoon.

In the adjacent sunflower plot -c50 Chaffinch, 6 Yellowhammers, 2 Reed Buntings and c15 Linnets.

Nine, Red-legged Partridges nearby.  Red Kite over.  Fieldfares around the hedges.

19 Golden Plover over and settled on the non-developed warehouse plot.

Green woodpecker heard.,

15th Jan - Cloudy, murky, rain from 1100h, 8C, light SW/S

 Shawell Sand pit/Landfill; morning

A session before the rain set-in, but visibility was poor and murky.

Plenty of Gulls, a good number on the main pit water, but something caused these to leave, mostly towards the landfill.  There were many more on the far banks, just resting  and not doing much.

I scanned these several times and found nothing.  Eventually, I spotted a 'white'wing after viewing this for quite awhile I decided it was the adult Glaucous and tried some digiscope record pics.  I decided I needed to get closer but as often the case it flew off and the rain started so that was me done for today.

You know when weather is poor as the Red Kites perch up more, there were 33 in the spinney trees, only infrequently flying around.

14th Jan - frost last night -3C. Sunny spells am, high cloud pm, light S, 4C

Willey; 

A Sparrowhawk early (0815h) flew in to the church yard trees.

Late morning a Great Spotted Woodpecker was at y feed station, not seen as often now as in recent times.

Shawell sandpit/landfill; morning

High number of Gulls over the landfill today, but mostly too distant to examine closely.  Some on the ice  (pit 80% frozen over), but nothing scarce.

[Tonight news from Draycote res roost is now the adult Glaucous and an adult Iceland Gull!]

107 Teal, 24 Gadwall, a Pochard, nine Shovelers, Mallards and Tufted.  Usual Red Kites and Ravens.

Little Grebes, Green Woodpecker.

13th Jan - cloudy, light SW, 10C, occasional light rain/damp

Thorney/Elder Nell/Welland Bank and Deeping Lakes

The fields to the north of Thorney usual hold Swans and Geese, however not today.

From Thorney heading to Whittesley there were Swans in the field near the quarry entrance, a good scan through these showed them all to be Whoppers, except one which was a Bewick's.

At Edernell immediately things seemed very quiet with the Washes looking very dry with low water in the channel.  Several marsh Harriers were distant, as too a Great Egret. On checking the hedge from the bank with the thermal camera no roosting Owls could be detected either.  

Down at the March farmers area there was more water which held good numbers of all the expected ducks and Lapwing.

Round to the 'Welland Bank' area, again very few Swans/Geese showing, except in one field, c70 Whoopers and a single Pink-foot.  Unfortunately the Snow Goose was absent too (present again next day).

A first visit to Deeping Lakes, definitely an interesting area with diverse habitats.  In the Ivy covered tree next to the main hide were two Long-eared Owls, these could just be seen with patience and picked out with the thermal camera.  Plus the expected birds for the reserve area.

12th Jan - cloudy, occasional spots of rain, mod S, 11C

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon

No all the ice has gone the ducks are back, c200 Wigeon, Teal and Mallard.

A Shelduck dropped in, just managed a record photo.

!0 Moorhens feeding on the field by the flood pools.  Redwings and Fieldfares about, and I counted 10 Blackbirds.  A Kestrel was hunting and A Green Woodpecker called.

11th Jan - slowly warming during the nigh, continuing during the day to. Cloudy, mod-blustery S/SW, 6C

Stanford Hall; morning

Checked to Canada/Greylag Goose flock in case White-fronts were present today, they were not.  c150 Canada Geese.

c100 Wigeon feeding on the parkland, a drake Goosander, Teal, Mallard, a single Tufted, and two Cormorants on the lake.  Great Egret by the river.

Thrapston (Town) lake; afternoon.

Still 50% frozen.

The expected wildfowl, Egrets and Grey Heron. A good number of Goldeneye here.

The American Wigeon was among Wigeon on Aldwincle lake, mostly resting.  The Ring-necked duck was busy feeding with Tufted and Pochard on the 'Town' lake.

Two Red-crested Pochards (drake and female).

10th Jan - last night -4C, hard frost. Sunny, light NW, 3C

Shawell sandpit; morning.

80% frozen over. All the recent regulars, 125 Teal.  10 ,Red Kites and several ravens.  

Green Woodpecker heard.

57 Lapwings resting on the ice.

A Glaucous Gull again reported in Draycote res roost, but not found here yet.  This has happened before with no sighting of Draycote birds.

Stanford Hall Park/lake

12 White-fronted Geese on the parkland with the Greylags/Canada Geese.  

Wigeon, Teal and Mallards.  A Great Egret and Cormorant.

Min 100 Woodpigeon feeding on the parkland.

Stanford res; afternoon.

57 White-fronts with the greylags and Canada Geese on the water (give a total 69 with the Stanford Hall birds).

7 Goosanders, one drake Goldeneye, plus other usual ducks.  Two Great Egrets.

A Buzzard, Redwimngs and Fieldfares, Long-tailed Tits and Goldcrest.

9th Jan - Snow and strong winds through the night, about 5 cm by morning, but rain too. Mostly cloudy, mod NW, 3C. partial thaw

 No Obs today

8th Jan - Cloudy, dull and misty, light SE-E, 3C

A busy day.

However, at a farm near Houghton-on-the-Hill I did count 25 Collared Doves around the cattle yards and trees.  There was probably a few more scattered around too.

7th Jan - Sunny intervals, light/mod W, 5C. Slow thawing durng last night

Willey;

Red Kite over early morning.

Small number Redwings about also two Greenfinches visiting the Yew trees in church yard.

Buzzard and raven over.  

Shawell Sandpit; afternoon

A good number of Gulls standing on the ice, most were Herring, but a single Caspian and Yellow-legged Gull were spotted.  More Gulls too distant over the landfill.

Otherwise, wildfowl similar to the last visit.

Stanford res: afternoon.

More water ice free now but most wildfowl still concentrated at the dam end on the water.

Six Goosanders, 100+ Teal, 200+ Wigeon plus smaller numbers of the other common ducks here.

Nine Russian White-fronted Geese with the Canada and Greylags on the adjacent fields, but c50 have been report earlier on the fields further east to these.

6th Jan - frost last night -5C. Sunny, light SW, slow warming to 4C

Bittesby Country Park; morning

A walk in the top west corner area and footpath across adjacent field.  A nice flock, c150 Chaffinch, c15 Yellowhammers, 4 Reed Buntings in the hedge and sunflower patch.

c 30 Skylarks on the field.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over to the hedge and a Goldcrest was present too.

A male Stonechat near the car park and a flock, c 15 Goldfinches feeding too.

5th Jan - Last night -5C, today sunny, light NW, 0.5C

Willey; late morning

Red Kite over several times. A few Redwings and 2+ Song Thrush coming to Church Yew Trees.  17 Lapwings flew over low. 

Shawell sandpit/landfill; afternoon.

Main pit 80% frozen over now. Unfortunately, they were not tipping today at all, so Gull numbers were really low, 10 red Kites and a few Ravens though.

Otherwise similar to last visit, except 60 Canada, 23 Greylags and two Mute Swans were present.

Stanford Res; afternoon

90 % frozen, only an area at dam end ice free, so every wildfowl concentrated down there.

One female Scaup, 19 Goosanders, four Goldeneyes, 100+ Teal, six Little grebes, Greylag/Canada and c60 Russian White-fronted Geese on the field - sometimes coming on to the water.

One Great Egret an Grey Heron.

4th Jan - -5C last night. Sunny, some cloud mid afternoon, light NW, 2C

Ground and waters becoming increasingly frozen now 

Shawell Sandpit/landfill; morning

Main pit about 40% frozen.  c100 each Wigeon and Teal, 14 Tufted.  15 Red Kites, a Buzzard, several Ravens.

A few Gulls, nothing special today.

Brandon Marsh; afternoon.

East marsh 90% frozen, waterfowl etc on small ice free area; Wigeon, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted, Mute, Canada, Greylag, Coot and Moorhen.  All the usual Gulls.

A Great Egret.

Horsetail Glade area - c40 Siskins, a Redpoll, a Marsh and Coal Tit, Treecreeper, Jay and two Nuthatches.

3rd Jan - -1C last night. Sunny, mod NW, 2C, wind chill

Shawell landfill/landfill: morning

Very Gulls around as no work today.  Although a 1 W Caspian was present.

c100 Wigeon (probably from local frozen pools, like Lilbourne flood pools), 120 Lapwing around the south pool.  Only 1 Pochard, plus usual Shovelers, Teal, Tufted and Mallard.

20 Red Kites over the landfill area.   A Peregrines was on its favourite tall works light.

Bittesby Country Park; afternoon.

Less Chaffinch and Yellowhammers this afternoon than the last visit, single Reed Bunting, on the sunflower - bird food area.

A male Stonechat, west corner, and a few Redwings and Fieldfares, Blackbirds and a Song Thrush.

2nd Jan - -1C last night. Sunny, 3C, light/mos NW

Shawell sandpit/landfill; morning

Many more Gulls, most distant though.  Usual Ducks (including 3 Pochard, 11 Wigeon) , 12 Red Kite at least.

A Green Sandpiper was feeding along the edge and 4 Snipe were sunning themselves on the bank side.

Four Stock Doves.

Nearby, on the A5-Churchover Rugby Road corner field c250 Lapwings

Stanford res:afternoon.

c20 White-fronted Geese with Greylags/Canada Geese in Welford Road field.  Red Kite over.

Two Goosander, plus other usual Ducks.  Two Great Egrets and 3 Little Egrets.

Two Treecreeper, a Goldcrest with a Long-tailed Tits.

1st January 2026 - high cloud, part broken, light-mod NW, 6C.

Willey;

The new year kicked off with a Red Kite, a Mistle Thrush, a Green Woodpecker and 6 Collard Doves, all about 0900h.

Shawell Sand[it/landfill; morning.

A Peregrine was eating its prey on top of a tall works light.

80 Teal, 27 Gadwall, 18 Wigeon, 4 Pochard, Tufted and Mallard.

Very few Gulls, Red Kites and Ravens as landfilling was not occurring.  One Buzzard.

A Green Woodpecker called.

A Grey Wagtail was busy feeding along the waters edge.

Bittesby Country Park; morning

c40 Golden Plover over low, again maybe off a non-developed (as yet) warehouse plot.

c150 Chaffinches, c20 yellowhammers, 2 Reed Buntings and a Greenfinch on the Sunflower field plot adjacent.

Stanford Res; afternoon.

The 4 Scaup are still present, a great year record.  Similarly, the c70 White-fronted Geese are present, often on the adjacent cereal field at the Welford Road end.

Unusual for January (winter) a single Shelduck was present too.

Four Goosanders, 3 Goldeneye 4 Teal, Tufted, Pochards, Mallards too.

Among the Greylag flock was an entirely white bird, which I have not seen here before.

Four Great and 3 Little Egrets, plus a few Grey Herons.

c100 Fieldfares and some Redwings.