On a hot and beautiful day, we started out from the car park heading south-west through the woodland towards the footbridge over the Beaulieu River. Before we had even got a few yards an inquisitive Southern Hawker was flying around in front of us.
As we walked through the woodland, we got sidetracked by a Speckled Wood flying around and occasionally perching in the sunlight, Enchanter’s Nightshade and Common Dog Violet.
Enchanter's Nightshade © Richard Coomber
On reaching the footbridge, we found some fungi on a tree and a fallen rotten log – we identified Common Earthball, the wonderfully named Dog Vomit Slime Mold, a red fungus that is possibly Beechwood Sickener and, identified by Richard Coomber, Stemonitis axifera.
Dog's Vomit Slime Mould © Kevin Tubb 
Stemonitis axifera © Richard Coomber
Once we crossed the footbridge and left the woodland, we found areas of Least Water Pepper. Heading out over the heath we could see that Starpole Pond still had water in it despite the recent hot and dry weather. There were a few dragonflies flying around it, but they were all Common Darter apart from one Blue Emperor.
We then proceeded to explore the small hill where we found large numbers of Marsh Gentian (lots in flower, some in bud and a few that had gone over). Butterflies included Small Heath, a tatty Holly Blue, Red Admiral and Small Copper. Fungi included HollySpeckle, The Blusher, Brown Birch Bolete and possible Iodine Bolete.
Marsh Gentian © Richard Coomber
Brown Birch Bolete © Kevin Tubb
possibly The Blusher © Kevin Tubb 
possibly Iodine Bolete © Kevin Tubb
Flora included Devil’s Bit Scabious, Mouse-eared Hawkweed, Cat’s-ear, Autumn Hawkbit, Dwarf Gorse, Eyebright sp, Tormentil and Chamomile.
Birds were scarce except for a few Meadow Pipits and Wood Pigeons but that soon changed! Firstly, we picked up lots of House Martins high up in the sky, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Common Stonechat, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Linnet and best of all a European Honey Buzzard which was calling constantly and eventually the leader managed to get it in the telescope which was quite difficult as the sky was clear - so no clouds to get bearings on.
We
then headed back to the car park and didn’t see anything new apart from a
fly-by Brimstone. KT