Birding and other distractions

The day started at Sandwich looking for a Spotted Crake mentioned on Birdguides. We parked at Sandwich Quay and then walked along the river for about 35 minutes during which a number of House Martins were seen, also three Clouded Yellow. On reaching New Downs South Pool the crake was on view straight away, venturing out from the reeds. It was backlit for much of the time so tricky to photograph. A Snipe was also there plus a number of Coot. In the afternoon we headed towards St. Margaret's, parking up in a layby on the Dover Road. Three Dotterel were present in a stubble field which had been harrowed. Excellent views of the birds were obtained, a n adult with two juveniles. The adult Dotterel was the first I've seen for a long time. The final stop was a brief look for Chough near Dover Castle. Eight birds were near the aviary and so quite distant. Spotted Crake The walk along the Stour Juvenile Dotterel  Adult Dotterel   

Sunshine followed light rain earlier in the afternoon, so I visited QW, arriving at 2:30. Butterflies were very active in the warm conditions with Common, Adonis and Chalkhill Blues in good numbers. Brown Argus were also easy find. However, try as I might I couldn't find any Silver Spotted Skipper or Clouded Yellow. A single Peacock was the only nymphalid. A couple of Marsh Tits were very vocal near the car park at the start of the walk Adonis Blue  Adonis Blue  Common Blue  Small Copper 

A great surprise this afternoon to find a large caterpillar in the back garden, an Elephant Hawk Moth larva no less. To start with it retracted the head to show the eye spots, a behaviour to deter predators.  An amazing insect and I think my first sighting of the caterpillar stage.

A late morning visit in mostly sunny weather. Second generation Adonis Blue were present in good numbers in the usual area on the banks. The odd Chalkhill Blue was also seen, near the tail end of the adult generation for this species I imagine. Elsewhere on the banks a couple of Small Copper were found.  In the process of photographing a Small Heath the butterfly came to an unfortunate end, being caught in the web of a Wasp Spider. The arachnid had also caught a Meadow Brown. It was fairly quiet birdwise though four Yellow Wagtails were feeding in amongst cattle in the top field. Adonis Blue  Adonis Blue  Adonis Blue  Chalkhill Blue  Small Copper  Small Copper  Small Heath Small Heath caught in webbing  Wasp Spider with prey