Withnell Fold canal and flashes

[Neil Southworth]

No water at the flashes so unless there's some serious rain in the next few weeks, there's no chance of any wader passage this year.
It was generally quiet with the highlights being a flock of 17 Mistle Thrush and one of 30 Swallow perched on a fence line, perhaps waiting for a Buzzard overhead to move on:-
Canada Goose 1, Hybrid Goose 18, Mallard 2, Moorhen 2, Buzzard 2, Kestrel, Cormorant (perched on top of a staghead oak), Jay, Magpie, Crow 5, Swallow 30, House Martin 2, Mistle Thrush 17, Wren (3 family parties), Robin (back in song), Nuthatch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch
Insects:- GV White 2, Gatekeeper 2, Red Admiral, Brown Hawker dragonfly 3
Flora:- plenty of Meadowsweet along the canal plus quite a bit of Montbretia. Yellow Loosestrife in the reserve.