12th Aug - sunny spells, light -mod SW, 18C

Bittesby Mere Lane Lake;  A look here this morning, immediately I could hear Bullfinches calling and had good views of a juvenile eating elder berries.  Also, calling was a juvenile Sparrowhawk and occasionally chasing an adult around the trees and lake for food.  On the lake were at least 4 Little grebes, 2 were feeding youngsters still.  A Whitethroat was 'scolding' in the bushes, I think there was a family present, a Blackcap also called loudly.

Interestingly the Mute Swan pair now have two cygnets, so they did make a second breeding attempt and succeed, last year they had 11 cygnets.  Coots and Moorhens had young too.  Two green Woodpeckers called from the hedgerow trees.

Common Blue, Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood Butterflies were seen.

A day time flying moth put in an appearance a Cricket shot passed, I managed to get some record photos, I think it may be a Short-winged Cone-head (or possibly a Long-winged Cone-head, but the wings do appear short).  Both are widespread across southern England.