Clouded Yellows

 Lade - warm, dry and sunny - On the local patch this morning the highlight was a stunning Clouded Yellow butterfly that eventually settled on the shingle by the main track; typically, several others were noted on the bird reserve later. Around the ponds a small mixed flock of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Lesser and Common Whitethroats kept us busy, while a smart juvenile Ruff settled briefly on the island on south lake.

                     Clouded Yellow and Ruff, Lade

                                  Whitethroat

  With the circular trail open on the bird reserve, and Makepeace hide accessible, a check of Burrowes drew a blank for waders, although a work party was in progress clearing vegetation from the one of the islands. However, there were plenty of common warblers to sift through in the bushes around the car park and elsewhere with Blackcap, Cetti`s, Sedge and Reed Warblers added to the Lade list earlier. Otherwise it was very quiet around the main body of the reserve. We ended the bird tour on 104 species for our guests, including a good selection of waders, warblers and chats.