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Thanks Wurzel , it was great to see it for the first time, I hope I see the Brostreak , I need a first for this year Wurzel

Hi! Neil, I was disappointed at the time but you can't win them all that's Butterflying for you Like you say I've been lucky in Kent

Thanks Janet, it was thrilling seeing the Kites Lets hope we see the Brostreaks at Gait Barrow that will be anther thrill for me

I seem to have seen lots of coupling since I came to Kent Butterflies I mean Today we were both tired so decided to have a day off just messing about in my Daughter's garden with her dog, my attention was drawn to a bush by a white Butterfly which
flew there quite a lot landing and taking off again, when I looked yet another coupling was taking place It's certainly all happening in Kent Goldie

Goldie M wrote: I seem to have seen lots of coupling since I came to Kent Butterflies I mean Today we were both tired so decided to have a day off just messing about in my Daughter's garden with her dog, my attention was drawn to a bush by a white Butterfly which
flew there quite a lot landing and taking off again, when I looked yet another coupling was taking place It's certainly all happening in Kent Goldie

I'm sure Kent wasn't like that when I lived in Dover, Goldie! Three sets of mating pairs, one after the other...

Terrific Red Kites, too - they fly over here quite often, but I can never get a camera on them like that. By the way, your spotty Skipper looks like a Large Skipper I think. There are still a few around.

Cheers,

Dave

I was reading your PD and watching a documentary at the same time and the words that stood out were 'coupling', 'bush' and 'Kent', for a moment I wondered if someone had hacked your account Three sets of in cop shots one after the other is extraordinary, there must be something in the nectar

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi! Dave, it seems every time I go out i've seen a coupling, I'm Going to look for SSS at Temple Ewell before I go home, I was sure that Large Skipper was one at first Hope fully I'll find one and an Adonis.
I was lucky with the Red Kite it was so hot that day it didn't move it's wings much just soared with the elements, quite regal I thought Goldie

Hi! Wurzel, Believe me, it's every time I go looking for Butterflies I seem to find a couple like that, when we found the Whites in the garden we both had a good laugh
The Hillside at Temple Ewell has to be seen to be believed it's absolutely covered in Butterflies, loads of species, just to stand there and watch them fly is a treat in it's self , to capture them so free and happy, greeting , chasing, etc is great We don't see them in such great numbers and so many species together in the North that's why I love coming South . Goldie

This morning was rather dull, lot's of cloud but still very warm when the Sun came through.
We decided to visit Seasalter nr Whitstable, I'd seen Clouded Yellow there in the past so thought It may be a good Idea to try my luck there.
When we arrived the Sun was still hiding behind the clouds but the Butterflies were glad of this and I finally got my Brown Argus with open wings
In Seasalter there's a raised path between the sea and a field full of different wild flowers which grow along the slopes, the path beneath the slopes is the one we usually take because the CY's come down the field and along the path, rather than going along the upper path facing the sea which can some times be very windy, we didn't have long to wait, three Cloudies headed our way, two took off along the path but one landed on a flower on the slopes just in front of me, I took three quick shots before it was off again A fourth advanced towards us but never stopped so I hoped I'd got a shot okay of the other one
My photo is the best I could do in the time the Butterfly landed, at least I got it.
Other Butterflies there were Small Heath, Common Blue, a few, very faded Skippers, lots of Meadow Brown and two I really want to find they were dark in colour and took off before we could get any shots, they didn't fly like MB's , kind of side ways on but quite powerful, they weren't Admirals,or Peacocks so my curiosity is not satisfied I'm going back tomorrow to look for more
I also took a photo of a what I think is a Silver Y moth Goldie

Can you send a couple of those Clouded Yellow this way please? Interesting shot of the Silver y moth - I've not often seen them nectaring and even then they are a difficult subject!

Lovely shots of the Red Kite. We have lots of them where I live (as well as Buzzards) and it is always a treat to see them flying low overhead. In fact I saw one pass above my garden on Monday this week.

I saw two of them whilst on Dunstable downs on a recent trip and two of them glided past me lower than I was. I tried a pic or two from above them but it didn't happen.

I have only ever seen a clouded yellow once so hopefully I will get lucky again at some point.

Well found with the Clouded Yellows Goldie ,none reported yet in my part of Kent maybe these could be the start ,
theres usually been a few at Dungeness ,but haven,t seen any as yet ,visited Lydden/Temple Ewell a few Days back and as you say ,alive with Chalkhills ,I,ll be back shortly for the Silver -Spotted Skips (hopefully !) and 2nd brood Adonis.
The Small Blues are out at Samphire Ho! now and also some 2nd Brood Dingys ……..don.t think the Adonis Blues there will be too long now either !
Regards Allan.W.

Hi! Pauline, Wish I could Pauline, That Silver Y was too busy nectaring to bother about us, like you say though it's the first I've really seen that's stayed put long enough for a shot

Hi! Old Wolf, they really are some thing those Red Kites, beautiful birds I'm sure you'll get a chance with the Clouded Yellow, I was lucky today, I've been to Seasalter before and seen them but never got a shot, so I was pleased I usually get a photo at Temple Ewell or Samphire Ho! but not every year.

Hi! Alan, thanks so much for your info about the Small Blues I'll head there when I can, it's been a while since I've seen them
It's great the Clouded Yellows have arrived and the Sun wasn't shining it was quite cloudy but they still flew in
I also want the SSS's and Adonis if possible so i'll be paying another visit before I leave to Temple Ewell Goldie

Brilliant shots of the Cloudy Goldie Fingers crossed they're the vanguard and the summer really does become 'all yellow'

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Many thanks Wurzel, I did go back this morning and my count was over eight Cloudies but not one landed I decided when one more came along I'd try to take a quick shot, one came and I shot at it like mad, only got one recognisable photo So i've called it the one that got a way Goldie

Goldie ,
For the Small Blues at Samphire Ho! Follow the main path along the railway line (towards Folkestone ) , the path declines quite steeply to the beach ,keep your eyes on the right hand side (tunnel bank !) the path stops at a metal fence ,hop through that and the path is now raised a bit above the beach ,walk to the end of the concrete ,onto the beach ,keep your eyes on the sheltered scrubby area along the base of the cliffs, I saw 3
Small Blues in the first area and two or three more close by ,incredibly this is also an excellent area for Adonis Blue and Wall ,you,ll probably find 2nd brood Dingys and if you're lucky Clouded Yellow .
Good luck ! Regards Allan.W. PS; You may also get lucky with Peregrine here.

Goldie - fantastic shot of the upperside of a Clouded Yellow.

Thanks Alan so much for that description of where to find them, I did wonder and I meant to ask you later , my daughters been on holiday for a week and we've been dog minding so our hours a way have been numbered He's a big dog, too big for us to take out, so our Grandson has been taking him when not working and we've done the rest, plus we didn't like to leave him too long because of the heat.
I know where you mean, I think we've been there once or twice , the family are back Sat and we've another week so will get there eventually, after Cricket on Sat/Sun It's the only time my Husband gets to see his grandson's play when we come down so hope fully it won't rain this coming week-end ( my Daughter and I show face then disappear for a couple of hours)
Thanks again, I'm looking forward to going there and hope fully I'll see them all, ( not greedy really)

Thanks ernie, I was glad I'd got some thing to show for chasing them down and seemingly getting no where Goldie

Hello again Goldie ,
I forgot to mention you should get Small Copper and Common Blues (poss Brown Args ) there as well...….weather permitting ,if you're going through Dover there is another Good Small Blue site ,before you reach Samphire Ho ! at Western Heights ,right by the road ,I could give you a grid ref; if it would help .
Regards Allan.W.

Hello again Goldie ,
I forgot to mention you should get Small Copper and Common Blues (poss Brown Args ) there as well...….weather permitting ,if you're going through Dover there is another Good Small Blue site ,before you reach Samphire Ho ! at Western Heights ,right by the road ,I could give you a grid ref; if it would help .
Regards Allan.W.

Greta grab shot Goldie, you can clearly see that it was a male Cloudy I've not seen one in almost two years now, fingers crossed for this year

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Fabulous stuff, Goldie. Glad to see you're making the most of your trip south.

Thanks so much again Alan, a grid reference would be great, our daughter could be driving us there and she knows her way around better than us, so hope fully we'll find it The Small Copper's have eluded me up to now so hope fully I'll find them has well.

Hi! Wurzel, it was maddening yesterday when I saw so many and they didn't settle, so I was pleased to get a shadow of one at all I hope you find one Wurzel and it poses for you looks like there coming in fast now in Kent.

Thanks David, weather permitting now, I hope to see more before I go home , it was great to see the Cloudies, lets hope there's lots more coming. Goldie