Surprise hover and a B52 in wasps clothing

Was hoping for a few new bits and bobs in today's fine weather but I wasn't expecting to add Kingfisher to my PHP list albeit heard only; if I'd sat on the next bench with a view across the lake I would have seen it!! A Med Gull called from somewhere up in the blue and on the return journey one or two were hawking the fields below the windmill.

What few aerialists remain, say 50-60 in total, were predominantly Swifts and all very high. Merodon equestris (x2) was also new for year but there were precious few diptera nor bees and the expected Common Blues and Small Coppers were notably absent.

Brief chat with half the Raynors.

At the carpark end a female  Broad-bodied Chaser appeared to land on the mud - until I go close enough to realise it was a huge queen Hornet!! Sadly, powering off into the trees before I could get a picture.

At the park a nice surprise in the form of Brachypalpoides lentus adjacent to the play area and looking and behaving like Xylota segnis just feet away.

The 'hot' butterfly slope did indeed produce this feisty Small Copper and a first Cinnabar moth but elsewhere just Brimstones and a worn Comma. Heard Firecrests and a flyover Buzzard was it for birds.