Sad to see a fine, fresh ex-Buzzard on the hard shoulder of the M27 on the way to Blashford. John already present; a few moths of interest although not large numbers included this Brown China Mark and EHM, PoplarHM, Peppered Moth, The Spectacle, Silver-ground Carpet, Knot Grass etc.
Jackie and Jim reported a few Grass Snakes so I went to look for them and saw a couple of Bank Voles along the path before this one of two, a single outside the hide (where they had two) and three under felt - they had three others. A Downy Emerald popped up next to the above Grass Snake but didn't linger. Elsewhere this Black-tailed Skimmer, the odd BBC and generally lots of Emperors about the reserve and of course gazillions of Common Damselfly.
I couldn't find the Bee Orchid on the way to Goosander hide but there were two Xanthogramma pedisequum nearby. Sat and watched the Sand Martins coming and going, two Hobbies (both distant, an adult and a 2cy) plus a Raven. A very noise Dabchick sailed in close to the hide and a couple of Stock Doves dropped in for a drink but otherwise very quiet.
Lunch back at reception where pond dipping kit and microscopes out for a birthday party. A Kingfisher was calling from Dockens Water and a last look at reception pond produced Anasymia lineata again and Oplodontha viridula, the Common Green Colonel, a soldierfly. Cloud rolled in, a few spots of drizzle and that was it for the day.
Near dusk, whilst putting the trap out a silent stream of gulls heading west (presumably non/failed breeders returning to roost) included a few Med Gulls.
