If anything Sunday at RSPB Rainham Marshes was even hotter and it took a while for the shade to make it under the Centre to where we were lurking. I got in a little early and papped some insect bits around the gardens before it got too hot and was pleased to discover some very good Hovers amongst the throng of Episyrphus balteatus with a couple of stripy waspish Chrysotoxum verralli, a Pipizella sp, Syritta pipiens, Volucella zonaria and a new species to me, Didea fasciata. The latter was on territory around the Willows which as usual as infested with Giant Williow Aphids and I was able to reliably find it several times during the day.
Episyrphus
balteatus 
Episyrphus
balteatus 
Spaerophoria scripta 
Syrphus ribesii 
Episyrphus
balteatus
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| Didea fasciata |
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| Didea fasciata |
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| Didea fasciata |
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| Volucella zonaria |
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| Chrysotoxum verralli |
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| Tuberolachnus salignus |
Cerceris rybyensis Digger wasps were in the Composites along with further Hoverfly species while Blue-tailed Damselflies wafted in between the grass stems on the hunt for smaller prey. There were lots of lively Skippers and more Gatekeepers now on the wing along with a single Cinnabar Moth. They seem in very short supply this year.
Cerceris rybyensis 
Ragwort and Episyrphus balteatus 
Eristalis nemorum 
Blue-tailed Damselfly 
Misumena vatia 
Cinnabar Moth
The Black Ants were swarming before lunchtime and the Gulls soon arrived to partake in aerial snacking. Unsurprisingly two adult Med Gulls were seen amongst the Black-heads along with two Common Gulls and few larger species.
Med Gull acrobatics
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| 1st summer Common Gull |
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| adult Common Gull |
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| adult Lesser Black-backed Gull |
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| adult Herring Gull |
Starlings and the House Sparrows once again joined in and Southern and Migrant Hawkers joined those seen hunting the day before. A female Blue-eyed was found hanging up and Common and Ruddy Darters were joining in on the antfest.
Southern Hawker 
Blue-eyed Hawker 
Common Darter and an ex-ant
The end of the day did not quite go as planned with some serious M25 closures south of the river precluding any chance of getting home so I locked up, put may hat on and headed out for a walk around the trails for the first time since the end of May.
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| Peacock |
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| Gasteruption jaculator - male left - female right |
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| Gasteruption jaculator - female |
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| Gasteruption jaculator - male |
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| Burnet Rose Hip |
It was still scorchingly hot and despite being the end of the day it was actually quite hard going out there with even most insects staying out of the fierce sun. I did however see several smart Black-tailed Skimmers and Banded Demoiselles and Emperors patrolled Aveley Pools where there were well grown broods of Gadwall, Pochard and Tufted Duck among a heap of Coot.
Gadwall, Tufted Duck and a Coot 
Black-tailed Skimmer 
Black-tailed Skimmer
Marsh Harriers were visible all the time with young and both
parents hunting. The Avocets with their
fledged chicks were still up for a bit of raptor bashing though.
Oystercatcher
Small birds were largely silent but I did encounter several Bearded Tit parties which all appeared to be youngsters. They have lost that early orange glow and are more subdued now before attaining adult orangeyness in the months to come.
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| Bearded Tit |
A couple of Marbled Whites battled the Small Whites along the path nearest the sea wall but I have to admit that it did not linger long at any spot as the Clegs were somewhat persistent and my legs were out but it was just good to get out on the reserve and have the place to myself.
I got back to my car at about 730 but there was still no way of going home so I headed west to my parents for a few hours to cool down before chancing a final run for the Bridge.
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