8th July - sunny, hot, 28C, light northerly

Cotesbach Landfill; this morning 2 Oystercatchers and a Redshank were feeding at the pools. A Common Darter posed nicely and a (Black-tailed?) Dragonfly.  3 Red Kites too.

Shawell Lagoons; a quick look here produced a Green Woodpecker feeding on the banks and at last a Tufted Duck brood of 6 ducklings.

Stanford reservoir;  a steady stroll here after lunch hoping for butterflies.  Good number of the common ones, the Gatekeeper is now becoming numerous, also Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral.

The main news is that the single Common Tern pair that nested on the new raft (see earlier posts about installing them) now have two chicks.  There are hiding under one of the pipes but their for their use and are being fed small fry.
A Red Kite and Kestrel were about, then an Osprey flew in for a short while.

All the usual Warblers were seen/heard, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch and Chaffinch.  On the dam/outflow a good number of Grey and Pied Wagtails were present.
Mute Swans numbered 49, c40 Tufted Duck, 3 Teal and a single female Shoveler.  Still young ducklings enjoying themselves.