The rain was a bit of a dampener

A light but freshening SW wind. Mainly overcast with the odd shower.

South shore (Malcolm)

A quick check of Red Nab towards high water found only 2 adult Mediterranean gulls. And they, with the few Black-Headed gulls they were with quickly moved on.

Adult Mediterranean gull

Mediterranean and Black-Headed gulls

Janet saw a mustelid scurry across the path to Red Nab. "Very dark with long tail" so either a very wet Stoat or possibly a Mink?

Middleton Nature Reserve (Malcolm)

Mute Swan 2 adult with 2 quickly growing cygnets.

Mallard 17 on main pond 6 on "no swimming" pond

Gadwall 2 (female and immature) on "no swimming" pond

Coot 4 adult and 6 immature on main pond, 2 adult and 2 immature on "no swimming" pond

Little grebe 1 adult and 2 immature on "no swimming" pond.

Moorhen just 1 adult seen

The Mute family with a Grey Heron, 2 Mallard and a Black-Headed gull

This young Coot was begging to be fed, even though it was perfectly capable of feeding itself.

The young Little grebe are moving to winter plumage. This one provides a tour of the pond, passing a young then adult Coot and the two Gadwall.

I went to see if the Copper-tip Longhorns were still around. But there had just been a shower and I couldn't find them. Even so, there was a lot to see. The following list was seen in the area highlighted blue (see map yesterday)

Jay 2

Blackcap 1 singing (the only warbler heard singing on the reserve)

Chiffchaff 1 calling

Common Darter 2 male

Ringlet 3

Meadow Brown 4

Small Skipper 12

Large Skipper 2

Large Skipper by Janet yesterday 

Red Admiral 1

Large White 2

Speckled Wood 1

Gatekeeper 5

Gatekeeper 

Shaded Broad-bar 3

Six-spot Burnet 3

Silver Y 2

Common Green Grasshopper several 

Common Green Grasshopper 

I'm sure there would have been many more insects in this nice area of grassland if the sun had been shining.