Clouded Yellow

A dull damp start to the day at the ARC where a Cuckoo was calling, 2 Marsh Harriers over the Tower Pits, a Green Sandpiper could be seen with a Ringed Plover and Redshank on an island from near the screen hide and a Bittern flew from the Screen to Hanson. The Swallows are still in residence at the screen so please do not linger there any longer than necessary. I met MH and BP (AKA King Squacco) in Hanson hide where a pair of Great Crested grebes tended there single chick, also 3 Wigeon appeared among the growing numbers of eclipse ducks (Autumn is coming). As BP had seen a Garden Warbler near the Screen MH and myself tried to find it without any luck (still not seen on on the marsh this year) walking back to the car 8 Lapwing flew over with 3 Green Sandpipers. At Boulderwall 8+ Tree Sparrows on the feeders and nearby the Little Owl in its usual spot.

This afternoon I cycled down to Springfield Bridge and around the reserve. From the Bridge up to 4 Hobby's could be seen, a Bittern gave to fly pasts and my first Clouded Yellow of the year. At Hayfield 3, 4 Little Egrets and more views of Hobby's and 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls over.  From Dengemarsh  Hide a Cuckoo singing, 2 Marsh Harriers, c30 pairs of Common Terns some with chicks, The Common Gulls still look as if they have at least 1 chick and an Oystercatcher has muscled in on there raft for a second breeding attempt. On Burrowes 9 Black-tailed Godwits, a Redshank and 6 Mediterranean gulls (4 ads + 2 1st summers) could be seen from Makepiece Hide, from Dennis's  the pair of Common Gulls have chicks. On the way home I stopped to Photograph some Southern Marsh Orchids. 

Southern Marsh orchid