Silver Service

A bit of a breezy walk along the cliff top was certainly bracing! The wind rather kept to birds down and I saw very few butterflies.

On a ledge, near the monument, a Herring Gull was sitting on its' nest, It will be interesting to was when the eggs hatch, situated on a narrow ledge with about 100 m drop  below.

After the winter bunting flocks had dispersed it is good to see that at least one Corn Bunting has a territory near the cliff top. In the old day it was usual to see Corn Buntings using hedges as song posts, but now, with so many hedges gone a large plant of Fat Hen has to do. In addition there was a Yellowhammer singing just beyond Hope Point.

As I said butterflies on the wing  were scarce today, so when I saw a blue I was pleased to find that it was an Adonis Blue. The black veins extending through the border distinguish it from Common Blue.

I try to provide the Badgers a good standard by giving them their peanuts on a nice silver plate. I'm not sure how much he appreciates this silver service judging by the tip he left me last night!

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.

The god of beauty and desire?

I took Pam's car for a "pre MOT" check this afternoon. This is the one where you get the list that needs doing, take a deep breath and book it in to get it done in a few days time! Well at least it gave me the opportunity to take a walk at the Lydden And Temple Ewell Downs (SAC).

Even though the weather hasn't been brilliant today was warm and there were some butterflies on the wing. Chalk downland is special and holds several local species. The first blue butterfly was a beautifully fresh Adonis Blue, a little later in the season many are looking battered ans worn, but not this one.

It was somehwat reluctant to completely open its wings, but I sat patiently waiting and in the end it rewarded me with a glimpse of them about 75% open.

Not evrything flying in the daytime is a butterfly and not all moths fly at night. This Yellow Shell is a good example of one of the daytime flying moths, but there are quite qa few to watch out for. There's a brief guide to many of them in a Butterfly Conservation publication

The lower part of the down, just above the Temple Ewell car park is full of Frgrant orchids at the moment.

The female Adonis blue is not as bright as the male, some have virtually no blue while aothers, like the one above are dusted blue and from certain angles look quite blue, and from others mainly brown.

Even with the wings close the distinctive black lines through the border are still evident. Apart from this the female is similar to other female blues.

A passing white butterfly caught my eye.It was flying somewhat differently to a small white and appeared to have almost white wings with a black border. It tracked it for a while and each time it landed it was only for a few seconds and during these times it never opened its wings. The picture above was the best I could get. I think it is the "helice" variation of the migrant Clouded Yellow butterfly, but I am waiting for confirmation.

There were Common Blues around, The lack the blacked chequered border of the Adonis, but are still a good looking butterfly.