It Might As Well Rain All September

 Following the drought conditions of the past few months, September has set off as though it is attempting to catch up on the year's rainfall shortfall😂 Of the 13 days we've had so far in September, it has rained on eight of them according to my records. No complaints from me though, as least I've had time to enjoy the garden rather than plodding around with a watering can, filling it from the (now replenished) water butts and watering the plants.

 

The White-tailed Eagle stayed from Sunday to Tuesday morning before flying off at about 10:30.

 

Waders have been the main story since then with a few Ruff hanging on and Little Stints, Curlew Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, Greenshanks, Redshanks, Ringed Plovers and a Little Ringed Plover joining them. The water level in the Mere has gradually been rising and wader numbers have dropped off this morning. 

 

Little Stint just off KP

Little Stint

Little Stint

Little Stints on the waterline

Little Stint and Little Ringed Plover juv

Little Ringed Plover juv

The usual suspects have been loitering around the hide, Little Grebes are flourishing. This one dashed away from an Otter but soon came back once the danger had passed.

Little Grebe in a panic

The cause

Back to normal

Little Grebes

Great Crested Grebe numbers have been good at the Mere since the water level has been low. Now it is very slowly getting back to its usual height we'll see how the grebe numbers change.

This and two below, Great Crested Grebe on the Mere

 Little Egrets and Great White Egrets have enjoyed the lower water levels on the Mere with up to four GWE seen recently. Little Egret numbers have dwindled from the peak of 27 seen in a single day a month or so ago.

Great White Egret

Four Little Egrets and two Great White Egrets from the hide

Great White Egrets

Shovelers are becoming more and more visible as autumn wears on - this flock of 27 landed at the west end of the Mere.

Shovelers at the west end

Mammals have been scarce recently with just singles seen of Hare, Rabbit, Otter, Roe Deer, Squirrel and Hedgehog in the past week. 

A sleepy Roe Deer. Sorry about the grass stems 😉

Wild flowers are waning but Purple Loostrife is still brightening up the banks of Stream Dyke.

Purple Loostrife at Stream Dyke

Herb Robert hanging in there

Butterflies have been seen every day in the past week, but mostly the three white species. Single Small Copper, Red Admiral and Common Blue were sighted, as were several Speckled Wood. 

Dragonflies were also abroad but only Common Darter, Ruddy Darter and Migrant Hawkers. 

That's your lot for this week. I hope the rain continues to fill up my butts 🤣😂🤣