Monday 3rd May

Out today between 10.45 and 12.30 with my 8 year old daughter Iris. She was keen to see some butterflies. I didn't hold out much hope as it was cold and blowy and showery. Iris didn't quite get the 'blending into the background' approach to birding!
We started off from Brooklands Lake car park. Clouds of hirundines were over the lake pushed down by the low cloud. A Cettis called near the fisherman's building but remained hidden, also a Reed Warbler here.

We walked around through the sunken marsh but didn't add much out of the ordinary. A Sedge and a few more Reed Warbler in less than ideal conditions. The Swifts were coming very low however and Iris was amazed that such small birds had come all the way from Africa. In a brief spell of sun we did see 2 female Orange Tip - so that made her trip worthwhile, especially as I managed a couple of snaps.

Orange Tip

We walked around Abbey Mead and got close to Nightingale but they remained hidden as usual. Through to the east scrub we found a Slow Worm and a Newt Eft.

Slow Worm

Along the Mill Stream we added a Garden Warbler but not much else.

Just before we went home we scanned Brooklands again and I managed to snap a few Swallow on wires by the fishermans hut. So only new sighting today was Orange Tip but good trip out despite the conditions.