20th April - sunny periods, mod easterly, 15C, but feeling cool.

 Lilbourne Meadows, late afternoon.

6 Yellow Wagtails and c12 Pied Wagtails. A Redshank was feeding on the mud in the corner.  Three Little grebes seen, presumably we have two pairs again.  Plus the current regulars of late.

19th April - Cloudy, mod-brisk at time easterly, 14C, feeling cooler. Odd light shower

 Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

A drake Shelduck on the flood pools, another flew in, which was then chased by the first one.

A Swift -  my first of the year, probable year first for Northants.  Also, my earliest date ever, previous earliest was 25th April 2018.

Otherwise similar species to last visit.

Summer Leys NR, afternoon.

A Ringed Plover, several Little Ringed Plovers, four Greenshanks, a Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, two Whimbrel came in.  Seven Common Terns, Great White and Little Egret (2).

Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon (1f, 2m), Tufted, 

Garden Warble near car park,Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove.

18th April - cloud increased and winf mod-brisk SSE, 15C, but feeling cool. A light rain late afternoon.

Bittesby Country Park; afternoon

A male Whinchat top meadows area.  Plenty Skylark activity. 

An unexpected Snipe called as it flew from field vegetation and landed a further 40 m on.

Shawell Sandpit/landfill area;

18 Red Kites, Green Woodpecker calling, Gadwall pair, seven Teal, two Mute Swans.

Lilbourne Meadows;

Single Oystercatcher, Redshank, Little Grebe.  Several Teal, Shoveler and mallard.

Two Swallows, 5 Sand Martins and a House Martin.  Single Yellow Wagtail.

22 Starlings feeding/gathering food on the meadows.

17th April - sunny periods, 15C, light E

Stanford reservoir; evening

Three Goldeneye still present (1m, 2f).  A Whitethroat.

5 Common Sandpipers dam area.

16th April - strong-gusty SW, 30-40mph, 15C, but feeling much cooler, sunny periods

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

A quick check here in case some Terns had been blown in, but no.

A Common Sandpiper was on the dam.  Most other birds were doing their best to find shelter, about from the Great-crested Grebes which seemed oblivious to the rough conditions.

Lilbourne Meadows;  evening.

A good count of 14 Yellow Wagtails, also 12 Pied Wagtails.  Redshank pair, a drake Shelduck, c20 Teal plus Mallard, Shoveler and Gadwall.   A Little Egret, and two Swallows.

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

 Lilbourne Meadows; morning.

A single Shelduck, plus Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler and Mallard.

Three Yellow Wagtails, four Pied, a Little Egret and Grey Heron.

Great Spotted Woodpecker investigation the fence posts for food.

20 Starlings feeding on the meadow.

14th April - Broken cloud, 14C, light S

Lilbourne Meadows; evening

Nothing new.  Eight Yellow Wagtails were notable around the field pools.

Single Little Egret still.