I foolishishly thought this might be the best view of a raptor today!!
This hoverfly, Eriozona syrphoides, was a surprise on plants just outside the cafe, a local and nationally scarce species with a typically north-westerly distribution in the UK.
From Suffern Hide a Kingfisher took a couple of very tiny eels (I guess) and at least one dragonfly. Later on south scrape this was one of the two Curlew Sandpipers badly digisoped and one of the 35+ Snipe.
And this Heron provided a bigger, more static subject.
From Meadow Hide the proximity of cattle pulled in 35 (ish) Yellow Wagtails and scanning further away produced two Stonechats, one Whinchat and a Whitethroat. Later, near Meon Shore, a Redstart flipped across the path.
Whilst chatting to a couple from Somerset and admiring the Golden Plover, some disturbance caused us to look up to be faced with a point blank juvenile Osprey which gave stunning overhead views before slipping away to the south west; best Osprey views since the long-staying Adur bird a few years back.
A Roe Deer and a Clouded Yellow rounded out today's wildlife.
