We arrived @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromers Wood in bright sunshine following a brief heavy shower. The highlight was a Garden Warbler calling from the lower northern boundary, an uncommon bird. 3 Chiff’s & 2 Blackcaps also heard, along with GSW, Robin, Blue Tit. 3 Speckled Woods, hoverfly yt also.

Visited the low lying plot at Eureka Park, Ashford. Blackbird. Blackcap & Robin constantly calling along with LTT, Chiffchaff & Wren. A lot invertebrates about. A lifer sawfly, 4 sp of Ladybird. Red & Black Froghopper yt. A lot of small micro moths flying around. A possible Lesser Trefoil

An evening visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Queensdown Warren. The dusk chorus was beginning with Blackbird & Song Trush singing along with Robin, Blackcap & Wren calling. Great Spot & Green Woodpecker also heard. Carline Thistle is new for the year. I need to see which species the Milkwort is.

A cold & windy visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromers Wood this afternoon. At least 3 Blackcaps heard along with a Jay. Drake Mallard on the pond. Seemed a quiet visit until I looked closer. Wasp Beetle(yt), Green Hairstreak, a couple of spider sp’s to ID, 2 Longhorn moths & a Harvestman (yt)

A walk around the Blue Bell Hill area today. Sunny but windy, lots of gradients! A lifer in a Grizzled Skipper briefly seen at Coty Kits House. Year ticks in Painted Lady, Common Broomrape, Click-beetle & possibly a Firecrest calling (to be checked at home). Lots of Robin & Blackcap calling.

As I was passing, stopped @kentwildlife.bsky.social Hothfield Common triangle. A natural symphony of bird song. Blackbird, Blackcap, Song Thrush, Wren, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff & Garden Warbler all constantly singing. A few invertebrates to ID but a potential Longhorn Beetle lifer unfortunately dead.

An overcast visit to the heathland lot this lunchtime. The Gorse has finished flowering. the Broom has taken on the baton. 10 bird species recorded, nothing new. A lifer in the form of a Common Quaker, a Sawfly year tick. A few micro moths flying about. A spider actually allowed a photo or 10.

A lunchtime walk @kentwildlife.bsky.social Ashford Warren. A possible Greenfinch was heard, an unusual bird on this route but other than that same bird species recorded. A new micro moth found and possibly a mining bee for me. Year ticks from a hoverfly and an early Speckled bush-cricket.

An evening visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Oare Marshes. A cold wind was blowing & the tide was out, but 6 year ticks in Great White Egret, Whinchat by the sea wall hide, Reed Bunting, Common Sand & 2 Egyptian Goose + 2 goslings. 4 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank & a Spoonbill & Marsh Harrier also noted

Evening. Are Whinchats being seen in the county? I’m sure I saw one this evening at Oare Marshes but it is a species I’ve only seen once before at that was in the autumn. @kentishplover.bsky.social #kentbirding

A couple of days down at Portsmouth, saw my first Swifts of the year in Chichester. A few interesting books found at the Oxfam bookshop

Evening @britishspiders.bsky.social can I check, before I load into Irecord, these ID’s please? Given the location of north Kent and deciduous woodland habitat , would these be Cheiracanthium erraticum, Trochosa terricola & Pardosa nugriceps? Thank you in advance

A look at the low lying plot at Eureka Park, Ashford this lunchtime. In sunshine, but with the strong wind blowing, the same birds recorded as previous days. Lots of Bibio flies about. Probable lifers in hoverfly, spider & a bee. #kentbirding #kentnature

A sunny but a windy visit to the heathland plot at Eureka Park. Only Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Wren heard today. A Sandpit Mining Bee was a year tick. The short grass had plenty of Cranes-bill in flower. A Peacock & Small Copper found in more sheltered spots. 3 Pine Ladybirds on the Gorse.

Today’s lunchtime foray was to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Ashford Warren & Hoades Wood, Ashford. A Treecreeper (yt) was heard calling close to the M20 tunnel. 10 species recorded. A few insects about, including a Striped Oak Bug. A caterpillar to ID. #kentbirding #kentnature

An 05:15 start for the Milton Creek CP bird survey today. Frost on the ground early on. A distant Cuckoo, a single Sedge Warbler & 2 Whimbrel on the creek were year ticks. Only 3 Nightingales heard but bird song was quiet under the day warmed up. At least 1 Lesser Whitethroat heard.

An after work walk at Stone Farm CP, Sittingbourne. The recent strong wind continued to blow through the park. 5 Whitethroat were noted singing, 2 from last years Hemlock. A large Sparrowhawk (female?) flew high overhead. 2 Chiffchaff & a Blackcap from the chalk stream/ wood area. 2 Swallows through

As I was passing, a brief stop @kentwildlife.bsky.social Hothfield Common, Ashford. I wandered around the triangle in bright warm sunshine. At least 3 Blackcap & 2 Chiffchaff calling. 4 species of Tit were also heard. A male Orange Tip and an unidentified Blue flew past. Red Campion now in flower.

Another sunny but windy lunchtime wander, this time at Stone Farm CP, Sittingbourne. At least 3 singing Whitethroat were in the stream side brambles, along with a Blackcap & Linnet. In the stream were a pair of Mallard, a Coot & a hidden Moorhen calling. First Swallow & Kestrel for me at the site.

A sunny visit to Cromers Wood KWT this lunchtime, but a strong cold wind kept the temperature down. 2 Blackcap heard calling were the best of the 7 bird sp. noted in 30 minutes. Year ticks in Speckled Wood & Green Tiger Beetle. News to check my records to see if Green Hairstreak is a parch tick.

A sunny but cold visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Ashford Warren & Hoades Wood, Ashford. Constant bird song with Blue Tit, Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Wren all heard. A female Mallard in the little stream beside the golf course. Few insects, even in the sheltered sunny spots. #kentbirding #kentbirding

A fantastic wildlife survey at Milton Creek today, 3 Nightingales heard along with 5+Whitethroat & Blackcap. Calling Lesser Whitethroat & Garden Warbler year ticks. A Green Hairstreak & Grey-patched Mining Bee also year ticks. Probably Willow Warbler also heard. Few Bumblebee’s seen though

A 5m walk around Newington & Lower Halstow in warm sunshine. Constant bird song as we walked. Swallow, Whitethroat at Lower Halstow brickworks & a Reed Warbler at the old Newington water cress beds were new for the year. A Vernal Shieldbug is a lifer. Holly Blues at Upchurch & Lower Halstow as yt’s

A first visit of the year to the marshy area at Eureka Park. A lot of bird calls, particularly loud Wrens which probably drowned out a Goldcrest. A Blackcap & Nuthatch also heard. A Birch Shieldbug & a long-horn moth are new for year. A Southern Cuckoo Bumblebee seen investigating any cavities.

Highsted Wood at its best this lunchtime under grey skies with a small shower but warm. The thousands of Bluebells are at their peak also the the Ramsons. Constant bird song with 13 species record. Only 2 Early Purple Orchid spikes seen in the usual area. A few insects about but no butterflies.

A warm day but with a coldish edge to the wind. Back to the heathland plot where Linnet & Greenfinch called constantly. A couple of male Blackbirds seemingly contested territorial boundaries. A few buff & red- tailed Bumblebees seen along with Pine & 7-Spot Ladybirds. 2 beetles across the path.

A lunchtime wander around @kentwildlife.bsky.social Ashford Warren & Hoades Wood under a cold, grey sky with rain later. Plenty of mobile Blue & Great Tit’s calling along with Robin, Wren & Chiffchaff. A Mistle Thursh was calling from close to the golf course. Given the weather, no insects seen.

An afternoon walk from Teynham to Conyer & back in warm sunshine but strong breeze. Plenty of corvids & passerines between the 2 villages.. The highlight at Conyer Creek, where the tide was out, was a singing Nightingale (yt) next to the path, 1 of 2 heard. 3 Avocet around the creek were also yt.

An afternoon walk at Eastling, Faversham following the Shepherd Neame pub walk. A calling Coal Tit in the church yard was the highlight. 18 sp recorded. Few butterflies & bee’s about although plenty of mining bee evidence. At least 30 Early Purple Orchids in flower. #kentbirding #kentnature

Another lunchtime trip to the heathland plot to see if I could find yesterday’s spider. Nope. However, in warm sunny conditions Chiffchaff ,Blackcap & Linnet were heard amongst the 8 bird species recorded. A male Orange-tip was a year tick. A new grass, Sweep’s-brushes & a lichen (to ID) were new.

The warmest day of the year, so headed to the heathland plot at Eureka Park, Ashford. 8 sp. of bird recorded, I probably missed a few as I was focused more on what was on the Gorse. A spider to ID, a potential Gorse Seed Weevil, 7-spit Ladybird & a Yellow-legged Mining Bee. Wall Speedwell is a lifer

Today’s lunchtime walk was at Stone Farm CP, Sittingbourne. In sunshine but a strong cold breeze blowing I headed to the chalk stream. A pair of Mallard & 2 Coot were seen & a hidden Moorhen heard. Linnet, Wren & Cetti’s in the hedge. Blackcap & Chiffchaff heard. 2 & 7 spot Ladybird & a new sawfly

A late afternoon walk @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromers Wood.The wood at its best with Bluebell’s, Wood Amenone’s, Lesser Celadine, Violets, Primrose & now Ground Ivy in flower. 2 Blackcap were new, 5 Chiffchaff calling, the pair of Mallard still on the pond. Could only find 1 Early Purple Orchid

A late morning circular walk from Tyler Hill to Broad Oak. Canterbury. 23 bird species noted with 2 pairs of Mandarin Ducks a surprise. 4 Green-veined Whites & Lesser Periwinkle were new for the year. Good to revisit Sarre Penn and a section I’ve not been to before.

A leisurely 6:15 start for the first Milton Creek bird survey on a cold frosty morning. 42 sp seen or heard with 7 Song Thrushes (rare birds there) & a late Fieldfare the highlights. 2 Blackcaps heard calling were year ticks. At least 25 Dunnock recorded. #kentbirding #kentnature

A sunny but cold visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social. Most birds heard only. 3 Chiffchaff’s heard around the reserve. Jay, Buzzard & Green Woodpecker also heard. Hopefully a lifers in a Small Sallow Mining Bee, a Bibio fly. Year ticks in Bronze Shieldbug & Variable Nomad Bee.

A meteorologically diverse visit to Cromers Wood, Sittingbourne this lunchtime. Cloudy & strong cold wind, then sleet, then warm sunny conditions then back to sleet. The woods are still being coppiced so few birds seen or heard. A male Mallard on the pond, Buzzard overhead, 2 Robin & a Chiffchaff.

A first wildlife survey at Stone Farm CP, Sittingbourne. The chalk stream had a Coot, Little Grebe & Mallard on, 2 Heron & at least 1 possibly up to 4 Snipe. 2 sp of Woodpecker heard. 5 sp. of Bumblebee seen & 3 Andrena. Only Peacock & a micro moth seen. I saw 1 Common Lizard missed Slow Worm.

Thank you to all involved in the latest @kentfieldclub.bsky.social journal. Looking forward to reading through it. #kentnature.

A morning visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Spuckles Wood, Stalisfield Green. The highlight was at least 1 Marsh Tit (yt). The Green Hellibore were also a year tick along with herb-Robert. Plenty of bird song as we walked the valley floor. #kentbirding #kentnature

Another warm sunny day. Headed to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromer Woods. At least 5 Peacocks were alternating between sunning themselves on the paths or duelling. A Mistle Thrush (yt) sang across the wood as 2 Buzzards soared on the thermals. Barren Strawberry & Wood Spurge now flowering.

A warm, sunny & cloudless visit to the heathland plot. At least 100+ Andrena bees flying low over the sandy ground. The slope was partially covered by flowering Blackthorn. Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Robin, Wren & Blue Tit in song with Long-tailed Tit & Magpie seen. Also a Brimstone flew past

Attended the 2nd amphibian survey at Milton Creek CP, Sittingbourne this evening. Personally saw 7 GCN’s, 5 Smooth Newts & a Marsh Frog. A Song Thrush sang powerfully from some scrub. A Fox running across the mown grass area was a year ticket. #kentnature

A mid afternoon walk at a sunny @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromers Wood. 2 Chiffchaff heard along with 2 sp. of Woodpecker. A probable Peacock was disturbed & flew into the Sweet Chestnut. 2 Beeflies feeding on the flowering willow, mist likely Dark-edged. Found some Woodrush that I need to ID.

An afternoon walk at an overcast and windy Sharstad Wood, Doddington. The Wood Anemones are now in full flower. Most of the 9 bird species recorded were heard. The Merlin app noted Treecreeper & Firecrest that I will check. #kentbirding #kentnature

Attended the 1st wildlife survey of the year @ Milton Creek CP, Sittingbourne. A LBBG was a yt, good to hear at least 2 Greenfinch. Garden Bumblebee, Tawny & Early Mining Bee year ticks. An interesting Carder to be ID’d. 10-spot & Kidney Ladybirds also year-ticks along with Mottled Shield bug.

A warm but windy visit to a still damp @kentwildlife.bsky.social Ashford Warren & Hoades Wood. Plenty of birds in song. A Coal Tit flitting through a Silver Birch was a year tick. One possibility 2 Stock Doves in the wood. Possible Treecreeper & Firecrest heard. Merlin app picked up a Siskin flock.

A sunny but windy visit to @kentwildlife.bsky.social Cromers Wood this lunchtime. A pair of Mallard on the pond, Brimstone (yt), Peacock, at least 3 & a Comma on the wing. First Bluebells flowering & a new moss I believe for me. Most bird activity by the pump house with Blue Tit, Chaffinch & Robin

Back to the heathland plot again today under overcast conditions. Again a Greenfinch was one of the first birds heard, Merlin picked up contact calls which I’m not completely confident with. Few insects about today but year tick with an Early Colletes & found a Vestal bumblebee tucked up in Gorse.

An afternoon walk between Teston & Wateringbury. A Yellowhammer calling in a paddock at Wateringbury, Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Marsh Marigold at Wargraves Wood, which was carpeted with Ransom, & Cuckooflower were year ticks. Plenty of birdsong, particularly Great Tit, Robin & Wren.