Update

Have been about rather more than the blog would suggest. What with bird fair at Rutland and family stuff. Let alone out in the wild it's good to be pain free. The fact is things are hotting up and I will take any chance I get to get out there.
Bird Fair was good, although rather like Glastonbury for the mud. Best bird was a GREAT WHITE EGRET, but also had a calling CHIFFCHAFF which showed well as every birder in Britain walked on by. Also a very active Yellow Brimstone butterfly.
Home saw our local BLACK REDSTART in the garden on five consecutive days, but it was good to also see two birds on one occasion. Even the local SPARROWHAWK turned up four days on the trot only to bring in another on Thursday.
Pathways:  A TUFTED DUCK still remains although he never had a mate. As for LITTLE GREBE best count is five. GREY HERON and MUTE still in occupancy.
Best today was EMPEROR DRAGONFLY and SOUTHERN HAWKER.