24th April - chilly night. SUnny, 17C, light ENE

Rutland Water; I decided to visit here after looking locally as they have had a good run of migrants in recent days.  In all a good selection of birds were seen during the visit.

The principle rarity present was a 1st winter Bonaparte's Gull, this showed well on lagoon 4 and was very active, not settling still hardly at all.  At least 20 Little Gulls were also present here. Waders here included Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Avocets, Greenshank (2), Redshank and Whimbrel.

A pair of Grey Partridges were on the track near the far gate whilst a Cuckoo kept flying on and off the fence onto the lagoon bank.  

Ducks included a female Scaup, two Wigeon, Goldeneye and a female Pintail.  Plenty of Common terns were around.  

23rd April - a touch of frost last night. Sunny, thin cloud at times, light E, 17C

Cotesbach landfill; this morning 20 Red Kites feeding, two drake Shelduck, as yesterday few Shoveler and Teal.

Stanford reservoir;  about 1505h two adult Little Gulls were spotted, by 1530h there were 5.  A passage through the Midlands reported today.  They always stayed centrally in the reservoir, so distant record photos.

Also noted were a Lesser Whitethroat, three Whitethroats, Treecreepers at two locations, a singing Goldcrest behind the dam and 12 Yellow Wagtails on the dam/spillway.

Common butterflies were out today - Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood.

22nd April - frost last night -2C. Sunny, light E, 15C

The dry mon th continues, with frosts, warming quickly, but cooling early with the N/E winds seemingly slowing arrival migrants in numbers, but some exceptional early records too.

Cotesbach Landfill; another look here this evening.  the three Egyptian Geese wandered across the sandy area, promptly sat down and went to sleep.  A Common Sandpiper was feeding around the waters edge.  Both Teal and Shoveler numbers have dropped again, 11 and 6 respectively, soon they will all be gone.  The Gadwall pair were present again and two Mute Swans.  Six red Kites were still present circling over the boundary field.

I counted 10 Ravens. I watched one that stood statue like while another nibbled through its neck and breast feathers, at least for three minutes, clearly doing a cleaning job.

21st April - cloudy am, sunny periods pm, light ENE wind, 12C

Stanford reservoir; this evening on the dam there was three Common Sandpipers, 13 Yellow Wagtails, two Grey and a single Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit.  At least two Mallard have ducklings and well as a Grey Lag Goose pair.  

Generally quiet for passerines as the wind was keen and feeling cool.

Cotesbach Landfill; the three Egyptian Geese were back this evening, also four Swallows were around.  Maybe at last more have arrive.

20th April - SUnny, 17C, light E

Cotesbach Landfill; a look here in the morning, 15 Red Kites, several Ravens and Buzzards were around.  The usual Ducks and a single Little Grebe was present on the water.  A Grey Heron was present, mostly just standing on an island. A single Lapwing was present feeding at the waters edge.

Bitteswell; a look around fields in the evening.  It was good to see several Song Thrushes about the hedgerows.  On one recently sown field 9 Pied Wagtails were feeding, with them a single White Wagtail.

19th April - a touch of frost last night. Sunny, very light E, 16C

WIlley; Still seeing only one Swallow around the village.  Anne B thought she heard a Cuckoo yesterday afternoon, I hope it returns.

This evening 2010h, a bat was flying around the church area - 13C still.

Stan ford reservoir; late afternoon a Common Sandpiper and male Yellow Wagtail on the dam.  Otherwise pretty quiet.

Cotesbach Landfill; a look this evening, most Gulls had gone, nit sure there had been any tipping today.  A couple of Ravens about, five Yellow Wagtails in the pools area.  A Little grebe was 'trilling' although I did not find its mate. 

Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers called from the spinney area.

Two Foxes were wandering around the sight looking for food.

18th April - a touch of frost last night. Mostly sunny, light NE, 14C

Cotesbach Landfill/Shawell lagoons; a look here this morning, somewhat disappointing with little about, except a Hobby that appeared for 5 mins hunting insects before being hassled by a Crow.

The Gadwall pair was again present, with the Teal, Shoveler and Mallard.