19th Jun 2016

I was out both days this weekend for general ambles and to familiarise myself with the current goings on around the reservoir. Two Common Terns were present Saturday and three this morning. I assume these must be failed or non-breeders that have settled here for the rest of the summer.

I checked the Sparrowhawk nest both days but didn't see any activity. Wrens and more Blackcaps have fledged in the wood. Around the Borrow Pit pool Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings are busy feeding chicks either about to fledge or that have recently fledged and the Coots have nine chicks recently hatched.

There were a lot of damsel and dragonfly exuviae around the Borrow Pit on Saturday, but in the dull overcast conditions I failed to see any on the wing. I didn't see any butterflies on either day, which I found slightly odd. Sunday morning though Clive had Emperor and Four-spotted Chasers flying around. This had also attracted a foraging Hobby to the area.

Orange Tip butterfly caterpillar