04.00 am - at first light - before sunrise, a clear sky and no wind, the only sound an overwhelming chorus of birdsong, hundreds of birds singing together in their territories along the winding river, the song carrying a long distance.
No loud soloists close up, just the combined song of many birds, their voices carrying and combining along the river, in prefect conditions seldom experienced.
Most of the voices were of blackbirds, merging with song-thrushes, wrens and robins, all active early in the day - but taking time to sing in the half-light before foraging on the still-damp earth.
It is difficult to describe their music, as no single bird can be separated from the chorus - a unique merging of continuous song and place, near and far, no silent pauses as the singing birds are so numerous. In the distance, faint calls from herring gulls gradually became louder overhead then faded as the birds made their way west, flapping wings as there were no thermals or winds to glide on.
Two hours later with the land already heating up under the sun, the dawn chorus had faded, the world awoken with house sparrows and warblers taking over on what was to become a very hot day.
Observation is not just about watching but listening too.
Dog Rose (Rosa canina) flowering profusely this summer, even
in the shade under the oaks.
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