29th June Monday - mostly broken cloud sunny intervals, light breeze SW, 22C

Willey; Red Kite over fields southward at 0800h.

Magna Park Central; evening.

Three Mallard on the lake and a female with two ducklings on the small pool.  Also, on the pool at Little Grebe with three young. 

Blackcap and Chiffchaffs heard.  A goldfinch singing. At least three Jays. Green Woodpecker heard.

Four+ Purple Hairstreaks on the Oaks, also see were Small Skipper, Ringlet, Red Admiral and Meadows Browns.

10+ Rabbits and a Fox.

Lutterworth; evening.

One Lesser Black Backed Gull on a nest in the industrial area, seven others around, including a very agitated one, suggesting further nests.  More roofs to check.

28th June Sunday - sunny intervals, breezy SW, 23C

Shawell sandpit and landfill area, morning

The Sand Martins are back!, Today busy feeding over the area, they must have been feeding elsewhere during the very hot spell.

The Egyptian Goose family are all together still (6 goslings well grown now). Quite a few more Ravens over the landfill area this morning.  

Three Oystercatchers today and 8 Lapwings.  A Cormorant dropped down out of view on the back pit.

Stanford Reservoir; afternoon.

Two Pochard, four gadwall and a teal among the Geese, Mallard and Tufted on the dam.  Two Grey Herons.

Blackcaps, Chiffchaff, Reed, Willow and Garden Warblers still singing, also male Reed Bunting. 

House and Sand Martins and c15 Swifts over the reservoir.

The Black-headed Gull youngster is now looking quite juvenile like on the raft.

A Bee Orchid was found by a visitor,

Butterflies included my first of the year Gatekeeper', and Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma, Speckled Wood, Large and Small Skippers, Meadow Browns, Green-veined and Small Whites and Ringlet..

27th June Saturday - Sunny spells, mod SW breeze, 28C

Willey;

While mowing Earls Furlong for hay a Buzzard and Kestrel were hunting, but no Red Kites again - puzzled, as they are all around as usual.

Shawell  Sandpit/Landfill; morning.

An Oystercatcher and eight Lapwings. A Cormorant flew in.

Four adult Little-ringed Plovers were present today.

Newbold Quarry; afternoon.

I counted six Silver-washed Fritillaries together and no doubt a few more around.  

Sandy Lane Cotesbach

A Green Woodpecker and singing Whitethroat.  On the meadow pools two Coot families and two Little Grebe pairs, one with three chicks.

The wildflower meadows look great, plenty Butterflies, three Painted Lady and a Marbled White.

Lilbourne Meadows; evening.

Nine Little Ringed Plovers, one was a large juvenile, a Curlew was present too.  

Eight Little Egrets.  a few Lapwings on the flood pools too.

I counted 30 Marbled Whites, and there were more in the area I didn't walk.

Three Yellow Wagtails,

A Roe Deer on the meadows.

26th June Friday - hotter earlier, again 33C, mostly light SW, sunny

Willey;  

Ravens were calling down Perkins fields and over Newnham Paddox first thing.

A single Red-legged Partridge was at the end on the Barns, among the Sheep, on the bare area.

Newbold Quarry; evening

Went to check for Silver-washed Fritillaries, but none found.

The Great-crested Grebe pair have two chicks.

25th June - stupidly hot 33C, light E, sunny

Willey; Three Kestrels down Perkins fields this morning, at least one a juv.

Newbold Quarry; evening.

Mainly a Butterfly hunt for Silver-washed Fritillaries, but I didn't see any. Plenty of other common species about. 

The Great-crested Grebe pair have two young with them on the water.

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.