It was a cloudless morning, perfect for a walk around Thursley Common to look for dragonflies, other insects, birds, and bog flowers too.

The bog pools were surrounded by Marsh Orchids in lovely purple bloom.

A few lizards, one with a regrowing tail, sunned themselves on the boardwalks.

Masses of Black-Tailed Skimmers chased aggressively about the pools, along with a few blue damselflies and some Black Darters. Some Large Red Damselflies warmed up on the heather, well away from the pools.

A Curlew called (or is it sang?) its beautiful, melancholic mating cry, flying high, slowly, and holding out its wings in a distinctive curve: something like a small heron, but with its incredible long downcurved bill, and tail feathers spread showily. It’s a rare delight, not least because Thursley is the only place Curlews breed for many miles around.

Stonechats sang their brief grating song from conspicuous viewpoints all over the common, sometimes in little family groups.

A Tree Pipit gave a fine display of its song flight from a tall tree.

On a lake filled with Yellow Water-Lilies at the edge of the common, gigantic Carp lurked and splashed at the surface, and Downy Emeralds chased, seeming club-tailed.

A Green Tiger Beetle whirred on to the path – a very strange flight jizz,  but easily recognized once close enough.

Perhaps the most tantalizingly lovely insect of the day, however, was this Beautiful Demoiselle, shining iridescent Lapis Lazuli blue against the delicate pale green of a birch sprig.