Deluge of Biblical proportions!

Overnight produced the longest thunderstorm that I have ever experienced. Sheet lightening and the almost constant rumble of thunder started 11:45. The rain didn't start till after midnight, but then both continued till 04:00, with additional bursts till 05:00. After that it cleared, the sun came out and the day was very humid, not helped by the almost negligible breeze.

Middleton Nature Reserve early am (JR. PM)
Two tree pipit, small influx whitethroat (8 ringed), five more Snipe - one flock, c35 swallow SE

Ocean Edge/Red Nab 10:00 (MD)
Just 2 Wheatear.

Middleton Nature Reserve - mid morning 
It seemed strange walking around with the constant background noise of running water, as the overnight rainwater sought out the ponds and culverts.
Mute:
Main pond - 5 adult, 1  x 2nd calendar year, 2 x 1st calendar year
No swimming pond - 2 adult, 3 x 1st calendar year
Tim Butler pond - 1 adult
Coot 5
Moorhen 6
Mallard 14 (Most comprising 10, now mature, chicks)
Gadwall 2 - first since spring, no breeding success this year
Little grebe 2

Little grebe, starting to moult to winter plumage

Butterflies included: Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Small Skipper, Small White.

Dragonflies: Common Darter, Emperor, Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker 4, Southern Hawker 1.

Southern Hawker

Emperor ovipositoring

The floodwater made for some unusual, but attractive pictures. These are Spotted Orchids.

These were in the horse field on the road to the recycling centre

Ooops! The receding water the next day revealed the leaf pattern of these flowers - clearly not Spotted Orchid - sorry about the fake news (MD).

Best "guess" now is Purple Loosestrife (MD)

Lighthouse area - just a brief look at high water.
Rock Pipit - the juvenile bird is still around and was, at least trying, to feed itself.