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A few photos to go with my Friday 25th April update.

The day of the Dukes
In my last update I posted a photo of 2 Black Winged Stilts to which I will now add a little more detail. It was Saturday 26 April 2014 and not a day for Butterflies. It was cold and windy, more a day for sea watching at Dungeness and that is exactly what we did. In 2.5 hours we had managed to see 1 Great Northern Diver, 6 Red Throated Divers, 250 Arctic Terns, 5 Whimbrel, 5 Little Terns, 3 Black Terns, 3 Black Throated Divers, 6 Great Skuas, 7 Arctic Skuas and lots of other bits and pieces. The nearby ARC pits held 50 Arctic Terns, 75 Common Terns, 30 Black Terns and 2 Little Terns all seeking shelter from the strong winds. As we arrived at the RSPB news broke of 2 Black Winged Stilts on the Hayfields. Were these part of the flock of ten seen a couple of days earlier? Also present on the same field was a Wood Sandpiper, White Wagtail, Greenshank and Little Ringed Plover. What a good day in the field.
The next day, Sunday, was quieter but still enjoyable. It was also warmer with 5 Small Copper, Red Admiral and a Large White noted. A few of the Arctic Terns and Black Terns from Saturday were still present, but best of all was the Bittern booming near the ARC pit. The 2 Black Winged Stilts were still present of the RSPB, with 2 Hobbys and a Raven nearby.
Monday 28 April was nice and warm so a visit to Wye NNR was in order. It was good for butterflies with 18 Brimstone, 5 Green Hairstreak, Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Green Veined Whites, 4 Orange Tips, 5 Dingy Skippers, 3 Peacocks and 4 Small Whites.
Tuesday 29 April entailed another visit to Oare Marshes but yet again we failed to find any Emperor Moths. We did see 4 Green Veined Whites, Small Tortoiseshell and a Hairy Dragonfly.
Wed 29 April into Beckley Woods for another look to see if the Grizzled Skippers were out. None were present but Brimstone, Orange Tip, Peacock and Green Veined White were all seen. There had also been an emergence of the Speckled Yellow moth with 25 counted.
A visit to Ruckinge produced Great Prominent and Chocolate Tip moths.
A visit to Dungeness on Thursday 01 May was a little disappointing with a Reed Dagger moth being the best.
Friday 02 May saw us at Marden Meadow Nature Reserve to see 2,000 plus Green Winged Orchids in full flower. A most enjoyable sight.
Saturday 03 May 2014 found us at Dungeness. We had seen 2 Small Coppers and 14 Blue Tailed Damselflies when news broke of a Hooded Crow on the sea front. We enjoyed views of the scarce bird for 15 minutes before the local Crows took exception to its presence and chased it off North, never to be seen again. Earlier in the day 2 Glossy Ibis had been seen before flying off. Now they were back on the RSPB and enabled many visiting birders to catch up with them.
Sunday 04 May was fairly warm with a light south easterly wind. Whilst all the Dungeness regulars headed to Dungeness for the anticipated early May annual passage of the Pomarine Skua (103 were seen), we headed for Bonsai Bank and the Duke of Burgundy. A really excellent morning with at least 17 seen, most looking very fresh. Also noted was 1 Dingy Skipper, 4 Green Veined Whites, many Lady Orchids, 30 Early Purple Orchids, a purring Turtle Dove and a showy Garden Warbler.

Good reports Dave,

I spent a lot time,as a kid,in your area and always wish I could get over that way more,maybe time will be lucky to me in the future.

I'd love to see those Early Spiders on Samphire Hoe,its quite remarkable how that colony took-off,also I think I read a report of a good Wall Brown colony now established there.

A large Green Winged Orchid display always inspires awe,but to have Lady Orchids close....

Brilliant stuff on the birds by the way,its always intriguing to see what turns up nowadays on the points of land that stick out into the Channel.

A fellow Dave Brown(e) as well!

Thanks

Some highlights and some disappointments

Firstly, thank you to DB with an E, for your comments. You are correct that a population of Wall Browns has become established at Samphire Hoe. Incidentally, the count of Early Spiders this year reached over 7,000. You can't fail to see one if you go at the right time.

Now to the disappointments. The first was only finding one Grizzled Skipper at Beckley wood. The colony has always been small but not this small. It is especially important as many are of the form taras. The second was only finding 12 Pearl Bordered Fritillaries at Abbott's Wood. This is well down on our last visit. I think some of this may be down to their favoured area becoming slightly overgrown. I am no expert on their habit requirements but suspect a bit of coppicing would not go amiss. There has even been tree planting in the area that was coppiced for them a few years ago.

The highlights have been Red Kite, Woodlarks, Grasshopper Warbler, Black Winged Stilt, our first Common Blue of the year, and of course the Pearl Borders.

Monday 5th May. Another visit to Ashdown Forest again failed to find any Emperor Moths but we had good numbers of Brimstone, 22 in fact. Also 4 Green Veined White and a Small Tortoiseshell. 8 Large Red Damselflies and 3 Hairy Dragonflies. Bird highlights included 5 Woodlark's, 5 Tree Pipits, 8 Redstarts, Hobby, 2 Crossbills and Raven.
Tuesday 06 May saw us checking Hamstreet Woods but failing to find any Grizzled Skippers. Our moth friends at Ruckinge provided Seraphim, Knot Grass, Lesser Swallow Prominent and several other species.
Wednesday 07 May at Grove Ferry was good for it provided a fly over Red Kite, Grasshopper Warbler, Water Rail and Red Crested Pochard. Nearby Collards Lake saw 5 Hobbys hawking insects but little was seen of any butterflies.
Thursday 08 May saw us at Dungeness but apart from a male Garganey on ARC pit and a Greenshank on the Hayfields little new was seen, and no butterflies.
Friday 09 May 2014 found us again at Dungeness for another Black Winged Stilt. Again very few butterflies were noted.
Saturday May 2014 saw us enjoying 10 Lady Orchids and 8 Early Purple Orchids in East Kent. Next was Oare Marshes but by now the winds had reached almost gale force so it was no surprise that no butterflies or Emperor moths were present. Bird life was much the same as previous visits with 2 Whimbrel and a Hobby being the best.
Sunday 11 May was still windy but at least sunny and following a sighting of a Black Kite near Dover we headed that way. We did see a distant Kite that may well have been a Black Kite but we did have 2 Red KItes fly over us and headed towards the Canterbury direction.
Wednesday 14 May. Another visit to Beckley Woods to look for Grizzled Skipper. Disappointingly we only found one. Not sure what is happening to this colony but hopefully it will recover as at least the habitat is being managed for them.We also saw a Common Blue, 5 Brimstone and 1 Orange Tip. Dragonflies were emerging and we counted 24 Large Red Damselflies, 2 Broad Bodied Chasers and 2 Black Tailed Skimmers.

Some more photos to follow when time allows.

dave brown wrote: Another visit to Beckley Woods to look for Grizzled Skipper. Disappointingly we only found one... I believe this is of the form taras.

Wow...that isn't taras, it's even more extreme! What a stunner.

Still really enjoying your reports, Dave.

Best wishes,

Lee

Small Blues
Just a quick update to say that we saw 42 Small Blues at a location between Walmer and Kingsdown (Kent) on Sunday. The weather was brilliant (26 degrees) but the crowds meant it was not easy to get around. One item of concern at this site was the amount of Kidney Vetch that had been killed off, presumably by an ingress of salty water, when the storm surge happened in the winter and flooded some of the low laying areas. I will update the diary with more details and photos later in the week.

Late update.
Its been a while since I last updated my Diary. Its so time consuming and to be honest I would rather be out in the field. Enough of my excuses.
THURSDAY 15 MAY 2014
We visited Abbotts Wood in East Sussex. We was a little disappointed as the site has become a lot more overgrown than on our last visit. I suppose a result of cut backs in funding. The result was a big reduction in Pearl Bordered Fritillaries that we managed to find. Only 12 in a couple of hours. Also present Orange Tip, Brimstone, 35 Speckled Yellow moths, Treble Bar, Black Tailed Skimmer, Common Buzzard, Cuckoo, Garden Warbler and Nightingale.
FRIDAY 16 MAY 2014
A trip to Parkgate Down found 40 Monkey Orchids in flower, 2 Fly Orchids and 20 Early Purple Orchids together with 4 Green Hairstreak and a Common Blue.
SATURDAY 17 MAY 2014
Near Stelling Minnis we would Toothwort, 4 Fly Orchids, 12 Lady Orchids, 8 Early Purple Orchids and Herb Robert. Near Wingham a Red KIte and 2 Common Buzzards flew over. We ended the day at Crundale watching 4 Wall Browns and a Peacock.
SUNDAY 18 MAY 2014.
Today was very hot and the crowds were out in force. We managed to find a parking space and walked to a site at Kingsdown where 42 Small Blues were on show. A stunning little butterfly and one of my favourites. Also present 2 Small Copper, 3 Common Blue and 2 Peacocks.
On the way home we called in at an undisclosed site where 2 Red Kites were flying around. Almost certainly migrants, but I won't say where just in case they stay. The same area held 5 Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock and 6 Small Whites.
Monday 19 May 2014.
Another warm day and time to undertake our butterfly transect walk at Hamstreet. Very disappointing really despite the warmth. Only 8 Brimstone, 1 Speckled Wood and 2 Large Whites. Moths were White Ermine and 14 Speckled Yellow. Other things noted were 4 Large Red Damselflies, 4 Hairy Dragonflies, Common Buzzard and Garden Warbler.
Our good friends at Ruckinge produced the goods with Waved Umber, Orange Footman, Dusky Hooktip, Scalloped Oak Hooktip, Obscure Wainscot, Ingrailed Clay and White Spotted Pug.
We ended the day at a new site for us near Crundale seeing 1 Duke of Burgundy, 1 Dingy Skipper, 3 Wall Brown and a Tawny Owl in flight during the day, having been mobbed by a couple of Jays.
TUESDAY 20 MAY 2014.
Butterflies at Dungeness were 9 Common Blues, 2 Small Coppers and a Large White. Moths present were Waved Umber, Clay Triple Lines and Lesser Treble-bar.
A call from Ruckinge gave us yet another new moth. This time it was Dingy Shell.
WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014.
One of Kent's most respected and well known mother, based near Dungeness, had kept 2 Sand Darts knowing that we needed this coastal moth. Not a striking moth, but a much needed one. Also present, one of Dungeness specialties, White Spot. This moth likes Nottingham Catchfly, of which there is loads around the Dungeness peninsular. Nearby the Observatory team held Broken-barred Carpet, Rivulet, Green Silver-lines, Cream Spot Tiger, White Point and Spruce Carpet.
Nearby 200 plus Sand Catchfly plants were in good flower near Littlestone.
We ended the day at a house in Hythe were a friend from our early birding days had caught a Pale-shoulder Cloud in his moth trap. This is only about the tenth for Britain, with the first being as recent as 2001. A really mega moth and here in Kent. A really enjoyable end to a very good day.
THURSDAY 22 MAY 2014.
A bit of a twitch today at Oare Marshes where a Baillons Crake had showed well a few times early morning. We just missed the best sighting and had to make do with it calling 3 times. We waited 2 hours but no further sign, and it had also stopped calling. It was heard again briefly that night but then disappeared for good.
FRIDAY 23 MAY 2014.
A visit to Crundale found 3 Lady Orchids, 4 Man Orchids, many Common Twayblades and Common Spotted Orchids. 5 Common Blue Butterflies and 2, yes 2, Red Admirals. So far this year we have managed 4 Red Admirals. Not sure what has happened to this species but we hope things improve soon for this much loved species. We ended the day at an undisclosed site watching 4 Honey Buzzards. Two of which were displaying and wing clapping. A fantastic sight.Now the down side. We received a message via the national information service stating that a Immature White Tailed Sea Eagle was present in the Iden area (East Sussex). This was a good record for Sussex, although a bit of a surprise considering the time of the year. However, we thought that it was worth travelling to see it as they are truly impressive. Despite spending some time in the area checking we, and others, failed to locate it. It now appears to have been an hoax. Not sure what the motive was, or the what thrill the hoaxer got, but it was a waste of a good afternoon.
SATURDAY 24TH MAY 2014.
Dungeness was generally very quite although we saw our first Red Eyed Damselfly of the year, and another Red Admiral.
SUNDAY 25 MAY 2014.
A visit to East Blean woods failed to find any sign of the Heath Fritillary. Nearby Collards Lake found 9 Hobbys hawking for dragonflies.
WEDNESDAY 28 MAY 2014.
A much appreciated telephone call found us quickly at Dungeness where a BLYTHS REED WARBLER was singing well. A really good find by the ever vigilant Observatory Warden who quickly got the news out. Seeing the skulking bird was another matter. 3 hours later we had managed one brief view and a 5 second flight view. Our second record of one at Dungeness and a much sought after bird by the birding masses. Also in the area was 4 Hobbys, Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier, 3 Little Egrets, 300 Swifts and a Bittern.
We ended the day at Ruckinge seeing Scalloped Hazel and Dark Arches.

Month of May to be continued.

For my last update we should have said that it was very nice to meet False Apollo at East Blean Woods on the 25 May 2014. Sorry the meeting was brief, but we were on our way to check out the skies around Sandwich where a Booted Eagle had been reported earlier. Neither of us was successful in finding Heath Fritilary on that date. In fact we had to wait another 11 days for our first.

Thursday 29 May 2014. A local day seeing the moths Alder and Large Yellow Underwing at Ruckinge. Dungeness was slow with only 4 Hobbys and a Cuckoo of any note.
Friday 30 May 2014. A Marsh Warbler had been heard singing and seen a few times at Sandwich Bay so that was our destination today. We did not arrive until after mid-day to be told that it had not been heard for a while. Just then one of the ringers returned to say that it was singing again so obviously had not flown off. We had to wait about an hour but then it started singing again for at least 20 minutes, but showed only once. Its song was beautiful, including snippets of a Great Tit and Nightingale song. Also present Cuckoo, 4 House Martins, Peregrine, 3 Grey Partridge, 100 plus Southern Marsh Orchid and the odd looking hybrid known as Leopard Marsh Orchid.
Saturday 31 May 2014.
A day long trip to Ashdown Forest was interesting. There was no sign of any Early Marsh Orchids but 5 Heath Spotted present. Birds included 7 Woodlark, 7 Tree Pipits, 5 Redstarts and 2 Cuckoos. Butterflies were thin on the ground with 3 Brimstone being the best. There were many Common and Heath Latticed moths.
On the way home we saw a Red Kite passing over Great Chart.
We were very tired after a full day walking and a long journey. News then broke of Britain's 3rd ever Short Toed Eagle near Wareham (Dorset). We really should have gone over night to ensure connecting with this magical bird at first light. We were much too tired to travel so it was no surprise that when we did travel on Sunday 01 June 2014 we arrived 30 minutes after the bird had flown. Never to return.
We did spend several hours in the Dorset area seeing Hobby, Tree Pipit, Dartford Warbler, 2 Green Hairstreaks, 5 Brimstones and 1 Orange Tip. But although the scenery was great it was not the same having missed a mega bird for Britain.
Monday 02 June 2014.
Feeling much refreshed it was off to Dungeness. News broke of 3 Cattle Egrets in the area. A scan from the RSPB entrance track found all 3 in with a group of cattle. Whilst watching these a shout went up and there overhead was a stunning Honey Buzzard. Then 2 Bitterns put in an appearance quite close to the by now growing group of people. We decided to go off and look elsewhere. Finding very little we returned about 45 minutes later to find everyone had gone bar one person. He was looking for the Cattle Egrets when suddenly something above caught my eye. It was a BLACK KITE. I watched the bird fly towards to the Visitor Centre whilst the other gentleman rang one of the locals who happened still to be on the RSPB. In the end at least 8 people managed to connect with the bird before it flew out to sea by the New Lighthouse.
The other goodie of the day was a delightful Cream Spot Tiger moth. They are a stunning moth and worthy of a prolonged view.
Tuesday 03 June 2014.
Back to Dungeness where a Glossy Ibis had been found on the ARC pit. Support cast included a Little Gull and a Grass Rivulet (moth).
Thursday 05 June 2014.
Today we visited Parkgate Down on behalf of someone travelling from North Wales. He was interested in seeing Musk Orchid amongst other things and Parkgate can hold good numbers. A thorough search by us failed to find any yet so a long journey saved. We did see Greater Butterfly Orchid, 2 Fly Orchids and many Fragrant and Common Spotted Orchids. Most of the Monkey Orchids had however gone over, Another reason for his visit. Again Butterflies were thin on the ground with only 3 Common Blues and 2 Small Tortoiseshells. On the way home we called in at a site near Wye where 3 Bee Orchids, 5 Man Orchids, many Fragrant and Common Spotted Orchids were on display. A few more Butterflies here with our first Meadow Brown of the year, 5 Brimstones, Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Common Blue and a Speckled Wood. A delightful Black-veined moth was also present.
Friday 06 June 2014.
Following a tip off from an old birding friend we called in at an undisclosed site near Hythe to find a Four-spotted moth. This is an extremely rare day flying moth and obviously a new one for us. In the warmth 3 Common Blues and 11 Small Tortoiseshells were enjoying themselves.
We then headed to East Blean Woods. The previous day a Norfolk Hawker had been flying around the car park. What was the first thing we saw when we got out of the car? Yes, a Norfolk Hawker. A very rare dragonfly for Kent, although a pair was suspected of breeding last year so there may be a very small local population. We also saw one Heath Fritillary. Numbers appear very much lower this year. The site is a little overgrown and there is a lack of Cow Wheat.

I will add a few photos when time allows. There is so much to do with regards wildlife this month, and the weather is quite decent at the moment.

Dave

I'm new to this Butterfly &c. game. I find these Diaries very interesting.
With regard to Black-Winged Stilts, there were a couple at Cliffe Pools a while ago.

Mega's and other Goodies
Although the weather has been a mixed bag we have been out in the field every single day during what can only be described as a manic situation. Lots of things have been early and caught up with the normal early things, others have been on time, but very little has been late. The consequence has been that late May and June has been very hectic resulting in very few Diary updates. Now I hear that Purple Emperors have been seen in Kent, about a week early.
I will therefore simply headline our highlights.
Saturday 07 June 2014.
Checked the White Helleborines at a undisclosed site in Kent to find most had their tops eaten away. By what I am not sure but most likely Deer or possibly Badger.
Sunday 08 June 2014.
Took the opportunity to visit the Rex Graham Open Day near Thetford for the Military Orchid.There was 75 plus plants in flower but most were past their best. This year the open day was about a week too late. We also saw our first Red Necked Footman in the nearby plantation. We paid our respects to the reserve on Weeting Heath. Its only £3.50 to enter and they need financial support to manage the area for Stone Curlew, of which we saw two. In the general area we saw 4 Woodlarks, Spotted Flycatcher and Spanish Catchfly.
Monday 09 June 2014.
The best thing today was seeing Banded Pine Carpet (moth) at an address near Dungeness. With less than a handful of British records this was an exciting record having been caught overnight.
Tuesday 10 June 2014.
A day on Wye NNR seeing 3 Black Veined moths, 2 Ringlets, 5 Bee Orchids and a Brown Argus.
Wednesday 11 June 2014.
A trip to Sandwich Bay found a lot of Lizard Orchids in flower, together with many Pyramidal and Southern Marsh Orchids. At least 35 Small Tortoiseshells was of note whilst moths included Brussels Lace, Least Carpet and Puss Moth.
Thursday 12 June 2014.
A local day seeing 4 Turtle Doves, Cuckoo, 3 Tree Sparrows and 10 Small Tortoiseshells.
Friday 13 June 2014.
The sun was shining so it had to be Westbere. Why? Well this is Kent's first (?) breeding site for the Norfolk Hawker. 10 had been reported the previous day but today we could only find 7. Only find 7! That is 7 more than a few years ago when they were almost unheard of in Kent. Hopefully a regular breeder of the future. We could only find 1 Scarce Chaser, but 80 Banded Demoiselles. Bodied Bodied Chaser, Four Spotted Chaser, 4 Black Tailed Skimmers and 3 Hairy Hawkers made a great day out.
Saturday 14 June 2014.
A day at Dungeness found Bittern and 2 Hobbys amongst the more common fare.
Sunday 15 June 2014.
A trip we had been looking forward too for a few weeks was into Norfolk to find Fen Orchid. At an undisclosed location we had an official guide to saw us the almost legendary Fen Orchid. We saw 12 plants, but hundreds more were out of reach due to the depth of water and unstable walking conditions. We have waited years to see this plant and there it was, right in front of us. The plants themselves are less than 150 mm high, in amongst dense vegetation. Without a guide we would never have found them. Some were just going over but still delightful to see. A smashing area, well managed by a team of dedicated people, but unlikely to open to the general public due to the depth of water.
Could the day get better. Yes it could. Next was Upton Fen. This area is open to the public as it is much dryer. But again we had the wardens assistance to locate yet more Fen Orchids. We saw another 8 plants here although the warden said 20 were available. Plenty of support at both sites with Southern Marsh Orchids, Common Spotted Orchids and several hybrids. 4 Swallowtails and 3 Norfolk Hawkers at Upton Fen. Isn't the Swallowtail a majestic butterfly. Unfortunately none would settle for a photo but it was just nice to watch them flying about. Had it been a few degrees warmer then I am sure many more would have been on the wing.
Monday 16 June 2014
Having missed the Short Toed Eagle in Dorset we could not believe our luck when it was refound in Sussex. Today we found ourselves watching the Short Toed Eagle from Gills Lap at Ashdown Forest. What a bird and what a pleasure to watch it hunting ( unless you are a snake). It would hang in the air at a great height then suddenly dive down onto its prey. How do they see a snake from that height? We saw it take 3 things, most likely adders, and eat them on the wing. Later it caught a much larger snake and had to land in a tree to eat it.
Tuesday 17 June 2014.
A day touring East Kent looking at likely locations for any more Norfolk Hawkers but none found.
Wednesday 18 June 2014.
Another day at Dungeness seeing Bittern, 4 Bearded Tits, 7 Hobbys and Raven.
Thursday 19 June 2014.
Back to Ashdown Forest. Not just for the Eagle, which we didn't see, but all the other goodies on offer. 3 Silver Studded Blues, 3 Small Red Damselflies, Broad Bodied Chaser, 2 Red Kites, Hobby, Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard, 4 Woodlarks, 3 Redstarts, 4 Tree Pipits and many common species.
Back in our garden a Hummingbird Hawkmoth made a brief appearance on our Valerian.

That sums up our wildlife watching of late. Can it get better? I doubt it, but we shall give it our best attempt, considering the Purple Emperor is now emerging.

A few photos to add to my last update. I make no excuses for adding 4 photos of the Fen Orchid. Although not the sharpest, they are difficult to photograph at only 75-100mm high and in difficult terrain, we have waited many years before connecting with this plant, so took great joy in seeing them. I am sure that we will feel the same when we finally catch up with the Camberwell Beauty.

Can it get any better?
When writing my update last time I thought that particular entry included our best sightings this year and it would be downhill from then. However, the goodies have just kept coming. The only downside is that it is all happening at once and there is not enough time to visit everything you would like to see.

Friday 20 June 2014.
A slowdown sort of day just seeing 4 Keeled Skimmers and 250 plus Heath Spotted Orchids at Hothfield Common.

[i]Saturday 21 June 2014.[/i]
Back to Ashdown Forest. The delights on offer were too good to miss. Throughout the day we had 3 different sightings of the SHORT TOED EAGLE. What a bird and available to be enjoyed by the masses. The locals were very interested, as it had been in the local press, and the Ice Cream man was doing a roaring trade in the hot sunshine.
A day in the area produced Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Hobby, Woodlark, Redstart, Tree Pipit, Nuthatch, Willow Warbler and all the common woodland birds. The Heath and more boggy areas produced 7 Silver Studded Blues, Brimstone, many Meadow Browns, 2 Small Red Damselfly, 2 Brilliant Emeralds, Golden Ringed Dragonfly, Common Blue Damselfly, 4 Four Spotted Chasers, 3 Keeled Skimmers, Broad Bodied Chaser, whilst moths included Grass Wave and the delightful Beautiful Yellow Underwing.
Sunday 22 June 2014.
A long search at Parkgate Down only produced 3 Musk Orchids but hundreds of Pyramidal Orchids looked stunning in the warm sunshine. Most of the Common Spotted and Fragrant Orchids had gone over, so that's it for another year. A late Green Hairstreak was a surprise, as was a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, but the 5 Marbled Whites were more expected. We pointed out the Musk Orchids to another couple before helping them with directions for the Late Spider Orchid. No one else was Orchid hunting so we went home and checked the moth trap. This contained 2 Elephant Hawkmoths, 2 Peppered moths, Waved Umber, Burnished Brass and a variety of more common moths.
Monday 23 June 2014.
A visit to Wye NNR saw a decent number of butterflies with 40 Marbled Whites, 100 plus Ringlets, a late Dingy Skipper, 2 Large Skippers, 2 Small Skippers, Brimstone but only 1 Common Blue. Needless to say Meadow Browns were everywhere and the display of Pyramidal Orchids was most enjoyable.
Tuesday 24 June 2014.
Butterfly transect day and the weather was really good with temperatures reaching 23 degrees. Our particular site near Hamstreet found 16 White Admirals, 7 Ringlets, 38 Meadow Browns, Speckled Wood, 5 Brimstone, Large Skipper and Small Skipper.
Later we visited Iden Moat in East Sussex. Our target was Downy Emerald but we failed to find any this year. We did see 11 White Legged Damselflies, Black Tailed Skimmer, Emperor Dragonfly and many Common Blue damselflies.
Wednesday 25 June 2014.
Today found us at Bishopstone near Herne Bay. Over a two hour period we saw 14 different White Letter Hairstreaks,3 Comma's, 2 Red Admirals and a number of Meadow Browns. Later we called in at East Blean Woods but only found 7 Heath Fritillary, 5 Ringlets and a Red Admiral. Very disappointing considering the good weather.
The garden moth trap produced 20 species with Poplar Hawkmoth, Waved Umber and Dingy Shell being the best.
Thursday 26 June 2014.
We seemed to be tied to Ashdown Forest with an elastic band at the moment and its lure pulled us back. Again we had 3 different sightings of the Short Toed Eagle, including a prolonged view of it sitting in a tree. At the time of our first sighting we made the numbers up to 10 people watching, but after putting the news out numbers gradually built up, with quite a large crowd being present in the afternoon. This time there was no Ice Cream van in the car park to take advantage. Again we saw Brilliant Emerald, Golden Ringed Dragonfly and the usual things seen on previous occasions. We also spread the search a little for any more Silver Studded Blues but failed to find any different spots for them.
Friday 27 June 2014.
A calm down day. Well actually a shopping day, but our good friends at Ruckinge still managed to lure us out with a Four-dotted Footman (moth).
Saturday 28 June 2014.
We had not visited Dungeness for a few days so today was make up day. Having spent some time there seeing all the same old things I have to say that we have missed little.
Sunday 29 June 2014.
Back to Wye NNR. Still no Chalkhill Blues but 42 Marbled Whites was nice.
Tuesday 01 July 2014.
A welcome message saw us at Dungeness Observatory looking at a stunningly beautiful and rare Silver-stripped Hawkmoth. Only the second one we have ever seen. Much to our surprise a Six-belted Clearwing moth was also on show having been lured locally.
On to Beckley Woods in East Sussex. The Silver Washed Fritillary was out and in what numbers. We only did part of the complex but still found 19 individuals. More expected was the 5 White Admirals with many Meadow Browns. Our first Southern Hawkers of the year with 4 number and many Common Darters.
A evening visit to Ruckinge saw our first ever Reddish Light Arches (moth) and a very black looking Dark Arches. A Barn Owl was hunting near the Military Canal.
Wednesday 02 July 2014.
Time for the emergence of Willow Emerald Damselfly in Kent, but despite good weather and a prolonged search we failed to find any in the Chislet area.
We then spent a period of time searching the Stodmarsh area for yesterdays reported Short Toed Eagle. Being that there is no suitable habitat we were not hopeful, and not surprised, when we failed to find it. It was not a wasted day this time as we had planned to search for the Willow Emerald anyway.
Thursday 03 July 2014.
The morning was spent at Oare Marshes looking at 9 Emerald Damselflies. We also visit there hoping to find the much rarer Scarce Emerald Damselfy as one was photographed there a few years ago. Despite many eyes looking that success has not been repeated, but you never know.
Enjoying a relaxing afternoon in the garden we were asked if we would like to join an evenings moth trapping at an undisclosed location in the Hamstreet Woods complex. You bet we would, for July is an excellent month for moth trapping at Hamstreet. Licensees had been arranged and two traps were running.
Jackpot, the very rare Clay Fan-foot was caught, the even rarer and Red Date species Olive Crescent, supported by 2 Feathered Beauty and a Scallop Shell.
Other moths were Poplar Lutestring, Small Fan-footed Wave, Pine Hawkmoth, Snout, Coronet, Peach Blossom, Buff Arches, Scorched Wing, Early Thorn and Lobster. Some catch and a few happy bunnies.

Lets hope the good run continues (although we could be worn out by then).

I'm not 'getting into' moths Dave. Really, I'm not but those moths are simply stunning especially that migrant.

Thanks Pauline. I said the same many years ago, but like butterflies, it becomes addictive. I have managed to stay away from the Micro moths (really small jobs)so far, but even those can be stunning. Quite how such an attractive and really bright moth as the Elephant Hawk moth can remain hidden from predators is a mystery to me. Even more mystifying is how some small moths, many half the size of butterflies, can migrant across the channel. One of many questions that makes our pastime a hobby of pleasure and magic.
Dave

Saturday 5th July 2014.
A quite local day where the best thing noted was a distant Red Kite flying near Brenzett.
Sunday 6th July 2014.
A visit to Dungeness was best remembered for a visit to the Observatory where 2 Sussex Emeralds, Small Emerald, Small Ranunuclus and Least Carpet were on display. A walk around the area produced 2 Black Redstarts and decent numbers of Marbled Whites. A walk around Lade Gravel pits was rewarding for butterfly numbers were up with 42 Marbled Whites, 6 Small Skippers, 1 Essex skipper, 5 Ringlets and dozens of Meadow Browns. It was also nice to find the plant Dark Mullein.
Monday 7th July 2014.
A visit to Wye NNR yielded many Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Large and Small Whites. A Hobby was the best of the birds. Nearby Godmersham found a family of 4 Spotted Flycatchers, with 4 Banded Demoiselles over the river.
Tuesday 8th July 2014.
Today we checked out the Chislet site of Willow Emerald and was pleased to find 5 on the wing. We also saw Emperor Dragonfly, many Common Blues and Azure Damselflies. It was pleasing to see saw many Gatekeepers and Small Skippers on the hedgerow or adjacent roadside vegetation.
Thursday 10th July 2014.
A midday visit to Oare Marshes found 2 Wood Sandpipers on the East Flood. Apparently these were the first of the Autumn and much sought after by the locals.
Not sure what it is that signals the return autumn migration but these are one of the indicator species, together withe Greenshank, of which there was also two. A little Ringed Plover, 130 Avocets, Ruff, 7 Little Egrets and a Peregrine all added to the autumnal feel, although its only mid July.
Friday 11th July 2014.
A Dungeness day with some sea movement of 25 Gannets, 30 Common Terns and 3 Porpoise. The area produced Black Redstart, Common Sandpiper, 3 Hobbys, 14 Little Egrets, 10 Sand Martins but only 1 Red Admiral.
Saturday 12th July 2014.
Back to Oare Marshes as the number of Wood Sandpipers had now swelled to 5. In addition to the regular birds a Hobby, 2 Ruffs and 10 Little Egrets added interest. Butterflies were numerous but nearly all Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers, with a few Small and Essex Skippers. A look amongst the reeds produced a few Emerald Damselflies and Ruddy Darters more in their dozens.
Sunday 13th July 2014.
Dungeness and the ever helpful Observatory Warden showed us a fine female Four Spotted Footman, Buff Footman, Birds Wing and one example of the local specialty, the Sussex Emerald. In the moat was a single Marbled White and 4 Small Coppers. The local area was disappointing birdwise but 3 Sand Martins were a sign of some continuing autumn migration.
Monday 14th July 2014.
A walk up and down the steep hills of Wye NNR still produced good numbers of Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and Small Skippers. A bonus was by way of the moth Red Carpet.

Wow, I love the Silver-washed Fritillary. All very exotic-looking pictures!

Thanks Nick. And attached are photographs taken today of the even more exotic Monarch Butterfly in a private garden near Hamstreet, Kent. A stunning butterfly to see and watch in flight. There are no bits missing, the underside looks in good condition but the upper side looks a bit worn. Not sure what this indicates as regards it likely origin. Everyone tends to associate Monarchs with September/ October, and from America. However, it is also known from Southern Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands. It was first noted in the garden on Saturday evening and follows a period of storms, winds and periods of very hot weather from that region. Here in Kent it was 30 degrees on Thursday and 31 degrees on Friday.
There have also been several migrant moths the last few days, suggesting migration is on going. To my knowledge there has been no other local records of other unusual butterflies that could indicate some sort of release.

Whatever its origins it is a stunning butterfly.

Glorious stuff, Dave, but given that this sighting is in the far south east of the country (and no sightings have been made in the west which is where one would expect them if they occurred naturally) I am prone to ask whether this is an escapee from either a butterfly house or from captive breeding stock.

Hi Dave and David,

I know of several very dedicated sea-watchers who spend a great many hours on the coast in the Brighton area. They have seen a surprising number of Monarchs coming in over the waves from a south-westerly direction over the years, but are not particularly interested in reporting them. These butterflies are arriving during 'mid' rather than late summer/autumn and their origin must surely be Canaries/Portugal. A Monarch was seen coming off the sea at Shoreham last summer, at about the time Long-tailed Blue and gorganus were arriving, long before a traditional trans-Atlantic event would be expected.

Sightings such as this particular one will always be hard to call in the absence of any other data, either for or against, but a genuine voyager certainly can't be ruled out.

BWs, Neil

Thanks Neil for a very measured response. You will be aware that I spend a great deal of time on the coast myself so I am fully aware of some of the sightings, and often by very experienced people, of all sorts of things out of what is generally considered the right season. These are often dismissed by people who think it can't be because its not the right month or direction. Moth trappers throughout the country have given us an insight into how much migration actually goes on and often from unexpected quarters.
Of course we can not rule out possible releases, but in the meantime I shall just enjoy a stunning butterfly (assuming it stays and we are allowed access).