21st June - very breezy and cool at first, easing NW and warming with plenty of sun during the day, 18C

summer solstice has arrived, with a big high approaching and very weather expected.

Draycote Water; a quick look from the dam area while waiting for a wardens meeting.  About 20 House Martins around the sailing club building where they have nests.  Swifts over the water, 1 Common Tern feeding. Not a lot else as the wind was pretty keen keeping things in shelter.

Stanford Reservoir ; a look during the afternoon,  Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker, families of Pied and Grey Wagtails on the outflow. A male Greenfinch in the bushes near the bridge and a Raven calling in the distance.  A Grey Heron was present, maybe because the water level is dropping making it more suitable. GreyLag Geese number over 60 now with several Goslings, also some juveniles. Canada Geese, 16 and some goslings.  A couple of Common Terns were present.

20th June - another day similar to yesterday - cloud/sun/drizzle/hot/humid at times

Yesterdays fungus - 1 day older.

19th June - cloudy, few sunny spells, humid at times, breeze light SW, 23C

Willey; about 0930h 2 Cormorants flew over NE. To think once we would never see these birds here.
I found a fungus on the lawn, it’s looks good for a Orange Webcap, but completely the wrong habitat according to the literature, so maybe I have the identity wrong, maybe another wax cap type.  I shall keep an eye on it, hoping it develops further. Ought to be a Meadow Waxcap. Any comments on identity welcomed.

Cotesbach landfill; a quick check here late afternoon.  The Lapwing chick was still present and 7 adults.  I managed a count of 8 Red Kite.

18th June - mostly cloudy, some sunny spells mid-day, 20C, breezy at times, westerly

A busy day.

Over the last few days juvenile Buzzards have become noticeable by their begging call for food now they have left their nests.

17th June - cloudy, light-moderate breeze, 16C

Willey; Red Kite again just to the west of the village.

Newton; a walk around the area of lakes this morning produced singing Willow, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Whitethroats, Blackcap and Garden Warbler. Two Pheasant broods, Stock Doves, several Linnet, Goldfinch and Reed Buntings.  Blackbird and Song Thrush singing too.  A Green Woodpecker was present feeding on the ground. Mute Swan pair with 4 cygnets still.

Common Blue, Small Heath and Large Skippers seen.

Stanford reservoir; this afternoon the weather was still not too brilliant for summer keeping much activity low.  A Little Egret flew over.  A family of Grey and Pied Wagtails were on the outflow weir.
Both Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers were present. A Good number of Swift, Sand and House Martins were feeding, often very high.

The Common Tern pair seem to be sitting on a nest on the new rafts we installed this Spring.

Speckled Wood and Ringlet were present today and at least 4 Banded Demoiselle.  A Muntjac trotted in front of me into cover.

16th June - unsettled, fresher SW, some light showers, 18C

Busy -No obs today.

15th June 2018 - sunny am, cloudier pm, light SW breeze, 20C

Bittesby Mere lane lake; a walk here this morning produced the following butterflies, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Large Skipper and Meadow Brown.
A Jay called from the hedgerow, Sedge and Reed Warblers around the lake with Blackcap and Whitethroat in the bushes.  A Little Grebe was on the lake with another hiding, many Coot with young.  A family of Long-tailed Tits were in the thicket and nearby at least 2 Bullfinches.

Cotesbach Landfill; 8 Red Kite were present about 0900h, soaring around the site. Plenty of Gulls feeding on the landfill or resting.