Breckles 29 July 2026

Another hot day with a temperature high of 92° fahrenheit. We are now officially in drought conditions with a hosepipe ban in place and with no rain for the foreseeable future.  Everywhere is bone dry, grassed areas are yellow and the fire risk is extremely high.

This morning I visited private land in Breckles with specific habitat types targeted, these included mixed woodland and ground covering scrub.  Waterside willows held a number of Linnets chattering away, also, Whitethroats were noted with a frequent "churr" agitated note given.  I sat for some time looking into scrub and a couple of nearby tall Ash trees, where the latter held a constant coming and going of birds, these included one Great Spotted Woodpecker (red capped juvenile bird), Linnets, singing Greenfinch, one Nuthatch, Chiffchaff, 2+ Willow Warblers (song heard), Blackbird, Wren, Blackcap (giving alarm call), one juvenile Song Thrush, two Yellowhammer (including singing male), a foraging Marsh Tit, and at least 4 Siskins (including 2 juveniles).  Nearby Willows held an alarm calling Reed Warbler giving a repeated "trrt" note, I eventually managed to glimpse the bird in cover, this was a adult bird carrying food for young, which were also seen and appeared tail-less. 

Mimic Hornet Hoverfly at Breckles 29 July 2026 (The largest Hoverfly species in Europe).

This was also a very good morning for finding and watching insects, I concentrated my efforts in scrub habitat and was rewarded with watching 2 Mimic Hornet Hoverflies, this is the largest European Hoverfly species and has the appearance and behaviour of a Hornet.

Also seen was a wonderful male Clouded Yellow butterfly, he was an absolute beauty, two Painted Lady butterflies, Peacock, and Gatekeepers. Emperor dragonflies were also present and showing well.