Overhead some superb Swifts were swooping across the sky, these jet black birds with swept back wings are such masters of the air, and wonderful to watch.
A few Swallows were also winging their way, whilst my attention was caught by a Green Woodpecker undulating its way as it flew ahead of me.
On the upright trunks of a fairly dead small Sycamore tree, was a Wood Pigeon, a Jackdaw and a Jay, all three visible together through the binoculars.
The ‘wheeze’ of a Greenfinch and the ‘tinkling’ of Goldfinches was accompanied by the short ‘cheese’ call of a Yellowhammer, spotted in the end perched on a patch of Blackthorn.
Butterflies galore, with clouds of Gatekeepers erupting from the hedgerows, the busy buzzing flutter of Small Skippers and Lulworth Skippers and the wafting flight of Meadow Browns and Marbled Whites.
However I was delighted to see a Chalkhill Blue, this powder blue butterflies is one of our rarest, such a delicate shade, especially when seen alongside a brighter Common Blue.
A quick peep in the moth trap (full inspection to be done later), but Feathered Ranunculus, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Lackey, Common Footman and a Four-spotted Footman for a start.
The grasses in the meadows have turned a real yellowy-brown as the hot dry weather continues, but splashes of colour still exist as the yellows of Bristley Ox-tongue, Common Ragwort, Ladies Bedstraw, are combined with the white of Wild Carrot and Field Bindweed and the purples of Tufted Vetch, Lucerne and Greater Knapweed.
Some lower growing species include the Red Bartsia, Red Clover, Hop Trefoil, Eyebright and Squinancywort.
A Roe Deer trotted past, its rusty coat highlighted by the sunshine, in the woods the sounds of squabbling Grey Squirrels could be heard.