21st Oct - mst/fog early, cleared to a sunny day, light NW, 17C

Willey; at last a few local Fieldfare to the east in field trees and on ground with a few Redwings too.

Croft Hill; Had a look here this morning, hoping for migration over or something grounded by the fog. In fact, very quiet with just a few Skylark and Meadow Pipit over, probably local birds moving.

Stanford reservoir; more Wigeon have arrived again in the last few days, otherwise usual duck numbers. Grey Lag Geese up to c240 today. A few mixed Tit flocks with Treecreeper and Goldcrests, only one Chiffchaff found though.  Four Bullfinch were in the boundary hedge, but few other finches seen.   A Sparrow Hawk was hunting and a Buzzard flew passed.  In the dam and outflow area 3 Pied and a Grey Wagtail, a Kingfisher too.

Dragonflies and a Brimstone.

 Brimstone

Sparrow Hawk (courtesy of  Philip Adams)

20th Oct - misty early, sunny intervals am, clear sunny pm 18C, light W

Welney WWT; having spent time at a vintage auction nearby it was easy to pop in to this reserve.  Whooper Swans have increased, I saw about 60, but there were more on the farmland nearby seen when leaving the area, the wardens say they have about 200 back so far for the winter. Other duck numbers are now increasing with many Teal and more Wigeon in, also Shoveler, Gadwall and Mallard. A single female Pintail and 3 Pochard, although I only saw the drake.  With the Canada and Grey Lag Goose flock a Barnacle Goose.
A single Sparrowhawk being hassled by Carrion Crows, several Kestrels and 2 Marsh Harrier. Waders included a good flock of Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover flying and several Snipe.

19th Oct - mist/fog early clearing to mostly sunny, 16C, light W

North Kilworth; there is a fallow field here that has lots of vegation/weed growth and I have meaning to have a look for a while. There were small numbers 10-20 of Yellowhammer, Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipits, Skylark and a few Goldfinch and Chaffinch. A Sparrowhawk flew through hunting too.  Another field worth checking as autumn/winter progresses.

Brandon Marsh; I had heard that a Short-eared Owl had been sighted here at lunch time, so I decided to have a look. Firstly over Newlands marsh from Albion’s bench area, not much was showing so I decided to head off to the Ted Jury hide to view from there. A Snipe was sitting camouflaged not far away and 2 Stonechat were out on the marsh, other birds included 10 Stock Dove, 6 Linnet plus and other regulars that provided distraction while waiting, like this Magpie. Then a brief flight view of the Owl before dropping down in to cover.  No further sightings before I had to leave, earlier than I would have liked due to an appointment. Maybe it will hang around a few days?

18th Oct - broken cloud, 13C, light NE

Still only a few Redwings around, I noticed 6 flying around this evening preparing to roost on the old railway track.  Waiting for first Fieldfare here, although some have been seen nearby and a couple of flocks were seen by Chris at Stanford reservoir today.

Late afternoon 10 Collard Doves flew over the village street and settled on aerials, there are more than this around the village though.

Plenty of insects as this mild air continues, a Butterfly went by, quite a few Ladybirds around too.

A busy day so few obs.

17th Oct - sunny spells, light NNW, 12C

Willey; under a wheelie bin I found a Smooth Newt, which I had to move a little to prevent it being rolled on.  The location is a annual spot for finding these newts.

16th Oct - cloudy, misty early, light wind S/SW, 12C

Willey; several (5+) Song Thrush early in the church Horse Chestnut and lane area, flying in and out of the trees/bushes suggesting some migrants have arrived during the night.  A Green Woodpecker was calling nearby.  10+ Goldfinch were flying over to a garden feeder they prefer, often 20+, I'll have to ask the owners for a recent accurate count.

Two flocks of Skylark, totalling 14, flew over low heading SW at 0850h..

15th Oct - cloudy, dull, drizzle, northerly brisk wind, 9C

Frolesworth Manor Lake; had a look here this morning as I was passing by, despite the weather not ideal.  a nice flock of Starling in the trees, not much on the lake of note. A male Bullfinch flew out and quickly back in to the thick hedge, no doubt a partner in there too.
There is a very good area of game cover and uncut wheat, which I have high hopes for as the autumn/winter progresses.
c250 Wood Pigeon were flying on to a nearby field to feed.

Stanford reservoir; after lunch a look here, weather still not ideal.  Pochard numbers have increased again to 22, no Goldeneye yet though, Wigeon numbers still low.  Common Gull, up to 8, so they're moving in now, Stanford is a good place for these in the winter.
7 Stock Dove were feeding on the neighbouring field.  Otherwise passerines were well hidden and keeping out of the rain and wind.