WeBS

Ashford - 1230hrs - hot, dry and sunny e2 - Called in at Charter House on the way back from `north of the Thames`, but could find no sign of the Eagle Owl. Back on the Marsh noted a Common Buzzard over the road at Hamstreet and a Black Redstart on the barn at Hammond`s Corner.
Lade - 1500hrs - The monthly wildfowl count yielded little of note apart from the first Tufted Duck families of the season, 6 pairs of Great Crested Grebes with juvs, plus singles of Little Egret and Common Sandpiper.
Alongside north pit a large patch of Buddleia bushes in past years has hosted good numbers of butterflies, but this afternoon couldnt find a single insect, sort of proving what a desperate summer it has been so far for these beautiful creatures.
News from the bird reserve has been scant of late, but an adult Bittern has been seen feeding a juv, proving breeding for the second year running.

                                          Buddleia, without butterflies

                                                    Dark Mullein, Lade