28th March - rain most of morning, showers, sunny spells pm, steady NW, 9C, often cooler

Willey; A Robin was collecting nest material and building in on of the sheds, I think using an old Blackbirds nest as a shell. At 1715h the Sparrowhawk was back sitting in the garden near the feeder.

Claybrooke Magna, a mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwings were in an Ash tree along the Frolesworth lane this afternoon.

Froslesworth Manor lake; very cool wind blowing across the site keeping things out of site. Great-Crested Grebe and Tufted Duck were present, plus Canada and Greylag Geese. A couple of Yellowhammers and several Chaffinch were feeding on the old game cover area.

Stanford Reservoir; a look here this evening, generally quiet with only the regulars about. Wigeon numbers were lower, c100, maybe some have left for their breeding grounds.

27th March - light rain early, cloudy mostly, 10C, light SW

Willey; a couple of Redwing flew over at 0750h, and a couple a little later too. A male Sparrowhawk was sitting in the garden at 0750h, not seen one in the garden for ages.
Mid-morning a Chiffchaff was singing on the old railway track and a Nuthatch was calling plenty.  11 Goldfinch flew passed.

Cotesbach Landfill; a look here in the afternoon produced a juvenile Iceland Gull among the other Gulls.

26th March - sunny intervals, light WSW, 12C

Willey; the Goldcrest was singing frequently in the Church large Yew tree, with Goldfinches showing interest in the Horse Chestnut where they often nest. At least 4 Tree Sparrows, a Coal Tit, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Yellowhammers plus other usual were visiting the feed station.

Shawell lagoons, a brief look here this afternoon, usual candidates, 85 Wigeon was good, and 5 Great-crested Grebes - lots of territory/pairing going on.

Stanford reservoir; now we have lighter evenings and it was reasonably pleasant a look here for evening migrants.  Two Lapwing were displaying at the inlet end, there display, whooshing wings and calls is always a great sight to see. All was peace and quite, then all the Gulls and Ducks went up from their roosting, I soon heard - then saw why - 2 very low RAF C130 Hercules flew directly over the reservoir southward, also over Chris who was nearby.  Eventually, the birds settled back down and I continued searching through the Gulls.  Whilst doing so I noticed 4 Sand Martins flying over the water feeding, my first for the year.  The Gulls were 95% Common and 5% Black-headed Gulls, even by the time I left no'large' Gulls had come to roost.  I presume they have decided to go to Draycote Water.
I counted 21 Goldeneye this evening on the reservoir.

(Photo C Hubbard)

25th March - sunny periods, mild, 13C, light northerly

Stanford reservoir; an afternoon visit on the first proper Spring-like day.  I spotted my first Comma butterfly, and Brimstone had been reported by others.  plenty of Lesser Celandine were in flower today too.

In the morning Chris had seen 6 Common Scoter, fortunately there were still here this afternoon, unfortunately they were distant to digiscope and roosting, and inactive.

On the dam a Redshank and Dunlin were resting. Some wader passage today, Chris also had Curlew this morning.

 

Two Goosander, plenty of Wigeon, Gadwall, Pochard, Goldeneye and ~60 Teal were on the reservoir too.
Pied and Grey Wagtail were also on the dam.  A Chiffchaff was feeding in the bushes along the river by-pass.
Three Ravens were having a dispute overhead near the inlet.  Skylark was singing on the fallow filed, 6 Fieldfare flew over and a few Redwing were in the bushes near the inlet gate.   A pair of Reed Bunting were chasing each other.

24th March - light rain early am, then cloudy, some drizzle pm, 9C, light NE

Willey; 2+ Redwing were in the trees next to the back field pond first thing.    A Kestrel was sitting in road side Ash sapling on coal pit lane near the cross-in-hand -roundabout.

Cotesbach; checked the Sandy lane area in the morning, fairly quiet, but the Shelduck pair was present, these seem to range from here to Shawell lagoons and Stanford reservoir.

Cotesbach landfill area; after lunch I had a call from Carl that he had found an adult Iceland Gull in the quarry area.  It was still present when I arrived, unfortunately is was mostly asleep among other Gulls.

 A Grey Heron flew in and disturbed the Gulls, the Iceland flew off in the direction of Draycote Water with other Gulls.

A Red Kite flew over and a pair of Buzzards were nearby.

Shawell lagoons; a look here next, there were Gulls here and on the central bank among others a juvenile Iceland Gull was found, this wandered about before flew off in the direction of the landfill area.

Carl spotted a .'near' adult Caspian Gull too on the shoreline.

Also, at the lagoons birds included c200 Wigeon, 3 Lapwings, 5 Great-crested Grebes, including the pair nest building, a Teal pair, Tufted Duck and Canada geese, 6 Mute Swans, a Cormorant and a Green Woodpecker..

23rd March - mostly cloudy, light westerly, 10C

Willey;  A busy day.
A Grey Heron as at the back field pond 0900h.  Later ~25 Redwing flew SW passed the village.

22nd March - sunny spells, 10C, light esterly

Shawell Lagoons; I had a look here late afternoon, many Gulls present, nothing out of the ordinary though.  A couple of Redwing and Long-tailed Tits in the boundary hedge.
Still waiting for migrants here.