7th Sept - sunny spells am, clouding over pm, 18C

Willey;  at last some Yellow Wagtails with the cattle this morning, if only 2, a Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit with them.  A little later a couple of Meadow Pipit flew over southward, so maybe some movement today.   In the morning there were 5 Swallows around the fields and the 2 feeding young, so some still here.  At 1430h there were 27 sitting on the wires, obviously been feeding all morning over the fields.

Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood butterflies were showing well today.

Stanford reservoir; news came that a Marsh Harrier was hunting here, I was busy and managed to go about an hour later, but was unable to find the bird.  While searching for it I did find 2 Pintail on the water, a female and juvenile, they flew off, the first here since Spring.  Overhead were many hirundines, at least 500 House Martins with Swallows and Sand Martins and a single Swift.

6th Sept - fine morning, sunny periods, light breeze WNW, 18C

Willey; I did not see any Swallows on the wires this morning so thought the rest may have left, except the pair feeding 4 young in our shed.  However, in the evening, 1920h, 10 were back around the village pre-roost flights.   So, some may have left but not all; I would say the young have about 10 days to fledge, finding food for them will become more difficult as we are forecast an unsettled wet few days from Friday.

Stanford reservoir;  a interesting walk here this afternoon. All the Lapwings went up high suggesting a bird of prey, and sure enough a juvenile Peregrine was atempting to catch a Black-headed Gull.  Interestingly, opposite to the Lapwings the BHGs all gathered in a loose group on the water and did not fly up, they just sat tight while the Peregrine tried to pluck one off, but it had no chance.

A little later a Hobby flew over hawking insect food, there had been a moxed flock of hirundines, but it seemed uninterested in these. A Green Sandpiper, Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit were still present, a couple of Little Grebe were on the water near the islands.   Around the bushes a mixed flock of Tits, Goldcrest, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, included a Willow Tit.

On the adjacent field the two Whinchats were still present catching food from the tall vegetation.

5th Sept - dull, cloudy light rain am, sunny spells pm before showers, 21C

Willey; 25-39 Swallows on the wires this morning.

Stanford reservoir; After lunch I headed here, hoping for the Whinchat that have been here a few days.  On reachng their usual field area I quickly spotted 2 sitting on vegetation and catching insects. I managed some record photos through the heat haze without getting too close to disturb them.

As I walked towards the field along the hedge path there was a number of roving flocks of Tits, Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers, at one point I heard a Redstart call and after a few moments it flew from the hedge in to the waterside Willows chased by a Whitethroat.  Although a brief view it was good to see, as usually the only chance to see one is when netted for ringing and this year they have caught several over the last couple of weeks.

A Hobby flew over catching insects before flying off, maybe the last I'll see this year.  A Little Egret was on the islands along with many lapwing and ducks.  A Green Sandpiper was on the weir at the inlet.

4th Sept - cloudy, mild misty start.

Willey; about 30 Swallows on the wires this morning. On the top field pond mud a Green Sandpiper was feeding. During the evening the Swallows were participating in a pre-roost flight and chatter over the village.

Stanford reservoir; a look here mid-afternoon did not produce anything new, and seemed fairly quiet, no hirundines either.  The Black-tailed Godwit was on the island.

High cloud, light sometimes fresher SSE, 16C, light rain pm

Willey; There seemed about the same number of Swallows around first thing as yesterday, with young still being fed in one nest.  Around the church yard area the Nuthatch and Goldcrest were calling, c10 Linnet were in the top of the Horse Chestnut tree and a family party of Greenfinch kept flying about with juveniles calling loudly.

Bittesby Mere Lane Lake; a look here did not produce too much as the wind was rather fresh keeping thing well hidden.  A couple of Sedge warblers still in the reed bed, 4 Little Grebes on the lake and a couple of Bullfinch and a Chiffchaff were heard.  A number of Puff-ball fungi were just starting to fruit.

Stanford reservoir; after lunch I made a visit here, again the weather was a little unsettled, but you never know.  A good number of hirundines were feeding over the reservoir, Swallow, Sand Martin and at least 150 House martins.  I was hopeful there would be a Swift too, and after some while one did appear feeding among them, my latest record for this site ever.  Only 1 or 2 Wigeon still, no more arrivals and the single drake Pochard was present.  While the water level remains low it is less suitable for diving duck, but great for the dabblers (Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall).  Passage waders included a Greenshank, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Green Sandpiper.  57 Mute Swans were counted on the water along with a single Little Grebe and Little Egret at the inlet channel.

Theddingworth; in the evening I visited my brother and could here a couple of Raven calling over the nearby woodland, about 2100h there was a Barn Owl on the fence along station lane.

2nd Sept - Mostly sunny after a misty start, 19C, light SE

A busy day with little time for obs.

Willey;  There was 25 Swallows sitting on the wires this morning as the mist cleared.  A Sparrowhawk flew over the fields just east of the village.  Good numbers of Speckled Wood are still flying around the hedges and thickets.

Autumn dawns 1st Sept - mostly sunny 19C, light W

Willey; well only 14 Swallows were on the wires this morning, with odd ones flying around, suggesting that more left on migration since yesterday mornings count.

Stanford reservoir; another try to see the Whinchat, again no sighting.  A Common Sandpiper flew passed, a couple of Little Egret where on the islands again.  Chiffchaff, Willow Warblers were numerous, with Blackcaps, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat also seen.  Otherwise things are much as expected, there's an expectation the migration will turn up something unusual in the next few weeks, as well as more returning winter visitors.