Monday, 11 May 2026

SPRING BUTTERFLIES OF EAST KENT

 Butterflies can be seen in all months given ideal conditions but usually the first overwintering adults are to be seen from late February if the days are warm calm and sunny.

These are usually Peacocks, Comma,Red Admiral and Small Tortoishell,the latter becoming increasingly hard to find,in fact its close relative the recently established Large Tortoishell is now somewhat easier to see.

COMMA

LARGE TORTOISHELL
SMALL TORTOISHELL
PEACOCK.
RED ADMIRAL.

Another one seen from late Feb is the Brimstone as Yellow as Butter which is probably where the name butterfly originated.
BRIMSTONE

CLOUDED YELLOW Now a regular sight at Samphire Hoe in the Spring whether it over winters as an adult or is an early migrant is not known.













SMALL WHITE Usually the earliest of the whites to be on the wing.

LARGE WHITE.

SMALL COPPER
GRIZZLED SKIPPER-DUNGENESS
SMALL BLUE
THE WALL BUTTERFLY OR WALL BROWN.

ORANGETIP

SPECKLED WOOD
ORANGETIP
DINGY SKIPPER
GREEN HAIRSTREAK


GREEN HAIRSTREAK 




DUKE OF BURGUNDY -BONSAI BANK -DENGE WOOD
GREEN VEINED WHITE
GREEN VEINED WHITE
HOLLY BLUE
SMALL BLUE
PAINTED LADY -A MIGRANT FROM NORTH AFRICA
COMMON BLUE
ADONIS BLUE

LARGE SKIPPER SEEN ON 8/5 AT SAMPHIRE HOE .
Thats about it for the Spring apart from Brown Argus that I haven`t caught up with yet this year.


Sunday, 3 May 2026

NO APRIL SHOWERS THIS YEAR

 April was almost a dry month here in Kent,rain that is ,the beer kept flowing thankfully.

The Spring migrants continued to trickle in when the weather permitted,the strong NE breeze which was present for long periods made it very hit and miss.

WHEATEAR AT SAMPHIRE HOE.
SEDGE WARBLER AT WORTH
SEDGE WARBLER
WHITETHROAT AT SAMPHIRE HOE






WHITETHROAT
WILLOW WARBLER -LANGDON HOLE
WILLOW WARBLER
4 CHOUGHS HIGH OVER DOVER CASTLE,Encouraging that two are carrying nest material.
SKYLARK - SAMPHIRE HOE
DUNLIN -M OULTING INTO BREEDING PLUMAGE
DUNLIN -CATLE COOTE
CATTLE EGRET -STODMARSH
HELLO BIG BOY.
ROCK PIPIT-SAMPHIRE HOE.
AVOCET-DUNGENESS.
SHELDUCK DUNGENESS
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER-WORTH MARSHES
A COOT CHICK -STODMARSH
THE SECRETIVE REED WARBLER
MORE OFTEN HEARD THAN SEEN
COMMON SANDPIPER- SBBO.

LONG TAILED TIT - LANGDON HOLE
-
GREENFINCH- WORTH VILLAGE.
COCK LINNET -OARE
MALE WHEATEAR IN THE GORSE AT DUNGENESS.

Thats all the birds for now ,will post the Butterflies soon.