.... there he is !! No problem in finding Walter for the first time this summer but the awful hide glass in fixed windows makes for a poor photo.
Elsewhere in the meadow now several Colletes succinctus but no sign of its cuckoo Epiolus cruciger. Too cool and overcast for other insects and the few Brown Argus (above) and Common Blues are all worn now. This Chrysops relictus Twin-lobed Deerfly) was the first I've seen for a while.
Birdwise the tern rafts are now all deserted, the ISH Reed Warblers are still present and two (or more) Kingfishers were active on Ivy Lake and Silt Pond with it or others calling on Dockens Water. Two or three Wigeon, presumably birds seen on previous visits, were still present.
No moths today although Silver Y and Agriphila tristella were both kicked up.
Around the pond these Southern and Migrant Hawkers were active prior to the deterioration in weather. The only hover here looked like Chalcosyrphus nemorum or Xylota abiens but wasn't giving much away; I know RC has had the latter here before.
Ibsley W had 150 martins, mostly Sand, 75 Cormorants, 50+ GCGs, 40+ Grey Herons, 50+ Mute Swan but just singles of Dunlin and Common Sandpiper and no other waders. Just a single Sprawk and two Common Buzzards.
Uneventful journey home although the typical August jam west-bound persists along the A31.
Good to catch up with H over a phone call prior to her European jaunt with the family. H2's less welcome call was fielded by M thankfully.
