14th Sept - rain/drizzle most of the day

 Willey; only the nest attending Swallows seen again, trying to find food in the rain.

13th Sept - mostly high cloud, 19C, light ESE

Willey; only the Swallows attending nests at home seen today.

Shawell Sandpit; evening. a quick look, four Red Kites, seven Ravens, two Little Grebes, SHovelers, Teal, Mallard and three Tufted Ducks.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening.  Not too much around -a Ringed Plover and two Little Stints on an island, only seven lapwings. A Little Egret and Grey Heron, a single Little Grebe.

12th Sept - sunny am, becoming cloudy, 19C, light WNW

WIlley; at least six Swallows over home this morning, plus those attending nests.

Soar Brook Lake; a 1st winter Wheatear was on the field fence line.  WeBS count day, included Mallard, Little Grebes, Little Egrets, Lapwings, Black-headed and Lesser Black Backed Gulls, a Cormorant.

Mere Lane Lake; four Little grebes and two Shoveler notable on the lake. A minimum of Four Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting too.  A female Kestrel was around.

Common Blue and Small Copper butterflies noted too.

Eyebrook Reservoir; afternoon. Highlights included Pectoral Sandpiper, two Great Egrets, c15 Ringed Plover, c10 <Dunlin, three Ruff, a Little Stint, Shelduck, 

11th Sept - sunny spells, 22C, light 22C

Willey; 0800h, c30 House Martins feeding over home, plus a few Swallows.

Magna Park lake area; morning.  Not much on the lake but several Blackcaps, a female Redstart and single Spotted Flycatcher (adult).

Shawell sandpit; afternoon'  14 Shovelers, plus Teal and Mallards, a Little Grebe.  Among the Gulls, Carl spotted a juv Caspian Gull, somewhat more pale individual than usual.  Ravens, Red Kites and green Woodpecker.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; late afternoon'  Highlights were two Little Stints, two Redshanks, a Ringed Plover, three Curlew.  Also, two each Little Grebes and Shovelers.  A Kestrel flew passed.

10th Sept - sunny spell, showers about, light SW, 20C

Willey; 0815 - 12 Swallows around home.  

Late morning a look around the Church and Church Lane area produced single Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Nuthatch, Goldcrest  two Great Spotted and a Green Woodpecker, several Greenfinch and Goldfinches.

Afternoon, a flock of c35 Starlings were around the village fields.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening.  Highlights were - four Little Stints (juvs), a Ringed, Little Ringed and Curlew, two Redshanks.  A Ruddy Shelduck (female). Two Little Grebes

9th Sept - sunny spells, light S, 23C, a few short showers around.

Willey; looked at one of the Swallows nest this morning, the tiniest youngster’s head was visible.  I will have to check the other nests, these will be awhile if they survive.  The most I saw today was 5 adults.

Croft Hill; afternoon. A Tree Pipit flew SW calling, it may have come off the ground.  Otherwise quiet, but good views of a female Kestrel and a friendly Robin.

Small Copper and Small Heath butterflies were seen.

Shawell sandpit; evening. three Green Sandpipers feeding at pool, 10 Shovelers, single Little Grebe.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening.  three Little Stints still (juvs).  Single Redshank and Ringed Plover.

8th Sept - sunny and hot, 29C, light ESE

Willey; first thing three Spotted Flycatchers feeding edge of BH wood.

Swallows still attending nests.

Shawell sandpit; evening. Single Lapwing and Green Sandpiper feeding at pool. Little Grebe and two Shoveler, six Mute Swans.

They are still pumping out water, which doesn’t seem to be helping attract waders, even though we have a good shore line, too many pools are disappearing.

A5 Pools/DIRFT: two Little Stint still, two Redshanks, a Dunlins and Ringed Plover.