With clouds rolling in on the wind , I went for a look around Spring Park pond , but found things very quiet , apart from a couple of Common Darters and a few Azure Damselflies . A few butterflies were found down in the grass , and whilst trying to photograph a Small Copper , which I never did manage because of the wind , a female Emperor Dragonfly landed , or 
probably was blown , onto the vegetation close by , and I could see that she was carrying 
something . She got blown round by the wind , and the prey that she was carrying , looked like a 
Honey Bee from the abdomen . Spinning round her perch , she made short work of the Bee , then
spent some time resting or digesting her meal , before , once again , being blown off , to land 
even closer . With a bit of sun shining through , she moved to make the most of the warmth , 
providing a top view . She seemed to take no notice at all of my presence , and eventually I got 
the lens as close as it would focus , about a foot away from the labium , the extraordinary hinged , extending mechanism , which it uses to catch it's food . Shortly afterwards , she flew to 
land on some floating vegetation on the pond , before heading for the trees as the first spits of rain were felt .
I turned to return to the car , and was shocked to find that in the hour or so I had been at the
pond , a group of travellers had set up camp behind the car park , containing my car , and I hadn't heard or seen a thing . Fortunately two Police cars were already in attendance , and my car was OK when I reached it .
probably was blown , onto the vegetation close by , and I could see that she was carrying something . She got blown round by the wind , and the prey that she was carrying , looked like a Honey Bee from the abdomen . Spinning round her perch , she made short work of the Bee , then spent some time resting or digesting her meal , before , once again , being blown off , to land even closer . With a bit of sun shining through , she moved to make the most of the warmth , providing a top view . She seemed to take no notice at all of my presence , and eventually I got the lens as close as it would focus , about a foot away from the labium , the extraordinary hinged , extending mechanism , which it uses to catch it's food . Shortly afterwards , she flew to land on some floating vegetation on the pond , before heading for the trees as the first spits of rain were felt .I turned to return to the car , and was shocked to find that in the hour or so I had been at the
pond , a group of travellers had set up camp behind the car park , containing my car , and I hadn't heard or seen a thing . Fortunately two Police cars were already in attendance , and my car was OK when I reached it . By the time I got home , the much needed rain was lashing down , but now the sun is out again , sucking back up all that moisture .
Small Red-eyed Damselfly at the Farm lake . Apart from obvious size difference , identified by blue on underside of the segment , immediately in front of the all blue one .
Also at the Farm lake , two Black-tailed Skimmers , in the ring . Only problem , both are in male colours . I also have a shot of the female (male) , ovipositing . Will have to contact someone regarding this pair .
In an outhouse at my Warden's place , found this large moth , caught up in spiders webs . I 
didn't recognise it at first , but when it closed it's wings , it was easier . I placed the Buff Tip outside in the log store , to await evening .
Also found this Light Emerald , with blood red spots on the angles of the wings . Some of the species , like this one , also have red line joining the two spots along the back of the fore and hind wings .
Another that I think I have identified , is this Scalloped Oak . 
But am going to need some help with this one , Dean . 
Help also needed please with this colourfully winged insect . 
other passer by , to broadcast their seeds , to ensure another blue carpet next year . As we brushed by , the sound of the seeds being thrown from their pods could be heard all around .
an equal 6 Slow Worms , without a single Common Lizard or Grass Snake .
But the stars of the day were the Dormice . In one box , we found two young specimens , 'Pinkies' with no fur and still with closed eyes , probably no more than 2/3 days old , together 
with their very active mother , hence no hand held shots , but no sign of the father .
getting more active by the second .
to colour up , and probably about ten days old , still with closed eyes .
A very active Red Admiral , feeding frenziedly on a cream coloured Buddleia .
One of several freshly emerged Brimstones , this one a male .
Silver Washed Fritillary number have not risen since last weekend , recording just 10 , including this female , one of two found , the second being courted .
Another very fresh emergent , Comma .
Yet again , I put up a Roe Deer at Burnt Gorse , this time a Buck .
A change from Common , this time Musk Mallow-Malva moschata .
On the way back to the car , a moth on it's food plant Elm , Clouded Magpie .
photograph whilst waiting , including a very fresh Holly Blue , a first sighting of the second brood 
for me . I must admit that the numbers of White Admiral seen on both visits to this site is very 
high , and when a single Silver Washed Fritillary showed up , it made us feel at home , as if we were at High Elms . As I walked the path for the umpteenth time , the strong wind blew a small moth to the ground in front of me . It turned out to be one I know , having posted it before , 
Pyraustra purpuralis .m I don't know if it was the same one as last time , but a very agile Red 
Admiral spent ages , charging up and down the path . A couple of very fresh Large Whites were 
also recorded , this one , a male , identified as such as the are no black spots showing on the top forewing , and as a Large by the more extensive black tips to the wings than the Small .
albeit , not the wanted shot on the ground . Immediately after the shutter operated , he flew off back towards the top of the Master Tree . When Keith returned , he had had a couple of sightings of his own , which was good . We were then joined by another enthusiast , Phil from Dover , who had also read of the sightings on Adam's /East Malling , Ditton & Barming blog . The two chaps from Canterbury left shortly afterwards , but we started to get more sightings , and 
more photo opportunities , but still high up and with that strong wind blowing . Phil , good meeting you , left to head for Lullingstone for the Dark Green Fritillaries , and as sightings slowed again , we had a last walk further down the track , and on the way back to the car , found 
this feisty specimen on the path , Devil's Coach Horse-Staphylinus olens , a member of the Rove Beetle family .
was a dead leaf off the tree , but it proved to be a moth , I think , by it's shape and how it folds it's wings , of the Footman family ? Over to you Dean . 
shots on the ground , I did manage a few record shots , bad ones , but enough to confirm the species . As can be seen , one had wing damage , probably due to fighting , or hopefully mating .
A very flighty , fresh Red Admiral , that wouldn't let me get within 5 metres ,
A very fresh Peacock , that would not open it's wings ,
And amongst the Bramble , a Light Emerald moth , I believe .
species of flies , including this little one , no bigger than a house fly , with fantastic eyes .
tripod , I managed a few shots of it perched on the tripod head . I kept swatting it away from my hands , just as well , as when I identified it later at home , it was one of the Horse Flies-Chrysops relictus , and would probably have given a good bite .
the car park , a very fresh Comma was hope for just one more sunny interval .
