Monday
28th May 2007 Margate Cemetery
Whilst in Margate Cemetery, playing with my
digi-scoping gear, I was fortunate to come across a stunning albino
Grey Squirrel feeding out amongst the headstones. This is the first
one I have seen although I am aware that similar individuals have been
recorded in the cemetery for over a decade. I also recorded my first Painted
Lady of 2007 as well as the usual mix of Red Admiral, Holly Blue,
Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock
butterflies. (Dylan)
Friday,
May 25 2007 Bonsai Bank & woodland of Denge
A debut visit to Bonsai Bank and the stunning surrounding woodland of
Denge Forest. The weather forecast proved predictably inept, the frequent
sunshine allowing life-changing views of three or four Duke of
Burgundies, two or three Green Hairstreaks and one or two Dingy
Skippers, along with Speckled Wood, Common & Holly Blues
and Peacock. Moths showed in the form of Speckled Yellow, Mother
Shipton and Small Purple Barred. Needless to say, some friendly
mothing types were on hand to tell me what these were. A purple and yellow
pyralid, meanwhile, was smart but unassigned. Orchids were also splendid,
with Early Purple, Lady and Greater Butterfly all looking handsome,
along with Common Twayblade and White Helleborine. A
genuinely delightful place, if not quite in the Thanet league of glorious
habitats. As ever, there was a reminder that you hadn't quite made
paradise, courtesy of a chat with some woodsmen who told of the
exceptionally unpleasant pikeys who roam the place. It was ever thus. (Dave
Mairs)
Saturday 19th May 2007
Minster Marshes
Lots of butterflies around the water treatment works. Small &
Green-veined Whites being dominant, but I did record
several Red Admirals and a single male Orange-tip.
A Hairy Dragonfly was a surprising find as it flew past
along the main track. (Dylan)
Monday 14th May 2007 Westgate Thanet
Minster
garden pond. Great Diving Beetle Larva are thriving on my frog
tadpoles, a few of the Tadpoles are starting to grow their
back legs. Smooth newts are still active and I have seen
at least four females laying. Photos taken over the weekend. (Don
Wilks)
Sunday
13th May 2007 Ash Levels
I found a swarm of Honey Bees
hanging in a small Spanish Chestnut. This is the first time I have ever
witnessed this and was suitably impressed. (Dylan)
Friday 11th May 2007 Bonzai
Bank, Denge woods
Visited
Bonzai Bank, Denge woods this morning the Lady orchids
were great and there were many of them. Early purple orchids
still flowering and a few White helleborines were out
along with Twayblades .Bluebells are
going over now but there are plenty of other spring flowers to be seen.
About eight Duke of Burgandy fritillaries
were seen, all males with one Dingy Skipper and a few Orange
tips, Green veined whites and small whites. Glad
I ignored the weather forecast, which said there would be showers.
(Don Wilks)
Friday 11th May 2007
Dumpton Thanet
A 1st generation Holly Blue was in the garden, sheltering
from the wind and rain, this morning. (Dylan)
