Sunny first thing but the brisk northerly breeze brought complete cloud cover by lunchtime; there were 8 Sandwich Terns and 7 Mediterranean Gulls offshore first thing, a Grey Wagtail was trapped in the Heligoland trap, single Whimbrel and Redshank were present and a Little Egret flew south.
The day was more notable though for the fine array of Odonata in the area which comprised 2 Emerald Damselfly on the Butts Pond (only previously noted in 2008), quite a few Azure and Blue-tailed Damselfly scattered through the bushes, a couple each of Ruddy and Common Darter, at least 6 Emperors, 5+ Southern Hawkers, two Black-tailed Skimmers, two Broad-bodied Chasers and two Four-spot Chasers.
Butterflies also featured heavily through the day, almost highlighted by probable Large Tortoiseshell seen briefly in the compound but it unfortunately couldn't be confirmed; the day list comprised Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Green-veined White, Small White, Large White, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Small Copper, Brown Argus and Small Heath.
Ringing: Linnet 2, Dunnock 2, House Sparrow 1, Grey Wagtail 1
