The levels are full of the heady scent of Blackthorn at the moment, hopefully indicating a good crop of Sloe's to come in the autumn, even in the grey and overcast conditions today. With the first Yellow Flag Iris of the year in flower as well there is certainly a splash of colour amongst all the greenery. On the bird front today was notable mainly for hirundines with c100 Swallow hawking insects over the pools and dykes. Mixed in amongst these were a few each of Sand and House Martin, and continuing the aerial migrant theme 3 Swift were seen over New Bridge road. Two Marsh Harrier comprised a female quartering Horse-eye and a male near Wartling, and the usual suspects were in the usual places with nothing much out of the ordinary. In fact the past week has been hard work with very little new migrant activity other than the usual residents and already arriveds, although the Brown Hare and Garganey in the Tuesday evening sunshine were nice even if expected (as was sitting in the Old Oak pub garden listening to Nightingales whilst supping on a pint of Long Blonde). On the moth front Tuesday was the best night with a smattering of newbies for the year including Pale and Swallow Prominents as well as 2 Mouse Moth, Hebrew Character, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Brimstone, & Flame Shoulder. The only other new moth for the year was a Currant Pug on Sunday night.
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