I have not updated my Personal Diary for 3 years. Because of the Covid situation we reduced our activities considerably but still managed to see some great nature sightings once the Stay at Home instruction was lifted. I did however decide to reduce the time spent on paperwork and my diary. Hopefull...

Hi Allan W. Very pleased you managed to get a ground photo of the Large Tortiseshell. It had remained stubbornly high feeding on the Sallow blossom for about 30 minutes before you arrived before it disappeared. As far as I know this was only the 2nd time this particular LT had been seen. We (family)...

Hi Goldie. I saw 19 Heath Fritillaries at East Blean Woods today after midday. I found the best spot was the footpath that runs parallel to the road to the left of the entrance to the car park. Plently of Ringlets in the same area. Excellent amount of Cow Wheat throughout the wood. Dave Heath Fritil...

Hi Goldie. You haven't updated for a while so I hope everything is alright. I expect you have been busy with moving in. Please beware of the Queen of Spain fritillary sightings quite near you, at Walmer (Kent). They have been around for a couple of weeks or so, maybe not many more suitable days left...

I correct a comment in my earlier post when I said that I believe they were first found on the 18th of September. It now appears that someone first saw and photograhed one on the 29th August, since when numbers have increased. Hence why some are worn whilst others look fresh.

A few photos from Thursday's visit to the Queen of Spain Fritillaries at Walmer(kent). Some are more worn than others suggesting that some at least had been present for a several days. I believe they were first found on the 18th or 19th of September. I never managed to get a decent photo of the unde...

In reply to Lawts. How would you rate the chance of success tomorrow? No news for two days now, but presumably due to the weather down there at the moment. There has been 2 days of rain on the East Kent coast so maybe no one looking. Tomorrow's weather is predicted to be much better. With at least 9...

TR36097/50365 will take you to start of the footpath. Nearest postcode CT14 9JN. Its actually only a 10 minute walk from Walmer station for anyone using public transport. One thing to note is limited car parking actually at the crossroads. Otherwise park near station and walk down.

Queen of South location is easy enough to find. Turn left off the main Dover to Deal road heading west towards Ellen Road and go past Walmer Railway Station. Where the housing ends you are on a country lane, after about 500m you approach a crossroads. Park sensibly here. The field is on your right, ...

Hi Goldie, I went to Bonsai Bank on Monday and can confirm that no work has been done to the entrance track. It is not deep rutted, infact it is as hard and level as always. Easy to walk, just the distance involved, probably between 800-1000 yds. Well worth it though with at least 11 Dukes, 21 Dingy...

R e; the entrance to Bonsai bank (Denge wood ) just had a look at Daves directions and i reckon that we,re both talking of the same entrance, but Daves coming from the opposite direction ,because the entrance that i,m talking about is also at the Waltham end of Tar pot lane ...............i may have...

Hi Goldie. I am not sure that you do have the right area at Denge Wood. I was there a couple of weeks ago and the track was not deep rutted then. Of course things could change quickly but the very deep rutted track was the small parking area at the Canterbury end of the wood. The best track to Bonsa...

Hi Goldie. Can't comment on Lydden/ Temple Ewell but we did not see any Adonis Blues at Wye NNR this weekend. Still plenty of Chalkhill Blues about. Wall Browns in decent numbers. Surprising few Common Blues seen. Silver Washed Fritillaries still in Orlestone Forest (Hamstreet), although many past t...

Hi Goldie.
The Dukes are now out at Bonsai Bank. We saw 4 late morning. I have sent you a PM.
Dave

Whoops. Think you are right Neil. Common Heath. Looked at the photo too quickly.

Hi Goldie. Pleased you had a good day at Brook (part of Wye NNR). The moth you saw is a Latticed Heath. Sorry you had a little trouble finding the Reserve. I will PM you a Map Reference for the small car park (which I suspect you found) and the area where I normally see most of the Green Hairstreaks...

It reached a scorching high of 13 degrees as we arrived at Samphire Hoe (near Dover) today. With periods of overcast skies at times we were not expecting too much, but pleasantly surprised to see a Clouded Yellow at the Folkestone end where the concrete wall ends adjacent to the cliff. Apparently we...

Hi Goldie. I visited Brook again today in a brief period of sunshine. Still at least 8 Green Hairstreaks about. Most close to the path and some close enough/ suitable for photographs. Also the 3 Dingy Skippers still, again next to the footpath. Didn't see the Wall Brown today but many Orange Tips, B...

Goldie, I have done Brook (see Allan's post) near Wye several times recently on suitable days. Still hard work but I have seen a maximum of 15 Green Hairstreaks, only 1 Wall Brown, 3 Dingy Skippers. Still decent numbers of Orange Tips and Brimstones. Grizzled Skippers are not recorded here, or at le...

Hi Goldie. Beaware that one or two changes have taken place in Kent recently. Not for the better, but considering the large number of people visiting some of the reserves, and the recent cuts in grant funding, Kent Wildlife Trust have introduced Charges in most of their car parks. This is enforced b...