Gary Howard's birds and wildlife

With the weather forecast looking good a family outing to Denge Wood near Canterbury to look for Duke of Burgundy Fritillary was soon put in motion. 

Our arrival was delayed by extensive road closures around Waltham because of a marathon race meaning that we got to Denge Wood soon after 11.00, much later than intended. Next we found about a dozen cars parked -badly! - all around the entrance we use forcing us further down the road.

We strolled down the track to Bonsai Bank trying not to tread on the numerous glow worms crawling across the path. Alexander started his usual bug-gathering patrol whilst Edwards stick collection just keeps on growing!

Bonsai Bank looked stunning - lots of Lady Orchids and clearly some excellent management has been going on this past winter to remove scrub and control the spread of trees.

It did not take long to find some "Dukes" and we all had great looks. Also had an immaculate Green Hairstreak.

Jenny said she'd go and get the lunch and bring it back, I said let's all go back but she said it would save time and she'd enjoy the walk. She rang 40 minutes later to say she was lost ! I was..............a bit annoyed and tempers frayed! How could she get lost - answer, she thought she'd find a short-cut! Worse of all she'd got lost on the way back to us so she had all the food! I'll say nothing about women and navigation.............nothing!

We had lunch at the car and then as we'd run out of time to go back to Bonsai Bank we explored some of the short-cut!

Duke of Burgundy Fritillary

Green Hairstreak

Lady Orchid

Fly Orchid

 Bluebells