Yesterday morning a Sedge Warbler in the Willows just down the river from the tank track. (RF)

A Sparrowhawk flap flap gliding near the church Tuesday morning. (NC)

A Tawny Owl calling from Lower Faircox this morning (MD)

I had two Willow Warblers pass through this morning, and also a group of seven Long-tailed Tits (BL)

We were up on the balcony this morning when lo and behold we had two Willow Warblers pass through in the garden coming very close to the balcony, a real breakfast treat! We also heard one in song a few gardens down. I’ve consistently noticed over the years that they start moving through from about the second week in August, their more lemony-yellow colour and prominent eyestripe makes them easier to differentiate from the similar looking Chiffchaffs. (MR)

A very quiet morning walk – just three of us in attendance today. We had very few birds in the rather warm August sunshine, though there were several twittering flocks of Goldfinches en route.. The usual stop by the railway arch yielded Goldcrest, Coal Tit, and Stock Dove, plus a distant Green Woodpecker. On the levels a single Grey Heron was visible, a couple of House Martins flew over, and as we neared the gate back to the railway line a scan revealed a single Lapwing. A close view of a Bullfinch here was probably the highlight of the morning. A young Buzzard was mewing plaintively, then we saw one perched on top of a small tree. At the heronry, a Little Egret and another Heron was sitting in the guano covered tree, while two more Herons flew in. One landed near a nest and proceeded to pose in a very unorthodox manner with neck held high and wings outstretched. No Cormorants there today.

Near Stretham a Blackcap tacked loudly from a bush, but we didn’t see it. The overflow pit was dry and nothing there apart from maybe a Reed Warbler calling – weren’t sure about that. At New Inn Farm there were Greenfinches calling, several House Sparrows on the tiles of the low barn, a Pied Wagtail and a young Whitethroat feeding in an elder and on the roof. We came straight back along the bridleway, where Swallows were flying around around the trees and stables at Canons.

Plants noted were rather splendid Purple Loosestrife in the damp field between the railway line and the “limbo” path and some flowering rush in the overflow pit. There were Banded demoiselle flies at both Stretham and Bineham Bridges

I only made it 30 bird species seen and heard during the walk. (VB)

A Barn Owl was out hunting along the river this morning, ranging from Betley down to the weir. At the latter it caught some prey before heading back north to the former.

Also along the river were a few migrating Warblers, with four Willow Warblers, a couple of Chiffchaffs and a Whitethroat noted. (PC)

Our two Swiftlets flew the nest on Friday the 5th in the morning.

There was a female Blackcap in the garden on Saturday the 6th.

I went for a walk yesterday down Spring Hill and along the stream to the Downslink. Three or four Buzzards calling, stooping and flying lazily around. (DC)

After the cricket match on the Common this Saturday evening I counted three Mistle Thrushes and 15 Pied Wagtails on the pitch. (NC)

At least one House Martins is still visiting a nest in Bishop Park as of today. Probably an attempt at a second brood, but House Martin activity has now quietened right down following the peak of May/June. (PC)