21st March - mostly cloudy, a few sunny spells pm, light/mod SW, 15C

Shawell Sandpit/Landfill; evening.

Three Shelducks, 21 Teal, Tufted Ducks, 9 Red Kites, Ravens, Grey Heron over, a Buzzard

20th March - cloudy, some drizzle and showers, 15C, light SW

Soar Brook Lake; 

Oystercatcher pair in residence, otherwise rather quiet.

Lilbourne Meadows, evening.

Two Little Egrets, 16 Shoveler, Shelduck drake, Tufted Duck pair, Teal, a Little Grebe.

19th March -0 showers, light SW, 15C

 Busy again, but I did notice a Muntjac in the Long Spinney just after the village turning.

18th March - cloudy/showers am, sunny intervals pm, 15C, light SW

No obs today

17th March - rain un til nearly mid-day, another 12mm, saturating the ground. Sunny spells and warm, 15C during the afternoon.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

After the rain the reservoir is very 'discoloured' again due to the river flowing through bring the run-off straight in.  This make it unfavourable for the ducks as it becomes difficult feeding conditions.  

so, I was surprised to find 8 Pintails (4m/4f) resting on the water.  Also, 8 Goldeneye.

For me,  a count 8 is good for here, only once before and the only higher count is of 10. both in the autumn.  

Here's some data of my Pintails obs here since Sept 2011, excluding todays count..

16th March - sunny start, clouding over, light breeze SW-S, 11C, shower evening

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

Skylarks and Meadow Pipits have returned, some song.

A Peregrine sat in a tree near the flood pools.

Oystercatcher pair near a pool. c100 Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal.  

9 Fieldfares, 6 Stock Doves.

Shawell sandpit/landfill;

14 Red Kites, c30 Ravens, 2 Great-crested Grebes (unusual here).

Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufed and Mallard.

15th March - mostly cloudy, light/mod SW, 14C, showers pm.

Willey;

0900h - a Barn Owl flew from the barn yard in to the old tree near Hurls Furlong gate.  Pellets have been found under the barn where there is a box, the tree also has some cavities.