31st July - sunny spells, short showers, 19C, light NW

Cotesbach Landfill/Shawell Sandpit; morning.  Several Red Kites and Ravens about (Carl later counted 21 Ravens).  The two juvenile Shoveler were still present, a single Teal and today five Common Sandpipers. 

Welford and Sulby reservoirs; I had heard that the water level had been dropped for works, so thought it may be interesting to check the site out.

Around the Sulby section were four Common Sandpipers.  Both sections held Greylags (c200), Canada Geese c50, Grey Herons, Mallards and a Common Tern.  

Among the Mallards was the following duck, haven't decided what it is yet - let me know if you know.  Clearly, a escapee, with a single cream ring on each leg.

 

30th July -

Shawell sandpit; three Common Sandpipers feeding this evening, a single Little Grebe and two Shovelers - juveniles.

29th July - mostly cloudy, light SW, 20C

 Willey;  The Redstart was seen again this morning in the same area as the other morning.  A Kestrel hunted over the Hurls Furlong grass being topped during the morning.

Cotesbach Landfill/Shawell Sandpit;  this afternoon there were 18 Ravens and 13 Red Kites.  a 3CY Yellow-legged Gull.  in the evening a Common Sandpiper was present.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; evening.  Three Little Ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Egret and seven Yellow Wagtails were notables.

Lilbourne Meadows evening.  Seven Green Sandpipers.  A Greenfinch family with at least two fledglings in the trees with parents.

28th July - sunny spells, thunderstorm c1700h, 18C, light SW

Willey; Nuthatch calling from Church yard trees this afternoon.

Shawell Sandpit; this evening two Common Sandpipers.

A5 Pools/DIRFT; this evening, two Common Sandpipers, four Little Ringed Plovers and a Ringed Plover.

27th July - cloudy, short light brief showers, light SW, 20C

No Obs today.

26th July - increasingly sunny and hot, 26C, light WSW

Stanford reservoir; a walk here in the afternoon, birds included two Jays and Bullfinches, a Treecreeper, three Common Sandpipers, many Pied Wagtails on the spillway, plus other regulars.

Lilbourne Meadows; a look this evening, sightings included five Green Sandpipers, Lapwings, c300 Starlings, three Little Grebe and the female Redstart still.

25th July - mostly cloudy, light N, 22C

Willey; this morning there was 35 Swallows on the wires and around home as it warmed, plus others elsewhere, great to see the families flying around together.

Ann B saw a Hedgehog in their garden a couple of days ago, so we still have a small population here.

I saw a super male Redstart on the fence posts at the top fields, 1135h.  I don't think I've had an autumn migrant in July before.

Soar Brook Lake; WeBs count today, still a pair of Oystercatchers present.  14 Goldfinches were feeding on the weeds.

Eyebrook reservoir; a trip here this afternoon.  

I saw something I have not seen before.  A Fox was working the reeds and waters edge along the inlet stream, a little later I could not believe it was actually swimming across the stream, to the other side, with its head just above the water and submerged totally except for a little rear back, it looked very confident swimming.  I have only ever seen them trying to avoid getting wet in the past!

Birds included - Great Egret, several Little Egrets, two Grey herons, a Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, to Green Sandpipers, a Garganey (female/eclipse male?), two Snipe, a Little Ringed plover,  Plenty of Gadwall, a single Shoveler, a few Teal.