It was a cloudy & cool visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromers Wood, there was even the briefest of showers. Only 2 Robin & a Green Woodpecker heard. 3 species of butterfly seen along with an Early Bumblebee. I couldn’t get good enough views of 2 moths, one might have been a Speckled Yellow.

A hot & humid lunchtime visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Ashford Warren. Goldcrest, Nuthatch & Wren heard with a couple of Woodpigeon seen. Merlin kept saying the seep-seep calls were Spot Fly. I’ll check later this week. A male Demoiselle was to far away for an ID. A couple of photos to ID later

An afternoon walk down Oare Creek & back in hot but windy conditions. Arrived at high tide so only a couple of BHG & a LBBG on the creek. An immature Water Rail in the reeds of a dyke, a wind blown Clouded Yellow & a Moon Jellyfish were all year ticks. On the return leg Yellow Wag & Linnet added

A brief walk down Milton Creek whilst waiting for new tyres. The tide was out, 3 Lapwing on muddy creek sides are uncommon. Mallard swam/ walked up the creek. The lake is about a foot lower. A Little Grebe were identifiable in the morning light. A couple of Whites about, hoverflies on flowers to ID

A purple day @kentwildlife.bsky.social Ashford Warren & Hoades Wood as a Purple Hairstreak (lifer) landed on brambles beside me as I was scanning for possible Spotted Flycatchers that Merlin suggested. No Spot Fly’s but more than compensated. Possible Buzzard (fledgling?) constantly calling.

Another hot sunny visit to the heathland plot at Eureka Park, Ashford this lunchtime. Unseen House Martins heard overhead, a couple House Sparrows & a Blue Tit on the berry ladened brambles the only birds recorded. 2 Common Carder also on bramble flowers. Found a few new caterpillars on Ragwort

A brief wander through Cheney Wood, Rodmersham this afternoon. Only a Wren & Green Woodpecker definitely heard although Merlin suggested the constant seep seep call was a Spotted Flycatcher. Without a sighting it is only a possible. 2 Meadow Brown’s & a Brimstone also seen with a couple of Whites

Morning @britishspiders.bsky.social . I took this photo yesterday in Ashford, Kent and posted it on the British Spider Identification Facebook page. The reply I’ve had says it is a Nigma flavescens. Looking on line this seems a rare species? Both I load into Irecord, is the ID correct? Thank you

A cooler & cloudy visit to the heathland plot at Eureka Park, Ashford today. A Coal Tit was calling as I arrived & apart from some House Sparrows calling the Gorse & 2 House Martins overhead, bird wise quiet. 3 Gatekeepers flew over the parched grass where 32 Cinnabar caterpillars fed on Ragwort

Whilst in Cornwall & Devon, I may have added to my natural history library! I think that 1912 was the oldest book I bought.

A fantastic rib trip out to the Ederson Lighthouse, Looe, Cornwall this morning. On the way out we stopped at 2 feeding frenzy’s with Gannets of varying ages + gulls & c20 Common Dolphins (to within a metre). Risso Dolphin & Shearwaters (most likely Manx) also seen. Just a lovely natural spectacle

Not been recording, as we are on holiday, but for a lifer (Goldenring Dragonfly) hanging from a bird feeder about a metre away I’ll make an exception. Near Looe, Cornwall. Next to get a Kent tick!

Currently enjoying Cornwall and a cider flavoured lolly

A very hot visit to the baked heathland plot at Eureka Park, Ashford. The Deptford Pinks are now in flower on the edge of the plot. A House Martin overhead & a male Blackbird heading into the shade of a Bramble seen. More Gatekeepers about & possible distant Meadow Browns. A challenging bee to ID.

Another hot & humid visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Ashford Warren & Hoades Wood. More hoverflies on the wing and my second Little Shipefly after yesterday’s lifer. Blackbird, LTT & Blue heard today along with 2 Blackcap and at least one Chiffchaff. No GSW today. #kentbirding #kentnature

Another hot lunchtime walk, so headed to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Ashford Warren & Hoades Wood. A Great Spot Woodpecker was seen, 2 Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Stock Dove heard. A few White butterflies on the wing but didn’t settle. 2 diptera are hopefully lifers. A Moorhen was heard in the small stream

A visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Oare Meadow this afternoon in sunny & hot weather. The flowering Yarrow attracted a varied assortment of insects. 2 Buzzards had an aerial tussle before flying off. House Sparrow were constantly calling from cover. A Beewolf was a surprise. Brown Argus year tick.

As my son was playing cricket nearby, a first visit to Knole Park NT, Sevenoaks. Looked great but avian wise quiet, except for noisy Ringed-necked Parakeets! No warblers, but 3 Stock Dove, Blackbird & Wren heard. Jackdaw & Carrion Crow around a herd of Fallow Deer. Meadow Brown & Small Copper seen

A new genus of Spider found in the garden today, Dysdera. 2 very similar species in the family according to the WildGuides book. Also known as Woodlouse Spider. #kentnature @britishspiders.bsky.social

Another hot lunchtime walk @kentwildlife.bsky.social Ashford Warren & Hoades Wood KWT. 2 each of Chiffchaff & Blackcap heard along with single Blue Tit, Jay & Wren. Fewer insects about, mainly flies but lifers in Poplar Sober moth & Woody Nightshade. #kentbirding #kentnature

Just found at home in Sittingbourne

The June Stones Farm CP wildlife survey was hot but windy. Karen found the highlight, the sites first Shrill Carder. A pair of House Martins around were also good. Marbled White & Ringlet were confirmed but plenty of Skippers to ID. 2 Sp of Longhorn Beetle noted. Barn Swallows around the paddock.

A hot & humid brief visit to the @kentwildlife.bsky.social Hothfield Common Triangle. Enchanters Nightshade, Scarlet Pimpernel & Rosebay Willowherb are now in flower. Few birds calling, only Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Blackbirds & Wren. A couple of Whites flew past without stopping & 2 Meadow Browns.

A hot lunchtime visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromers Wood. Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Blackcap & Blackbird heard & a Magpie seen. A few female Darters about & Hawkers at the intersection. The Red Admirals were feisty, circling close a few times. 2 Silver-washed Fritillaries tussled along a ride

Sought the comparative shelter of @kentwildlife.bsky.social Ashford Warren & Hoades Wood. The wood was muggy as the previous day’s rain evaporated. 3 each of Chiffchaff, Blackcap heard. Wood Sage, Hedge Woundwort in flower. A few hoverflies & a couple of Common Wasps on bramble flowers.

Following the early morning thunderstorms, my lunchtime visit to the heathland plot was in high humidity. First House Martin’s were heard but unseen, Linnet & Greenfinch amongst the Gorse. A Pantaloon Bee was a year tick, as is the robberfly. Marbled & Green-veined Whites & Meadow Brown noted.

An evening walk at Mintching & Kingsdown Wood, Milstead. A Sweet Chestnut wood being coppiced, at least 4 Song Thrush in song. 3 Blackcap & Blackbird, Blue Tit & Wren also heard. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth (yt) fed on Marsh Thistle. One coppiced ride had 100’s of flowering Foxgloves & Marsh Thistles

A multi-coloured lunchtime walk @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromers Wood. A Silver-washed Fritillary, White & Red Admirals, Meadow Browns & Green-veined Whites all seen along with Scarlet Pimpernel. Blackbird, Blackcap & Green Woodpecker all heard. At the path intersection, hawkers tirelessly circled.

A pair of Med Gulls drifting over were the avian highlight although a male Linnet is a handsome sight. The brambles that were sheltered from the strong wind were busy with insects. Majority of bumblebees were Buff-tailed. Found a pair of Wool Carder (lifer). Quite a few butterfly species also seen.

A brief visit to Queenbrough on the way to the beach hut this afternoon The Medway was re flooding the Swale, pushing the BHG, Shelduck, Curlew & Oystercatchers slowly towards us. 4 Little Terns constantly flew along the tide line, diving into the shallows. Peacock & Red Admiral along the sea wall.