Birding and other distractions

The day started at Sandwich looking for a Spotted Crake reported 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

A mid afternoon visit to this site. Though overcast it was reasonably warm at around 20 C. The commonest butterflies were predictably Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper.  Common and Chalkhill Blue were present in moderate numbers, mainly seen in larger patches of Marjoram. The only nymphalid was a rather worn Comma; if it had been sunny I expect more would have been seen. However, the lepidopteran highlight was not a butterfly, instead a stunning Jersey Tiger Moth. Two Slow-worm were found though no Adders, the latter often difficult to see at this time of year. Four Bullfinches were recorded including three together. Jersey Tiger Moth Chalkhill Blue  Common Blue Common Blue pair

Another warm day. I first checked the churchyard following the report of Spotted Flycatcher there. I didn't see any, though the calls of Robins that I heard could be mistaken for a flycatcher I thought. There was plenty of butterfly activity today, especially from Marbled White in the grassland, and I was pleased to see my first Chalkhill Blue of the year. I found a couple of Slow-worm, one of which was crossing the bridleway. There was a partially hidden Adder in TF, probably a male. Slow-worm Adder

Another warm day so I spent the afternoon locally, at Northward Hill. The main quarry was White-letter Hairstreak, with about six being seen.. However, it was hard work and none came low, favouring instead the tops of Elm saplings. Whilst looking for WLH a White Admiral flew through and there were several Silver-washed Fritillary. Ringlet were in good numbers as were Marbled White. A few Peacock, Red Admiral, and Comma were also present. A couple of Lesser Whitethroat were singing and Blackcaps were still in fine voice. White-letter Hairstreak Ringlet Peacock