Willey; Red Kite over 0900h
Lilbourne Meadows; morning.
Pretty quiet, few Ducks on the flood pools.
Stanford -on- Avon
34 White-fronted Geese in the fields again.
Shawell Sandpit/landfill. Late afternoon.
52 Teal, only 2 Little Grebes currently, also Coot down to 52 - so obvious signs of birds having left for their breeding locations.
c6 Red Kites and Ravens respectively. 20 Lapwings. Two Mutes Swans now in.
A Green Woodpecker.
Stanford-on-Avon, morning
24 White-fronted Geese this morning in the usual field of late.
Small mixed flock Siskin and Goldfinch feeding in lane tree tops.
Lilbourne Meadows.
Just checked the field flood pools, nothing new.
A small number of Redwing and Fieldfares feeding on the pasture.
Goldcrest again in ivy hedge by entrance.
Stanford Hall & Monument Field; late morning
In the hall park there was two White-fronted Geese with the Canada/Greylags geese and in the monument field area the main flock of 32 was present.
Lilbourne Meadows
I found a Goldcrest where the Firecrest was reported yesterday, another 'crest' was present but vanished before I could see it properly.
Plenty of Goldfinch and Chaffinch singing, territory behavior.
Lilbourne Meadows; mid-day.
After a report of a Firecrest I popped down to see if I could find it, I didn't find it, nor did the 'merlin' app hear it Hopefully another day.
Very similar to last visit, except now two Oystercatchers are back - great.
Stanford-on-Avon; afternoon.
A check of the Monument field produced 29 Russian White-fronted Geese were present around the flood pools, looking very settled. I wonder how long they will stay?
We are in for a few very mild days, even today more insects about, including a Ladybird, look out for a Butterfly.
Willey; a Mistle Thrush flew in to a tree opposite the allotments, and I did hear one singing last Wednesday not too far from here.
Soar Brook lake; morning
WeBs count day. Nice to see an Oystercatcher back, hope a mate returns soon. Low waterbird numbers seen
Mere Lane Lake;; morning
WeBS count visit here, Little Grebes, four seen, and 'trilling', a few other usual waterbirds.
Red Kite over.
Stanford Hall area; morning.
WeBs count here. Main sightings were 20 Russian White-fronted Geese with the Greylags/Canada Geese in the monument field. At the Heronry island there were 6 Grey Herons and 4 Little Egrets.
Lilbourne Meadows; morning
c300 Wigeon, c 150 Lapwing, a Curlew and Several Golden Plovers.
Plus the other regular wildfowl, a Red Kite and Raven.
Bittesby CP.
Checked the lake today for WeBs count, only 3 Mute Swans. A couple of Buzzard, Skylarks and Goldfinches around.
Magna Park, Central.
Check the lake for WeBs count and some of the woodland border. A Water Rail, three Tufted and Canada Geese, 4 Moorhens.
c12 Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tits, Treecreeper.
Willey; morning
A Red Kite over 0930h.
Late morning the female Blackcap was spotted in the church lane hedge again. Hopefully, te male is around still.
Also, a Greenfinch, Chaffinch pair, Blackbird and three House Sparrows at the feed station.
Stanford Hall; afternoon.
A check here for the White-fronted Geese, not present though.
A Great Egret was lake side.
Lilbourne Meadows.
Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard and Gadwall (22). c25 Lapwings
Three Song Thrushes, a Fieldfare, Green Woodpecker, c10 Goldfinch.
Another disappointing wet day, but at least the afternoon was bearable. However, birds are on the move and green shoots of Spring are appearing widely.
Shawell sandpit/landfill; afternoon
Duck numbers were low, 24 Teal, c 10 Mallard, c15 Tufted and 8 Gadwall. Six Little Grebes and c100 Coot.
It seems that Common Gulls enjoy flying towards a Coot or Little Grebe, perhaps to steal food, only for the other bird to quickly dive out of the way. It happened lots of times.
14 Red Kites, Ravens heard and 13 Lapwings. A singing Song Thrush.
Stanford on Avon - monument field.
The monument field held a good flock of Canada and Greylag Geese and with them 35 Russian White-fronted Geese. Presumably the same ones which have spent their time in the vicinity of Stanford reservoir, but there must be some movement as numbers do vary a little.
Cottesbrooke; afternoon.
I checked an area where Crossbills have been appearing, we don't get too may in the midlands. However, none were showing. Nice to hear two Tawny Owls calling though.
Ravensthorpe Res;
On the way back popped in to see the Red-throated Diver, it was showing well,but not very active. Again not too many of these linger inland.
Another very wet and unpleasant days weather.
A single Red Kite over the Perkins fields/long spinner area at 0900h.
Checked Stanford Hall for White-fronts after lunch, only Canada Geese though. Popped in to Stanford reservoir to check the five drake Common Scoter reported by Chris, they were riding out the big waves in the centre of the res.
Everywhere is now waterlogged again, with brooks ands ditches overflowing in to fields.
Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.
Plenty Wigeon and Lapwings and c60 Golden Plovers again.
A few greylags, then a flock flew in with Canada Geese and a female Ruddy Shelduck.
Two male Tufted Ducks.
A Green Woodpecker called a few times.
Willey; I spotted the female Blackcap this morning in the Church lane area, hope it makes it to Spring.
Bittesby Country Park; afternoon.
A male Stonechat, sing Skylark and Song Thrush, A Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk..
Three Mute Swans on the lake. 18 Goldfinches feeding/drinking nearby.
Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon
Plenty of Wigeon still ant the flood pools, along with 12 Shoveler, 17 Gadwall, Mallard and Teal.
A single Little Grebe is now back, several Black-headed and Common Gulls too.
357 Lapwing at the pools and two Golden Plovers.
A few Starlings, Redwings and Fieldfares feeding on the pastures.
