Denge Wood

The walk into Denge was very pleasant with sunshine making the greens sparkle. There were a number of Common Spotted orchids along the track and once inside the reserve they were everywhere. The Lady orchids were mostly in their prime but numbers of these seemed down. Being a bit later than usual the Greater Butterflies were perfect and there did seem to be more this year.
At the end of the reserve a search of the primroses found one Duke of Burgundy looking quite fresh.
A took a slight diversion on the way home where we found 2 Man orchids but little else.
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Dungeness Point

A short walk out to the edge of the trapping area to do some botnising. On the way we found a fresh Brown Argus as well as some Common Blues.

We were looking for Broomrapes and found several Common Broorapes, some just coming up and some well up. As we walked we were kicking up xylostellas with nearly every step, especially through the grassy and brambly areas. As well as Gorse Shieldbug clambouring through a grasshead.

The bean plant is growing well within it's bramble shelter. It should produce a few beans.

The main purpose was to see this broorape, which, despite it's size and colour, is probably just a common one.

One of the thigs about Dungeness is the variety of species that can be found. One family that seems to thrive is the vetches, a couple of are pictures below.

The willow bushes of the trapping area are absolutely dripping with cuckoo spit. Standing inside a bush is a recipe for getting wet, with the sound of drips falling on the bramble leavews echoing round the area.

Some of the plants are so small that you have to get down on your knees to really appreciate their beauty.