Wednesday 8th December 2010

25+ Lesser Redpolls were still in the silver birches at the north end of Oaken Wood this morning, and seemed more confiding than on previous occasions - food becoming short I guess.  Also 6+ Bullfinches along Gallagher's Gallop and a couple of Goldcrests near Gallagher's Underpass - the first time I've had them here.

What should have been a short cycle to Bradbourne House, East Malling at lunchtime turned into a nightmare as I developed another puncture.  Discarding my bike in the hedge (!) I carried on on foot.  Walking through a plot of head height Miscanthus I disturbed 6x Pheasants a couple of Dunnocks and probably a few rodents telling by the speed at which a Kestrel appeared from nowhere!  20+ Linnets were still feeding on the weedy area alongside the track to Park Farm. 

At Bradbourne Lake I noted a single Pochard, but not the nasal ringed bird, 1x Tufted Duck (not regular here) and 10x Gadwall (a high count for this site). 

A GS Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, 2x Greenfinch and a Jay all added some interest along the tree line.  Mike Easterbrook was spotted on the other side of the lake and inadvertently flushed a couple of Lapwing my way - they settled down on the pavillion field with three others amongst a flock of Black-headed and Common Gull (x10).  Three Snipe took flight as we walked towards the stream.  Walking back along the norethern edge of the lake, and meeting Sue, we picked out 4x Little Grebe and Grey Wagtail and had the briefest of views of a Sparrowhawk speeding low through the trees.

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