Sunday 23rd July

A visit between 05.45 and 07.30 this morning. Weather warm and sunny.

2 Green Sandpiper on the scrape along with 2 Grey Heron. Willow Warbler singing in the East scrub and a Turtle Dove singing from a dead tree by the ditch. The ditch is completely dry at the moment - the lowest water level I think I have ever seen here. 2 Common Tern were flying around the area during the visit calling constantly.

Over onto Abbey Mead which was very quiet with just one Reed Warbler still in song. Back along the Mill Stream there is now a spectacular display of Himalayan Balsam along the left hand side.

Also along the Mill stream 2 Sparrowhawk and 2 Kingfisher. Even though it was early the weather was warm enough for a few Butterlies - Small White, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown were all seen as well as a few Red Eyed Damsels - I couldn't find any Small red Eyed Damsels on Abbey Mead but they are around.