Friday 15th August

I managed to get a quick 45 minute wander around New Hythe this morning from 9am with Felix in the pushchair whilst my other three cherubs were at the Leisure Centre just around the corner. Not a great deal of bird interest, a Sparrowhawk flapped and glided across the 'scrape' and two Juv. Green Woodpecker were in the East scrub. I decided to head straight for the Round Pond where last year I had Small Red-Eyed Damselfly from the dipping platform. My heart sank when I got close as I could here the loud splashes of two dogs being thrown sticks into the pond from the platform. There should be a 'No Dogs' sign put up here. No wonder there has been no sign here of the Small Red-Eyes.........

Still lots of Gatekeeper, a few Meadow Brown and one each of Comma and Red Admiral.

Comma

Red Admiral

Later I had a very rare trip away from the immediate vicinity and took myself off to Queensdown Warren for a couple of hours. This is a fantastic Kent Wildlife Trust reserve about 20 minutes drive away. With the weather warm and sunny I was hoping for some good butterflies and as usual Queensdown Warren didn't dissapoint. Straight away the air was alive with Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Adonis, Chalkhill and Common Blue, Brown Argus, as well as singles of Comma, Peacock and Speckled Wood. My real target was Silver-Spotted Skipper that has been reintroduced here. I searched for ages until I eventually found a single one which posed for a few pictures. I am not sure what the density is here...but really pleased with seeing just one!

Another target was Autumn Ladies Tresses - a lovely Orchid that I have had here in previous years. i managed to find 10 or so spikes to photograph.

Silver-Spotted Skipper

Autumn Ladies Tresses

Common Blue

Large White