The sun is shining (again!) and the frogs are croaking. Yesterday saw the arrival of hundreds of Sand Martins and several flocks of Swifts. Two Hobbies were seen zooming around and three Marsh Harriers were noted. Today the Whimbrel flock has reached 13 with birds sitting on their regular high tide posts just out from the Purfleet Visitor Centre and a Spotted Redshank dropped in in his sooty summer finery. Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers are now singing in good numbers along the river wall and Water Voles and two Grass Snakes have been seen this morning in the ditch where the new Biffa funded riverside access gate crosses it.
Whitethroat by Chris Lowe
Lots more insects today as well with several 24-spot ladybirds and a cracking male orange tip butterfly in the wildlife gardens. Another Great Silver Diving Beetle was seen energing this morning.
oh and do not forget that we still have spaces on the Dawn and Dusk Walks and the Insect Afternoon events in May & June.