Spotted

Bedford Purlieus was looking less droughted than most of the countryside, though a few young Sycamore and Sweet Chestnut trees had dead leaves - surprising given their continental origins. The Hemp-agrimony was in full bloom on the shadier sides of the rides - it's usually covered in butterflies at this time of year, but I saw very few indeed, though there were plenty of drone-flies nectaring on this and the Wild Angelica. 

Highlight of my trip was spotting this young bird in an Ash tree - I suspected that it was a juvenile Spotted Flycatcher, and was pleased to confirm this when I arrived home. It's been a while since I saw one locally, though I know they breed in a few of the larger local woodlands.