more flycatchers and a storm

Predictably, yesterday's high temperatures ( still 26C at 1 a.m.) resulted in a noisy electrical storm at about 4 a.m. It brought with it some welcome rain.

The village pond is now virtually dry and the 3 mallards have taken to bathing in my small fishpond, much to the consternation of the fish.

The pied flycatchers are still flitting around the garden and have been joined by a spotted flycatcher, only the 3rd or 4th that I have seen this year.

I had a brief view of a hoopoe at Valence yesterday, the first I have seen around here for a while.

A grey wagtail was on the Son-Sonnette.