Alun’s parents live near the Ock, and he ventured out on bank holiday Monday to record a dawn chorus from the Ock Valley Walk. It’s online on the Radio Aporee website.

The recording is an hour long and is a relaxing way to spend an hour or have as background birdsong. Alun took the risk of leaving the recording gear in the woods at 4:30 am while he nipped back for a cup of tea. He was a bit worried on returning because he had to search to find where he had placed them. He said standing around sniffing or rustling a coat is not good for the recording.

On the Aporee site, you can navigate the globe and listen and download recordings. Alun’s dawn chorus is available at https://aporee.org/maps/?loc=56785&m=satellite.

I walked the Ock Valley Walk earlier this afternoon. The nettles are knee-high and, at their best, fresh and light green.

Mayflies were bouncing up and down like yo yos. A few had settled.

Many birds could be heard, and a few could be seen eating insects.