The British weather is always a popular topic of conversation, and for the last month it has been very hot news - literally as well as metaphorically.
July looks set to have been the hottest on record, and at Minsmere we have seen no more than a few drops of rain all month. The result has been a gradual drying out of the Scrape and other wetland parts of the reserve. Usually in such circumstances, we move some water from the reedbed to replenish the Scrape, but we haven't been able to this year as several bitterns are still nesting.
One consequence of the low water levels has been the earlier than usual departure of most of our avocets and a decline in migrant waders. Where there is still water on the Scrape, it is attracting a good variety of gulls and terns.
Elsewhere on the reserve, there has been a profusion of butterflies and dragonflies. The buddleias outside the visitor centre are covered in peacock, red admiral and painted lady butterflies and silver Y moths. Many of these are migrants from the continent, as was a lesser emperor dragonfly, which was the reserve's first record.
The first of our pond dipping activity days this summer attracted about 50 children plus their families to explore the mysteries of the pond. Adults are as excited as the children to catch dragonfly larvae, newts, water boatmen and a variety of other tiny creatures.
This week (3 and 4 August) we have our popular annual family event. Titled 'Our changing world', there are a range of activities about climate change, pollution and recycling, including pond dipping, games and craft activities. Owlbert and Squeak, two of the RSPB wildlife Explorers characters, are due to make special guest appearances. Why not bring the family for a great day out?