Really pleased to see this Swift flock (c30) over Rayne, Essex and approaching numbers present when their main breeding site in village was demolished years ago. Now almost double-figure of pairs breeding from a low of 1 or 2 just 5 years ago.

Kemi Badenoch wrote this foreword to the Government response to the Dasgupta Review in 2021, now she wants to close the already ineffective Natural England and Environment Agency. Conservative, Labour, Reform: none of them can be trusted google.com/goto?url=CAESjQEB…

This Wheatear has been furiously defending a large, insect rich, manure heap in Rayne, for at least 4 days now. Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks have all incurred its wrath during that time. It’s stared me out a few times as well @EssexBirdNews

Excellent day in Rayne began with a Woodlark low over village calling. Also Wheatear, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, 120 Linnet and the now almost daily pair of Raven. Green Sandpiper also noted @EssexBirdNews

This Queen of Spain Fritillary was the undoubted highlight of a really good day in Rayne, Essex. Present in a wild bird crop, mainly Chia. Also c10 Clouded Yellow, plus multiple Brown Argus, Common Blue and Small Copper @bc_cambs_essex @savebutterflies #butterflies #insects

Some local wildlife from a few of my local patches in mid Essex at the weekend: possible Amanita echinocephala (needs clarification), Clouded Yellow, Common Blue, Small Copper and another Southern Green Shieldbug instar. #wildlife

Despite being only a few miles from home, our first visit to Paycockes House in Coggeshall. Built by a wealthy cloth merchant around 1500 and survived near destruction amongst other things before restoration and being taken over by National Trust.

Just had another (or likely the same) Raven ‘cronking’ over my Essex house just now, the third this month. I shall call it ‘Bill’ after William the Cronkeror

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! 😡

Having again released some local trapped wildlife from various fruit cages (🦋 🐝 🙄) an otherwise mundane trip to the allotment resulted in these 2 shieldbugs: Nezara viridula (recent arrival from continent) and Dolycoris baccarum (common). Also, a rather worn ♀️Common Blue 🦋

Not much birdwise locally but highlight were the Firebugs; this one I rescued after it fell into a crevice in a post. Also, a few Willow Emeralds and a single Clouded Yellow which obviously evaded my attempts to take its photo

Got sent up garden Pear Tree to plunder the copious fruit - a surprise considering the dry summer. Red Admiral, Hornet and Blue Tit were among the species that showed their disapproval by attempting to knock me off 🪜. Best pears are of course at top of tree. I hate pears anyway

Evening viewing 4 local Hobbies again, albeit a bit distantly, hunting over a lake just as the sun went down. I’ve suspected the presence of a breeding pair hereabouts for years so nice to see 2 young. Also parades of gulls overhead, purposefully heading to roost @EssexBirdNews

High time this had another airing

Some distant wader action near Braintree today with 4 Ruff and a Greenshank. Also Common Sand, 8 Yellow Wags over, 60+ Swallow, 3 Lesser Whitethroat and Marsh Harrier. 2 Nuthatch were a site tick for me @EssexBirdNews