Thirteen members met for a very hot and humid walk from the pretty Cotswold village of Hillesley with parties of Swifts darting overhead. The countryside and views were fabulous and very soon after starting our walk we had good views of a Whitethroat sitting on top of an ear of corn. A little further on we came to a stream which we followed and crossed a nice bowed wooden bridge over a lake with Mallards, Mute Swan and Grey Heron. While having our coffee break a Roe Deer appeared nearby but it made a hasty exit when it saw us. From there we could see Green Woodpeckers and Jays in a large tree not far away. We continued on through fields full of grasshoppers or crickets chirping and plenty of butterflies including Peacock, Comma and Small Copper. Three female Pheasants surprised us when they flew in and landed in long grass close to us. A bit further on there was a lot of activity in some tall bushes at the top of a field, mainly Goldfinches and Long-tailed Tits. Unfortunately, it was difficult to make out what else, if anything, was there. In all 36 species were noted. Some members were able to watch a Red Kite over the village before the start of the walk, but unfortunately none appeared after the allotted start time to be included in the count. Many thanks to Graham for arranging a lovely walk. Olwen Jones