Creating Willow Tit nesting sites.

 We are coppicing areas of Sallow and Willow at Brown's Wood, Thornton. The area above was done last spring(2014). Already the ground layer shows more growth thanks to the increased light levels.

 An area that we have started coppicing this autumn. Looks a mess, but there is method in this madness!

 An experiment to create more standing deadwood in this new woodland. We have left one standing stump and ring barked it to help it rot. A potential future nest site for a Willow Tit. Willow Tit excavate a new nest hole each spring. New woodlands lack standing deadwood.

 A 14 year old Silver Birch that has grown at an angle. We cut off the trunk at about 7' and ring barked it. Hopefully it will become a rotten stump for Wilti. to excavate in the spring.

 With the top part of the felled Birch, we cut off a 7-8' length and buried it , to create another stump.

We plan to add 2-3 such nesting opportunities for Willow Tit in each of the areas we coppice.

The finished scene. Just need to add a pair of Willow Tit!

Eastern Redstart?????

 I took a rare trip to Norfolk yesterday. At Stiffkey Woods I got a shot of this presumably first winter  Redstart.The primaries have plenty of white edging , which forms a panel. Is this samamiscius? Over all the bird does not seem pale enough. It might be ok if it was a female , but I think this is a first winter male, where I presume the white panel would be bigger. Any suggestions? 

 Another eastern species!

Great Grey Shrike of the eastern race pallidirostris.

Water Rails.

There were two Water Rails at the Markfield inflow end of the reservoir this afternoon. I think it is the first time that I have seen two together at Thornton. There were also two Kingfishers at the same spot.

Mixed Seasonal flavours!

 There are good numbers of Mistle Thrush around the village. The most I have counted is 15. Perhaps they have had 2 or even 3 broods.

 Plenty of insects are still enjoying the warm weather. Several Hornets were seen today as well as this Southern Hawker.

Stonechat Bagworth Heath.

It was nice to find a probable first winter Stonechat at Bagworth Heath today.(25/9/14)

 Hopefully after this excellent breeding season this species might be making a recovery.

 It had selected a typical area of habitat for this species, scrub thorn bushes over an area of rough grassland.

 Also at Thornton recently there has been a flock of up to 15 Mistle thrush, 54 Meadow Pipit and 2 Kingfishers.

Pintail.

 A probable juvenile Pintail was off the dam today.

 It was feeding with Mallard and up-ending close  to the dam.

 Not a species that we get very often at Thornton. September and October are the peak months for Pintail in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Also today 2 Raven, a Hobby and 2 Spotted Flycatchers.

Spotted Flycatchers.

 I caught two Spotted Flycatchers today. Both were juveniles, indicated by fresh plumage and buff tipped greater coverts.

 An adult would have very worn plumage.

 Spotted Flycatchers have bred in Thornton Wood this summer. An adult was seen feeding a recently fledged juvenile, so these two might be local birds.

A group of 4 Spotted Flycatchers was seen below the dam recently. They seem to have had a successful breeding season. They are now feeding up in readiness for the long migration south to Africa. Hopefully, my two juveniles will make the trip and return here next spring to breed.