Saturday 6th July

A quiet summer day with an eclipse drake Shoveler in the saltmarsh the only noticeable new arrival. Also in the estuary 362 Curlew, 191 Oystercatcher, eight Mediterranean Gull, two Whimbrel, a Grey Plover and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere 12 Swift, five Swallow, three Sand Martin and a Stock Dove.

Wildlife News: An excellent day for invertebrates with a brief Red-veined Darter in Greenland Lake the highlight, other dragonflies included a Broad-bodied Chaser and five Emperor. Also on the wing at least seven Ringlet, a Marbled White, four Painted Lady and a large emergence of Gatekeeper. Elsewhere a new plant for the reserve was discovered on Warren Point - Rose of Sharon Hypericum calycinum and good numbers of Little Flower Bee Anthophora bimaculata, Silvery and Coastal Leafcutter Megachile leachella & maritima were nectaring on the few remaining brambles.

Ringlet - Alan Keatley

Emperor - Lee Collins