Ashleworth Ham this morning, bright and sunny with a fair grass frost. Water levels much lower than usual at this time of year, partly because of the drought, partly because the boards have been removed from the sluice slightly early, in the hope of attracting breeding waders. Still 30 Wigeon grazing round the edges of the scrape, 5 Teal, pair of aggressive adult Mute Swans, chasing off two unfortunate immatures. Four Lapwings doing aerial display, two bubbling Curlews Ashleworth Ham side, 1 Green Sandpiper. One Chiffchaff and one Blackcap singing in Meerend Thicket, but no other summer visitors, still no Willow Warblers or hirundines. Two Roe Deer grazing along the main ditch (they’ve been seen here quite frequently in the last couple of years).
