30th April - Sunny, 22C, Fresh Easterly, easing in the evening.

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

Notable today were a Greenshank on the flood pools and a White Wagtail on the island pool with Yellow and Pied Wagtails.  The Common Sandpiper was also still present.

The Canada Goose hatched since my visit yesterday and has nine goslings.  A single Shelduck was present for a while.  The Redshanks were mating. 

A Small Copper was spotted, first site year record.

Stanford Reservoir; evening

A couple of Wigeon (I suspect the two from Lilbourne Meadows). Three Shovelers too.

Four common Sandpipers on the dam, also a Yellow Wagtail and the first Greylag brood of four goslings.

Just as I was leaving a Whimbrel flew along the Res, calling.

29th April - Sunny, fresh/strong Easterly, 17C, but feeling cool

 Willey; morning

Grey Partridge pair and Little Owl seen again.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

The current usual birds plus the Common Sandpiper still and a female Egyptian Goose (possibly the one popped down from Shawell) and my first site record.. 

Linnet and Goldfinch pairs.  Goldcrest singing in the small corner spinney.

20 Starlings gathering food on the Sheep pastures.  Two pairs Yellow Wagtails. 

Two Roe Deer, moulting their winter coats.

28th April - light rain/drizzle early, thn cloudy, but sunny pm, mod-fresh NE, 12C, cool

Husbands Bosworth Sand Pit; afternoon.

Little Grebe 2, Mallard 3, Gadwall 6, Tufted 13, Swallow 2.

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

New bird was a Common Sandpiper.  Shelduck pair still present (female is lame). Single drake Wigeon still.

10 Swallows and 15 House Martins over island pool.

Two yellow Wagtails around.  Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing.  15 Starlings busy gathering food from the Sheep pastures.

27th April - Sunny, 20C, light NW

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

Pair Shelduck, two Gadwall, pairs Redshank and Oystercatchers.

Single Wigeon drake still.

WhHitethroat singing.

Misterton; afternoon.

Two Nuthatches near the Church. Chiffchaff and Song Thrush singing.

Heron at the lake, Buzzard over.

26th April - Mostly sunny, light breeze, 21C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

On the flood pools area a Shelduck pair, single Wigeon and two Mute Swans.

At the Island pool a Wood Sandpiper was feeding (first of the year here), plus the other regulars, including two Gadwalls and Little Egret..  

A Whitethroat and Reed Warbler were singing in this area.

Tywell Hills and Dales; afternoon.

Met up with Mick and Sandra (the butterfly lady) to search the area for Dingy and Grizzled Skippers and Green Hairstreak, we did find all of these.   Other butterflies included Peacock, Red Admiral, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood Orange-tip and Brimstone.  

A moth, that can be confused with a Skipper, was seen which at first was thought to be a Old Mother Shipton, but didn't look quite right, and I believe it was a Latticed Heath moth.

A Hornet was spotted too

Latticed Heath.

We also noted ants carrying small green caterpillars in to their tunnels, I shall have to explore this further..

Birds included Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, garden Warbler and Yellowhammer

25th April - Sunny, very light breeze, 21C

Welney WWT,

Some nice activity here to see including - the usual Ducks, including a pair of Pintails and two drake Wigeon and two Egyptian Geese.  A Barnacle Goose was with a few Canada Geese.  Little, Great Egret and Grey Heron.  A Common Sandpiper, Lapwings, Red shank, Avocet (many) and Black-tailed Godwits - displaying.  A Common Tern flew in.

Mute and Whooper Swans. 

A good population of House Sparrows (nesting in the centre's roof space too), Sedge and Redd, Whitethroat and Cetti's.

A male Marsh Harrier.

A good number of butterflies seen, including my first Small Copper for the year.

24th April - Sunny, light wind E, 18C

WIlley.

This morning I spotted the pair of Grey Partridge again, back in the usual area.  Then two Red-legged Partridge in the adjacent field.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

Two Little Gulls had been seen by Chris, but when I arrived I found one over the water with 8 Common Terns.

A Little Egret and Grey Heron, a few Shoveler and Gadwall and a single drake Wigeon.

Five Yellow Wagtails on the dam, also the Redshank still.

Bittesby Country Park; evening.

A singing Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat.  Several Vlackcaps too.

Seven Tufted Duck and a Canada Goose pair on the lake.

23rd April - Sunny, mod NE, 16C. Feeling cool after another chilly start.

Willey:

This morning the Little Owl was seen flying into the Oak tree in the thick hedge and a  Wheatear was on the old muck heap.

A Mistle Thrush was singing frim the Long Spinney near Muswell leys entrance.

1430h, a Red Kite over, and several Holly Blue's seen in the church garden and church lane.

Lilbourne Meadows; mid-day.

A single Grey Plover was present today, the Greenshank was not seen today.

22nd April - Sunny, breeze increasing to fresh-blustery Easterly, 17C - feeling quite cool. Chilly early mornings still

Willey; 

Little Owl still present, but very wary.

Swallows, at last two are visiting our shed.

Stock Doves, four flew out of the field barns.

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

A Greenshank today was new in.

Otherwise the current regulars, only a single Wigeon spotted though.

Orange-tip, Holly Blue, Green-veined White and Peacock were seen today.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill area; evening.

A quick visit, fairly quiet.  The Egyptian Goose family still, c10 each House and Sand Martins.

Little Grebe pair., Blackcap singing in the spinney.

Buzzard and Red Kite.

21th April - sunny, mod, brisk at times NE, 12C. Feeling chilly in the wind

Willey.

Very disappointingly we have not yet a Swallow pair using the sheds, as they usually do. One has made a few visits, but very infrequently. It’s not looking good!!!

Single Holly Blue in the church lane, mid-morning.

1530h, two Ravens over.

Lilbourne Meadows, morning

The flood pools area was remarkably quiet.  The two Wigeon still and a handful of Teal. A single Oystercatcher.

A Goldfinch pair in the tall hedgerow, six Starlings busily feeding on the pastures then flying off before returning, maybe they have young in the village.  The Blackcap was singing again.

A single Holly Blue on the Hawthorn flowers.

20th April - Sunny spells, light/mos NE, 14C

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

A Dunlin and Oystercatcher, two Wigeon still, a few Teal, two Gadwall and three Shovelers

A Little Egret, two Yellow Wagtails and a Grey Heron.

A Holly Blue and two Orange-tip butterflies.

Stanford reservoir; evening.

Eleven Yellow Wagtails at the dam and three Linnets.

Three Goldeneye, eight Shoveler and a single male Teal.

A Cuckoo calling. An Oystercatcher on the overflow wall.

19th April - Sunny spells, light-mod NW, 13C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning

Dunlin still present.  10 Teal and Tufted Duck air on island pond.

The Oystercatcher and Redshank pairs showing and vocal today.

Three Wheatear along the meadow fence posts.

Single Yellow Wagtail.

Two drake Wigeon.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

Three Common Terns, two Oystercatchers.

Drake Goldeneye and Shoveler pair.

Raven over. Red-legged Partridge pair.

Plenty Warbler activity, Reed Buntings and c15 Linnets feeding near the car park.

Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood and Orange-tip seen.

18th April - 14C, sunny spells, mod SW breeze

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

At last a new arrival on the wader front, a Dunlin.

The two drake Wigeon still present.

Other recent regulars still present.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill area; morning.

The Egyptian Goose family still.  Two Shelducks chasing each other.  10 Red Kites, several ravens.

Three Mute Swans and three Little Grebes.

Female Orange-tip

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Mixed flock House and Sand Martins high over the res.  Several Sedge Warblers singing, Whitethroats and Willow Warblers too, and a Grasshopper reeling in Blowers L Bay.  Cetti's Warbler heard.

Pair Goldeneye and a Little Egret.  Two Common Sandpipers on the dam.

Two Red-legged Partridge at the dam area.

Brimstone, Peacock and Orange-tip butterflies in reasonable number

17th April - mostly cloudy, light/mod SW, shower early evening, 15C, feeling quite cool

Rookery counts:

Willey Long Spinney (two sites in the spinney) had a total 0f 190 nests, last year 206, so no change I would say within the limits of counting error.

Lutterworth SP58 10km square; 26 Rookies, largest was 88 nests with a square total of 566, which is 87 nests (18%) more than last year, so a definite increase in this area this year.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Not too pleasant weather and cool probably resulted in nothing new being found, although the Redshank was seen.,

16th April - sunny intervals, outlying pm, mod-light blustery SW, 16C

Soar Brook Lake, morning

Rather quite.  A Great Crested Grebe, not seen often here.

6 Canada Geese, Coots and a Moorhen.

Lilbourne Meadows - afternoon winter flood pools area.

Also quiet, 2 Wigeon still.  Pied but no Yellow Wagtails.

Blackcap singing.

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon

A look over the winter flood pools area, nothing new from recent visits.

Lutterworth, evening

Checked out the building where the Gulls nested last year.  There were eight Lesser Black-backed and two Herring Gulls in the area and on the building, showing territorial behaviour, so will keep an eye on the site to see if nesting does occur.

15th April - sunny spells developing, mod-brisk SW, 19C, showere later afternoon/evening

Norfolk

Hunstanton Cliffs.

Six Fulmars seen along the cliffs in breeding locations.

RSPB Titchwell

Plenty to see here, including Marsh Harrier pair, 16 Mediterranean Gulls displaying, a large group of Sandwich Terns dropped in, c100 Brent Geese, Little Ringed Plovers, Black-tailed Godwits, Sanderling and Turnstone and much more.

North Point Pools

Typical collection of waterbirds here, including Avocets, two Egyptian Geese, Redshank, Curlew, Snipe'

A Kestrel with prey on a post.

14th April - Sunny spells, SE/S, 12C

Lilbourne Meadows, morning.

Two Wigeon, Shoveler pair, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Starlings, Blackcap singing.

Bittesby CP, morning.

A good number of Skylarks singing in territories, two Reed Buntings, Kestrel hunting.

Whitethroat and Blackcap singing.

13th April - Sunny spells,,light SW, 12C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

I checked out the flood pools area, again not passage waders, hopefully soon.

Two Wigeon still.  Two Yellow Wagtails.

Watched a Chifchaff gathering nest material in the corner 'wood'.

Otherwise, all the recent regilar bords.

Three Roe Deer (2 stags).

Bittesby Country Park; top north side/development sites.

A Wheatear, Skylark and Yellowhammer (male).

Kimcote; evening.

1815h, c40 Fieldfares in field trees next to lane at SP572859.

12th April - Sunny intervals, showers pm, short heavy/hail in some, fresh/blustery SW, 11C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

All the current regulars, plus three Wheatears on the east end of the bund.  A female Kestrel and Buzzard.

Single Little Egret, Redshank and Oystercatcher pair.

A single Wigeon.

Warren Hills; afternoon.

Four Wheatears and a female Ring Ouzel.

Green Woodpecker, Willow Warbler, Song Thrush and Linnet pair.

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; late afternoon.

Egyptian Goose family still present.

One each Common and Green Sandpiper.

11th April - some early light rain/drizzle, then sunny spells, with SE/S light, picking up to fresh and blustery by mid-day. 11C, but feeling very cool.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

Two Wigeon, 12 Teal, Shoveler and Mallard.  An Oystercatcher flew off the flood pools towards island pond.  A couple of Mute Swans.

Yet again, the Water rail was out feeding on the damp patch.

A Mistle Thrush sang near the sheep barns and Blackcap in the corner tree area.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

A redshank on the dam still (originally spotted this morning by Chris).  A single Wigeon.

A great Egret in Blowers  L Bay. and 6 Pochard (5 males).

10th April - mostly high thin cloud, hazy sun at times, 14C, light S/SE

Willey 1130h

I can confirm there is a Little Owl where I mentioned on the 7th.  I saw one sitting on the tree, but it dropped down before I could 'snap-it'.

Also, Green Woodpecker calling.

At home a Pied Wagtail has been busy gathering nest material off a shed roof. 

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

The Water rail was again on view, feeding next to the hedge in a damp patch.

A Snipe was walking in the cover - or so it thought!

A pair of Linnets feeding on the ground by the entrance gate., Blackcap singing in the corner trees area.

10 Starlings, a Red Kite over. Single Yellow Wagtail.

Misterton; morning.

Checked, just in case the Pied Flycatcher had decided to stay, but no.

A noisy and busy Nuthatch was close.

Alvecote - Mill Pool; afternoon.

I decided to check out the Hooded Merganser that has been present a few days, a female. Thought to be the one first seen in Avon, and presumed wild (currently) and no rings etc.  Good views, but I only managed a poor photo as looking in to the sunlight and a bit too far.

9th April - high cloud, sunny intervals, mod SW 15C, becoming blustery, short shower and pretty cool early evening

Willey;  Red Kite over 0930h.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

Single Redshank, otherwise fairly quite.  Kestrel hunting.

The Water Rail was feeding and showing quite well.

Misterton; afternoon.

I went here to do the annual Rookery nest count, but as I walked down the lane towards the lake I noticed several passerines feeding in the nearby tree some 30feet in front of me and about 25 feet up, so I checked them out hoping for a Coal Tit. A Blue Tit, Blackcap, Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit  and  a male Pied Flycatcher - wow totally unexpected.  I was able to watch it for 5 mins before it flew off  with the other birds.

I thought this may be rather early, but referring to the West Midland report, where they are frequent, the average (8-year first arrival date is April 7th) so spot on actually.

Shawell Sand pit; evening.

A Green and Common Sandpiper.  Six Little Ringed Plovers seen.

Six Red Kites, several Ravens.

Six Swallows, 2 House Martins and 3 Sand Martins.

Egyptian Goose pair with 7 young ducklings.

8th April - Sunny, 23C, light breeze

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

Two Wigeon still, three Yellow Wagtails.

A White Wagtail at the island pond.

Oystercatcher pair, single Redshank.

Plus other recent regulars.

7th April - touch of grass frost last night. sunny light breeze, 18C

Willey; 0915

Just seen a pair Grey Partridge at the top of the field barn track, they only flew a short way and later spotted feeding in Hurls Furlong field.

More extraordinary,  I was putting the trail camera up in the barn to check for Barn Owl, when one flew past me and landed on the beam, we both stayed motionless!  It was marvellous seeing one so close, eventually it flew out, but I’m sure it will be back.  Flew off in the direction of another old shed where I also have Owl box.

Another bird flew out of an old tree, not a good view but maybe a Little Owl, will have to check that out .

 Ash Tree farm; afternoon.

Plenty of Butterfly activity being so warm, 7+ Peacocks, Speckled Wood 2, Small White 3+ and a Orange-tip.

4+ singing Chiffchaffs, a Jay,  Green Woodpecker, Buzzard and Red Kite over. 

Four Canada and two Greylag Geese at the lake.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Three Yellow Wagtails and a 'Channel' Wagtail.  Very difficult to get close enough for pics, but managed some short record video clips at distance.

6th April - slight ground frost again last night. Warming to 15C, light/mod SE, sunny spells.

Willey;

First thing nine Canada Geese flew over low, north, I could also hear the two at the back field pond (which seem to have become resident at the m), calling as these flew over.

A Mistle Thrush was singing from the back field/allotment field corner tree top.

Two Swallows spotted on the telegraph wires today - need more back yet.

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

A pair of Greenfinches, two Swallows at the island pond and Oystercatcher.

Three Wigeon on the flood pools, plus Tufted pair, Shovelers, c10 Teal, Gadwall and Mallard.

Three Meadow Pipits on the meadows and Skylark.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

This mornings male Wheatear still present on the ploughed set-aside triangle.

Common Sandpiper still on dam.

Female Grey Wagtail and Pied Wagtail in spillway.

A male and two female Goldeneye and two female Goosanders spotted.

Butterflies included a Comma, several Peacock and Small Tortoiseshells.

5th April - 11C, blustery SW, sunny intervals, odd cloud shower around, feeling cool

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

The Oystercatcher, Redshank and Lapwings were present again.

Tufted Duck pair.

Most notsable was the singing Cetti's Warbler.

Stanford Reservoir.

The first site Spring Common Sandpiper was on the dam, spotted this morning by Chris, and still present this afternoon.

c30 Fieldfares flew into the trees by the dam car park, then off westward over the dam.

Female Goosander and two Goldeneyes.  SIngle Little Egret.

c100 Sand Martins feeding and a Swallow with them.

Male Grey Wagtail on the dam.

4th April - high cloud, light SW, increasing fresh then strong and gusty afternoon/night. 15C

Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

No Wigeon seen this morning.  Lapwing pairs seem in good numbers, especially around the island pond.  Single Oystercatcher.

A few Gulls dropped in, Black-headed, Common, Herring and Lesser Black-backed.

Female Reed Bunting near island pond.    Several Skylarks and Meadow Pipits on the rough fields. 

Stanford reservoir, afternoon.

Five Goldeneyes, two Goosanders.  A Great Egret. 

A Grey and Pied Wagtails on the dam.

3rd April - cloudy, a little drizzle early, mod- gusting strong at times pm, -SW, 16C

 Lutterworth; Mistle Thrush singing from tree by Methodist Church, 0950h.

Lilbourne Meadows; late afternoon.

Four Wigeon, 18 Shovelers, plus Teal, Gadwall and Mallard.

A Little Egret dropped in. Several lapwings at the flood pools.

Two Stock Doves and several Woodpigeons feeding on the meadows.

A Mistle Thrush was also feeding on the meadows near the flood pools (my first site record).

The Water Rail showed again and feed out in the open.

2nd April - touch of ground frost last night. sunny intervals, light W, 12C

Willey; single Swallow still - hopefully more back soon.

Stanford Res; afternoon.

Rather quiet.

Eight Goldeneye.  A few Gadwall, two Teal.

 A Red Kite, two Buzzards.

Several Chiffchaffs singing, and a couple Blackcaps.  Single Goldcrest and several Long-tailed Tits.

A female Reed Bunting in one area and a male at a different location.

A couple Red-legged Partridges.

6+ Peacock Butterflies.  A Stoat running along the path.

Lilbourne Meadows, evening.

Only one Wigeon, still plenty Shovelers, Gadwall, and c50 Teal.  Single drake Tufted Duck.

A Redshank and Oystercatcher, several Lapwings in territories.

1st April - cloudy, very light-light WSW, 12C

Willey; Green Woodpecker 'yaffling' and great Spotted Woodpecker  'drumming'  - heard through the day.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill area; evening

28 Tufted Duck, several in groups after a female - although usually one drake had the lead and chasing the others away.  Only 8 Teal.

Seven Red Kites, several Ravens. 

A single Lapwing, a Little Grebe pair.

One Coot sitting on nest, other building etc.