www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

SUNDAY 1ST APRIL 2012.
The weather appeared to be a bit warmer than the forecast so we decided to head for Stodmarsh in the hope that some early summer migrants had arrived. A walk to Marsh Hide produced a singing Blackcap and 8 Chiffchiffs, but that was it with regards migrants. 4 Bearded Tits were showing and calling near the hide with 3 Cettis Warblers singing. 2 Red Admirals and a Small White cheered us up, as did small patches of Cuckoo flower, but the weather gave the hint that it should have been better. Then we did a raptor watch from Collards Hill and saw a total of 12 Common Buzzards and 8 Marsh Harriers. We were then joined by Martyn Wilson, whose is the dedicated local patch watcher and puts many hours into watching the Stour Valley. He had earlier seen and heard 4 Sedge Warblers and also mentioned that a visitor had reported a Hobby over the ramp at Grove Ferry, so things are on the up. Just as we were leaving 3 Red Admirals flew past. I ended the day at a friends house and whilst in the garden a Swallow flew around giving us our first sighting of the year. Another good day in Kent.
Dave

What a strange couple of weeks. Ten days ago I was sitting in the garden in a tee shirt with temperatures of 22 degrees thinking that butterflies are here, and today its cold with showers and obviously not a butterfly in sight. Hopefully this little cold snap is only temporary and we can soon return to walking in the woods.
FRIDAY 6TH APRIL 2012.
The last reasonable day before the temperature drops found us walking Hamstreet Woods again. This time we had better success with a fine male Brimstone, a Green Veined White, 2 Peacocks, Red Admiral and 2 Large Whites. 3 Common Buzzards circled overhead whilst a Blackcap sang its lovelly musicial song.
We then toured Dungeness to add Speckled Wood to the list. A Spoonbill has made itself at home the last couple of days and today it was actually feeding around its favourite island in front of Hanson Hide instead of its usual pose of being a sleep. The ARC pit also produced a Swallow and 4 Little Egrets, with 5 Cettis Warblers scattered around the area. We had just arrived at the observatory when the warden informed us that a second winter Iceland Gull was now showing from Makepeace Hide on the RSPB. Fifteen minutes later we were enjoying decent views of this rare Dungeness bird. A most enoyable and unexpected sighting, although there have been decent numbers reported around the British coast this winter.
SUNDAY 8TH APRIL 2012.
Today at Dungeness we birded in cold, mist and the odd shower. There was no chance of any butterflies today and to be honest little chance of any migrants. However, we put a few hours into searching before the lure of a warm room tempted us home. The Spoonbill had returned to sleeping, 4 Sand Martins looked lost as they flew over the Dengeness Road during a break in the showers. A Raven flew towards the Power Station, the Long Tailed Duck enterained us at the south end of the ARC pit. Finally, after a long wait the Water Pipit returned to the same area of the pit and showed briefly. It really felt like the end of winter rather than the start of spring. Tomorrow does not look much better, it can only be the Easter break.
Dave

What can I say about the weather today. We did go out, but it rained all the time. Needless to say we saw very little. The highlight being a pair of Ravens at Langdown Bay (Dover). The sea was very quiet with just a few Fulmars passing. Before we left home we had the unexpected sight of 32 Med Gulls circling over the house and heading in a north direction calling all the time. This is the biggest flock we have seen over our house. To put it into perspective the most we have seen here before is five so this was clearly a large movement. Hundreds have been seen in the Rye area over the last few weeks so perhaps our flock was part of this large influx.
With not much to write about I have had time to download a few photos taken over the last few days.

CAN GIBSTER SEE INTO THE FUTURE?

Just over a year ago I posted a photo of a male Smew which also contained, in my view, a Tufted Duck. Gibster however thought it may show a Ringed Necked Duck. I now post a couple of photos taken yesterday at Dungeness, and if Gibster says Ringed Necked Duck this time I will agree.
The events of the day started as we got into the car with the intention of heading to Dungeness. A phone call even before I had turned the car key ensured that we headed straight for the ramp at Hookers Pit where a male Ringed Necked Duck was on show, well occasionally, as it spent most of its time sleeping and hiding in the reeds. This is only the second time we have seen this rare American Duck at Dungeness in 25 years of visiting. The light was not the best in cloudy conditions, but I managed a couple of acceptable photos to show the main features. These being the white bands around the bill, the white spur at the front of the body contrasting with the light grey flanks, and no tuft on the head of course.
A Bittern boomed nearby, 3 Bearded Tits pinged away in front of use, a Willow Warbler sang and 3 Marsh Harriers displayed. A small crowd of the Dungeness regulars had gathered and it was good to be amongst a great group of people. Almost as exciting as the RN Duck was the report of a Dartford Warbler, but despite a big search by a number of people we were unable to relocate it. This species seems to have been hit hard by the last couple of cold winters. We then saw a smart breeding condition Slavonian Grebe on the New Diggings and 4 Little Egrets, with 2 newly arrived Yellow Wagtails and the long staying Long Tailed Duck on the ARC pit.
On the way home we called in at Hamstreet Woods to look for butterflies and managed to see Green Veined White and 3 Orange Tips. Numbers still appear low but it is early in the season.
What a fantastic day.
Dave

Absolutely cracking bird is the Ring-necked Duck and that is a very handsome specimen! I love the markings on the bill.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Downhill all the way.
That’s my reference to the weather. We are still managing to see good birds, but where have all the butterflies gone in this poor weather? As for moths, the nights have either been too cold or wet, so not surprising, not one seen by us.

Thursday 12th April 2012.
We visited Oare Marsh and the surrounding area. 6 Common Buzzards, 11 Marsh Harriers, 2 Little Egrets, Sedge Warbler and Swallow seen. No butterflies.

Friday 13th April 2012.
A visit to Dungeness was interesting. We were aware that Harbour Porpoises had been seen close in over the previous few days, and sure enough at least 6 individuals were on show, many inside the buoy. After about an hour 3 Dolphins appeared in front of, and alongside, a distant sailing yacht. Although a lot bigger than the Porpoise to be honest they did not show well enough and close enough to be positive about their identification. Several days earlier 8 White Beaked Dolphins had been seen briefly in the area and whilst it would be nice to think that they were this species, (we have not seen White Beaked), our views did not eliminate Bottle Nose despite one jumping out of the water. Hopefully they will reappear sometime to confirm their identification. The sea watch continued during which a steady stream of Common and Sandwich terns were noted, some being harried by a passing Arctic Skua. 4 passing Whimbrels proved some migration was taking place. The Power Station and point produced 2 Black Redstarts and a Swallow. The ARC pit produced a Little Ringed Plover and 3 Tree Sparrows otherwise very quiet, and certainly no butterflies.

Saturday 14th April 2012.
A warmer but winder day so into the Stour Valley to see what migrants had arrived. We heard our first Reed Warbler of the year, 3 Sedge Warblers, 6 Cettis, 4 Blackcaps, many Chiffchaffs, 2 Common Buzzards and 5 Marsh Harriers. 4 Orange Tips basked in the sheltered sunny spots.

Sunday 15th April 2012.
Elmley for a change, but the wind grew stronger and the visible birds less. We did see our first House Martin of the year, a Yellow Wagtail, 12 Avocets and 41 adult Med Gulls feeding close to Kingshill farm. Pairs of Lapwings were displaying, a Peregrine buzzed a Common Buzzard, 5 Marsh Harriers were trying to display and a distant Buzzard species was probably the long staying Rough Legged but I just could keep the scope steady enough to confirm its id.

Let’s hope that the weather improves for the coming weekend. We still have not seen Grizzled Skipper this year so it would be nice to catch up with.
Dave

I think the least said about this run of poor weather the better.

SATURDAY 21ST APRIL 2012.
Today we were up and about early. We had volunteered to take part in the national Nightingale survey and had been allocated 2 squares to the east of Hamstreet. These surveys are a good way to not only look for the target species, but to look for butterflies and plants in areas you don’t normally do. Despite our enthusiasm we failed to hear or see one Nightingale in our squares, although we did hear two birds just outside the area. We think the recent poor weather must be holding birds back, as apart from Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps very few migrants were present. Not one butterfly was seen all morning.
We then called in at Dungeness to see 3 Stonechats, 3 Marsh Harriers, 3 Swallows, Sedge Warbler, Cettis Warbler and 4 Tree Sparrows.
29 Early Purple Orchids were showing, but the local rabbit was taking a fancy and I don’t think there will be many left by next weekend, when they should be near their best.

SUNDAY 22ND APRIL 2012.
We did a tour taking in Lenham, Stalisfield, Chilham and Lyminge. With an improvement in the weather we thought we would tie up visits to look for raptors with butterflies.
Birds noted were 17 Common Buzzards, 4 Sparrowhawks, 2 Marsh Tits, Blackcap and Garden Warbler.
Butterflies noted were Brimstone, Orange Tip (4), Green Veined White (2), Small & Large White, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral.
A much better day.

THURSDAY 26TH APRIL 2012.
Back to the strong winds and showers. A Large White at Dungeness was the only butterfly seen.
A one hour sea watch produced 1 Great and 3 Arctic Skuas, with 40 Gannets, 25 Common Terns and 4 Common Scoter. Our first Swifts of the year (15) were flying over the ARC pit, together with 2 House Martins and 1 Yellow Wagtail. Scotney pit produced 2 Whimbrel and 6 Dunlin but little else.

I hope to post a few photos in the next few days.
This poor weather is quite frustrating, but we have to accept that the rain is badly needed. An illustration of this is shown by the very dry conditions of a local beech wood where we see White Helleborine Orchids every year. This year the ground is so dry we are not sure what will happen this year. So far there is no sign of any.

I have added a few photos taken on visits over the last week or so. Very few Butterflies so far this year. The Blue Headed Wagtail is just a sub species of the Yellow Wagtail and is usually found on the near Continent. There is about 8 or 9 variants of this species and they can be very confusing. I tend to just admire the look of the bird for it is of Britains declining species and no longer a common bird of the countryside.

Dave

Okay, what is going on weather wise! Saturday and Sunday are wet and windy, all go back to work on the Monday, so the sun comes out.

SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2012.
In between the heavy showers and long periods of rain we managed to see a reasonable selection at Dungeness. A Blue Headed Wagtail, a Channel Wagtail (don’t ask, just another sub species of Yellow Wagtail), 6 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Redshanks, 200 plus Swifts, 35 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 25 Common Terns, 80 Gannets and 1 Arctic Skua were reward for being silly and birding on a day when sensible people were indoors keeping dry.

SUNDAY 29 APRIL 2012.
Heavy rain in the morning gave way to warm sunshine around mid-day so we again headed for Dungeness. What a good decision for the rain had brought down a good selection. Pride of place went to a fine Pied Flycatcher hanging around the Old Lighthouse, supported by a male Redstart, Nightingale, Lesser Whitethroat, Black Redstart, 8 Wheatears, Med Gull, 3 Pomarine Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua, 150 Common Terns, 9 Whimbrel.
There was an interesting mass emergence of Small Coppers with 26 being counted around the point and inland of the little railway station plus 2 Large Whites.
We called in at Northpoint Pit on the way home to see 5 Swallows and 10 Med Gulls.

Dave

What a weekend here in Kent. Wet, windy, cold , sunny, you name it we had it.
So what did this mean to our wildlife? Well to start we saw no Butterflies until yesterday (Monday), but bird wise it was quite exciting and we even saw a few orchids.
BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND - PART ONE.
FRIDAY 4TH MAY 2012.
What a day at Dungeness, nothing mega rare but the best fall of migrants we have seen for many years. David, the Observatory Warden estimated in excess of 1,500 Whitethroats, 800 Willow Warblers and lots of other species including Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, Redstarts, Spotted Flycatchers, Pied Flycatchers, Wheatears, Lesser Whitethroats, Yellow Wagtails, Nightingale, Wood Warbler, Swifts, House martins, Sand Martins and Swallows. They ringed 320 birds of 19 species, with many arriving during the day, ensuring a very busy day. This was like it used to be in the eighties.
We saw the following,
Whitethroats 150 plus, including a staggering 15 birds in one small bush less than a metre high eating every insect in sight. Willow Warblers 200 plus, Wheatears 25 (including a few of the Greenland race), Garden Warblers 10, Blackcaps 20, Redstart 3, Spotted Flycatcher 2, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat 3, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Wood Warbler, Nightingale, Yellow Wagtail 5, Hobby, Swifts 250 plus, Swallows 750, House Martins 30 plus, Sand Martins 50, Greenshank, Black Tern 2, Whimbrel 5, Stonechat 2 and finally 2 WHITE STORKS at Scotney Gravel Pits.
During a break in the day we headed for nearby Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. They have made some real good changes to the reserve with new flooded areas. The birds have responded and today we saw a female KENTISH PLOVER, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Avocets, 5 Little Terns, 4 Med Gulls, Ringed Plover 75, many Knot, Bar Tailed Godwit, Sandwich and Common Terns.
Part Two to follow.

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND -PART TWO

SATURDAY 5TH MAY 2012.
After Fridays excitment the rest of the weekend was less so, especially today. It rained hard most of the morning, but to our surprise a Ringtail Hen Harrier passed near us as we drove around Walland Marsh. It was hunting, but how successful in the rain we will never know. Next stop was the Green Winged Orchid site on the edge of Walland. Disappointingly only one plant was visible and in flower. Once again the farmer had been very obliging and removed the sheep from the field, so we can't say they have been eaten.
Around the observatory and RSPB recording area we noted 1 Redstart, 25 Whitethroats, 10 Willow Warblers, 10 Wheatears, Common Sandpiper, Little Egret, 5 Whimbrel, 8 Bar Tailed Godwits, 200 plus Swifts, 600 Swallows, 25 House Martins and the same number of Sand Martins. Not a butterfly all day.

SUNDAY 6TH MAY 2012.
Dungeness again in the hope of something special but it was not to be. The strong winds put paid to migration although there was a few more waders around. 2 Common Sandpipers, 14 Bar Tailed Godwits, 3 Whimbrels, 2 Marsh Harriers, Spotted Flycatcher, Cettis Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, 2 Hobby, 200 plus Swifts, 750 plus Swallows, 40 Sand Martins and a Cuckoo. The only butterflies were Brimstone and Large White.

MONDAY 7TH MAY 2012.
Today we undertook our BTO Nightingale survey again. Being 2 weeks after the first visit we were hoping that our tretrads had welcomed some late arrivals. Despite the three of us looking and listening hard we only encountered 2 Nightingales. One right on the edge of our survey area and the other about 100 metres outside. This is a disaster compared to the seventies and we can only put it down to a change in the habitat. Nightingales like areas that were coppiced about 5 years ago and very little of our two tretrads contained. Indeed, one is almost all farm land. I have heard that this years survey is showing nationally Nightingale figures are down by about 50%, compared to the last full survey in 1999. We saw or heard all the common woodland birds and two groups of Early Purple Orchids.
As usual we ended up at Dungeness but heavy rain set in, so with very few birds around we headed home. Wrong decision. Mid afternoon the sun came out and almost immediately a CRESTED LARK was found near the Observatory. Although this would be our second Dungeness record this very rare bird was too tempting to miss so back to Dungeness to see the bird, arriving only minutes before it flew off and not to be seen again. Along with a few others we spent the next couple of hours searching for it because people were still arriving hoping to see it. It was now quite warm and a few Large Whites were on the wing. Whilst the weather ended on a high, in general the weekend weather was poor and insect activity even poorer.
Still there is always next weekend to look forward to.
Dave

Hiya Dave,

sorry to be a bit late to the party but I think your bird is indeed the (returning heh heh heh) Ring-necked Duck

Good luck with the rest of the Spring goodies. I'm reckoning a rare Sylvia and Bee-eaters could be coming your way...

Cheers mate,

Gibster.

Thanks Gibster. Although I am wondering how you have the time to spend on the forums being as its your honeymoon.

I know that we are all moaning about the recent spell of wet & cold weather but it does seem to have encouraged the Bluebells out. Our local woods are about the best I can remember for some time with wonderful carpets of blue and a smell that makes it good to walk just to wlk through. Challock Forest on Sunday was jam packed with people out to enjoy the display.

FRIDAY 11TH MAY 2012
We undertook the BTO Nightingale survey again in the same Tretrads, but again failed to find any additional birds singing. We may try once more but accept that we are unlikely to increase the number counted. Butterflies encounterd were Orange Tip, Large & Small White. Back home, and after settling down for the early evening, we received a message to say Two White Stocks were present near Appledore. After driving around for a little while and seeing none we received a text giving us exact directions for the 2 birds, which were not viewable from any road. A walk across two fields via a public footpath enabled us to view the birds distantly. Were these the same pair as at Scotney a week ago, we don't know. It is possible, but those birds were also seen in Susses and Hampshire.

SATURDAY 12TH MAY 2012.
A trip to Stodmarsh and Chislet Marsh produced 27 Hobby's, 4 Marsh Harriers, 200 plus Swifts, 15 Sand Martins, Green Veined White and 4 Large Whites.

SUNDAY 13TH MAY 2012.
Today we decided to check out a site in North Kent where Emperor Moths have been seen in the past. We saw none, but did have 2 Peacocks and 5 Large Whites. Also adult Med Gulls were still a feature. 40 plus were seen so we presume that they must be breeding nearby.
We ended the day near Wye NR in less than ideal conditions but did see Dingy Skipper, 4 Holly Blues, 2 Green Hairstreaks, 2 Orange Tips, Brimstone, Peacock, Large & Small White. Also present was 6 Lady Orchids with a few Common Twayblades coming through.

MONDAY 14TH MAY 2012.
A much better morning although the cloud and cold returned after mid-day. We visited Wye NR again and this time we had reasonable numbers of butterflies. 7 Dingy Skipper, 4 Wall Bronws, 1 Small Copper, 1 Green Hairstreak, a Treble Bar moth, 5 Early Purple Orchids and a good number of Cowslips. A much more enjoyable day all round.

Dave

And the sun comes out.

WEDNESDAY 16TH MAY 2012.
With the sun shining and the wind decreasing we thought that we would check Beckley Woods for Grizzled Skipper. No luck, and very few butterflies, with only a Speckled Wood and Comma to note. A beautiful patch of at least 75 Early Purple Orchids was a real treat, but other than 3 Common Buzzards there was little to note.
THURSDAY 17TH MAY 2012.
A trip to Dungeness was note worthly for its quietness. 3 Hobbies, 100 Swifts, 25 House Martins, Raven, Tree Sparrow and Cettis Warbler was little reward for many hours in the field. We did see two moths, Cinnabar and Small Waved Umber. Returning via Walland Marsh we noted that the Green Winged Orchids had increased to four number, and a Hare running down the road towards us was usual.
FRIDAY 19TH MAY 2012.
A return visit to WYE NR found another 7 Dingy Skippers in a different part of the reserve. They appear to be having a very good year at this location. Also present 2 Large White, Treble Bar and Yellow Shell moths. Nearby in a country lane we saw Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Large White.
SUNDAY 20TH MAY 2012.
The BTO have extended the Survey recording period for Nightingales due to the late arrival of some individuals. It has not helped us for another walk around our tretrads today failed to locate any new individuals. We realise that negative news is just as important as positive in a study if its to justify the results but its still disappointing as one know that one of our tretrads has held reasonable numbers in the past.
A check of a White Helleborine site near Faversham later in the day found 100 plus near to flowering, possibly a week away, unless the Deer get them first.
MONDAY 21 MAY 2012.
A visit to Samphire Hoe was designed to catch up with the Early Spider Orchid and to see more of the Wall Brown. We gave up counting the Early Spiders once we had got to 500. The Wardens notice board said that there was a total of 11,500 on the site. We can well believe this as they are everywhere, even around the overflow car park. 10 Wall Browns, 3 Dingy Skippers, 2 Orange Tips and 4 Large Whites kept us engrossed for a couple of hours.

A most enjoyable period of nature watching especially now the sun has come out to play. Yesterday (Tuesday) was 25 degrees here and the evening was really stunning.

Dave

Hopefully the sunshine will continue and the sun glasses will have to come out.

TUESDAY 22 MAY 2012.
We needed to catch up with Grizzled Skipper so today we headed for Dungeness. They are not in big numbers at this location but you can normally see a few individuals just as the trapping area starts. Today we saw 3 on a grassy area between some cleared brambles, joined by 4 Small Coppers.Next it was a visit to the patch (power station outfall). The adult Iceland Gull was still present, as was a 1st Summer Little Gull. The walk to the patch produced 4 Pale Grass Egger caterpillars. Not much on the pits although it was nice to see 2 Hobbys and 4 displaying Marsh Harriers.
In the eveing we had just finished tea when we received a call to say that 3 Red Kites were in the Shadoxhurst area following a tractor. We arrived a little too late to see them in flight, but we had two sitting in nearby trees. Photographs by the person who find them proved that there was 4 individuals present, none of them were tagged or ringed and some looked pretty tatty, suggesting they were continential ones migrating through.
WEDNESDAY 23 MAY 2012.
We again arrived too late to see the Red Kites in flight. Worse news was to follow, for the person on site had not only seen the 4 fly out of the tree but 2 more joined them before all 6 headed north. Followed moments later a seventh individual. 7 in Kent at one spot is unheard of but perhaps a sign of the increasing numbers of this species, both in England and the near Continent.
Hoggers had told us that the Dukes were out last week at Bonsai Bank so today we headed for there. Numbers were still low with a total count of 6, possibly 7, with 2 Dingy Skippers, Holly Blue, Green Hairstreak, 2 Orange Tips and many Large Whites. A Turtle Dove purred and a Willow Warbler was singing its heart out. Its a pity that the Duke numbers are still so low as much managemnet work has gone into the area. Perhaps its just the effect of the cold winter and dry spring. Nearby a male Brimstone and Holly Blue were at Crundale.
Another good two days of nature watching.
Dave

What a scorcher. The last few days have been brillant weather wise, although the numbers of butterflies present still seems low.

THURSDAY 24 MAY 2012.
Today we undertook a walk around Wye Crown. This is all part of the WYE National Nature Reserve but is some 800 metres away from the popular Devils Kneading Bowl and where we normally visit. The objective of the day was to see if any Burnt Tip Orchids were present at one of its last sites in Kent. The search was to no avail but we did see 2 Wall Browns, 14 Dingy Skippers, 4 Green Hairstreaks, 3 Small Heaths, Red Admiral, Orange Tip, Holly Blue and many Large Whites. A Cuckoo was letting us known of its presence.

FRIDAY 25TH MAY 2012.
Following a trip to the Supermarket we visited the other part of Wye NNR as Hoggers had seen a Brown Argus. We did manage that but saw 11 Dingy Skippers, 4 Small Heaths, 2 Orange Tips and a Green Hairstreak. Plus the usual Large and Small Whites.
Next stop was Parkgate Nature Reserve (Kent Wildlife Trust). This is a public site for Monkey Orchid, the only problem with it is finding it in the first place. Once there though it is a lovelly location and the Monkey Orchids were just coming out. Numbers seem down although it is early in the season. About 20 were present in the field closest to the road. About a dozen Early Purple Orchids had already gone over.
We put the garden moth trap for the first time this year. Only 8 species caught but these did include Angle Shades, Choclate Tip and Treble LInes.

SATURDAY 26TH MAY 2012.
We had intended to go into the Stour Valley/ East Kent area and an early morning text confirmed that was the right place. Two White Winged Black Terns had been present since first thing, although a bit mobile. On our arrival we were pleased to find that they were showing from the Lampen Wall, together with a few Common Terns and 10 Hobbies. A bittern was heard booming and our son saw it in flight. 2 Water Rails screached from somewhere in the nearby reeds. 3 Cettis Warblers sung their heart out. 2 Bearded Tits pinged from the reedbeds, and 3 Marsh Harriers flew around. We saw our first Hairy Dragonfly and Four Spotted Chaser of the season. A number of Azure Damselflys were on the wing and were already mating.

A really enjoyable few days of nature and weather.
Dave

SUNDAY 27TH MAY 2012
We ran our moth trap overnight. No surprises and still low numbers, but they are increasing. We recorded 12 species including our first garden record of Rustic Shoulder Knot. Other new ones for the year included Common Marbled Carpet and Spectacle.
Today the forecast temperature for our area was 25 degrees. This would mean the seaside and other popular destinations would be packed to over flowing. So today we decided to tour the local area, justing seeing what was on offer. We visited Charing/ Stalisfield/ Lenham and Hamstreet. It was actually quite hard work with butterfly variety very low. We did see lots of Large and Small Whites, 7 Orange Tips, 5 Brimstones, Peacock, Red Admiral, several Holly and Common Blues, but no Skippers or Green Hairstreaks. Birds were represented by 7 Common Buzzards, Hobby, 5 Nightingales and lots of Garden Warblers and Blackcaps. It was nice to hear a few Willow Warblers, one of our favourite songsters.
TUESDAY 29TH MAY 2012.
Following a text message we spent 2 hours watching a private garden at Dungeness, (with the owners permission), for a female Red Breasted Flycatcher, without success. Of the dozen or so people present only a few managed to connect with this attractive little flycatcher as it remained elusive all morning. Our attention was diverted at 11.10 hours when a fine Honey Buzzard flew over being mobbed by couple of Herring Gulls. It slowly made its way inland never to be seen again. Butterflies seen were Samll Copper, Common Blue, Holly Blue and Large White.
We ended the day at Hamstreet where, following a tip off from a local birder, we managed to find 2 Grizzled Skippers and a Small Copper, with 5 Brimstones. Seven Large Red Damselflys were our first of the year. 2 Nightingales and a Cuckoo were the bird highlights.
Another warm and enjoyabe day.

Dave

WEDNESDAY 30 MAY 2012.
I thought we would have a lazy day today as it was damp and overcast, but very mild. Wrong, an early morning phone call alerted me to a Squacco Heron at Dungeness. So off we went and it actually turned out to be a very good morning. The Squacco Heron showed well but distantly on Dengemarsh, although photography in the poor light was impossible with my camera. A Bittern flew over and another boomed near the ramp. A Drinker moth caterpillar showed itself, and early Emperor Dragonfly flew around as did a number of Four Spotted Chasers. A Common Blue butterfly enterained us whilst watching 2 Bearded Tits, 2 adult Med Gulls flew over, as did a Little Egret. 3 Cettis sang their hearts out as a Marsh Harrier and Hobby flew over looking for dinner. Many Swifts and Swallows were hawking insects, Sea Thrift was looking stunning and finally we saw one of the recently introduced Short Haired Bumblebees on white nettle near the RSPB entrance.
On the way home we checked a stream near Old Romney to see if the Red Eyed Damselflies were out. 11 were present with most already paired up and egg laying.

What a wonderful day, and the sun finally came out. Nature at its very best.

THURSDAY 31ST MAY 2012.
We had run the moth trap overnight and although there was only 9 species, one was a real goodie for us. It was White Point and obviously our first garden record. Twenty years ago this was only known as a migrant, and then only from the south coast. Over the last few years it has been suspected of breeding along the coast and the fact that a friend trapping at Hamstreet caught 5 fresh ones the following night seems to confirm this theory.


Dave

What can we say about this awful spell of cold and wet weather here in Kent. Nothing really positive so I will move on quickly.
SATURDAY 02ND JUNE 2012.
A visit to Dungeness did not really produce that much. 2 Hobbys, 3 Marsh Harriers and 2 Garden Tiger moths were about the best. The only butterfly species seen all day was Large White.
SUNDAY 03 JUNE 2012.
I think most of us saw the bad weather on the Queens Jubilee parade. We did go out for a few hours but it was hard work. We saw a Spotted Flycatcher at Eastwell Church, 10 Man Orchids near Crundale and a Common Tern flying around a small pool near Naccolt. That was the only surprise for the day, other than why did we go out and get wet.
MONDAY 04TH JUNE 2012.
A distant Buzzard species near Canterbury may actually have been a Honey Buzzard judging by its jizz and flat wings. We have another look on a better day. Calling in at a site near Faversham we counted 131 White Helleborines in flower and another 200 either about to flower or with their heads bitten off by the deer. 2 Common Buzzards flew over as we counted the Orchids, but otherwise fairly quiet.
WEDNESDAY 06TH JUNE 2012.
A quick visit to Wye National Nature Reserve saw us looking at 33 Late Spider Orchids. Amazingly all seemed to have a slightly different pattern on the flower itself. This is quite a good number this year and may actually have been helped by all this rain we have had of late. Most were under protective cages and we managed to locate a few spare cages, or ones that had come off, and cover them, once we had taken a few photos. This site is not on the well trodden popular areas, as I am sure it would not last long judging by the number of visitors to the reserve on some days.
We then set about looking for butterflies but had only managed to see Common Blue, Dingy Skipper and Speckled Wood before the skies opened again and another heavy shower followed.
Roll on the sunshine.
Dave

Find a Butterfly.
Not quite that bad, but very hard work in this poor June Weather. I believe most parts of Britain are as bad, and as for the poor folks in Wales. Who would have thought you would need wellington boots, or worst, in June .
SATURDAY 9TH JUNE 2012.
Very little chance of butterflies today but we did see a few. Starting at Stodmarsh we saw a Speckled Wood and Red Admiral, together with a few Variable and Blue Tail Damselflys. There was 200 plus Swifts in the area, together with 2 Hobbys, 3 Marsh Harriers, Nightingale (near Reed Hide), 3 Cettis Warblers, Common Buzzard, 3 Marsh Frogs and a Yellow Shell.
Next we called in at East Blean Wood. Whilst very little was in flight we did manage to see 11 Heath Fritillaries sitting around. Another gentleman present said that he had seen 24, so despite the dull weather it was not too bad.
SUNDAY 10th JUNE 2012.
Out today before the predicated rain arrived. We started in the Lynsore Valley but only located 2 Lady Orchids and 100 plus Common Twayblade.
Next was Parkgate where 75 plus Monkey were on display, plus a Greater Butterfly Orchid and many Fragrant, Common Spotted and Common Twayblade Orchids. The only butterfly species seen was Common Blue. There was a small movement of Crossbills going on with a minumum of 35 seen. 21 were feeding near the parking area in the adjacent pines, including many bright orange/red males.
OUr final call was at Yockletts Bank where we manged to locate 2 Fly Orchids, 2 Lady Orchids, a White Helleborine and many Common Spotted and Common Twayblades. We also had 2 flocks of Crossbills, 6 and 10 number, all heading north to south.
A quick dash home just as the rain started to fall. Considering the weather not a bad weekend.

Dave