KOS Meeting - Bockhill

The first outdoor meeting of the new season took place at Bockhill yesterday. A total of 15 members enjoyed a pleasant walk round the area, with Jack Chantler and Brendan Ryan leading the walk. Although there were no rare birds to see, there were a good number of migrants on view, including an obliging Tree Pipit, several Spotted Flycatchers, a Wheatear and a Redstart, Swallows and martins were passing through in good numbers and the local Ravens put in a late appearance and there were large numbers of Chiffchaffs in most areas.

As well as the birds it was good to see several Adonis Blue butterflies, the tailed end of the second generation of this chalk loving species. We failed to find any of the Long-tailed Blues that arrived earlier this year. This migrant species is widespread in the northern hemisphere, but seldom reaches Britain. When it does it may breed, but the species, in which ever stage, doesn't manage to survive our winters. Of course global climate change could change this, but judging by our last two winters I don't thinks so ta the moment! They feed on pea species and females were seen laying eggs in August and newly emerged adults have been seen in the last few days.

Another speciality of the area is the delicate small orchid, Autumn Ladies Tresses, and the group was able to admire the lawn of one of the house along Kingsdown leas, where this beautiful little plant is flowering in large numbers.

 

Evidence of the large number of Chiffchaffs around came back at home, when a succession of birds came down to our "waterfall" in the pond to drink and bath. The soft hweet call could be heard from various areas in the garden meant that there more around than could be seen They remain hidden by the leaves, still thick on the trees, although many more windy periods like last week could see an early shedding.

Most evenings lately we've hosted at least two badgers. Unfortunately there's been quite a bit of friction when the first to arrive become possessive of the plate of peanuts. I solved the problem lat night as I was watching when the second badger arrived. I carefully opened the sliding door and was about to put out a small container of nuts, hoping not to scare them off. Far from this the number two badger virtually took the plastic box out of my hand, so intent was he on getting his share while the first one was still occupied with the usual plate.

Stodmarsh NNR revisited

After about 30 hours with no internet access due to some problems at Tiscali I'm now back on line and able to post again. Today I led a walk for the KOS at Stodmarsh NNR. It started well with the car-park payment machine out of order, thank you. I've put a full list of what we saw on the KOS Forum here.

One very noticable speciesd was the Painted Lady with quite a few seen during the day (an a lot more in the garden this evening. We walked out to the marsh Hide where we saw the Black-winged Pratincole. fairly passive resting on the ground. On the way three Spoonbills flew over, totally taking by surprise and the cameras didn't make it out of the bags.

Terry Laws's keen eyes (defying the advancing years) picked out two of the large Caterpillars of the Drinker moth. The fine hairs can cause irritation to the skin, so beware of picking it up if you find one.

This is what it will turn into (a picture taken a couple of years ago).

Again Terry spotted a Water Shrew working along the edge of the path, and I think Terry got some good pictures, unfortunately I managed just blurrs.

It was good to see several Large Red Damsel flies.

Hobbies were noticeable by their absence in the first part of the day, but when they finally took to the air there were quite a few in up over the Slag heap end of Stodmarsh. A couple come over our heads while we had short sit down and some refreshments along the river, about half way back from the Lampen Wall to Grove Ferry. There were quite a few Hairy Dragonflies around, these are the first of the hawkers to emerge.

From the Harrison Drove Hide there were good views of Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits and Greenshanks. A Grey Heron fished in the nearest ditch.

Further along the ditch a Little Egret was feeding, until it flew to the back of the pool.

We got some good views of the Pratincole flying round, and once again I admired those photographers that had got some really good pictures. I found it difficult to follow and got just a few distant shots.

Back at the mound two drake Garganeys were on show. It was an enjoyable day with a good range of birds, with lots of other things of interest.

KOS Outdoor Meeting

I will be leading a field meeting for the KOS at the Stodmarsh NNR on Sunday 24th May meeting at 007.00 hours in the car park at Grove Ferry. If you are intending to come please let me know either by e-mail
(tonyandpam.morris@tiscali.co.uk)

or leave a note here.

Remember it is now a PAY and DISPLAY car park so bring a £1 coin.

Down Under Memories.

Tonight I had the honour of Talking to the KOS at the monthly indoor meeting. The subject was my trip to Australia in October and November 2007. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, even if I was loosing my voice by the end, (I hope everyone else did). There wasn't too much snoring from the back, although I think John Cantelo was ready to nod of when I showed a picture of the Hobart Cricket Ground.

The talk was at the Grove Green Community Hall, Grove Green, Maidstone, and it gave me the opportunity to relive some of the moments of my trip and to contemplate a return visit in the future.

King Parrot in Sherbrooke Forest, Victoria.

Splendid Fairy-wren at Wyperfeld, Victoria.

Regent Bowerbird at O'Reilly's, Lamington NP, Queensland.

The next KOS meeting is the AGM, on April 2nd, followed by some slide/digital presentations by members. Anyone is welcome, it should be a good evening.

The Murder of Mary Bax

After yesterdays Owl photo session I stopped to catch the sunset at Mary Bax.

On 25 August 1782 Mary Bax was walking along the Ancient Highway from Deal to Sandwich carrying a parcel. She was 800 metres beyond the Chequers Inn when she was apprehended by a Swedish sailor, Martin Lash, who demanded the parcel. She refused, and in the struggle Mary Bax was struck many times and murdered; her body concealed in a ditch.

The murder was witnessed by a young boy, described as the son of 'a looker in the Marshes' (a looker was a shepherd). The boy ran back to Deal to raise the alarm.

Martin Lash was eventually apprehended in Folkestone asleep at the foot of one of the tombstones in the parish churchyard, still in possession of the stolen parcel. It transpired he had deserted his ship while it was in the Downs. He was taken to Maidstone Gaol, tried and executed.

The bleak lonely site of the murder is marked by Mary Bax's Stone. The notice reads "On this spot August the 25th 1782 Mary Bax, spinster, aged 23 years was murdered by Martin Lash, foreigner who was executed for the same."

This evening I went to Maidstone for the monthly KOS meeting. Tonight's talk was "Sichuan - The Hard Way" by Gordon Allison (RSPB warden in North Kent).

Gordon gets ready to continue the talk after the tea break, while in the background one member describes the size of the fish he saw the Green Heron eat at Hythe.

I couldn't resist copying this picture of Gordon's. I've long forecast an Olive-backed Pipit in the garden of Ship House on Kingsdown Lees, and this could just about pass for that occurrence.

The secret forests of South-West Sichuan are in trouble as modern life encroaches further and further into these isolated hills, where the values of Tibetan Buddhism have helped to protect the unique biodiversity for centuries. Gordon's talk illustrated the work carried out in conjunction with Beijing Forest University and the World Pheasant Association during a sabbatical visit in October 2007, to raise public awareness of the plight of the "King of the Forest" - the White-eared Pheasant - and the fragmented habitat where it lives. Gordon finished off with some photos of Giant Pandas in a breeding project. It was in Sichuan that much of the Pandas natural habitat was damaged by the earthquake that killed 10,000 people in May 2008.

A borrowed patch - thanks Simon

I had to go to Ashford this afternoon, and as there was a KOS meeting in Maidstone I decided to carry on and borrow Simon's patch for an afternoon.

On the way I passed this balloon at Leeds Castle. I mused whether it was because the balloon had gone up with Iceland or as a tribute to Mr Darlings inflation rate?

Now looking at the pictures I took of Mote Park I couldn't understand the odd colour, until I realised I hadn't readjusted the colour temperature since Annie Get Your Gun last night.

I rather liked the stripy young Great Crested Grebes. In mild weather there's hardly a month when there aren't young around. Star of the day was a Kingfisher the flew by calling, before landing on the opposite side of the lake. A bird that we don't get to see very often at St Margaret's.

Despite the slightly odd colour, (not too bad with a bit of manipulation) it's obvious that there are a lot more leaves left on the trees than around here, I guess we get a lot stronger winds here than in the middle of the county.

The KOS meeting featured Eustace Barnes talking about Bhutan, surely one of the least spoilt countries left in Asia. With lots of interesting habitat shots and stunning birds Eustace must have left every one who hasn't been working out when to go.

KOS Quiz Night

The Kent Ornithological Society held its annual Quiz night tonight. After many years we needed a new quiz master as Tim Loseby, a well know photographer and birder had moved on to Norfolk since last years quiz. I foolishly volunteered, and over the last few days learnt to appreciated how hard Tim had worked to put so many quizzes together.

I really enjoyed the evening, with six teams form round the county taking part. I hope the participants had as much fun as I did. The winners were a group of Bockhill Birders, two of whom have lived in St Margaret's in the last few years, although both are now live a few miles away.

Here we see the Chairman, Martin Coath, presenting prizes (suitably liquid) to the four winners, Phil, Richard, Jack and Brendan, who had shown their prowess by answering questions such as what is know as a Titty Todger in Devon. Thanks to all the participants for a great evening, and to Pam for helping out by doing the Tea and Coffee.