Denbies Hillside

Adonis Blue



Adonis Blue

Dingy Skipper

Denbies Hillside

This morning saw myself drive forty minutes to Denbies Hillside in Surrey to see Adonis Blue and I was not disappointed .There were loads there also 5 Dingy Skipper,Common Blue,Brown Argus,and lots of day flying moths and the biggest Snail I have ever seen..........

Ingrebourne Valley

Red Kite

Have been really busy this week so time on the patch has been limited,anyway went for a morning run over the patch still loads of birds everywhere but nothing new for me unlike Dave Morrison yesterday he had a Red Kite and two Turtle dove through.The Kite is the second one of the year at the valley.

Corncrakes and Grizzled Skippers

Grizzed Skipper

Common Blue

Green winged Orchid

On friday evening we went to Nene Washes to see Corncrakes and we heard four but saw zero.Which is what we all were expecting,but a very nice evening anyway. Common Snipe were drumming and black tailed Godwits were all around us and gave great views plus Barn Owl.Today I went along to Laindon Hills CP to find Grizzled Skippers and managed to see two which are tiny.Also there were Green hairstreaks,Brown Argus,Common Blue,Holy Blue and Small Heath.

Woodchat Shirke

Woodchat Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

A Woodchat Shrike was found at Canvey RSPB this afternoon .It showed really well when myself,monkey,paul,Jamie arrived at about 6.40 just in time before the gates closed.It was a Essex tick all four of us.This time I used the digiscope set up.A well done to the finder as always.

More from Kent

Iberian Chiffchaff

Common Twayblade

GreenHairstreak

A day in Kent

Duke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy

Lady Orchid

Lady Orchid

Early Purple Orchid

Duke of Burgundy

Saturday morning got picked up by Dick and Steve Bacon for a day in Kent. We first went to see the Iberian Chiffchaff which gave good views at Chatham and was a good year tick. Then onto our main target which was the stunning Duke of Burgundy Butterfly, we saw about ten really nice and my first of the species at Denge Woods. Also there were three types of Orchid Lady, Early and common Blade? which again were new for me .

update

Paul Boy

One for the kids

Grasshopper Warbler

Last night I was over the valley with my camera and did not take one picture so instead I thought I would put some of the previous evenings pictures on.There has been 3/4 GrassHopper Warbler in the valley this week and Whinchat last friday seen by Les Harrison.

Stayed on the patch

Wheatear

Blue Bells
As other birders around the country went to see the House Finch in Cornwall at the weekend and Jono and Bradders went bird racing for the day I choose to stay at the Ingrebounre Valley .I did not want to be in the car all day as I had really busy week at work . Anyway it payed off as I got a Valley year tick with 6 Wheatear in the top paddocks/top fields.I missed two Wheatear in March as I away from the Valley that day.Wednesday I got Garden Warbler so that and todays Wheatear is 92 for the year At the Valley so far.PS There is always next weekend for the House Finch if it stays..........

Rainham Marshes

Distant Reed Bunting

Stayed local again and went to Rainham RSPB with the Redferns. There were loads of Swifts,House Martins and Sand Martins about but not much else. 2 Yellow Wagtails was a year tick. Also saw 3 Wheatear and then rain stopped play.

Terns

This morning Dominic Texted me saying he had 3 Black Terns at Rainham RSPB so it was not long for me to get ready and on my way.Paul boy,Dave Mo and Andy T were already there watching 2 Black Terns feeding over Aveley pools which you could see from the centre.A Little time was spent river watching there and we had 2 Arctic and a couple of Common Terns went up river . 5 Bar tailed Godwits were seen also.On the way home I saw the Little Owl was getting soaked at the Ingrebourne Valley.

At last

Green Hairstreak
Green Hairstreak
Todays aim was to see the Green Hairstreaks due the weather forcast they said we were due rain all day, but it turn out to be a very sunny afternoon and a great chance to finally see them.Four of them aswell.Birds seen were 4 Hobby,Buzzard,Cuckoo,Kestrel plus all of the usual suspects.... Also met for the first time was David cook and family which was nice as he reads my blog.