New Hythe Wildlife Blog

Thursday 20th May

2010-05-20T20:09:00.006+01:00

A quick half an hour post work. I added Holly Blue and Green Hairstreak (2) to my year list. Also 2 Banded Demoiselle. A few 'blue' damsels but not as many as i expected.

HOLLY BLUE

BANDED DEMOISELLE

WHITETHROAT

Sunday 16th May 2nd post

2010-05-16T18:37:00.002+01:00

My second post of the day. We went to lunch at my Mother-in-Laws in Walderslade this PM. I gave up twitching a long time ago but seeing as the lingering Iberian Chiffchaff was just around the corner I made my excuses for a quick visit. I was the only birder there at about 4.30pm. Bird showed very well and sang it's heart out for my quick visit.

Iberian Chiffchaff

Sunday 16th May

2010-05-16T10:59:00.005+01:00

A visit between 8am and 10am today hoping for some Odonata or Butterflies in the warmer conditions. Added a Hairy Dragonfly along the MillStream and this Four Spotted Chaser near the scrape also a Common Blue Damselfly.

Four Spotted Chaser

I searched for Grizzled Skipper and Green HAirstreak but no sign. Just a handful of Orange Tip.

Bird wise 6 singing Nightingale, a Lesser Whitethroat, good numbers of Reed Warbler and 2 Cuckoo. 6 Shelduck were on the Medway.

Sunday 9th May second post evening visit

2010-05-09T21:02:00.009+01:00

I don't normally get the chance to visit in the evening but managed to wear the kids out enough to get them to sleep at a reasonable hour and after this mornings disappointing visit I thought I would have a stab again for a wader on the Medway. Phil had Common Sand and Greenshank this week and I haven't even had the Green Sandpiper........

When I arrived the river was full. I scanned from the small wood by the outflow but nothing around. I walked through the sunken marsh and then decided to scan down the Medway before returning home in the failing light. Glad I did as I made out a spanking summer plumaged Grey Plover down river. I broke into a jog and fired off loads of shots at ISO 1250 (hence the quality) A New Hythe tick for me (my third for the year after Alpine Swift and Whimbrel)

Grey Plover

A minimum of 300 Swift over and around Brooklands as well and a Cuckoo calling were other records.

Swift

Sunday 9th May

2010-05-09T10:36:00.006+01:00

Out from 6.45 until about 9am this morning. Cold and very overcast - where has the Spring gone? Ispent most of my time around the sunken marsh and scanning the Medway hoping for some waders, but no luck. A Turtle Dove was on wires on the far bank and Reed Warbler were busy chattering away and like the one below, preparing to nest. Clouds of hirundines again over Brooklands Lake which was great to see....spent some time scanning for a Red Rumped Swallow!!

Reed Warbler

Not much else to note this morning apart from 3 Shelduck on the river.

Blackcap

Swallow

Sand Martin

Monday 3rd May

2010-05-03T22:11:00.008+01:00

Out today between 10.45 and 12.30 with my 8 year old daughter Iris. She was keen to see some butterflies. I didn't hold out much hope as it was cold and blowy and showery. Iris didn't quite get the 'blending into the background' approach to birding!
We started off from Brooklands Lake car park. Clouds of hirundines were over the lake pushed down by the low cloud. A Cettis called near the fisherman's building but remained hidden, also a Reed Warbler here.

We walked around through the sunken marsh but didn't add much out of the ordinary. A Sedge and a few more Reed Warbler in less than ideal conditions. The Swifts were coming very low however and Iris was amazed that such small birds had come all the way from Africa. In a brief spell of sun we did see 2 female Orange Tip - so that made her trip worthwhile, especially as I managed a couple of snaps.

Orange Tip

We walked around Abbey Mead and got close to Nightingale but they remained hidden as usual. Through to the east scrub we found a Slow Worm and a Newt Eft.

Slow Worm

Along the Mill Stream we added a Garden Warbler but not much else.

Just before we went home we scanned Brooklands again and I managed to snap a few Swallow on wires by the fishermans hut. So only new sighting today was Orange Tip but good trip out despite the conditions.

Sunday 2nd May

2010-05-02T10:38:00.003+01:00

A visit today between 6.45am and 9am. Heavy cloud at first and then rain, which was eventually torrential from 8.30.

I parked at Brooklands Lake and walked around the lake towards the sunken marsh. Not as much bird-song due to the conditions I guess. What i have noticed this year is a welcome increase in Sedge Warbler numbers. Best sighting today was my first Turtle Dove of the year. I heard it call briefly in the sunken marsh and then saw it fly away from me into deep cover. Still no sign of any Sandpipers on the Medway that have been seen by others.

Good numbers of Nightingale - 14 heard this morning. The picture below is the typical view in dense cover.

Nightingale

I walked back along the Millstream but the rain was heavy now. I did pull my camera out briefly to snap this Garden Warbler (apologies for the quality but i didn't want to get my camera too wet!)

Garden Warbler

As the rain was torrential I drove around to Alders in the hope of a Black Tern or something exciting. A lone Common Tern was here and a huge flock of hirundines of all four species.

Saturday May 1st

2010-05-01T13:36:00.004+01:00

Just a brief visit today. Highlights were a Hobby high over the West Scrub (hence heavily cropped picture) which was new for the year and a Common Tern on a buoy on Tescos Lake. 4 Swift and a Swallow over and several Nightingale singing. Added Peacock and Speckled Wood to my New Hythe Butterfly list.

30th April 2010

2010-04-30T21:20:00.007+01:00

A quick post work visit from 5.30 to 6.15pm. I parked at the Water Works entrance, next to a burnt out car. Not a great start.

A Blackcap sang close by and the first of 5 Nightingale gave a few notes. I walked through the East Scrub adding Willow Warbler, several Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and another couple of Nightingale. Not much else of note just 5 Swift over. Nice anyway to get out.

Swift

Still struggling moving my pictures around which is frustrating.....

Sunday 25th April

2010-04-25T19:48:00.006+01:00

Mute Swan - on eggs plucking breast down

A visit today between 6.30am and 10am. Managed to add seven to my New Hythe year list including a New Hythe 'tick'

Garden Warbler

Fantastic total of 17 Nightingale this morning singing all over the area. My first Garden Warbler singing from the peninsula near Brook House and Whitethroat from what seemed like every bush. 2 Cuckoo around the sunken marsh, 3 Sedge Warbler, good numbers of Reed Warbler - one along the river, a couple around the sunken marsh and the usual good numbers around Brooklands Lake. 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Swift from the Sunken marsh, 9 Swallow, my first of 2 Common Tern and a Little Egret over the sunken marsh along with 4+ Great Black Backed Gull, my first Jackdaw of the year (!) and 3 Linnet.

Common Tern

Best sighting was on the way home. The rain started to fall so I dropped in at Alders Lake hoping for another Tern to drop in. As I got out of the car I heard the unmistakable call of a Whimbrel. Looking up I saw 2 going over...a New Hythe tick! Also, for good measure there was another Common Tern in the pouring rain.

Saturday 17th April

2010-04-18T07:20:00.011+01:00

I can't seem to move my photos around so apologies for the odd format of this post.

Out from 6.30am to aboout 9.45. The mist got thicker and thicker until I couldn't even see the near bank of the Medway let alone the far bank. It didn't clear until around 9am. This hampered my progress somewhat.

Cuckoo Flower

First through the East Scrub where I found the badger footprints in the photos below. Also the first of 3 Nightingale here, but they are still not singing at full throttle. The second and third were near Brook House and in the West Scrub. Good numbers of Whitethroat - at least 6 but probably many more. I added 3 Lesser Whitethroat- one along the Medway, one in the Sunken Marsh and another at the top of Abbeymead. Also a Cuckoo calling briefly from the sunken marsh.

After a tip off from Eddie Denson I also added my first Sedge Warbler of the year, a single bird skulking in reeds outside the fisherman's building on Brooklands Lake. Just before leaving I also added my first Pied Wagtail of the year from Brooklands Lake car-park.

Badger prints

Friday 16th April

2010-04-16T18:46:00.002+01:00

I had the day off today but was on Dad duty. I took the kids to the small playground by Tescos Lake hoping I might add a flyover to my year list. Pleased to add a pair of circling Common Buzzard and a Small Tortoiseshell. Really pleased with the later - hopefully this signals the start of a resurgence of this species. Also heard one Willow Warbler amongst the many Blackcap and Chiffchaff and a fly through Swallow.

Sunday 11th April

2010-04-11T20:58:00.002+01:00

A visit today between 7.30 and 9.15am. First sighting was a new bird for the year - a Peregrine shooting through. A good start to the day! I wandered through the East Scrub, a few Willow Warbler here and a snatch of Whitethroat song. An upsurge in bird calls and a Sparrowhawk shot through the scrub low and across the west scrub.

Over the railway and across to Abbeymead, wall to wall chiffies and Blackcap. Scanning Abbeymead there were hirundines everywhere - mainly Sand Martin and a few Swallow. Along the river a few lingering Teal and a Little Egret. I met Terry Laws in the sunken marsh. He'd just seen a Green Sandpiper but I couldn't relocate it. We did see a few Linnet and my first House Martin of the year, plus at least another 10 Swallow.

Walking back around Abbeymead it was shocking to see that the fishing club is carving a roadway through the scrub, in preparation for Abbeymead being fenced off for fishermen. Really sad and right in the middle of the breeding season.

Saturday 10th April

2010-04-10T13:42:00.009+01:00

After a week up in Scotland with wall to wall Gannets, Puffins and assorted seabirds (I will post some pics in the week) I was out at New Hythe from 6.30 -8.30am today. I was hoping to add some migrants and soon had the first of wall to wall Blackcap as I parked the car.

A walk through the East Scrub and I added Willow Warbler. Over the East Scrub and all was quiet before I heard a snatch of Nightingale song. It gave a few short bursts of song from the corner of the east scrub by the pylon but then only a few grunts and wheezes. Obviously tuning up! As I was listening a Whitethroat ratttled it's scratchy song next to me. In the next week or so the place will be alive with them but good to hear my first for the year.

Over the railway I heard the first of six Cettis and then as I was walking along the river a Cuckoo from the direction of the sunken marsh. A few days earlier than my average. I couldn't actually see it as I scanned the marsh which was frustrating. A Linnet over but no sign of any Sedge or Reed Warbler here.

Over to Brooklands a small Gull caught my eye. A Little Gull. I watched it at distance for 20 minutes or so and got a few record shots.

Little Gull- Brooklands Lake

Later in the morning on a drive past after a visit to Tesco I added my first Brimstone and Small White of the year.

Sunday 28th March

2010-03-28T19:11:00.002+01:00

Out for an hour or so from about 5pm - none of the excitememt of yesterdays Alpine Swift however....

I parked at Brooklands Lake for a change and had a wander across the sunken marsh, down the river, over the railway, across the east scrub and back down the millstream. At least 10 Chiffies heard, 2 Oystercatcher again on the Medway with 2 Shelduck and a few lingering Teal. I added Stock Dove to my year list here. Not much else of note but good to get out!

Saturday 27th March

2010-03-27T18:17:00.008Z

A text from Eddie Denson at 4.45 that he was watching at Alpine Swift over his house, Castle Lake, Motorway Lake (Junction 4 of M20) I was there in 10 minutes and had good views as it wheeled overhead. At 5.30 the heavens opened for torrential rain and it disappeared. Hopefully it will be around tomorrow.

Also a Swallow and Sand Martin over.

Apologies for the rubbish pics but great patch bird! Cheers Eddie!

Sunday 21st March

2010-03-21T19:57:00.003Z

Best sighting today was 2 Oystercatchers on the Medway. I heard them as I approached the river and had them zoom by. I then got fairly close and rattled off quite a few pictures - hence the frustration of not being able to retrieve them. Also 6+ singing Chiffchaff, 4 Cettis, 2 Shelduck, a Redwing in the West Scrub singing it's sub-song and a Buff-tailed bumblebee.

Oystercatchers

Saturday 20th March

2010-03-20T12:39:00.002Z

10 minute scan of Alders and Tesco Lake at 12.30 today. 3 Sand Martin sweeping low over Tesco in the rain. Also probable Med Gull amongst BH Gulls. Distant and no scope and had kids in the car so couldn't move around for a better view. Should get out for a proper visit tomorrow.

Saturday 20th February

2010-02-21T07:25:00.004Z

Out for about an hour and a half or so this morning from about 9am. Frosty and very cold but a bright blue sky had everything singing.

Nothing of great note apart from a male Linnet in the sunken marsh. They can be hard to track down in the area so pleased with that. 2 Cettis called which was good to hear - worried how the hard weather would have affected them. A soaring Sparrowhawk over the Millstream, Redshank on the river and 20+ Teal and 9 Little Grebe on abbey Mead were the only other really notable sightings.

Sunday 24th January

2010-01-24T15:59:00.009Z

A visit today between 8.15 and 10.30.

It took a while today to get properly light so only took photo's in the last hour of my visit. Good numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare in the West Scrub and the heronry on the Medway is very active now. A trudge through the Sunken Marsh and found my first Cettis of the year. Not much else here but good to see the numbers of Reed Bunting and Bullfinch remaining high for the area. A Sparrowhawk flapped and glided along the Medway where there were around 40 Teal.

Back over to Little Lunsford Lake and only one Goldeneye there today. Managed to get a few pics as the light had improved.

Another visit late on for Bittern and luckily enough one landed in the reeds at the end of the Millstream Lake at 5pm. A few Water Rail calling and Fieldfare/Redwing over.

Saturday 23rd January

2010-01-24T07:31:00.002Z

A quick hour visit between 11.30 and 12.30. I parked along Lunsford Lane and had a walk down to the scrape area and then back for a scan of Alders.

Highlights were a Meadow Pipit over and a male and immature male Goldeneye on Little Lunsford Lake.

I also checked the small wood near the carpark for Treecreeper but it was very disturbed and no sign.

I am having problems downloading my photos so none today.....all still in the can!

Sunday 17th January 2010

2010-01-17T17:48:00.007Z

Out this morning from 8am until just before 10. Once the sun was fully up it was a lovely clear morning.

I was hoping to find a Woodcock as everyone else seems to have but no luck. I did however manage to add a number of new New Hythe ticks for the year for me.

Starting off tramping through the West Scrub where there were flocks of noisy Redwing and a few Fieldfare. Then across the East Scrub - no a great deal here just more Thrush and a Green Woodpecker.

Scanning Abbeymead I had my first Shelduck for the year and then along the river there were 2 Redshank and 20+ Teal. Also at least six Bullfinch along the river path. It was interesting to see the Grey Heron on the river starting to nest build as well.

Through the Sunken Marsh and then to the inlet just by Brooklands Lake. Here I added 2 Snipe and had good views of a Water Rail as it dashed in and out of the reedbed. A scan of Brookland and good to catch up with a female Goldeneye (very distant photo below) here but little else of real note.

Back to the car via the Millstream path I added a flyover Little Egret. Really enjoyable visit....with a hint of Spring in the air!!!

Sunday 10th January

2010-01-10T16:20:00.010Z

Out between 10am and 12 today. Seems as if the thaw has started although most of the pits were still at least 50-75% iced over.

I parked at the Water Works entrance and walked around the bottom of the Millstream Lake, through the East and West Scrub, around Abbey Mead, along the river through the sunken marsh, around Brooklands and then back along the Millstream.

Smew on Brooklands Lake

The best sighting of the visit was the Red head Smew again. This time on Brooklands. Two Redshank and six Lapwing along the river with about 20 Teal and a few parties of Redwing and a Chiffchaff near the Water Works entrance was about as good as it got. Not sure why the cold weather is not bring much in (apart from Phil Sharpes Jack Snipe and Woodcock.

Sunday 3rd January 2010

2010-01-03T11:54:00.005Z

Out twice in 2 days!

A visit today between 9.15 and 11am. Very cold. Most of the lakes either completely or at least 50% iced over. A few sleet showers during my visit after a bright start.

I didn't add too much of interest to yesterday's sightings. Although good to spot Alan Woodcock! No sign of yesterday's Smew in a brief scan of Abbey Mead but it is flighty. A few Siskin around and nice to see good numbers of Reed Bunting - I noted at least 6 during my visit. 20+ Teal on the river and 3 Kingfisher were nice to see.

Reed Bunting

Saturday 2nd January 2010

2010-01-02T13:47:00.003Z

My first blog post since May. 2009 was a very busy year with me starting a new job in April and then our 5th child being born at the end of October. Good news is things are hopefully settling down so I can start to get out and about again in 2010.

Today I was out for 3 hours, 10 until 1pm. It was very icy. Alders was three quarters iced over and Little Lunsford (where there has been two Goldeneye in recent weeks completely iced over)

A Jay flew in front of me as I walked around Alders quickly followed by two Sparrowhawk that proceeded to gain height and circle the lake. I heard a Kingfisher call here but couldn't find it.

Back around to the Mill stream lake where there were several Siskin in the Alders. A good selection of water birds including Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard and good numbers of Tufted Duck. a female Bullfinch gave good views close by.

Best sighting was a Red Head Smew on Abbey Mead - although distant it gave good views in the sunshine, diving constantly.

Around Abbey Mead and towards the river which held several Teal. A Grey Wagtail also flew over and a Kestrel hovered.

Back around Abbey Mead and through the West Scrub where I added my only winter thrush of the visit with a small flock of Redwing.

Sunday 24th May

2009-05-24T18:34:00.010+01:00

I helped lead the Leybourne Lakes bird walk this morning between 8am and around 11.

We met by the CP car park and walked into the small wood. Here we had at least 2 Treecreeper performing well. They appeared to be feeding young as the had beakfuls of grubs. Also here a Garden Warbler sang from high up and we heard our first snatch of Nightingale song as well as the odd Whitethroat, Blackcap or two.

Nightingale

Wandering on we saw and heard more Blackcap and several Reed Warbler as well as a pair of Reed Bunting that again appeared to be feeding young. A Cuckoo called very distantly and a Swift went over. A Four spotted Chaser showed well in the grass by the scrape.

Peacock

Moving on we added more singing Reed Warbler and in the west Scrub several Willow Warbler, more snatches of Nightingale and a brief Cettis call.

At the top of the path to Brook House we had our first really good Nightingale with one in full song, then via 2 or 3 Water Vole in the ditch nearby another Nightingale singing and showing exceptionally well.

Orange Tip

I had heard that there have been good numbers of Painted Lady with thousands moving through Europe. I saw at least 3 here today and lots more elsewhere during the day. A Large White, several Peacock and a single Orange Tip were also noted.

Painted Lady

Banded demoiselle

Monday 4th May

2009-05-04T19:23:00.008+01:00

The rarest thing on my patch today was me.....two days in a row...blimey. I was out between 8.15 and 9.30 today. Not long but more than usual! I even remembered to charge the batteries in my camera.

Whitethroat

Today I parked in Brooklands Lake car park and did a circuit around that lake and through the sunken marsh at the top of Abbey Mead. Not as long a walk as yesterday so the numbers are well down.

Cuckoo

The first of 3 Chiffchaff was singing in the car-park as I pulled in and was joined by the first of 6 Blackcap. As I walked around Brooklands it was clear that there was a singing Reed Warbler virtually every 20-30 feet. really good numbers around this year. Whitethroat, as yesterday were everywhere too - I only counted 7 in my short walk but there were probably many more and must be scores in the area as a whole.

Reed Warbler

A Cuckoo called from wires over the Sunken Marsh and 3 Swallow went over. Also a Sedge Warbler here and several Nightingale (5 counted in total)

Nightingale

Later in the day I drove down Lunsford Lane and had a showy Nightingale here as well as c100 Sand Martin on Alders as the rain began to fall.

Sunday 3rd May

2009-05-03T19:26:00.002+01:00

Rarest thing seen today was me actually out on my patch!

I was out from 8am for a couple hours or so. It was unexpected so when I grabbed my camera the batteries were dead...so no pictures today I am afraid (and typically there were a few potential opportunities for some good pictures.....!)

I started off by the water works and walked through the east and west scrub, over the railway, along the medway (very high tide), through the sunken marsh and then around Brooklands and along the Millstream and back.

Obviously as I haven't been out for ages I was able to tick off the migrants today. I also kept a count which I don't usually do.

Numbers were.....23 Whitethroat, 13 Nightingale, 13 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler (Millstream) 3 Willow Warbler (all West scrub) 6 Swift, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Cuckoo, 4 House Martin, 2 Sedge Warbler (1 Sunken Marsh and 1 Millstream) 12 Blackcap, 6 Cettis, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Swallow, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker. Other wildlife - 2 Slow Worm and a single Small White.

Sunday 26th April

2009-04-27T19:48:00.002+01:00

Well almost another frustrating weekend of non-birding but I did manage to get out for half an hour or so from 8pm - so catching the last half an hour of daylight.

I had been woken up at home this morning by a Cuckoo and was pleased to at last add one to my New Hythe list this year on my brief walk around the West and East scrub. Added to that 6 Nightingale, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Green woodpecker and a solitary Slow Worm. Not a great list by any means but so good to get out!

Great to add Whitethroat to my garden list as well this year with one singing on Monday morning from the scrub near my house.

Sunday 19th April

2009-04-19T22:39:00.002+01:00

I haven't been able to get out at all recently due to a combination of a new job, my wife being ill (not made any easier by her being nearly 4 months pregnant with our 5th child!) and having a week in Scotland visiting relatives.

I thought it was going to be another weekend of no birding until I received a call from Jerry Warne at 7pm tonight. A Whooper Swan had been seen on Tesco Lake. I was there by 7.45 and in the fading light had good views of the bird. I wonder whether it is the same one Simon had on his Mote Park patch? As I haven't been out this Spring I was also able to add a single Nightingale, a Willow Warbler and 20+ Sand Martin to my list.

Sunday 22nd March

2009-03-22T19:22:00.010Z

After reading Ken's blog yesterday I decided not to go straight to New Hythe for my spare couple of hours this afternoon. I knew that the nice weather would have brought out the hoards. Instead I ventured up to to Holly Hill en-route in hope a few butterflies and perhaps an Adder.

Orange Underwing

Peacock

Slow worm

The weather was warm and sunny as I arrived. Too warm for Adder in my experience which disperse quickly when it warms up and are unlikely to be seen under the refugia that I have laid. I did however find my first Slow Worm of the year which was very welcome.

Dotted Beefly

Small Tortoiseshell

Wood Anenome

Also up here amongst the several singing Chiffies I saw 4/5 Peacock, 1 female Brimstone, 1 Small Tortoiseshell - my first for a couple of years would you believe and a Orange Underwing Moth. Quite a bit of rustling in the undergrowth was probably the first Common Lizard of the year but I didn't actually see any.

Fox droppings! (note white due to the large amount of bones in Fox diet)

Some early Spring flowers up here included Lesser Celandine, Wood Anenome and Violets.

I then moved onto New Hythe hoping for my first Sand Martin of the year. They have been seen all week here on and off but usually wheel over the lakes when the cloud is lower - no chance of any today as the sky was blue. 2/3 more singing Chiffchaff, several Cettis and 4 male/2 female Wigeon on Abbeymead (new for the year) were notable. I also added a Comma in Brooklands Lake car park for my 4th butterfly species of the day.

Saturday 21st March

2009-03-22T06:20:00.004Z

Out between 8am and 10am this morning in the bright sunshine. Really Spring like this morning despite a cold start. I was hoping to note my first migrants of the year but had to be satisfied with 5 Chiffchaff singing. Also of note was 1 Redpoll in the West Scrub, 10+ Siskin in a mixed flock with Goldfinches feeding in Poplars aong the railway track. 3/4 Great Spotted Woodpecker including one drumming. A single Green Woodpecker about completed the list.

Later in the day I had 2-3 Brimstone and a Peacock at home in Birling - my first Butterflies of the year. Also late news from Friday the regular Ryarsh Buzzard was seen circling high near the school.

Lesser Redpoll

Great Crested Grebe

Saturday 6th March

2009-03-08T07:57:00.002Z

I am finding it difficult to find the time to get out at the moment....highlights of the last couple of weeks are lots of Common Buzzard seen in the area - 2 over Wrotham (1st) , 1 Ryarsh (6th) , 1 Detling Hill and virtually daily from the M25 near Clacketts Services. Also a Tawny Owl calling from Birling Churchyard on the 2nd and Little Owl calling near my house nightly.

Driving past New Hythe today I saw a large bird over the trees near the Water Works - I pulled in quickly and grabbed my camera to get a record shot of a Bittern.....apologies for the quality! - but at least I got a snap!

Bittern

Sunday 15th February

2009-02-15T18:51:00.005Z

Glad to get out late afternoon today as I didn't think I would get a chance this weekend. On my way back from a trip out with the children I took a drive down Lunsford Lane and again had good views of the male Brambling.

I was out proper from 3.3o until around 5.15. The light wasn't great and there was drizzle in the air - hence no photos. I parked at the Water Works entrance just off the A228 and wandered first through the West and then East scrub I was hoping to flush a Woodcock as I seem to be the only person who watches here regularly who hasn't seen one this winter. No sign. A few Fieldfare clacked as they passed over and a small party of Siskin called as the headed towards the Alders on the East scrub.

Best sighting of the day was a Water Shrew. A mammal tick for the year for me. I was turning over bits of old wood hoping for a Toad or something and it shot out towards me and then doubled back and disappeared down a hole.

Over towards Abbey Mead there wasn't much to report, good numbers of common duck however on the pit. I then walked along the Medway path. The water here was really high. The heronery is started to build up and a Little Egret was on the bank underneath. A few Bullfinch and Redwing were also seen along this stretch.

Walking on through the sunken marsh I flushed a Pheasant (my 70th species of the year) and heard a Reed Bunting but not much else. I then did a circuit of Brooklands but didn't add much apart from the impressive roost of Goldfinch near the fisherman's building. I then headed back along the path between Abbey Mead and the railway line. I scanned back across the pit and added two Shelduck to my year list.

I waited by the Bittern spot at the end of the Millstream Pit until it was almost dark but no sign. A Sparrowhawk flapped and glided across and a few Goldcrest called close by. A Cettis called the only one I heard during my visit....I am still yet to get a view of one this year to add to my list.

Saturday 7th February

2009-02-07T18:38:00.002Z

I was out from around 3.45 until 5.30ish today. This afternoon we had to go to Thurrock/Lakeside and as we were wandering around the furniture shops I had the unmistakeable tingling call of Waxwing and sure enough 7 drop into a tree in the car park showing down to about 6 feet! Of course no bins or camera!

Back to New Hythe....after a tip off from Jerry Warne I added a male Brambling to my year list along Lunsford Lane and also my first Reed Bunting of the year (!!) driving around to the Water works entrance I took a walk around the east scrub but only saw a Kestrel and a few Redwing and Fieldfare in the fading light.

I hoped to see a Bittern again but no sign this evening. A Sparrowhawk and active Kingfisher was about it.

Reed Bunting

Sunday 1st February

2009-02-01T19:03:00.004Z

I late PM visit today - 3.30 until about 5pm. It was around 0 degrees with a covering of snow.

Birds were thin on the ground. Best sighting was a single Bittern briefly at the end of the Millstream just before 5pm. Good numbers of Gadwall all over, a few Fieldlfare, 2 Green Woodpecker, a flock of c80 Goldfinch roosting at the end of Brooklands Lake and several Goldcrest were the best sightings.

Saturday 24th January

2009-01-24T18:36:00.002Z

I didn't manageto get out until about 4.20 today so only time for about 40mins birding before it got dark. I briefly checked the Bittern spot at the end of the Millstream Lake but initially no sign. So I walked around the West and East scrub. Well over 100 Fieldfare (with a few Redwing) were feeding on the ground in the East Scrub and showing really well. Also a Green Woodpecker and Goldcrest.

Back over to the Bittern spot around 4.50 I saw some movement in the reeds and then 1........2......3 Bittern appeared. All within a few feet of each other. One flew briefly into the front of the reedbed. Really pleased with that. I later heard another Bittern was seen around the same time on Brooklands Lake so at least 4 in the area.

Thursday 22nd January

2009-01-22T19:14:00.002Z

A post work visit for the last half an hour of daylight today. I was delighted to at last add Bittern to my year list. One showed quite well in the reeds at the end of the Millstream pit. Also 2 Chiffchaff were makng their 'hueet' call and there were good numbers of Fieldfare coming into roost around the east and west scrub. A few Goldcrest were also calling. Too dark for any pictures I am afraid.

Sunday 18th January

2009-01-18T20:46:00.003Z

I only had time for the briefest of visits today to add Goldeneye to my year list at New Hythe. A pair were showing very well on the small Trout Lake adjacent to Alders Lake off of Lunsford Lane. Whilst I was there a Kingfisher shot past. I managed to get some quick snaps (of the Goldeneye, not Kingfisher!)

Goldeneye

Sunday 11th January

2009-01-11T21:05:00.007Z

After yesterday's excitiment I was able to get out for a 3 hour stint from 9.15am. I parked up at Lunsford Lane hoping for another sighting of the Jack Snipe. Although it had been seen early on I couldn't track it down. I did see 2 Lesser Redpoll along the road here shortly after bumping into Adam who was also trying to track the Jack Snipe down.

Robin

Wandering from here I headed towards the scrape where I saw a Common Snipe and 4 Lapwing. On towards the Bittern area I had a scan of the frozen pit, no sign of Bittern but I did see a Treecreeper - a difficult bird to get at New Hythe sometimes.

Lapwing

On around the West Scrub I added Goldcrest and a Rook over. Through the East Scrub where there were lots of common finches I crossed the railway. I scanned Abbeymead and on the open water I saw a redhead Goosander (I later heard that the Goosander on Alders was there around the same time so this looks like a second bird for the area)

Common Gull

The water was high on the river and the only birds of note were a good numbers of Teal. Another Rook came over low and several Bullfinch were calling. A Sparrowhawk came over low.

Around Brooklands Lake I was scanning for Bittern (seen here over the weekend by others) but didn't add anything new.

Along the Millstream a Cettis called briefly (only the second I have heard this year) but I didn't see anything else of note. Back over the mound by the scrape I had some good views of the male Stonechat. A Kingfisher also wizzed past along the Millstream.Wren

I had a brief look in the small wood by the Country Park carpark and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming, close by another was drumming loudly on a pylon. Another Kingfisher was along the Millstream along Lunsford Lane as I was checking again for the Jack Snipe.

Saturday 10th January

2009-01-10T20:42:00.006Z

With -9 on the thermometer this morning it was frustrating to know that i couldn't really get out. On the way to Tesco this morning I did however convince the management that we should drive down Lunsford lane so I could check the Millstream from the car. I was really pleased to add a Little Egret here to my New Hythe year list but little else.

Later in the afternoon I had worn the kids out so with my 4 cherubs all sound asleep in the back of the car I again meandered down Lunsford Lane to see if there would be anything attracted to the running water of the Millstream, I drove up and down several times and was delighted to flush a Jack Snipe firstly about ten feet and then a little further. I couldn't get any decent pictures in the fading light so excuse the one I have posted. Also a Water Rail here that was jumpy but kept coming back to the the water to feed. Another Little Egret, 15 Goldfinch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were also noted. Excuse the pictures as the light was fading fast when I returned mid afternoon.

Water Rail

Jack Snipe - through the windscreen!

Water Rail

Saturday 3rd January

2009-01-03T17:54:00.009Z

I was lucky enough to be able to spend a good few hours out today - 10am until around 4pm. Also lucky enough to meet Fred from Greenie in the Wild shortly after I arrived so had some good company all day. The weather was fantastic all day and so were the birds. Early on I re-found the redhead Goosander on Alders Lake off Lunsford Lane and had a Kingfisher shoot past. Just before meeting Fred a Redpoll went over Lunsford Lane and alighted in a tree top with some Goldfinch.

Redhead Goosander

A male Stonechat was showing well in scrub by the Round Pond and I picked up a Snipe on the fringe of the scrape (the first of 4 seen today with two other in flight)

We had a scan for Bittern but no sign - only to hear 20 minutes later that Jerry Warne had it sitting in the reeds. When we returned a dog walker was screaming at their dog and it was diving into the lake.....unsuprisingly the Bittern had dissapeared. We also saw a soaring Sparrowhawk close by. Walking through the East scrub we saw the first of several Siskin flocks today. They seemed to be all over the place. Also Goldfinch feeding on teasels and Greenfinch and Chaffinch as well as a Great Spotted Woodpecker over.

Siskin

Goldfinch

Over to Abbeymead there were 6 Teal on the pit and a large flock of Pochard but not much else of note. Walking along the river we heard the first of many Bullfinch and more Teal on the river as well as a Redshank. Suprisingly the sunken marsh was very quiet and viewing difficult on Brooklands because of the low sun.

Fox

Back along the millstream we had another scan for Bittern but still no sign. We did however have nice views of a Fox that was sunning itself in a gap in the reeds. We we were alerted to the presence of a Firecrest near feeding in scrub along the ditch by at the end of the West scrub, after searching for 20 minutes we located it associating with a Goldcrest and wer rewarded with some crippling views.

Firecrest

Goldcrest

Back towards Alders I managed to locate the Goosander for Fred and got some record shots. We then drove around to the Water Works entrance for one last go for the Bittern as the light was fading - I guess we were pushing our luck! We did however have good views of a Water Rail walking on the ice close to the reed bed and had small flocks of both Fieldfare and Redwing over - both birds we hadn't seen all day.

Thursday January 1st

2009-01-01T18:39:00.003Z

Frustratingly I couldn't get out until about 2pm today so had a couple of hours or so to kick off my year list at New Hythe. I did manage to see 47 species and hear 2 more - so that's not bad. Last year i spent all day there on January 1st and managed 60 species.

Best species were a redhead Goosander on Alders Pit (off Lunsford Lane) and a drake and 2 duck Red Crested Pochard on Tesco Lake. The first I have seen here for a number of years. I also saw a Stonechat. I missed plenty of common species so plenty to add on my next visits.

List was:

Blackbird, Blue Tit, Magpie, Black Headed Gull, Coot, Long Tailed Tit, Robin, Cormorant, Red Crested Pochard (3), Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon, Common Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Sparrowhawk (2), Robin, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Chiffchaff (2), Pochard, Starling, Lesser Black backed Gull, Pigeon, shoveler, Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Mistle Thrush, Great Tit, Goldfinch, House Sparow, Herring Gull, Goosander, Bullfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, song Thrush, Stonechat, Pied Wagtail, Fieldfare. Heard only - Cettis Warbler and Water Rail.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Sunday 28th December

2008-12-28T21:24:00.004Z

A cold, clear and sunny day today and I managed to get out out for a few hours this afternoon.

I parked by Alders, the lake here is full of hundreds of Coot and assorted wintering duck - but nothing too exciting. Lots of Goldfinch were feeding on teasels along Lundsford Lane and were unusually confiding.

Goldfinch

Over towards the scrape a Little Egret was feeding on the far bank - too far away for a decent picture. A Chiffchaff also called in the bushes here. My main quarry was a Firecrest but despite searching it still eluded me. I did see a Goldcrest, 10+ Fieldfare, a few Redwing, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a single Siskin.

Sunday 21st December

2008-12-21T19:31:00.006Z

This afternoon I joined fellow blogger Fred at Warren's patch a few miles away in Hadlow. The aim was to put up Warren's superb Barn Owl box. Armed with ladder, ropes and power tools we arrived at the tree. Whilst Warren, his friend Dave and myself surveyed the scene Fred took off like a Mountain Goat, up the tree and bish bash bosh all sorted. Fingers crossed this box attracts Warren's local Barn Owls.

Putting up the Barn Owl box in Hadlow.

Sunday 14th December

2008-12-14T18:54:00.002Z

I thought it was supposed to be better weather today but it remained murky all day - but at least it wasn't raining.

I parked by Alders Lake and scanned the ducks here. Huge numbers of Coot and a smattering of Gadwall, Pochard, Shoveler and Tufted duck as well as at least 6 Great Crested Grebe. Nothing rarer I am afraid. Walking from here there was a male Stonechat perching up typically in the scrubby area at the top of the scrape as well as a single Redwing. I then waited around the end of the Millstream Pit hoping the Bittern would make a reappearance after last night - it didn't show up tonight but a Cettis, calling Water Rail, a couple of very confiding Goldcrest and a few Fieldfare over.

Saturday 13th December

2008-12-13T18:35:00.002Z

What a terrible day - heavy rain all day but I did manage to get out for an hour or so late afternoon for my 300th blog post.

I wasn't expecting much (through wet glasses and wet bins!) I started with a quick scan at the Bittern spot but no sign at around 2.45pm. A female Goldeneye showed distantly in the murk. I wandered along and crossed the railway track to Abbey Mead. A flock of Long Tailed Tits passed through as well as a couple of Goldcrest. Along to Brooklands, close to the tunnel to the carpark I had vert good views of a Chiffchaff and another Goldcrest.

Along the Millstream another Chiffchaff called and some Goldfinches went over as well as a Grey Wagtail. As the light was fading I arrived back at the patch of reeds that regularly holds Bittern in the winter. I could see a ligher shape in the reeds and then it turned its head and flapped its wings - at last I have caught up with a Bittern this winter. It showed well, climbing up into the reeds at around 3.45pm....I left, soaked, but happy!

Sunday 7th December

2008-12-07T19:32:00.009Z

Firstly some late news from Friday. I was caught in horrendous traffic on the way home from work so was driving down the country lane between Snodland and Birling at about 8pm. I had fantastic views in my full beam of a Tawny Owl on a branch over the road.

Out at New Hythe today from 1.30 until 4.45, I parked by Alders and walked around the lake in the fantastic winter sunshine. Alders had large numbers of duck and gulls and the Alders held 6 Siskin, a single Redpoll, a Treecreeper and several Goldcrest, 2 Kingfisher were also seen/heard. A Grey Wagtail went over as I reached the bridge by the Millstream a Buzzard flew in low from the Leybourne Lakes car park area and then gained height and circled over the Scrape. There were the constant sharp calls of Redwing as they flew over and fed on hawthorn.

Pochard

Black Headed Gull

Gadwall

I walked down towards the scrape and had good views of a pair of Stonechat. A Chiffchaff was associating with a mixed Tit flock in the scrub.

Stonechat

I retraced my steps and walked back around Alders. I then drove around to the Water Works entrance for a Bittern vigel. Again no sign but the constant sound of Goldcrest in the trees here, a 'singing' (if you can call it singing!) Cettis and several Water Rail.

Long Tailed Tit

Great Tit

Sunday 30th November

2008-11-30T19:26:00.002Z

Finding it really difficult to find any time at all to get out at the moment. A brief 45 minute trip out from 4pm (almost dark!) to 4.45pm (pitch black!) My target bird, Bittern, did not show although it was seen on Saturday and during the last week by others. A few squealing Water Rail, a calling Cettis, several Goldcrest and Redwing were again about it.

Wednesday 26th November

2008-11-26T17:00:00.002Z

I had a quick half an hour walk up and down Lunsford Lane again in hope of finding the Firecrest....no sign but the female Goldeneye is still on the small pit near the road and there were several mixed tit flocks that contained the odd Goldcrest. A few Redwing called as they went over.

Friday 21st November

2008-11-21T13:59:00.002Z

A Firecrest was reported along Lunsford Lane near Alders Lake so I took a detour on my way somewhere else on the off chance that I might hear it calling. I didn't in a brief search but did see a female Goldeneye on the small fishing lake adjacent to Alders. Also a few chirpy House Sparrows along here and a small flock of Siskin over.

Sunday 16th November

2008-11-16T13:44:00.002Z

Out between 9.15 and 11am today. I parked in Brooklands Lake car park and wandered to meet Terry Laws who was standing in the north east corner of the sunken marsh. A couple of Goldcrest called as I wandered over towards him and 6 Teal came up off the river. A Reed Bunting also called but remained hidden and a few small Redwing flocks went over. Whilst talking to Terry a lone Fieldfare went past and a couple of Mistle Thrush sat on a pylon and a few Rook went over as did a Kestrel. Cettis called constantly.

On my way back around I added a couple of Bullfinch, 2 or 3 more Goldcrest and a sizeable Long tailed Tit flock. A quiet morning......

15th November 2008

2008-11-15T19:31:00.002Z

I managed to get out between 3.30 and 5pm today - light was already failing when I arrived. My aim was to look out for Bittern at dusk in the area where it has been seen regularly in previous winters. Unfortunately no sign but I will keep trying when I have the opportunity.

I did see a flyover Little Egret, 2-3 Grey Wagtail on the Millstream, a calling Chiffchaff, 6+ Goldcrest, several calling Water Rail and a Cettis Warbler. Interestingly no Redwing around.

Light of course too poor for any pictures.....

Tuesday 4th November

2008-11-04T16:56:00.003Z

A visit this morning between 10am and 11.15 saw me add two more species to my year bird list at New Hythe up to a very poor 98. A lone Wigeon on Abbeymead and a flyover Redpoll close to the sunken marsh. Also a very good showing of Rook here today - a previously scarce bird with between 10 and 20 flying over throughout the visit. Other highlights included a Little Egret, a Redshank on the Medway along with a few Teal, good numbers of Redwing and still plenty of Goldcrest calling, a Sparrowhawk and Kestrel also put in appearances. A Chiffchaff also called in Brooklands Lake carpark and 2 Grey Wagtail went over.

No pictures today due to the murky weather.....

Monday 3rd November

2008-11-03T17:00:00.007Z

I am not back to work until Wednesday so managed to snatch a quick hour at New Hythe today after dropping the children off this morning.

Most noticeable was the number of Goldcrest around, I must have seen/heard 10 during my walk. Also good numbers of Redwing around, at least 100 I would say, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, also numbers of Pochard, Tufted Duck, Coot and Gadwall are starting to build up.

Most interesting was the number of Newts I found. At least 20 Smooth/Common Newt of various ages......any help here Fred, are the sandy coloured ones efts and the greenish ones sub-adults or adults? I have since been told that the darker ones are adult male Smooth Newt and the two at the bottom adult female Smooth Newt. They are now hibernating so I certainly wont disturb them......

SMOOTH/COMMON NEWTS

Sunday 2nd November

2008-11-02T14:07:00.005Z

Just back from a week in North Berwick - no chance of any wildlife watching although I did see a few Buzzard, Eider, Gannet, Grey Seal, Stoat, Purple Sandpiper in passing.

This morning I made a attempt again for the Halling Red-backed Shrike - I heard it had been seen up until late last week. I spent almost 2 hours on Halling Common but no sign. I did note a Stoat, Little Egret, 30+ Redwing, several Fieldfare, 2 Snipe, 2 Green Woodpecker, Goldcrest, 3 Goldfinch, Grey Wagtail, 10+ Meadow Pipit and 10 Lapwing.

I dropped in very briefly to New Hythe and had a couple of flyover Siskin

STOAT

LITTLE EGRET

Saturday 25th October

2008-10-25T19:56:00.002+01:00

A thoroughly frustrating day today....and proof that kids and birding do not mix. I heard mid-week that a Red-backed Shrike had been found just up the road in Halling. A ten minute drive away. I was hoping that it would stick around for the weekend. Time as always was short and I shot out at 8am for a 45minute shot at the bird. It was hand dumbingly cold and a whistle stop search for the Shrike only revealed a few Meadow Pipits and Green Woodpecker. No sooner was I home than I was texted that the bird had been found. I knew I would be lucky to get back today but at 5pm as the light was fading I had a chance to go out but had to take my 4 month and 2 and half year old sons. I arrived at just before half 5 and a combination of crying baby and fading light meant I stood no chance........a Kingfisher across the Medway was my only sighting of note after I gave up after 10 minutes.....

Off to Scotland on holiday for a week from tomorrow morning so gutted that I will not see the Red-backed shrike..grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Whinge over!

Sunday 12th October

2008-10-13T00:51:00.005+01:00

Good to get back to my patch today with a visit between 1pm and 2.30pm. Bright sunshine and a warm Autumn day.

Despite large numbers of people/dogs enjoying the day I managed a few half decent sightings. Butterflies included 1 Red Admiral, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Comma, 2 Large White and 1 unidentified White. Lots of Dragonflies still around, Ruddy and Common Darter were the most obvious, many still flying in tandem and egg laying. Also 3/4 Migrant Hawker. In the East Scrub I found 12 Newt Efts under an old wooden board but no other reptiles/amphibs. A Water Vole showing well in the usual spot.

Bird-wise it was pretty quiet - 2 Kingfisher along the Millstream, a few Goldcrest, 2 Cettis, 2 Chiffchaff (including one singing) and a Green Woodpecker.

Speckled Wood

Sunday 28th September

2008-09-28T19:58:00.002+01:00

Another quick hour this morning from 8.30. It was chilly with some mist still in the air. Best sighting was 3 Redwing, my first of the autumn. Also a Blackcap, a few Chiffchaff that were Chiff-Chaffing, a Grey Wagtail, a flock of 20+ Goldfinch. There seemed to have been a fall of Robin with at least 20 seen in the east scrub but I couldn't find anything rarer.

A Water Vole in the usual place completed my sightings in a flying visit.

Saturday 27th September

2008-09-27T23:06:00.005+01:00

An hour at New Hythe this afternoon with all four kids wasn't at all conducive to watching any wildlife...however the ever obliging Water Voles, three of them today.....the children were fascinated....for a few minutes. Also I added 2 Small Copper - my first here this year. One in the West Scrub and one near the Water Works. Both eluded being photographed. Other sightings included Cettis Warbler, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Great Spotted Woddpecker, Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, Speckled Wood, Comma and lots of Whites. Plenty of Migrant Hawker around and Common Darter were everywhere.

I have been told about a Redstart that was seen in the West Scrub on Thursday....another bird that has eluded me this year!

Water Vole

Sunday 21st September

2008-09-21T13:56:00.006+01:00

Out at New Hythe today between 11am and 1.15pm. I was hoping for an Osprey....another was seen here yesterday following 3 seen last weekend. No such luck.....it still remains a bird I have never seen here.

2 Water Vole showed well despite the huge amount of activity from the diving club around them. A Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker in the East Scrub as well a few Goldfinch. Over towards Abbey Mead a few butterflies showed themselves - Comma, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Small White and Green Veined White. Along the Mill Stream there were egg laying Common Darter, Migrant Hawker, Common Blue Damselfly. 7 Lapwing also flew over.

Migrant Hawker in flight

Green-veined White

Speckled Wood

Red Admiral

Sunday 14th September

2008-09-14T17:44:00.002+01:00

Not much doing today....a very quick wander around the east and west scrub at New Hythe just obscured views of a Water Vole, a Common Lizard, 2 Slow Worm to show for it. Later in the day up to Holly Hill for half an hour. Foolishly I'd left my camera at home so no pics. A few butterflies despite it being late PM - Small Heath, a female Common Blue and Small White. I looked for Adder in my usual spot here but again nothing (well 7 Slow Worm!) Also up here a Nuthatch and Green Woodpecker.

Around home today there was definitely some bird movement - 20+ Mistle Thrush, a few Coal Tits, and small flocks of Greenfinch and Goldfinch as well as small parties of Swallow were all passing through.

Saturday 13th September

2008-09-14T07:52:00.003+01:00

Great to get out today after a couple of weeks of not being able to escape work/chores....I was at New Hythe between 9.30 and 11am. It was misty and fairly cool so no butterflies or dragonflies seen at all.

What was most noticeable today was the number of 'singing' (can you call it singing?) Cettis Warbler. At least 7 were heard throughout my walk. A flock of 80+ Goldfinch including many juvs were feeding on teasels in the east scrub, also a juv Green Woodpecker there and 2 Slow Worm. Crossing the river Abbey Mead was virtually devoid of birds, I tried to walk along the Medway path but it was impenetrable so I used the parallel path without the river views and looked back along the river from the sunken marsh. Not much here at all, just a few loafing gulls and Grey Heron. I did photograph this ting fungi - only about 2cm high and very delicate.

Pleated Inkcap (thanks Abbey Meadows/Greenie!)

A wander around Brooklands Lake that was also very quiet and along the Millstream. 2+ Grey Wagtail along the stream and a Bar-headed Goose in amongst the Canada Geese on the Millstream Lake. Nothing out of the ordinary but a pleasant wander....

Saturday 30th August

2008-08-30T14:10:00.004+01:00

An hour and a half out this morning from 10am. The weather was already very warm and up into the early/mid 20s by the time I left. Lots of butterflies on the wing today - inumerable 'Whites' mainly Small, at least 4 Red Admiral, 2 Comma, 10+ Speckled Wood, and plenty of worn Meadow Brown and a few Gatekeeper.

In the East Scrub there was a lone Slow Worm again. Lots of Odonata - Migrant Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Brown Hawker, Common Blue, Small Red-Eyed Damselfly were all seen.

Birds of note were a Kingfisher along the Mill Stream, a Grey Wagtail over, a single House Martin and at least 4 singing Cettis Warbler.

Ruddy Darter

Common Darter mating 'Wheel'

Migrant Hawker in flight

Friday 29th August

2008-08-30T07:18:00.002+01:00

A Bat Walk tonight at Leybourne Lakes. The weather was perfect, still and warm. Over 50 people turned up and we wandered around picking up a few on the bat detectors (45 khz) Common Pippistrelles then we were treated to some fantastic views of up to 3 Daubenton's Bat flying low over Tesco's Lake (at around 30khz).

Interestingly we also picked up lots of chirruping Crickets and coneheads on the bat detectors.

Birds seen were 2 Little Egret flying over, a pair of Gadwall on the scrape and a Sparrowhawk.

Batwatch

Sunday 24th August

2008-08-24T18:46:00.002+01:00

The day started badly. I ran my moth trap last night after reading a forecast that said it would remain dry. It poured down in the middle of the night and my bulb ended up shattering....grrrrrr. Best species seen were a Light Emerald and a Mother of Pearl. The Mother of Pearl is in fact a 'micro moth' even though it is larger than many of the macros (?) I have seen alot of these lately. In certain light their wings show a colourful rainbow-like lustre hence the name.

Light Emerald

Mother of Pearl

Later I went to New Hythe for an hour. I spent it around my own version of Warren's migrant alley (see Warren's brilliant local patch blog www.pittswoodpatch.blogspot.com-) the East scrub. I didn't see a sausage (unless you count the ubiqitous dog do-doo) Only sightings of note were a Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker, a flock of 20+ Lt Tit. I also had a look for Wasp Spider in places were I have seen them before, but again drew a blank........watching a local patch can be frustrating....but it is purple patches like the one Warren is having that keeps you going!

Saturday 23rd August

2008-08-23T19:15:00.004+01:00

A visit to New Hythe for an hour and a half from 4.30pm today.

I again parked at the Water Works entrance, walked through the West and East scrub over the railway to Abbey Mead, along the Medway path and the sunken marsh at the top of Abbey Mead, around Brooklands and back along the Mill Stream.

From the West scrub I could see 2 Buzzard circling high over the North Downs, in the scrub here there were several Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. Moving to the East scrub 2 Sand Martin shot over and I had brief views of a Garden Warbler amongst the Elderberries. Also 3 Slow Worm here and a good number of worn Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper, also at least 10 Comma. 20+ Migrant Hawker and a few Common Darter here as well, also probable Ruddy Darter.

Walking on it was fairly quiet - some nice swathes of Fleabane and Water Mint around Abbey Mead but not much else of great note - nice however to be out in the sunshine for a change.

Common Blue (female)

Comma - I can never resist taking pictures of butterflies - they'll be gone soon

Sunday 17th August

2008-08-17T21:10:00.003+01:00

A visit to New Hythe this afternoon between 3pm and 4.30.

I parked by the Water Works entrance with the aim of doing a circuit through the East and East scrub, over the railway, along the edge of Abbey Mead and Brooklands Lake, through Brooklands Lake car park and back along the Mill Stream to the Water Works entrance.

Best sighting today was a flock of 20 or so Terns that flew high over shortly after I arrived. I pretty sure they were Common Terns and are by far the biggest number I have ever seen here - having only seen 2/3 together in the past. Also several Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker and mixed Tit flocks.

Butterflies seen were 9 Speckled Wood, 1 Red Admiral, 4 Comma, 1 Large White, 18 Gatekeeper and 6 Meadow Brown. I again saw several Small Red-Eyed Damselflies (on Abbey Mead as well as Brooklands) Red-Eyed, Common Blue and several Common Darter, Migrant Hawker and Brown Hawker. There were 3 Slow Worm in the East Scrub.

Common Darter

Saturday 16th August

2008-08-16T18:56:00.006+01:00

A quick afternoon dash to New Hythe this afternoon. I decided to try Brooklands Lake for Small Red-Eyed Damselfly and was pleased to find at least 20 and probably many more. Also a few along the Mill Stream. A number of Common Blue, Red-Eyed, Azure, Brown Hawker and a single Emperor as well. Butterflies seen included 3 Comma, a Red Admiral and several Gatekeeper.

Small Red-Eyed Damselflies

Friday 15th August

2008-08-15T21:13:00.008+01:00

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

Wednesday 13th August

2008-08-13T15:17:00.004+01:00

A quick wander around New Hythe between 9 and 9.45 with Felix in his pushchair - a brisk wind was blowing and sightings of any great interest were thin on the ground. I did hear one Cettis Warbler, see one Slow Worm, plenty of Gatekeeper and a few Meadow Brown and 2 Speckled Wood. A Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker and a few Common Blue Damsels were the only Odonata seen.

Speckled Wood

Great Crested Grebe

Long Tailed Tit

Sunday 10th August

2008-08-10T15:06:00.006+01:00

Today I managed to get an hour out up at Holly Hill just up the road. This is an area of open chalk downland and part of the North Downs Way. Despite the very strong wind it was excellent as usual for butterflies. Numbers today were 5 Chalkhill Blue, 4 Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue, 3 Brown Argus, 100+ Gatekeeper, c60 Meadow Brown & 1 Large White.

I checked my usual spot here again for Adder but probably too warm at 2pm, there were 7 Slow Worm however.

Brown Argus

Chalkhill Blue

Holly Blue

Saturday 9th August

2008-08-09T10:04:00.005+01:00

I could only spare an hour this morning for a quick outing to New Hythe. It was bright but there was a stiff breeze. I parked at the Water Works entrance and just did a circuit of the Round Pond, East and West scrub and a quick scan across Abbey Mead.

Seeing as it was early I suprised by the number of butterflies, 60+ Gatekeeper, 12 Meadow Brown, 1 Common Blue, 1 Large White, 1 Essex Skipper, 2 Speckled Wood and best of all in the East Scrub my first Brown Argus here for the year - a bit worn but pleased with that.

Brown Argus

I scanned the Round Pond again for Small Red-Eyed Damselfly but no sign again, I did see good numbers of Red-Eyed Damsels a few Black-tailed Skimmer and several Common Darter.

Bird were few and far between - Green Woodpecker, Willow Warbler (in song as well as 'hueeting') and a large flock of Long-tailed tit.

Common Darter (Fred - a worn female?)

Wednesday 6th August

2008-08-06T22:59:00.004+01:00

An evening bat survey at Manor Park in West Malling this evening with Greg Hitchcock. The evening started warm and dry but from about 8.45 the lightening started and at around 10 the rain started. Despite that we saw/picked up on the bat detector a single Noctule - this is a high flying bat and one of the earliest to emerge in the evening, it is also one of the largest found in Kent. Picked up at around 20khz. We also picked up several Common Pipistrelle at around 45khz.

Some decent birds as well with 2+ Spotted Flycatcher, a Hobby, 4 Green Woodpecker and a flock of c20 Mistle Thrush roosting. Later we had 2 calling Tawny Owl and some very noisy Foxes.

Greg bat detecting!

Saturday 2nd August

2008-08-02T15:11:00.004+01:00

I managed an hour and a half around New Hythe today from 10am. As I left a Nuthatch called loudly from Birling Churchyard. First I have heard here since the winter. Very quiet bird-wise this morning around the lakes. 2 Willow Warbler huueeeting around the West Scrub, a brief burst from a Cettis Warbler, Mistle Thrush, Green Woodpecker and Sparrowhawk were about it.

I was principally looking for Small Red-Eyed Damselfly but no sign again as I searched through all the Red-Eyed Damsels. Still plenty of Gatekeeper around and a few Meadow Brown. I have started scanning all the Buddleia in desperation for Small Tortoiseshell - I haven'thad one here (or anywhere else for that matter for 2 years) 1 Slow Worm in the East Scrub. 3 Water Vole were by the divers car park bridge it was like Piccadilly Circus there so I managed to grab only one shot.

Red-Eyed Damselfly

Water Vole

Wednesday 30th July

2008-07-30T21:41:00.006+01:00

Following a tip off from Jerry Warne I located and photographed Broad-leaved Helleborine on the Motorway Lake at New Hythe this afternoon. There were around half a dozen spikes of this really attractive Orchid - a New Hythe first for me. Also 6 Speckled Wood, 2 Large White and several Gatekeeper around this pit which is accessed off of Lunsford Lane.

Afterwards i had a very quick check of the round pond for Small Red-Eyed Damselfly - no sign here yet but a few Red-Eyed Damsels, Emperor, Black-tailed Skimmer and Azure/Common-blue Damselflies. 20+ Gatekeeper, 10+ Meadow Brown, 1 Comma and 2 Large White were also seen in my brief visit.

Broad-leaved Helleborine

Black-tailed Skimmer

Sunday 27th July - 2nd post...

2008-07-27T20:13:00.006+01:00

We had a wander today at Great Comp Garden - a beautiful place just a couple of miles up the road. Well worth a visit if anyone is interested. A Kestrel posed on an overhead wire in Ryarsh on our way.

Kestrel

Quite a few Green-veined White which was good as I didn't note any this morning. Frustratingly my photos of them were rubbish! Best sightings were an Oak Egger caterpillar - a huge beast around 3 inches or so long, Migrant Hawker that was freshly emerged on one of the ponds and a dragonfly Nymph that needs identifying.....any ideas? I suspect it is a Migrant Hawker.

Oak Egger Caterpillar - huge beastie at well over 3 inches long

Migrant Hawker - freshly emerged

Any ideas what species this Dragonfly Nymph is? (my guess is Migrant Hawker...what do you think?)

Sunday 27th July

2008-07-27T11:07:00.007+01:00

An hours wander up at Holly Hill this morning from 7.30am. It is fantastic for butterflies up here at the moment. Seen this morning were 2 Marbled White, 10 Chalkhill Blue, 2 Peacock, 12 Ringlet, 12 Common Blue, 4 Essex Skipper, 1 Small Skipper and c5 which could have been either species, 100+ Gatekeeper, 8 Large White, 3 Small White and inumerable Meadow Brown.

Also 3 Slow Worm, but again no luck with Adder here - probably already active as it was so warm.

Six-spot Burnet

Chalkhill Blue

Small Skipper

Essex Skipper

Ringlet

Gatekeeper

Saturday 26th July

2008-07-26T07:50:00.005+01:00

A visit to New Hythe between 6am and 7.15am this morning. Warm and still.

2 Green Woodpecker near the Water works entrance and family parties of Song Thrush and blackbird. Some nice views of a family of Long-tailed Tit here as well. Around the East Scrub there were c10 Gatekeeper and c15 Meadow Brown taking advantage of the early warmth. Also a few Essex/Small Skipper. Just the other side of the railway track 2 Purple Hairstreak showed briefly high up in an Ash Tree.

Most interesting sighting were an adult and juv. Nightingale, both birds were making very strange gutteral grunts and whistles.

Essex Skipper
Long Tailed Tit

Mid morning I took Felix for a walk along the lane that runs past my house in Birling. 4 Spotted Flycatcher were seen flycathing from a dead tree and wires. Also a Yellowhammer, 5 Speckled Wood, 4 Gatekeeper and several Large White and Meadow Brown.

Spotted Flycatcher - Birling

Saturday 19th July

2008-07-19T20:28:00.010+01:00

Two short outings today. One between 5am and 6am to New Hythe. It was fairly overcast and didn't really brighten up enough during my visit for any photos. I went to see the White Mullien that Adam Whitehouse noted on his blog yesterday. Not a plant I had ever seen before - I may go back and try and photograph it but it is the other side of a chain link fence (that Adam had helpfully marked by putting a red plastic bottle through the fence. The grid ref is TQ7109 6029 if anyone is interested. Apparently it is a fairly scarce plant in Kent.

During my visit I also noted 2 juv. Green Woodpecker, 10 Swift, 2 Reed Warbler and 2 Blackcap.

Between 3 and 4 I went up to Holly Hill again. I am hoping for a Dark Green Fritillary up there but a fairly stiff breeze kept many butterflies down. I did see 1 Marbled White, 1 Chalkhill Blue, 1 Large White, 10 Meadow Brown, 8 Ringlet, 1 Large Skipper and 12 Small/Essex Skipper. Also 8 Slow Worm and plenty of Pyrammidal Orchid.

Small Skipper

Meadow Grasshopper

Chalkhill Blue

Gatekeeper

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar and Soldier Beetle

Sunday 13th July

2008-07-13T14:51:00.015+01:00

I managed 2 hours out today. An hour and a half at New Hythe followed by just under half an hour at Holly Hill just up the road.

Principally I was looking for butterflies and was quite pleased in the end with my haul. At New Hythe I saw 2 Purple Hairstreak, 3 Red Admiral, 2 Comma, 2 Small White, 1 Large White, 3 Essex Skipper, several Small/Essex Skipper, 6+ Gatekeeper and 10 Meadow Brown. Also at New Hythe was a single Water Vole, 2 Slow Worm, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2+ Reed Warbler singing, a Green Woodpecker and family parties of Whitethroat.

Up to Holly Hill I added 6 Marbled White (my first here), a fresh Chalkhill Blue, 20+ Small Heath and 40+ Ringlet. 6 Slow Worm but no Adder seen here.

Around home this lunchtime I have had a Yellowhammer singing in the tree next to my garden and a few Speckled Wood and Large White around.

Comma

Chalkhill Blue at rest and in flight (lucky shot!)

Essex Skippers (New Hythe)

Gatekeepers (New Hythe)

Marbled Whites (Holly Hill)

Meadow Brown (New Hythe)

Purple Hairstreak (New Hythe) - bit distant!

Ringlet (Holly Hill)

Small White (Worn) Holly Hill

Saturday 12th July

2008-07-12T19:17:00.005+01:00

I may get out to New Hythe tomorrow but at the moment I am needed at home with the new baby and our other 3 cherubs....I did manage to drag them around Ryarsh Wood this afternoon for about half an hour. I was hoping for a White Admiral or maybe even a Silver-Washed Fritillary...no such luck. I did see 3 pristine Comma, 20+ Ringlet (mainly fairly worn) 4 Speckled Wood and 2 Large White......

Comma

Ringlet (worn)

Speckled Wood

Thursday 26th June

2008-06-26T20:51:00.004+01:00

Ok, Ok so I'm not getting out much! Here are another couple of pictures of the Spotted Flycatcher taken this morning on the school run! Much happier with these.

Spotted Flycatcher

Tuesday 24th June

2008-06-24T10:12:00.002+01:00

As mentioned yesterday I saw a Spotted Flycatcher in Ryarsh the next village to mine, in gardens opposite the village school. I went back this morning and there was at least one probably two calling and catching insects on the wing from bushes and overhead wires. I did manage a snap but not great......light was a bit harsh and I was a bit rubbish!

Spotted Flycatcher

Monday 23rd June

2008-06-23T21:18:00.004+01:00

I had an hour to spare today so I decided to go to the lower slopes of Trosley Country Park just down the road. This is one of the premier areas in Kent, if not the country for butterflies - it is extensive chalk downland - part of the North Downs area of outstanding national beauty. I was prompted by John Young's blog post yesterday that he had had a Dark Green Fritillary at Lullingstone yesterday. Trosley has always been a great spot for this species but the numbers have declined dramatically in recent years.

Bee Orchid - wide angle shot showing some of the downs

Meadow Brown

I am sorry to report that I didn't see any Dark Green Frits but I will return for another go in a week or so. I did however see 1 Grizzled Skipper, 20 Ringlet, 12 Meadow Brown, 50+ Small Heath and 4 Common Blue. I also saw an Adder (prob a female but moved quickly once I'd spotted it) and 2 juv Slow Worm. Lots of Pyrammiddal Orchid out and 4-5 Bee Orchid.

Later in the day I picked my daughter up from Ryarsh Primary school and had some cracking views of a Spotted Flycatcher in the front garden of the Vicarage opposite. I only had my wife's point and shoot digital camera with me and my photos were woeful. I will take my camera with me tomorrow so I hope it's still around.

Saturday 21st June

2008-06-21T16:20:00.002+01:00

Pretty much confined to home today. I did however take one short walk from home along the lane by my house. A young Little Owl showed briefly in an Ash Tree, also a Yellowhammer calling, 6 Goldfinch, 4 Skylark, 2 Whitethroat and a Kestrel.

Later I took a short drive to try and get baby Felix to nod off, I drove past some of my best local sites for Spotted Flycatcher but no sign in a few brief scans. I did stop off on the Pilgrims way at the foot of Trosley CP and added my first Ringlet of the year, with two in close succession feeding on hawthorn at TQ 647 611.

Tuesday June 17th

2008-06-17T20:21:00.005+01:00

Late news for yesterday was a Hobby flying low past Birling Church at 8.45 last night.

A visit to New Hythe today between 9.45 and 11.30 today. Despite it being warm and sunny the lack of butterflies on the wing continues to be startling. 1 Large Skipper, my first for the year north of the scrape and single Speckled Wood in the small copse by the car-park were the only sightings. Odonata faired a bit better with 25 Black-tailed Skimmer, 1 Hairy Dragonfly, 8 Banded Demoiselle and numerous Blue Damsels including good numbers of Blue-tailed.

Large Skipper in flight

Bird sightings were thin on the ground. 1 Nightingale, 6 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow and 10 Swift.

Banded Demoiselle (female)

In the East scrub 1 Grass Snake and 3 Slow Worm. Pyrammidal Orchid continue to emerge with at least 15 seen, also 1 'new' Bee Orchid.

At 3.45 this afternoon I was driving back into Birling when I saw a large Raptor fairly low being mobbed by Crows. I quickly realised it was a Red Kite, a second Kite then appeared alongside it and they disappeared towards New Hythe........

Sunday 15th June

2008-06-15T11:48:00.004+01:00

With our other three staying with their cousins and the new baby fast asleep I managed to get out for an hour and a half. I spent my time just in the east and west scrub and the area around the scrape.

Best sighting were 4-5 Twayblade which I found after a tip off from Jerry Warne. Also a few Bee Orchid, hundreds of Common Spotted Orchid and the first emerging Pyrammidal. 4 Slow Worm and a Common Lizard in the East Scrub and only 1 Red Admiral and 1 Common Blue Butterfly, 1 Male Black Tailed Skimmer and several teneral BT Skimmers, a few 4-Spotted Chasers and innumarable Blue-tailed, Common Blue and Azure Damsels.

Birds of note were 2 Nightingale, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Willow Warbler and a Blackcap.

Twayblade

Bee Orchid

Juv. Starling

Saturday 14th June

2008-06-14T05:59:00.004+01:00

Our fourth child arrived yesterday (I resisted adding Stork to my New Hythe list!) This is obviously going to affect my posts a little for a few weeks (or maybe not...perhaps he will like a few walks around the patch!?) Added a Little Owl driving back into Birling along Bull Road from Maidstone Hospital at 8.30 last night.

Felix - 9lb 8oz born (Friday!) 13th June 10.12am

Sunday 8th June

2008-06-08T21:05:00.008+01:00

National Moth Night last night so I put my Moth Trap out. A Tawny Owl was calling as I did. They are only occassional around my house in Birling. I was a bit disappointed with my haul, a Snout, a Common Swift and White Ermine was about it. During the day I had a Hobby and a Kestrel over the house.

Snout Moth (you can see why!)

I did manage an hour at New Hythe from 5.20 until around 6.20. I wandered around the East and West scrub. I didn't see one butterfly, but did see several Black-Tailed Skimmer, Four-Spotted Chasers and loads of Common and Azure Damsels. In the West Scrub there was a Cuckoo, Turtle Dove, Nightingale, Willow Warbler, Cettis Warbler, Whitethroat and Green Woodpecker. Also lots of Common Spotted Orchid, 1 Bee Orchid and 1 Southern Marsh Orchid (which was nearly over)

Common Lizard

Common Spotted Orchid

In the East scrub I saw 2 Grass Snake, 1 male, 2 female and 1 juv Slow Worm and 1 Common Lizard. Also 1+ adult Water Vole and 1+ young Water Vole near the Diver's bridge.

Saturday 7th June

2008-06-07T06:14:00.005+01:00

I was woken up at 3.50am this morning by at least 2 Little Owl calling near my house, a Skylark in full song and a Yellowhammer going at full pelt. I knew I was going to have little time to get out today so I decided to get up and go straight to New Hythe. I was there at 4.05am just as it was getting light.

During an hour and 45minutes I didn't see one other person...not even the dreaded dog walkers! Best sighting was 3 Hobby that were swooping around the round pond/scrape area at 4.15am. They were feeding on the wing and when I first saw them reminded me of the Nightjars I had seen a few days earlier. Amazing to see these silhouettes dashing just as dawn was breaking.

Female Chaffinch with nesting material

I walked through the west and east scrub, over the river, around Abbey Mead lingering by the sunken marsh and then around Brooklands Lake and back along the Millstream. In total I saw/heard 20 Whitethroat, 8 Nightingale, 10 Reed Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 40 Swift, 4 Reed Bunting, 7 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Mistle Thrush, 5 song Thrush, 9 Cettis Warbler, 1 Shelduck, 1 Great Spot and a Black Swan!

All this and I was back home by 5.45!

At 11.30 I was driving past Alders and Tesco Lake, I did my usual scan for Terns and at last added a Common Tern on Tescos sitting on a buoy. My 96th species here for the year.

Wednesday 4th June

2008-06-04T23:01:00.003+01:00

My annual visit to Mereworth Woods this evening a few miles away. Arrived at 8.30 and left around 10.30. Heard at least 3 Nightjar with some great fly-past views and wing-clapping. Also c4 roding Woodcock and a distant Tawny Owl. Also hundreds of Common Spotted Orchid around the wood and a number of fly past Pipistrelle Bats.

Tuesday June 3rd

2008-06-03T18:40:00.002+01:00

A quick visit between 4.30 and 5pm today - it was drizzling which was a shame. Best sighting was a Hobby over the west scrub, 5 Nightingale still singing, 6 Swift, 2 Linnet still in the east scrub, 1 Green Woodpecker and a Mistle Thrush. 1 Grass Snake and 1 juv Slow Worm.

Sunday June 1st

2008-06-01T12:12:00.008+01:00

I was out between 9.30 and 11.15 today, overcast but still. 4 Nightgale were heard, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Reed Warbler, 10 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, c40 Swift and best of all 2 Linnet in the East scrub - my 95th species for the year. Also a Kestrel in the area. Around the East scrub I also found 1 Grass Snake and 4 Slow Worm.

Overcast and warm conditions are good for insect photography....these would have all been better with a tripod but I can't be bothered to lug one around!

Cardinal Beetle

Male Scorpion Fly (gets it's name from the tail)

Male Banded Demoiselle (thought I'd post this as it's better than the one I took the other day)

Long-Jawed Orb-Weaver

Late update - here is a White Ermine, one of three I trapped last night.

Saturday 31st May

2008-05-31T19:50:00.007+01:00

From 4am this morning I had 3 Little Owl calling around my garden. One was viewable from my bedroom window high up in a tree. We usually have 2-3 pairs breed around the village so good to hear they are still holding strong. I also ran my moth trap last night just one Treble Lines moth (Charanyca trigrammica) and two male Common Swift (Hepialus Iupulinus)

My only visit to New Hythe today was again with the children from 2 - 3.30. We took our pond dipping stuff and spent our time on the dipping platform again over the Round Pond. Lots of Pond snail, Ramshorn Snail, Water Beetle and Whirligig Beetles. Also 6 Damselfly Nymphs - anyone any idea of the species?

Damselfly Nymph

My three cherubs looking at our pond dipping catch

Best bird sighting was a Hobby circling over, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler and 2 Pairs of Reed Bunting feeding young.

Friday 30th May

2008-05-30T18:19:00.007+01:00

I took some time off work today to help out with the children. We spent some time behind Birling church then an hour and a half with a picnic at New Hythe followed by an hour at a playground in the next village of Ryarsh.

I was hoping to see a Spotted Flycatcher in Birling Churchyard but no sign. Just a calling Cuckoo and a Whitethroat. Over at New Hythe we walked from Lunsford Lane to the dipping platform on the round pond and back. Not many birds singing, just a few Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting and Blackcap. On the Round Pond we watched 2 Four-spotted Chasers duelling over the water and chasing Blue Damsels. Later back-up at the Millstream on Lunsford Lane we saw at least 6 female and 4 Male Banded Demoiselle.

Banded Demoiselle (female)

Banded Demoiselle (male)

Ryarsh was very quiet and as we went back to the car I heard a Greenfinch making a strange alarm call by the village hall. I turned expecting to see a Sparrowhawk shoot by but instead I was suprised to see a Little Owl sitting on the village hall roof. I grabbed my camera and managed to get one shot before it flew off. Not bad picture seeing as I took it with my macro lens!

Little Owl

Thursday May 29th

2008-05-29T17:30:00.002+01:00

I had an hour to spare this afternoon and after the good weather this morning thought I would get a chance to take some photos around New Hythe...no chance, it was bucketting down again. I did hear 2 Nightingale, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and 2 Willow Warbler and around 20 Swift and 3 sand Martin were forced down low by the weather.

6 Slow Worm, 2 Common Lizard and 1 Grass Snake were found sheltering from the rain in the east scrub. I also saw c6 Common Spotted Orchid and some nice Ragged Robin.

Sunday May 25th

2008-05-25T09:18:00.005+01:00

It was the Leybourne Lakes CP Bird Walk this morning from 6am. Of course this coincided with heavy rain almost throughout. Still 5 of us braved the weather. Bird song was significantly down on recent weeks we heard/saw 4 Nightingale, 1 Cuckoo, c40 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 3 Willow Warbler, several Reed Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Also 1 Great Spotted and 1 Green Woodpecker and a lone Stock Dove. Looks like more of this weather for the rest of the day and tomorrow as well....

Update for mid PM Sunday, i was driving back into Birling and there was a Little Owl on wires over the road. I later went up the road to Holly Hill for half an hour as the weather picked up. Here I found this Adder, 3 Slow Worm, 1 Dingy Skipper, 1 Grizzled Skipper, 2 Small Heath and 8 Common Blue

Adder

Slow Worm

Small Heath

Wednesday 21st May

2008-05-21T18:14:00.003+01:00

I am off to Bristol for a few days with work but managed to fit in an hour and a half visit around lunchtime today.

Best sighting was 2 (probably 3) Hobby (94 for year) hawking over the Millstream path/Millstream Lake - a new one for the year for me. Other birds of note were a single Cuckoo, 2 displaying Sparrowhawk, several Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and a single Nightingale. A few Swift, Sand Martin and House Martin were also around.

Butterflies were thin on the ground. A Grizzled Skipper was in the far corner of the East Scrub by the railway line, a probable Small Copper, 1 Speckled Wood and a Small White were about it.

A dark (newly emerged?) Broad-bodied Chaser was in the West Scrub, a single Large Red Damsel, 2 Hairy Dragons, 1 Banded Demoiselle and hundred of 'blue' damsels of various species. Some Common Spotted Orchid are also emerging in the West and East Scrub.

Monday 19th May

2008-05-19T21:36:00.003+01:00

I didn't get to New Hythe at all over the weekend....our fourth child is due in less than a month so home called! I did a quick half an hour on Saturday out of home along the lane at 5am. A Cuckoo called and flew across the path in front of me. Also 4 Whitethroat were heard and a Yellowhammer sang as did a Skylark - two birds I don't see too often at New Hythe.

On Monday I did manage 45 mins at New Hythe between 5 and 5.45pm. I hoped for some butterflies but didn't see any at all. There were 100+ Swift screaming overhead, as well as a few sand martin and house martin on Alders. Several Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Nightingale sang. A Water Vole was in the usual place, 2 Slow Worm, 1 Common Lizard, 2 Hairy Dragonfly, 1 Blue-Tailed Damsel and several Common-Blue Damsels completed the sightings.

Common Lizard