Undoubtedly, the butterfly of the moment was the Gatekeeper. Over one hundred were seen just between the Centre and Taskers Meadow. In places they rested to bask on the large surface area of the flowerless Bracken fronds. No more than three Marbled Whites were seen two of which were upon the sunnier Wares.
The “Bee Bollard” was dormant, however, basking upon the adjacent timber was a Black Bee (possibly a Hairy-footed Flower Bee) and three flies. Burdock was showing some thistle-like flower development which to me were purple / blue with white eye lash tips! Today I smelt the sweet scent of Blackberry blooms. Elder held both pale brown a gradually reddening fruit. Meanwhile, Privet held very small round brown fruit.
On a deadwood log in the Large Copse I recognised a Dryad’s Saddle bracket fungi and I recalled another being beside the timeline. Meanwhile, in South facing Saxon meadow parasol mushrooms resembling Shaggy Ink Caps sprung forth from cow pats.
A trio of Carrion Crow mobbed a Buzzard. The latter finally gained its own air space and by riding a thermal managed to maintain a fixed position thus briefly mimicking the behaviour of a Kestrel. Eventually I saw one of the North Saxon Stonechats as it called from the tip of Elder which protruded above Blackthorn and Blackberry cover. A duo of male Stonechats was calling within close proximity of each other. Beside one was it female mate and a Chiffchaff on the same bush. In the south facing side of Saxon where we had earlier cattle grazing ground hugging Horseshoe Vetch was still in flower. Due to the short grassland there were ground hugging Oxeye Daisies and Greater Knapweed. In the absence of tall grass, there were no need for the flowering plants to grow to height as the sunlight easily reached them at ground level. Out over the coastal limestone ridge a half dozen Swallows flew east. Stour Valley Ringing group reported the capture (and release!) of sixty Willow Warblers and one Wood Pigeon. I was lucky enough to see one of the six Garden Warblers rung today and left noting the need to top up the wildlife pond water level.