Saturday

I tried an earlier start to my Saturday but there was very little to see. A walk along the front of the power station was brightened by at least 7 Clouded Yellow butterflies and several plants before the threatening clouds suggested retreat.








We spent some time at the boats, during which time it poured down, stopped at the south end of ARC where there were a few Ruff among the Lapwings and then drove round to the reserve, where the water levels are dropping to give some nice looking islands and shallow edges.
We drove up to Scotney but there wasn't much around so, as the ranges were open for the weekend we drove down to the end. There were at least 3 Whinchats and a couple of Stonechats plus a few Curlew dotted about.

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Railway walk

After lunch we decided to go for a walk along the old railway town to Turners Field. It was lovely and warm even under the expanding canopy.
Turner's Field has a small herd of Herefords which were clustered round licking a spot just inside the kissing gate. A buzzard soared up and over. We walked round one of the fields and as we got to the bottom there was a rough patch with some flowers and where there were at least 5 Meadow Browns, 8/9 Common Blues, a Small White and a couple of Gatekeepers.
On the way back I found some Shieldbugs, first on some Hedge Woundwort and then on some nettles, plus a Speckled Wood flicking it's wings in a sunny spot. Very relaxing.

















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A glimpse of the past

Following a day at the Bird Fair my drive across the marsh was a little later than usual. We drove into New Romney and checked out the Autumn Ladies Tresses round the canon at Littlestone. There were several 100 dotted about, and a drive towards the water tower found many more growing in lawns and on the verges.







As we turned onto the coast drive we saw several people gathered with cameras watching the skies. A sudden loud sound revealed 2 Lancaster bombers flying by!! By the time we stopped they were heading away. Chatting to Dorothy we heard them returning so a mad scramble to park the car and get ourselves and cameras out of the car in time to photograph this unique event. Luckily I managed to get some shots of the 2 bombers, both separately and together. They were followed by a Spitfire and a Hurricane and 10 minutes later by a Dakota. As we had absolutely no knowledge of this event we were extremely lucky to be where we were when we were.
















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