3rd April - cool mod NE, 9C, sunny spells pm

Shawell area; nothing new, a female Kestrel was near the lagoon pools, a single Little Grebe spotted here too.

Stanford reservoir; just missed a fly through Osprey this afternoon.

A Curlew flew through westward and an Oystercatcher flew in and fed on the dam.  A pair of Grey Wagtails were busying themselves around the dam and spillway.  A single Swallow was seen a few times.  A pair of Long-tailed Tits were in the dam thicket.  Only four Wigeon on the dam.

2nd April - sunny spells, mod NE, 9C, feeling cool

Willey; a nice surprise this morning when two (pair) of Grey Partridge flew and landed in front of me, then running through the hedge to the recently sown field.  Not seen any around here for a very long time.

A Blackcap was singing in the Church lane hedge.

Eyebrook reservoir; a look here this afternoon.

A Brent Goose and Pink-Footed Goose were present in different location, mixing with Greylags and Canada Geese.  A couple of Goldeneye and a few Wigeon were on the open water and quite a few Teal along the inlet area.  Two Little Egrets flew towards the inlet. A couple of Lapwing at the inlet and another displaying on the arable field.

A flock of 27 Swallows appeared feeding over the water, including a single each of Sand and House Martins.  Several Buzzards and Red Kites were over the adjacent fields.

1st April - cloudy, mod NE, 10C< but feeling much cooler

Cotesbach Landfill/sandpit; a look here this afternoon.  Wildfowl included Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall pair and four Egyptian Geese.

12 Swallows and two Sand Martins were in the sandpit area.  

Nine Red Kites were around, also three Buzzards and several Ravens.  Ten Pied Wagtails too.

31st Mar - sunny, 22C, light S

WIlley;  Another exceptionally very warm day.

A Green Woodpecker was in the Church yard, and another calling nearby.  Several Chiffchaffs in suitable areas.

Cotesbach Landfill; At least 10 Ravens, usual Ducks, new were a couple of Little Grebe and Oystercatcher.

30th Mar - extraordinary very warm sunny day, 22C, light SSE, hazy sunshine at times

Stanford reservoir; a look this morning, disappointingly quite.  Five Goldeneye, three Gadwall and three Pochard (2m, 1f) seen and a single Grey Heron.

Several Chiffchaff singing, also more Reed Buntings back in territories.  Grey Wagtail, pair on the dam.

Fist Peacock butterfly for the year.

General; Small Tortoiseshells and Brimstones seen at several local places.

29th Mar - sunny spells, mod SW, 10C

Cotesbach landfill/sandpit;. a look here after lunch, nothing new today.  Still four Wigeon present.

28th Mar - cloudy, mod-blustery (15-20 mph) SW, 13C

Shawell Lagoons; a look here during the morning. Two Wigeon, a Cormorant and a Little Grebe were notable.  A female Sparrowhawk flew on to a fence post and stayed long enough to be digiscoped.

Stanford reservoir; a walk here in the afternoon, although the wind was not favourable for finding birds.

Notable were a pair of Goosander and a single female riding out the very choppy water.  Ten Goldeneye and four Gadwall.

On the dam a Grey Wagtail pair, a Meadow Pipit and seven Goldfinches flew in to the trees.  

Three Chiffchaffs were heard singing.

The adjacent Rookery is busy, 17 nests counted today.