Maple Lodge Nature Reserve

I received news that Andrew Moon observed a family party of Cetti's Warbler this morning from Rotunda Hide. This is the first confirmed breeding record for this species at the reserve and explains why the male bird has been quiet of late. After completing a night shift I did not visit the reserve until the afternoon when the following species of note were seen:-
Little Egret (adult feeding on insects from Rotunda Hide), Mute Swan (pair with 3 cygnets), Gadwall (35 plus female with brood of 6 ducklings), Common Pochard (female with brood of 4 ducklings), Common Moorhen (pair with new brood from Shell Hide).
It was a sunny, hot afternoon and ideal weather for insects, Hairy Dragonfly and Black-tailed Skimmer were on the wing above the paddock while in the long hedge Small Tortoiseshell and Small White butterflies were noted.

                                                                       Little Egret

                                                     Common Pochard with duckling

                                               Black-tailed Skimmer (female) briefly at rest.