SIX people enjoyed a sunny evening at the Rixton Claypits following earlier heavy rain.

With heavy foliage on the trees it was hard to see birds although there seemed to be few around.

A total of 21 species were listed all together with four butterfly species and several dragonflies and damselflies.

The highlights included a kingfisher and sand martins on the diggings opposite and later we saw a pair of kestrels who had a fully-fledged chick with them.

The flora was very lush with agrimony, several rattles and a profusion of willow herbs and trefoils making a very colourful scene.

We saw the following birds: mallard, coot, moorhen, mute swan, little grebe, swallow, sand martin, house martin, swift, wood pigeon, collared dove, goldfinch, robin, blackbird, chiffchaff, kingfisher. starling, crow, jackdaw, buzzard, kestrel.

Butterflies seen included red admiral, meadow brown, gatekeeper and small white.