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

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

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

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

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

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

Just found at home in Sittingbourne

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 couple of spiders found at the beach hut. One seems to be a Noble False Widow & a Zygiella x-notata am I correct @britishspiders.bsky.social? #kentnature #kentbirding

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.

A hot morning for the June Milton Creek wildlife survey. At least 38 Marbled White seen on the route, first Ringlet’s of the year. A calling Lesser Whitethroat, the avain highlight. Matt brought a pheromone lure & we recorded 3 6-belt Clearwing. Karen caught a Shrill Carder. 5 dragonfly sp also

A hot lunchtime walk around @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromers Wood before the rain came in. A butterfly day with good, close extended views of Silver-washed Fritillary & White Admiral. Meadows Browns & a couple of Whites on the wing. The cross path section had a few darters flying above head height

A warm but windy visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromers Wood. Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Blackbird & Wren all heard. A few butterflies species seen with Meadow Brown the most numerous. Duelling Speckled Wood, a Red Admiral & a Painted Lady also noted. A Harvestman to ID later.

A hot, sunny lunchtime visit to the heathland plot at Eureka Park, Ashford. With the Gorse & Broom now gone to seed. the brambles are the main pollen source. Blackbird, Song Thrush & Chiffchaff constantly calling. A Linnet called from within a Gorse stand. A calling Coal Tit was the highlight

The shepherd’s hut external light added a few lifers

An early afternoon visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Hothfield Common. At least 2 Yellowhammer were heard along with 5 Song Thrushes around the reserve. Few insects about although a male Broad-bodied Chaser showed well at the main bog where there were c30 Heath Spotted Orchids. in flower.

A wildflower meadow walk at Moat Farm, Shadoxhurst was fascinating. At least 200 Common Spotted Orchids seen along with a few potential botanical lifers. Surprised to find Cow-Wheat. A Sliver-washed Fritillary & White Admiral were year ticks. Majority of butterflies were Meadow Browns.

An unexpected bonus on a visit to Tenterden. 29 active House Martin nests under the eaves of a row of shops. A further nest was across the road. #kentnature #kentbirding

A visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromer Wood this morning. A calling Song Thrush was heard around the reserve. Quite a few Southern Cuckoo bumblebees seen, almost the most numerous bumblebee seen. C10 Common Spotted Orchids (yt) found. A lot of invertebrates photographed that need ID’ing

The last, and earliest starting, bird survey at Milton Creek CP this morning. A distant Cuckoo heard, at least 4 Song Thrushes heard around the park, previously an uncommon bird. Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Whitethroat still calling. No Nightingale heard, hopefully a sign of breeding, or Turtle Dove.

Another detour, this time to Darland Bank KWT. The wind was now stronger & the rain had moved in. Pyramidal Orchids (yt) showed well but only found one small Man Orchid. The only butterfly seen was a Red Admiral. A Chiffchaff heard, Jackdaw, Magpie & Woodpigeon the most numerous birds seen

As I was passing visited Dartford Marshes for the first time. In bright but windy conditions, the first birds seen were House Martins & Swifts. Reed Warbler & Whitethroat the most numerous birds heard. The tide was out so the River Darent only had Mallard & Redshank. First Large Skippers of the year

Needed to pick something up near Milton Creek CP so visited the creek at low tide. Pleased to confirm a pair of Pochard have bred with 4 ducklings on the lake. We have suspected for a couple of years. A pair of Tufted Ducks also on the lake. A GCG was in the Creek by the water treatment outlet.

Moved onto Faversham Lakes CP. The fishing lakes were quiet but did have 2 male Pochards. A Little Egret was disturbed from a ditch & Linnets were in the boundary hedges. A few bumblebees about. A Painted Lady was the only butterfly seen. A new hoverfly for the year.

A sunny but breezy afternoon visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Oare Marshes on a rising tide. At least 150+ Black-tailed Godwits in various degrees of summer plumage. Cattle Egret, Bearded Reedling & a Sandwich Tern over the Swale were year ticks. A possible lifer in a Smooth Carrion Beetle.

An afternoon 5m walk around Shipbourne, including Dene Park. Odonata were the highlight with yt’s in Beautiful Demoiselle, White-legged Damsel & Broad-bodied Chaser. Always nice to see House Martin’s with 5+ feeding close a hedge. Dene Park was quiet butterfly wise but did get Meadow Brown nearby.

A quick visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromers Wood before watching my son play a cricket match. A Grey Heron was disturbed from the pond, where an Emperor (yt) patrolled over blue damselflies ovipositing. A couple of Blackcap & Chiffchaff calling. Chicken of the Wood have appeared.

A brief walk around the Triangle @kentwildlife.bsky.social Hothfield Common, Ashford. In hot and humid conditions fewer birds were heard, although the Goldcrest in the Fir at the car park entrance is stilling calling. A recently fledged Great Tit flew across the path. A Heath Spotted Orchid found.