12th Oct - mostly sunny, light - mod WSW, 16C

Willey; a couple of Redwing heard first thing but not seen. Still no significant numbers around the Midlands.

Stanford reservoir;  a morning visit hoping for some migrants.  The Green Sandpiper was on the inlet weir again, but no other waders were found.  No significant roving mixed Tit flock, just a couple of small loose groups.  At least 5 Chiffchaffs were present in the bushes around the reservoir.  A few Redwing were heard and on the fallow adjoining field there was plenty of Skylark and Meadow Pipit activity.
Lesser Redpoll, small flocks, were passing through, some dropping down to feed or drink in the puddles, smashing looking birds, at least 100 passed through during the morning, 20 were caught by the ringing team present.  Chaffinch and Bullfinch were also present at the reservoir today.
No new waterfowl were found, in fact the water was fairly quiet, except Great-crested Grebes have increased further to 20.  It can't be long before Goldeneye turn up here.

Plenty of hornet activity, they have made a nest in a bird box, a couple of butterflies - Small Tortoiseshell and Dragonflies were about.

11th Oct - cloudy, dull, moderate WSW, 14C

Willey; a cock Pheasant was in the church lane and flew off towards the old railway mid-morning.

Shawell Lagoons; after lunch i had a look here, plenty of Gulls present, no scarce Gulls though. Also, the colour ringed ones I saw were all very muddy and unreadable today.  However, there were two Dunlin on the shore, feeding and washing.

10th Oct - cloudy am, sunny spells late afternoon, breezy SW, mild 17C

Willey;  surprisingly I did not see any more Redwings, I expecting an arrival after yesterday.  This morning 0830h 9 Cormorants were flying passed the village northerly, a little later 7 Meadow Pipits flew over southward and several Skylarks were heard overhead.

Stanford reservoir; after lunch I made a visit here, it was quite breezy at times making birds keep in shelter, alter several Dragonflies, Southern Hawker and Common Darter were out flying.

A single Black-tailed Godwit and Greenshank we're on the point with a few Lapwing and about 20 Cormorant.  Great crested Grebes have now increased from 4 to 12, no doubt as the water has risen making it more suitable for them.  Greylag Geese and Canada Geese were in good numbers, I counted at least 550 of the former.  The usual mixed Tit flocks were about but the breeze keeping them fairly well hidden.  A single Jay flew over the reservoir to the wood.

9th Oct - mostly cloudy, mild, 16C, light WSW

A busy day but I notice a few things.

Willey; a Fox was spotted standing in the pasture field about mid-day. Early afternoon about 12 Redwing dropped in to the old railway trees.  This evening alteast 6 Magpies were quite noisy in that same area.

8th Oct - sunny spells, light NW, 17C max

I took a photo of a Giant House spider in home late yesterday, about 4 cm across.  They often enter homes in the autumn looking for a mate.

Willey; later afternoon I sorted of my paddock feed station and filled it up for the first time this autumn.  I soon had Blue, Great and a Coal Tit feeding, along with a Nuthatch, a male Great-spotted Woodpecker and a couple of Greenfinch.  So, now they know food is back I expect to see numbers increase as autumn progresses, and hopefully some new visititors.

7th Oct - cloudy/drizzle early, then cloudy, with westerly freshening pm, rain shower later afternoon, 16C

Willey; mid-morning a Kestrel was on the telegraph pole near the village pond and a Chiffchaff was singing from the trees.

Shawell lagoons/old sand pit; It was Webs count today and as Carl is away I went to count the waterfowl early.  However, there were very few waterfowl present, 35 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 21 Tufted Duck, some Canada Geese and Coot was about it.  As winter progresses numbers and variety should increase.

Rutland Water; This afternoon I decided to see if I could find the American Wigeon again, after failing on my previous attempt.  The odds were better now as 2 drakes have been seen in the last few days on different lagoons.  I spent considerable time searching without success until I meet another birder who told me he had been watching it recently from the Smew hide, he even came back with me to help locate it - decent fellow - we soon found it and had good views of it feeding.

  Plenty of other duck were on lagoon 2, including Pintail, Teal, Shoveler and European Wigeon.

The other bird good to see was the Great Egret, at least 2 were present, with several Grey herons.

6th Oct - sunny am, cloud increasing pm, very light to light NW, 16C

Stanford reservoir; Chris found an Egyptian Goose with the Greylags and Canada Geese, when I got there it was still present and showing well, this is my first site record.

The Green Sandpiper was on the inlet weir and several Lapwings on the point.  The usual duck were present, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, a few Tufted and 1 Pochard drake.  A Grey Wagtail flew over and 2 Little Grebe were showing.  At the feed station about 15 Tree Sparrows were feeding. Only one roving Tit flock seen today and a couple of Chiffchaff.  Several Bullfinches were in the thickets and at least 5 Linnet were present.
Gull numbers were higher today, with another Common Gull present.

Now the spillway work has been Completed the water level in the reservoir will (slowly) return to full, so I expect more Gulls, especially Common Gull and Diving duck numbers to increase.