A sleepy, summery Gann

60 Oystercatchers were sat down near Crabhall, half of them asleep, there were three Little Egrets asleep in a tree, even the Cormorant on the island was sat down, and a Grey Heron was doing the same - not something you often see. 12 Mute Swans (a record?) were prodding around in a desultory way in the river. The only signs of activity came from the breeding birds - swallows zipping down to collect mud, a frantic singing Sedge Warbler near the car park and a Cetti's Warbler singing from somewhere near the island. The grassy areas were covered with flowers - Thrift, Bird's foot Trefoil and lots of Kidney Vetch. The gorse was in bloom and in the relatively still air the butterscotch scent was delicious. No waders at all, until two Curlews called in for a while.