Sunday July 22

A warm sunny morning boded well for insect hunting, while the autumn bird migration was expected to gather pace. Dave and I strolled to the main pool where we were pleased to find all eight Tufted Ducklings still alive and kicking. The hedgerows are starting to fill with recently fledged Whitethroats, Blackcaps, and Chiffchaffs. The Flashes produced eight Green Sandpipers and three Teal, and I noticed that the autumn release of young Mallards for the "sportsmen" has taken place. We reached the end of the small pools and scanned the hedge on the opposite side of the field beyond. There in the hedge was the day's star bird, a superb male Redstart.

The male Redstart

The remainder of the morning was spent concentrating on insects. We found Large, Small, and Essex Skippers, a couple of Marbled Whites, a Large White, Gatekeeper, and pleanty of Meadow Browns and Ringlets. Dragonflies included Emerald Damselfly, Brown and Southern Hawker, Emperor, and Four-spotted Chaser. None of these was particularly unusual, although Essex Skippers only appeared a couple of years ago, and remain challenging to identify. They seem to be pretty well established here now.