Little to record, with diptera Urophora quadrifasciata (a fruit fly) and Zophomyia temula (a tachinid) the best of the first hour. The former was introduced to many US states thirty years ago as a 'biological agent' to combat knapweed. Still plenty of Cephus spp (pygmaeus? - a tyoe of wheat stem borer sawfly) on buttercups plus the odd Celypha lacunana, a micro-moth. Other than a chat with Kate and later a SDW through-hiker
on his way to Winchester, there was nothing else of note with just the background songs of 4+ Firecrests over a coffee.
On the other side of the road Five-spot Burnet was the most numerous 'thing with wings' with a supporting cast of Common Blues, Small Coppers, Brimstones, Small Heaths and a single Grizzled Skipper. Various grass loving micro moths were 'kicked up' along with
Silver-ground carpet and the odd Cinnabar.
Sat on the stile by the Oxenbourne access gate with the first Sparrowhawk for many weeks soaring overhead, singing Skylark, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat and Linnet plus at least eighty Med Gulls on the (now) very short sward adjacent to the sheep field.
Later, a second Sparrowhawk was stirring up the local feral pigeons beyond the garden.
(Five-spot Burnet, Grizzled Skipper, temporary cafe/classroom and Urophora quadrifasciata)
