Weekend news from the reserve is that basically it's been very quiet. On 20th female Teal (still present on 24th), Little Egret, juv Little Ringed Plover, Snipe, Common Tern (still present on 24th), first summer Common Gull and four Yellow Wagtails. On 21st Canada Geese had increased to 66, two Water Rails, juv Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, distant Peregrine and adult Lesser Whitethroat feeding fledged juv. On 23rd a summer plumaged Dunlin was fresh in (still present on 24th) but that was our lot apart from a Goldcrest on the embankment. On 24th a fourth juvenile Water Rail was seen in the freshly cut area of reed bed below the mound, that's four juvenile birds in three different areas of the recording area suggesting perhaps as many as three pairs this year. As well as the Dunlin a Green Sandpiper was also present, Gadwall were up to 36, Lapwings increased during the morning to 60 and three Lesser Whitethroats were seen. 24th was also productive for insects with the highlight being a male Banded Demoiselle on the north side of the Vale Angling Pond, which is a species that we barely see annually. Single Painted Lady, Small Copper and Holly Blue were the best butterflies noted.