Monday 9th August 2010

Another Silver-washed Fritillary today, again a new location in Barming (Oaken) Woods, but no doubt one or the same individual that I've been seeing over the last few days. Again it wouldn't settle for more than a few seconds and was continually harassed by Gatekeepers, hence the 'shaky' images. No sign of any Purple Hairstreaks today - no wonder I've missed them in previous years. Lots of Common Blues and a single Brown Argus.



The clouds were doing funny things!


Lots of dragonflies including; Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker and Common Darter.

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.