Monday 22nd September
2008 North Foreland
There was a Grey Seal
nose-up in the sea close inshore plus I saw a Painted Lady flying
around the pump house. (Phil M)
Thursday 18th
September 2008 Garden Minster PM
Found this fly, a Rhingia campestris,
on a buddleia leaf today, it’s the first time I have recorded it in my
garden. My reference books say that it lays its eggs on cow pats, which is a
puzzle as to why it is in my garden as the nearest cattle are on the Ash
levels, two miles away. Only the male has this extendable proboscis. Further
to the report on the Swallowtail butterfly two weeks ago, I
have had another larva brought to me, thought to have come from the Sandwich
area; it was found on a gentleman’s trouser leg!
(Don Wilks)
Sunday 14th September 2008 Monkton Nature
Reserve
This afternoon at long last found the first
Wasp Spider in the reserve this year, a few butterflies about,
Large Whites, Peacock, Comma
and three very fresh Meadow Browns, some common
darter and Migrant Hawkers. Finally entertained by
a family of Brown Rats climbing a tree in an attempt to get to the
bird feeders outside the main building. (Don Wilks)
Saturday 6th September 2008 Restoration
project of ML New Britannic
One of those chance encounters? Greg McLeish saw me
walking around Ramsgate Harbour with my camera and asked if I could get some
pics of a "Dunkirk little boat" that he was restoring. Not having a clue
what he was talking about, I arranged to see him later in the afternoon. The
project to restore ML New Britannic is an immense
undertaking Greg, already having restored a similar vessel, exudes
enthusiasm for this venture. Some strange information was forthcoming,
including the fact that the Harbour Authorities require a "mooring fee" of
£1,200, per quarter, to keep the boat in the area. No funding from the
National Lottery, Thanet Council or English Heritage, despite the fact that
this craft is of greater importance than the copy of a Viking Ship that was
restored at our expense and on display at Cliffsend. The efforts of Jim
Harris at the Dunkirk Little Ships charity and Jerry Lewis of the East Kent
Maritme Trust have been brilliant, but this project requires huge funding to
ensure that the three phases can be completed in time for 2010. Greg saying
that if he doesn't meet the challenge the boat might as well be scrapped!
Phase One - To get the boat back onto the water. Phase Two - To return the
vessel to the condition it was in when it took part in the Dunkirk rescue.
Phase Three - The ultimate goal of taking part in the Dunkirk Rally of 2010
when Greg hopes to take ML New Britannic back across the Channel as part of
the 70th anniversary celebrations. Anyone wanting to know more about this
project, or make a donation, can contact Greg on 07759 558230 or the
Maritime Museum 01843 570622 in Ramsgate Harbour. (Dylan)
Thursday 4th September 2008 Dane Valley Margate
I had call from an owner of an allotment on the Dane
Valley Community Allotments, who said he had a Swallowtail Butterfly
larva (Papilio machaon) feeding on his carrots. So I went
across there and confirmed identity of the larva it was
almost full grown and had consumed a couple of stems of carrots.
Where had it come from? (Don Wilks)
Monday 1st September 2008 Kingsgate Bay
A scan of the beach flora from the cliff-top at
Kingsgate Bay produced a surprise in the form of Sea Spurge - a very
range restricted plant in Kent and I believe the first that I have seen on
Thanet. A wander down to the beach established that there were six plants -
new colonists, as I check the flora here for new plants establishing every
year. Other beach/dune plants included: Sea Rocket, Sea Kale, Sea Holly,
Sea Bindweed, Prickly Saltwort, Sea Sandwort and Frosted Orache
all very local plants on Thanet due to habitat limitations. (F Solly)
Monday 1st September 2008 Monkton NR & Hoverpad
Pegwell
31/8. A quick half hour visit to Monkton Nature Reserve
just before it closed, not surprisingly didn't produce a great deal. The
pond is currently rather choked with vegetation and held just a couple of
Common and Ruddy Darters, Migrant Hawkers and a single Broad-bodied
Chaser. Other than that, a single Common Ground-hopper in a more
or less bare grassy area was the only thing of any sort of note. The
Hoverport held 12 Small Tortoiseshell - a good number these days, 1
Painted Lady, 1 Peacock, 10 very fresh Red Admirals and
lots of Small and Large Whites. (F Solly)
Monday 1st September 2008 North-west Scotland
Trip
I'm not sure whether
otters have featured on Planet Thanet before, but I took the attached photos
of a large Dog Otter near Cape Wrath on a recent trip to
North-west Scotland. It was pretty unconcerned at our presence and gave
fantastic views down to 20 yards as it fed on eels and what appears to be
cuttlefish. (Tim H)
