nesting . And that was what was on the mind of this Great Tit I found on a path , collecting dogs hairs , no doubt to line it's nest . Along the sheltered hedgerows , large number of St.Mark's Fly-
Bibionidae marci , were swarming . They are the ones you see at this time of year , flying with their legs trailing below them . So called , because they appear round about St.Mark's day , April 25th. , and if you wondered what they did when they are not feeding on Wayfarer flowers , 
They're making more St.Mark's Flies . I am still searching for my first sighting of the Spotted Bee Fly , but every one I examine turns out to be Bombylius major , the common one , here seen
feeding on Bugle . Another insect found on the same bush was this Hawthorn Shield Bug-
Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale , perhaps it hasn't learnt to identify Hawthorn yet . Now is a good time to check out if there are any Wych Elms around , as at this time of year , they tend to drop 
large quantities of their leaves and seeds , forming a carpet beneath the tree . Well worth a look later in the year for White Letter Hairstreak butterflies , which use them as their food plant , especially since the demise of the English Elm from Dutch Elm Disease . The Wych Elm has not been so badly affected as it tends to grow in woodland , surrounded by other trees , but the English Elm tended to grow on it's own outside woodland , and was thus more susceptible to the disease . Also along a path , I found a Lords and Ladies-Arum maculatum plant that had been munched , probably by slugs , but it shows the fruit which will be orange/red later , but now cream , right at the base
of the plant , requiring insects to pass right down the throat of the flower , in order to pollinate the female flowers . The top of the spadix , which attracts the insects has also been eaten away . The first Bird's Foot Trefoil , also know as Bacon and Eggs , has come into flower , so Summer 
can't be that far away , can it ? After looking again for signs of Bird's Nest Orchid and finding nothing , the biggest surprise of the afternoon was finding my first Fly Orchid-Ophrys insectifera
of the year , just by the side of the path on the Orchid Bank . I have never managed to photograph it 
myself , but male insects really think it is a female , and attempt to mate with it .
myself , but male insects really think it is a female , and attempt to mate with it .
interspersed with two Tree Pipits , my first of the year . Blackcap ( pictured ) and Chiffchaff joined in , and in the distance a Cuckoo . It gradually worked it's way towards me and I was ready with the camera , but then it went off in another direction . Other birds seen/heard included Coal , Blue and Great Tit , Bullfinch and Chaffinch ,Wren , Robin , Pheasant , Song Thrush , Nuthatch , Jay , Carrion Crow , Sparrowhawk , Swallow and Pheasant . On previous year's visits , I have been treated to views and song of Dartford Warbler , but it wasn't to be today .
-Cicindela campestris , scuttling around on the open areas , and flying off as soon as I got too close . By 1130 , and with no sightings of Sand Lizard , I changed my attention to the rare 
Smooth Snake . I was luckier with this species , finding one after about half an hour of looking . As can be seen from this shot , it does not have the zig-zag back pattern of the Afdder , or the yellow collar of the Grass Snake . It is also a smaller animal than either of the other two snakes .
pupil of the Adder . He stayed posing for so long , then made his way off . I found two Smooth Snakes and whilst looking , came across two female Adders , this being one of them .
Geotropes stercorarius , making several unsuccessful attempts to take off from the Heather . Eventually , after a long struggle , it made it into the air , and I was lucky enough to capture that 
moment , as the wing covers were lifted and the wings deployed . All over the site Billberry is finishing flowering , and the small fruits are starting to form .
I mentioned the other day that I recorded good numbers of Brimstone butterflies at Salt Box 
Hill , but this site was incredible for the species . I only walked a small part , but would estimate seeing 50+ Brimstones , and not a surprise really , as I passed a small copse that was made up completely of Buckthorn , their food plant . I can honestly say , I have never seen so much Buckthorn in one place . Other species seen were , Orange Tip (2) , Large White (2) , Peacock (3) and Speckled Wood (2) .
turned out to be a Roe Buck getting up onto it's feet . It could well have been the same one , but I couldn't be positive . As I made my way back to the car , I found this on the ground .
a Crab Spider , sitting , waiting for an insect to come and feed on the Bugle , so it could feed on the said insect . But with the conditions , I think it was going to have to wait for it's meal . These spiders come in a variety of colours , and some have contrasing dots on their abdomen . A bit further along the path I found the first of the Early Purple Orchids , a very robust plant 
compared to most that I have seen . This one must have stood about 25cms. high and the spotted leaves were really leathery . All were the usual colour , except one , being of the pink 
variation , which is reasonably common , none being the deep purple / violet , like the ones Warren found on his patch . Also on the edge of the woods , Wood Spurge , a member of the 
Euphorbia family , is in full flower . As I got half way along the site , Otford , sitting in the dip , 
was getting the first of many showers passing through , only a mater of time till one gets me I thought . As I got towards the far end of the site , I started turning tins , but with the conditions , did not expect to find much . Sure enough , just the 17 Slow Worms were found in odd ones and twos , mostly under felt , which tends to retain it's heat longer than the corrugated sheet . The 
wetter conditions suited the large Roman Snails which are abundant on the site , and lots were seen out feeding . I passed by the plant that Steve/Kingsdowner and I looked at when he visited the site , and as it was not yet in flower , I changed my mind twice on it's identification from the 
leaves . My final thought was Sainfoin , and today the flower heads were showing , and a tinge of pink from the flower spike confirmed my thoughts . Soon after , the threatened shower arrived , and I was still some distance from the car . The very last pair of refugia , produced the only 
Adder of the day , a good sized female under the corrugated sheet . Also noticed today was that
the Ash has started to burst bud into leaf . No butterflies were recorded today , in fact , come to think of it , with the exception of the Crab Spider , I do not remember seeing any othe insects . Birds did better with singing males including Yellowhammer , Common Whitethroat , Chiffchaff , Blackcap , Blackbird , Song Thrush , Wren and Woodpigeon , all trying to attract a partner or letting others know that this was their patch , on what was turning into a miserable afternoon . About the only ones not bothered were these two 
lambs , just worried about their next meal . Rather bedraggled , I reached the car and the dry .
short while , battle damage is already visible , either combat with another male or a bird strike . This shot does give the chance to see the colour of the topside of the wing , a mid brown , not usually seen , as they always land and close their wings immediately . Although I did not see a pair together , they obviously have been , because already , females are egg laying on the 
favoured food plant , Bird's Foot Trefoil . Once again , when the eating machine hatches , the supermarket door is wide open in front if it . The single Dingy Skipper that I found last visit is no longer alone , as I recorded 8 in total , including a couple of females .
Kent , but , when I chased it down , it turned out to be a male Holly Blue . My attention was drawn to a whitish butterfly , flying around what I thought to be a dead tree , but on closer 
inspection , it turned out to be a female Brimstone , egg laying . Being higher there than on the Common , the Buckthorn trees are only just bursting bud . Strange , because I was talking to one of the Rangers on my last visit about the possibility of planting a few Buckthorn trees for the Brimstones , no need now . Still very little flower colour , but the Wild Strawberry is doing it's 
best to cheer things up . Also , just starting to flower is the Salad Burnett . Eventually , the whole
shot of female Large White of the year . She is the largest of the white butterflies that we see .
the name of Pyrausta purpualis . By the time I left , it was getting very warm and sightings were dropping off . I watched one male Brimstone , fly slowly along a fenceline , then disappear from 
sight . When I looked , he was suspended under a leaf , using it as a parasol .
and this specimen was no different , before the camera could focus , it was off . In the same area , I posted the first Bluebell in flower this year , now every plant is in flower , producing a raft of 
colour . In amongst the Bluebells , Red Campion is also coming in to flower .
upper wing . By the side of one of the lakes , a pair of Grey Lag Geese were very protective of 
their six offspring , keep a good distance from the camera . Also close to the lake was another
stand of white Cuckoo Flower or Ladies Smock , normally lilac in colour .
better than last year's young , none of which survived . Talking youngsters , we had the first youngsters under the feeders this morning , two speckled breasted Robins , being fed by their parents . They did not nest in our garden , but chose two doors down , but used our feeders constantly .
survived all that has been thrown at it , and , hopefully , it will emerge into one of the adult butterflies that I hope to photograph there , this Summer . The egg is the small sea urchin shaped spot in the middle of the frame , between two buds .
Secondly , for anyone thinking of a visit to RSPB Dungeness , take mosquito repellant , the place 
is alive with them . Having said that , don't let it put you off , Carol and I had a really magical day there today . Even before we arrived , I pulled over between Camber and Lydd , and within a couple of minutes , had Common and Lesser Whitethroat and Sedge and Reed Warbler , all in a small section of ditch and scrub alongside the road . Anyway , arriving at the reserve and turning onto the single approach , it was obvious that the place was full of migrants . Sedge and Reed Warblers in the ditches and every bit of scrub seemed to have it's own Common Whitethroat , the song was incessant . There were also plenty of Reed Buntings , and one pair were obviously 
nestbuilding , well the wife was , hubby had taken up a supervisory roll , making sure everything
was being done properly . The next migrants we came across were a small flock of Whimbrel 
numbering about 8/9 feeding in one of the sheep pastures . We were serenaded by Warblers and Buntings all the way up to the visitor Centre , where we were welcomed by a pair of Herring 
Gulls who were relaxing on the shingle bank . We had a look at what was about on the notice board , hoping that we might see one or two of those listed . Starting along the track , one of those listed , in fact four Yellow Wagtails were feeding on the bank . Out came the camera , and off they flew , as usual . One flew further down the bank and came to rest . I closed the gap and took a very long shot , just before he flew . I thought at the time , there was something strange about it , but with the strong sunlight , I couldn't see the LCD display very well , and it wasn't till this evening when I was editing the photos , that I realised it was in fact a Blue Headed or 
Channel Wagtail . This grainy shot is full enlarged to be able to see the bird properly . I checked the RX Website tonight , and they have reported the bird there today . A look in the next hide revealed very little except for 3 Greenshank feeding on the edge of a small island , well away from the hide . As we exited the hide and carried on the path , a male Marsh Harrier appeared from behind the shingle bank in front of us , but as quickly as he came , he turned and disappeared back over the bank he came from , but for 2/3 seconds , a wonderful sight close up . The mossies were getting more and more as we went round , and just after passing the next hide , Carol asked what that lump in the field was , as she thought she saw it move . With binoculars I could see a pair of Brown Hares . I hurried on to where the track came closest to 
them , and started shooting . One minute they would be running towards the camera , the next 
, they would be running away from the camera , and every now and again , the one that I think 
was the female , would turn on the other , a male I think , and he would have to take evasive action . I would have stayed longer watching their antics , but I was being eaten alive . If John/Go Wild in Kent reads this , I couldn't put your approach theory into practice as there was a ditch between us . Very shortly after moving on and very close to Strawbery Dell Hide , I had another two year firsts , with a sudden burst of song from a Bramble patch , that of the first of at least five Nightingales we heard on the site today . No sooner had he stopped singing , I was 
confronted by a pair of Small Coppers sparring on the wing . In between rounds , I managed another first for the year . Carol then found some caterpillars on a Bramble patch . They turned 
out to be those of the Brown Tail Moth , living in their tent . Fortunately , Carol didn't touch them as they can give you a nasty rash that can last 2/3 days . We found lots more tents on our way round . By the time we reached Hooker Pit we were on to our 3rd.Nightingale , and as we sat listening , a Cuckoo called quite close to us . I made my way to the viewpoint and just before 
getting there , saw the Cuckoo flying low , and managed a shot , just before it flew out of frame . It landed in a Willow , but quickly got low down , but still calling . After a while , it flew out and 
settled briefly at the top of another Willow . From here he disappeared again , but kept calling . It did show once more after a while , but it was part hidden by branches .
We sat waiting to see if it would show better , but it didn't , but what did happen was a Bittern started 'booming' from the large reedbeds around the pit . We still haven't seen a Bittern , but we have heard them booming a couple of times before . On the way back to the visitor centre , a 
very photogenic Sedge Warbler posed for a shot . Almost at the road , Carol spotted a large raptor high in the blue sky , with the binoculars the golden head identified a female Marsh Harrier , unfortunately too high for a shot . Leaving aside common birds seen , we also saw / heard Swallows , Cetti's Warbler , Mediterranean Gulls , Skylarks and Red Legged Partridge . Also seen was my first dragonfly of the season , a freshly emerged Hairy Dragonfly . 
Linnets on the fence line . Where the track turns right onto the roadway used by the Environment Agency lorries , the spot where I usually find Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail , there
was no sign , just a lonely looking Lapwing . Dispondant , we started along the beach road , when a movement out of the corner of my eye , proved to be the Wheatear we had hoped for , a male .
on the Ternery Pool . What with a mix of Terns and Black Headed Gulls on one island and all 
Black Headed Gulls on another , the noise was amazing . Other less common birds seen here 
included Pied Wagtail , Mistle Thrush , Oystercatcher ( pictured ) and House Sparrow , who was waiting to greet us back in the car park .
On the way out this morning , I did a quick lap of the Common on the way . Blackcap (2) and Chiffchaff (3) were still competing in song , and I put up one Blackcap from the Gorse , that might have been on a nest . I think the Long Tailed Tits may have a family now , as I saw both parents to and from the nest . Because of the hazy sunshine , not many butterflies 
were on the wing . The softer light was good for one Peacock that I found warming up .
them females , and nearly every female I saw was egg laying on Buckthorn . Those females that were not actively egg laying were being pursued my one or more males , sometimes numbering four .
Here , the sulphur coloured male attempts to mate with the paler coloured female . I think the 'headache' word was used , as he was unsuccessful , and flew off to meet his mates down the pub . Other species recorded were , Speckled Wood (2) , Green Veined White (3) , Large White (2) , Small White (4) , Orange Tip (2) and Peacock (2) . At one point , standing counting the Brimstones around me , I had , Willow Warbler , Blackcap , Chiffchaff and Robin , all sounding off at once . Other birds recorded included , Jay , Magpie , Woodpigeon , Chaffinch , Wren , Blackbird , Mistle Thrush , Blue and Great Tit . There are several bits of tin lying around the site , and these produced 15/20 Slow Worms and a Short Tailed Field Vole . On leaving , I disturbed a Roe stag , who saw me off the premised with a series of barks .
few shots that I was happier with and this is one of them . I said yesterday , that I would have expected to find Dingy Skipper as well as Grizzled Skipper as they both emerge about the same time . Well , all I could find again today was the Grizzled ,
but then , just before giving up and going home , I found my first Dingy Skipper of the year , albeit looking more like a moth , but once again those clubbed antennae give it away .
Green Veined White , identified as a female by the double spots on each wing , the male just has single spot on each wing . A little further on , I found a female Orange Tip and a Peacock . Then everything went very quiet until I got towards Burnt Gorse , and recorded 3 Speckled Woods in their usual place . On arrival at Burnt Gorse , I quickly added Brimstone , Large White and Comma , together with another couple of Orange Tip males .At the bottom of the slope , I thought I caught sight of a Green Hairstreak , but I didn't see where it landed . Then I saw one land , but it was too quick for a photo . Had the opportunity gone ? Small numbers of all previously sighted species were recorded , and at the far end another Grizzled Skipper . Heading back towards the five bar gate , another flash of green , and this time I was ready for it . In true 
commando style , I crept forward and got my prize . A freshly emerged , pristine , probably male , Green Hairstreak , sorry about the shadow from a blade of grass . Once I photographed this one , I found another 6/10 more , difficult to be accurate as they were so mobile . Also 
recorded was a male Holly Blue , nectaring on a Wayfarer bush . So the transect total was 36 butterflies from 10 species . 
had to photograph it in front of a note book to show the detail , otherwise it would just be lost in the background greenery , and Yellow Archangel-Lamiastrum galeobdolon , a member of the 
Labiate family , those with square stalks , an indicator species of ancient woodland . Higher up , 
the Horse Chestnut tree are coming into flower . Birds recorded on the way round were ; Mistle and Song Thrush , Wren , Blackcap , Blackbird , Green and Gtreat Spotted Woodpecker , Goldfinch , Chaffinch , Blue , Coal and Great Tit , Jackdaw , Carrion Crow , Rose Ringed Parakeet , Stock Dove , Woodpigeon , Nuthatch , Robin , Chiffchaff , Magpie , Jay , Pheasant , Goldcrest , Mallard ( with young ) and Moorhen ( with young ) , 27 species in all . 
A quick lunch back home , then off to 'paradise' , the farm lake . It was obvious straight away , that the Toad spawn , posted a few days ago , has hatched out , and the edges of the lake are 
covered in tadpoles . Also in the shallows , the Bog Bean-Menyanthes trifoliate , has come into 
flower . Amongst the hundreds of Cowslips which grace the banks , I found one different from 
the rest , just like the Primroses at Fackenden Down . I recorded just 3 butterfly species on the site , Orange Tip , Large White and Speckled Wood . Birdwise , I added Rook , Coot ( still with 4 young ) , Skylark , Little Grebe , a pair building their floating nest , unusually out in the open ,
unexpected , especially as I hadn't even got the camera out yet . A bad silhouette shot was all I could manage in the rush . With no sign of reptiles at the first set of refugia , I knew it was going 
to be hard going . As usual , Slow Worms were not backward in coming forward , with 40 animals 
being recorded . The first non Slow Worm reptile recorded , was a Common Lizard , warming up on top of one of the tins . It wasn't until I got to the furthest refugia on the site , that I recorded my first Adder , a male , laying out in the weak sunshine , in a sheltered spot . I went along the track behind the pony shelter , and spotted a very large Grass Snake , but , it spotted me at the same time , and shot off , not to be seen again . On the broad track at the bottom of the site , I once again found Grizzled Skipper , probably 2 , possibly 3 . Also recorded were small numbers of Speckled Wood , Orange Tip , Brimstone and Peacock . Further along the track , much further along than last time , I found 2 Adders , one male and one unknown , as they too disappeared at speed . On the bank , away from the munching ponies , Milkwort 
treated to my first Common Whitethroat , singing his scratchy tune . Also recorded on site were singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff and several singing Skylarks .
Yellowhammer were all we could rustle up , even a female Adder back near the cars didn't hang around . A few attempts to snap a male Orange Tip , and Steve's time was up , and he was back to work , well , someone has to , but it was good to put a face to a name . He won't want to hear it , but as I made my way back to the 
car , I got the only Adder shot today , another male .
sorry to rub it in Steve . On the way home along a lane behind Igtham Moat , I found a plant that I mentioned a while ago . Now that the Lesser Celandine , a member of the Buttercup family is 
finishing , Greater Celandine , a member of the Poppy family is coming into flower , to be found on roadside verges and in hedgerows .
breeding colours . He wasn't phased at all by our presence , and carried on with his business . He was moving parellel to the path we were walking on , and we watched him for a good 3/4 minutes , before moving on . 
It wasn't long before we found another male , sunning himself infront of a tree stump , and not seen immediately , was a large Grass Snake tucked into the vegetation , which took off at speed .
across a meadow , there in front of us , a good 2 mtrs. from cover , was yet another male . He made no effort to get to cover , and gave a great close encounter for all . Plenty of pictures were taken , and then finally , a couple of flicks of the tongue , and at his own pace , made his way to 
cover . This close up shows the beautiful red eye and vertical pupil of the Adder . Both the other British snakes , the Grass and the Smooth , both have round pupils . Around the pond , we found an adult and a sub.adult Grass Snake under a tin refugia . On our way back , the Adder was out again , this time lying on the sunny side of an ant hill . As we recrossed the meadow , a female 
Orange Tip was found resting on the sunny side of a hedge . One further Adder sighting was made near where we parked the cars , and only 25mtrs. from where we had our first sighting , so he could have been the original animal or a new one . Well pleased with what they had seen , and me well pleased that some animals showed up , the Hertfordshire pair set off home . 
luckily I saw where this one landed , and crept up on it , camera in hand . The wingspan of this butterfly is not much bigger than your thumbnail , and the typical clubbed antennae can be seen . More often than not , you find them in this position , rather than with wings closed . On the way back to the car , I stopped to look for any sign of Bird's Nest Orchids . There was 
nothing showing of this year's plants yet , but a seed stalk of one of last year's was still standing , amongst the Hazel coppice stools . And finally , another of my favourite colour combinations .
still singing , but apart from an unseen Blackcap , not a lot else was heard , or seen . Given the conditions , butterflies were few and far between , but even so , 4 Brimstones were recorded , 
along with 2 Peacocks and a first of the year Small White , looking as if it wanted to change it's 
mind in the cool wind . On the heathland area , I found a good sized Slow Worm , who in the cool 
conditions , did not disappear as soon as I got the camera out . The only other thing of interest was a very gravid , pregnant , Common Lizard-Lacerta vivipara , and as the second part of the 
latin name denotes , she will give birth to live young , having produced eggs , but kept them internally , exactly the same as the Adder . 
Woods were scrapping for the best spot , where sunshine was piercing the ever enveloping canopy . A total of 5 very fresh insects were recored here . A bit further along , I had another 
chance to photograph a male Brimstone on Bluebells , the two colours going so well together . This was one of 8/10 , all males , recorded on site . Finally , we got to Burnt Gorse , and in the sheltered conditions , I was hoping for a Grizzled Skipper or early Green Hairstreak . Lots of Bee Flies greeted us , but all those I looked closely at were Common , still no sign of Spotted for me . My attention was drawn away from the Bee Flies by a fly past male Orange Tip butterfly . It 
headed straight to the bottom , wettest , part of the site , closely persued by me and the camera . Eventually , he came to rest on a Violet , and gave the photo opportunity . I carried on looking for the Skipper or Hairstreak , when I was presented with a delima , do I photograph the Holly Blue that has just landed in front of me , or do I chase down the female Orange Tip that had just 
passed me . I went for the female Orange Tip , and soon after , I got the shot . I added a few more , when the male appeared , and attempted to mate with her . From the body language , she 
told him that she had a headache , so he just folded his wings and sulked in front of her . Also recorded were 5 Peacocks . 
well , and they seem to be much more numberous this year , but no sign yet of any Fly Orchids . Just before the car park , we found a good stand of Toothwort , in amongst the Wood 
Anemonies . When we got home , Carol got her cup of tea , and as we sat on the patio in the sun , a male Orange Tip paid the garden a visit . I folowed it down the garden , but it didn't stop for a 
shot , but on the Berberis Darwinii , I noticed another visitor , a male Holly Blue , identified as a male by the small amount of dark marking on the edge of the forewing . Also in the garden were 2 Speckled Woods , fighting of course , and a first of the year Large White .
of moss , up to this one with six eggs already laid . Fortunately , the birds will be finished with the boxes before the Dormice need them for their families . 
males were what some people call 'silverbacks' , as their colouring is an off white and black combination . One 'slough' the shed skin of a snake was found on the Juniper patch .
On the way round , I found my first Orchid in flower bud . It is the Common 
Twayblade , so called because of it's two leaves . It is probably the least colourful of all the Orchids , as it's flowers are green like the leaves and stem , but always good to see . Also found flowering were , Billberry
came in with about 8/10 , including this one feeding on Bluebells . Three Orange Tip males were recorded , none stopping for a photo , two Green Veined Whites , and just a single Comma .
, and found that one plant had a flower spike , and the first flowers were just opening .
Germander Speedwell .
As I took this shot of them , they all decided en mass , to leave the premises . A total of 4 Adders were recorded , none of them under refugia , and amongst them , my first female of the season on this site . I found her lying right in the corner of one of the corrugated tins .
Unfortunately , he saw me before I could get in position for a clear shot , and went for cover . Looking at the two animals , it can be seen that the zig-zag markings on the male , are much more defined than those on the female . Also , the females tend to be this warm brown colour , but there are always the ones that don't comply to the norm . 
edge of a hedgeline . Also found in the hedgeline was Greater Stitchwort , a member of the Pink 
family . Later on , Lesser Stichwort will be found in similar places . Even though the growing 
period is only just beginning , some of the grasses have already started to produce seed heads . In the more shaded areas , the first flowering spikes of Lords and Ladies-Arum maculatum .
the Bedstraw family , is coming into flower . Butterflies were few and far between , but in the odd sheltered spots , I recorded 7 Peacock , 1 Brimstone , and first of the year , 3 Speckled 
Woods , two of them already engaged in an arial territorial battle . Birdwise it was nothing unusual , with 3 singing Blackcaps , 2 singing Chiffchaffs and several Skylaks being of note .
were joined by one of the resident Robins who helped me with my sandwiches , and also by the 
female Blackbird , who has a nest a couple of gardens along .
Canada Geese , 2 Coot with 4 young ( could only get 3 of the young in the shot , sorry to rub it in Warren) , a pair of Little Grebe , a pair of Moorhen and a fly over of 4 Mallard . Walking round , with just the occassional passing car , it was once again , like paradise . The list of birds seen/heard grew and grew . 5 Green Woodpecker , Mistle Thrush , 3 Skylark , 3 Magpie , 2 Carrion Crow , 3 Robin , 2 Chaffinch ,Nuthatch , 5 Pheasant ,2 Jackdaw , 2 Long Tailed Tit , 3 Goldfinch , 2 Great Tit , Jay , Wren , Blackbird , and of course 2 Rose Ringed Parakeets , and I had just missed a Common Buzzard before I arrived .
bloom , whilst others have gone to seed , and are making their pappus seed heads . As they come to the end of their time , Cowslips are beginning theirs , with large swathes of yellow covering the
banks . In one bay , the first flowers are showing on the Bog Bean-Menyanthes trifoliata .
the more strings of spawn I could see . Just one Peacock and a first of the year Green Veined White , were the only butterflies recorded on site .
Heath , this one a male with the feathery antennae . I'm glad to say that the Long Tailed Tit nest is still intact , but the problem time comes when constant arriving and departing with food for the nestlings , draws attention to it's position . Heard/seen on the Common were at least two 
singing Blackcaps and 3 singing Chiffchaffs . Butterfly sightings were , 4 Peacock , 6 Brimstones ( including 1 egg laying female ) and one male Orange Tip .
whereas the gills on St.George's are whitish .
family . The flower stalk can be seen on the right , and the fruit , a red berry will follow .
hatching in the next few days . Normally , eggs laid at this time of year take just over a week to hatch . Of course , the Purple Hairstreak eggs , laid last Autumn , have had to survive all that Winter could throw at them , and survive over a much longer time . This particular egg is the 
one I have posted a couple of times since it was laid , I hope it makes it all the way . It is reckoned that if an adult female butterfly lays 50 eggs , 20/40 of them will hatch into caterpillars , 10 of those will become chrysalis and only 2/3 will make it to adulthood . The weather , parasites and predation by birds and insects , all taking their toll . Of course , the Brimstone caterpillars will be around when many of the birds have hungry mouths to feed .
flower , and I can confirm that all the leaves are in situ , and not in backpain sufferer's waistbands . Unfortunately , also found were flowers of the Spanish Bluebell , no doubt dumped 
in garden waste on the site . These lighter coloured , larger bells , will cross pollinate with the native Bluebells , and produce a hybrid species .
that of W.G.Grace . Around the corner from the cemetery is a pub named after him . The other 
grave found today was that of Frederick Wolseley , and those of a certain age will remember the cars produced by his Company , and the Police who drove them . I learnt something today , in that he also invented the sheep shearing machine used by Bruce in all those Australian films .
one , if not two singing Willow Warblers , a poor shot of one of them , a single Swallow , Reed Bunting and Jackdaw . On the way round , we found Blackthorn coming into leaf now that the 
flowers are nearly finishing . Tucked way amongst the long grass along one of the drainage 
ditches , Lesser Periwinkle-Vinca minor , is already in flower .
host of insects , which will then be predated upon by birds and others , to feed their new families when then come along . Will the old saying come true , 'Oak before Ash , in for a splash' ?Following the small stream , the Chaffinch Brook , back towards the lake , we added Blue , Great and Long Tailed Tits , along with several more singing Wrens , they seemed to be everywhere . The hoped for Kingfisher and an early Whitethroat at it's favoured scrub area did not materialise . Flowering along the track was Jack by the Hedge or Garlic 
Mustard-Alliaria petiolata , a member of the Cabbage family , and used along with Ladies Smock as a food plant by the Orange Tip butterfly . At the lake , we added Canada Geese , Tufted 
Duck , Mallard , Coot and Moorhen , and just before leaving Sparrowhawk circling above in a 
threatening sky . Just inside the gate , on our way out was Summer Snowflake-Leucojum 
aestivum , a member of the Daffodil family . Once again , as the park is surrounded by houses , it is difficult to know if this is a true wild plant , or a cultivated specimen that has been dumped there . 
keep in contact . Eventually , a male came to the feeder , and I got a shot from the back bedroom window . With that , I went down to the car port , and got a shot of a female - just before the 
camera batteries went flat . It was the last photo chance of the day , but I think she was taking 'feeding in the garden' a bit far , when she used the back of one of the patio chairs to sit on .
was also bringing feathery type materials , so the nest might be nearing completion .
a male Dunnock , surveying all he owns , 
a male Greenfinch , checking no one is looking before he feeds ,
the jelly , having being eaten by the newly emerged . 
often found on waste land , is in flower . A superb little blue flower with a white eye , like most of the rest of the Borage family. 
Finally , I know in this world that we live in , it is not 'PC' to say anyone is 'backward' , but I can't think of any other way to describe this Squirrel . 
further forward that those I have seen in other places . In amongst the Bluebells I found one of 
the indicators of ancient woodland , Yellow Archangel , a member of the Labiate family , which will be in bloom before too long . There was also Red Campion , well on it's way to flowering . The bottom of the field that we were working in has a small steam running by , and along it's banks 
were large swathes of Golden Saxifrage , here interspersed with Lesser Celandine . Another 
blaze of yellow was provided by the Marsh Marigold , a member of the Buttercup family . The damp conditions provides great habitat for Cuckoo Flower or Ladies Smock , a member of the Cabbage family , and sure enough it grows in profusion on both banks . Usually the flowers are 
lilac coloured like these being fed on by a Bee Fly ( not the Spotted but the more common Bombylius major ) , but white specimens can be found too . 
this male up and down the track , and although the sun is bleaching out the colour , it is another first for me this year . Talking of year firsts , on arrival at the site this morning , and before chainsaws and tractors drowned out the birdsong , I had a Willow Warbler singing in the grounds of Ightam Moat , but it didn't hang around when all the noise started . 
down the garden , when Carol asked , 'what's that bird on the feeder' ? I looked over , and saw a male Redpoll in breeding plumage . It stayed for a while , but was then chased off by Greenfinches . I got the camera and waited in the carport to see if he returned , and he did . He 
landed on the trellis behind the feeders , and showed off his plumage in the evening sunshine .
was this male that saw me as I saw him , sunning himself by the side of the path , then exiting , stage left , at a good rate of knots . On a previous visit , a local couple told me that they see Adders on the side of this path quite regularly . I have been checking , but this is the first sighting of the animals in this location .Slow Worms did better , with 14 being recorded , 
including these two nicely coloured ones . No Grass Snakes were found , but a couple of Common 
Lizards did put in an appearance .
reserve . Whilst taking this , very close , I heard the mewing of Buzzard . I crept further along the track and found a Jay doing a perfect impression of a Buzzard , much to my disappointment . I also recorded my second Swallow , and whilst watching that , had a large bird stoop from a great height , coming down just below Poll hill Bank , but too far to identify .Also seen , Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker , and singing Yellowhammer and Chiffchaff .
already opened . The leaves of many of the chalk grassland flowers are really pushing through now , which makes me wonder why the two ponies are still grazing the furthest field , especially as that is the most productive for Orchids . Apart from Dandelions , the only colour on the slopes is that from the blue of Ground Ivy ,
Primrose colour , then one pink one . In the hedgerows , the Spindle, with it's ribs along the 
stems , is shooting well , and will produce those beautiful fruits in the Autumn . 
Ladybird larva , this is in fact a Glow Worm larva . I have seen the females lighting up in the Summer , but it is my first sighting of the larva stage . It was about 2 cms. long .
posted yesterday , and feeding on it was a female Brimstone . Was this a sign of good luck I asked myself . Leaving the wooded area and walking on the heathland area , the wind had started to pick up , and the odd cloud loomed into sight . I sat on a log pile and waited , and my wait was rewarded with a female flying in , being buffeted by the freshening breeze . She flew around checking every tree and shrub , disregarding everything , until she found Buckthorn . Then , she layed about 6/8 eggs , mostly on seperate branch ends . This was followed by fluttering down to the ground , exhausted , whilst she prepared more eggs . Then she would lay that batch . After 3/4 batches , she headed for the Gorse , to feed before carrying on . By the time I left her , she must have layed approximately 75/100 eggs . As the old saying goes ' Third time lucky ' .
I thought at the time that it was just one egg , but when I enlarged the shot at home , there are in fact three eggs on the branch . Not the greatest shots . but the wind was making everything very mobile .
appeared once , just to make sure things were going well , before going down the pub with the lads . The ringed Jackdaw seemed to take a close interest in all the activity , but I don't think 
there are any problems , at this stage . The soft early morning light caught the contrast in plumage nicely , I thought . Also interested , was one of the garden's resident Dunnocks , but not 
interested enough to show it's face .
time , so the half hour I spent searching didn't matter . Eventually , I managed to find two eggs which are layed on or very close to the freshly emerging leaves of the Buckthorn , they are the two white dots about middle picture horizontally . Hopefully , after a few days , the caterpillars will hatch of these eggs , and their food will be right in front of them .
Close up , they look like a torpedo shaped sea urchin . The cloud cover built through the day , but the softer light , without the strong sunlight , enabled richer colours in the subjects photographed .
probably arrived here when a seed , having passed through the gut of a bird , fell to the ground and germinated . In the car park itself , Common Comfrey , a member of the Borage family , is 
getting ready to flower . This one will be cream , but they can be mauve as well .
Blue Tits have decided to take up residence in the nest box on the side of the garage , just 
outside the kitchen window , no problem . But then , a male Wren decides to take up residence in 
the Ivy further along the garage wall , and to deposit some nesting materials , and see if he can attract a female . Unfortunately , both consider the area to be 'their's' . So every time the Blue Tits bring nesting materials to their box , the Wren kicks off with a 'violation of space' row . Very 
rarely was there time to rest and take account of things . Likewise , when the male Wren tries to attract a female , by singing and doing the 'wing fluttering' bit , the Blue Tits kick off and try to escort him 'beyond the Parish boundary' , as another Blogger would 
say . Sometimes it was necessary to check 'what's happening outside' , before leaving the new residence . So , all morning it went on , and I must admit that I was pleased when the sun came out after lunch , and I got away from it all , up onto the Common . 
took it in turns to have aerial battles that wouldn't have looked out of place in the Battle of Britain . Not a good shot by any means , but the speed and aerial ability was just incredible . Mainly it was one against one , but occasionally , all three got stuck in . When it was just two 
involved , the third one got his breath back resting on the area that they were all fighting over . Not far away , I came across my first female Brimstone of the season . I watched her fly by ,
much paler , almost white in colouration , and she came to rest on the woodland floor , looking almost green at rest in the shade . Later on I saw another female ovipositing on Buckthorn , the food plant of the species . I thought I had managed to get a shot of her in action , but when I looked later , the camera had focused on the closer branches , and she was just a blurr behind . I shall have another go at that shot . 
neighbour's roof . Mind you , they probably consider it as their's , as this pair of Jackdaws are nesting in one of the chimneys .
Sycamore that had stood proudly in the orchard for many a year , and that I had often looked at , was just a pile of logs on the ground . On previous visits , I had noticed that the trunk looked more like a London Plane than a Sycamore because of it's flaky bark . Always sad to see a tree go , but given the expected rise in visitors , a tree survey must have shown it as decayed . That 
was an understatement when I looked at the remains , just above ground level . As usual , I have placed a 35mm. film cannister in the middle front of the remains to guage size , and to show just how much rot existed internally in what looked a sound tree from the outside .
and were sitting it out hoping for a better afternoon . Having read Simon's / Mote Park posting regarding Toothwort last Friday , I was sure I would find some as it is regularly found on this site , and I wasn't disappointed .
scales , which are the same soft pink colour as the flowers . Often found in hedgrows and normally on Hazel , but also uses other hosts such as Blackthorn and Holly . I was glad to get back to the warmth of the car , and reflected that the November visit was not as cold as today .
Reptiles were few , but I did find two female Adders laying out together . As can be seen , the females have a warmer colouring than the males and the zig-zag marking is less defined . Although it cannot be seen , the females are also larger than the males . Birdwise , Chiffchaffs seemed to be singing everywhere , and I managed a couple of shots of a couple of them .
Only other point of interest was an unexpected sighting of a female Redpoll , feeding in a Larch , 
but she obviously didn't want to be recognised .
refugia , and another couldn't make it's mind up whether it wanted to be recorded . on , under , 
or near the refugia . The other four were close to refugia , and my favourite was a male sunning 
himself in a fissure on a fallen tree . 
the furthest field , a male Kestrel was perching , and then making dives into the long grass , before returning back to it's perch . He was so intent on what he was doing , at one stage , he alighted on the top of the small tree that I was standing next to , trying to get shots of him . If you ever wondered what the back end of a male Kestrel looks like ---
Just after taking this , he looked down , saw me and shot off down the other end of the field . 
Butterflies were few and far between , but I did record Brimstone , Peacock , Comma and my first Small Tortoisshell of the year , but it didn't stop for a photo . I decided to go on to Bough Beech on the strength of Warren's news , that the Ladies Smock was in flower , and hoped for an early Orange Tip . I went directly to the furthest end of the reserve from the Oast House , where Ladies Smock grows in abundance , both along the hedgelines and in the adjacent wood . No sooner did I get out of the car , when I heard Buzzards calling . From the field corner , I could 
see four Common Buzzards drifting overhead on the thermals . The views only lasted seconds before they lifted higher and drifted out of sight . No Orange Tips were found even though the Ladies Smock was indeed in full flower , but whilst looking in the adjacent wood , for the second day running , I put up Deer , but this time what looked like a herd of females , including two pure white animals . They were of in a flash before I could get the camera out , but I did get a distant 
shot through the trees of one of the white animals . Walking back to the car , I was serenaded by 
at least three singing Chiffchaffs , and then a Blackcap burst into song from the middle of a thorn 
bush . I know it is a terrible shot , but he wasn't prepared to move out of the bush , so I took this as a record of my first singing Blackcap of the year . Before getting back in the car , I had a look over the hedge across the reservoir . Cormorants seemed to have taken over all the floating 
islands , but a Grey Heron was diligently fishing in the shallows . A final look aroung the field edge confirmed that no Orange Tips were around , but I did find a Comma feeding on Goat 
Willow and a Peacock pretending to be a dead leaf , resting on the ground .
