I hadn't seen Tony for a while so it was good to catch up with a walk around a Sunny Botley Wood.  We met up near the gate and straight away Tony told me that he had just heard a Turtle Dove, this soon called again but could not be seen and another was heard a little later.  Butterflies were everywhere, with the commonest being Gatekeeper, it was also nice to see quite a few female Brimstone.
Gatekeeper, Botley Wood 25th July 2009
Brimstone (female), Botley Wood 25th July 2009
A hobby flew over as we talked to Richard Carpenter ans a single Willow warbler was heard to sing. A few Bullfinches were also heard to call.
Around the pond were many blue damselflies, sp unknown and a few Common Darters.
Common Darter, Botley Wood 25th July 2009
Further on we had a single White Admiral with another a little later.  Other butterflies were Small Skipper, Peacock, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Holly Blue and Silver-washed Fritillary.
White Admiral, Botley Wood 25th July 2009
We finished with a nice Common Buzzard soaring in the sun.
Common Buzzard, Botley Wood 25th July 2009
Always a lovely place to walk around, as the amount of visitors today signified.
Mark C.