Am I overthinking?

I was back down to the RMC, at 05.15 hrs on Wednesday morning, and headed for a section which produced my first "twenty" (3rd Dec 2020) after the covid lockdowns had been enforced.  I am not convinced that my location skill-set is up to speed, as yet, although this is the fourth season on the trot that I am seriously targeting a "big" Pike from the venue. Happy to report that my efforts were not in vain, as I landed a small "jack" of five or six pounds, and yet this was cause for me to move swims. I went back to the area where I'd landed the two doubles, on Monday, and didn't register another bleep on the alarms for the rest of my session. I am glad that the next Canterbury/Thanet PAC regional gathering isn't too far off, as I wish to pick the brains of my fellow local Pikers about the logistics of my approach to this particular challenge. Thankfully, the guys are fairly brutal with their opinions, so I should get something worth thinking about as a consequence of my request? 

Siren R3 bite alarm, monkey and an angled needle, with an open bale arm on the reel,
loaded with braid. Bite indication, at such intimate range, can't get much
 more sensitive - unless I'm prepared to stare at a float and that ain't ever gonna happen!

I am totally confident in my tackle choices, bait presentation and bite indication sensitivity, thus feel that it is just tweaking the location strategy which will put another piece of the puzzle in place. That final piece will be down to pure fate. Can I catch a Pike of 25+  lbs from the Royal Military Canal? It will remain the driving force behind my efforts until such a time as I achieve this goal or am unable to undertake the arduous barrow pushing ritual any longer. due to physical inability (aka old age!). 

Diamond-back Moth 

Away from angling, the garden moth trap continues to provide plenty of entertainment as the autumn draws to a close. Yesterday I was taken aback with the discovery of two Diamond-backs on the egg trays, this morning it was a Box-tree Moth which stole the headlines, yet flew off before I could grab a photo. The migrant visitors included eighteen Rusty-dot Pearls, six Olive-tree Pearls, three Scarce Bordered Straws and a Radford's Flame Shoulder but, a Large Wainscot and a Feathered Thorn were of much more interest.

Large Wainscot - the second garden record this autumn

Feathered Thorn - a garden year tick!

The freezer is full of dead baits, my kit is prepped and ready to go, so it won't be too long before I head off  to the RMC for another session chasing that dream. I do, however, have a couple of other ideas, in the pipeline, which might provide a distraction as the season unfolds. 

The 2024/25 RMC campaign is up and running

It seemed crazy that I'd not caught a fish, of any species, since 5th September and the Pike season is now three weeks, plus, into 2024/25. I had to make a start and thanks to Bev & I getting down to check the state of the RMC, on Saturday, plans were drawn up for a "silly o'clock" session this morning. Because of the weekend clock change, I was on my way just after 04.15 hrs and had two baited rigs in the canal just before 06.10 hrs. The right hand bait couldn't have been in the water more than ten minutes when the alarm sounded. It was a very slow, tentative, bite and I was convinced that Eels were responsible for the stuttering rise of the monkey up the angled needle.  Still, probably in auto-pilot, I went through the time honoured ritual, allowing the line to tighten before setting the hooks. BLOODY HELL! This was no Eel, as it tore off across the canal before deciding that Appledore might be a good option? It was a fantastic scrap and, as I drew it over the net chord, actually thought I might have fluked a "twenty"?

Once within the confines of the landing net it became obvious that, although a very large fish, it lacked the bulk to push past that magical figure. The scales revealed the true weight to be 17 lbs 10 oz and there was absolutely no way I was moaning about that for the first Pike of the campaign. Safely into a retaining sling, the rod was re-cast and I sat back enjoying the dawn, although huddled under a brolly due to some light rainfall.. I'd experienced an aborted take on the left hand set-up around 07.25 hrs, yet within an hour the same rod was away again and this time the fish was hooked. A nice, feisty, individual, which actually tail walked on a couple of occasions, before being engulfed in the folds of the landing net. At 12 lbs, exactly, another very nice fish to add to my tally from this superb venue. 

I remained on the bank until 11.00 hrs, although actually packing up the rods at 10.15 hrs before getting the self-takes done. Not  too sure when I'll get back down to the canal, but I do have an idea for a mini project at a venue much closer to home. I need to have a chat with the land owner before anything else can happen. To finish off, I need to mention the fact that I recorded my second Marbled Fern (Musotima nitidalis) of 2024 yesterday. Nowhere close to intense patternation of the individual I trapped in August, this moth was almost bland by comparison.Still, a very good garden, and Thanet, record.

I prefer the alternative Fern China-mark vernacular name for this species as it
seems more aligned to the UK moth nomenclature.

Moths, birds & "Greenpeace" hooks!

Not too much to report of late, hence a lack of posts, but I am still enjoying my morning examination of the visitors to the egg trays within the 125w MV trap. I am indebted to Ian Roberts, and the superb Folkestone Birds website, purely because he posts daily news of the migrant (and scarce/unusual) moths being attracted to the traps within his local area.  Radford's Flame Shoulders have been recorded on a daily basis, max of two, since that first record. This morning was to see my second Merveille du Jour of the autumn, plus nine Olive-tree Pearls, seven Rusty-dot Pearls, three Scarce Bordered Straws, a Silver Y, a Pearly Underwing and a Gem.

Silver Y

However, none of those moths are particularly unusual, given what is being reported from elsewhere along the Kent coastline. It was the discovery of a Dark-streaked Button (Acleris umbrana) which really stood out. I had trapped one on 20th July, yet failed to appreciate the significance of the encounter. This morning I was much more aware of the status of this species and that it was a very scarce visitor to a Thanet moth trap. To say I had fun and games attempting to get some useable images wouldn't do justice to the shenanigans involved. I ended up in the conservatory, with the moth perched on a window, using my work lite to illuminate the moth, whilst attempting to use the camera in the other hand. 

A bit "washed out" due to the work-lite.
Dark-streaked Button - a scarce & localised species in Southern UK

At this time of year, Oak Rustics are a species which can be almost guaranteed to be present on the egg trays and I'm seeing them regularly, a max of three yesterday morning. Garden birds are also a major part of my daily routine, thus I ensure that the feeding station is kept topped up. Blue & Great Tits seem to be particularly numerous, at present, although House Sparrow numbers are certainly on the upward trajectory. Obviously I am always on the lookout for something unusual, yet am still happy to watch Chaffinch & Goldfinches visiting the feeders as well as the continued visits by both of the Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Oak Rustic

Garden Goldfinch

I did take the rods down to the "Carp Puddle" for a couple of hours, yesterday. Two bites - two hook pulls! I think I must have been using "Greenpeace" hooks? Bev and I took a drive down to The Battle of Britain Memorial Site, this morning for the obligatory "coffee & cake" before heading out across Romney Marsh to survey a section of the RMC. Thankfully, the canal looks in decent nick and I'm hopeful that I'll be able to get a baited rig into the venue in the, not to distant, future?

Normal(ish) service resumes

After venturing "off piste" with yesterday's offering I am hopefully back on familiar territory with today's post? On the Sunday morning, before we left for Bath, the moth trap had produced another two Radford's Flame Shoulders plus the first Large Wainscot and Oak Rustic of the year. As time was of the essence, no images were obtained, but that's not a major issue. This morning was to continue in a similar vein to recent days. Two each of Radford's Flame Shoulder, Scarce Bordered Straw and Olive-tree Pearl, plus nine Rusty-dot Pearl providing continued evidence of insect migration. The discovery of the first Red-green Carpet, of 2024, provided more evidence of the onset of Autumn and the realisation that there can't be many more weeks before the trap is put into storage for another Winter break.

Chiffchaffs continue to trickle through the gardens, pausing to feed if the opportunity arises. The male Great Spotted Woodpecker was back at the feeding station before flying off back towards the mature trees that surround the Newlands Farm paddocks and the St. Lawrence College sports ground. It seems reasonable to surmise that this individual is a local breeding bird? House Sparrow numbers are starting to build again, after a period of absence, whilst the odd Chaffinch and Goldfinch have also begun to visit the sunflower heart feeders. Out in the garden for much of today, I kept the camera close to hand and was pleased to grab a few shots to assist my blogging efforts.

A smart Jay, carrying an acorn, flying over the garden

It's really difficult to know if a lone Common Buzzard is a local resident or
a migrant. This bird did seem to be headed in a southerly direction, but it 
certainly wasn't in a hurry!

The local weather forecast is all over the shop, so I'm not sure if, or when, I'll be able to get out with the rods again?

A simply wonderful event

Bev's daughter, Debbie, her partner Adam and kids, Emily & Harry joined us to travel down to the city of Bath to attend the wedding of Darryl (Bev's son) and his fiance Alix. The less said about the travelling experience, the better, the M25 is now beyond a joke, However, it really doesn't matter as we are all now safely back home after being part of an absolutely brilliant occasion. Half past seven on a Sunday night was never going to be a time for a church or registry office gig - oh no. The ceremony took place within the building housing the Roman Baths in Bath city centre.

An absolutely stunning place for a wedding

The whole service was conducted with all the professionalism and dignity associated with such a major event, and yet the lady conducting the wedding plus those friends and family involved in contributing by doing the readings ensured that humour was never too far away. Bev, as mother of the groom, couldn't stop smiling as the proceedings unfolded. I would think that the actual service lasted little more than thirty minutes, yet we stayed on site for another three quarters of an hour enjoying a glass (or two) of "champers" and some very fancy nibbles whilst the newly weds were chatting with their families and friends. Emily and Harry were the only two children at the event and got lots of attention from the fellow guests. 

Emily and Harry dressed for the occasion

The happy couple mingling

Bev and her Auntie Christine sampling
some rather fancy nibbles

From the Roman Baths, we then headed a few minutes across the city to a venue called the "Cozy Club" where the celebrations really kicked off. It was a fantastic night with a wonderful vibe as friends and family celebrated this happy event. Bev and I got back to our hotel just before 01.00 hrs, yet the party had shown few signs of slowing down as we were leaving.

Mr & Mrs - happy daze

Obviously this is not a post which fits into the usual contents I offer, yet it was so special that, as part of the journey, has a place in my "observations" as I meander life's pathway.

Dad - "this is how you do it"

 A grotty, grey, morning wasn't particularly conducive for watching the birds visiting the feeding station and the moth trap hadn't produced anything of note. A few Chiffchaffs were flitting around the hedgerow which marks the garden boundaries of the Vine Close bungalows and it was around mid-day when the male Great Spotted Woodpecker appeared again. I grabbed the camera, just because it might have been the only opportunity of the day?

It was whilst I was listening to the Radio 5 commentary of Spurs vs West Ham when Benno rang to ask what I was doing? He was out on the flatlands and had just landed a Perch of 3 lbs 14 oz (thus a PB) and could I get across to grab some photos? It must have taken a nano-second to offer a positive response and, after checking with Bev, I was on my way within a couple of minutes. It is the biggest Perch I've ever set eyes upon and absolutely magnificent. Under no circumstances will I name the venue, or the tactics involved, as that is for Benno to tell.

It's gonna be quite a hectic couple of days ahead, as we attend the wedding of Darryl & Alix. Obviously no birds, moths or angling likely to be involved, we're looking forward to a great family gathering to celebrate this monumental occassion.

Compete waste of time and effort

I was out of bed around 04.30 hrs, after a quick coffee and turning the garden moth trap off, I headed off to the RMC for the second Pike session of the week. What an absolute folly. I was on site just before 06.00 hrs and on my way back home within ten minutes. The canal was a filthy, flowing, mess and there was absolutely no point in wasting my time casting deadbaits just to feed the Eels. With seventy-two miles on the clock and having no desire to disturb Bev again, I opted to take a stroll along the coastal footpath from Winterstoke Steps, via the harbour, to the Western Undercliff (and back) in the hope of stumbling upon a Black Redstart or something similar. Almost as uneventful as the visit to the RMC, just a single Rock Pipit prepared to pose for the camera and the odd Chiffchaff flitting around the area as I wandered about. 

Rock Pipit near Winterstoke Steps

I finally parked the van on our drive at 09.30 hrs and, after getting the kit unloaded, I made a second coffee before checking the contents of the moth trap. I will never know if turning out the light at 04.30 hrs had any impact upon the numbers of moths attracted, but I certainly hadn't repeated the result of Wednesday night. Just eleven Rusty-dot Pearls, two Gems and a Pearly Underwing being the only obvious migrants but, I did manage to record my first Merveille du Jour of the year, so not a total failure.

UK moths don't get much better looking than a Merveille du Jour

The forecast looks pretty good for tonight before three days of rain, however, that isn't such a big deal due to the fact that we're headed off to the West Country for Bev's son's wedding and a massive family get together.

Mothing - the most insane night of the year!

 Crazy is the only word that comes remotely close to describing the events which unfolded over the course of last night. I had the garden MV trap switched on at around 18.30 hrs under clear skies and a very impressive full(?) moon. So impressive, in fact, that I actually spent some time playing around attempting to get some images, although using a very cheap lens with the resultant drop in image quality.

As 20.00 hrs approached, so the skies darkened and it was obvious that a thunderstorm was approaching from the west as the lightning flashes illuminated the distant horizon. Within half an hour the rain started, intensifying very quickly to a point that I wondered why I'd bothered with the trap. In bed by 22.00 hrs, I was well aware that the rain was still falling although, around 04.00 hrs, I'd got up for a wee, the moon was on show again. And so on to what happened next. I didn't get up until around 08.00 hrs and was greeted by a very dull scene of thick grey clouds and soaking vegetation. Kettle on, out into the garden I went to switch off the trap. BLOODY HELL!! - it was absolutely heaving with moths. Quickly covered up, I went back to make the first coffee of the morning before returning to examine the visitors to the egg trays. It was migrant city, with very few species which I recognise as local residents. Blair's Shoulder-knot and Beaded Chestnut were two exceptions and both new for the year. Photos and captions from here on.

Rusty-dot Pearls - SEVENTY-FOUR counted

Olive-tree Pearl - THIRTEEN present

The Gem - FOUR

Scarce Bordered Straw - TWO including this nice dark example

Rush Veneer - TWO

On the second to last egg tray I finally set eyes upon the moth I'd been after since getting back from Corfu. A Radford's Flame Shoulder, and a really smart example was there on the underside of the tray.

Radford's Flame Shoulder - never has a moth been more welcome.

There were a couple of other bits worthy of mention. A very smart looking Ichneumon sp. and my first Brindled Plume of the year. 

Ichneumon sp. - very impressive

Brindled Plume

It is events like this which make running a garden moth trap such a wonderful adventure, you just never know what'll turn up?

Around and about

Knowing that this coming Friday is my only angling opportunity, until after the West Country wedding excursion, I decided to take a drive across to the flatlands to check out the situation with Black Dyke and some of the side drains. Gin clear water and associated luxuriant weed growth is what I encountered, thus am now convinced that these venues will remain off limits until after a serious period of frosts? So Friday seems likely to involve a return to the RMC, unless I get the heads up about another venue! Whilst I was wandering about it seemed silly not to go that extra mile and check out what was happening on Worth RSPB Res. Fairly quiet would be a fair assessment yet it really is an impressive habitat which has been created and will surely continue to attract good numbers of common wetland species plus the inevitable oddity as well.

Six, of the eleven, Egyptian Geese out on Worth RSPB Res.

I didn't encounter another soul whilst on my wanderings and spent the time pointing the camera at anything of interest that I happened upon. The recent Corfu holiday has certainly impacted upon my mind-set and I am now far more willing to look at a life form as opposed to ignoring the creature involved. 

Wall Brown - not at all common around East Kent these days.

Male Migrant Hawker - numerous around the area but still nice to see.

There were good numbers of common ducks present and I also managed to spot a Great White Egret, my second in two days! I slowly made my way back towards the van seeing a Common Buzzard, a very agitated adult female Peregrine and a smart male Stonechat along the way. 

Back at the bungalow I needed to get my arse into gear and get the grass cut. It had been over a month since I last did it and boy did it show? Mission accomplished in just under an hour, the garden looks a whole lot better for the effort involved. I was doing a bit of "dead-heading" around the garden planters when I stumbled across two Nursery Web Spiders, sunbathing on the solar panel of one of the garden lights. Straight into Corfu mode, the 18 - 55 mm lens with a 20 mm extension tube was fitted to the camera and I grabbed a few images of these very common inverts.

There was a Great Spotted Woodpecker, very briefly, at the garden feeders this afternoon. It certainly wasn't the adult male, yet I didn't get a good enough view to see if it was the original bird or yet another individual. Overnight the moth trap had attracted a few visitors with a very smart Scarce Bordered Straw being the pick of the bunch. Two each of Rusty-dot Pearl and The Delicate were the only other candidates for migrant activity so my wait for a 2024 Radford's Flame Shoulder continues!

Another day?

I have to start this offering by saying what a very pleasant time was spent in the company of my fellow Pike fishers at the first Canterbury/Thanet Region PAC meeting of this new season. As to be expected, the gang were very up-beat about the prospects for the coming winter and long may it continue? The King Ethelbert PH, at Reculver, is where it all happens and the venue lends itself, superbly, to our gatherings. So it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, therefore, that this morning I took a drive down to the RMC for the first cast of the Pike season.  However, what should also be of no surprise is the fact that I blanked. Heavily coloured water and umpteen Eel indications were as good as it got, from an angling perspective. Thankfully, in my world, there's more to fishing than just catching fish. The dawn was a non-event, the sky just got less dark. It was dull and dank, with a hint of "mizzle" in the air. I did manage to see a few Redwings moving overhead, which ties in nicely with other sites around the East Coast but, it was a Great White Egret (possibly two?) which provided the highlight for the session.

The 2nd time I saw it (?) this morning.
Far better light conditions than the first sighting.

Just after 08.20 hrs, in awfully dank conditions, my first encounter of the morning.

By 10.30 hrs I'd had enough of the Eel action and was headed back towards the van. Back home well before mid-day, I got the kit unloaded from the van before downloading the GWE images onto my laptop. It was whilst I was looking at these images that something caught my attention out in the garden. Bloody hell - the Great Spotted Woodpecker is back! Picking up my binoculars it immediately became clear that this was a different bird - an adult male! Camera quickly in action, I am very pleased with the images I obtained. 

Just like busses - none, then two in quick procession!

So now I'm back at the laptop, surveying the results of the Great Spotted Woodpecker encounter when a bird hovered above the Buddlehia before dropping down on to our neighbour's fence. Grabbing my binoculars it was obviously a Black Redstart. Sadly, gone within seconds and the camera didn't stand a chance.

Garden entertainment

Still haven't managed to get out with the rods, as yet, because things didn't quite go to plan. No big deal, as I am now resigned to the fact that a Pike fishing campaign will be main focus of my efforts in the coming months. However, before this becomes a reality, Bev's son is getting married, next weekend, and the only event which is of relevance at the moment. (Bev's assessment - of course!) So, with this as the background, I have spent much of my time getting the Pike gear sorted out. Lots of new traces have been put together using, both, double and treble hooks (all barbless) specifically for my dead bait presentation. It was whilst sat at my desk (?) - where my laptop is positioned - preparing new traces when I saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the peanut feeder. Now whilst this species is recorded annually,  I have never, previously, seen one using the garden feeders.

The MV trap continues to attract a few moths which are worthy of mention, although Radford's Flame Shoulder isn't one of them. Once autumn is here, then the "Sallow" gang appear and, so it has been, The Sallow and Barred Sallow have been taken, on consecutive nights, and I am sure that there won't be too many other new species on the year list before the trap is retired for another year?

The Sallow

Barred Sallow

Return to The Garage Pool

 With Bev and I having made the weekly visit to Tesco it was some time after 13.30 hrs that I decided to have another drive down to Cliffsend to see if I could get some better images of the Black-necked Grebe. As it turned out the grebe had gone and I was, therefore, very thankful that I'd made the effort yesterday. Although I was only on site for a very short while I didn't leave without pointing the camera in the direction of an extremely confiding Little Egret. 

I was back home within ninety minutes and that included me taking a quick wander around King George VI Park - major error given the numbers of dog walkers using the park at that time of day. I ran the moth trap last night purely because I'd been keeping up with what Sandwich Bay Obs and the Folkestone crowd had been reporting all the time we were on Corfu. It would seem that, weather conditions permitting, Radford's Flame Shoulder is a good possibiliy at the moment. Last night, however, didn't provide me with too much to get excited about. Three Delicates, two each of Feathered Ranunculus, Lunar Uderwing & Large Yellow Underwing plus a single Angleshades. Tonight's forecast is much improved on yesterdays, so the trap will be in opperation again, so fingers crossed. All things going to plan I should be back out down the local club "Carp Puddle" tomorrow for few hours?

Back to reality

 It was just before 03.00 hrs, this morning, that I parked the car on our drive for the first time in twenty-three days! Absolutely knackered, Bev and I were tucked up under the duvet within a few minutes because the luggage could wait until later to be sorted out. Yet, as crazy as it might seem, within seven hours of getting home, I had a wander around The Garage Pool, at Pegwell Bay in the hope of spotting the Black-necked Grebe which had been in residence since early October. 

Yes I know it's "twitching" but, I was on my own and didn't see another birder (or togger) during the time I was down there. The light levels weren't particularly conducive for obtaining anything more than record images. I also used the 1.4 X converter with the 100 - 400 mm lens because it spent the majority of its' time actively hunting the far side of the pool. It's certainly been some time since I last set eyes upon this species so, being just down the road, it seemed silly to ignore it?

I've now had time to do a bit of research and it would appear that the Noctuid moth, which I posted yesterday, is nothing other than a Poplar Grey. It is certainly much more contrasting in light and dark patternation than those I see in my garden and isn't a species I associate with Pine covered hillsides or flying in mid-October. 

Pike season is already ten days old and the first Canterbury/Thanet PAC regional meeting takes place on Monday night. Conditions are far too warm, at present, for me to think about getting a dead bait out in the water but, I do need to get the rods dusted down as I've not been fishing since the 5th September! The Morrison's wet fish counter, in Canterbury, needs to be visited in order to procure some Mackerel and Herrings, so that I can get them dyed and flavoured prior to placing them in the freezer awaiting yet another campaign in search of that fish of my dreams.

Day twenty-one - a Noctuid conundrum

Bev and I are sat in the bar area, of the Irene complex, awaiting our airport transfer. So just time, and computer battery life, for me to share an image of a Noctuid moth which I'd potted beside the external light yesterday evening. It's certainly not a species which I recognise, but that's not particularly unusual. A large species of similar proportions to Feathered Ranunculus. I'll have plenty of time to search through my reference material when we get home.

The only other moths attracted were a Vestal and two Rush Veneers. Gatwick here we come!

Day twenty - last effort

My final walk up onto the Pentati road proved to be very uneventful. Birds were, as expected, in short supply whilst butterflies were virtually absent. A pair of Common Buzzards and a Raven did their best to elevate the session, yet it came down to a lizard sp. to provide the day's highlight.

I've certainly not seen this species before, so will hopefully manage to get an id when we are back home? A dragonfly, close to the apartment complex, provided the only other photo opportunity. Originally I thought it to be a Common Darter but, having had a quick peruse of the British Dragonfly Society website, it appears to be another species which will require a bit more research at a later date.

We plan a very lazy day for tomorrow before the chaotic ritual of a late evening flight back to Gatwick and all that it entails before we are able to pick up the  car and make our way back to Dumpton, via the bloody M25!.Probably won't make another blog offering until after we're safely back in the bungalow - this is Corfu over and out.