Well the day ended less than well with engine management light and so a housebound day tomorrow, garage Thursday and, I'm guessing, a big bill Friday. Ggrrr!!
So, early chores and then the need to kill a couples of hours - a walk around Heath Pond. Pleasant temperatures and no wind but totally overcast which limited the amount of insect activity. First up was the constant chittering of House Martins, probably 50-60, plus a few Swifts and the sound of and then the sight of two Common Sandpipers perched up on the sunken fencing. A 'gang' of Coots nearly 70 strong were gathered at the north-west side and still song from Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Reed Warblers plus a hovering Kestrel. No Med Gulls today.
In the insect area stacks of skippers, the only ones photographed or seen well enough being Essex, one or two second gen Small Coppers, just the one Marbled White which wouldn't play ball and a single Common Darter being the only dragonfly. Strangely, no hovers other than Cheilosia illustrata (50+) on umbellifers and many bonking beetles.
In the sandy areas surprise was in the form of several Beewolfs although none carrying Apis prey. Also lots of Colletes bees
