Denge Wood, Canterbury

Whitebeam, Sorbus aria flowers

Denge Wood is a large complex of broadleaf and conifer plantations and the remnants of  native broadleaf woodland situated on dip slope of the North Downs. The underlying geology is Clay with Flints, over chalk bedrock rising to a maximum altitude of 140m.

A couple of dry valleys hold the remnants of native woodland, mainly comprising of Beech, Ash and Oak with an understory of Hazel and scarce trees such as Whitebeam Sorbus aria, whilst most of the plateau has been converted to Sweet Chestnut coppice and areas of conifer plantation.

One of the cleared areas within Denge Woods, perfect for the rare orchids,
such as these Lady Orchids, Orchis purpurea and butterflies

 Lady Orchid, Orchis purpurea flowers

The reason for the visit was for both its floral and lepidoptera interest, it is particularly notable for the range of orchid species which can be found at the site. It was little early in the year for some of the present species and late for Early Purple Orchids although one was still in fine flower. In total four species were seen in flower and one species was found in bud.



Of the orchids on show the most impressive was the Lady Orchid Orchis purpurea; a real speciality of Kent with the majority of the UK's population found on the chalky slopes of the North Downs.


Although slightly obvious it gets it common name due to the distinctive shaped flowers which look like ladies in petticoats and bonnets. It can grow to quite an impressive size with some plants growing to 70cm in height and can in preferential conditions reach a meter in height.

Common Twayblade, Neottia ovata

The other species of orchid which was putting on a show was the Common Twayblade Neottia ovata, a very different and much plainer looking species. It is one of Britain's commonest orchids  and can be found in a diverse range of habitats. Its common name is derived from Old English and means 'Two-Leaves', referring to its pair of basal leaves.

Crosswort, Cruciata laevipes

It wasn't just orchids which were in flower, Crosswort Cruciata laevipes is a plant of calcareous waysides and could be found alongside the tracks.

The real reason we visited the site though was to see the Duke Of Burgundy Hamearis lucina, the only member of the 'metalmark' family to be found in Britain. These delicate butterflies only live for around five days and the adults are rarely seen feeding.

A fresh Duke Of Burgundy, Hamearis lucina

A mating pair of Dingy Skipper, Erynnis tages.

Traditionally it was a species of coppiced woodlands, which provide the best conditions for its foodplant, Primrose needs to thrive. Due to the decline in woodland management it has undergone a 52% decline and can no only be found in 20 sites throughout the UK. If suitable conditions occur, such as recently cut rides and newly coppiced areas the Duke has good dispersal capabilities with females flying up to five kilometres to lay eggs.

A few other species were also on the wing, good numbers of Brimstones were seen flitting along the rides. A single pair of Dingy Skippers Erynnis tages were also seen mating within an area specially cleared for the Dukes. 

Samphire Hoe, Dover

With early spring flowers starting to pop up all over the place an afternoon trip to Samphire Hoe was in order to see the hundreds of Early Spider Orchids Ophrys sphegodes which have appeared on this man-made site. Samphire Hoe was created in 1997 using the 4.9 million cubic meters of chalk marl excavated by the building of the Channel Tunnel, creating a 30ha of new chalk down land in front of the cliffs.

The Beach at the end of Samphire Hoe, Dover

It didn't take long to find the Early-Spider Orchid with at least five plants in the overflow car park and then hundreds of plants along the paths towards the beach. It is thought that the disturbance caused by the creation of the site allowed windblown seed from nearby to take a flourish into what is currently Britain's most impressive site for this species.

Early Spider Orchid, Ophrys sphegodes

It was just the orchids which we saw, although early in the season there were still a few other species in flower. Common Milkwort Polygala vulgaris, is a small perennial plant with interesting blue or pink flowers. I was rather hoping to find a related species, Chalk Milkwort Polygala calcarea but had no luck this time.

Common Milkwort, Polygala vulgaris

Areas of scrubby vegetation, most of which was alongside the railway line contained the large flowering heads of Wayfaring Tree Viburnum lantana, a common species on calcareous soils. It white flowers will eventually give way to spays of red berries.

Wayfaring Tree, Viburnum lantana

Wild Cabbage, Brassica oleracea oleracea

All along the cliffs, sometimes clinging out of tiny crevices were plants of Wild Cabbage Brassica oleracea oleracea, a spindly declining species in Kent. It is currently thought that the species has been domesticated for thousands of years giving us the cultivars for cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale and cauliflower. Flowering alongside were the first of the years Bird's Foot Trefoil Lotus corniculata which will soon be carpeting the cliffs.










Apart from the floral interest, a Fox scaling the cliffs by the visitors centre, which then disturbed nesting Kestrels and a pair of Ravens with their recently fleged brood it was rather quiet fauna wise.

Postling Wood, Postling & Folkestone Warren, Folkestone

Having spent most of the last couple of months on the shingle at Dungeness, it was time to get away for an afternoon exploring some ancient woodland up on the North Downs. With David and Gill as guides for the day and Matt visiting we made our way to the first stop, Postling Wood which had a few botanical treasures.

Postling Wood, A woodland full of Ancient Woodland Indicators (AWIs)

Due to being up on the chalk, the canopy comprised mainly of Ash Fraxinus excelsior with an under story of Hazel Corylus avellana providing the perfect for common spring ephemeral species such as Bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa and Primrose Primula vulgaris although beautiful plants to see it wasn't why we'd made the pilgrimage.

Although we were a little late in the year, there was still evidence of the Green Hellebore Helleborus viridis which grow along the road verge. Although all of them had gone to seed it was still nice to see their delicate green nodding heads and large palmate leaves.

Green Hellebore, Helleborus viridis

Second on the list to find was Toothwort Lathraea squamaria, a species I have seen before in Wales but never before in England. It's unusual colour comes from the fact it is a saprophyte and has no chlorophyll, instead it gets its nutrients parasitically from its host plant, often Hazel.

Toothwort, Lathraea squamaria

A few other plants of note were also seen, the deep purple flowers of Early Dog-Violet Viola reichenbachiana which is often found in chalky dry woods. It is distinguishable from the Common Dog-Violet Viola riviniana due to its flowers having dark centres, dark spur and rounded leaves.

Early Dog-Violet, Viola reichenbachiana

The odd looking flowers of Goldilocks Buttercup Ranunculus auricomus were quite common along the bank by the road. Another basic soil lover it's distinctive misshapen and often missing petals give it a shabby look.

Goldilocks Buttercup, Ranunculus auricomus

Also present were several large patches of Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina, also known as Town-Hall clock due to its for faced flowers.

Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina

Once we'd finished looking at the flora we took a quick trip into Folkestone to try our luck seeing the Common Wall Lizards Podarcis muralis which inhabit the cliffs there. Although non-native to Britain, it only got as far a the Channel Islands before the channel flooded after the last inter-glacial period, there are several populations around the UK.

The view from the top of the Warren, Folkestone

At least six individuals were seen at the top of the warren, close to a nearby cafe, where they frequenting several of the buildings. The males are beautifully marked with emerald green mottling along its back, often scuttling off quickly when anyone approached. How this population became established has been lost to history but the local story is that they were released by a local pet shop owner who failed to sell them. Now they're thriving and they're here to stay.

Common Wall Lizard, Podarcis muralis

Conyer Creek, Kent

With the weather being so pleasant a trip to Conyer was on the cards with the hope of seeing two lovely wintering species.

Conyer  located on the north Kent coast is a small hamlet at the head of the Conyer creek which flows into the Swale. It's the site of one of the CES sites I ringed at last summer with rich variety of warbler species and a few breeding Turtle Doves in the scrubby vegetation, comprising of Salix spp. and Buddleja which has formed on site of the old brickworks.

Conyer Creek, looking towards the old brickworks.

On the other side of the creek behind the sea wall contains expanses of low lying grazing marsh, intersected with vegetated ditches. With the recent wet weather many of these fields had small pools, and it was around these that a group of 10 Shore Larks Eremophila alpestris were feeding, although I could get good views through the scope, it was way to distant for photographs.

Having arrived at high tide, many of the waders and waterfowl were roosting out on the mud as it was exposed. Large numbers of Dunlin Calidris alpina, Redshank Tringa totanus, Black-Tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, Teal Anas crecca and Wigeon Mareca penelope were present in the creek itself and occasionally flushed by a female Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. Out at the creek mouth a large flocks of Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta were roosting on a small island whilst the large numbers of Brent Geese Branta bernicla were flying up and down the Swale.

Saltmarsh alongside the sea wall

Halfway along the Saxon shore way, close to where the shore larks were feeding strand line detritus and halophytic grasses were two Snow Buntings Plectrophenax nivalis. These dumpy little confiding birds, often appear on the eastern coast of the UK to feed in sand dunes and saltmarshes on the seeds of weeds and grasses which grow there.

Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis

Snow Bunting busy feeding on seeds.

Having sat down to watch these two feed, it didn't take them long to get within a few meters of me, making it pretty difficult to get any photographs with my 400mm lens. after half an hour in the presents of these little birds it was time to wander back along the creek to the car.

Sgwd Yr Eira, Brecon Beacons National Park, Powys

With the recent heavy snowfall across Wales it was the perfect time for Bethan and I to visit Sgwd yr Eira, a magnificent waterfall deep within the valleys of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Craig y Dinas, 'Fortress Rock'

Many geological and natural features which can be seen from the path to the falls, which follows the Afon Mellte and form the Dyffrynnoedd Nedd a Mellte, a Moel Penderyn SSSI which is listed due to its important semi-natural woodlands which contain a wide assemblage rare bryophytes and lichens as well as it old quarry faces, cliffs and gorges which give a window into Wales geological past.

From the car park your immediately met with a huge contorted slab of Carboniferous Limestone, known as Craig y Ddinas which roughly translated means 'Fortress Rock' due to the presence of Iron Age earthworks on the summit, although today much of this was covered by snow. The scrubby woodland which features around the base of the rock was mainly Sessile Oak Quercus petraea Ash Fraxinus excelsior Hawthorn Crataegus sp., Hazel Corylus avellana and at least one Small-Leaved Lime Tilia cordata. The north facing cliff face was covered in Maidenhair Spleenwort
Asplenium trichomanes and Hart's Tongue Fern Asplenium scolopendrium which thrive in the cool damp conditions.

The path skirts the top of the wooded valley, with only the background noise of running water. Some areas of native semi-natural woodland remain along the top in a rough mixture with moorland although large areas look like it was planted up with Larch between the wars, which has recently been clear felled, perhaps due to Phytophthora although the evidence of this was lost in the deep blanket of snow. The odd old Ash or Oak tree was left in the middle of these clear fell, too old to be planted with the larch, these were a hark back to a time when large blocks of conifers became a blight in the landscape, acidifying the rivers and reducing the native flora.

The gorge at the meeting of the Afon Hepste and the Afon Mellte.
Significant stands of conifers can be seen on the horizon

With the snow covering much of the flora, we made it relatively quickly to the path leading down the face of the gorge towards the falls. Even from quite a distance we could hear the roaring of the waterfall. The setting of the waterfall is in a deep gorge where the Afon Hepste plunges over a band of resistant gritstone to form Sgwd yr Eira or Fall of Snow, the obvious choice of waterfall to visit in this kind of weather condition. An old drovers track passes behind the falls, the walls of which are covered with bryophytes, Green Spleenwort Asplenium viride and a species of Dryopteris. The track would have witnessed the shepherds moving their flocks to the hills in the summer and back to lower grounds in winter but these are merely ghosts of the past, now its just used by curious walkers and tourists, its previous use consigned to history.

Sgwd yr Eira, the Falls of Snow

Although there were no Dippers in the river there were plenty of Robins Erithacus rubecula about, they seemed drawn to us, hoping a misplaced step would turnover a rock and expose some worms. Most sat attentively in the trees close, never more than a couple of meters away and we wandered about the falls, although occasional it flashed past to skirmish with an intruder. Even after leaving the falls one stuck close for a good 20 minutes, occasionally swooping down to grab an unseen morsel. Up on the higher ground there were very few birds about, most likely due to the snow which has forced them down into the valleys. A pair of Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula were busy nipping off buds, a single Jay Garrulus glandarius crossed the open ground into a copse of trees. A pair of Red Kites Milvus milvus circled in the fading evening light,.signalling our time to leave this wonderful valley.

An attentive Robin Erithacus rubecula, never far behind us

Not With A Rush But A Trickle, Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, Onatario

The cold weather we were hoping for never really materialised with the weather being unseasonably warm and pleasant and well above freezing.

The second American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) to be caught at
Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory

This strange and unusual temperatures meant that the trees never really turned the wonderful reds and oranges that Canada is envied across the world for, with many leaves just turning brown and shrivelling in the heat on the trees and falling off, on the upside the weather was good for finding reptiles and amphibians late into the season which will be detailed below.

Luckily we still managed to catch a few good birds, the stations second American Pipit Anthus rubescens was caught on the 24th September. Although these can often be seen flying over, often at lofty heights, rarely coming down low enough to get caught so it was a nice surprise to get in the nets.

White-Eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus)

The 6th of October was a two bird day with a stunning White-Eyed Vireo Vireo griseus almost immediately followed by a Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna, a species which was much larger in the hand than I realised. The vireo even managed to make the front page of the Wellington Times!

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)

Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)

A Red-Shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus was spotted by David on the 13th of October and managed to get caught in one of the normal mist nets, after flying underneath the first set of hawk nets an impressive hawk and the last big hawk of the year. Due to the warmth many of the species we'd expected to move south spent the entire migration period further north!

The warmth also affected the number of owls we'd been catching, a bit of a problem due to the numbers of visitors we were now getting specially to see the owl banding. 123 people turned up for the Thanks Giving owl banding and typically we caught ZERO owls during the standard period whilst the next night we caught 4 owls with only four lucky visitors for the entire evening. A few Long-Eared Owls Asio otus were caught but only singles of both Barred Owl Strix varia and Eastern Screech Owl Megascops asio. The Northern Saw-Whet Owl Aegolius acadicus total came in at 589, over a hundred less than the 2016 total but we did finish the season a few days early due to the weather.

Long-Eared Owls (Asio otus) roosting within
 the Wildlife Area

On the 14th Bethan flew out to join me. Allowing her to finally get to see the saw-whets she'd wanted to see and also getting to band a selection of late fall migrants. She also got to extract and band her first raptor, a Sharp-Shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus, not an common occurrence back in Britain but she managed to band a few in the end.

The highlight for me came mid morning on the 21st of October during a very slow day, although David had spotted one early in the morning by now I thought it was to late to catch one, although having seen plenty throughout the spring and early fall I'd almost given up hope. From down the path I could hear a woodpecker calling, slowly in my head I went through the calls of species I knew, it was too raucous to be a Northern Flicker, it could only be a Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus! A species I really hoped I'd get to see in the hand.

Half running along the track I met Robyn at the clearing and lucky for me holding a male Pileated! They really are quite something, after seeing the size of the holes they can cause in their search for carpenter ants I was a littler worried about my hands but it only managed a to cause a few small holes, the chisel sharp claws also caused a bit of damage but it was worth it and probably my personal highlight or the air boating, its hard to pick one thing in such an amazing trip!

Star catch! A Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

After the excitement it quietened down at the observatory with the final few weeks being filled with American Robins Turdus migratorius, Myrtle Warblers Setophaga coronata coronata, Kinglets, including one Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa which seemed to have some form of deficiency, causing it to have a very pale plumage. The biggest mystery of the season seemed to be the sparrows, much like the hawks, they seemed to be enjoying the warmth and didn't see any reason to move southerly very quickly.

With the warm weather it was no surprise that many of the reptiles and amphibians were out much later than normal, Northern Leopard Frogs Lithobates pipiens could be seen down by the edge of the lake in their thousands, many of them juveniles although a few huge adults could also be seen. Also present were Green Frogs Lithobates clamitans with their large distinctive tympani. With some careful searching Grey Treefrogs could also be found along the cliffs, matching the stone and tucked into crevices.

Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans)

A few large Snapping Turtles Chelydra serpentina and Midland Painted Turtles Chrysemys picta marginata were present in the swamp although both eluded photographs until on the 7th October a tiny hatchling snapper was found along the path to the nets, its strange to think that eventually it will grow to be the size of a dustbin lid and capable of slicing through skin and bone.

A Tiny hatchling Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina)

Mammal wise it was pretty quiet. American Beavers Castor canadensis could still be seen in the dock, often busy collecting willow ready for the long winter. Coyotes Canis latrans could be heard calling on several evenings, sometimes eerily close whilst Saw-whet netting and Eastern Cottontails Sylvilagus floridanus were often seen in the net lanes at night.

American Beavers (Castor canadensis) in the harbour.

Raccoons Procyon lotor were seen occasionally, more often evident was what they had been up to the previous evening although I did get amazing views of one just outside Milford on the 2nd of October after it had crossed the road and came very close .

Raccoon (Procyon lotor) close to Milford.

There was one stand out mammal I was lucky enough to find, it was the first record for the observatory and I was a little wary of it after some of the stories I had heard about them, easily chewing through mist nets. The Northern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus is a small nocturnal mammal found in forested areas in northern North America. With incredible sharp incisors I was glad when Dave offered to take it out of the net for me, I think it could have easily bitten through the four bird bags I'd formed into a rudimentary gauntlet.

Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)

With the onset of Autumn plenty of fruits and berries were forming on the trees, by far the tastiest were the nuts of the Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata, which although tiresome to process tasted amazing. The stands of aster and goldenrod were particularly impressive this year mainly due to the high water levels and continuing warmth at the end of the season but my time at the Observatory was coming to an end and it was soon time for me to visit other parts of Ontario.

The Asters of Prince Edward Point, Ontario

Asters are one of two genera of plant families to bloom in Autumn in temperate North America, they also happen to be one of the harder families to distinguish due to the diversity and similarities shared between the species.

The two books used, and a selection of Aster species.

With a range of different habitats found at the point there's a number of aster species which could be present. Although I'm in no way an expert and I've been slowly keying out (with many wrong answers) some of the species out using 'The Common Asters Species of Southern Ontario' which was lent to me by Sheila, 'Newcomb's Wildflower Guide'. and the brilliant guide by Walter Muma on ontariowildflowers.com

One of the most obvious Aster species present at the point is the New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae. This is mainly due to its intense purple flowers which allow it to be easily identified in the field as no other common aster would look similar.


Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster)

As mentioned this species is very obvious and easy to identify due to its large purple flowers. It is often one of the few plants any of the visitors can identify, which may be in part due to its common use as a garden plant. Its leaves, when crushed have a distinct spicy smell which can also be used as an identification feature.

At the point it is often found in the more open areas in full sun, helping to make it even more obvious than many other species.

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae flowers

Leaves of Symphyotrichum urophyllum

Symphyotrichum urophyllum (Arrow-Leaved Aster)



A common aster of woodland edges, I found the specimen photographed at the edge of the lake, under a thicket of prickly ash but it can be seen all over the point, often within the woodland

The leaves of this species are relatively distinctive with alternatively, shallowly toothed leaves and winged petioles.

It's flowers are on upright panicle shaped heads with stiff stems. Its flowers are usually white although they can be pale pink or bluish. the flowers change from having yellow centres to purple centres like most Asters.

Flower head of Symphyotrichum urophyllum

Distinctive dead leaves of
 Symphyotrichum lanceolatum.

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Panicled Aster)

A very common species which is often found in moist open or lightly forested areas. At the point it could commonly be found close to the swamp or the lake in areas which were more likely to inundated with a little more water.

By the time it is in flower many of its lower leaves have dried and fallen off whilst smaller dead leaves higher up the stem tend to be rather curly. Its flowers are often spread out along the branches in a rather open manner.

Flower of Symphyotrichum lanceolatum 

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (Calico Aster)

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum growth form

A common, and very easily identifiable aster due to its unusual form. Also known as the starved aster due to this form once you know what it looks like its an easy one to pick out. With its long horizontal spreading branches with its sparse flowers its not the nicest aster to look at.

This species was most often found within the woodland and along the paths and on the edges of the fields where it gets the dappled light it prefers.

Flower head of Symphyotrichum lateriflorum

Symphyotrichum cordifolium leave

Symphyotrichum cordifolium (Heart-Leaved Aster)

Another fairly common species, which was again often found within the woodland at the edge or paths or the woodland edge. It's pale blue flowers are arranged in a dense rounded panicle.

Its jaggedly toothed, heart shaped leaves also help aid identification and are present on the plant throughout the flowering season.

Flowerhead of Symphyotrichum cordifolium 

Symphyotrichum ericoides (Heath Aster)

Probably the commonest aster on the point, this species can be found across the large areas of abandoned fields and drier areas. It gets its name from its small crowded leaves which are similar to Heather Calluna leaves.

The white flowers are small and often overlap each other on the flowering stems which gives this species the alternative name of Many Flowered Aster. Unlike other species its mainly reproduces by runners and roots.

A stand of Symphyotrichum ericoides flowers