Yesterday there were Black-headed Gulls on the W lake posts, a sure early sign of autumn. Also I noticed then and the day before that one of the Gt Crested Grebes had a youngster [humbug] on its back. I’ve no idea where the nest was. There have been a couple of Grey Herons in residence by W lake too. A Whitethroat family was active in the long grass at the far end of W paddock and there’s also a family near the dipping pond.Dragonflies active recently on sunny days gave been Emperor, Black-tailed Skimmer, Broad-bodied Chaser, and Four-spotted Chaser, and Beautiful Demoiselles have been by Sully Brook through the kissing gate beyond the Medieval Village. A poor summer thus far for Butterflies in any number.