Knocked for six by "Covid"

 Even during the days prior to my encountering the White Storks over West Stourmouth (my previous post) I'd not been feeling too sparkling. It was, however, the Tuesday (19th August) when it really kicked in and I was able to confirm the dreaded lurgy, thanks to some test kits I had in the kitchen cupboards as a consequence of Bev's health issues.  Symptoms were constantly changing, as the infection ran it's course, and included headaches, high temperatures, coughing, muscle ache, zero appetite and compete lack of energy. I seem to have been spared the loss of taste and smell which others have experienced. All I can say is that is was a most unpleasant period and I can't ever recall feeling so poorly, although this could easily be age related? On a positive, I am happy to report that I tested negative on Tuesday afternoon and am now well on the way to getting over this bloody virus. I am truly grateful for the efforts of my neighbours Terry & Glynis - who actually kept Bruno for three nights, and Maddie who, along with Glynis, have taken Bruno out for exercise on a daily basis whilst I'd been laid up. 

A very unexpected addition to the 2025 garden list

Thankfully, however, things are on the mend and I'm feeling better by the day. I had run the garden moth trap during the entire period, yet the strong easterlies ensured that nothing out of the ordinary turned up on the egg trays. For me, the best moth of the week was a Red Underwing, a species which is very irregular on Thanet, yet used to be an annual visitor to the garden in Ash. An imm Common Whitethroat was a nice surprise when it visited the bird bath and four Common Swifts, overhead, on the 22nd looked like they might be my last sighting of the year. 

This proved not to be the case, as I took Bruno for a wander across Hacklinge Marsh on Wednesday (27th) and was confronted by an extraordinary movement of Swallows (c. 2,700), Sand Martins (c. 800+) and 60+ Common Swifts.  Probably over within forty-five minutes, it was an absolute privilege to witness this phenomenon happening at a local site, whilst taking Bruno for a walk.

Nothing else to report, although I am hopeful that blogging will, once again, return to some level of regular input as my energy levels return?

Little Stour surprise

 Bruno and I went back to West Stourmouth for today's exertions. The main reason was for me to search a wider area for the presence of Willow Emerald Damselflies which, as it turned out, was a total waste of effort due to the brisk easterly and overcast conditions. Despite my failure on the odonata front, it remains a lovely part of East Kent to be able to wander around. I'd parked by the church and walked the track down to the pumping station before following the river inland towards the "Blue Bridge". We hadn't walked for a quarter of a mile before the protests of a Grey Heron alerted me to te presence of three White Storks moving eastwards over the village. Whatever the reason, they obviously didn't like what they saw out on the Ash Levels/Minster Marshes and, instead, drifted back westwards over the Preston Marshes where they were lost from view. Fortunately, the recent Purple Heron encounter had ensured that the correct kit was being carried and, although distant and not particularly brilliant light conditions, I was able to rattle off a series of shots which enable me to share the experience via the blog. As always, I am truly grateful for the 32.5 million pixels of my EOS 90D which allow fairly significant cropping without major quality loss. 

Two fully winged birds drifting back off to the west

The trio as first spotted. The bird on the left has very heavy feather loss on the right wing.

Not too much else to report. A few flurries of hirundines skimmed over the marsh, but I could only id Swallow and Sand Martin from these fleeting encounters. A couple of Yellowhammers always enrich any time spent outdoors. Odd Common Buzzard and a few Kestrels about sums the morning up, yet those three Storks - plastic as they probably are - certainly ensured I drove back to Dumpton with a smile on my face.

The best image from this morning and testament, if it's needed, to the
incredible technology housed within the Canon EOS 90D.

Monks Wall & more garden moths

 Bruno and I took a wander around Worth Marshes RSPB Res. this morning. It was a dreary, overcast, scene with the definite feel of autumn about it. A couple each of Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin were spotted on the first pool down from the footbridge. I managed to pick out a lone Common Sandpiper on the main flood and two Cattle Egrets flew over as we started to make our way back towards the van. The conditions had caused good numbers of hirundines to feed low over the surrounding countryside and were a nice, fairly equal, mix of the three common species. As I was driving across to Worth, I had noticed that there were a decent number of Cattle Egrets feeding amongst the cattle herd out on Monks Wall NR so decided to stop off on the way home to get an accurate count.  A good decision, as it turned out, with fourteen birds present and relatively close to the perimeter footpath, although quite flighty if I got too close.

The garden moth trap continues to provide plenty of interest and last night was to see my first Ni Moth of the year discovered on the egg trays  So many other decent species are appearing on a regular basis, and in numbers which don't align with those being reported by the local internet sites. 

The Ni Moth - a proper example of garden "royalty"

I have absolutely no doubts about the role Thanet's geographical position plays within the bigger picture. However, I also feel sure that the effort involved in my garden plant choices will impact, in a positive fashion, on what species, and their numbers, being attracted to the MV light?

The Vestal - only the garden 2nd record this year

Small Mottled Willow - a regular garden visitor with a max count of four, thus far

Olive-tree Pearl - singles on most nights recently, with a peak of three.

Latticed Heath - an incredible year for this species. Many nights have
resulted in double figure counts, with a peak of thirty-two on 7th August.

General stuff and a Jersey Tiger invasion

Well, my quest to catch a Carp from the new drain has started. I've managed three sessions, thus far, none longer than three hours and am yet to register a bite! Benno, on the other hand, using a tactic and bait which hadn't entered my thought processes, landed his first fish within half an hour of casting a rig into this new venue. Me? I'm happy as Larry knowing that this particular challenge will require me to explore aspects of my angling which have previously been taken for granted. At this present time I have loads of ideas, yet still no answers. Exactly what I was hoping for after the "Mandarin Pool" debacle.

Benno gets the project started with this proper character.

My daily Bruno walks continue to provide me with so many opportunities to spend time with the wildlife which shares my space. A wander around the Worth Marshes RSPB Res., on Tuesday, was rewarded with good views of four Cattle and a single Great White Egret plus a nice group of five Whinchats. I also bumped into my mate, Neil D. who informed me that the BTO have now accepted my Booted Eagle (28th September 1999) as the first for Britain. Well, they called me a liar back then, and they're still calling me one now! They have aged it as a 2 cy, whilst the bird I (and Jack Chantler) found was a pristine juvenile. Does it bother me after twenty six years? I couldn't give a toss what the BTO, or anyone else, thinks. I know what I saw and have no requirement to justify it to anyone other than me! In factory parlance "F*ck Em"

On Thursday morning, Bruno and I found ourselves wandering the banks of The Little Stour at West Stourmouth. A very pleasant stroll was further enhanced when I spotted four Willow Emerald Damselflies. I did my best with camera kit, but with no extension tubes, didn't do the encounter justice. So we returned this morning, better equipped, and I managed to improve (slightly) upon the previous efforts. This is the first time I've seen this species at this location, although feel sure that they must be present in any suitable habitat right across the East Kent Marshes?

And to finish I need to recall the events around the garden 125w MV moth trap. It had started with the arrival of the full moon and continued for three more nights afterwards. I have no idea as to how unique (or otherwise?) this situation was, but it was certainly bloody impressive! It was on Saturday night, whilst watching the activity around the Fox feeding bowl, that I became aware of good numbers of large moths being attracted to the light. I went outside, complete with my head torch, to discover fifty-plus Jersey Tiger Moths in, and around, the Robinson Trap. It wasn't until Sunday/Monday that it really kicked off. I'd witnessed very similar activity as the previous night but, when I got up at 05.15 hrs to turn the light off, I was confronted by a scene of utter bedlam. I counted seventy-three Jersey Tigers around the outside of the trap and/or perched on the lawn and fence panels. When I examined the egg trays, some time later I counted another forty-two, thus giving me a minimum total of one hundred and fifteen individuals. Absolutely crazy.

Although the Jersey Tigers are obviously attracted by the MV light source, they
are not particularly happy being within the confines of the Robinson Trap.

As I've said previously, I'm not part of any moth related cyber networks, thus have absolutely no idea what's going on within Kent, or further afield. The odd internet bits I am able to peruse seem to indicate that Thanet is a pretty good place to be running a trap, at present. My recent results, when compared to Sandwich Bay and Dungerness Obs, plus the Folkestone gang, suggest that I'm doing very well, thank-you very much!

Boredom? - Not an option

 For me to moan about my daily life would be absurd. I only have to take a look at the BBC News (or any other mainstream network) to see what a shit state our world is currently in and the impact that it's having on millions of ordinary folk around the globe. Nothing can change the fact that I really miss Bev, yet life goes on and with it my own journey can become as selfish as I wish purely because , Bruno aside, I can suit myself as to what I choose to do with my time. The Mandarin Pool caper has just about run its' course and I've enjoyed my time at the venue, although the challenge wasn't what I'd hoped for. Fortunately, having found a group of Carp in a new drain, I still have new avenues to explore before my Kefalonian holiday. 

17 lbs 1 oz - a recapture of a fish I'd caught at the start of the month.
Absolutely no point continuing at the venue given this scenario.

Benno is going to join me on this adventure and it will be nice to spend some time together, plus exchange ideas about how to solve the puzzles presented by this particular situation. We are not chasing a lot of Carp and there certainly isn't anything above mid-doubles (that we've seen) present. It's all about pitting our wits against this unknown population and seeing how we get on? Away from angling, my Bruno walks continue to ensure that I am aware of so many other aspects of the natural world which share my space. Today, whilst out on Worth Marshes RSPB Res, in the company of Andy L, I discovered a Southern Migrant Hawker patrolling the track besides "The Great Wood" Although completely unexpected, I couldn't help but point the long lens in the direction of this wonderful creature in the hope that I might get a useable image, or two? 

Back at home, this desire to spend time actually looking at the invertebrates which also call my garden their home is becoming infectious. Not everything I espy is willing to hang around for me to grab the camera kit, yet it's not important. The thing that matters is that I'm making the effort to look. 

The very impressive Hornet Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) feeding on
thistles along the drive

An un-id'd Ichneumon Wasp. 
I photographed it on the inside of the perspex dome of my moth trap

The garden moth trap has been fairly quiet recently, although it might have something to do with my expectations not being met? Always good numbers of common species being attracted, with the occasional oddity thrown in for good measure.

Pale Maple Stilt - not too many Thanet records of this tiny moth.

Same place, but with the right kit this time.

 It was around 08.45 hrs that Bruno and I headed off back down to the flatlands to see if the Purple Heron, we'd found yesterday, was still present. Although Emily wasn't with us, I had made the sensible decision of bringing along the EOS 90d with my 100 - 400 mm IS USM lens fitted. We walked exactly the same route as yesterday and, sure enough, in almost the identical place, the Purple Heron flushed from the side of the drain. I grabbed a few few flight shots before it pitched down some two hundred metres further on. thus allowing me to obtain some more images.

A shot taken just after it had flushed for the first time this morning

I made every effort to give the bird some space, yet having no desire (or permission) to encroach onto the adjacent fields, it was inevitable that the bird took flight again, this time headed off high, to the north. 

However, it wasn't more than five minutes later when I spotted it flying back towards our position and, sure enough, it dropped back down onto the drain where we then left it. Absolutely chuffed to be able to rectify yesterday's error and obtain some images which I haven't bettered out on the Greek mainland!

Absolutely delighted that I had the chance to rectify yesterday's error. What a great bird?

Right place - wrong camera kit !

 My granddaughter, Emily, and I had already made plans to take Bruno for a walk, but it was down to me to pick the venue. As it happens, I made a very good choice, because it was en route to Barham where we were going to grab something to eat in The Duke of Cumberland PH. This being a pub which Bev and I visited regularly during her cancer treatment, prior to October 2024. The landlady, Hattie, is an absolute diamond and my memories are very happy ones of time spent in her company during that particular period. So it was that I picked Emily up at 10.00 hrs and headed off out onto the flatlands where I hoped to be able to do a bit of recce work for the Carp present, whilst also giving Bruno some exercise and allowing Emily to spend time making a fuss of him. As always, I carried my binoculars, but had decided to take the EOS 70d with the 18 - 55 mm IS lens in the hope of some dragonfly encounters. Major mistake as we couldn't have been on site more than ten minutes when an imm Purple Heron flew over our heads before dropping down onto the drain we were walking besides. Absolutely gob-smacked by the encounter, I did attempt to grab a token record shot as the bird flushed on our approach, seemingly headed off, high, away to the south. Imagine, therefore, my surprise when we spotted it again some twenty minutes later, still along the margins of the drain we were walking besides.  When it flushed, this time around, it headed back towards the area we'd first seen it, although we made no effort to confirm this.

About the best I could hope for using a 55mm lens?

I was absolutely blown away by the encounter, this being the fifth Purple Heron I've found in Kent and by far the best views obtained, via the bins. The rest of our day passed exactly as we'd hoped, with the Duke of Cumberland experience being everything I (we) could have wished for. A very pleasant day out indeed.

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!