tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31733214720396905682024-03-06T03:43:28.400+00:00 Pear tree and BeyondMerlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.comBlogger294125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-2166098076511954852022-02-02T16:35:00.009+00:002022-02-02T16:45:29.616+00:00February 2022 - Wildlife sightings<p>1st February - Ashenbank woods still a few species of Fungi lingering around the woodlands, Scarlet Elfcups and Sulphur tuft.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAPtI8qU7yY93wTF8k_c64Kd3cIuN8slzebQErsP_9M2wGEhOA-M5qu794kPLKBEQpiKuMx40onoWs6IN_jJ69RkDnumOssw3-vbsZB2AoZOEUo6OCT-OP2J8j-FsawC46IE3OtpmJMfGkl1hL_0RvDgeBznMUg7xPB286CiMHpwenNiBfi1R8P7zU=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAPtI8qU7yY93wTF8k_c64Kd3cIuN8slzebQErsP_9M2wGEhOA-M5qu794kPLKBEQpiKuMx40onoWs6IN_jJ69RkDnumOssw3-vbsZB2AoZOEUo6OCT-OP2J8j-FsawC46IE3OtpmJMfGkl1hL_0RvDgeBznMUg7xPB286CiMHpwenNiBfi1R8P7zU=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Elfcup</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEaxwoYoHPYAyGH0jhWyof5JkyMqyJyADhtj-sLCBWwEPaPwwNAv6uVV5rnkNKkV2fyS8Kd-H-monlY_kA_4vopfmHgBeq1k7KUUuZXOJhlaYerLsQC5rkzgkQywFL0GCFUuyUd2P1U9xvc2hlqarSCfXQ7nWKs6qpQyTEjTY7Y8-o5vNfD2fd0mHk=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1280" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEaxwoYoHPYAyGH0jhWyof5JkyMqyJyADhtj-sLCBWwEPaPwwNAv6uVV5rnkNKkV2fyS8Kd-H-monlY_kA_4vopfmHgBeq1k7KUUuZXOJhlaYerLsQC5rkzgkQywFL0GCFUuyUd2P1U9xvc2hlqarSCfXQ7nWKs6qpQyTEjTY7Y8-o5vNfD2fd0mHk=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sulphur Tuft</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>2nd Feb - A pleasant walk through Ashenbank Woods, spring looks to be on the way with Bluebell, Daffodil and `Lords and Ladies" shooting through the leaf litter and today Snowdrops starting to bloom.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyZyTcsgY64Kois1i6vyMaki4USfq0r9C0qQBwz0QLJ40ue77EAsdQenjpUKsgIvi_Q5oLlva3SrQSfqA3jxq21CRXLGzR3Pm1LpjjNIoD7FXYDdTDDa8EMjxT3NDsSqUC4LA8co7qZS9nO0I1vCBNKdWgV_nM93SwPYsq3Ig9y6QwKWJcbMzfan1C=s986" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="812" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyZyTcsgY64Kois1i6vyMaki4USfq0r9C0qQBwz0QLJ40ue77EAsdQenjpUKsgIvi_Q5oLlva3SrQSfqA3jxq21CRXLGzR3Pm1LpjjNIoD7FXYDdTDDa8EMjxT3NDsSqUC4LA8co7qZS9nO0I1vCBNKdWgV_nM93SwPYsq3Ig9y6QwKWJcbMzfan1C=w330-h400" width="330" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowdrops- 02.02 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p></div>Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-921887698642193832022-01-09T16:08:00.014+00:002022-01-21T15:07:40.273+00:00January 2022 - wildlife sightings<p><span style="font-family: times;"><b>January 2nd.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"> Its been a few years since I posted on this blog, joined a few facebook groups relating to wildlife, Orchids and fungi, but I think I prefer this personal blog to record my own natural sightings without any rules to adhere to.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"> So here we go again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXa38vqxUsRD2WN5Yc1gJxa40pEHx3DhQ1tcSp01xOHVoEVnUGc1qMtoI562VyvT1veuQsDJ8L6o3FBbo1czjz5CnfbF3yMwXNgmtgod6xFuqDfmX55tXZTbZTlBP-dhiUEtHGj6hM6tS4YSSLAQ8kzL97IyvHcp7nF4yX8jyG-LhnJQn3dbxEZPD8=s702" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="562" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXa38vqxUsRD2WN5Yc1gJxa40pEHx3DhQ1tcSp01xOHVoEVnUGc1qMtoI562VyvT1veuQsDJ8L6o3FBbo1czjz5CnfbF3yMwXNgmtgod6xFuqDfmX55tXZTbZTlBP-dhiUEtHGj6hM6tS4YSSLAQ8kzL97IyvHcp7nF4yX8jyG-LhnJQn3dbxEZPD8=w320-h400" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><div><span style="font-family: times;">I still walk my local woodland at Ashenbank, sadly my old dog is no longer with us, but he had good innings of 14 years, I often think of him as I walk these familiar paths albeit with a new younger dog who keeps me company as I look for new natural wonders.</span></div><div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Its now early January, and I have been searching for Scarlet Elfcups, these usally start to appear about this time, finally, after rooting around in the leaf litter at last years site, I found one fully developed Scarlet Elfcup and two emerging elfcups, I'm sure more will follow as the month progresses.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>January 4th</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDd7Auakmzu6WibNQ6lc2HJLFr1CcdZPKleEZMRLMRF9B-IpE0qRp7yd3nMsiIihI6da76cCLXaWya4IA3OXhmbdJdIeZ_eDhTIfDFpEGgW_iyq8hajuL0kWefs4ell6I6l190yr0VQB0d2O4k2kmavquIzbMpId28lN0nhvBk_cUg3uUel5CGOdKy=s788" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDd7Auakmzu6WibNQ6lc2HJLFr1CcdZPKleEZMRLMRF9B-IpE0qRp7yd3nMsiIihI6da76cCLXaWya4IA3OXhmbdJdIeZ_eDhTIfDFpEGgW_iyq8hajuL0kWefs4ell6I6l190yr0VQB0d2O4k2kmavquIzbMpId28lN0nhvBk_cUg3uUel5CGOdKy=s320" width="243" /></a></div>Noticed this little non descript moth on the kitchen door late at night , a bit of field book investigation narrowed it down to a possible Winter Moth which emerge late winter. this looks like a male as the female are wingless.</div><div>considered to be a pest, damaging fruit trees and other broad leaved trees.<br /><p><br /></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;">January 6th</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieC7ZI5GwXGrhcK1u7iMs5ra9yjp6_DfkSg5s6xFas5U7oPyissKDMYWqfKn_q_b64XXqj2zbFAFlRG9e4QyfBP28u6IqVzXQj5zJY1BTWZn_TsZSlDg2rfHi6x8Y3VMC7kN-uAcX_Kb1yc1FWssbAMrH1SfaZmh0yLa9UJU5cLj6TRi9Yxp1xtAwG=s2726" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2726" data-original-width="2094" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieC7ZI5GwXGrhcK1u7iMs5ra9yjp6_DfkSg5s6xFas5U7oPyissKDMYWqfKn_q_b64XXqj2zbFAFlRG9e4QyfBP28u6IqVzXQj5zJY1BTWZn_TsZSlDg2rfHi6x8Y3VMC7kN-uAcX_Kb1yc1FWssbAMrH1SfaZmh0yLa9UJU5cLj6TRi9Yxp1xtAwG=w308-h400" width="308" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div>Noticed a couple of ominous piles of feathers under the bird feeding station, blue tit and probable house sparrow . today caught the culprit sitting next to the feeders, a fine looking male Sparrowhawk, and later caught him again sitting in the pear tree, managed a photograph although not very sharp.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"> Looks like our local birds need to stay alert, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: times;">January 8th</b><span style="font-family: times;"> - Star gazing with the naked eye while late night dog walking, Its hard not to notice the Orion Constellation at the moment, tried a photo with my samsung phone, which really surprised me, just managed to pick out some of the main stars, quite excited to see the orange glow from the star known as " Betelgeuse" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;">Orions belt led me down to another bright star which I think is Sirius the dog star which in turn led me on to another constellation Canis Major or Orions hound. although I could only pick out two stars with the naked eye. ( Sirius and Mirzam) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I can see how this can become addictive. now waiting for another clear night to search for Canis Major.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhauQXg62de6I-OTHRlzJyX2Dp12CxD2MQZLn9OE4cmSx-wwIvEhc9jIgO4nRzwqjXt_KzGOaPwDy1--FcAup2PM2twE0-4A7IAZSWC49V8vigRWsWbviBbqZerj0d7Aasln0DZr8y_qftmwd8mdwjjwm1C5ba7BIiSiKNK6tg7zJl4kp4PdTh6oar3=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhauQXg62de6I-OTHRlzJyX2Dp12CxD2MQZLn9OE4cmSx-wwIvEhc9jIgO4nRzwqjXt_KzGOaPwDy1--FcAup2PM2twE0-4A7IAZSWC49V8vigRWsWbviBbqZerj0d7Aasln0DZr8y_qftmwd8mdwjjwm1C5ba7BIiSiKNK6tg7zJl4kp4PdTh6oar3=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></blockquote><p>Jan 10th. - A cold frosty walk with my dog through the local woodlands today revealed more Scarlet Elfcups in the small patch of moss covered undergrowth with a few Jelly Ears also, not much else on the fungi scene, interestingly a few Great Spotted Woodpeckers were evident by there drumming, echoing around the woodland, surprised to see some Bluebell and Daffodil shoots starting to appear.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7YciXbGb4Mxl4y8bEcqRTNaP3lL2g0JZViYmt6OcyY9r-2sOTVic_1AFm_PMohTatdDLKo_Zxcs32EsJU0QFVgdc1_tcmuRyO78OYtAurwBj2ot5pgod2kW2PuzNh-74pYd0Ukg5kXHBi4FKi-ERP4w7G6hEADJpT-T4AquxJ2osD0VwhnQpmdMUM=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7YciXbGb4Mxl4y8bEcqRTNaP3lL2g0JZViYmt6OcyY9r-2sOTVic_1AFm_PMohTatdDLKo_Zxcs32EsJU0QFVgdc1_tcmuRyO78OYtAurwBj2ot5pgod2kW2PuzNh-74pYd0Ukg5kXHBi4FKi-ERP4w7G6hEADJpT-T4AquxJ2osD0VwhnQpmdMUM=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Jan 14th - Star gazing continues on my evening Dog walk, fortunately another clear night, manage to locate " Orions Hound " Sirius very visible the stars in the Hound constellation all just visible with the naked eye, bar one.</div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUG_SobGqlMLSQ6Om9wrV62k7c67s3BcALwDS6f-th4mK8XQ8weeYFp63iI75Sr6Gnn_nyq-j1wAPT9uQIOnG6ziRQlP_8iB7Nr5mrZpDntudWEGzwrzzBk3IAh9wv4SNqhghZnj4jnWipeiIYJAQF9hD0QPs5QGCFfYRFkIxKcsqijCu-0fy12Q5U=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUG_SobGqlMLSQ6Om9wrV62k7c67s3BcALwDS6f-th4mK8XQ8weeYFp63iI75Sr6Gnn_nyq-j1wAPT9uQIOnG6ziRQlP_8iB7Nr5mrZpDntudWEGzwrzzBk3IAh9wv4SNqhghZnj4jnWipeiIYJAQF9hD0QPs5QGCFfYRFkIxKcsqijCu-0fy12Q5U=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div>January 17th- Another clear night albeit with a new full moon gave me one more opportunity to look for the Pleiades and the Taurus constellation not to far away from the Obvious Orion formation, so shouldn't be that difficult. just about visible with the naked eye, although my dog not very patient while I try and take photo with my phone.<p></p></div></blockquote><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPk3uLMZyaJ0g5qcBQtvuEEdRiwXzbRemCxhhm5fzch3FGXhWz5_ovX5nr3WHD2X_UCRMgt0iitrhxCJcfJp-AeFyILvrvyPtyBc5VH735fqEwksAKV1zWdmw0bXG3ClAErfhs8X-kJn9r8cq0T5EnS38QKpxvCgLmNqgbk0zD2JsRQursMHP-2Q2C=s680" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="459" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPk3uLMZyaJ0g5qcBQtvuEEdRiwXzbRemCxhhm5fzch3FGXhWz5_ovX5nr3WHD2X_UCRMgt0iitrhxCJcfJp-AeFyILvrvyPtyBc5VH735fqEwksAKV1zWdmw0bXG3ClAErfhs8X-kJn9r8cq0T5EnS38QKpxvCgLmNqgbk0zD2JsRQursMHP-2Q2C=w376-h400" width="376" /></a></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p><span style="text-align: center;">19th January - Ashenbank woodland walk has been cold and frosty these last few mornings, More birds showing now Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Robins Great Tits, Chaffinch, Jays Wren and lately more Redwings seen searching through the leaf litter, not much on the fungi front , the Scarlet Elfcups still developing, Turkeytail and old Stump puffballs covered in frost.</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAE3QFaMv9fqXJye0zbtpY1HXCSXYiT4b_ZCBrZR2HkDLyfSSGcZKMod1fvxNEKMHvEslqTaO4MAp1A-MBTEPfeil7-wXSbgi-QBM8IkrNND8ya9Zh2v-m_g5tj_KiVzJTHfmrsDTOxtDe_FnOJfhPMJIDjC6M9GA4cCLWc7vKexIZ2CNbxQDlqJqK=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAE3QFaMv9fqXJye0zbtpY1HXCSXYiT4b_ZCBrZR2HkDLyfSSGcZKMod1fvxNEKMHvEslqTaO4MAp1A-MBTEPfeil7-wXSbgi-QBM8IkrNND8ya9Zh2v-m_g5tj_KiVzJTHfmrsDTOxtDe_FnOJfhPMJIDjC6M9GA4cCLWc7vKexIZ2CNbxQDlqJqK=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div></div></blockquote><div><br style="text-align: left;" /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">20th January. - Late night walk with the dog on a clear night, picked out the Plough constellation, I know this is an easy one but this led me on to the North Star and then to the great bear Ursa Major. and one other very faint but visible to the naked eye " cassiopia" ( W )<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeXnmYT_w_2Baerd5-bR6sTs1qu4WnQi0dU15xuACNJv28qG8j8sa425lpvX_xNrROHnRL12171s4xfEpfrwRlkGJ7YqPYuBFf8zke_CRZSnExhSklVQXwTep7_LSUc9y9das2m5CaYrIi2Kv8oyhwKOFBS7Rlh91JThBcFmjAUaZ-EqostmEsiiGj=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeXnmYT_w_2Baerd5-bR6sTs1qu4WnQi0dU15xuACNJv28qG8j8sa425lpvX_xNrROHnRL12171s4xfEpfrwRlkGJ7YqPYuBFf8zke_CRZSnExhSklVQXwTep7_LSUc9y9das2m5CaYrIi2Kv8oyhwKOFBS7Rlh91JThBcFmjAUaZ-EqostmEsiiGj=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwmXINhRlxEzhDOnjWiZpYe6Cu_5PauJupJQOZ54a_c42R9-Q33a3mbDhMIDtmnq4zWKVk8qCgQTpbSoFvHoh-0I6fI_3Ox9RYwFd0j4wWdZtdcLAlLv678rVELCh2O5tpWHLFAcUYDK-qXOnf_Sk1MdtcvX65CkYzNVNX120Z9RTjrI1hsjtw-H6z=s275" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwmXINhRlxEzhDOnjWiZpYe6Cu_5PauJupJQOZ54a_c42R9-Q33a3mbDhMIDtmnq4zWKVk8qCgQTpbSoFvHoh-0I6fI_3Ox9RYwFd0j4wWdZtdcLAlLv678rVELCh2O5tpWHLFAcUYDK-qXOnf_Sk1MdtcvX65CkYzNVNX120Z9RTjrI1hsjtw-H6z=w320-h213" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></div>Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-76620295746415502432019-12-05T17:23:00.000+00:002019-12-05T17:23:34.557+00:00 Earth stars !I cannot help but be drawn to these Earthstars, to my mind they look like the alien species from John Wyndham's 1951 novel "The Day of the Triffids", I was half expecting something to rise out of the bulbous body and lash me across the eyes as I crouched down to get a closer view.<br />
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I have always wanted to see one of these and when I found out that there was a good chance of seeing one in the local woodland, I couldn't resist the opportunity to seek them out.<br />
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It turned out that these were located at my previous dog walking haunt, Ashenbank woods, sadly since my dog has died I have not walked there for quite some time. It seemed strange walking here today without my dog for company.<br />
<br />
I had been given some good directions, unbelievably I have walked past this location possibly every day for several years with my dog and not notice their presence, how observant am I.<br />
<br />
These earth stars blend in very well with the leaf litter, I almost trod on my first sighting, how sad would that have been, once I had seen the first, others appeared almost mystically, what a wonderful fungi to see.<br />
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<b>To give it its correct name this is the Collared Earth Star <i>Geastrum triplex</i></b></div>
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Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-33254577722378230082019-12-02T08:47:00.002+00:002019-12-02T10:12:47.453+00:00Autumn rut !<br />
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Still trying to catch up on my wildlife reports, and I'm
failing miserably.<br />
It's now October and the start of the "rutting season
" for me that means a return trip to Sevenoaks and Knole Park to watch the
Fallow Deer Bucks strive for supremacy on Echo Mount and bragging rights with
the hinds.</div>
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It's great to watch the action here, it can appear
deceptively peaceful<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with the bucks
resting around the small stand of trees at the top of Echo mount, a few Bucks will
strut around there bellowing mating call attracting the female hinds to the
mount, the high point of the park.</div>
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As more hinds appear, the mating calls get
more intense, others join in, the Bucks chase the hinds, the older bucks begin
to size each other up, you soon begin to notice the parallel walking, the foot
stomping, you know that clash is coming, just a matter of seconds now, and when
it happens that violent clash of antlers, it still takes you by surprise, some
serious pushing and antler fencing which ends in one of the Bucks giving ground
and retreating, usually chased off by the victor, and then it's quiet again,
just the bellow from the victor, hopefully the hind in season is still around,
mating takes place, victory is short lived, it's not long before a new
challenge arrives.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdthLb2ahkgkGU4kPuh3ShaLclOBOCYhDXIc-EYx1rrBNqx5rhltAtTzHIZNX1PHgy5XAS3-aJf8irX4t30zGMecvt4DC6VCaHnFFCSbNxEUpXgh60P4RK7be6f6hrmWusga2eTPKoWY/s1600/DSC_0531x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="1600" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdthLb2ahkgkGU4kPuh3ShaLclOBOCYhDXIc-EYx1rrBNqx5rhltAtTzHIZNX1PHgy5XAS3-aJf8irX4t30zGMecvt4DC6VCaHnFFCSbNxEUpXgh60P4RK7be6f6hrmWusga2eTPKoWY/s640/DSC_0531x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I watched a couple of younger bucks with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some less than impressive antlers tentatively
sparring, preparing for future battles to come, but they soon retreat at speed
when one of the older Bucks approach.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlrkGQdcy745vLMhxqJoclB4Gq7H1T1QqKd-Tg2cUbtKSzC8yGg-YwJeZCpAF_OcfNi8ByUIVB3c-4Wa7-y6U3jQp2Sb3hAkC_qgH6UBKZUPgKzEcrxUB6gGzS6OY_6vOOa1yhtMGBsQ/s1600/DSC_0567x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlrkGQdcy745vLMhxqJoclB4Gq7H1T1QqKd-Tg2cUbtKSzC8yGg-YwJeZCpAF_OcfNi8ByUIVB3c-4Wa7-y6U3jQp2Sb3hAkC_qgH6UBKZUPgKzEcrxUB6gGzS6OY_6vOOa1yhtMGBsQ/s640/DSC_0567x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic12fHVIY3NcGcCashaIOtJPuIrh_L-T9-c39PUUQdXezeNSrxCWpZ-AcoCQt5_AaS_6mvPPdCvZPJWOG7Nw6AXC3Xvyg1SMwm4Oimt555JpD_bO3BUkJBWPJjFaiDC3i62rlQM3trf6A/s1600/DSC_0550x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic12fHVIY3NcGcCashaIOtJPuIrh_L-T9-c39PUUQdXezeNSrxCWpZ-AcoCQt5_AaS_6mvPPdCvZPJWOG7Nw6AXC3Xvyg1SMwm4Oimt555JpD_bO3BUkJBWPJjFaiDC3i62rlQM3trf6A/s640/DSC_0550x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gentle sparring before being chased off</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VfBxPXQGQiw_wgxirxBxqtOOCNNmwLW1qQ66jBMAu5_74gkwzhHVbyhdxbSbdReToWvFTehwX-lQoI2dnMNybDAtQw9wI6boVLZxcVPjF_Y6v-s_C92ZAqLajCqdduSLf5qqfbrtjsw/s1600/DSC_0511x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1600" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VfBxPXQGQiw_wgxirxBxqtOOCNNmwLW1qQ66jBMAu5_74gkwzhHVbyhdxbSbdReToWvFTehwX-lQoI2dnMNybDAtQw9wI6boVLZxcVPjF_Y6v-s_C92ZAqLajCqdduSLf5qqfbrtjsw/s640/DSC_0511x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Challenger arriving<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeweX7SxvWxR0P1pGc9pgL1wnO7O4P3biBM5fZsktPzZ9s6xhmHj6fb1WzpQxHlVWt6LdZ48UyQ-lPJGKwkKNHXS7keN_CGYy9MNFBOwZlT95n4-0hSiPYUlw4ofeLSljufkDyQXQVjj4/s1600/DSC_0464x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeweX7SxvWxR0P1pGc9pgL1wnO7O4P3biBM5fZsktPzZ9s6xhmHj6fb1WzpQxHlVWt6LdZ48UyQ-lPJGKwkKNHXS7keN_CGYy9MNFBOwZlT95n4-0hSiPYUlw4ofeLSljufkDyQXQVjj4/s640/DSC_0464x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-55503892904070567852019-10-14T10:27:00.003+01:002019-10-14T10:59:12.790+01:00Spider in the house !<br />
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To be more precise, its a spider or two under the conservatory roof, throughout the long summer months I have watched the spiders spin their webs along the eaves of the conservatory, happy to leave them to do their best at removing unwanted flies and such, that have made their way into the house.<br />
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One in particular, that lives in a crack at the corner of the roof has grown to a fair size, probably a female, also very wary as she scurries back to her lair at speed as soon as she detects my presence.<br />
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I've noticed that during a particularly heavy rainstorm, the raindrops hitting the glass roof tends to bring out the spiders from their hiding places. on this occasion I thought I would try and get a photograph and identify the large female that keeps catching my eye.<br />
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And here she is, presuming she is a "she" , I suspected this might be one of those False Widow spiders that keep making the news, a look through my Spider field book at the possibilities narrowed it down to the <i>Steatoda nobilis</i> or Noble False Widow, later confirmed by the UK spiders on Facebook.</div>
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I was particularly pleased with this find having never seen one before, a bit of research revealed that the females are much larger than the males and can reach a size of 2 to 3 cm which is very close to the size of ours. ( I,m taking this measurement covering the spread of her legs) so a female she is. The males being much smaller.</div>
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The pale marking around the front of the body is another indicator of Noble False Widow , its also said that the marking on the body sometimes resembles a skull, not on this one though.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4-bZjxS5QYOyssjY_4VnFWZ0PfIOqhsRuNVH3lvnc3g3gmKJXjMJ6MGTGjHjSLyvlS-dezBqNsecg29FVeYNIfXEUifSG7L0NxQJU_RyNySLQoS8afh4VF3YWYvBU-HGh1sxuuT8NVE/s1600/nfw+fx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="506" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4-bZjxS5QYOyssjY_4VnFWZ0PfIOqhsRuNVH3lvnc3g3gmKJXjMJ6MGTGjHjSLyvlS-dezBqNsecg29FVeYNIfXEUifSG7L0NxQJU_RyNySLQoS8afh4VF3YWYvBU-HGh1sxuuT8NVE/s640/nfw+fx.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Steatoda nobilis</i> Noble False Widow</td></tr>
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A few more images of the female.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutMiWilGA-IS2a8dIQeRcMHzUKdpi4rQ-U6kya2qjfTOFHgAxzw8jk27voaKB8jpmayFvhOLmJSBaWFlYovECBoOhaLvmaRL3vqTPc3r8lpgEoy3ptAejcLBh_2Ku_KNdAERNpapoAto/s1600/nfw+f2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="412" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutMiWilGA-IS2a8dIQeRcMHzUKdpi4rQ-U6kya2qjfTOFHgAxzw8jk27voaKB8jpmayFvhOLmJSBaWFlYovECBoOhaLvmaRL3vqTPc3r8lpgEoy3ptAejcLBh_2Ku_KNdAERNpapoAto/s400/nfw+f2x.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEkR4wlYhsWhIjjg8-HNoWLRcoXnqZ2icwyi38EOSJ0HcQg43hCIcc_D5Y0QS3UE4u0BzJBtc2Pjf4DeanhUpJar3LkSRafMoVJN_VgKwivSZKlAk6k801aZ98A91kKsVli303OmDTdY/s1600/DSC_0344x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEkR4wlYhsWhIjjg8-HNoWLRcoXnqZ2icwyi38EOSJ0HcQg43hCIcc_D5Y0QS3UE4u0BzJBtc2Pjf4DeanhUpJar3LkSRafMoVJN_VgKwivSZKlAk6k801aZ98A91kKsVli303OmDTdY/s400/DSC_0344x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4W8DhwzPPrPiljfjFcDveC-xSOZC0d3qCzLV8PyvPgEvCdRCurEcnzjBvzd1askEKje4ol5a5Ps_Z0d8hGZGLIyhnwqFhSrJ_oC5SJc1oKPbvZuZj3moI_22kSmdUEsfQ3x8pk-D087g/s1600/DSC_0345x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4W8DhwzPPrPiljfjFcDveC-xSOZC0d3qCzLV8PyvPgEvCdRCurEcnzjBvzd1askEKje4ol5a5Ps_Z0d8hGZGLIyhnwqFhSrJ_oC5SJc1oKPbvZuZj3moI_22kSmdUEsfQ3x8pk-D087g/s400/DSC_0345x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As I mentioned before several other smaller spiders also living around the conservatory roof but much smaller and looking at the markings on the body are also Noble False Widows probably males.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JaRje8wIJF58xclaJYuyI1d_AYZc6493tIFJ0fNSIbjacWNHS2SFcC1RdOX5PFsqn7Rzg7ouUXlOEDWYr4hSvFqYt-MMPVG6tZpnOGrJrwl9n14BkOzTvY5TQ72ncR79D1jX4EdKgjU/s1600/nfw1xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="483" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JaRje8wIJF58xclaJYuyI1d_AYZc6493tIFJ0fNSIbjacWNHS2SFcC1RdOX5PFsqn7Rzg7ouUXlOEDWYr4hSvFqYt-MMPVG6tZpnOGrJrwl9n14BkOzTvY5TQ72ncR79D1jX4EdKgjU/s320/nfw1xx.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxgG6tY-qTIjDOUL59_jYiX0OC6tGnZNiGnj0fdFNcSHxUm7C61VsE-YnEIILxLOuKHrIlIRCsf1pRfpPE-05dd8EjwxKMnkthF39pEblxudbhgdDRA_BEC8qXB0qnIYt0j6Whimkkgg/s1600/nfw3x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxgG6tY-qTIjDOUL59_jYiX0OC6tGnZNiGnj0fdFNcSHxUm7C61VsE-YnEIILxLOuKHrIlIRCsf1pRfpPE-05dd8EjwxKMnkthF39pEblxudbhgdDRA_BEC8qXB0qnIYt0j6Whimkkgg/s400/nfw3x.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possible male Noble false Widow and hoverfly prey</td></tr>
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I was initially a bit wary of these spiders considering the scare stories that newspapers have reported in the past but it seems to be that there bite is no worse than a Bee sting, and they scurry away as soon as they detect your presence so for the moment there safe to lead there short lives in peace, as long as they stay out of harms way.</div>
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Here's another spider taken up residence outside the house, the common garden or White Cross Spider. nothing to worry about with this one, unless you're a Mayfly !</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGFjh-uNiTcyG2Q6IkYRbtRLhQF7EKrLoxPqPdDZ79OvKci01zXyeK84xuosGi3q8tybPpjXfLTHtzMcBV9AMq1_C7Ea0otrhL95cc_yyBYrAJ5DeMEJGsVZIw5Flx03kchR-P8pYMgY/s1600/DSC_0340x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1600" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGFjh-uNiTcyG2Q6IkYRbtRLhQF7EKrLoxPqPdDZ79OvKci01zXyeK84xuosGi3q8tybPpjXfLTHtzMcBV9AMq1_C7Ea0otrhL95cc_yyBYrAJ5DeMEJGsVZIw5Flx03kchR-P8pYMgY/s640/DSC_0340x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Araneus diadematus Garden Spider and Mayfly prey.</td></tr>
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Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-70286565456358385442019-10-07T09:40:00.002+01:002019-10-07T09:40:40.040+01:00Last of the summer Butterflies ! The Clouded Yellow is usally my last sought after butterfly of the year, with just one sighting seen last year at Rainham Marshes in Essex. This year I was hoping to see some in Kent.<br />
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September, and several reports of Clouded Yellows at Oare Marshes caught my attention, I couldn't resist a visit, but after a long walk down the Swale towards Uplees in some sunny but probably to windy conditions brought no sightings.<br />
I walked around the East Flood not really expecting to see any now, until a bright yellow butterfly flew up from the path ahead, catching me by surprise, but typically it did not linger and disappeared across the inaccessible meadows next to the flood, but a sighting nevertheless.<br />
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No more sightings for me here which was disappointing, a brief view and no photograph.<br />
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I was given some information by another butterfly enthusiast from 'Facebook' on a possibly good location to see Clouded Yellows and also the Wall Brown another butterfly I struggle to see well.<br />
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The location , Cliffe Pools, a site quite close to where I live, but a vast area to look for butterflies but worth a try.<br />
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As I walked from the car park down towards the river wall butterflies started to appear, mainly Small White and a few Small Heath, but expectantly a few Clouded Yellows started to appear , all very restless and none settling.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISgEADoRm0y5hy5FRNeYHEJBYAgMefzLVyQExie-NukY9xNJFodAEMp9hGE_C6u8yc-Gfqlu0xF3UCsku7Ed007b704HYFTcn-e1HjmRAsCbTAXqkIN4xhq3qL__2-cJZQ1jXECZ1QCc/s1600/DSC_0220x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISgEADoRm0y5hy5FRNeYHEJBYAgMefzLVyQExie-NukY9xNJFodAEMp9hGE_C6u8yc-Gfqlu0xF3UCsku7Ed007b704HYFTcn-e1HjmRAsCbTAXqkIN4xhq3qL__2-cJZQ1jXECZ1QCc/s400/DSC_0220x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small White</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkK1CFoQmi-NJ3SqKUVA26CIASFUnfn5qhVIXieZidx6-CwyjsINkko3UesjTlJkwxvMH48N9vVOaTgh9R-Gmho9ntXOEQSYyONDbE6zretyzdM6Hq3TW9R-LNq9q-7Qp1St9rwi56lk/s1600/DSC_0132x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkK1CFoQmi-NJ3SqKUVA26CIASFUnfn5qhVIXieZidx6-CwyjsINkko3UesjTlJkwxvMH48N9vVOaTgh9R-Gmho9ntXOEQSYyONDbE6zretyzdM6Hq3TW9R-LNq9q-7Qp1St9rwi56lk/s400/DSC_0132x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Heath</td></tr>
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I passed the Flamingo Pool, as it was named in my bird watching days from years gone by and walked towards the river wall. My first of many sightings of the Wall Brown started to appear, more than I have ever seen before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaD__SQVHiwpFsdnkVrOSP2qZnO48Vw8Bv1NbQHeuueRBoX7X_1u2TAbyESC32jdwU2H6gL2TTm5iGzINwoW21mSlgUyRPnJqJISJb1x3Yltpj_DwIo9JHcl7SZN2MS9l5kEZ-uUMfMDw/s1600/DSC_0181x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1600" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaD__SQVHiwpFsdnkVrOSP2qZnO48Vw8Bv1NbQHeuueRBoX7X_1u2TAbyESC32jdwU2H6gL2TTm5iGzINwoW21mSlgUyRPnJqJISJb1x3Yltpj_DwIo9JHcl7SZN2MS9l5kEZ-uUMfMDw/s400/DSC_0181x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worn Wall Brown female</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzO2R1gDaZESbqY_wniR87iFROmVoJPQop-TQucHCIPV_wiaZu2WO98tLVq-94_bbLuUUuF8LEpAF7t7N2CfsjHJyAtqssmfw51EswqdA__M5JHVseqEaPHxp_JdBaZXuG86WJqRURk9w/s1600/DSC_0313x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzO2R1gDaZESbqY_wniR87iFROmVoJPQop-TQucHCIPV_wiaZu2WO98tLVq-94_bbLuUUuF8LEpAF7t7N2CfsjHJyAtqssmfw51EswqdA__M5JHVseqEaPHxp_JdBaZXuG86WJqRURk9w/s400/DSC_0313x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4PHz8SC6rLcN2_qG8eGhrMoEAk8qKuq_2YpbddZ_Ab_B7n7XRHMDnUIiKKE19dv68MASmcnj9gvB9zmo3PX1QjWjde9nHG-4H-B8SA_6VV5XAlPMQ5B6fARZLxx2Zbo-MZHDIC2OKbU/s1600/DSC_0325x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1600" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4PHz8SC6rLcN2_qG8eGhrMoEAk8qKuq_2YpbddZ_Ab_B7n7XRHMDnUIiKKE19dv68MASmcnj9gvB9zmo3PX1QjWjde9nHG-4H-B8SA_6VV5XAlPMQ5B6fARZLxx2Zbo-MZHDIC2OKbU/s400/DSC_0325x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKFby7RL4mXNGda7Ewh0zU3ygjst2pMBUatn7q8eBYdnFRb641yam3y3JrOOGaz8Gh6o7wdUD9YY0gI1xabPZ3Rpc2Ie0xn943MDtH55P8foqeK58yzPr_9MQFcJJCiQsh_uM5JuJKpg/s1600/DSC_0312x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1600" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKFby7RL4mXNGda7Ewh0zU3ygjst2pMBUatn7q8eBYdnFRb641yam3y3JrOOGaz8Gh6o7wdUD9YY0gI1xabPZ3Rpc2Ie0xn943MDtH55P8foqeK58yzPr_9MQFcJJCiQsh_uM5JuJKpg/s400/DSC_0312x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5PsEaKd_gSAZulJ3frpVVNMXpXMaBxRtx560NhKESdZAKdxvBsPYuteZ45_VSoI0jcbG4pOmWEOaShmJqAzPm0l9bScPzTcpHs_fs6-VpedE9i6aa4klvQHEe4qasJhz7Wb2sqyysi4/s1600/DSC_0224x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5PsEaKd_gSAZulJ3frpVVNMXpXMaBxRtx560NhKESdZAKdxvBsPYuteZ45_VSoI0jcbG4pOmWEOaShmJqAzPm0l9bScPzTcpHs_fs6-VpedE9i6aa4klvQHEe4qasJhz7Wb2sqyysi4/s400/DSC_0224x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">male Wall Brown</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYaJb_uPB8hxBh6vXdR6JQc3TCOkzHFiUADiQxAHYh1k9KfzsXR5vUtHhQaMHhsWfMEvgkQzV3349n55YXcMVNfknQVzCeJK-6ZvQxsApaoiN2UZ5B2yUp43JAZoGYw03w4o_G1HcsZk/s1600/DSC_0222x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1269" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYaJb_uPB8hxBh6vXdR6JQc3TCOkzHFiUADiQxAHYh1k9KfzsXR5vUtHhQaMHhsWfMEvgkQzV3349n55YXcMVNfknQVzCeJK-6ZvQxsApaoiN2UZ5B2yUp43JAZoGYw03w4o_G1HcsZk/s400/DSC_0222x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The embankment behind the river wall was alive with butterflies, Small White the most numerous, Large White, Wall Brown, a very worn Painted Lady, a very fresh Small Tortoiseshell, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper and finally a few Clouded Yellow, with just one settling for a photograph.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZN9jc9gLDRTpf08A5s3Gy_L633as39JeziR7JWuEbR1syZmI34C0IZ9zvzq7KCshZSFKHjUsg92m3gf6r0BlgnJSZVTPkhFJ01C9VM-fQxYVrICcnVUUHDKHZW8gFUrbSB91oCj7Hso/s1600/DSC_0256x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZN9jc9gLDRTpf08A5s3Gy_L633as39JeziR7JWuEbR1syZmI34C0IZ9zvzq7KCshZSFKHjUsg92m3gf6r0BlgnJSZVTPkhFJ01C9VM-fQxYVrICcnVUUHDKHZW8gFUrbSB91oCj7Hso/s400/DSC_0256x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpPP1kr7jlnd_i2PzmyQppEpPFGCgbZ6P1HFuDxmFE4Vljl3JnG2t_j7JLYpTo-zlNazcsrSFNftdaKVR-P7bJKkO1CmX8u6SGwv-8DZ1js9CpyszgJsg3_GTpYtdHqcB3xzMEY3O5xo/s1600/DSC_0271x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpPP1kr7jlnd_i2PzmyQppEpPFGCgbZ6P1HFuDxmFE4Vljl3JnG2t_j7JLYpTo-zlNazcsrSFNftdaKVR-P7bJKkO1CmX8u6SGwv-8DZ1js9CpyszgJsg3_GTpYtdHqcB3xzMEY3O5xo/s400/DSC_0271x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEsuKPfvI8uLIY4AmUHT-v5en3y1QVTfvuO_Qp8eIihO8PhS4sEA02rhVsEDHVFg7GQs3GcBuc35xi8pI2yfY_vu-XAYMFAG8u4vbASpDW0gIW6pbTOi_ciJq25n6As2gS4LK88o96sU/s1600/DSC_0299x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1600" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEsuKPfvI8uLIY4AmUHT-v5en3y1QVTfvuO_Qp8eIihO8PhS4sEA02rhVsEDHVFg7GQs3GcBuc35xi8pI2yfY_vu-XAYMFAG8u4vbASpDW0gIW6pbTOi_ciJq25n6As2gS4LK88o96sU/s400/DSC_0299x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue female</td></tr>
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One last surprise sighting were these small Bees , It seemed to me at the time were making a higher pitch hum than the usual carder bees seen. I was thinking maybe a Shrill Carder Bee but having never seen one before I wasn't' sure.<br />
I managed a couple of photographs and after an I.D. request discovered that they were in fact Brown Banded Carder Bee's also quite scarce, so nice to see.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9n4-mHZ1LDtL1b1PFZRy9A8cXKKU1FybECIZaXu2hnfAitEugvGo4QD4Heh9CzeT821gTpA5yCP0z5BDZdeYl1ATUB9lI8B824Lj0yfBz43ERBhUL99rYcXu1mZkvnIlXHcMi-4s1hs/s1600/DSC_0243x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9n4-mHZ1LDtL1b1PFZRy9A8cXKKU1FybECIZaXu2hnfAitEugvGo4QD4Heh9CzeT821gTpA5yCP0z5BDZdeYl1ATUB9lI8B824Lj0yfBz43ERBhUL99rYcXu1mZkvnIlXHcMi-4s1hs/s400/DSC_0243x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Banded Carder Bee <i>Bombus Humilis</i></td></tr>
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A successful days wildlife watching, Clouded Yellow, Wall Brown and the Brown Banded Carder Bee best sightings of the day.<br />
<br />Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-52336103937334465352019-09-30T10:27:00.000+01:002019-09-30T10:27:10.465+01:00Valerian and the Hawkmoth ! Some late summer memories.<br />
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Sitting in the garden as I often seem to do these days, with plenty of time on my hands, I'm always on the lookout for a wildlife encounter, on just such an occasion, what I thought was a large Bumble bee of sorts, caught my eye, it was investigating a tub of Verbena that had been placed by my pond,<br />
suddenly a 'eureka' moment struck me, this was no Bumbleblebee but a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, I nearly fell out of my swinging chair, where was my camera when I needed it, I rushed indoors and grabbed my camera, the Hummingbird Hawkmoth was nowhere to be seen on my return.<br />
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As I sat back down, I could see that the Hummingbird Hawkmoth had discovered my clump of Valerian further down the garden which I had grown for just such an occasion.<br />
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This time I thought I would watch for a time and try and get a photograph later as it happily hovered around the Valerian flowers in a typical Hummingbird fashion.<br />
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What a stunning day-flying moth this was, I took a few photographs as you can imagine, most of which were out of focus, trickly moth to capture as they move from flower to flower, but I did manage a couple of photographs, some showing the long proboscis.<br />
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I caught sight of this Hawkmoth on two more occasions the following day, and then no more.<br />
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I think planting the Valerian was a huge success, which I may now move some around the garden,<br />
in the hope for more sightings next year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummingbird Hawkmoth</td></tr>
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<br />Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-19446201664564774772019-09-22T15:56:00.002+01:002019-09-22T15:56:44.235+01:00New Skipper !<br />
Well a new Skipper for me !<br />
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With the weather not so good at the moment it's time to catch up and record some of my recent sightings.<br />
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I set myself a few targets this year, in the world of Butterflies I had set my sights on trying to see the Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Heath Fritillary and the Silver Spotted skipper, all of which I have been fortunate to observe in the field this year.<br />
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Queensdown Warren in Kent was the place to head for to see the Silver Spotted Skipper, and as the optimum time to see these approached, end of July through to August I made my first visit to the site.<br />
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A Warm sunny day with plenty of Butterflies to view, my first couple of Silver Spotted Skippers were seen, but with some difficulty ,very fast darting flight low across the grasses. not to many to be seen probably as they were at the early stages of there flight period. Just managed one photograph to record this first sighting.<br />
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My second visit a few weeks later 13th August, and what a difference a few weeks make, the Skippers seemed to be everywhere enjoying the sunshine giving good views of all their features. still flying low and very fast but I seemed to be able to keep my eye on them this time , and once they settled there was plenty of opportunity to get some photographs.<br />
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I have now managed to see several Skippers now, just one sighting of a Dingy Skipper, several Essex Skippers, Small Skipper and Large Skipper next year I hope to try and catch up with the Chequered Skipper.<br />
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My wanted list for nest year stands like this at the moment :-<br />
Chequered Skipper, Purple Emperor Butterfly, Long Tailed Blue which seems to be making a stand here in Kent at the moment, maybe the Glanville Fritillary which resides very close to the Kent border, a few more sightings of the various Hairstreaks would also be nice.<br />
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What I have learnt this year is that if I want to see new species previously unseen, I need to make the effort and search for them in their favoured haunts, we will see what next season brings.<br />
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<br />Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-66634837096536463102019-09-12T17:58:00.000+01:002019-09-12T17:58:28.191+01:00" Long time coming .... "<br />
One of my garden wildlife highlights this year has been the discovery that my long forgotten ' Bee Hotel/houses' has finally got some occupants, its been nearly two years since I placed these in the garden after noticing the tell tale semi-circular cut outs on my Rose leafs.<br />
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I have heard it said that these little insect house's are not very successful, but mine has certainly found favour with the local leaf cutters this year.<br />
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These are the the two insect houses , as you can see some of the cells have been capped off with leaf sections.<br />
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I have obviously found a position to their liking.<br />
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The next stage was to find out what species of leaf cutter was using the boxes.<br />
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Finally caught sight of a bee entering the box, closely followed by more Bee's entering the cells .<br />
As I patiently waited close by I soon noticed the Bee's coming in with some leaf sections.<br />
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I just needed a photograph now and an identification.<br />
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Finally got some good views as they flew into the house, they do not hang around and soon disappear into the cells.<br />
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These turned out to be one of the commonest garden leaf cutters, commonly known as the patchwork leaf-cutter or (Megachile centuncularis). <br /><br />Common or not I was really pleased that the Bee's were finally using the insect house, in the end eight cells out of twenty four have been used in one house, and three in the other.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Patchwork leaf-cutter (Megachile centuncularis).</td></tr>
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These Leaf cutter Bee's have a yellow pollen brush under there abdomen which can be clearly seen in some of these images.</div>
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I tried to get a photograph as they flew in towards the house, but they come in quite fast and hard to get a focus on them. this is the closest I got.<br />
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Quite fascinating to watch as they seal the exterior of the cell, will be interesting to take a look later at the completed cells, later in the winter.<br />
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Update - I have noticed a couple of the cell caps have been removed, probably by the local Tits looking for a meal.<br />
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I read that sometimes the Leafcutter Bees leave these last cells empty to combat the birds attentions.<br />
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The moral here is not to give up on your Bee houses, just find that perfect location.<br />
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Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-17051943452140597142019-08-26T17:26:00.001+01:002019-08-26T17:26:59.886+01:00More of the Blues !<br />
The Chalkland Blue, as its name suggests a chalk grassland speciality and another Butterfly that I seemed to have overlooked. I have been waiting several weeks now for this species to show itself, and finally at Queensdown Warren they appeared, this apparently one of there favoured localities, usally making an appearance in the last weeks of July.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Chalkhill Blue</td></tr>
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They like the short grasslands of this old rabbit warren site, set on a south facing hillside. I had managed to see the Adonis Blue at this same site earlier this year, this Chalkhill Blue is much the same size although much paler in colour and those distinctive black borders give it a very attractive look. I took so many photographs it's hard to know which to post but here are some of my favourite shots.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male and female mating pair Chalkhill Blue</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">worn Male & female Chalkhill Blue</td></tr>
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This is my third new species of Butterfly this season, very happy to see this one, not particularly rare, just need to go the right habitat at the right time.</div>
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<br />Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-17596663806218600252019-08-10T10:47:00.001+01:002019-08-10T14:18:05.085+01:00Demoiselles !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Checked out the River Darent on my way out of Lullingstone country Park, this is usally my best bet for seeing and photographing the Banded Demoiselle, but on this occasion as the Storm clouds rolled in and the sun disappeared so did the Demoiselles.<br />
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My second visit was more successful, usally I see many more male Demoiselles than I do females, but this time females were showing well.<br />
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I love watching these Damselflys especially the males as they launch themselves off the riverside vegetation to display to the females as they make an appearance.<br />
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I never tire of trying to get that perfect image of one of these Demoiselles, not quite there yet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioo36DnObLXeDzopGOKgJgWq1VL9GXCAc1vvjuAhwuhjUnRakAp8igZog-v9tM6P7TrLjmkiqoah8Wky-1vPgbtNA5G9Ltgzk4OvlgcW2hkg6nrVH8hx6PdFNiD1LoV_SDrn7vXmm06ko/s1600/DSC_0955x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1600" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioo36DnObLXeDzopGOKgJgWq1VL9GXCAc1vvjuAhwuhjUnRakAp8igZog-v9tM6P7TrLjmkiqoah8Wky-1vPgbtNA5G9Ltgzk4OvlgcW2hkg6nrVH8hx6PdFNiD1LoV_SDrn7vXmm06ko/s400/DSC_0955x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female Banded Demoiselle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4Ya1ag0r66iMLg17hzt2j6UYQqVaQz6R6q4zVusVCyA6SUhCJSwgZsKp8Oae7QQ9Udi4JI-YgABvKbTh7tEE7rsF4hsUI2tQ4mTLXYHp30i9-lHyDNQBTLtNNFnNZTPEuIdDChebl5g/s1600/DSC_0908x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4Ya1ag0r66iMLg17hzt2j6UYQqVaQz6R6q4zVusVCyA6SUhCJSwgZsKp8Oae7QQ9Udi4JI-YgABvKbTh7tEE7rsF4hsUI2tQ4mTLXYHp30i9-lHyDNQBTLtNNFnNZTPEuIdDChebl5g/s400/DSC_0908x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female Banded Demoiselle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmaXBMjrbqYGzeAuNG0BPhUFdRx5rhlyPdfAISRhMuXlLpN9Ain8cvvwOOTViS7OQjyIgI2e0JiwWQK9z7ZtzMEewBNvwgCUsKez3mpJV5-Ak5qSV7QCSCDVFTtehrnJw6SGj6Af2EiM/s1600/DSC_0931x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmaXBMjrbqYGzeAuNG0BPhUFdRx5rhlyPdfAISRhMuXlLpN9Ain8cvvwOOTViS7OQjyIgI2e0JiwWQK9z7ZtzMEewBNvwgCUsKez3mpJV5-Ak5qSV7QCSCDVFTtehrnJw6SGj6Af2EiM/s400/DSC_0931x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">male Banded Demoiselle</td></tr>
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So far so good , pretty certain of the identification on the Banded Demoiselle.</div>
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While walking around the Woodland at Dene Park in Kent as well as the Demoiselles I am familiar with, I caught site of another which I am not so Familiar with the Beautiful Demoiselle, although I could only snatch a quick record photo I am pretty sure of its identification. the wings had a distinctive brown hue, which caught my eye and the body was a more bottle green in colour which you can just make out from the photograph.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLll8S0YNC9mvCZos5nrJ5qYD4Jz0I6PQPGxG1gZLTMtsyWaR3M4I2S596YYe_yeqVhiWqr249A_xy39wr85KN6H5K8mmcM-nBKulI2QYgDlWyvvOnlQggqZTQQp1u4FzwQ2LS1DqzSU/s1600/DSC_0866xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1600" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLll8S0YNC9mvCZos5nrJ5qYD4Jz0I6PQPGxG1gZLTMtsyWaR3M4I2S596YYe_yeqVhiWqr249A_xy39wr85KN6H5K8mmcM-nBKulI2QYgDlWyvvOnlQggqZTQQp1u4FzwQ2LS1DqzSU/s400/DSC_0866xx.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Demoiselle</td></tr>
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Not sure if this is an immature male or female.</div>
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I decided on a visit to Sissinghurst gardens a National trust property was required , as I had heard that this was a regular haunt of the Beautiful Demoiselle.</div>
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The lakes and the woodland streams was where I looked, not as easy as I thought it was going to be, lots of Banded Demoiselles there, and the Demoiselles I thought could be the Beautiful Demoiselle were not convincing to me.</div>
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The more I look at the images the more I feel unconvinced.</div>
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If any Odonata enthusiasts out there can put me straight I would appreciate it one way or the other.</div>
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Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-53564422802035309122019-08-04T07:03:00.001+01:002019-08-04T07:03:30.588+01:00Search for the Emperor ! I still have a few Butterflies on my 'wanted list', the Emperor Butterfly sits well at the top of that list.<br />
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So with a few reports and photographs appearing on our local facebook Butterfly site I decided more effort was needed to try and see this elusive Butterfly.<br />
The site in question was a huge wooded area called Dene Park Wood, a site I have never visited before, but I did have a hint of where to begin my search, " the dog poo triangle" ?<br />
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Well I arrived at the car park, several paths leading away from this area but fortunately I chose the right footpath and headed up the slight incline, my initial plan was to look for the sunnier aspects and hope to see the fabled Emperor come down from the treetops to ground level where its particularly fond of "dog poo"<br />
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A complete circuit of the woods was made on the circular path I had chosen, a few Butterflies were appearing, the White Admiral, more sightings than I have ever had before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dYV8RR6eI5UVJJawDlKLopI0Jcs9SYGMI6TdaNsKAjUCbBCOA-Dkru2sbOP2sDSV6CuerMJF69fqTJU3F3dE_W7gr_jNfdjGWjrb2ZK3bjQwl2j3TPsiIIa4LM0cfUgaxw5zpsx8VYo/s1600/DSC_0795x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dYV8RR6eI5UVJJawDlKLopI0Jcs9SYGMI6TdaNsKAjUCbBCOA-Dkru2sbOP2sDSV6CuerMJF69fqTJU3F3dE_W7gr_jNfdjGWjrb2ZK3bjQwl2j3TPsiIIa4LM0cfUgaxw5zpsx8VYo/s400/DSC_0795x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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A few other observers were beginning to turn up now, I enquired about the location of the "dog poo triangle" expecting a quizzical look , but no,as it turn out all this was was a small area of grass at a junction in the footpath where a Dog Waste bin had been placed, not far from where I was standing, I slowly wandered back to this area, still more observers were already stationed here, but no sign of the Emperor. I did get several sightings of another elusive Butterfly and one still on my wanted list, the Purple Hairstreak, these sightings were mainly flight views and no photographs obtained of that little beauty this time.</div>
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I wandered back up the footpath to a very sunny area where even more people had gathered, this was the area supposedly where the Emperors master Tree was situated, but still no sign of him coming down from his lofty treetop home.</div>
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More Admirals were seen , again Black Admiral and a few Red Admiral.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMEwEDBbT1difhjYD8TIekRurv7ZkEglXVC-uBxUj5NwDO20WuUDHFSSf78tN_owkgLiHkGFt5Wm93kyUyLMmeHOVaiDmJHMr8DlGzDZXImP3uWMzfURhKkDtuY7Fa8Z1yxVEUAhxrKA/s1600/DSC_0767x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMEwEDBbT1difhjYD8TIekRurv7ZkEglXVC-uBxUj5NwDO20WuUDHFSSf78tN_owkgLiHkGFt5Wm93kyUyLMmeHOVaiDmJHMr8DlGzDZXImP3uWMzfURhKkDtuY7Fa8Z1yxVEUAhxrKA/s400/DSC_0767x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikOgpZ6xLVhnq6TM84w6LGReeMUcyt4RD7VwLUxuU_BHqCdCZZKCUxObTHbyuvSbeeTpv9gyFqsJ8SDe3yKeuCJ4j7w5-WB7VwkNsPDk2IENK5pA4UoAcl55f4dPqaywJGfoFSEsBuQk/s1600/DSC_0773x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikOgpZ6xLVhnq6TM84w6LGReeMUcyt4RD7VwLUxuU_BHqCdCZZKCUxObTHbyuvSbeeTpv9gyFqsJ8SDe3yKeuCJ4j7w5-WB7VwkNsPDk2IENK5pA4UoAcl55f4dPqaywJGfoFSEsBuQk/s400/DSC_0773x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Still no sign of the Emperor, and its reported optimum time span to see this was fast approaching its end, early morning to lunch time.</div>
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A few Silver Washed Fritillaries patrolled up and down the footpath which was very nice for me as I do not see this Butterfly that often.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GhRqeLt1jXEXYhe9SuedqQFj_J2sInuPN4H4ZxrfdtmsuSxKQXqnXcPuX3W32xMNas9eAUNkCNmq8yFpxouNU4W8VHaBTCKTM1seAKBeeARxXH2B5pBBDyHvHX4nTxArDFVx10r-0xc/s1600/DSC_0794x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GhRqeLt1jXEXYhe9SuedqQFj_J2sInuPN4H4ZxrfdtmsuSxKQXqnXcPuX3W32xMNas9eAUNkCNmq8yFpxouNU4W8VHaBTCKTM1seAKBeeARxXH2B5pBBDyHvHX4nTxArDFVx10r-0xc/s400/DSC_0794x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Washed Fritillary</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn2LspvUMQgY2Q_DENIqSZ3AYNOUFK_HQSw3JLwbanqx-MIsirNQPOfluBhTBWcZOHgxve2hWr6iqq7fztxeyX-zvXWUlmmjvCzQtjBaFiIZZ-4gxesK3b5p3UiJBnp9kyBkQARKsorM/s1600/DSC_0812x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1600" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn2LspvUMQgY2Q_DENIqSZ3AYNOUFK_HQSw3JLwbanqx-MIsirNQPOfluBhTBWcZOHgxve2hWr6iqq7fztxeyX-zvXWUlmmjvCzQtjBaFiIZZ-4gxesK3b5p3UiJBnp9kyBkQARKsorM/s400/DSC_0812x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoskdnFBIXA8LEgS-0yGJi-XfcmHmlVvJYtSj1Fweqz4H4HeNTvwlCCEqkNHvI3rhxZ5X3gxaOGCKf6M4L-_8coPzhlIf1wDnLUgFpakxPIWKxOFRtECV8S9w1iH8wyeq9B9s5e9hcVo/s1600/DSC_0800x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoskdnFBIXA8LEgS-0yGJi-XfcmHmlVvJYtSj1Fweqz4H4HeNTvwlCCEqkNHvI3rhxZ5X3gxaOGCKf6M4L-_8coPzhlIf1wDnLUgFpakxPIWKxOFRtECV8S9w1iH8wyeq9B9s5e9hcVo/s400/DSC_0800x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So no sign of the Emperor, its general flight time in more ways than one was coming to an end, this Butterfly will remain at the top of my wanted list and I'll try again next year.</div>
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I did manage to see two new Odonata species though on this visit which I was very pleased with, the first was the White-Legged Damselfly, both male and females seen.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HgexB4roJI-ozBB1U_jLe875-d9v7fZOX5m3Bomx4AyZBk1Q3N2EEne4DNypGU0pnYKDvvQphBWmx0TZsbeT4gdgtyUVawlWVtwNqaNz0qHXMP02or5UQ02lcI2NOXB0bM-i2iUA1po/s1600/DSC_0839x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HgexB4roJI-ozBB1U_jLe875-d9v7fZOX5m3Bomx4AyZBk1Q3N2EEne4DNypGU0pnYKDvvQphBWmx0TZsbeT4gdgtyUVawlWVtwNqaNz0qHXMP02or5UQ02lcI2NOXB0bM-i2iUA1po/s400/DSC_0839x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-Legged Damselfly female</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIxsQAWHRKcnBOUzoBI6Of8qPLbHJCOHXqdvy18mcKVurMoH5RtW753eCYZrQZRmKPE95x4aj2mSZ2QLRWiukj_kA3I3s0hsCDNvI2YSZwfKUYyt-_fUq8kJEJVP3MP9GJQy1t0qq_l0/s1600/DSC_0823x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIxsQAWHRKcnBOUzoBI6Of8qPLbHJCOHXqdvy18mcKVurMoH5RtW753eCYZrQZRmKPE95x4aj2mSZ2QLRWiukj_kA3I3s0hsCDNvI2YSZwfKUYyt-_fUq8kJEJVP3MP9GJQy1t0qq_l0/s400/DSC_0823x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptE3GYohBb4NIZ8-reEbi6vRLHie-ehV791q2Qtex3_1MeLhVEuJ3oyKzt5JzPqPUxA42NNm4H6nb4sY1aoZa_1K2KRWzzTRWVhF0rMqP_Ut8ggBDZfm3vAES5HfSPD4VguuezovnGps/s1600/DSC_0855x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptE3GYohBb4NIZ8-reEbi6vRLHie-ehV791q2Qtex3_1MeLhVEuJ3oyKzt5JzPqPUxA42NNm4H6nb4sY1aoZa_1K2KRWzzTRWVhF0rMqP_Ut8ggBDZfm3vAES5HfSPD4VguuezovnGps/s400/DSC_0855x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-Legged Damselfly male</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNYaeHYMZ64Dxo80rZYQ2KlXij5-iN1sTgM3jXsVphnLp5hTqVUfyNdtwlSeiqh3UrJ-8cjNZH_tkxm777TFP9Lem7ZyriGZV06ErQmyH1ltCRa_6vg_rgpNwdo2yxHy9bY_aoYQA2q0/s1600/DSC_0846x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNYaeHYMZ64Dxo80rZYQ2KlXij5-iN1sTgM3jXsVphnLp5hTqVUfyNdtwlSeiqh3UrJ-8cjNZH_tkxm777TFP9Lem7ZyriGZV06ErQmyH1ltCRa_6vg_rgpNwdo2yxHy9bY_aoYQA2q0/s400/DSC_0846x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And a completely unexpected sighting of a male Beautiful Demoiselle, a very brief sighting a little to high in the trees for a decent photograph.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGEprnHWgv1iPP5aX0hnZgFf8-aLI9FZmpWncZYGFNDtJl-NwKXYW1nQT0v91PWRWpngumsQvfi2En-NKVwOnTMFShfbMgFfe5najAdM0v4syRUMVq_MppPjlFvc-sV2PVPxAr1xEBt4/s1600/DSC_0866xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1600" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGEprnHWgv1iPP5aX0hnZgFf8-aLI9FZmpWncZYGFNDtJl-NwKXYW1nQT0v91PWRWpngumsQvfi2En-NKVwOnTMFShfbMgFfe5najAdM0v4syRUMVq_MppPjlFvc-sV2PVPxAr1xEBt4/s400/DSC_0866xx.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Demoiselle</td></tr>
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Butterfly sightings included White Admiral, Red Admiral, Silver Washed Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Purple Hairstreak, Gatekeeper, Small White, Comma, Ringlet and Speckled Wood</div>
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Odonata - White-Legged Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle, Beautiful Demoiselle, unidentified Hawker</div>
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All in all, a good day despite not seeing the Emperor Butterfly.</div>
Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-32989061174814571322019-07-30T20:34:00.002+01:002019-07-30T20:37:39.250+01:00Sandwich Bay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have got a bit behind on reporting my wildlife encounters, so time to catch up. A trip down to Sandwich Bay, the main objective to see another new Orchid which is particularly fond of damp grassland and dune slacks, the Marsh Helleborine.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzOxTwAtXLBlIGrXXJbUPl8hJWcDt38iNyYZu3iZVbrvfhz1c5p81Ybas103Zo6nFU7NzxnMZyIL_4-m5VNjd7v48O6EQWjbuwXxI3S1AzOMrs8flbd1QJnLpitDHhIkGCusPDtGmeq4/s1600/DSC_0625x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzOxTwAtXLBlIGrXXJbUPl8hJWcDt38iNyYZu3iZVbrvfhz1c5p81Ybas103Zo6nFU7NzxnMZyIL_4-m5VNjd7v48O6EQWjbuwXxI3S1AzOMrs8flbd1QJnLpitDHhIkGCusPDtGmeq4/s640/DSC_0625x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View across Sandwich Bay</td></tr>
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With the necessary permissions to view the area where the Orchids grow and on a gloriously sunny day, I was soon in position viewing the Marsh Helleborine where I must admit grow in some profusion. This is probably the best looking native Orchid I have seen to date, Butterflies and wasps were everywhere, and I had a great time watching a smallish wasp called a <i>'Crabro cribrarius'</i><br />
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<i> </i>So first a look at the Marsh Helleborine together with a few Southern Marsh Orchids still in flower.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFo5nZDeobHkaEvne0qAIYCgVZicdzdjBI8cbqNX360Y6B1zz2mVfNoZTk9fJ7vQ5pV2seOP1IRKEcJ1YpSopj8Ui9vOms6VM2TvKPRwRMyjzO5lJuYZmpwOqaFBshEJkHUbjxzInTVw/s1600/DSC_0455xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFo5nZDeobHkaEvne0qAIYCgVZicdzdjBI8cbqNX360Y6B1zz2mVfNoZTk9fJ7vQ5pV2seOP1IRKEcJ1YpSopj8Ui9vOms6VM2TvKPRwRMyjzO5lJuYZmpwOqaFBshEJkHUbjxzInTVw/s400/DSC_0455xx.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SLzopynGt-85QktzKr0OZTPDr5oKTtyexeEPZl1sVMM33j8qR0A8aduxBU3sF8ntpKMXaLYj4pCUHQ5PTGRYgguk4U2Kaf9a3ROpO84gReFQEGwK52Tq2AHvK-XNyTOqLLQd_k74XNY/s1600/DSC_0320x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1393" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SLzopynGt-85QktzKr0OZTPDr5oKTtyexeEPZl1sVMM33j8qR0A8aduxBU3sF8ntpKMXaLYj4pCUHQ5PTGRYgguk4U2Kaf9a3ROpO84gReFQEGwK52Tq2AHvK-XNyTOqLLQd_k74XNY/s400/DSC_0320x.jpg" width="346" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTYJmm30ErJpAocVo-FucpoiOHGQI-0YLwDWbwiccVxZsmiuHsD4m60BNO63tDk7ypG-vJwkKLJnx2revi5RXZm9MRXnsa69wPa0HzQvEo5axFiVoZCTwvsTQ3Ut1oMzZsTEwEEFdDGY/s1600/DSC_0390x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1342" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTYJmm30ErJpAocVo-FucpoiOHGQI-0YLwDWbwiccVxZsmiuHsD4m60BNO63tDk7ypG-vJwkKLJnx2revi5RXZm9MRXnsa69wPa0HzQvEo5axFiVoZCTwvsTQ3Ut1oMzZsTEwEEFdDGY/s400/DSC_0390x.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Marsh Orchid & Marsh Helleborine</td></tr>
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And here's the Digger type wasp that's quite common at Sandwich Bay</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEira0iZeKuF5mIf4Un0Xoay8SY3fueOWBcA98bG27_Vm1y7JHXzmCp85KKDuNMDn27Ee9hyzlslZJYx76Ceukmxh8Q5BUYurMsxAk6uBOEjCDuZkMIwjd9QTHMbjDmt-T70JHsSgZXs3MQ/s1600/DSC_0500x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEira0iZeKuF5mIf4Un0Xoay8SY3fueOWBcA98bG27_Vm1y7JHXzmCp85KKDuNMDn27Ee9hyzlslZJYx76Ceukmxh8Q5BUYurMsxAk6uBOEjCDuZkMIwjd9QTHMbjDmt-T70JHsSgZXs3MQ/s400/DSC_0500x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Crabro cribrarius</span></td></tr>
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You can see how as each Wasp visited the flowers of the Marsh Helleborine a small package of pollina sticks to the wasps forehead.<br />
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A good selection of Butterflies on view, always nice to try and get a photograph of a Butterfly on an Orchid. But the Butterflies not really playing ball today.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSnOMWSzdDPPWXwooinwm2FaAAu8jhKNf5Uvk9N-Tqi5V-Mc0QwqtaojwpqVmV9hboybxF0wzZcy1Q0BnZ85AN4LsxaawihiG2iBsbBtjTmO35BeZaWVPtc6PTMmQ1SkyiuxuCZZY3jE/s1600/DSC_0349x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSnOMWSzdDPPWXwooinwm2FaAAu8jhKNf5Uvk9N-Tqi5V-Mc0QwqtaojwpqVmV9hboybxF0wzZcy1Q0BnZ85AN4LsxaawihiG2iBsbBtjTmO35BeZaWVPtc6PTMmQ1SkyiuxuCZZY3jE/s400/DSC_0349x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A shy Painted Lady on a fading Marsh orchid</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13x80uzWW0tH-OmjZigrWe42Z8Hm78_gEBpa7xEVrW0gOs3XueEdcx38gdX8-tifcrZQV4zGzh88TrAsK_oyU8nuallVIrMhYyWQ8CUSLBT_wJsG1fLwzcT_JlRnNj9dSvydRr8tXxA4/s1600/DSC_0424x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1600" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13x80uzWW0tH-OmjZigrWe42Z8Hm78_gEBpa7xEVrW0gOs3XueEdcx38gdX8-tifcrZQV4zGzh88TrAsK_oyU8nuallVIrMhYyWQ8CUSLBT_wJsG1fLwzcT_JlRnNj9dSvydRr8tXxA4/s400/DSC_0424x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marbled White on Red Clover</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZJve-n1BEfFOm72IPxJLRn_jYuGDzoPZb_ggmv1fRrxiGk8sTmxM6XR3PtYIhokURdLDWuzvmK7mFQm7nLnGlFSzbkPXIMSKzUGhUKh6B1yCUEGQx4i5dT99C61q9-b26ooDM3CaUiE/s1600/DSC_0405x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZJve-n1BEfFOm72IPxJLRn_jYuGDzoPZb_ggmv1fRrxiGk8sTmxM6XR3PtYIhokURdLDWuzvmK7mFQm7nLnGlFSzbkPXIMSKzUGhUKh6B1yCUEGQx4i5dT99C61q9-b26ooDM3CaUiE/s400/DSC_0405x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Small Copper</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhCBfXzKz4RJcuNSWWjwMBMuaiiq8mL1WV9eBSH7i0Hj5JcCmWRuijTxtK7DB6q0RZGBfiEDj5bTCPiNnhwLSbfcFid0vc2_PFQxz_g4r39Uuy1qQdqH1447wY8WNB8MmpHCyDVfRe9w/s1600/DSC_0519x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhCBfXzKz4RJcuNSWWjwMBMuaiiq8mL1WV9eBSH7i0Hj5JcCmWRuijTxtK7DB6q0RZGBfiEDj5bTCPiNnhwLSbfcFid0vc2_PFQxz_g4r39Uuy1qQdqH1447wY8WNB8MmpHCyDVfRe9w/s400/DSC_0519x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meadow Brown on a Southern Marsh Orchid</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApfBHnEOGHXPIlI_zx25phetO55pdzUJV1LZTxOkPFOk5AAjy_D08l4vSrSVT-EV3inYJjxrsUad9rEVs6ilthclZIqT7kSav5gcVCj6r6jcnUAgpn8cERBVQ-nAViA2Vy5-PbQRuyRw/s1600/DSC_0367x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApfBHnEOGHXPIlI_zx25phetO55pdzUJV1LZTxOkPFOk5AAjy_D08l4vSrSVT-EV3inYJjxrsUad9rEVs6ilthclZIqT7kSav5gcVCj6r6jcnUAgpn8cERBVQ-nAViA2Vy5-PbQRuyRw/s400/DSC_0367x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Common Blue on an emerging Marsh helleborine</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9U84LzYYosXeBgZ3psqBuib24WVgUwsibG_1rT601AGto9bC4jxfBJR-hfl_f24wmGtZt8bvZjFkSnRSc0qskllNAiEynf6s434iTWAAQQ-_gggG_bNhSZjsxGjypV5cCLhrPqMFPHY4/s1600/DSC_0359x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9U84LzYYosXeBgZ3psqBuib24WVgUwsibG_1rT601AGto9bC4jxfBJR-hfl_f24wmGtZt8bvZjFkSnRSc0qskllNAiEynf6s434iTWAAQQ-_gggG_bNhSZjsxGjypV5cCLhrPqMFPHY4/s400/DSC_0359x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A battered Brown Argus</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmCtj_flsB4vxwa65LfgRIcDj5VSe5H1UWDNLMt67KEY4QXTedkEGVD6Wmsx3hVr-UQm7TPiuu6m4HDgStObjzFGCuGzifsMeFGWj15MIHhYlLK0Xs3fQv1MqLI6fVe0cSuR2WkoYV3s/s1600/DSC_0614xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1248" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmCtj_flsB4vxwa65LfgRIcDj5VSe5H1UWDNLMt67KEY4QXTedkEGVD6Wmsx3hVr-UQm7TPiuu6m4HDgStObjzFGCuGzifsMeFGWj15MIHhYlLK0Xs3fQv1MqLI6fVe0cSuR2WkoYV3s/s400/DSC_0614xx.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essex Skipper in Kent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv228oQmoVGm5DtEm74kWcSANecTDE-ZDD_8wF0IBD7NCaBvHa1kD_MtE9-oFpNAklbi1yctidshfWSeBxCK1sECvpJYUvrpcdtuErE_G6Iui97e8uoOQAzo2lkxZQJngQADbhg9pg5M/s1600/DSC_0647x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv228oQmoVGm5DtEm74kWcSANecTDE-ZDD_8wF0IBD7NCaBvHa1kD_MtE9-oFpNAklbi1yctidshfWSeBxCK1sECvpJYUvrpcdtuErE_G6Iui97e8uoOQAzo2lkxZQJngQADbhg9pg5M/s400/DSC_0647x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCWLAe0ysmKF0sTlXZH1OrODLMZ6iofIbLoD0GbU0rhd6cxs2WNHb3ruBfybS53sf2w7dxxBfEbDwuRro6kG558RW50MLfNuymUaIfYJH7OhiCk3iChRC84fNgcxp6_nxVF-zF8Q3oRs/s1600/DSC_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCWLAe0ysmKF0sTlXZH1OrODLMZ6iofIbLoD0GbU0rhd6cxs2WNHb3ruBfybS53sf2w7dxxBfEbDwuRro6kG558RW50MLfNuymUaIfYJH7OhiCk3iChRC84fNgcxp6_nxVF-zF8Q3oRs/s400/DSC_0608.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeysuckle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxIFmngpKBxEXfdBxPn4CgdObGNgrFE_eLCXT8y8Lo26KpGG3-SoUuhyphenhyphendbpLYufBKD3a-N1VDKVGkukOz1YLr6kvUBaafESSTHDNU8tDBFDR5Y5FDodJmp4lgTj4JKwbxgyaidBGXiYA/s1600/DSC_0651x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxIFmngpKBxEXfdBxPn4CgdObGNgrFE_eLCXT8y8Lo26KpGG3-SoUuhyphenhyphendbpLYufBKD3a-N1VDKVGkukOz1YLr6kvUBaafESSTHDNU8tDBFDR5Y5FDodJmp4lgTj4JKwbxgyaidBGXiYA/s400/DSC_0651x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last of the Lizard Orchids</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHlq_pGxNULaAN6Fjtyxs26FPgM22BYHqX-IROtiTdKTYtxU4yBlnrLROD-Sd3dvF0diMXlfnnC3Nqse9i5JGtVqgXR31dcSfbqDL0VFaVyqUweshAsKuTSILYeWxfqrucN2TFpdJpAQ/s1600/DSC_0626x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHlq_pGxNULaAN6Fjtyxs26FPgM22BYHqX-IROtiTdKTYtxU4yBlnrLROD-Sd3dvF0diMXlfnnC3Nqse9i5JGtVqgXR31dcSfbqDL0VFaVyqUweshAsKuTSILYeWxfqrucN2TFpdJpAQ/s400/DSC_0626x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sea Holly, Eryngium maritimum.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjolDFJ-XXZA-FY-dWFeVdCqvozLFZO0n0yfFgAJXW0Zcvj__2hZz5B1BhFJfaxPykW0K7ZPboNNn8vU5nAaXCmFZ9aeN4gQRs4BJT4xJbEUA6a0ES_-16G9tEV0iOA7NzUUKgcyDlb60/s1600/DSC_0640x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjolDFJ-XXZA-FY-dWFeVdCqvozLFZO0n0yfFgAJXW0Zcvj__2hZz5B1BhFJfaxPykW0K7ZPboNNn8vU5nAaXCmFZ9aeN4gQRs4BJT4xJbEUA6a0ES_-16G9tEV0iOA7NzUUKgcyDlb60/s400/DSC_0640x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unknown Leaf Cutter type Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u>Orchid Life List </u></b> <b><u>2019 Orchid List</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Common Spotted Orchid Green Winged Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Early Purple Orchid Early Purple Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Common Twayblade. Lady Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Greater Butterfly Orchid Early Spider Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Lady Orchid Fly Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pyramidal Orchid Common Twayblade</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Bee Orchid Man Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fragrant Orchid Monkey Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">White Helleborine White Helleborine</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Southern Marsh Orchid Common Fragrant Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Green Winged Orchid Bee Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Early Spider Orchid Southern Marsh Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fly Orchid Common Spotted Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Man Orchid Pyramidal Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Monkey Orchid Lizard Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Birds Nest Orchid Birds Nest Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lizard Orchid Musk Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Musk Orchid </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Greater Butterfly Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Heath Spotted Orchid Heath Spotted Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Late Spider Orchid Late Spider Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Marsh Helleborine Marsh Helleborine</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">21 Species</span></div>
Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-53134118593217109682019-07-12T18:23:00.001+01:002019-07-12T18:24:21.246+01:00Painted Lady !<br />
It was about this time of the year, maybe a week earlier, that I had a close encounter with a Silver Washed Fritillary at Shorne Country Park around the fishing lakes.<br />
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So with some spare time, thought I would check the area out again, I found the Hemp Agrimony growing on the banks of the fishing lake which attracted the Fritillary last year, the flowers not quite open which was disappointing,but a Fritillary seeing flying around the treetops close by, was more than likely the Silver Washed Fritillary and felt promising.<br />
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Another visit required, as I made my way around the lake a butterfly flew into view, not the Fritillary but a Painted Lady.<br />
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Up to now most of my Painted Lady encounters have been with very faded and rather tatty individuals, so I was pleasantly surprised to see this Painted Lady Butterfly in pristine condition, unusally this one kept its wings tightly closed giving some nice views of the underwing, and, as the sun suddenly came out from behind a cloud, the Butterfly open its wings to reveal the gorgeous colours of its upper wings.<br />
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<br />Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-46932769414860524962019-07-12T12:26:00.001+01:002019-07-12T12:26:27.759+01:00Mystery tour to Wye !I have been exploring so many new sites in Kent at the moment, I find myself falling behind in reporting my sightings on this blog.<br />
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My first Orchid sighting this year was the Early Spider Orchid, so I thought it would be nice to may be finish off with the Late Spider Orchid.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__oBn_d6rnHfvZuiZOjs26auCl9OwyE4WBOr9HeONOKj95pkdNYT76C-2fFTXUWMqlLB6s1cQ3k3tHAMaiSNQXtoV3Ym00YAgdayhhLfZfdlepkMLiMknj5KbjtkuiyrD249hz9H0pCM/s1600/DSC_0323x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__oBn_d6rnHfvZuiZOjs26auCl9OwyE4WBOr9HeONOKj95pkdNYT76C-2fFTXUWMqlLB6s1cQ3k3tHAMaiSNQXtoV3Ym00YAgdayhhLfZfdlepkMLiMknj5KbjtkuiyrD249hz9H0pCM/s400/DSC_0323x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Spider Orchid seen in May 2019 at another site</td></tr>
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Orchid Enthusiasts are quite protective on the whereabouts of some of these scarcer Orchids, with good reason I might add, so I count myself fortunate to have received some information on where, If I was lucky I may still find a Late Spider Orchid in flower, as they were reaching the end of their flowering season.<br />
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This was in a lovely part of the Kent Downs called Wye. The directions I were given were very good, unfortunately the street signage not so good, but I eventually arrived at the right place and very quickly found the Late Spider Orchids, most in protective cages, and as Orchid enthusiasts say 'have gone over' meaning that the flowering spike was finished. but there were still a few remaining flowers to be seen. I think another few days and they would be gone too, so I was very fortunate to see them.<br />
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Next year I hope to see them in their prime.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNVRRnlHkmO6tWPpE1osJM75yhq2_ewRx9bFhXCQ3k4YNGPxrEnDsEdWCY3dzzVy_NGV63eDwqStFuROd-j6qiumLgiuQncCK8O8w_G9oH-PLvPyz5MT-gZ-fcE4CxKiY75HWPhT3zIY/s1600/DSC_0109x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNVRRnlHkmO6tWPpE1osJM75yhq2_ewRx9bFhXCQ3k4YNGPxrEnDsEdWCY3dzzVy_NGV63eDwqStFuROd-j6qiumLgiuQncCK8O8w_G9oH-PLvPyz5MT-gZ-fcE4CxKiY75HWPhT3zIY/s400/DSC_0109x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late Spider Orchid</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dms7AX_HzAfAVvTlxoCZADdvpy_rGzCpvLVRo3TT6FBq5WhbHfj02fNQUwzaBJ0-TrYVL5qoMizfcfsR-gFaQjAhXxMRc2va1F-N-OCM8kBUiza3C1sVG1O09h_7LO8r0U6UqvwqRoc/s1600/DSC_0112x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1452" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dms7AX_HzAfAVvTlxoCZADdvpy_rGzCpvLVRo3TT6FBq5WhbHfj02fNQUwzaBJ0-TrYVL5qoMizfcfsR-gFaQjAhXxMRc2va1F-N-OCM8kBUiza3C1sVG1O09h_7LO8r0U6UqvwqRoc/s400/DSC_0112x.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late Spider Orchid</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1Ba2Xcg7KauEe2SjXV_ztipK3fjbf7JTnHZ5U-catk0_HD4gY9ZGzn6Bwo4enYe8ZeHUKYVD_7z4RFejYpSPmXv2uzUhMdOZat95dAd86d9rSbo3MIomZFysbKUEBsszXroThdlwdZQ/s1600/DSC_0128x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="1600" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1Ba2Xcg7KauEe2SjXV_ztipK3fjbf7JTnHZ5U-catk0_HD4gY9ZGzn6Bwo4enYe8ZeHUKYVD_7z4RFejYpSPmXv2uzUhMdOZat95dAd86d9rSbo3MIomZFysbKUEBsszXroThdlwdZQ/s400/DSC_0128x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late Spider Orchid<br /><br /></td></tr>
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These Late Spider Orchids when first seen look very much like the Bee Orchid, the patterning can be very variable which does not help, the important I.D. factor here is the shape of the lower lip<br />The photo below was of an Bee Orchid growing in the same vicinity as the Late Spiders, which I must admit caused me some confusion, but the shape of the lower lip being more rounded is quite obvious to me now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDbudoO7khPRlGE30LugZIF8IqHMbr4ku3MGP5ORaCtAVng96BnpwKjteS3oeXoLs6ADaJx4mw-fN3zAh03UTPtdTlkcCTAwoGmIVYyKD98N4i1PtSe9T868kGj7_PqgfLIMc85WKBt0/s1600/DSC_0149x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="1600" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDbudoO7khPRlGE30LugZIF8IqHMbr4ku3MGP5ORaCtAVng96BnpwKjteS3oeXoLs6ADaJx4mw-fN3zAh03UTPtdTlkcCTAwoGmIVYyKD98N4i1PtSe9T868kGj7_PqgfLIMc85WKBt0/s400/DSC_0149x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Orchid.</td></tr>
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I thought these Late Spider Orchids would be the last seen this year, but still some other species to see in the form of Helleborines.<br />
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<br />Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-20762006477888993012019-07-10T10:46:00.000+01:002019-07-10T10:46:11.549+01:00Bit of a ' Stag Do '<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've had years when I have not seen a Stag Beetle, this year I have had four sightings, three of which have been in my garden.<br />
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Not sure if this has had anything to do with it , but a couple of years ago I placed a number of vertical logs in the garden as suggested by one of the conservation groups to provide a home for Stag Beetles to lay their eggs.<br />
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Coincidence probably, although like to think I have done my bit for the Stag Beetles, you never know.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgga642ylz2NBPjPYe5OIw4BcnICh_dJvqhDD4GkV2haUY9D0xuObIjFJeR6AepRXUNQ6XXKaTVcZPB9ByrHTC7HZTDC2lS4jSt-ThEKSk7Qly1RlVJGV0iim4FSRKIWx9ybRJPslmQj6A/s1600/20190707_185853x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgga642ylz2NBPjPYe5OIw4BcnICh_dJvqhDD4GkV2haUY9D0xuObIjFJeR6AepRXUNQ6XXKaTVcZPB9ByrHTC7HZTDC2lS4jSt-ThEKSk7Qly1RlVJGV0iim4FSRKIWx9ybRJPslmQj6A/s400/20190707_185853x.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABX6JZTqZbMH5mZuwco4zViMb2Qgzb-h1PZwGp1lFHR_yy8bwXjAAoZJp60gwnIdoXi1pnd7XysQueDQQMhM0aGvzTatirpbG_WRiWFQc3_RKNwvTTQmjPOKAGiQEbUnhZe-jq7sY3Es/s1600/20190707_184609x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABX6JZTqZbMH5mZuwco4zViMb2Qgzb-h1PZwGp1lFHR_yy8bwXjAAoZJp60gwnIdoXi1pnd7XysQueDQQMhM0aGvzTatirpbG_WRiWFQc3_RKNwvTTQmjPOKAGiQEbUnhZe-jq7sY3Es/s400/20190707_184609x.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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First sighting was of two males on the lawn, early evening, I nearly stepped on them. one of them larger than the other. after photographing them I placed them on the log pile, where on checking later both had moved on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpbRg5qwWSK57SCgCXWAD_YOaHWuQ8gXh4fIQ78_VmZTfzp42VTYcUlPVPjcb52w6cYvbo0vY9lc6vA5-T4lx_Dx09MIrutQHRafj67bAAOz65ZRvpFTl4qOXyKxMnQlrfLrnQ3cetAg/s1600/DSC_0934x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpbRg5qwWSK57SCgCXWAD_YOaHWuQ8gXh4fIQ78_VmZTfzp42VTYcUlPVPjcb52w6cYvbo0vY9lc6vA5-T4lx_Dx09MIrutQHRafj67bAAOz65ZRvpFTl4qOXyKxMnQlrfLrnQ3cetAg/s640/DSC_0934x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Stag Beetles </td></tr>
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Sighting number three came a few days latter, another fine Stag Beetle this one under my mature Pear tree, this time a female. all these sightings were early evening between 17:00 - 18:00 hours on a warm sunny evening.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MyjEuF-uBcunB4GRDHrR9iI9ok58gT2wkxTyMEp07BZdxAKv-5ixOR7aXHxjZjPNoKG6hI0UPh6WPs6aiV-Ubv_dUDLkc9qa7_vIk6NGc5X0oEJguhtiqQaeGo3a9Iob167f-703iJk/s1600/DSC_0679x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MyjEuF-uBcunB4GRDHrR9iI9ok58gT2wkxTyMEp07BZdxAKv-5ixOR7aXHxjZjPNoKG6hI0UPh6WPs6aiV-Ubv_dUDLkc9qa7_vIk6NGc5X0oEJguhtiqQaeGo3a9Iob167f-703iJk/s640/DSC_0679x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female Stag Beetle</td></tr>
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My fourth sighting was of a male Stag Beetle in flight as I walked my dog early in the morning, flew straight towards me causing me to duck out of the way.<br />
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Always nice to see this magnificent Beetle.</div>
Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-30875995576182241802019-07-07T13:09:00.000+01:002019-07-07T13:09:12.771+01:00Annual Pilgrimage !Its at this time of year I try and fit in a visit to Lullingstone Country Park, it's the only reliable site I know to see the Dark Green Fritillary.<br />
There's always plenty of other Butterflies to try and get some interesting photographs of, especially the Marbled Whites.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpXekOnJ10SsYOwTnp6nG3f2IM_uY66-sAUEPWxZA7e-1eqlfiHQl_NWbPAyoOzeZgjuGdr0jl9V_rShSfS7Ka5eSDtBSD868spzQ7GzFHDXDbw-PGE5LGDjPB9b-IACOIVotCc50ZiU/s1600/DSC_0533x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpXekOnJ10SsYOwTnp6nG3f2IM_uY66-sAUEPWxZA7e-1eqlfiHQl_NWbPAyoOzeZgjuGdr0jl9V_rShSfS7Ka5eSDtBSD868spzQ7GzFHDXDbw-PGE5LGDjPB9b-IACOIVotCc50ZiU/s400/DSC_0533x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Dark Green Butterflies seem to be attracted to area of rough ground rich in wild flowers at the bottom of an area called the Orchid Bank, although to be honest haven't seen that many Orchids there, a few Pyramidal, Fragrant and the odd Common Spotted Orchid, the area is surrounded by a golf course and some beautiful Kentish countryside.<br />
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The Dark Green Fritillary seem to find the Greater Knapweed irresistible as I have mentioned in previous years visits. find the Knapweed and there's a good chance the Fritillaries will turn up, that is if the sun is shining.<br />
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So before I get on to these, a look at the Marbled Whites, I was particularly pleased with this photograph and the close encounter the Marbled White Butterfly had with the Crab Spider waiting to ambush the unsuspecting visitors to the flower heads. the Crab Spider I believe is possibly Xysticus cristatus, no common name for this one.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhioMb4zfb71-GzfXlrZi2WecJBWZkdJnsadHthnhxmEp9xjWhzOsq2uYDbhwq2PSI-O47_YUdQ0kexsVrE8M1euK-8Fiys7GTDFg9o3gIWgyX_HrM3KZpgtN8HNAWAWnX11LNolWZ6dQ/s1600/DSC_0827x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhioMb4zfb71-GzfXlrZi2WecJBWZkdJnsadHthnhxmEp9xjWhzOsq2uYDbhwq2PSI-O47_YUdQ0kexsVrE8M1euK-8Fiys7GTDFg9o3gIWgyX_HrM3KZpgtN8HNAWAWnX11LNolWZ6dQ/s640/DSC_0827x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White male.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraj4EJJWe3Or1_yEp8AKP9EWNtaLn39m2GeTcGerBdEBu8X1hc89_CtzmxVAPluZ2BOHdBx0yFxIzthfpvy0-DJ8yE8E3-AeH5KSKOstPQxZHorTP_OMNhLgkDDgChtaJVWhLV5MJGr8/s1600/DSC_0850x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="1600" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraj4EJJWe3Or1_yEp8AKP9EWNtaLn39m2GeTcGerBdEBu8X1hc89_CtzmxVAPluZ2BOHdBx0yFxIzthfpvy0-DJ8yE8E3-AeH5KSKOstPQxZHorTP_OMNhLgkDDgChtaJVWhLV5MJGr8/s640/DSC_0850x.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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These flowers must be rich in nectar , competition is fierce, not only from other Butterflies but honey Bees as well.<br />
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I always end up with far to many images which I would like to post, but thats impractical so I'll just try and chose my favourites of the Dark Green Fritillary<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAA68PN_u_PVarLwZ-e4rCjhILQBIEi9oh4dynBmUs7_pJIxd8-l22IaoQdglsTjaF4ajyxSkDNAYs91L5NBUwvxpRGilYG6wU2z6VIRyIqUZNdxdbtklgspoNDsM7u8QEOrP7A_OdMI/s1600/DSC_0673x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1600" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAA68PN_u_PVarLwZ-e4rCjhILQBIEi9oh4dynBmUs7_pJIxd8-l22IaoQdglsTjaF4ajyxSkDNAYs91L5NBUwvxpRGilYG6wU2z6VIRyIqUZNdxdbtklgspoNDsM7u8QEOrP7A_OdMI/s640/DSC_0673x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Green fritillary</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JiG6ZtafHTG6-bxBR_EPkXzW3gokhiuSJBpMvLi8tMZe1wRksBPNERRWK3QnK_1P3E5rkEZYxanOspsg21hbrBkE7gjGFTCjPMOa02vpFtXyVgrkJ7L4gK_2g3ZXy2MlQnK-QfYVTs4/s1600/DSC_0684x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JiG6ZtafHTG6-bxBR_EPkXzW3gokhiuSJBpMvLi8tMZe1wRksBPNERRWK3QnK_1P3E5rkEZYxanOspsg21hbrBkE7gjGFTCjPMOa02vpFtXyVgrkJ7L4gK_2g3ZXy2MlQnK-QfYVTs4/s640/DSC_0684x.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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A fine supporting cast also visiting these flowers included the following. starting with this photograph of some Meadow Brown Butterflies, a Red Tailed Bumble bee and another crab spider.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWgvZrsl4pwAAlqjno4cez_rzg2Ke7WVRGR8zAQWJlVjA3hhpjWjbROLSY6GRFVsL_wt5TndKoWhTLvPZbEQqYXYwgX4ZyINmysrcM8AnYIi6xXjPnvM0JVoQjZZl993k8kkw8z0FUrk/s1600/DSC_0767x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1331" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWgvZrsl4pwAAlqjno4cez_rzg2Ke7WVRGR8zAQWJlVjA3hhpjWjbROLSY6GRFVsL_wt5TndKoWhTLvPZbEQqYXYwgX4ZyINmysrcM8AnYIi6xXjPnvM0JVoQjZZl993k8kkw8z0FUrk/s640/DSC_0767x.jpg" width="532" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcxKGFZBzfDONfSEXsolPXlZc43z6LxwAjfLSsiVXb8TP0cAlpSvqtQnpMAX9eiRcLvdITHAjvIXpxucmVXNZpf0ywlZlszyqHxLL58g5poft14p6dz2e0xM6f8CcshuwPX4ETPE5Lhw/s1600/DSC_0608x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcxKGFZBzfDONfSEXsolPXlZc43z6LxwAjfLSsiVXb8TP0cAlpSvqtQnpMAX9eiRcLvdITHAjvIXpxucmVXNZpf0ywlZlszyqHxLL58g5poft14p6dz2e0xM6f8CcshuwPX4ETPE5Lhw/s640/DSC_0608x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFESrv2E49qPXhXAcg93DLtRUGkOVBoFAOwKsImvmjuZ1TMObOnw2u1XNOrgWkQx0-1FQ2hWf8VQo_fP-S-JKAW-spxLA3X5vMIodZ3N3FnXpurePUjs86CRby2_48ADRLhzinuLPCVTQ/s1600/DSC_0911x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1600" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFESrv2E49qPXhXAcg93DLtRUGkOVBoFAOwKsImvmjuZ1TMObOnw2u1XNOrgWkQx0-1FQ2hWf8VQo_fP-S-JKAW-spxLA3X5vMIodZ3N3FnXpurePUjs86CRby2_48ADRLhzinuLPCVTQ/s640/DSC_0911x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Skipper.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckObfcqw5Uw4Yjlz3u-mqTI6QMKbSYnlStGhs7jA1g2VfcJwbJhSHEVaajpiXVbH1iIYNItB2fbIcv9Fg5ztjjENohNrDWpS6fUuNa9UyDHtButKnb46xZbq0C_9ScGpxz8qSe3bhPyw/s1600/DSC_0710x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1334" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckObfcqw5Uw4Yjlz3u-mqTI6QMKbSYnlStGhs7jA1g2VfcJwbJhSHEVaajpiXVbH1iIYNItB2fbIcv9Fg5ztjjENohNrDWpS6fUuNa9UyDHtButKnb46xZbq0C_9ScGpxz8qSe3bhPyw/s640/DSC_0710x.jpg" width="532" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Skipper.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-SAYr3DUNf5aup9Rc631NitM9K53pfHe0zTvex-TXdDt2olYVnDo-RNgdg3UAD3bcIFWIeFwOfmcPHuy4kn6JUy31MpPyEONsHEL9LPwBpxe9mBC1_VIcA0gLRDq0qn2ezdryxoe88E/s1600/DSC_0626x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-SAYr3DUNf5aup9Rc631NitM9K53pfHe0zTvex-TXdDt2olYVnDo-RNgdg3UAD3bcIFWIeFwOfmcPHuy4kn6JUy31MpPyEONsHEL9LPwBpxe9mBC1_VIcA0gLRDq0qn2ezdryxoe88E/s640/DSC_0626x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Worn Brown Argus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHBSs9Xp0BFdRSP-4aKbYEh9Gww85NIfbHibCdk3_kFNEX6nG1Hne_vd2wk06UGpP300PaG9KpX1J69uH7lO77MlIMDvfGEDwuLVaW8HeXR0VPCkWVpS80eqtV3sBLsCs-e-cW7tP8OA/s1600/DSC_0895x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1273" data-original-width="1600" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHBSs9Xp0BFdRSP-4aKbYEh9Gww85NIfbHibCdk3_kFNEX6nG1Hne_vd2wk06UGpP300PaG9KpX1J69uH7lO77MlIMDvfGEDwuLVaW8HeXR0VPCkWVpS80eqtV3sBLsCs-e-cW7tP8OA/s640/DSC_0895x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Heath</td></tr>
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I had hoped to see some Banded Demoiselles along the river bank as I returned to the car park but the beautiful sunny morning was coming to an end as some rather ominous looking black clouds suddenly appeared. I did manage to see a few Common Blue Damselflies though as the session came to and end.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgrgtfRFG6kH8W346h36_F0ex9vWPKsRqDRW_DMRv8HatEs-V4tD7LaW3x3612zj0a3aZrjriLsjMp0koQFJWPkoJoLb4KVkAfWUSLpmtx8D7SyQ9M-kyFpK_AbUwmgH9v0NM25goGR4/s1600/DSC_0912x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgrgtfRFG6kH8W346h36_F0ex9vWPKsRqDRW_DMRv8HatEs-V4tD7LaW3x3612zj0a3aZrjriLsjMp0koQFJWPkoJoLb4KVkAfWUSLpmtx8D7SyQ9M-kyFpK_AbUwmgH9v0NM25goGR4/s640/DSC_0912x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue Damselfly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-43383234468190443112019-06-30T17:06:00.002+01:002019-06-30T17:06:54.601+01:00A Trip to the Bog !<br />
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In this case, a trip to another new site for me Hothfield Heathlands, it's here that you can find four of Kent's last remaining lowland valley bogs, together with some of the specialised plants associated with this type of habitat. I didn't explore the heaths on this visit, a good excuse to return latter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu7etpZUKqm7bT5ASYeyMQzxguhVYK3kDFQFmX-dU1wY2Z5WUw3SWlhb8aRiHJilCHrlbIGHbA-dMM5cuw2EACQY-8We5lIy89pYgqOcmM9WcFzpW37cAe_dw07YZy3zcl_cb2ldH40s/s1600/20190623_121226x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu7etpZUKqm7bT5ASYeyMQzxguhVYK3kDFQFmX-dU1wY2Z5WUw3SWlhb8aRiHJilCHrlbIGHbA-dMM5cuw2EACQY-8We5lIy89pYgqOcmM9WcFzpW37cAe_dw07YZy3zcl_cb2ldH40s/s640/20190623_121226x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9febCBld7xEQXPgukN3JCRew9dIibSTWS0CwBVGhRNIrhROn9-uZ2qxSIIooH2A8MGH2F7OHVXOG0atRR1V9lYGm1kJ8JccUv8L-08eYAGEXfBaoTcRohNgxev9GBNLOhYgqaJxiQw4/s1600/20190623_121236xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="502" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9febCBld7xEQXPgukN3JCRew9dIibSTWS0CwBVGhRNIrhROn9-uZ2qxSIIooH2A8MGH2F7OHVXOG0atRR1V9lYGm1kJ8JccUv8L-08eYAGEXfBaoTcRohNgxev9GBNLOhYgqaJxiQw4/s640/20190623_121236xx.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Location of the Main Bog</td></tr>
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I was particularly interested in the Heath Spotted Orchid that thrives in the damp acid soils of the bog, once we had found the main bog it wasn't hard to find the Heath Spotted Orchids.<br />
They look very similar to Common Spotted Orchids, The lip of the Heath Spotted-orchid is also more rounded and without the longer central tooth found on the Common Spotted-orchid. the flowers appeared to be paler, the lip is pale pink/white, being marked with darker pink fine dots and dashed lines,<br />
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Here's a comparison with a Common Spotted Orchid found a few weeks ago at Shorne.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkidPcROYRhmeNNlmg_Ke5yDHKq17A_VzsYM4dzOwaT9zC-bGeQBs6xhQHiVh8t9lxfen_P4ra3h5TLCVgHKPA4AJOG6laElq0XQSSEw_wdq2OQuVw-DU05U3-RZfXu_eJ-YyN3vZhnk/s1600/DSC_0072x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkidPcROYRhmeNNlmg_Ke5yDHKq17A_VzsYM4dzOwaT9zC-bGeQBs6xhQHiVh8t9lxfen_P4ra3h5TLCVgHKPA4AJOG6laElq0XQSSEw_wdq2OQuVw-DU05U3-RZfXu_eJ-YyN3vZhnk/s400/DSC_0072x.jpg" width="280" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJotRwpybPQsLsmC56lrCiuTVRaMJxo5-1Zq5lCf9D7IHc72A2Su3sX3vgw8CNjqOTbsiFMzzZKA2zHyFpS23YPJ19c6262FQOmr5Gry_QkxKspIUwq4SMsf5RBJ7fexJ1tuq5ZyPwDY/s1600/DSC_0021x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1167" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJotRwpybPQsLsmC56lrCiuTVRaMJxo5-1Zq5lCf9D7IHc72A2Su3sX3vgw8CNjqOTbsiFMzzZKA2zHyFpS23YPJ19c6262FQOmr5Gry_QkxKspIUwq4SMsf5RBJ7fexJ1tuq5ZyPwDY/s400/DSC_0021x.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
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Common Spotted Orchid Heath Spotted Orchid</div>
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There seemed to be quite a few variations but all with dots and dashes, many were close to the boardwalk so some close views were easily obtained.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBbYg1WR3qBxNIITJne-31LOpYLmxytNK66KJL7KoO7HekG1F8bOPr66lyoJeLdgINXRq93zKZLsmV8G0Nf7gjwC06yIqimoiIlZrVveHLGXrJY-IAZG7NPvi99J2DCZo2I4vK5M7iJ8/s1600/DSC_0025x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1390" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBbYg1WR3qBxNIITJne-31LOpYLmxytNK66KJL7KoO7HekG1F8bOPr66lyoJeLdgINXRq93zKZLsmV8G0Nf7gjwC06yIqimoiIlZrVveHLGXrJY-IAZG7NPvi99J2DCZo2I4vK5M7iJ8/s320/DSC_0025x.jpg" width="277" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwZy6jnjNRw1H23DNZfX6YuVZtaamuiB-FKwbWCeuq7wLsvj3LLiJmrQAkWR69ZbpT1E4tZZIA8dVlo9snirBTT4lVr9MkrSrdnR-4OeMyuDLS_aSUM5Ya6picHdYuF3hU-qEXvjdwAk/s1600/DSC_0060x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1290" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwZy6jnjNRw1H23DNZfX6YuVZtaamuiB-FKwbWCeuq7wLsvj3LLiJmrQAkWR69ZbpT1E4tZZIA8dVlo9snirBTT4lVr9MkrSrdnR-4OeMyuDLS_aSUM5Ya6picHdYuF3hU-qEXvjdwAk/s320/DSC_0060x.jpg" width="258" /></a><br />
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Heath Spotted-orchid - Dactylorhiza maculata<br />
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There were a few other bog plants to be found here, I do not have a great knowledge on plants but these were relatively easy to pick out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12fXFl2z1v1NwTNIhMVAW8bh5Sz0LvtSo8KWo7-QxSgAIEJVwB3609kueCEILgaO2P1tHZRuWJD7drP3KJmlWzWCqVyJnlicZRwLb9ggRZri4zuwqI1SRHgbBGHFz-HiQfuAgmRn97bM/s1600/DSC_0091xxx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1217" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12fXFl2z1v1NwTNIhMVAW8bh5Sz0LvtSo8KWo7-QxSgAIEJVwB3609kueCEILgaO2P1tHZRuWJD7drP3KJmlWzWCqVyJnlicZRwLb9ggRZri4zuwqI1SRHgbBGHFz-HiQfuAgmRn97bM/s640/DSC_0091xxx.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Round leaf Sundew</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXjwqNvNEs7akRO4nhsuw-gm9DC4RjULM4xJk7tCnH8r0lmdO_1JajzxDNFNHtQifaT9D6Q1iinC8ZW8nItq4iIZgsWrBg9kp8_peTF2qCYQBEqf_x8N95RC5mWcg7llwWwhWcOuYEhk/s1600/DSC_0074x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXjwqNvNEs7akRO4nhsuw-gm9DC4RjULM4xJk7tCnH8r0lmdO_1JajzxDNFNHtQifaT9D6Q1iinC8ZW8nItq4iIZgsWrBg9kp8_peTF2qCYQBEqf_x8N95RC5mWcg7llwWwhWcOuYEhk/s640/DSC_0074x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Boardwalk through the Main Bog at Hothfield</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4b6XIlj8SVL6rdPVt9gOjA0OL-8jz0uNjlQGMRPHZJLkHxHtT8Yfgxa5Grtxlgw4lpGbhQ_NudcDqPfHsywyDDnd4RMkr244yL4vbm7T0HlVNjIRRYMZ8dQYjiMnYgdmahdYYPdUKSQ/s1600/DSC_0054x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2rojRG5MJdmhcHYvY9BR55DrYQotE4Co5ZWfJK9ltHx3IRmfZJMUXxSq7R8yXxXYXDXkov_DKXBKTW-aRkB6s74KTJ5PLegfGhb9inaNClAHFt8eeC-U48aT4D5d7g9W2qj0FXlomt8/s1600/DSC_0058x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1140" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2rojRG5MJdmhcHYvY9BR55DrYQotE4Co5ZWfJK9ltHx3IRmfZJMUXxSq7R8yXxXYXDXkov_DKXBKTW-aRkB6s74KTJ5PLegfGhb9inaNClAHFt8eeC-U48aT4D5d7g9W2qj0FXlomt8/s400/DSC_0058x.jpg" width="283" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1151" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4b6XIlj8SVL6rdPVt9gOjA0OL-8jz0uNjlQGMRPHZJLkHxHtT8Yfgxa5Grtxlgw4lpGbhQ_NudcDqPfHsywyDDnd4RMkr244yL4vbm7T0HlVNjIRRYMZ8dQYjiMnYgdmahdYYPdUKSQ/s400/DSC_0054x.jpg" width="287" /> </div>
Bog Asphodel<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ25GxDbNXRbanO2p9bCVmJ4DEfIt2d9mnNxhBDePuSd2h85lN6r8WOL70Mn6rb0yzGHexRPrQ0jtqs2FPD4Sre2Y2Wo_klMMulTaTNTWFnEWXymyZltPpqsftXugpRpJxdrNjU_fPtCA/s1600/DSC_0053x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ25GxDbNXRbanO2p9bCVmJ4DEfIt2d9mnNxhBDePuSd2h85lN6r8WOL70Mn6rb0yzGHexRPrQ0jtqs2FPD4Sre2Y2Wo_klMMulTaTNTWFnEWXymyZltPpqsftXugpRpJxdrNjU_fPtCA/s640/DSC_0053x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bog Pimpernel</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHdPWLsBWU714NsSN2qlrRlnu9ysXUnKyyGJ-wFGRx0_rrRIawI-fxxyiV69BoFkOUUCl5voTh_QV3exQylxhRLzWkPO3jFcyP37fSS9iZnE-jPK72kU6OUcbax6oe1J0wUEx383y7Xk/s1600/DSC_0024x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHdPWLsBWU714NsSN2qlrRlnu9ysXUnKyyGJ-wFGRx0_rrRIawI-fxxyiV69BoFkOUUCl5voTh_QV3exQylxhRLzWkPO3jFcyP37fSS9iZnE-jPK72kU6OUcbax6oe1J0wUEx383y7Xk/s640/DSC_0024x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cotton Grass</span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">On some of the smaller pools I could see a number of Dragonflies, I was hoping to see the Keeled Skimmers known to reside here, no males on view but at least three female Keeled Skimmers were darting around the pools, no chance of a photo, much too quick for my camera.</span></div>
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This female Emperor Dragonfly ovipositing was more accommodating.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4gbXHIiAFNyYJDZQNA3zx5fqDKo40XLryonpGX6GjDJJIwWmVQWS5P5IUQaChuaV-484QjZnKdaGWuTuKmz9eM-vEPlrGI8QDG5eFPRwK-xGmxkEe1qaVK7XCtfe9uzpqQGKVVw0lo0/s1600/DSC_0098x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4gbXHIiAFNyYJDZQNA3zx5fqDKo40XLryonpGX6GjDJJIwWmVQWS5P5IUQaChuaV-484QjZnKdaGWuTuKmz9eM-vEPlrGI8QDG5eFPRwK-xGmxkEe1qaVK7XCtfe9uzpqQGKVVw0lo0/s640/DSC_0098x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emperor Dragonfly</td></tr>
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The notice board also claimed that Minotaur Beetles and Tiger Beetles reside here, but I didn't see any on this visit, I may return at a latter date to try and see the Keeled Skimmers and maybe a Beetle or two.<br />
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We did come across the ubiquitous herd of Konik ponies used by wildlife trusts to tackle the vegetation in those hard to reach places.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWeghpkRaNuAFDXH-BDq7AvGlwfQnH5f1tMttqesExIytnVkArfYUpXXJEKvMQY8-D7wCCH_HMYp1Zx0JAKxqv5gQDhGGArn6wrbE-nw-HuatHo1q0dZ2AoFqT0oSW-aPERD8OlwQqAE/s1600/DSC_0011x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWeghpkRaNuAFDXH-BDq7AvGlwfQnH5f1tMttqesExIytnVkArfYUpXXJEKvMQY8-D7wCCH_HMYp1Zx0JAKxqv5gQDhGGArn6wrbE-nw-HuatHo1q0dZ2AoFqT0oSW-aPERD8OlwQqAE/s640/DSC_0011x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXU4k1bvj86bsuKPc5diR9zhrg3OAt2Y8HX9ke1uQTB1U0uq4aa2-biPhBMWOZNFb_9hJHwAAkS49JC-MR4zjyo1aqlZpiXApJFufYOE-X5RS3zxMpywmPJw2f4eqY7UUZ5go8S6GRPc/s1600/DSC_0012x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXU4k1bvj86bsuKPc5diR9zhrg3OAt2Y8HX9ke1uQTB1U0uq4aa2-biPhBMWOZNFb_9hJHwAAkS49JC-MR4zjyo1aqlZpiXApJFufYOE-X5RS3zxMpywmPJw2f4eqY7UUZ5go8S6GRPc/s640/DSC_0012x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Konik Ponies at Hothfield</td></tr>
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Back to the Orchids , these Heath Spotted Orchids the main reason for my visit today did not disappoint in spite of there close resemblance to the Common Spotted. This Orchid another new species for both my life list and yearly list</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u>Orchid Life List </u></b> <b><u>2019 Orchid List</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Common Spotted Orchid Green Winged Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Early Purple Orchid Early Purple Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Common Twayblade. Lady Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Greater Butterfly Orchid Early Spider Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Lady Orchid Fly Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pyramidal Orchid Common Twayblade</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Bee Orchid Man Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fragrant Orchid Monkey Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">White Helleborine White Helleborine</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Southern Marsh Orchid Common Fragrant Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Green Winged Orchid Bee Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Early Spider Orchid Southern Marsh Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fly Orchid Common Spotted Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Man Orchid Pyramidal Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Monkey Orchid Lizard Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Birds Nest Orchid Birds Nest Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lizard Orchid Musk Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Musk Orchid </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Greater Butterfly Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Heath Spotted Orchid Heath Spotted Orchid</span></div>
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Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-18006790147155048972019-06-24T19:09:00.002+01:002019-06-24T19:09:48.139+01:00West Blean Fritillaries !<br />
I've had this trip marked on the calendar since last year, West & East Blean the place to go to see Heath Fritillaries, a new Butterfly species for me to see.<br />
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Sightings have been appearing over the last few days, it was now or never.<br />
I decided to visit the West Blean Woodland site, I didn't realise what a vast site it was, follow the 'Black way-marked trail' other observers had said, this was nearly a six mile round trip.<br />
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I parked up in the West Blean RSPB car park, found the Map of the woods and the start of the trail, at least the sun was shining, just a matter of finding the colonies in this vast woodland.<br />
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After walking for some time along the trail, the only Butterfly I had seen was a Speckled wood, paths were criss- crossing everywhere, I wasn't even sure if I was still on the right trail, another half hour passed still no sign, I was beginning to think I'd had a wasted journey, I could see a sunny clearing up ahead and I decided that I would start the return journey after that point.<br />
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A sunny clearing of low Bracken and scattered bramble flowers, a Butterfly caught my eye, a closer look and I could see the typical Fritillary type upper wing patterning. Then another, and another, not sure if I had stumbled into the right area or not, but there seemed to be Fritillaries all around me. so I guess it was.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">I spent some time in the end, photographing and watching these lovely Butterflies, there seemed to be a bit of a mating frenzy going on. the Butterflies themselves were I would say of medium size, about the size of a Gatekeeper Butterfly, they seemed to like this particular area, not moving far from it.</span></div>
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I was glad I made the effort now, a new site investigated, a new Butterfly seen, just a matter of retracing my steps and finding the car park.</div>
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<br />Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-50288816511190764042019-06-22T16:10:00.000+01:002019-06-22T16:10:10.306+01:00Orchid Field trip - Sandwich Bay & Beyond. When it comes to wildlife watching, I'm a bit of a loner, like to fully immerse myself in the moment and escape the concrete jungle and all that goes with it, this works well with Birds, Butterflies, Bees and Dragonflies.<br />
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Orchids are whole different matter, people are very secretive about their locations with good reason I suppose. Its quite easy to find some of the more common species like Common Spotted Orchid, Pyramidal, even a Bee Orchid usally turns up eventually. The other scarcer native Orchids are a different matter unless you know where to look.<br />
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I decided to join a group of Orchid enthusiasts in the hope that I could learn more and hopefully see some of the scarcer Orchids I know nothing about, I find myself becoming slightly obsessed with finding these now, with this in mind I joined a small group visiting Sandwich Bay with a very knowledgeable leader, main objective was to see the Lizard Orchids, and it's no secret that they thrive here near the golf courses.<br />
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We parked up at the Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory, and made our way across the dunes towards the golf course that runs alongside the beach here. Our leader very nonchalantly pointed out some Orchids growing in the long grass, Southern Marsh Orchids in perfect condition, a nice sighting to start the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSWqoSPvHWDuWUpQbSfxMJV6AC8FMtvsQDGWBpdLS290pB1MAk2hauFyq1po_cj5ZYeQUUXlf7icaAQ9Unza9hFbfwUoOxNeMBfmg_-o1egjmty0tyZiJnsOkTLtXl26T0y2WTDRihUI/s1600/DSC_0004xxx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSWqoSPvHWDuWUpQbSfxMJV6AC8FMtvsQDGWBpdLS290pB1MAk2hauFyq1po_cj5ZYeQUUXlf7icaAQ9Unza9hFbfwUoOxNeMBfmg_-o1egjmty0tyZiJnsOkTLtXl26T0y2WTDRihUI/s400/DSC_0004xxx.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Marsh Orchid</td></tr>
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Closer to the beach we started running into the huge numbers of Lizard Orchids, a new sighting for me, not hard to find, they are quite large and distinctive in shape, the individual flowers are suppose to represent the rear half of a lizard, disappearing into a hole, they are also said to have the scent of a goat, they do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwWU-Nfzo-kmMwYpHvEkoFOZ1BoT0dHBD-qVgVPPYuPYiZMOs-clcVs2L7LwsGFvC_hrkKDdCR7ln3MhAV4QtzepEdJb1F1yVjjjvom_P6aVX4sVrJXKw5nGjoh6EI7OxNvgmrgjciag/s1600/DSC_0048x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwWU-Nfzo-kmMwYpHvEkoFOZ1BoT0dHBD-qVgVPPYuPYiZMOs-clcVs2L7LwsGFvC_hrkKDdCR7ln3MhAV4QtzepEdJb1F1yVjjjvom_P6aVX4sVrJXKw5nGjoh6EI7OxNvgmrgjciag/s640/DSC_0048x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizard Orchid</td></tr>
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Pyramidal Orchids were popping up everywhere along the grassy verges of the road, giving a lovely splash of colour .</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pyramidal Orchid with a Small Skipper</td></tr>
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Before we started to head back, a couple of Bee Orchids were pointed out, a good start to the morning with four Orchids seen and the promise of more to be seen at a few other sites.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4bVn6xIs-V0Mb4g1EDSNlQA8sZXxQZO0z8_YPejGOO-fWeAPEviRcQIcbKlNSydAOLpLNBhncKscWYeUhRYFzCxCt43h2UNuX3fPO59DnyrQpuQwMxGEAly4gSCbvrOqqYg21bf6do0/s1600/DSC_0061xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4bVn6xIs-V0Mb4g1EDSNlQA8sZXxQZO0z8_YPejGOO-fWeAPEviRcQIcbKlNSydAOLpLNBhncKscWYeUhRYFzCxCt43h2UNuX3fPO59DnyrQpuQwMxGEAly4gSCbvrOqqYg21bf6do0/s400/DSC_0061xx.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Orchid</td></tr>
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The group were heading over to Park Gate Down another good Orchid site, quite well known so I'm not giving anything away.</div>
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Once again our leader threw into the conversation asking if anyone would like to see the Birds Nest Orchid, which we could stop off and see on the way to Park Gate Down. This was one of those Orchids I would never find in a lifetimes search. I was quite excited to see this one, can't give the location but it was inside a very dark Beech wood with hardly any sunlight filtering through the canopy.</div>
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Gets it s name from its root system resembling a birds nest, no chlorophyll in this Orchid at all, gets its nourishment from dead and decaying humus usally under Beech trees.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01yRWvfANgeh23bvsR0uf6tvsYKN1XOV_11klSat-d4ymLN2g2odZb5C8D5DEKkZtb5pp0qdfJFX2yFjQMxKeNraHA7041wfCPZYrCE28gNoqMyH91tu5Y9GyxEfvyaGfJPXuFJvmTsY/s1600/DSC_0073x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01yRWvfANgeh23bvsR0uf6tvsYKN1XOV_11klSat-d4ymLN2g2odZb5C8D5DEKkZtb5pp0qdfJFX2yFjQMxKeNraHA7041wfCPZYrCE28gNoqMyH91tu5Y9GyxEfvyaGfJPXuFJvmTsY/s400/DSC_0073x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A very insignificant Orchid in some respects, no more than four or five inches tall, quite hard to spot against the leaf litter under the trees, an Orchid which I doubt I would have spotted without help.</div>
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On to Parkgate Down, I had visited here several weeks ago to see the Monkey Orchids most of which were now fading away, we did find this one Monkey Orchid still looking good with a few visible monkeys still..</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMq0jc9eokpgzzjQjTECJ8NzDUeoT7AuPTFBbb1EcWiPCDgOITHxxyvBYDHhNxL69Jy-6q_LnPE4JigAq9eBO5gRHJc0SofVnklrDgTaU6ofl4-HHMOlDpaMvpeMq7tzPN08y0fDMG2OI/s1600/DSC_0082xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1108" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMq0jc9eokpgzzjQjTECJ8NzDUeoT7AuPTFBbb1EcWiPCDgOITHxxyvBYDHhNxL69Jy-6q_LnPE4JigAq9eBO5gRHJc0SofVnklrDgTaU6ofl4-HHMOlDpaMvpeMq7tzPN08y0fDMG2OI/s640/DSC_0082xx.jpg" width="441" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkey Orchid.</td></tr>
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As we headed through the grassy banks of the reserve heading for another particularly scarce Orchid that had been found on this site, we passed many Common Spotted Orchids, Pyramidal and Common Fragrant Orchids of many different shades.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM0Wi_vwixEDm1oa5YpfJe6lCXbSrsnNMJbdWlYQclnHVoL3c-o4_mtN8g5UZIP2QFaxiGXcsVgxtw4UcG2DT2L2_fugFXE5H5WmsKPRfLy95K8r9R6bYln227SQC9ffng0Dltsp9S0Q/s1600/DSC_0088x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1159" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM0Wi_vwixEDm1oa5YpfJe6lCXbSrsnNMJbdWlYQclnHVoL3c-o4_mtN8g5UZIP2QFaxiGXcsVgxtw4UcG2DT2L2_fugFXE5H5WmsKPRfLy95K8r9R6bYln227SQC9ffng0Dltsp9S0Q/s400/DSC_0088x.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Spotted Orchid</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVN59GZQFkymg9QqU0pO9YLyUu0uHR3NuurwVSfevOj_byZJyyXQ4UrZE3Q025G-v4Ras8xJWPDnasfPbZlRQjOxO5c5B4FgXX7j4uht2wfp9e_0i4w31DUl9mFW9zYHVv2fvldIVo6c/s1600/DSC_0085x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1234" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVN59GZQFkymg9QqU0pO9YLyUu0uHR3NuurwVSfevOj_byZJyyXQ4UrZE3Q025G-v4Ras8xJWPDnasfPbZlRQjOxO5c5B4FgXX7j4uht2wfp9e_0i4w31DUl9mFW9zYHVv2fvldIVo6c/s400/DSC_0085x.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Spotted Orchid</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBcTmB-LSmDkGdH7-lEAwtpw7YggBRiHtRsglwNfe7mqaqZs_th682TbKEIgWGjhNNrD4_dl4chkPO9LFquQE6IC659Q8kaEGsztTGBlCGXvRhC1Ea8dz70X9Ltsgl5hkx5SDwDNZGDo/s1600/DSC_0122x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1121" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBcTmB-LSmDkGdH7-lEAwtpw7YggBRiHtRsglwNfe7mqaqZs_th682TbKEIgWGjhNNrD4_dl4chkPO9LFquQE6IC659Q8kaEGsztTGBlCGXvRhC1Ea8dz70X9Ltsgl5hkx5SDwDNZGDo/s400/DSC_0122x.jpg" width="280" /></a><br />
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Common Chalk Fragrant Orchid</div>
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The Musk Orchid another extremely difficult Orchid to see, just a shade or to lighter than the grass it was growing in, three very small Musk Orchids, how they were found I do not know.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecTwfyxAnVBu42v6Os1t9lhe0GxWEP2bNnRrnKXp-39KDNBoQ1BTvtf2F6ZY5xw3Xn-CtingFHTFfxEagZH1231vWGDyJaYp9nOtW7biotLySz9BI5TdR6WfFsQLfq_YIKN1Xd6qPZFo/s1600/DSC_0096x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecTwfyxAnVBu42v6Os1t9lhe0GxWEP2bNnRrnKXp-39KDNBoQ1BTvtf2F6ZY5xw3Xn-CtingFHTFfxEagZH1231vWGDyJaYp9nOtW7biotLySz9BI5TdR6WfFsQLfq_YIKN1Xd6qPZFo/s640/DSC_0096x.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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Still more Orchids were revealed, A Fly Orchid, way past its best with just one remaining flower to be seen.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynObgy-EgM27jpvZlMUnK91Jm1HminvddTOcZwZSeKKG3rQ9Wj6BlZPC857gnPUIu1Bh98WC5SjCnp4mcQ4M5dV_52qhvJHKvzxqwgyFeBgGtR6eawbuRWG1y2rCjeHytNso42BKbt-Q/s1600/DSC_0115xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1597" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynObgy-EgM27jpvZlMUnK91Jm1HminvddTOcZwZSeKKG3rQ9Wj6BlZPC857gnPUIu1Bh98WC5SjCnp4mcQ4M5dV_52qhvJHKvzxqwgyFeBgGtR6eawbuRWG1y2rCjeHytNso42BKbt-Q/s400/DSC_0115xx.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly Orchid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And finally to finish of the days viewing, one final Orchid the Greater Butterfly Orchid.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrzZpCuf56hC1qzQwSEw63g4Rk3O-dzbbmFle3CsBfd3hPms3gKOOzdStDofSuw8JVcW2sEbL1_ejpiPH_c6_aZila78JWJs2g7ljTyK_pCRTBlsWCGhMhVVs0hJ01aw0QYNgDsJj-Kk/s1600/DSC_0114x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1302" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrzZpCuf56hC1qzQwSEw63g4Rk3O-dzbbmFle3CsBfd3hPms3gKOOzdStDofSuw8JVcW2sEbL1_ejpiPH_c6_aZila78JWJs2g7ljTyK_pCRTBlsWCGhMhVVs0hJ01aw0QYNgDsJj-Kk/s640/DSC_0114x.jpg" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Butterfly Orchid.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHCbiYvJnYCLhyIMM7S4xh-Touiwj5VLeNE6aAF0gMfY_C5nBxfV4ajAWcegOKvi_QhRLmLPeEhWcQXrUU71ItqfyNFdDS0PRLaIl5zxDgHiLz5PrfcVZbrXKegb8-kSpKO-r2-pmthk/s1600/DSC_0102x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHCbiYvJnYCLhyIMM7S4xh-Touiwj5VLeNE6aAF0gMfY_C5nBxfV4ajAWcegOKvi_QhRLmLPeEhWcQXrUU71ItqfyNFdDS0PRLaIl5zxDgHiLz5PrfcVZbrXKegb8-kSpKO-r2-pmthk/s400/DSC_0102x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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What a mornings viewing, that was , eleven Orchid species seen, with three new species for my tally.</div>
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Not sure if I will see any more as the seasons end draws near.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u>Orchid Life List </u></b> <b><u>2019 Orchid List</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Common Spotted Orchid Green Winged Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Early Purple Orchid Early Purple Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Common Twayblade. Lady Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Greater Butterfly Orchid Early Spider Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Lady Orchid Fly Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pyramidal Orchid Common Twayblade</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Bee Orchid Man Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fragrant Orchid Monkey Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">White Helleborine White Helleborine</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Southern Marsh Orchid Common Fragrant Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Green Winged Orchid Bee Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Early Spider Orchid Southern Marsh Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fly Orchid Common Spotted Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Man Orchid Pyramidal Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Monkey Orchid Lizard Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Birds Nest Orchid Birds Nest Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lizard Orchid Musk Orchid</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Musk Orchid Greater Butterfly Orchid</span></div>
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Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-64722882506050988782019-06-18T14:38:00.001+01:002019-06-19T09:36:38.128+01:00Shorne Woods<br />
A small window of opportunity between the showers allowed me to go for a short walk around the fishing lakes at Shorne Country park.<br />
The sun had come out and in spite of the windy conditions I still managed to find something of interest.<br />
Firstly the fauna and in particular once again the Orchids, I had seen a couple of Bee Orchids here around the lakes last year and I wanted to see if they had appeared this year, sadly no, but I managed to find one in a different position around the lakes, so quite happy with that.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oJIc11GAXXIuSlvjEyBZxYd7Ja74BQuBEDCYvhk19GL5erdk0xmE0CBB-V0hgH3aWO_lIQA7WN9Bj4DSEwgzdwcPsRm1kNgzn__86qWyGSLaxl16obgskd5hUt1diLFhRTg74KKI94Y/s1600/DSC_0044x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1278" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oJIc11GAXXIuSlvjEyBZxYd7Ja74BQuBEDCYvhk19GL5erdk0xmE0CBB-V0hgH3aWO_lIQA7WN9Bj4DSEwgzdwcPsRm1kNgzn__86qWyGSLaxl16obgskd5hUt1diLFhRTg74KKI94Y/s400/DSC_0044x.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Orchid at Shorne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Common Spotted Orchids appeared to be cropping up all around the woodland, my first seen this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33uYjKWSorTJhDvTyiHZMAzeBWPkN0JPdPgdGvu02JSDfouz6cz8ZoinADpPJB8lRNhKPTrK2Y12aGpZ0QUVaX25tzx5l4w_OHPlw-v4j0arI7TomhERjq1Fkx7LMo1G7PaqFkSNVURM/s1600/DSC_0072x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33uYjKWSorTJhDvTyiHZMAzeBWPkN0JPdPgdGvu02JSDfouz6cz8ZoinADpPJB8lRNhKPTrK2Y12aGpZ0QUVaX25tzx5l4w_OHPlw-v4j0arI7TomhERjq1Fkx7LMo1G7PaqFkSNVURM/s400/DSC_0072x.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixdQd9g5Qbs7XHTsGcDiYPthjN35OsTHGXApjzTJmNWmnukdZIgWTk1VjKToSKGmOamwFjaZY7V9Cf9d88EgViu2aOZPfJkPQ2grGVnCMuRv3XrmStYTLOZRqcfXwgGiLabBBghdf-8w/s1600/DSC_0065x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1227" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixdQd9g5Qbs7XHTsGcDiYPthjN35OsTHGXApjzTJmNWmnukdZIgWTk1VjKToSKGmOamwFjaZY7V9Cf9d88EgViu2aOZPfJkPQ2grGVnCMuRv3XrmStYTLOZRqcfXwgGiLabBBghdf-8w/s400/DSC_0065x.jpg" width="306" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhqiY-zn-YmXHKCs_vaI0pArhs-P11w12xcbMYKUFrpQmUZdBTlBphMWG4vb8aeECIKQLlM1EQh4ZASahQyc1AEFYMA17EdtZdPzHiLcbOPAkzi_9y0mGEHUegIgXeO32BZnd84AlqjY/s1600/DSC_0002xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1163" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhqiY-zn-YmXHKCs_vaI0pArhs-P11w12xcbMYKUFrpQmUZdBTlBphMWG4vb8aeECIKQLlM1EQh4ZASahQyc1AEFYMA17EdtZdPzHiLcbOPAkzi_9y0mGEHUegIgXeO32BZnd84AlqjY/s400/DSC_0002xx.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Carder Bee - Bombus pascuorum on Common Spotted Orchid</td></tr>
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In spite of the windy conditions the Bee's were avidly feeding on all the available food sources, Bramble flowers, Honeysuckle and some sort of what looked like Privet flowers.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj908yyNVuSllEk8y7DU5RQlu40luIhYBCu9iIaVInCdbTh3sBigBM-XLuk2wElitMZI2bFOYEgJ_gVcLO8Br4Mr4-fkVi0D3iW3LIJ5vYE4slC_FLTg2QEPXlR6Ev5KgLlha9eTRc1wJo/s1600/DSC_0088x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj908yyNVuSllEk8y7DU5RQlu40luIhYBCu9iIaVInCdbTh3sBigBM-XLuk2wElitMZI2bFOYEgJ_gVcLO8Br4Mr4-fkVi0D3iW3LIJ5vYE4slC_FLTg2QEPXlR6Ev5KgLlha9eTRc1wJo/s400/DSC_0088x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee - Bombus vestalis</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uJdSdjN52htSYPXGNDXJbqT4-CpGjdKdO0_49xw40r43Oz4dLihPbc9sMxkgCQm_-yr2pHyTLW-JSu1cd0bAZxEKp99dxtn6z5K80SiTWl2ga4xKwaXrgv466eRUzj4ZUy626T_itH0/s1600/DSC_0110x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="1600" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uJdSdjN52htSYPXGNDXJbqT4-CpGjdKdO0_49xw40r43Oz4dLihPbc9sMxkgCQm_-yr2pHyTLW-JSu1cd0bAZxEKp99dxtn6z5K80SiTWl2ga4xKwaXrgv466eRUzj4ZUy626T_itH0/s400/DSC_0110x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Bumblebee - Bombus hypnorum</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXmdTXRj333MX6mZcYgtr0IF3rhyphenhyphenh85HqHIZkK_8mZFpLnIwT47nIyrPMcUBHpspF3-JrUMoKd_1dZ7qDBNobDHSmLuKB5csMREeylpsUbA2CW4UwT6wmwRfzD3uKa0TNuLm0pHQekbc/s1600/DSC_0149x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXmdTXRj333MX6mZcYgtr0IF3rhyphenhyphenh85HqHIZkK_8mZFpLnIwT47nIyrPMcUBHpspF3-JrUMoKd_1dZ7qDBNobDHSmLuKB5csMREeylpsUbA2CW4UwT6wmwRfzD3uKa0TNuLm0pHQekbc/s400/DSC_0149x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden Bumblebee - Bombus hortorum</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hoABE8m7OO5drlMwsK2iMNf_ueiF11syQ_tjX3B5tlGhtFAZSktcTMCmzbidgyD4vaTxlw_UDXO0MEwh-J0v50Xp-dS1fY9uj6DerjQlmglYoAx9fld9NUpikK4OwtVZ33cno0GGOqM/s1600/DSC_0007x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hoABE8m7OO5drlMwsK2iMNf_ueiF11syQ_tjX3B5tlGhtFAZSktcTMCmzbidgyD4vaTxlw_UDXO0MEwh-J0v50Xp-dS1fY9uj6DerjQlmglYoAx9fld9NUpikK4OwtVZ33cno0GGOqM/s400/DSC_0007x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Tailed Bumblebee - Bombus lucorum</td></tr>
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Couldn't find any Dragonflies, but plenty of Damselflies, mainly Azure and Blue Tailed.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayoq6LQXAuE9q8PoctSIWulpYQBupBe6VO2XJFZkDcn6lb3EQ5MOSi3oVR6kz4f7wmtytHNY1c_OHNxjLRfk0ywB918X9xt8SjXjv3_ARLmdizMDLFE6XETNCGlockIva7NiI3RekcsE/s1600/DSC_0126x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayoq6LQXAuE9q8PoctSIWulpYQBupBe6VO2XJFZkDcn6lb3EQ5MOSi3oVR6kz4f7wmtytHNY1c_OHNxjLRfk0ywB918X9xt8SjXjv3_ARLmdizMDLFE6XETNCGlockIva7NiI3RekcsE/s400/DSC_0126x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azure Damsel-fly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_6_RYTbdlu9Kvgm4FY7jziNRq6SizJY-tBfnRAr1uq8PUclJ_NFV64JdjV0zBSEuB-WCDd5WskdhVCCXF6G9eq5SOLmv_6Y8GJTzAMQWh0mgBC81nlWwLByWHIdGitduDDZY5M2fwKY/s1600/DSC_0096x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1227" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_6_RYTbdlu9Kvgm4FY7jziNRq6SizJY-tBfnRAr1uq8PUclJ_NFV64JdjV0zBSEuB-WCDd5WskdhVCCXF6G9eq5SOLmv_6Y8GJTzAMQWh0mgBC81nlWwLByWHIdGitduDDZY5M2fwKY/s400/DSC_0096x.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-Tailed Damselfly</td></tr>
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Finished off with a view of several Lizards making the most of the brief sunny interlude like me.</div>
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<br />
Orchid list progressing well.<br />
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Orchid Life List 2019 Orchid List<br />
<br />
Common Spotted Orchid Green Winged Orchid<br />
Early Purple Orchid Early Purple Orchid<br />
Common Twayblade. Lady Orchid<br />
Greater Butterfly Orchid Early Spider Orchid<br />
Lady Orchid Fly Orchid<br />
Pyramidal Orchid Common Twayblade<br />
Bee Orchid Man Orchid<br />
Fragrant Orchid Monkey Orchid<br />
White Helleborine White Helleborine<br />
Southern Marsh Orchid Common Fragrant Orchid<br />
Green Winged Orchid Bee Orchid<br />
Early Spider Orchid Common Spotted Orchid<br />
Fly Orchid<br />
Man Orchid<br />
Monkey Orchid<br />
<br />Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-26893545397302899632019-06-14T18:14:00.000+01:002019-06-19T09:37:20.424+01:00 Airport Flowers !<br />
I have been on a bit of mission this year to try and see as many native Orchids as I can, preferably around Kent, not doing too badly at the moment with at least twelve species seen around various sites.<br />
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The Orchid season is relatively short I gather, running from about May to August, I have never had a lot of luck with Bee Orchids, most of my finds seem to be more accidental than design.<br />
<br />
Recently, I could feel myself feeling slightly tetchy, as many Bee Orchids seem to be reaching there prime, everyone else seems to be finding them, and I still have not been able to get out and look for this lovely Orchid.<br />
<br />
And so it was, once again as I parked my car in the short stay car park at Stansted Airport while collecting my daughter. I glanced at the grassy bank running in front of the terminal, unbelievably a Bee orchid, not just one but I counted at least thirty or so. I quickly grabbed some phone pictures to record the sighting, as the rest of my family do not share my enthusiasm.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9iNlp18XnoeqTrIxoe2Yq9zoNSKSRDnRiZcn9zbxvSh8Fc0hnylAJy8j_azAatga73aGRjmtbfMzV4X9nbF0lNYWkS5p3mVveeqro4zADJed5LimfU6TydpG_TTRumlCJBjysF7EhA8/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9iNlp18XnoeqTrIxoe2Yq9zoNSKSRDnRiZcn9zbxvSh8Fc0hnylAJy8j_azAatga73aGRjmtbfMzV4X9nbF0lNYWkS5p3mVveeqro4zADJed5LimfU6TydpG_TTRumlCJBjysF7EhA8/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Orchids at Stansted Airport</td></tr>
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Another accidental find, but I will take it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u>Orchid Life List </u></b> <b><u>2019 Orchid List</u></b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Common Spotted Orchid Green Winged Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Early Purple Orchid Early Purple Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Common Twayblade. Lady Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Greater Butterfly Orchid Early Spider Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Lady Orchid Fly Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pyramidal Orchid Common Twayblade</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Bee Orchid Man Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fragrant Orchid Monkey Orchid</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">White Helleborine White Helleborine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Southern Marsh Orchid Common Fragrant Orchid</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Green Winged Orchid Bee Orchid</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Early Spider Orchid</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fly Orchid</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Man Orchid</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Monkey Orchid</span></div>
<br /></div>
Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-31618365253752607642019-06-11T18:46:00.000+01:002019-06-19T09:37:45.635+01:00Istanbul !<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uLDOzm4cWoeU-XdAMgI_sY988VW7CbXTYYpF7DeDLSYvPE0gxKdkYaaeHCBqRAmJusKTPU1yohGQhKyttGXMkz9RH1A-KopZfDymTL9Z-ouPr1k3RhLF2_pD3eN0DH67vzXf30hBzNU/s1600/DSC_0014x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uLDOzm4cWoeU-XdAMgI_sY988VW7CbXTYYpF7DeDLSYvPE0gxKdkYaaeHCBqRAmJusKTPU1yohGQhKyttGXMkz9RH1A-KopZfDymTL9Z-ouPr1k3RhLF2_pD3eN0DH67vzXf30hBzNU/s400/DSC_0014x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A short city break to the city of Istanbul in Turkey was a much needed break from our hectic lives of late, especially for my wife. This was a non birding holiday, but even so, couldn't stop myself, there's always something new to see.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRAuPY_AiOiMXaYowALlH5Wd7ocQGyDgi-OM1zreUiq3RAFBqAgGGOuSBn24mq-gT9TQHKahRe48tu0VFwO0NBqJCzEIFxU-yFrezcAJDY3mMP9rWZU7xFnctW332mGn0_7MaqkYud2A/s1600/20190603_203331x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRAuPY_AiOiMXaYowALlH5Wd7ocQGyDgi-OM1zreUiq3RAFBqAgGGOuSBn24mq-gT9TQHKahRe48tu0VFwO0NBqJCzEIFxU-yFrezcAJDY3mMP9rWZU7xFnctW332mGn0_7MaqkYud2A/s400/20190603_203331x.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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There's a lot of Mosques in Istanbul as you would expect, those tall minarets and domes seem to attract the Swifts, what caught my eye was the Alpine Swifts mixed in with them, never seen so many. Especially around the Galata Tower.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5D18Nt5IF4d-KFT7G5_WOwVDOsTZbSCkTbdDfDOrtAFQClzim9fWXYZGGjq3wwwqirKleIVOpaz2LHPxppdvHzid4FluPSfZQeJTHqK7xAWywlElHBLtb0yOowUZNbw5xr4A-4ASGAeA/s1600/DSC_0013x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5D18Nt5IF4d-KFT7G5_WOwVDOsTZbSCkTbdDfDOrtAFQClzim9fWXYZGGjq3wwwqirKleIVOpaz2LHPxppdvHzid4FluPSfZQeJTHqK7xAWywlElHBLtb0yOowUZNbw5xr4A-4ASGAeA/s400/DSC_0013x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising the Bosphorus with the Galata Tower in the background</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0Q7aqE015Td1nWdR6GxUpEoNUl1m7ug_mKeou9fseqYeR4Ohdqu_YRSP1c5zXqcsgwMJnLOgL101foO7hTp5RRJDKSkyfOMqq0Y4wPKryFFAEyiyCMgCCf0WI8x8HwEDB4Yl_rBVx0k/s1600/20190602_162803x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0Q7aqE015Td1nWdR6GxUpEoNUl1m7ug_mKeou9fseqYeR4Ohdqu_YRSP1c5zXqcsgwMJnLOgL101foO7hTp5RRJDKSkyfOMqq0Y4wPKryFFAEyiyCMgCCf0WI8x8HwEDB4Yl_rBVx0k/s320/20190602_162803x.jpg" width="320" /></a>A cruise along the Bosphorus, a relatively small channel that joins the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea was another good opportunity, while my wife enjoyed the sites along the Bosphorus, I could not help but notice the small flocks of birds skimming the wavetops flying in both directions along the channel. I suspected they were Shearwaters but could not see any real detail,<br />
just that old birding term 'the Jizz' of a Shearwater<br />
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Some research on my return revealed that they were more than likely to have been Yelkouan Shearwaters, a hotspot for sighting these birds as they migrate to and from the Black sea and the Mediterranean through the Bosphorus.<br />
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This was a new bird sighting for me albeit very distant, and a new addition to my life list. armed only with my mobile phone, an horrendous record shot to remind me of this sighting.<br />
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Other birds noted here were numerous Shags, Yellow legged Gulls and a few flyover Grey Herons.<br />
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The green spaces in Istanbul are very popular with local population of Istanbul, a welcome escape from the heat of the day, families were enjoying each others company during the last few days of Ramadan.<br />
The tall trees of the park seemed alive with Parakeets of some sort, couldn't actually see any, but I'm very familiar with there calls as they visit my garden each day, there are suppose to be both Ring Necked and Alexandrine Parakeets here.<br />
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I did manage to see a Common Myna bird which I wasn't really expecting.<br />
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Another new bird sighting for me around the streets of Istanbul, were the Laughing Doves, again no photo opportunities.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPuTwo2hxRY9zzO3oiIkROSEuem5pTtCxK4O98aNHset0MJd_AFITcNYm6Ctb4xqUBYjOneMW1hCX6_rywDdDHvZqu9a8epKBtzfRCOHeWWXQsjlAupMsaiZLSVZYAf2iHbumh4nrs3g/s1600/20190603_153112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPuTwo2hxRY9zzO3oiIkROSEuem5pTtCxK4O98aNHset0MJd_AFITcNYm6Ctb4xqUBYjOneMW1hCX6_rywDdDHvZqu9a8epKBtzfRCOHeWWXQsjlAupMsaiZLSVZYAf2iHbumh4nrs3g/s400/20190603_153112.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Underground Basilica Cistern</td></tr>
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This ancient cistern, one of the largest, built in the 6th Century during the reign of a Byzantine emperor Justinian was pretty impressive, one of many underground cisterns that lie beneath the city<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9g3KWKTJRd6yi2ZdnqUuzcZTTN9kxSK_tEOjY5HELPdkbgPcvVLDLn8zjMOxyxf4He8YSsyctGiRJO5yBbsTiAYWupLOkLSO1bUeEbwGhl9v7FUY5V083wGp4Hg4R5I6enLcNLf61njI/s1600/IMG-20190604-WA0018x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9g3KWKTJRd6yi2ZdnqUuzcZTTN9kxSK_tEOjY5HELPdkbgPcvVLDLn8zjMOxyxf4He8YSsyctGiRJO5yBbsTiAYWupLOkLSO1bUeEbwGhl9v7FUY5V083wGp4Hg4R5I6enLcNLf61njI/s400/IMG-20190604-WA0018x.jpg" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Children enjoying the old Tram line down Istiklar Street.</td></tr>
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An interesting city to visit. !</div>
<br />Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-58845693261507782082019-06-09T23:05:00.002+01:002019-06-19T09:38:52.072+01:00Queensdown Warren !<br />
My first visit to Queensdown Warren, another chalk downland site a few weeks ago was not that successful, couldn't find any Orchids, just a few Green Hairstreaks.<br />
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After visiting Darland Bank not that far away, thought I would try this site again and look for Butterflies.<br />
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This time I ventured further into the site, sun was shining and I was enjoying the walk through the reserve. I could see in the distance, a couple of likely suspects on the hillside peering intently down into the grassland, I headed in there direction in the hope that they would point me in the right direction<br />
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As our paths crossed, the usual exchange of sightings and pleasantries were made, there information being infinitely more interesting than mine, they pointed me to an area close by where they had been watching many Adonis Butterflies, I could hardly believe my luck, not only that, I had stumbled across an area containing a new Orchid for the year. the Common Fragrant Orchid, these are said to have thee scent of orange blossom, to be honest I couldn't detect any scent on the spikes that I came across, to be fair these looked fairly small.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBUSaJD4phsp5k9Xx0iTRP3EMjlDhFZAwBuO2p-2YuG4cTxGaSnLT26NiZw6Aem035ODgONgk0PivmwoTyvf8O_kyzBNwYHPxJINlTkRnHamltyRKZCH1GoeoJWB068l7-aLwLS0bq0E/s1600/DSC_0403x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1318" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBUSaJD4phsp5k9Xx0iTRP3EMjlDhFZAwBuO2p-2YuG4cTxGaSnLT26NiZw6Aem035ODgONgk0PivmwoTyvf8O_kyzBNwYHPxJINlTkRnHamltyRKZCH1GoeoJWB068l7-aLwLS0bq0E/s400/DSC_0403x.jpg" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Fragrant orchid</td></tr>
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<b><u>Orchid Life List </u></b> <b><u>2019 Orchid List</u></b></div>
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Common Spotted Orchid Green Winged Orchid</div>
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Early Purple Orchid Early Purple Orchid</div>
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Common Twayblade. Lady Orchid</div>
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Greater Butterfly Orchid Early Spider Orchid</div>
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Lady Orchid Fly Orchid</div>
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Pyramidal Orchid Common Twayblade</div>
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Bee orchid Man Orchid</div>
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Fragrant Orchid Monkey Orchid</div>
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White Helleborine White Helleborine</div>
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Southern Marsh Orchid Common Fragrant Orchid</div>
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Green Winged Orchid</div>
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Early Spider Orchid</div>
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Fly Orchid</div>
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Man Orchid</div>
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Monkey Orchid</div>
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Blue Butterflies seemed to be all around me, the majority being Adonis Blue Butterflies, these seem quite easy to photograph as they seemed content to sunbathe on the grass for several minutes at a time.<br />
Having seen a few of these beautiful Butterflies this year I can now differentiate quite easily between these and the Common Blues that share the same grassy habitat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DV9L5CcKb2ZnR2PxK4Q4sfU7Pmvs_Prg52I9adGCb9dkRtmeVgU8zM2pHYzHkzploLYgMwhSE1fkJC_VHMXNEUm9o1zDABt5Pi0eMe_Qa2HPYWHQOthzqrgGShBZGtdXXdaWq9zaJdU/s1600/DSC_0397xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DV9L5CcKb2ZnR2PxK4Q4sfU7Pmvs_Prg52I9adGCb9dkRtmeVgU8zM2pHYzHkzploLYgMwhSE1fkJC_VHMXNEUm9o1zDABt5Pi0eMe_Qa2HPYWHQOthzqrgGShBZGtdXXdaWq9zaJdU/s400/DSC_0397xx.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adonis Blue</td></tr>
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And a couple of images of the female Adonis Blue Butterfly, most females do not have any blue showing apparently.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UUz6kPECrCMes35Lzwxas3lrqjTHKURQZ9tthxRP-42jngG2uSh7vaDiv3VZGAnGzVsFgh37T7-MQmIIiijmLDF0JuHse0lOzdL88vRxOVMpE4WlKWnu09ilMkvaKXG16bHV1XNfoHM/s1600/DSC_0425x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UUz6kPECrCMes35Lzwxas3lrqjTHKURQZ9tthxRP-42jngG2uSh7vaDiv3VZGAnGzVsFgh37T7-MQmIIiijmLDF0JuHse0lOzdL88vRxOVMpE4WlKWnu09ilMkvaKXG16bHV1XNfoHM/s400/DSC_0425x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Adonis Blue Butterfly</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was unsure if these were Adonis Blue females, but a quick confirmation from Kent Butterflies gave me this explanation.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Female Adonis Butterfly,</span> <i> [clear white marking around the underwing spots, black lines through the fringe, and blue above and below the lunules on the hindwings. It may well be an ab. with all that colouring.]</i></div>
<br />Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173321472039690568.post-92019379701287619502019-05-30T17:59:00.001+01:002019-06-19T09:40:08.275+01:00Chalk Downlands !<br />
Were quite lucky here in Kent, Chalk downlands abound, why it's taken me so long to discover these reserves is beyond me.<br />
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I 'm making more effort this year to visit our Kentish wildlife sites, especially those that I have never visited before, new sites inevitably bring new and unseen wildlife sightings, these chalk Downlands also make for an exhilarating walk in some beautiful countryside.<br />
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With this in mind it was back to Darland Bank to search for Butterflies, those of the blue variety, a speciality of these chalk grasslands. I was a little to early for the Chalkhill Blue, I was told to come back in July.<br />
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As expected my first Blue Butterfly soon appeared in the form of a Common Blue, as its name suggests the most common blue butterfly seen on these downlands.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBil-oDRJ48JK0G706NcuzZtfxyneAY_XGjb3cPitPGh-w78vFum6_Ull2IVggbLeIEshNnzqhPSqhl-EjPXjkjcXOUoXF5330R4WyU22mmpCyQxBeK-MNY-Pd0iqN0Mtqnhx3G-IZ3Y/s1600/DSC_0054xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBil-oDRJ48JK0G706NcuzZtfxyneAY_XGjb3cPitPGh-w78vFum6_Ull2IVggbLeIEshNnzqhPSqhl-EjPXjkjcXOUoXF5330R4WyU22mmpCyQxBeK-MNY-Pd0iqN0Mtqnhx3G-IZ3Y/s400/DSC_0054xx.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiveJ6bWjnd5GAAG9LFJYo5mswbFSb0VvNktlWKrjf2QLkbaX-HNlWKgGQr587vNKwtvWGEQ6o3kpXjrh0H9lGxtmGV1t519_tonw2JhaQ5wqiYoozzAZzy57M8A3DyAgwWoYadNGueY/s1600/DSC_0914x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiveJ6bWjnd5GAAG9LFJYo5mswbFSb0VvNktlWKrjf2QLkbaX-HNlWKgGQr587vNKwtvWGEQ6o3kpXjrh0H9lGxtmGV1t519_tonw2JhaQ5wqiYoozzAZzy57M8A3DyAgwWoYadNGueY/s400/DSC_0914x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue</td></tr>
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As I walked along the scruby border at the bottom of the hillside, my next blue Butterfly made an appearance the Holly Blue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAnxGIeIDcCXcDu2HqSujNRKtsqnb03-Yk1MXAhc4OWtNDnAU6YnZqliLZtonSsYRYMtisDehzQGpY-VNT3v08v-daUyf0ENvfInrRfaO8RPG11_ITcuAxJv4A0NMbXU_4-DXIoZMGz8/s1600/DSC_0921x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAnxGIeIDcCXcDu2HqSujNRKtsqnb03-Yk1MXAhc4OWtNDnAU6YnZqliLZtonSsYRYMtisDehzQGpY-VNT3v08v-daUyf0ENvfInrRfaO8RPG11_ITcuAxJv4A0NMbXU_4-DXIoZMGz8/s400/DSC_0921x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly Blue</td></tr>
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Walking back up onto the grassy slopes, a new Butterfly for me, the Small Blue our smallest Butterfly in the country, fiesty little Butterfly saw it on a few occasions sparring with passing Common Blues, also strangely not blue but a dark brown, the male has a scattering of blue scales mixed in with the brown. the underside of the wings is reminiscent of the Holly Blue above.<br />
These all look like males, the females have no blue on the upper wing surface I believe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xkCEUHTaDvjosRWuKdxJCSZbrcDeAkPeRBUfR4Cvs3_eBIpprVZ6Oh9-8GF9_wZ_vpRk3C8BkiCPnXMcHbOlKx15g8WaLKyB8d8ZU7t0bWMiYhv3XFNIyc3XG2-VKpZz4mupn8hYMc4/s1600/DSC_0934xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xkCEUHTaDvjosRWuKdxJCSZbrcDeAkPeRBUfR4Cvs3_eBIpprVZ6Oh9-8GF9_wZ_vpRk3C8BkiCPnXMcHbOlKx15g8WaLKyB8d8ZU7t0bWMiYhv3XFNIyc3XG2-VKpZz4mupn8hYMc4/s400/DSC_0934xx.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Blue</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigq2S79ZJZp_wsnDPWBRcQH34dJh6XO-YvaOkQ5Z9hgWiC0sJEfUlLzEOK9Z1DZXFZY7JWCdOe8VJG5XlfZiJOGp0JT9PDtD8GU0xn9Ww9mC-TX4DVwRNeyYI2PB_mL8ST5hC3YaAXK-w/s1600/DSC_0953x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigq2S79ZJZp_wsnDPWBRcQH34dJh6XO-YvaOkQ5Z9hgWiC0sJEfUlLzEOK9Z1DZXFZY7JWCdOe8VJG5XlfZiJOGp0JT9PDtD8GU0xn9Ww9mC-TX4DVwRNeyYI2PB_mL8ST5hC3YaAXK-w/s400/DSC_0953x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Blue Male</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_Ds09-E6RWnfXrW4JVsQKzSa-MWAsJrwSht7zUJm62vMSoAwc_R4k-UdxfRM7AHJTvvyorJlHWqUSLtVxlip9JV4g9XqXE9cSaledkU6mJslR2PfJz3F-vpVxLtUqNWGke1wfKKSK1Y/s1600/DSC_0257x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_Ds09-E6RWnfXrW4JVsQKzSa-MWAsJrwSht7zUJm62vMSoAwc_R4k-UdxfRM7AHJTvvyorJlHWqUSLtVxlip9JV4g9XqXE9cSaledkU6mJslR2PfJz3F-vpVxLtUqNWGke1wfKKSK1Y/s400/DSC_0257x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3rtxOLsVOG_-R3ENXPiSmPJ_pT926oHl3dEMCLZ72BrEEGk4Z09WSB837d51y6hHS2GBkQPkp6359OpWARrzVF58WFoBheVF5Kqv5yIWKOUIx6DaEytoM4tlo_6iWso9rQ3ii3IKM8o/s1600/DSC_0259x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3rtxOLsVOG_-R3ENXPiSmPJ_pT926oHl3dEMCLZ72BrEEGk4Z09WSB837d51y6hHS2GBkQPkp6359OpWARrzVF58WFoBheVF5Kqv5yIWKOUIx6DaEytoM4tlo_6iWso9rQ3ii3IKM8o/s400/DSC_0259x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then the Butterfly I really wanted to see, and one that has eluded me for years, mainly because I haven't been visiting the right places. This one is quite rare though, the Adonis Blue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRkJ1Yw_o9MBuZkCyDc04KbqwALbN85cPMvn_vXYfErDiImIr1A06W4Eb3u2vOQM-Lu-mUmQ6b5fZ39yTp0piLNhpnuFh5MbooZWTYmBtoY6EXF2zNhnkZhq0lHo7_QK_GThVSAwpRog/s1600/DSC_1002x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRkJ1Yw_o9MBuZkCyDc04KbqwALbN85cPMvn_vXYfErDiImIr1A06W4Eb3u2vOQM-Lu-mUmQ6b5fZ39yTp0piLNhpnuFh5MbooZWTYmBtoY6EXF2zNhnkZhq0lHo7_QK_GThVSAwpRog/s400/DSC_1002x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adonis Blue</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkiMqdvsBVA6bL0ThTt6Lms98Tj-5uhxJblA5Fo5zITu8JTlWo0RjJu_HIgPchKXra3JGnIjvC3T-PbV9zZHAU-XPk-dpmJzXsxdsNXX1Ni_qNle06FGPKAu5EOl7AXW5VjAVHOsj0b0/s1600/DSC_0009x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkiMqdvsBVA6bL0ThTt6Lms98Tj-5uhxJblA5Fo5zITu8JTlWo0RjJu_HIgPchKXra3JGnIjvC3T-PbV9zZHAU-XPk-dpmJzXsxdsNXX1Ni_qNle06FGPKAu5EOl7AXW5VjAVHOsj0b0/s400/DSC_0009x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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These are quite distinctive when you see them, the blue is very bright almost metallic looking, and the black veins pass through the white fringe of the wings giving a chequered appearance. Pleased with seeing two individuals on this visit.<br />
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Other interesting sightings made as I walked the paths along the hillsides where the many Man Orchids were showing everywhere. I noticed this Crab Spider trying to blend into the background.. they can change colour to yellow, but this does take some time. I didn't see many insects visiting the Orchids, so he may have a long wait.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvynRFv6OylFcE7V2eF9uGRxl8Zam9PJgit-NgqD6q4u1FHSfF7CiRspevYQ7BNSCCsVqY0n3xJAlo7cv6-RXx15FYdGwFoN9gJYwquhyphenhyphenypsFLzgelbwQLfIea0XNnc0Jd-jARCnOjR4/s1600/DSC_0969x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvynRFv6OylFcE7V2eF9uGRxl8Zam9PJgit-NgqD6q4u1FHSfF7CiRspevYQ7BNSCCsVqY0n3xJAlo7cv6-RXx15FYdGwFoN9gJYwquhyphenhyphenypsFLzgelbwQLfIea0XNnc0Jd-jARCnOjR4/s400/DSC_0969x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Spider on a Man Orchid</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dsD9cA3UkM8YP8VqZQm-ZHElix5WgZQSBEP0vPAlFYoNUFBtWOVNkW8HbfA8HVLCc8NsGOBfIYwRyjjJVWgAoUUcHQLVrFMrJoyBVk7ntaF05Fmnl3JEGyDm503Hugo9gU5iyIRACqY/s1600/DSC_0972x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1447" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dsD9cA3UkM8YP8VqZQm-ZHElix5WgZQSBEP0vPAlFYoNUFBtWOVNkW8HbfA8HVLCc8NsGOBfIYwRyjjJVWgAoUUcHQLVrFMrJoyBVk7ntaF05Fmnl3JEGyDm503Hugo9gU5iyIRACqY/s400/DSC_0972x.jpg" width="361" /></a></div>
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Plenty of Bee's on view,with one lucky observation of the Brown Banded Carder Bee the rarest of the three carder Bees found in the country and known to frequent this site. I did ask for confirmation from the "UK Bees, Wasps and Ants site and got a positive response., well pleased with that sighting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwIAY4e_4HngDMoG4sxYZSkfZMltgR3J4Fs9KcrnWxIfeBN9ueMB72G80UDmvRehtEkLVXct0-4fsj9CJ5PwhqcbLvEcyj2bpu4_LxNuD-Wp4yP99TYC7TlHywO6RUSi-QO_CzocyEDs/s1600/DSC_0020x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwIAY4e_4HngDMoG4sxYZSkfZMltgR3J4Fs9KcrnWxIfeBN9ueMB72G80UDmvRehtEkLVXct0-4fsj9CJ5PwhqcbLvEcyj2bpu4_LxNuD-Wp4yP99TYC7TlHywO6RUSi-QO_CzocyEDs/s400/DSC_0020x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Banded Carder Bee <i>Bombus Humilis</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH1kaweFTpfRqJ_doMcNI6iNmrKMNXcH7EcTW5FbNVbIZxxTnPH7tcW9-hrQaU-b7lqzjtt8ui9sM69rx5VUcdnGnofF0ttrFLbix9DP9KNfWULhQ5d7jIpMQufZKvsk0SRqbX_taWZY/s1600/DSC_0034x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="1600" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH1kaweFTpfRqJ_doMcNI6iNmrKMNXcH7EcTW5FbNVbIZxxTnPH7tcW9-hrQaU-b7lqzjtt8ui9sM69rx5VUcdnGnofF0ttrFLbix9DP9KNfWULhQ5d7jIpMQufZKvsk0SRqbX_taWZY/s400/DSC_0034x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carder species ?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZ7CqAlNuHleCfh5zD8cdEvDjy17XtkvakPG2WnCMmQTtTeQmeT5m-MsVi4ZN-bVf27VR9Vv3RNXcEdPOX_HcVU0yeJrz9soiqOAyBBHqkde4qPjbOJWh3WVxI4AiCbcTzc1KhNScEO0/s1600/DSC_0109x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZ7CqAlNuHleCfh5zD8cdEvDjy17XtkvakPG2WnCMmQTtTeQmeT5m-MsVi4ZN-bVf27VR9Vv3RNXcEdPOX_HcVU0yeJrz9soiqOAyBBHqkde4qPjbOJWh3WVxI4AiCbcTzc1KhNScEO0/s400/DSC_0109x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-Tailed Bumblebee</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfPG5-gcdtrEs9YosKyWM8IzMoP3MGwieUJ_Ql88uUA7mcWpIRs4A3nkF_0kLrRlnPzrNMsvV3Zn2Pbt7Bfjow5YKz_RgX4PjtYYJOPlPxsKaxHasXO0bEuqC8qNID_GHj38hDULX-ng/s1600/DSC_0031x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1600" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfPG5-gcdtrEs9YosKyWM8IzMoP3MGwieUJ_Ql88uUA7mcWpIRs4A3nkF_0kLrRlnPzrNMsvV3Zn2Pbt7Bfjow5YKz_RgX4PjtYYJOPlPxsKaxHasXO0bEuqC8qNID_GHj38hDULX-ng/s400/DSC_0031x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bombus vestalis, the vestal cuckoo bumblebee ?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dZNzIxiOoZ9NyQExsBnlTQle3QyNHRRD5FxRCA1oAKzce3D1hY_YopC14Q-WPp3HLv12fUWSDutfVFfeT_HY3b7it_383_x6eCX_vHj6-O31KWuuKjLZ-z_LJQa0pyH_Ec3yDH5U1GE/s1600/DSC_0028x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dZNzIxiOoZ9NyQExsBnlTQle3QyNHRRD5FxRCA1oAKzce3D1hY_YopC14Q-WPp3HLv12fUWSDutfVFfeT_HY3b7it_383_x6eCX_vHj6-O31KWuuKjLZ-z_LJQa0pyH_Ec3yDH5U1GE/s400/DSC_0028x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bombus vestalis, the vestal cuckoo bumblebee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
I think that yellow band in front of the white tail could indicate that this is not the White tailed Bumblebee I first thought but Bombus vestalis, the vestal cuckoo bumblebee.<br />
<br />
Some other Butterflies on show included, a few Brimstone, a single Small Heath, Green Hairstreak.<br />
Brown Argus.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykReG-lFMK5IsBugoUxnM-EtISyVBqN3udX71W04fz3c8AlOpSdHgI-THefCpHOSwrkHZ-p8TaTeKzQZmw8Z4rPwpGphciWqJeFu-4WJZtppIHxBrh4DmSIRrubQW5xFXADAsN4Jbe0M/s1600/DSC_0345x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykReG-lFMK5IsBugoUxnM-EtISyVBqN3udX71W04fz3c8AlOpSdHgI-THefCpHOSwrkHZ-p8TaTeKzQZmw8Z4rPwpGphciWqJeFu-4WJZtppIHxBrh4DmSIRrubQW5xFXADAsN4Jbe0M/s400/DSC_0345x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJaE-f_vS7sU3bgIWUfpGqq7ltwlEGWLt6LCc-A0zcwxjzGiSPl1cUeEvkzVuB1AFXKexcSFLlTwEgtu9SV-XacADMYftlkVIpBFTzZdwZC7m9BmNDB2OtaHwDgzyJsExnfyaq7ZuV8o/s1600/DSC_0363x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJaE-f_vS7sU3bgIWUfpGqq7ltwlEGWLt6LCc-A0zcwxjzGiSPl1cUeEvkzVuB1AFXKexcSFLlTwEgtu9SV-XacADMYftlkVIpBFTzZdwZC7m9BmNDB2OtaHwDgzyJsExnfyaq7ZuV8o/s400/DSC_0363x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWCjKIGBgCoBCV0PiPhzy7RAQ_Ifab9MAono4Maco-P2KSFg6ldRi7BDgSzXHMw4kPXXDrx6XB27_Wf7LV6ZTap_awySCEbnu8bTioHcR-FYDExIbcpwNt_CSfHl0y3p330rRISRpoTM/s1600/DSC_0348x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1600" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWCjKIGBgCoBCV0PiPhzy7RAQ_Ifab9MAono4Maco-P2KSFg6ldRi7BDgSzXHMw4kPXXDrx6XB27_Wf7LV6ZTap_awySCEbnu8bTioHcR-FYDExIbcpwNt_CSfHl0y3p330rRISRpoTM/s400/DSC_0348x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVq6UoNsA8DxQYcWkp45l3HcX7WSVg4UAzk6bIvVgY7GoQq-MOwnOnwbitCjSmzbH7Cqj84mDn9pU8OypPlJMl2EdOhZdRpQWOGZkUYKSmdc8Zd5Mc6Bqjsxhf4wINmFoA_ERY5L-nuE/s1600/DSC_0375x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVq6UoNsA8DxQYcWkp45l3HcX7WSVg4UAzk6bIvVgY7GoQq-MOwnOnwbitCjSmzbH7Cqj84mDn9pU8OypPlJMl2EdOhZdRpQWOGZkUYKSmdc8Zd5Mc6Bqjsxhf4wINmFoA_ERY5L-nuE/s400/DSC_0375x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A mystery Orchid about to bloom next to a Man Orchid, probably Pyramidal or Common Spotted.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYTztR3VvYs0FcMixI-xs15gtaQAucjCyrw7EhvbEk0TV-j4iaWrv61PH0n7xzdYQhZQpP8-vIvpP5R8i30Vd_SAapc5SMb4zh8Axw-jxaIpnnh3u17vyW6f_nVQEpu3TotlDXTeS8MQ/s1600/DSC_0382x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1193" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYTztR3VvYs0FcMixI-xs15gtaQAucjCyrw7EhvbEk0TV-j4iaWrv61PH0n7xzdYQhZQpP8-vIvpP5R8i30Vd_SAapc5SMb4zh8Axw-jxaIpnnh3u17vyW6f_nVQEpu3TotlDXTeS8MQ/s400/DSC_0382x.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man Orchid and emerging Orchid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A return visit in July for the Chalkhill Blue is definitely on the cards.Merlin52http://www.blogger.com/profile/08982892484257292862noreply@blogger.com0