Plenty of hovers on one sunlit but sheltered patch of Ivy were the only interesting thing on the east side whilst the Ivy Bees were out in force at the top of the beachfront steps, these 10 below being just a small part of the many hundreds.
Nice light from behind ensured the waders etc on south scrape looked 'crisp' and included one Ruff and five Snipe. Two Water Rails, one adult and one juvenile (above) showed well although the latter was just too quick and mostly hidden by teasels for the camera to focus. All the birds were flushed by one and then two Buzzards, both smart, light birds that looked like this years youngsters and at least one Raven went west whilst a Grey Wagtail joined up with two Pieds also on the exposed mud. A minor highlight was the first Reed Warbler for ages feeding at the base of the reeds and showing very well; shame it wasn't something rarer.
This Redshank seemed particularly keen on chasing off rivals.
And finally this Sericomyia silentis was one of a few next to plenty of other hovers including several each of Volucella zonaria and Xylota segnis.
