dave brown

Kent based birder with an interest in all wildlife.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

A few of the goodies we have seen over the past 2 days. Many thanks to BB for the viewing of Bedstraw Hawkmoth. Our 1st garden Yellow Legged Clearwing of the year, 34 plus Late Spider Orchids, still lots of Painted Ladies. Our 1st Common Darter & Pyramidal Orchid of the year.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

Up on the North Downs near Folkestone. No sign of the Red Kite movement, just Raven, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk. Nearby Late Spider Orchids, 2 Adonis Blue, 9 Large Skippers, 7 Painted Ladies. Usual Common Blues, Meadow Brown's etc. At home our 1st Yellow Legged Clearwing of the year.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

Photos from the last two days in the garden or known East Kent sites.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

We have had a good day today for in addition to the moths we caught our 1st Currant Clearwings of the season (3) and saw our 1st White Legged Damselflies (4) of the year in Orlestone Forest. Meadow Brown's on the wing. Photos to follow.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

2of2. Also trapped last night. Another Portland Ribbon Wave, 2 Diamond Backs, Green Silver Lines, Oak Hook Tip. A total of 39 species. We think not bad for an urban garden where I am sure street lighting affects our catch potential.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

Last night was one of our best urban garden moth traps. I believe this to be Eastern Bordered Straw. Although not in the best condition it shows all the features of that species. Many thanks to @AndilBoothroyd for help with ID. Actinic light, garden in Ashford, Kent. 1of2.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

@Quercus632511 Did it last year a few times without success. Will give it another go.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

Another attempt at Large Red Belted Clearwing at Hothfield Common, but again no joy. That's 5 years running without success. Maybe lost to this site. Was always rare in Kent. Plenty of fresh Silver Birch, but little of old or cut wood. Ponds very dry. Only found 4 Spotted.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

Best garden moth so far this year, possibly a garden first for our inland urban garden. I need to check. Portland Ribbon Wave. A former Red Data Species and rare immigrant, but now expected along the East Coast.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

Wow, another brilliant AM at Dungeness Obs. This time all about moths. A very big thank you to Sean Clancy for showing the mega Fir Carpet, to DBO/others for showing the Eastern Bordered Straw, Beautiful Marbled and Small Mottled Willow. Thanks to OL Mossy Stonecrop seen nearby.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

And still they keeping coming, but not the hoped for one. 11 Red Belted Clearwings in the trap late morning to the Large Red Clearwing lure. A garden record.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

Y'day we saw 9 Red Belted Clearwings to our garden lure. Today it was our 1st Red Tipped Clearwings of the year to lure (two). Garden moth wise it was ordinary, no migrants, but seeing our 3rd Kent Willowherb Hawk-moth was most welcome. Many thanks to BB for allowing viewing.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

2of2. Today we hung the Large Red Belted Clearwing lure in the garden. Interesting in that 9 Red Belted Clearwings came in together, but no Large. 9 is our highest garden total.
Over the last 6 years we have tried various Kent locations for Large without success. We keep trying.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

Thanks to everybody at Dungeness, another great morning. Greenish Warbler, Honey Buzzard, 2 White Storks, at least 7 Med Gulls, 2 Avocet. 2 very distant Honey Buzzards from the Moat looking towards Dengemarsh were not really tickable for us in the haze. 8 plus Painted Lady. 1/2.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

2 med gulls over old romney kent

[dave brown @dbbirding]

first painted lady of the year in the garden.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

A much appreciated tip off by AW found us in a dark East Kent woodland looking at some fine specimens of Birds Nest Orchids. A good stroll around found 75 in total, plus 15 Lady Orchids. I always struggle with photos of Birds Nest in the dark woods in the variable light.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

2/2. Yesterday a visit to Dungeness saw good views of the Red Breasted Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher in the Moat. Unable to get a photo of RBF as many twigs or leaves in the way even when showed on the edge of the Bush. No sign today.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

A long hot walk (26 degrees) to Bonsai Bank (Kent) today. The Duke of Burgundy hanging on, but looking worn. 7 seen, also 6 Dingy Skippers, 1 Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Red Admiral and Brimstone. 1 Drab Looper seen. Still many Lady Orchids. White Helleborine appearing. 1/2.

[dave brown @dbbirding]

little egret e over garden