Magical misty sunrise. Reedbeds full of singing warbles

Butterflies galore at the moment across the reserve. It’s just breathtaking, 87 Meadow Browns, 24 Gatekeepers, 3 common Blue, 1 Brown Angus, large White, common Skipper & 1 Fiery Clearwing on small clump of Sea Lavender.

This year’s wader breeding season is drawing to a close, last clutch of avocet eggs hatched & the chicks out under guard of protective parents.

RT @RamsarConv: Wetlands are crucial for both biodiversity and climate change mitigation and adaptation. They act as biodiversity hotspot….

RT @neish397: Rare sighting of female Bitten feeding an almost fledged youngster. She is solely responsible for rearing of young which norm….

Look out for these now fledge brood of 3 Kestrels along the entrance track, great to see kestrels successfully breeding again on the reserve after absence.

Such a wonderful view of one of the Long-eared Owls at the end of last nights tour taken by @SimonGinnaw Nature Guide & Warden

2025’s #Curlew Head Starting project is drawing to a close, 8 wks on from the first hatchings the remaining 32/40 birds are being ringed by @SwaleWaders in preparation of their release 2 next week. They have developed that adult elegance & haunting call that reaches your sole.

Corn bunting with nesting material, probably its 2nd brood. It’s been a good year for them so far with 20 territories identified on the breeding bird survey & fledged young spotted @BBS_birds

RT @RSPBEngland: Swifts live a life on the wing. From fledging at around 6 weeks old to the first time they breed at 3-4 years, they are un….

This was the same owlet in the previous day in the blistering heat having conked after an exhausting session of intensive fly watching.

Little owl owlet enjoying the opportunity to take a welcome shower in the brief downpour that brought an end to the heat wave. It’s always hilarious to watch, they look so very serious as they twirl around, encouraging the rain deep into their feathers to clean out pests & dirt

Little Ringed Plover spotted on the last week of 2025’s @BBS_birds. No evidence that it breed on the reserve but the hot weather has produced the habitat they would favour for nesting, seasonal freshwater wetlands on open stony ground. #WaderWednesday

Elmley's rich mosaic of ditches, grasslands & reedbeds carefully managed without the use of.insecticides, provide differing habitat that insects need to complete their complex life cycles & thrive in abundance & form a essential link in .the food chaining #InsectWeek #pollinators

Whittling away time watching a brambles bush teeming with butterflies, buzzing with dozens of bees, hover flies, beetles & spotted 1st a female Fiery Clearwing resting on Bristly Oxtongue, A rare moth in the Uk but found in several mostly coastal sites around Kent. @mothsinkent

Oops. The last sentence should read: later in the summer their bright green caterpillars provide food for Lark, Meadow Pipit and Yellow Wagtails.

Meadow Brown are common & widespread butterflies, maybe not them most glamorous individuals but on mass the are spectacular. The thistles & bramble are smoothered with them. Later in the summer, their bright green caterpillars are provide food lark, Meadow Pipit & Yellow wagtail

There continues between 150-250 mostly in stunning summer plumage Black Tailed Godwits on the wader scrape & amongst them today a single Bar Tailed Godwit. It’s rare to see them on the freshwater side of the marsh, they prefer to feed & roost out on the Swale mudflats & saltings

The Hobby, a small fast falcon, arriving from Africa to breed the UK. Hunt insects & birds in flight, also taking advantage of opportunities to catch prey on the ground if the situation arises. Here a Lapwing with chicks is trying to flush the Hobby by continually dive bombing.

With relief we can confirm that the fire was not at Elmley NNR but sadly at the beautiful Swale NNR at Shellness & has destroyed some of the precious habitat there. Many thanks to @kentfirerescue prompt action attending & controlling the fire. @Kent_Online.

Delighted to welcome Yvette Austin of .BBC South East & discuss how Elmley as part of South of England Curlew Recovery Project is helping improve the prospects of Lowland Curlew & intrduce her to this year’s chicks.