Birding can be hard going in August; most breeding is over and birds are less visible as they prepare to moult. We still managed 32 species plus Roe Deer and Hare. The dew pond near the car park attracts numerous Swallow and House Martin dropping down for a drink. In spite of the long, dry spell, it was still deep enough for a Mute Swan and a Little Egret. More Egrets were in the re-wetted field with a flash of a Kingfisher. A Kestrel hunted over the dry pasture, a Red Kite soared in the distance and Buzzard circled over the woodland. The old rail siding is a good place for breeding Whitethroat and we saw several adults and juveniles. Yellowhammer seems less common on the site these days but we found one in a hedge in the southern fields, with a few Skylarks in the pasture. Green Woodpecker were a noisy presence throughout the walk with a couple of good sightings. Goldfinch, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat took full advantage of the numerous Thistle seed heads. (Thanks to Alastair for leading.) Alastair Fraser