Birding and other distractions

A sunny morning with little wind and I headed to the river.  One post-slough male Adder was in the usual area at BW. Just one Adder in AP, this being an impressive female.  However, a shed skin was also found. There were seven Slow-worms in AP, most being male. A young Grass Snake was lying next to a group of three adults though typically didn't hang around for long. Of two Adders found at RDE the first was a dark brown sub-adult of about 30 cm that I almost walked past, so well did it blend in with surroundings. The other individual was a male, probably yet to slough.  A small number of butterflies were on the wing, including two Small Tortoiseshell, 1-2 Large White, one Green-veined White, and a Speckled Wood. Plenty of song from Chiffchaff to be heard, plus one Blackcap. Male Adder BW Female Adder AP Shed skin of Adder Three Slow-worms and one young Grass Snake Male Slow-worm  Male Adder RDE Small Tortoiseshell  Male Large White

A windy day, though with a good amount of sunshine. The wind was very noticeable on the first walk along PV, keeping the temperature down, and there was no sign of any Adders. However, two male Slow-worm were laying out. The first Adder was found in DV, a pre-slough male, also one Slow-worm there. A singing Marsh Tit was nice to see and hear, plus a brief flight view of Bullfinch near the stile. In TF a further seven Slow-worm were found, including several females. Adders were more visible in this area, with a total of six. These included three juveniles in the same spot as previously seen on 25th March, so probably the same individuals. They appear quite small, raising the question of whether they were born last autumn or maybe even this year? There was one adult female Adder plus two post-slough males at the far end, both looking resplendent. However, all the adults were quite skittish as they can quite easily see your approach due to the lay of the land. I walked back through PV and...

A planned visit to Eynsford (for purpose of BBS) also gave the opportunity to call in at nearby Otford, mainly to check the flooded area there on the marsh. One Water Pipit was still present (up to three were reported yesterday), plus two Little Ringed Plover. Views were very distant for photography though reasonable through the 'scope. Whilst at Otford a Red Kite flew over on the opposite side of the road. Moving on to Preston Hill near Eynsford views of the valley were excellent when climbing up the downland slope.  With the exception of Ash Dieback the woodland is largely unspoilt and an excellent site for BBS. The main purpose of the visit was to check the transect routes as I'd heard that many paths were overgrown. However, I was pleased to find that most footpaths had been opened up and were clearly marked, so easily navigable for BBS.  Otford Flood Water Pipit Water Pipit Little Ringed Plovers Red Kite Red Kite View from Preston Hill

Encouraged by reports of a Temmincks Stint I went to Cliffe, picking up KC on the way. The bird was on BB4, and though distant it looked good for Temmincks, with fairly distinctive jizz. Only the second March record for the species in Kent. Also there a Ruff, my first of the year.  Perhaps more interesting than the Stint was an Emperor Moth, one of two which came to a lure within 10-15 minutes. It settled on the ground for a short period, long enough to admire this amazing moth. Next, at West Court Farm the long-staying Glossy Ibis was seen, also a Little Ringed Plover, another Ruff, and more distantly some Curlew. A nearby sheep field alongside the South Quarry held good numbers of wagtails and several pipits. There were at least 20 Pied and 1-2 White Wagtails, plus approx. three Meadow Pipits. I also had the pleasure of meeting the farmer at West Court, whose father I briefly worked for in 1970 as a gardener in the school summer holiday. Emperor Moth Glossy Ibis White Wagtail Whi...

Another pleasant, sunny day, so an opportune time to look for reptiles. Starting in PV I soon found an Adder, a smallish individual, probably a sub-adult female. Further along I was pleased to see a juvenile, then a melanistic adult, though the latter was well hidden in vegetation.  In DV there were two Slow-worms, and in TF another five. Also in TF no less than three juvenile Adders plus one sub-adult in the same spot. Walking back along PV I refound the melanistic adult, still very camera shy, though on this occasion  another juvenile was lying alongside it. So in all five juveniles were found during this visit, suggesting a good breeding season for Adders in 2021. Sub-adult, probably female Juvenile 1 Juvenile 2 Juvenile 3 Juvenile 5 with melanistic adult Juvenile 5

Perfect conditions this afternoon for Adders to bask in hazy sunshine, a total of nine being seen. These included the first females of the year. Details as follows : PV - large female at the west end. DV - small male alongside the fence at the east end. TF - three males, one female at the west end, three more males at the east end. In addition two Slow-worms were present, one in DV, the other in TF, both under refugia. The appearance of Slow-worms was a couple of weeks earlier than last year. The nice weather also encouraged good activity from butterflies, with four Comma, three Brimstone and a Peacock. Birds included two Ravens on a pylon in SB, two Marsh Tits in PV, and a Bullfinch heard in TF.  Walking back to the car I noticed a Long-tailed Tit carrying a feather, and further observation confirmed a pair building a nest in a Hawthorn bush alongside the path.   Female Adder in PV Male Adder in DV Female Adder at West end of TF Male Adder at west end of TF Male Adder at east...