The eruption of sound as a Green Woodpecker took flight from the top of the Yellow Meadow Ant hill it had been perched on, it then flew across the sky moving in an undulating sweep.
Next came the raucous squawk of a Jay, the flash of blue and white and pink as it disappeared amongst the Willows and White Poplar trees.
A different sound came from the low Blackthorn bushes, that of a Grasshopper Warbler rattling, only a short but very distinguishable burst.
Perched on the dead twigs of an Elder, was a flock of Linnets their easy to recognise breeding plumage faded, and the youngsters also lacking the colour. In the next clump a flock of Goldfinches tinkled and landed like a scattering of leaves.
Both Common and Lesser Whitethroats in good numbers as were Willow Warblers which were moving through the hedgerows.
Many of the meadows will be cut soon for hay, but there are still many flowers to enjoy including the purple Greater Knapweed, Field Scabious, Tufted Vetch and Selfheal and the yellows of Common and Hoary Ragwort, Rough Hawkbit, Meadow Vetchling, Fleabane and Agrimony, plus the prickly rough leaved Bristly Ox-tongue. Along the edges the dirty pink of Red Bartsia showing well.
Butterflies fluttering up in numbers with Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns the most numerous, while Marbled Whites numbers are beginning to drop. Others spotted included Painted Lady, Small Blue, Lulworth Skipper, Small Heath and Speckled Wood. Hovering above a patch of tall Hemp Agrimony was a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, amazing to watch as it probed the flower head with its long proboscis.
A gorgeous Tiger Spider had built its web amongst the long grass of Tall Fescue, Cocksfoot and Crested Dog’s Tail, the yellow striped body hanging in the centre of the intricate webbed construction.
Lots of seed heads about from Pale Flax, Hay Rattle, Corky-fruited Water Dropwort and Agrimony.