Time to move on - already ?

 I'm now back home after my fifth session down at the Mandarin Pool and, I have to say, things are going very well indeed. The longest I've been on the bank is six hours, my shortest session just two, yet I have managed to land Carp on every visit. All this says to me is that my tactics and techniques are well suited to this particular venue and, as such, I'm not pushing myself to find answers to problems which is why I embarked upon the project in the first place. Added to this, on Saturday, I was able to have a very productive conversation, with one of the club bailiffs, who informed me that, by targeting a twenty, I was probably chasing shadows, although there might still be one in the venue. Mid to high teens being a realistic expectation at this current phase in the fishery cycle. This is very much the pattern my results are mirroring, thus feel it might be time to call it a day and seek another challenge elsewhere?

The best so far - 16 lbs 15 oz of Mandarin Pool warrior.

I'm not going to walk away, just yet, because there is one aspect of my thought process which I've yet to explore. Not particularly revolutionary - "can I make my bait become the feature?" With the exception of Camo's "Sweet Squid 15mm wafter hookbaits" all of my bait is prepared by me, at home. Just as when Eddie Turner had told me to ensure that my dead baits "had an edge" the mind-set continues with all my angling challenges. If I do the same as everyone else, why expect my results to be any better than everyone else? Outside the box is where I'm happiest, I couldn't care less what other anglers are achieving so long as I think my own approach is worthy of effort.  When Bruno and I were out on the flatlands, during the week, I stumbled upon a small group of Carp in a drain I've not seen them previously. They could well be key to where my angling effort is now headed. None of them were big, mid-doubles at best, yet from a venue which will mean starting back at the beginning of a new learning curve.

Mandarin Mirror and some moths

 Thursday's, Thanet, weather forecast was a doom laden tale of thunderstorms, on a biblical scale, plus heavy rain with accompanying flood warnings. Total and utter "bunkum" !!! Whilst it is certainly true that we did experience thunderstorms and rainfall during the day, it certainly didn't live up to the pre-event publicity. Early afternoon, I decided to take Bruno out for a stroll and headed across to Stonar Lake just for a change of scenery, plus the van wouldn't be too far away should the weather take a turn for the worse? It was just the job and ninety minutes flew by as we meandered around the boundary track besides the fishery. It certainly wasn't busy, the few guys I encountered were, bivvy bound, Carp anglers and not particularly communicative but, "hey - ho"; each to their own.  Back at home, I was at a loose end, and on an impulse decided to get the kit together and take a drive across to the Mandarin Pool. It was around 16.45 hrs when I left, there still being a few spots of rain falling, but nothing significant. By the time Bruno and I had done a lap of the fishery, decided on a swim and got set up, it was 17.45 hrs and I had little over two hours to make something happen. To be honest, I was pretty confident purely due to the events of the previous two visits and sure enough it was less than thirty minutes when my left hand alarm screamed into life and it was "fish-on".

An amazing scrap, using the ABU carbon specimen rods, fitted with ABU Cardinal 66X reels, I was delighted when I  drew a very angry, gnarly, old, Mirror Carp over the net chord. I managed to secure a few record images of the fish, but didn't get to fussy because, at 15 lbs 7 oz, it was no monster - although most welcome none the less. Within another forty minutes I had a second fish on the unhooking mat, this one a scamp Common of 8 lbs 3 oz. We sat it out until 20.00 hrs, but no further action was to be had, yet I packed up very happy with this result from such a short visit.

Chequered Pearl (Evergestis pallidata) - new for the garden, yet 
recorded on the same date as Folkestone got their first for 2025.

And so on to the garden moth records. Although I am not (and have no desire to join) part of any formal cyber network of Kent "moffas", I am able to keep abreast with the general feel via the websites of Dungeness and Sandwich Bay Bird Obs plus Ian Roberts brilliant Folkestone Birds  Because of the accessibility to this info, I am fairly well placed to pick up on any local traits which might be occurring? Quite obviously, it is an influx of rare migrants species which gets the adrenaline flowing and yet, there have been some very interesting records of species which aren't considered to be migrants, yet are very unusual in this part of the UK. As I've said on many occasions, the running of my garden moth trap is purely for enjoyment. Under no circumstances do I wish to become involved with a recording structure which is so Neanderthal and moronic as to still be using id techniques which Queen Victoria considered "cutting edge". Three "Ear sp." turned up last week and despite looking like Large Ear, the Kent Moth website clearly states that they are only identifiable by dissection? It's bloody 2025 - surely we have the DNA technology to assist us? 

Ear moth agg. - killing moths in order to tick a box doesn't figure
in my perception of enjoying wildlife.

Other good records have included a couple of Light Crimson Underwings, a Pretty Chalk Carpet (just my fourth garden record in twenty five years), a Golden Twin-spot and an Oak Processionary. Still I await that mega, but will happily settle for whatever comes my way until such time as the moth gods deem me worthy.

Golden Twin-spot

Pretty Chalk Carpet

Light Crimson Underwing

Oak Processionary

The Mandarin Pool is still calling and I am already querying the choice of hook pattern being used? Plenty of time, and scope, for me to tweak my rigs and tactics - keep watching this space!

The "Mandarin Pool" mini project

There's no two ways about it; my angling effort has taken a massive dive since Bev's passing. However, with the passage of time, and encouragement from Benno, enthusiasm is slowly returning. I need to get Bruno used to the bankside knowing that Pike fishing will play a big role over the coming winter period. The "Carp Puddle" down on Minster Marshes has allowed me to introduce Bruno to seeing fish on the bank and ensure that he behaves in a suitable manner. As much fun, as catching Carp off the top with a split cane and centrepin can be, there is only so much I could take and it was Benno who suggested another club venue where I would have to up my game if I wanted to continue placing fish on the unhooking mat. I will call it the Mandarin Pool, purely due to having no desire to publicise a small venue where the locals are able to enjoy such peaceful surroundings as well as some superb angling.  The Carp are certainly another step up, with doubles being plentiful and even the odd "twenty" if you're lucky.

Mummy Mandarin and her three ducklings

I made my first visit, on Sunday, taking Bruno across to spend some time with Benno, who was trying to tempt them off the surface, and attempting to learn a little about the fishery. It was Tuesday afternoon, however, before I decided to get the gear prepped and have my first session at the pool. My initial thoughts revolve around the approach which was so successful for me at Sandwich Coarse Fishery during the late summer of 2024. Particle baits and the Nash "Bushwhacker" being key if my thought processes and  tactics are of merit? Well it certainly didn't take long to confirm that my methodology was on the right track. The first session resulted in a lovely Common Carp, of 15 lbs 10 oz, gracing the landing net and a return, this afternoon, has seen another five fish on the bank, although only one "scraper" double for the efforts today.

15 lbs 10 oz - a "double" from a new venue is always enjoyable.

It is a cracking little venue and one which perfectly suits my plans, short term, as I slowly return to a new type of "normal" ???  I envisage that it will provide the mainstay of my angling effort for the next six, or so, weeks prior to Kefalonia calling again.

A typical swim at the fishery

Moth trap to the rescue

 For the parched landscape of the East Kent farmland, parks and gardens, the recent spell of "unsettled" weather has been an absolute blessing. Lots of rainfall, yet spread across several days, has meant that it has been extremely beneficial for the local vegetation and my lawn is no exception. The flip side to the weather has been the negative impact upon my ability to get out with Bruno for any extended wanderings, thus I've had very little to blog about. So it has fallen upon the results from the garden moth trap to provide some content. Sadly, there's been nothing "mega" yet still a few decent bits have turned up which are worthy of sharing?

Tree-lichen Beauty - double figure counts on several nights recently

Reed Dagger - nowhere close to an annual visitor, so very welcome.

Last night produced an exceptional catch and included seventeen Jersey Tigers, a Small Elephant Hawk-moth (the first since May) plus my first Poplar Hawk-moth of 2025. The two stand out individuals were Dewick's Plusia and The Vestal so I really enjoyed examining the egg trays this morning.

The Vestal

Dewick's Plusia

Other migrant species included Dark Sword-grass, Silver Y's and Diamond-backs. Under no circumstances is my mothing anything more than fun. What I fail to id doesn't cause a second of lost sleep.

Hawthorn Knot-horn

Minster Meds

 It's been quite a hectic past few days, with some insurance and pension issues needing attention as they were not covered by the scope of the "Just Tell Us Once" scheme. Thankfully, both problems were easily addressed via phone calls with the organisations involved and I have to say that the customer service guys/gals were at pains to reassure me that they were fully supportive of the bereavement process and in no way wanted their requirements to negatively impact upon me! With Bev's daughter, Debbie, on my team the subsequent form filling should be relatively easy purely because admin is her profession. On Thursday, Bruno and I had a morning session down at the "Carp Puddle" which resulted in fourteen "scamps" visiting the unhooking mat in little over two hours! Absolutely brilliant fun, although the best fish didn't make double figures! We were back again on Friday morning, although this time just for a wander around the marsh. Nothing much to report, although I did hear a singing Yellowhammer in a place I've not heard one previously this year. It was as we made our way back towards the van that it became obvious that there was a, southward, movement of Mediterranean Gulls overhead. It was over a very broad front, thus I will make no guesstimates of the numbers involved, but it does fit in nicely with reports from other observers in the East Kent area.

It was up on the banks of Jade Lake where I managed to obtain these images,
the birds passing, very leisurely, low over the fishery.

Saturday was all about Sye's 65th birthday bash. I travelled up early purely because of the weather forecasts. After a quick detour to The Artizan, to see my nephew, Josh, I was in Aston Clinton just after 12.30 hrs where the fun began. Stuart, owner/landlord of The Rothchild Arms, did Sye proud, putting on a fantastic do for all of us that attended. The weather might have been awful, yet it mattered no a jot as we partied well into the night.All good things must come to an end, and so it was 08.30 hrs this morning that I was back in the van, headed homewards. The weather remained an issue as I negotiated my way around the M25. There were times when the rain was so heavy that 40 mph was impossible, but make it home I did. Bruno had been staying with Terry & Glynis (as usual) and it wasn't until well after 15.30 hrs that the weather conditions ensured we be able to get out for a stroll. I headed across to "Forgotten Fen" territory; parking by Lillyroo's and walking the track to Hacklinge pumping station and beyond. Not much to see, although it was a very nice stroll.

An adult Swallow near the stables at the start of our walk

A fairly heavy crop of an adult Hobby hunting over the marsh

It would seem that after five months, Bruno is finally calming down and not over-reacting whenever coming into contact with other dogs. He was off the lead for the entire walk, which is definitely a sign that things are headed in the right direction.

Overlooking the blatantly obvious!

Well, if you're going to make a complete pratt of yourself, where better than on your own blog? My previous "sandpiper" offering is as bad as it gets. Thankfully my cyber mate, and fellow blogger, Stewart Sexton, came to the rescue when he offered a comment on said post. Quite what I was thinking is now, so obviously, erroneous to the point of being a worrying sign of the aging process kicking in? The bird is quite clearly a moulting adult WOOD SANDPIPER and, as such, a very good record for the Save Minster Marshes gang. Please feel free to go back to the comments exchanged between Stewart and myself, if you wish an insight into my thought processes which resulted in the faux pas! I've attached an image which clearly shows the extent of the patternation along the flanks and vent plus "how does anyone ignore that supercilium?"

Well it's done now and there's nothing I can do to change the original error other than hold my hands up and admit I screwed up - big time!

Sandpiper surprise

It was almost 09.00 hrs when I lifted myself from the comfort of the duvet. Sleep patterns finally appear to be returning to something approaching normal? Not that laying in until 09.00 hrs is normal, but I'll certainly take it when the opportunity arises. No surprises, therefore, that Bruno and I didn't get down to Minster Marshes for our morning walk until well after 10.00 hrs. It was a pleasant enough morning, although there was a stiff southerly breeze to accompany the sunshine. We took our regular route across the marsh and it was as we approached the first Barn Owl nest box when I flushed a Green Sandpiper from drain beside the track. It flew away, dropping down a few hundred yards further along the dyke, yet as Bruno and I were crossing the concrete bridge it flew back past us and dropped in almost exactly where I'd originally spooked it from. With a bit of fieldcraft, plus the benefit of extensive bankside vegetation, I managed to get into a position where I could grab a few images of the bird as it wandered around on the thick carpet of blanket weed which covers the surface of the drain.

Bruno and I then continued on our merry way, yet seeing very little for our troubles. It was only as we made our way back towards the van that the Green Sandpiper provided another opportunity to grab some more images. This time, however, the bankside vegetation was on my side and I was able to get much closer to the bird, with the sun in my favour as well. 

Still loads going on in the background, but nothing unique to me under the circumstances. There is light at the end of the tunnel with Kefalonia providing the focus as time moves on but. in the interim, there is my brother, Sye's, 65th birthday bash, this weekend, then my cousin Ruth's 60th in August. Both of which need to be navigated before holiday mode kicks in!

Taking a breather

I am well aware that there's been a lapse in posts, since 1st July. This has been a deliberate break in my cyber activity purely because of a need for some personal time as I come to terms with where my life is now headed? Please don't waste any time worrying about my mental, physical or emotional wellbeing; I'm fine in myself and being supported by a wonderful mix of family, friends and neighbours. I have to admit that my angling has been a major casualty during this recent period although, inspired by my "virtual mate" Brian, over at the Pike Blog, I have had a few sessions down at the "Carp Puddle"  where a bent split cane is always guaranteed. Nothing big, not even a double, but great fun nonetheless in the company of Bruno. 

It has only been this year that I've realised just how numerous Ruddy Darters 
are around the various dykes and drains of the area.

So whilst the "Of Esox" side of the blog might be woeful, at present, the "observations" part is going along splendidly..  The camera certainly plays a major role in any time I spend wandering around the East Kent marshes and by adding the extension tubes to the kit has ensured that I am constantly on the look out for anything interesting which might be happy to pose for a while? It still remains, very much, a work in progress as I seek to push the limits of my photographic techniques. To be fair, it is a very leisurely journey and mistakes are just as valuable (to me) as any other experiences so long as I'm able to learn something for next time. The garden moth trap continues to provide much for me to enjoy, although migrant species have been conspicuous by their absence for the most part. 

A rather unexpected discovery as I was watering the hanging baskets.
A roosting "Hummer" on the letter-box.

Birds will always have a role to play in my time outdoors and as the autumn draws ever closer, there is plenty to be seen locally. Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Wood & Green Sandpipers and a couple of adult Dunlin have been noted around the pools at Worth RSPB Res, whilst a couple of Great White Egrets did a nice fly past as Bruno and I walked the Pinnock Wall on Friday.

The best bird, thus far this autumn, is a juvenile Whinchat which I found yesterday evening, again out on Worth, and still present this morning.. This individual is in a plumage which I've never previously seen and it required me to seek assistance from my reference library to convince myself that I wasn't making a school-boy error with my id?  I had to use the Beeman & Madge "Handbook" to get confirmation, although the 3rd edition of Collins does also provide an illustration of this plumage.

All being well, blogging should return to some level of consistency as the healing power of time takes effect.

On the limit ?

 As I'd said in yesterday's offering, July was very likely to start as June had finished and so it proved. Oppressive heat, with the Manston weather station registering 31C this afternoon, it was a struggle to get enthused about anything which involved going outside. Bruno and I did get out, well early, for a wander around the Minster Marshes, yet were back in the bungalow well before 10.00 hrs, purely because we couldn't take any more. As a result, I was able to keep an eye on the activity around the Red Valerian and, sure enough, Humming-bird Hawk-moths were regularly visiting this nectar source.

I'm beginning to feel that this type of image quality is at the upper limit 
of my equipment and technical ability? Still an absolute blast pushing the boundaries.

It is absolutely pointless me pretending to give an accurate count of the number of individuals involved, as they are constantly moving between the various patches of valerian in my, and the neighbours, gardens. The maximum number I've seen at one time is now seven! 

This lower image is possibly as close to "frozen" as my kit is capable?

It's all due to change on Wednesday with the possibility of thundery showers, which would be a blessing for the lawn. I have every intention to cut the valerian back, as it is now seeding, but have a good supply of Honeysuckle, Buddleia and Geraniums to offer alternative nectar sources for these fabulous moths. There's no doubt that I'll blog about it, but don't think I need to post any more images any time soon?

Humming-bird Hawk-moth bonanza

 As oppressive as these current heatwave conditions are to us, within the UK populous, it would appear that Humming-bird Hawk-moths are having a blast? I'd actually seen one as Sye and I were walking besides RAF Halton airfield, yesterday morning, but nothing compared to what I've witnessed today within the garden boundaries. Quite obviously, my supply of Red Valerian plays a massive part in attracting these fantastic moths to visit. It would be impossible to know the exact numbers involved, yet I've seen them on at least twenty occasions today with a maximum of three together. With the sun shining and nothing better to do I've been playing around with the camera kit, shutter speed at 1/5000 th sec, just to see what I could capture.

I grabbed this shot well before mid-day. Quite a tatty individual and the angle of the 
sun, overhead, did little to assist my cause

Their endless energy, combined with a gentle easterly breeze, did pose me some very testing problems, yet, because the Canon kit is far more capable than the clown pointing it, there were still a few very pleasing images obtained. Even at 1/5000 th sec I couldn't "freeze" the action, but did come bloody close! 

These two shots were captured at some time between 16.00 - 17.00 hrs with 
the sun in a much better position.

If the forecast is to be trusted? Tomorrow will be much the same as today, so it would seem silly not to start July as June has ended, playing around with my camera kit.

A change of scenery

 Around 12.30 hrs, on Friday, I headed off to spend some time with my brother, Sye, and his wife, Yve, at their home in the delightful village of Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire. Sye had undergone some pretty serious medical procedure earlier in the week and I needed to spend some time with him in an attempt to convince him that it was time to call it a day on the pursuit of the mighty dollar! Basically, I went up there to give him a bollocking!! It is not an opinion unique to me, as my other brother, Timbo, and my son, Benno, had also offered similar lines of thought, via the phone. 

On Thanet we have to make do with Rose-ringed Parakeets!
Aston Clinton's garden visitors are far more majestic!

As things turned out, it was a very enjoyable couple of days spent in each others company. Yve and I engaged in many hours chatting about the roller coaster journey of the grief process. Her brother, Rob, had died of cancer on the same day as Bev! For those blog visitors who wondered why I had seen a Chinese Water Deer, at Wilstone Res. and a Red Kite over Hatfield Oak Lawn Cemetery, now you know why I was up there! This visit had no such agenda, and so Sye and I were pretty much free to do as we pleased. I'd taken all my camera kit, so it only seemed fair to show Sye how much scope is opened up by exploring the potential of macro image capture. It was Sye's idea that, on Saturday morning, we take a drive across to Ivinghoe Beacon where we might find a few butterflies to point the kit towards. Sye had never previously used extension tubes, so it was all very new to him. He was, therefore, more than happy to point his 70 - 210 Canon lens (with a 36mm extension tube fitted) in the direction of whatever species were prepared to pose. It was a lovely day and the site was busy with families enjoying the facilities and flying kites from the top of the beacon. We did our our best to stay away from the crowds and were finally rewarded by a couple of encounters with Dark Green Fritillaries, nectaring on thistles.

This was the first time I've ever had to opportunity to capture images of this species, so I probably went a little OTT?  Saturday afternoon was to see all of us take a drive across to Cow Roast, to visit the "Artizan PH" which is owned by our family friend Alan D. Although I'd never tell Alan, to his face, it is a very impressive pub and staffed by a wonderful crew of guys & gals. We ended Saturday's antics with a couple of pints in The Rothchild Arms, just yards away from Sye & Yve's front door. It had been a very enjoyable day. For Sunday morning's walk, Sye and I decided to take a stroll around his local patch. This turned out to be a very good decision.

A Roe Buck on the side of RAF Halton airfield

The route took us alongside the RAF Halton airfield before making a right hand turn to follow the Wendover arm of the Grand Union Canal for half a mile, or so. On reaching the second foot bridge we crossed the canal and retraced our steps. We were probably out for nearly three hours, there being so much for Sye to play around with his camera. Although there was lots to keep me entertained, I didn't point the camera very often instead, hoping that Sye might understand what added dimensions are opened by this very simple camera tweak? We were well on the homeward leg, Yve already telling us that breakfast would be ready in less than twenty minutes, when I spotted a female Beautiful Demoiselle (dragonfly) which was posing very conveniently right beside the footpath. Sye had an extension tube fitted, thus rattled off a number of shots before I did my best with the 100 - 400 mm lens set at 1.8m focal length

We did get back in time for breakfast (brunch?) but not before I'd captured a few shots of this new species for me. Thankfully, it was a fairly stress free drive back home, around the bloody M25, and I'm now looking forward to getting the moth trap back up, and running, having seen what has been attracted to the traps of other "moffas" around the East Kent coastline whilst I've been away.

Macro images - a work in progress

 I am really enjoying playing around with the camera kit, extension tubes fitted and insects as my main quarry. Trial and error is certainly the name of the game, but the rewards are out there if I persist with the learning process. The extension tubes are cheap, Chinese manufactured, Viltrox DG-C models which came as a set of 12, 20 & 36 mm versions which can be used singularly, or in combo, yet still allowing my Canon lenses to function perfectly, auto focus and image stabilization, with whatever body I am using.

A male Azure Damselfly, at Worth RSPB Res. (many thanks to Marc H for his input)
EOS 70d with 20mm extension tube and the 18 - 55mm lens (at 55mm) 1/320th sec exposure

At the moment my issues are related to focal distance, depending upon the lens, and depth of field. Still, as with everything in life, the more I practice, the more times I seem to be getting a decent result. I am sure that there will be folk reading this drivel and wondering what all the fuss is about? No doubt they will have mastered the art and now sit at the top of the table passing judgement on lesser beings! I have to say that I genuinely couldn't give a monkeys. I'm having real fun pushing my personal boundaries without needing to worry about what others are capable of. So long as I am able to produce images which can compliment my written efforts on the blog, then I'm well satisfied

Absolutely no idea what species this is? So, again I'm indebted to Marc H  - it's a Small Red-eyed Damselfly, apparently! 
 Despite the conditions, I thought it better to attempt to capture an image rather than ignore the opportunity.

A very tatty Bordered Beauty which was on the towel I use to cover the moth trap. I managed to
grab two shots, this being the best one, before it flew away. Not annual in the garden!

This morning, over on Worth, I certainly struggled with the conditions. Low light levels and a very brisk, 20+ mph WSW breeze, ensuring that finding subjects was difficult enough without, then, having to worry about the impact of wind movement. Testing circumstances, without doubt, yet all part of the journey..I'll finish with a photo of a young Hedgehog which has taken to visiting the feeding station well before darkness falls. I have used the built-in flash, but it hasn't resulted in the eyes appearing totally white. There is a Vixen who also visits around this time, but is far less tolerant of me standing at the back door, camera to hand.

Lapwings & other stuff

 It would appear that the general consensus amongst regular visitors, to Worth RSPB Res, is that the early season weather (blasting easterlies) and lack of management of the water levels out on the marsh (The EA haven't granted the RSPB a licence to control the level of free standing water on this land?) has resulted in no Redshank, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover or Lapwing chicks being reported on the reserve! A pretty sorry state of affairs for this very popular area of the East Kent marshes.. With this as the background, it was rather surprising when Bruno and I were subjected to a very vocal, aeriel display, by a rather agitated individual, on Sunday morning. A second bird was present, but remained on the deck for the majority of the time, yet was also vocal. Everything about the encounter suggested that this pair were protecting young, but due to the trackside vegetation, I was unable to confirm this theory. Whatever the truth, there was no repeat performance when we returned on Tuesday.

It came within 10m of our position regularly as it offered its' vocal protest.

The garden moth trap continues to provide interest and it is quite nice to be able to compare some of the captures with those of Sandwich Obs and the Folkestone Birds gang via the wonders of the internet. Still no signs of any migration on a large scale, although odd individuals do show up suggesting some cross channel movements. 

White Satin Moth

Scarce Silver-lines -  one, of two, from Tuesday night

Lunar-spotted Pinion

I've had to get another four Nicotiana plants started because those already in flower are looking magnificent, yet will probably be well past their best come August/September when the Convolvulus Hawks arrive? Bruno and I took a wander over on Minster Marshes this morning, just for a change of scenery. It wasn't a bad decision as I located two singing male Yellowhammers in areas that I'd not heard them previously. My real desire was to get an image of a Marbled White butterfly and, after some fannying about, it came to fruition. 

A Cinnabar moth caterpillar was spotted feeding on Ragwort, thus providing me something else to point the camera towards, before we headed back home.

Not too much to get excited about, but better than nothing I guess?