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The White Admiral photographed on the 25 July entry has orange markings around the margin. Is this well known? I don't remember seeing the like before - in fact at first I wondered if it was a Poplar Admiral, although it isn't.

TUESDAY 9TH NOVEMBER TO TUESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2010

In response to the good observation by Matsukaze, and I can see why Poplar Admiral was raised, I thought at the time that it was just a well worn individual and I still feel that. I must say that none of my other photos of other White Admirals show such well defined orange markings around the border although I suspect that it is well within the normal boundaries.

At the start of the day my entry for this week was due to say that for the first time since March we have seen neither a butterfly or dragonfly this week. However, that is no longer true for today we saw 2 Red Admirals flying around in the sunshine at Dungeness. It was so calm and warm you could have been forgiven for thinking that spring had arrived.
Bird wise it has been very quiet despite 5 visits in the field. The highlights have been 2 Grey Phalaropes. One at Dungeness and the second at Pett Level (Nr Rye).
Other birds seen have included 2 Velvet Scoters (Pett Level), 5 Bearded Tits, Cettis Warbler, 2 Goldeneyes, 3 Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzard, 5 Little Egrets, goups of Siskins and Fieldfares on migration but very few Redwings.
Dave

WEDNESDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2011 TO WEDNESDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2011
Well, this is the week when we saw no butterflies or dragonflies at all. Not surprising really when you note the low day time temperatures. Disappointing, but it had to happen sometime this month.
We have had a reasonable week with regards bird sightings. Our highlights have included Spoonbill (Funton Creek, Sheppy), 1st Winter Glaucous Gull (Dungeness), 5 Snow Buntings (Sandwich), Short Eared Owl, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, 4 Bewicks Swans, 6 Hawfinch (near Canterbury), 4 Long Eared Owls (near Ashford) and a Tree Sparrow (Dungeness RSPB).
The forecast for the next few days is cold with possible snow. This could move a few species around including the potential arrival of Smew at Dungeness and possibly Waxwings somewhere in Kent.

Dave

THURSDAY 25TH NOVEMBER TO MONDAY 06TH DECEMBER 2010
It goes without saying that no butterflies or dragonflies were seen during this period of cold weather, including very heavy snow falls. Hopefully the butterflies will survive in good numbers during the prolonged snow covering. Kent, like else where, has been heavily hit and we could not get out for 5 days. Our birding days out only numbered four, however we have still seen some good birds.
Our luck was in on Saturday 4th December for we were just passing the ARC pit at Dungeness when a message told us that a Penduline Tit was in front of the Hanson Hide. Less than 5 minutes later we were enjoying good views of a male bird. This was almost certainly the bird (ringed) that was seen in October, but where has it been the last few weeks? The ARC pit is well watched on a daily basis so is unlikely to have been missed. The light was not good but I managed a couple of record shots.
Other birds seen in this period include 11 Hawfinches near Canterbury, 3 Long Eared Owls near Ashford, Adult Yellow Legged Herring Gull (Dungeness), Jack Snipe (Dungeness), 2 Goldeneye, 11 Goosander & 1st Winter Glaucous Gull (Dungeness), 25 Bewick Swans & 3 Tree Sparrows (Walland Marsh).
The cold snap has yet to produce the expected Smew at Dungeness but more cold weather is forecast so this may well change next week.
Best wishes
Dave

TUESDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2010 TO THURSDAY 23RD DECEMBER 2010
Like most other people we have been snow bound for several days, which has restricted our activities. We have however still managed to see a few goodies including several sightings of Waxwings. This species is being recorded in excellant numbers this year throughout the country, enabling those who wish to see this beautiful bird to catch up with it.
Our Waxwing sightings have been 42 on the 8th Dec, 158 on the 11th Dec at Folkestone (B&Q store) and 15 today south of the village of Hamstreet where it joins the A2070. Other goodies have included 2 Red Kites north of Charing (11th), 1 Hawfinch and Tawny Owl near Canterbury, 5 Purple Sandpipers at Hythe (near Imperial Hotel), 11 Bewick Swans (Walland), Black Necked Grebe, Goldeneye & Smew (Dungeness) and Barn Owl (Pett Level).
There seems to have been an influx of Geese into the South East over the last few days. Today we managed to catch up with 45 Whitefronts (Pett Level), 150 plus Whitefront and 4 Pink Footed Geese near Scotney (Lydd), 200 plus Whitefronts along the Lydd to Dungeness Road.
We are sure that this prolonged cold spell will lead to increased sightings of Bitterns here in Kent as their favourite spots are frozen out, but we have yet to catch up with them this winter. If the cold snap goes on too long many will struggle to feed and survive so lets hope there is a break in the cold weather soon.
Dave

FRIDAY 24TH DECEMBER 2010 TO FRIDAY 31ST DECEMBER 2010
Looking back over this year I feel personally that my family and I have had a good year. The one disappointment was our failure to visit Scotland for Chequered Skipper, Scotch Argus and Mountain Ringlet. Lack of time was one of the main reasons why a Scottish trip did not materialise, something I hope to correct next year now that I have retired. The year will probably be best known for the Purple Emperor and we too enjoyed a number of these wonderful butterflies. Our other highlight was the finding of Kents second colony of Willow Emerald Damselflies. This species looks set to expand in the county. We also know that the Dainty Damselfly has been discovered on the Isle of Sheppey. Hopefully access will be arranged next year for all to enjoy. Equally it would be exciting if the Queen of Spain Fritillary were to be refound somewhere similar to last years discovery in Sussex (which we failed to see).
Now to the recent bird news. The cold and misty weather restricted activities and sightings but we still enjoyed what was on offer. An adult Red Breasted Goose at Pett Level showed all the features of a truly wild bird (unringed, fully winged and arrived with Greenland Whitefront Geese). A excellant Rough Legged Buzzard showed well late afternoon on the 27th at Lydd Ranges after being elusive late morning. 24 Waxwings near Wyevale Garden centre at Hamstreet were most enjoyable.
Other birds included Barn Owl, 2 Bitterns (one very showy in front of Scott hide the past few days), 6 Smew, 5 Goosanders, Red Breasted Merganiser, adult Caspian Gull, adult Yellow Legged Gull and Water Rail at Dungeness. Several flocks of Whitefront geese at Scotney GP and Pett Level with a Pale Bellied Brent Goose at Scotney GP. A stunning male Hen Harrier near Monkton (Kent) and 106 Barnacle geese on Worth Marshes. A real good end to 2010.
Best wishes to everyone for the coming year.
Dave

1st January 2011 to 3rd January 2011
Almost a butterfly, actually a Winter Moth on the kitchen window attracted by the light. Hopefully a good sign for the coming year.
We have had a good spell over the New Year holiday spending the first three days in the field. The 1st started with 3 Waxwings near Ashford and a further 5 birds near Brenzett. Always a smart bird to see and usually very vocal. Dungeness produced 4 Bitterns including the very showy bird in front of Scott Hide. This bird has allowed many to actually see a Bittern for the first time, and certainly has given everyone the opportunity to photograph one. Some families were even using their camera phone to record the event. Other birds there included Slavonian and Black Necked Grebe, Smew, Goldeneye and a full range of the more common duck. We then moved on to Pett Level to check out reports of a big arrival of wild geese. What a sight greeted everyone for the field contained a Red Breasted Goose, a Black Brant, 4 Pale Bellied Brents, at least 2 Bean Geese, 85 Barnacle Geese, 250 Whitefronted Geese, a minimum of 20 Dark Bellied Brents and a hunting Barn Owl. There was almost as many people birding on the sea wall as birds to see. Even people out walking were amazed at the number of geese on the fields and asked us about the species present.
The 2nd was less productive with 2 Red KItes near Ashford and 8 Hawfinches at the location near Canterbury. The 3rd bounced back because as we were checking the geese again at Pett Level a Rough Legged Buzzard flew into view and then stayed most of the day, although fairly distant. I understand that this is a very scarce bird in Sussex. The geese still included the Black Brant from America, 8 Pale Bellied Brents, 80 plus Barnacle Geese, 14 Whitefronted Geese and many Dark Bellied Brents. Also seen a female Merlin and 30 Red Throated Divers on the sea (which was flat as a pancake). We ended the day at Walland Marsh to see 2 Barn Owls, 2 Pink Footed Geese, 150 Whitefronted Geese and 40 Bewick Swans.
I have attached a very poor and distant photo of both the Rough Legged Buzzard and the Black Brant. The poor light in overcast conditions was too much for my little Panasonic Camera, but it gives a record shot. I give no excuse for also attaching another photo of the very showy Bittern at Dungeness.
Dave
Dave

Hi Dave,

Can I just say how much I enjoy your bird sighting reports. You hinted a while back that they might be out of place on this forum but please don't stop, they normally make me jealous indeed!

We used to go to Dungeness a lot when I was a lad and my dad and uncles would fish for mackerel from the beach. A wild, desolate but still quite beautiful place. We holidayed at Littlestone too.

Keep up the good work and all the best for the new year.

Lee

4th JANUARY 2011 TO 9TH JANUARY 2011
Thank you Lee for your kind words of encouragement. I do propose to continue the sightings summary as hopefully it will not be long before the first butterfly is on show. I am pleased you enjoyed Dungeness. We first started going there in the mid eighties and remember my first reaction on seeing the place. It was like visiting a wild west frontier town. Most houses then were basicallly converted old railway coaches and when the cold wind blew you could imagine the old tumbleweed blowing across the land. It still can be pretty bleak, but these days most of the houses have been upgraded to wood or brick. I love the place and get a lot of enjoyment in visiting what has to be one of Britains best National nature reserves.
Birdwise it has been a little harder this week with very little new on offer. On the 5th we visited Dungeness and saw 1 male and 6 female Smew, 2 Goldeneye, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier and 4 Ruddy Ducks (don't tell the RSPB- they allow Ruddy culling on the reserve). Pett Level produced Black Brant, 11 Pale and 25 Dark Bellied Brent Geese. 2 Ravens were present by the road and on the sea wall. On the 7th we did the Ashford area seeing 1 Long Eared Owl and 6 Common Buzzards with at least 400 Fieldfares in a orchard. The 8th saw the 1st winter Glaucous Gull again by the fishing boats at Dungeness and a Ringtail Hen Harrier around the reserve. 45 Bewick Swans and 100 plus Whitefronts were on Walland Marsh, but otherwise much the same as on previous visits. Today we saw a female Scaup in Dover Harbour (a scarce bird in Kent these days), 15 Waxwings in the car park at Fowlmead Country Park (near Deal), Sandwich Bay was very quiet so we ended the day at the Hawfinch site near Canterbury. Here we saw at least 7 birds in really nice weather for a change. Present today was a number of other well known Kent birders also enjoying the birds on offer. Hawfinch is an increasingly scarce bird in Kent. The well known Kent hot spot at Bedgebury no longer attracts the Hawfinch in the numbers of the eighties when it was possible to see 50 plus.
Dave

Hi Dave,

My first ever White Admiral was at Bedgebury, many years ago now, I think in the 80's.

Cheers

Lee

10th JANUARY 2011 TO 16TH JANUARY 2011
A real mix of weather this week, including several foggy days at Dungeness where you struggled to see across the road. If there was a good bird there you certainly would not have seen it on those particualr days. Many birders flocked to see the potential Slaty Backed Gull at Rainham at the weekend, but suspecting it would not show we resisted the temptation. Instead we enjoyed a relaxing time checking local woods for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. We were not successful but it was still enjoyable just checking.
The week started off well for on Monday a Glossy Ibis dropped in at on the RSPB reserve at Dungeness. A most unexpected visitor at this time of the year. Tuesday saw us connecting with the Rough Legged Buzzard on Reculver Marshes. Presumably the same bird that has appeared at Dungeness, Pett Level and a number of other places. What a traveller and what a good bird. Also seen, an almost white Common Buzzard together with 2 normal Common Buzzards. We ended the day at Oare Marshes watching a male and a ringtail Hen Harrier, 150 Brent Geese, several Pintail and Snipe but little else.
Other birds seen this week include 1 Tree Sparrow at Dungeness (13th), 12 Ruddy Duck (13th), 2 Ravens at Pett Level (15th), a large flock of over 100 Redwings near Hamstreet (15th), 4 Nuthatches, 8 Siskins and 3 Redpolls in Hamstreet woods, 2 Red Kites a few miles from Ashford and finally 2 Crossbills south of Faversham, both today.
A most enjoyable week.
Dave

17th JANUARY 2011 TO 26TH JANUARY 2011
Firstly, I am aware that Dungeness Observatory had its first butterfly of the year. A Small Tortoiseshell on the 19th Jan. The weather has since turned for the worst, so not surprisingly it has not been seen again.
The bird life in Kent has remained much the same for the last few weeks so there is very little new to report. The Glossy Ibis at Dungeness seems to have moved on, but the 1st winter Glaucous Gull remains a regular around the fishing boats. There has been a massive increase in gull and auk numbers off the Dungeness coast in recent days. Rather unusally large numbers of the auks identified have been Razorbills. Normally Kent sees a ratio of 4 or 5 Gullimots to 1 Razorbill but
this time Razorbill may be the majority bird. They have been accompanied by large numbers of Kittiwakes and a few Gannets. The 2 Ravens at Dungeness have become more predictable and can often be seen around the RSPB entrance (Boulderwall Farm).
Birds seen this period include a Great Northern Diver off Minnis Bay (18/1), Hawfinches near Canterbury, 1 on the 18th and 4 on the 25th (this location is now very popular, with birdwatchers present most days from 14.30 hours-the birds are not normally seen before then), 35 plus Siskins at the same site. 40 plus Med Gulls off Copt Point at Folkestone (20/01), Cettis Warbler at Dungeness (20th), 2 flocks of Bewick Swans on Walland Marsh totalling 62 (23rd), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and 8 Brambling in a wood near Wye (24th). Finally, the local Common Buzzards have started to display with 6 in the air together on the 24th.
We can't wait for the first signs of spring and the associated butterflies, but I suspect we will have a few more cold spells before then.
Dave

Hi Dave,

just a quickie...regards that Smew pic taken on 5th Jan at Dunge. Did you notice the drake Ring-necked Duck sitting behind it?

I was reading your blog and did a bit of a double-take at that pic. I've looked at it on zoom, and it still looks pretty good to me.

Cheers,

Gibster.

27th January 2011 to 30th January 2011
A short observation period this time as I wished to take the opportunity to respond to Gibster on his observation of the other duck (period 4-9th Jan 2011). I can see why Ringed Neck Duck was suggested, (the white upturn at the front of the body pointing towards the head), but to be a RND the flanks would have been a lot greyier making the upturn (which is white) really stand out. A good query from Gibster, but I am happy that the duck is just a Tufted Duck. Especially as I scanned the ducks around the Smew and I am sure that I would have noted a RND. A pity really as I would have been very happy for it to be a RND, even if I missed it in the field. I have had it checked by a very good professional birder who agrees that it was a good old Tuftie.
This leads me nicely to the next item for the same person kindly informed us that the Northern Long Tailed Tits were showing well in the church yard at Dymchurch. 15 minutes later we were watching 5 of them slowing moving through the various bushes. I have no suitable photgraphs but this race of Long Tailed Tit is stunning with completely white heads giving them an almost black and white appearance. These scarce birds to Britain have been present for over a month now, covering a circuit that goes from the Church to the Murco Garage. Other birds seen include a Ringtail Hen Harrier (near Burmarsh), 32 Bewicks Swans near New Romney, 3 female Smew at Dungeness and a male Goldeneye.
A tour of the area around us looking for displaying raptors produced 3 Common Buzzards near Pluckley, 3 Common Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk over Hempstead Forest and 2 Common Buzzards over Willesborough. The 4 Bewick Swans remain near Wye.
For a change I mention a blast from the past. The Splendid Brocade moth was a very rare migrant to Britain. The first one identified in Britain was as late as July 2003, although there has been a small number since then in the Southern Counties. The Dungeness area was blessed with a small influx during 2010 with at least 10 being seen, mostly on the RSPB Reserve. Several others were trapped across Kent. One was also caught near Lydd during 2009. I am looking forward to another potential influx to Dungeness this year.The photo I originally posted was mislabelled and I have now corrected the caption. It shows a Middle barred Minor.
Dave

Hi Dave, Great Diary, i dont think your Splendid is a Splendid, it looks like a Middle-barred Minor to me.
Steve.

Tuesday 01 Feb 2011.
Thank you to Steve (roundwood123). I agree with you that the photo shows a Middle barred Minor. I have amended the caption accordingly. I should have known better for the photo was 2006 and the Splendid Brocade influx (over 10 number) into the Dungeness area was during 2010. Mainly around the RSPB entrance track. Worringly, I have deleted over 600 photos this winter and I can not find one of Splendid Brocade in those that remain. Never mind, there is always this year to look forward too.
Having made one error I am reluctant to do another blast from the past with regards moths, (not my best subject). However, here goes, with this time a Red Data Species found here in Kent. For obvious reasons I can't give the exact location, but we are proud to host the Black-veined Moth in small numbers around the Wye area. These can be found at the same time as the rarer orchids are on display. We were privileged to have this one land very near us and was totally unexpected. It looks very similar to the butterfly of the same name and that would have set the pulse running.
Today we visited Stodmarsh but our visit was curtailed by the onset of bad weather before the Harrier roost took place. We did see over 100 Siskins, 6 Redpolls and a Cettis Warbler. We also missed a Bittern by 10 minutes. There was reserve management work going with a chain saw operating, so this may have contributed towards the lack of birds. The 4 Bewick Swans remain near Wye

Hi Dave, I was lucky enough to trap a Splendid Brocade in Essex in July which was probably one fron the influx you mention, which was first for the County, very envious of the Black-veined Moth, a real stunner.
Steve.

Hi Dave,

I was lucky enough to find a Black Veined Moth in France last summer - they are really beautiful aren't they?

Pictures on here: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=4269

Cheers

Lee

02 February 2011 to 13th February 2011
Thank you to Lee and Steve for their comments on the Black Veined Moth. Yes a real stunner, and here in Kent. It can't be bad.
Things have been very quiet the last two weeks. We have been going out looking, but its been real hard work. The pick of the bunch has been a Red Necked Grebe, Black Necked Grebe, Firecrest, 1 male and 6 female Smew and 2 Ravens at Dungeness. Pett Level produced a Jack Snipe and nearby Winchelsea a Barn Owl. We have been seeing other good birds such as Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Redwing, Yellowhammer and Little Egret as we drive around, but nothing out of the ordinary. The female Scaup remains at Dover Marine in amongst the yachts and looks well at home. This is the only record I have heard of in Kent this winter for a species that used to be common at such sites as Scotney gravel pits. Not sure what has happened to this species in the last decade.
Despite a few sunny days, and a number of bees on the wing, we have yet to see a butterfly, so like many others we keep dreaming of better days to come. Its certainly warming up and the regular appearance of butterflies can't be too far away.
Dave

Hi Dave. Sorry to butt in on your diary, but I was watching what I took to be a female scaup on the Deben in Suffolk at Christmas and took some very long distant shots. I wonder if you could say whether she is identifiable from them (as a scaup or as a female tufted). There were plenty of tufted and goldeneye on the river the same day.

http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/scaup102.jpg
http://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/scaup101.jpg

Thanks!

Guy