Sunday June 16

A morning of sunny intervals and only a very few light showers. A light to moderate southerly breeze.

We began well, finding a first for Morton Bagot on the way to the pool. A single spike of a Bee Orchid poked out of the grass, the first orchid of any species we have seen on the patch.

Bee Orchid

A few paces further on we confirmed that the pool was still full of water, and better than that, a Little Grebe. When the pool failed to fill over the winter I had lamented that I had no chance of this grebe this year. Happily it doesn't take much to attract one.

Little Grebe

The Shelduck family were huddling together on the bank at the nearest flash. Four Lesser Black-backed Gulls and three Black-headed Gulls loafed  menacingly, but the ducklings are growing well.

Shelducks

In previous years Swifts have built up to a hundred or so by the end of June. This year they have been noticeably scarce nationally, and so todays peak of six may be symptomatic of the overall situation.

Bursts of sunshine allowed us to see several damselflies and butterflies, but there was nothing definitely new for the year. Day-flying moths, though, included several distinctive looking moths which I misidentified as Small Yellow Underwings. They were actually Burnet Companions, a lifer for me.

Burnet Companion

Finally, a proper Springwatch moment as a calf Roe Deer froze after its mother (who made a sharp exit) led it into our path.

Baby Roe Deer

Unfortunately it bolted as I shifted position to get a better shot.