The trap had just 25/14 with two fresh L-album Wainscots the best, one here above in egg box ; plus some more Box-tree Moths.
A shortish stint at Pulborough with Pete (Carey, Gary T, Celia etc) produced a smart, juvenile Marsh Harrier and a single Whinchat on the South Brooks, just one Platycheirus rosarum but precious few other hovers. With so little on offer, a post-lunch jaunt to WWT was a better option.
Typically lots of strimming noise throughout and the deafening sound of the Sand Martin lure with up to 50+ birds being attracted, although non were using the perches. A Kingfisher appeared very close in the Little Crake 'cutting' and it or others were heard around the site; the Ramsar hide was 'staked out' with Kingfisher togs so didn't stay there long. A distant Red Kite, a female Peregrine and a flyby Mandarin were best-of-the-rest.
The as yet unstrimmed edges held plenty of Water Mint etc which in itself attracted lots of Heliphilus pendulus plus a few hybridus, three Rhingia campestris and mostly Common Carder Bees. Rather surprised not to encounter any Volucellas.
Finally, the Black Poplar area was smothered in passerines as it has been in previous early Septembers with lots of tits, Chiffchaffs, a couple of Willow Warblers, two Reed Warblers a Garden Warbler and two Cettis one of which was almost close enough to touch. Sadly, the best of the light was gone and the still well-leaved trees made photography pretty much impossible.
On packing up a nice chat with Claire who I've not seen in a while.
On the bright side the HA have finally repaired all the westbound A27 so no more dodging potholes at 70mph!!
