7th July - mostly sunny, 21C, light N

Cotesbach landfill; a check here this morning showed the Greenshank present still, now 2 Redshank. A Common Tern put in a brief appearance.  At least 10 Red Kites, several Buzzards too. Grey and Pied Wagtails around.  An adult Yellow-legged Gull showed well.

Distant hazy record photo of the Redshank

Stanford reservoir; highlights included Common and Green Sandpipers in the spillway, along with at least 10 Grey Wagtails, Pied Wagtail family and 2 Yellow Wagtails.  5 Common Terns were present, unfortunately it seems the nesting bird may have given up.

3 Green Woodpeckers, a great spotted Woodpecker, the usual Warblers, Lesser Whitethroats still singing.

6th July - cloudy, light NWN, 18C, a few spots of rain

Willey; a Lesser Whitethroat was singing near the A5 bridle way gate.  John M said he saw Red Kite again of the grass field early morning.

Last night at about 2230h I could here the young Hedgehog calling outside, quite loudly.

Cotesbach Landfill; some new birds in the sandpit area this afternoon.  9 Teal, the juv Shelduck, 3 Shoveler were joined by two more, the Greenshank still and a Redshank (both seen by Carl in this morning). A couple of Sand Martins and occasional Swift overhead.

Around the landfill portion Red Kites were feeding, sometimes quite a few sat in a couple of dead trees. I counted 29 at one time either in the trees or feeding.

5th July - sunny, 26C, light westerly

Willey; another grass field being cut this morning so two Red Kites and Buzzard were in attendance.

Cotesbach Landfill; had a look here this evening, mainly at the sandpit area. A Greenshank was present (see briefly this morning by Carl), also 3 Oystercatchers (looked like the family from Stanford res area), female Shoveler, a Grey Heron plus other regulars.

4th July - sunny, hot, 26C, light SW

Willey; mowing began of another grass field and a Red Kite was present and 2 Buzzards, after lunch 4 Red Kites were present.

Early afternoon, a Whitethroat was singing in the Coal pit lane hedge, then a Hobby flew over, circling catching prey and moved off eastward.

An insect was noticed on the brambles and I have now identified it as a male Swollen-thighed Beetle, reported as a common species.

3rd July - sunny, light NE, 21C

Another busy day.

Cotesbach Landfill.  16 Lapwings (forgot to mention 11 yesterday).  9 Red Kite, one photographed picking at a dead Gull.  Several Grey Wagtails and Pied. No Blackwit today though.
As expected not too much happening, this will change.

2nd July - sunny spells, light-breezy NW, 18C

Cotesbach Landfill; only managed a look here today during the morning.  The Black-tailed Godwit still, 5 Red Kite, Buzzards, Stock Dove (2), other apart from the ever increasing Gull. Umbers fairly quite.

Willey; these fungi were on a lawn.

1st July - sunny spells, mod breeze, WSW, 20C

Willey; the Lesser Whitethroat was singing again this morning towards to old railway in it’s territory.

About 2200h the young Hedgehog put in an appearance searching near the back door, disappearing in to the wood store.

Cotesbach Landfill; the Black-tailed Godwit was still present this evening, a Lapwing too but no other waders. The Pochard was present a a single Shelduck - looks like an older juvenile.  Only one Red Kite seen.  The Grey Heron was searching one inlet in the pool.