Friday 30th July 2010

A couple more moths caught overnight included a Willow Herald (?) and Riband Band. 

Cycling into work was met with all the other species; 2x Little Owl (although one didn't want to pose as normal!), family groups of Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Great Tit, Linnets with Swallows and 2x Bullfinches all thrown into the mix. 

At lunchtime I did a circuit of Oaken Woods, nr Barming.  Butterflies were the order of the day with Gatekeepers (60+) predominating, but Speckled Wood (x3), Red Admiral (x3), White Admiral (x1) - in good nick on a buddeleia near Gallagher's Underpass, Meadow Brown (x16), Peacock (x9), Large Whites (x7), Common Blue (x5), Holly Blue (x3) and best of all a Silver-washed Fritillary. 

This only my second SW Frit on patch, but it wasn't hanging around and I struggled to keep up with on my bike!  It touched down briefly a couple of times, long enough to get a record shot.  It was seen in almost exactly the same location as the one I had 2 years - is there a small undiscovered colony in these extensive woods or am I seeing roaming males?! 

Southern Hawker

Migrant Hawker

Lots of Dragonflies on the wing as well with Emperor, Migrant, Southern and Brown Hawkers and even a Black-tailed Skimmer.  Only one moth, a Rosy Footman. 

Going back into the woods I was suprised to see how dank they'd remained in this recent heatwave.  Lots of puddles, skated over by Water Boatmen (how did they find themselves on puddles in the middle of a wood?!).  Also on the track verges the first mushrooms of the season (any suggestions for ID welcomed!)

Mushroom A

Mushroom B

Mushroom C

Monday 24th May

The best place to be today was in the woods, in the dappled shade of Barming Woods, away from the 27.C heat!  Good numbers of butterfles were on the wing, including Orange-tip, Peacock, Large White and Speckled Wood.  I cycled round to where I'd heard the Tree Pipit on Friday, but with coppicing continuing close-by I couldn't pick out its song, only a close by Willow Warbler.  Cycling back to work a Common Buzzard lifted off from one of the older coppice plantations and soared on the thermals, before drifting west. 

Tuesday 27th April

A wonderfully sunny day and actually warm!  I did the usual circuit/routes from Barming through Barming Woods to East Malling Research Station via the Paris Farm paddocks.  All the usual species were encountered (Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Jay) but I was pleased to find the Common Buzzard again at the northern edge of Oaken Wood.  It was sitting out on the branch of an Oak, but as I closed in to get a photo a couple of Mallards made a low, quacking pass and it took flight (what were the chances of that - I've only recorded Mallards twice before in the wood!).  Consolation was soon to follow in the shape of female Wheatear in the centre field at the southern end of Gallagher's Gallop (just SW of Kiln Barn Farm).  I noticed it because it was orange and stood out like a sore thumb in the paddock.  Although it was distant it appeared large, with a very upright stance, and just looked orange! 

It was also was peculiar in that rather than hopping or fast, jerky running this bird walked....slowly!  Very strange.  Anyway I managed some superb shots which I hoped would help me confirm if it was of the 'Greenland' race (Oenanthe oenanthe leucorhoa) or not - but they didn't quite turn out as expected (see below)!  That peachy-orange smudge on the left was the bird - you may be able to make out it's colouration and upright stance - or you might not!  Enlarging the pic by double-clicking on it might help, it definetly had an orange tone to it.

Having bagged what I thought were excellent photos I moved on, taking in the Little Owl (sorry but he's so photogenic) and Kestrel feeding on a Slow Worm. 

A pair of Linnets flew from a hedgerow as I approached Paris Farm Paddocks and a Yellowhammer fed on the dung heap. 

A Skylark sang high over head, but the paddocks once again failed to yield anymore migrants.  Crossing the railway at the east end of East Malling railway station I was pleased to hear a Chiffchaff calling and see a GS Woodpecker sticking it's head out of a nesting hole.

Out again at lunchtime in the hope of connecting with the Wheatear proved unsuccessful, although a couple more Yellowhammers were seen and good numbers of Peacock butterflies, along with singles of Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood and Large White were seen.

While working out in my strawberry plots this afternoon, I saw another Yellowhammer and 10x Stock Doves feeding in the strawed alleyways.

The cycle home in the dying sun was rewarded with 6x Swallows feeding voracioulsy over the Kiln Barn Farm paddock and the song of Blackcaps along the length of Gallagher's Gallop.

Wednesday 21st April

Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were heard on my ride into work this morning - a scan of the Paris Farm Paddocks failed to turn up any migrants though. 

At lunchtime I decided to explore some of the coppiced Chesnuts in Oaken Wood, Barming hoping to see or hear a Tree Pipit.  As I cycled the path an Orange Tip butterfly fluttered ahead of me, landing briefly to allow me to get some photos.  Peacocks were also on the wing.  A Crow calling above me alerted me to a Common Buzzard that was soaring overhead, I've not seen one in this part of the woods before.  I continued up to the dusty track that leads to Seven Wents.  There's been some fresh coppicing along this ride and as I neared Seven Wents the wood opened up into a large clearing, more like heathland than woodland.  A bird took to the air as I neared a stump overhanging the path and to my utter suprise I watched what I quickly recognised as a female RING OUZEL flying low across the coppiced stumps and in to a thicket of chesnut branches.  Its half-moon gorget and silvery-pale wings were very apparent as it flew at 90 degrees to me.  I scanned the area and saw it's head poking up, but as soon as I moved closer to get a pic it flew again but deeper into the coppice and I couldn't relocate it.  How strange that I'd been watching this species only last Friday down in Cornwall, never dreaming I get one on my own patch the following week, and in such and unusual location for this species - the last place I would have looked for one.  I recall reports of one in a garden in nearby Wateringbury and Don Taylor has one in his rarity hedge a couple of years ago at Wierton Hill, so they do turn up in the most unexpected of places!  With reports of a Hoopoe at Kemsing, a Black Redstart in West Malling, Wood Warbler in Mote Park and Redstart in Chatham I guess I had to get something!

The area of coppice where the Ring Ouzel was seen (unfortunately it had flown by the time I took this pic!)

On the cycle home I picked up 2 Swallows feeding low across the pasture opposite Kiln Barn Farm.  A quick visit to Mote Park for the Wood Warbler turned up a blank, but I guess you can't have too many goodies in one day!

LATE NEWS: Talking to JC about the Ouzel, he informed me a Hobby had flown over Kiln Barn Farm when he went to see the Little Owl this week.

Tuesday 2nd March

A walk in the sunshine up the watercress beds in East Malling.  A couple of Goldcrests worked their way through the Larch trees in the deserted orchard, and then the best sighting of the day, a couple of Peacock butterflies basking and flying (pic to follow) in the sunshine at the spring head near Well Street - my first for the year.

Monday 17th June

Back to Ditton Quarry at lunchtime, probably the first time in 3 months! Lots of Common Blue and a smattering of Gatekeepers and Painted Ladies. The south-west corner of the quarry was alive with warblers, Chiffchaffs mostly but good numbers of Common Whitethroats, mostly juveniles. On the way back to work I caught sight of a bird looping out of an elderberry bush, stopping in my tracks I was delighted to see a Spotted Flycatcher darting around the bush - my first for the Quarry.

Cycling home I saw a the Little Owl hunched up in the girders of Kiln Barn Farm barn and then newar tghe water tower (just north of North Street, Barming) I heard a call I faintly recognised, but wasn'y 100% with. It sounded like a very loud Bullfinch, not that Bullfinches are ever very loud. Creeping through the undergrowth I caught sight of what looked like a cross between a juv Common Rosefinch and a Corn Bunting! Of course it was a juv Bullfinch, entirely grey-brown unlike it's distinctively marked , and colourful, parents and so heavy-billed. Good to see they've bred successfully again this year.

Noticed this Convolvulus flower in the orchards this evening, presumably munched on when still in bud.

Saturday 15th August

Off patch late afternoon (and yesterday for Red-backed Shrike at Halling Common) - to a deserted Queendown Warren, nr Stockbury. I was hoping to get good views of some Blues, Silver-spotted Skippers and maybe Lady's Autumn Tresses. Much to my suprise (considering I had the kids with me) I scored on all three (better than Villa did against Wigan, doh!).

I didn't manage any decent shots as it was pretty windy, but James my eldest was fascinated when an Adonis Blue walked onto his finger (and then flew off!).

Good numbers of Chalkhill and Common Blues, 8+ Silver-spotted Skipper, a couple of Small Coppers and 5 colonies of Autumn Lady's Tresses.

Exciting the kids even more, just before their bedtim,e I took them down to Paddock Wood to watch 'Tornado' steam through. A Sparrowhawk drifted down Red Hill, Wateringbury as I waited at the traffic lights on my way back to Barming.

WARNING: Video starts off very loud with 'Tornado' whistle!

Thursday 30th July

59x Painted Ladies on the cycle into work, many disturbed from the brambles as I cycled down the 0.5 mile stretch of track on the eastern edge of Oaken Wood, Barming. Amazingly fresh and bright. A family party of 5x Bullfinches revealed themselves in flight near the gallop underpass. A lone Little Owl looked out from the cattle barn opposite Kiln Barn Farm.

This evening I went out looking for Barn Owls near Teston Bridge and the Nightjar in Oaken Wood, neither were located, but the green, LED-like light from a single Glow Worm shone brightly as I made my way back to the car.

Wednesday 8th July

Well couldn't resist it any longer - back to blogging. More time on my hands this month so here we go:

A mixed swarm of Swallows, Swifts and House Martins, about a dozen of each, swept over a mustard field next to the strawberry fields (east side of East Malling Research). Often they wandered, speckling the strawberry with their fast-moving shadows but when the cloud rolled over then they disappeared as quickly as they'd come.

Into Barming Woods at lunchtime, White Admiral my quarry and I wasn't disappointed. Only a single this time, quite worn but very approachable. A couple of freshly emerged Gatekeepers, my first for this site this year, bounded along ahead of my bike.

Saturday 30th May

Orange Hawkweed (Pilosella aurantiacum)

Bells and butterflies day. I managed a couple of lazy hours in the orchard in Barming, playing with the kids, reading the paper, listening to the bells tolling out a couple of weddings along the valley and generally chilling out - perfect! I'd hoped for Spotted Flycatcher or Cuckoo but neither materialised, a distant Cormorant and single Swallow were the only birds of note. Painted Ladies were still flying with purpose in WNW direction but a lot less than over the previous 5 days. A few Common Blues hugged the ground, struggling to fly against the strong breeze.

White-legged damselfly (Platycnemis pennipes)

Common Blue and White-legged Damselflies were all on the wing, and the first Orange Hawkweeds of the year basked in the sun. Back home a Slow Worm was found under the kid's playground matting - much the kid's delight!

Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis)

Friday 29th May

A warm, sunny day turned up some good butterfly records on the East Malling Research Station with a continous stream of Painted Ladies heading WNW. A worn Small Copper and Common Blue were also found.

Thursday 28th May

Two Mediterranian and one Black-headed Gulls dropped down on newly ploughed land on the eastern end of East Malling Research Station. The flow of Painted Ladies continued unabated throughout the day with 42 counted in less than 30 minutes at midday.

The first Bee Orchid flowers were found open in the glasshouse area (private). A total of 14 spikes have emerged.

Monday 25th May

The influx of Painted Ladies was very noticeable today with a peak count of 14 counted in 1 minute through my garden in Barming. Of the hundreds seen only two stopped feed.

The Nightjar continued to churr in Barming Woods at 21:20

Thursday 21st May

Painted Lady butterflies still streaming through the East Malling research station at lunchtime, a 20-minute walk saw a count of 18, though they were flying with some urgentecy, generally NW direction, not stopping to feed (hence no photos!).

Checking out the fields around Teston Bridge this evening I failed to relocate Barn Owl so decided to checking out some coppiced areas in Barming Woods on the off chance of a Nightjar. Entering a large coppiced area at the southern edge of the woods I was suprised to hear the familiar churr of a NIGHTJAR, maybe the first singing bird recorded here in at least 6 years, may be more. I quickly located it's song perch and had fantastic views of it both singing and flying.

Sunday 10th May

Another trip out to Teston, again along the River Medway from Barming Bridge but with my wife and kids. No sign of yesterday's Mandarin Duck, but good numbers of Yellowhammers and Whitethroat again.

A Grey Heron rowed lazily high across the sky, but it was on the ground on the river margins that most interest was to be found. Good numbers of Large Red Damselflies and

Banded Demoiselles were on the wing, with a smattering of butterflies, including 2x Comma, 3x Peacock, 8+ Green-veined Whites, 2 Large Whites and a Brown Argus (or female Common Blue?).

A couple of Swallows dipped over the river near Teston Bridge and hybrid Goose (Canada x Greylag?) tamely floated around the bank.

Tuesday 5th May

Everything was in full song this morning; Blackcaps, Yellowhammers, Linnets, Great Tits, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Skylarks the lot! Managed 30 minute cycle around Oaken Woods, Barming and located my first Garden Warbler of the year, 5+ Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers. A couple of Peacock and Speckled Wood butterflies, but numbers seem to be down on a few weeks ago and were outnumbered by Speckled Yellow moths.

A pair of Swallows on the wires by Kiln Barn Farm, Ditton as I cycled home at 18:00.

These evening while having a kick around with my lad over the Parish Playing Fields, Barming he pointed out 2 birds flying high north - Swifts - first on the patch this year and a great spot by a 5-year old!

Thursday 23rd April

A sunny St George's day with flags adorning more buildings and cars than I've ever noticed before. The cycle in to work from Barming to East Malling didn't turn up anything out of the ordinary.
Ross called at lunchtime and we took a trip to Holly Hill, near Birling in the hope of getting a couple of Skipper species. Immediately after leaving the car we were rewarded with Dingy Skipper, quickly followed by Grizzled Skipper. Our two target species within 5 minutes - if only it was always like this! A Green Hairstreak fluttered into view, settling and posed beautifully for within feet of the Grizzled Skipper. More Skippers were seen over the next 30 minutes and although it was difficult to eliminate repeat sightings of the same individuals I reckon we had 8+ Dingy Skipper, 4+ Grizzled Skipper, 1x Green Hairstreak, 2x Brimstone and 1 x Peacock. 2x Common Lizards and 6+ Slow Worms all added to a fantastic lunch hour!

Wednesday 22nd April

I did a quick sortie around Oaken Wood, Barming this morning before work, hoping to hear a Tree Pipit sing, but none yet. Lots of Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, and a Comma and 2x Peacock butterflies on the wing.

On a a very warm lunchtime I almost trod on a basking Grass Snake basking on the cut out steps leading from Kiln Barn Road into Ditton Quarry - my first snake in the quarry. It was sufficiently warm to shoot off very quickly despite my best attempts at photographing it. Butterflies and Bee-flies were the order with Green-veined and Small White, Orange-tip and Peacock, along with 6+ Bee-flies hovering and darting around like Hummingbird Hawkmoths. A Kestrel also spent some time on the ground in the grassy dip.