dave brown

Talking to others at Orlestone today I get the impression that Birchett is no longer the hotspot for Large Tortiseshell. It appears Faggs Wood is the place with the highest count of 8 seen today being reported there, many of those photographed. Helps that the car park is there.

2 of 2. Also saw Raven, 2 Crossbills, Redpoll, nearby our 1st Cuckoo Flowers of the season. Not sure why no Brimstones after seeing nearly 30 on Wednesday. It was not as warm but plenty of Peacocks still present in the warmth.

Spent 2.5hrs in Faggs Wood & Birchett Wood yesterday (Friday) pm in what seemed like good conditions. Disappointed to see only 2 Large Tortiseshells in Faggs and none in Birchett. Only 1 settled for photos. No Brimstones but many Peacocks, Commas & Dark Edge Beeflies. 1 of 2.

@Birdingbewl 14.00hrs to 16.00hrs seems to be the best times to see them settled for some reason. Apparently 8 seen in the Faggs Wood area in the afternoon (Wednesday).

@dbbirding Obviously I left too soon

Another pm visit to Birchett Wood, mornings are normally poor, for Large Tortiseshell. We saw 1 at 14.15 hrs by the track crossroad by about 15 observers. Returned to the same tree trunk several times. Gave up looking for LT, but saw plenty of Peacocks, Commas and Brimstone.

gw egret shirley moor kent.

4 gw egrets warehorne bridge kent.

gw egret appledore bridge kent.

Arrived at Orlestone just before 13.00hrs, as the sun broke through. Eventually found 3 Large Tortiseshells, 1 in each of Birchett, Longrope and Faggs Wood. Attached 2 photos of the one in Birchett and 1 of the Faggs Wood individual. Despite the warmth butterflies scarce today.

2 great white egrets scotney gp sussex end.

A nice couple of hrs in Birchett Wood late am/early pm. Only one Large Tortiseshell seen by us with a few Brimstones, Peacocks and Commas. Raptor watching saw 1 Red Kite, lots of Buzzards including a very whitish individual. Also 2 Ravens. Another Large Tortiseshell seen nearby.

red kite west over garden.

the male blackcap is singing in the garden also peacock butterfly.

Of course the photo is of a Comma, not Peacock as labelled. We only saw the one Comma in addition to the others species already mentioned. Need to wait for the next good day and try for Large Tortiseshell.

Yesterday was such a Spring like day that a search for early Butterflies was in order. Into the Orlestone Forest complex to see 14 male Brimstone, 4 Peacocks and a Tortiseshell that was too brief for ID but probably Small. Bird activity was surprisingly quiet. 4 Crossbills best.

now a male blackcap just appeared whilst doing some gardening.

red kite east over garden.

14 cattle egrets cockles bridge dungeness kent.

gw egret springfield bridge dungeness kent.

now 4 cattle egret in flooded field conningbrook ashford kent.