Heat Wave Summer.
The warm and sunny weather continued through mid-June encouraging Painted Ladies, Meadow Browns and Large Skippers to be on the wing. My first Spotted Flycatcher of the year was seen on June 15th and it was pleasing to see it feeding a juvenile.
On the 16th an Osprey flew south and on the same date a single Curlew headed west. My first Humming Bird Hawk Moth was seen on June 21st. Hobby and two Red Kites were also recorded.
Very hot weather at the end of June, with temperatures reaching 34C, encouraged more butterfly species to appear. Small Heath, Marbled White, Gatekeeper and Essex Skipper were all recorded before the months end.
July 2nd was a highlight with two great wildlife encounters. The first was a male Grass Snake in the pond, which had sloughed off its skin and an afternoon trip to Bagworth Heath, resulted in some good views of Purple Emperor.
The following day continued to deliver with three Common Sandpipers on the dam and a young Stoat in the garden. My 23rd butterfly species of the year was a Brown Argus on the meadow, and four Common Terns were seen on the 10th.
July 12th was another red letter day with a group of six Black Necked Grebes on the reservoir. This included one juvenile, and is one of the highest totals recorded in Leicestershire.
A single Purple Hairstreak was seen on the 19th. The following day two Redshank were on the dam and on the 25th two Peregrines flew low over the house.
A group of 41 Swifts were heading west on July 26th and an adult Arctic Tern flew through in the same direction.
On July 27th I decided to survey the number of Great Crested Grebes on the reservoir. In total I counted 44 adult birds. This included 12 pairs with 29 chicks.
On the same date it was a real treat to see a Clouded Yellow in the garden, and my 25th Patch butterfly of the year.
August has commenced with more scorching weather and an unrelenting drought. Humming Bird Hawk moths are being seen daily with often two on the Buddleia. A first winter male Redstart was at Bagworth Heath on August 4th, and a flock of 6 Mistle Thrush were seen on the 5th.
As we enter the peak autumn migration period and mud is exposed around the reservoir margins, I am hoping for some waders to drop in. However, in reality I would be very pleased for the drought to break.
Andy Smith 08/08/2026.
Thornton 