14th April - mostly cloudy, light SW, 15C

Lilbourne meadows (am). Nothing new here today, a couple of Shelduck, two Shoveler and Gadwall respectively, plus the regulars.  A Raven was heard nearby and three Skylarks were flying around.

Stanford reservoir; evening.  Two drake Wigeon, six Shoveler, a female Egyptian Goose with the Mute Swans, 17 Yellow Wagtails, four male Reed Buntings feeding on the ground in the spillway, close to each other but wary.  A pair of Swallows visiting their usual nest site.  Two m ale Grey Wagtails chasing each other.,

13th April -cloudy am, showers pm, light SSW 15C

Willey;  2010h, I heard Fieldfare calling and looking up high, there was c35 (and a couple of Redwings) flying northward slowly, they then circled back and headed southwards.

Shawell sandpit, highlight this morning was a single Black-tailed Godwit feeding.

Honey Hill, Cold Ashby;  I decided to pop down the road to Northants to see the reported Ring Ouzels, possibly up to 5.  When I arrived a couple of birders had been watching the Ouzels, but two others had started to walk through the field where they were and flushed them - needlessly.   A heavy shower came through and all the other folks left, I sheltered and when it stopped raining I searched, viewing from the path again.  

I spotted a male Wheatear and Blackbirds but no Ouzels.  However, scanning the next area of the field, there they were, in fact SIX Ouzels all out feeding on the field.  Further 5 Wheatear were also feeding on the field.  So, in the end good views were had.  Four males and two Females.  They often disappeared in to the thick boarding hedgerow  for a while.

12th April - cloudy, 15C, generally light SSW, odd short shower

Stanford res; pm.  Regulars plus 3+ Willow Warblers around Northants side, 9 Yellow Wagtails on the dam grass, 6 Shoveler, 2 Goldeneye.  Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming.

Peacock, Brimstone and Orange-tip Butterflies out now a bit warmer.

11th April - high cloud, mod SE, 14C

Willey;  a couple of Jays flew out of the Long Spinney,  near the Perkins field area, 0830h.

A couple of Red-legged partridge on the village street next to the allotments, 1530h.   A Swallow seen several times again.

c50 FIeldfares flew over the Pailton road, 1030h.

Stanford reservoir; late afternoon.  highlights were a couple of Yellow Wagtails, initlaly one bathing at a puddle, then two in the spillway.  Also, at least 8 Hirundines which included 4 House martins, 2 Swallows and 2 Sand martins.

Buzzard, Red Kite and Raven too.  Two Shovelers.

10th April - slight frost last night. Sunny. becoming high cloud during the day, light SSE, 13C

WIlley; first Swallow of the year around the village.

A5 Pools/DITFT; am.  new birds here included a Green Sandpiper and Redshank.  

Lilbourne wet Meadows; Nothing new here today, just the regular water birds, including 3 Shelducks and 4 Little grebes.

Stanford reservoir; pm.  more Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps around now, no other warblers found though.   A Bullfinch pair.  10 Tree Sparrows at the feed station. 

Single Shoveler and Wigeon, 67 Goldeneyes.  A couple of Ravens about, hassling a Buzzard sometimes, a Kestrel too.  

9th April - Frost last night. Sunny spells, light nagging NW, 10C, feeling cool, isolated showers pm.

Shawell sandpit/landfill; 1000am  Nine Gadwall, four pairs and a drake, which is a good number for this site.  Less Shoveler and Teal present then in previous weeks, a full count soon.    Three :Little Grebes.

Four Buzzards, included a pair mating in a Spinney tree, three Red Kites.

Middleton Lakes; pm.  a visit here this afternoon, highlights were:-

A Bittern frequently 'booming'.  A Spotted Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 6 Redshanks, a Greenshank, a Snipe, a Little Ringed Plover,  6 Avocets, 3 Shelducks.

Nuthatch, Treecreeper.

8th April - Frost last night. Sunny spells, 10C light N wind -cool

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill;   14 Red Kites,  Gadwall 6,  Goldfinch 3.