Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler

 With the weather very variable, this was an odd week. Several bees in the garden, especially on the cotoneaster, included Early Bumblebee, Orange-tailed and Grey-patched Mining bees and a Flower Spider lurking. There were also some Iris Weevil, Mononychus punctumalbum, on the irises.

Along the road into the ranges there were still lots of Yellow Vetch in flower, although the plants near the Obs had been over for a while. The highlight was an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler that James found on Sunday in the trapping area. It spent all day calling from the middle of the willows and only showed very poorly, mainly in flight.the perils of parking on shingle were illustrated by a coach that had managed to get stuck.

May 20th

 Very quiet in the garden and at the observatory. I spent a bit of time watching activity in the pond. There seem to be at least 8 Newts loafing around the waterlily stems and a pair of Large-red Damselflies spent time ovipositing. There was also a pair of Azure which seemed to prefer putting their eggs under the leaves. There are also lots of little black flies, maybe fungus gnats, zigging around the surface of the pond.

In the moth trap there have been a few nice moths, including Pebble Prominent, Light Brocade, Light Tussock and another Poplar Hawkmoth.

The nameplate for the hide has been purchased and installed on the Seawatch hide and we went out to the Kerton Road Pit to see if there were any waders about. It’s a nice, peaceful place to scan with a Mini train chugging by every now and then. There was a flock of Oystercatchers on the mud with a Ringed Plover, Godwits and a couple of Common terns.

Marden Meadow

 Following a check round the Obs and breakfast we decided to head over to Marden Meadow for an annual fix of Green-winged Orchids. There were several in the field near the car park but the main field was just covered by them, giving a purple haze although the grasses were quite high. There was also lots of Adder's Tongue Fern.

Walking along the hedge edge David caught a Mining Bee 

And later a bug

We admired what was left of the Wild service Tree by the pond, which is showing its age now. We also noticed a younger one around the other side. There was plenty of Adder’s Tongue Fern and the Dyer’s Greenweed was still in the far corner. 

Heading back we turned into Digdog Lane just after Frittenden and found a small pond full of Water Violets. 

We drove to the Kennardington Crossing looking for Turtle Doves. When we got there Dave (?) and his son were also parked up searching. We heard a Cuckoo and a White Stork flew up and circled, gaining height and drifting north-east. Shortly after a Red Kite circled through being mobbed by crows. 

A call from Dave Brown suggested we try Warehorne Bridge so we drove round there and were shown one on the wires. A cuckoo flew along the canal and briefly sat on the wires before heading away.

May 12th 2025

 Pottering round the garden I found an Azure Damselfly resting near the pond. The Large Red-banded Clearwing lure had brought in a very early Red-banded Clearwing, well as far as I could see, there was no red on the wings and the palps were white. The moth trap this week held a nice selection although the numbers aren't high, except for Treble Lines. I've had White Ermine, Lobster, Lunar Thorn, Poplar and Eyed Hawkmoths among the usual species. 

A walk along the Tenterden Lawns was very quiet but I did see a couple of Buff/White-tailed and Early Bumblebees and a Common Pug flew out of the grass and landed on a tree trunk.

News came through of a Whiskered Tern on the reserve so I headed down there and was lucky to be diverted to HAnson Hide, where it was sitting on a post. It sat there for a while before flying off backtowards the reserve, it was re-located later in the evening from Dengemarsh Hide.

More activity round the pond with a minium of 4 Large Red Damselflies as well as a pair on Azure. In the water there seem to be at least a dozen Newts floating around and hiding in the waterlily leaves.

 A visit to Wittersham Road Station recorded Soprano and Common Pipstrelles, Noctule and views of a Badger crossing the line in the thermal camera.

Breeding birds Pt 1

 Finally made it for the first BBS and started unreasonable sunshine. Blackcap, Whitethroat and Wren before hearing a Cuckoo and hearing, and seeing, a high flying Skylark. Started raining as I walked through the hop garden, using the trees as shelter.