Jul-Sept 08

This was taken at Great Comp Gardens at Platt. The caterpillar of a moth that is fairly common throughout England and Wales. They over winter as a pupa underground in an earthen cell. Larvae hatch from a large batch of eggs, and often wander across the ground before pupation, as this one did.

Taken at Wierton Hill reservoir this male and female Migrant Hawkers are mating in the 'wheel position'. The male is the upper insect. He will chase the female and if possible will pair in flight. They will then settle in vegetation to copulate for a lengthy period of time.

These Dark Bush Crickets, the male above and the female below, were photographed at New Hythe. This is a common insect in southern Britain  but becomes rarer north of the Midlands with isolated colonies in southern Scotland. The adult period is from the middle of July till late November, and can be found in hedgerows, woodland edge, nettle beds, bramble and almost any other sunny sheltered sites.

The Serotine (Eptesicus serotinus) is one of our less common species of Bat and is found mainly in the south of England. It is found over most of Europe where it is declining in abundance in some areas but may be increasing its range northwards. The Serotine has probably declined due to loss of feeding habitat where large insects such as chafers can be found. As it roosts almost entirely in buildings it is subject to the effects of  building work and the use of toxic chemicals in remedial timber treatment. This is one of Britain's largest Bat species and usually one of the first to appear in the evening, often emerging in good light. The broad wings and a leisurely, highly manoeurable flapping flight with occasional short glides or steep descents is distinctive. It flies at about tree top height often close to vegetation, and will sometimes flop, wings outstretched, onto the foliage to catch large insects. It will also feed around street lamps and even catch prey from the ground.

This Bee is very similar to the Buff Tailed Bee, and distinguished from it by the more lemon yellow bands and the yellow hairs on the face.

This Bee was taken in Paul's garden. It parsitizes Red Tailed Bees and is a declining species

Taken at Cliffe, this is a male and is very active which makes it difficult photograph.

This Bush Cricket was taken at New Hythe. Note the very long antennae, which are nearly twice as long as seen in this picture, separate this from Grasshoppers. This species was first recorded in England on the Isle of Wight in 1931 and has slowly spread on to the mainland.

This picture was taken at New Hythe. Note the short antennae in comparison with the Cricket above.

Taken at New Hythe, this Damselfly was eating a small Moth.

The seven butterfly pictures above were all taken at Lyden Down.

This immature male Migrant Hawker was taken at Wierton hill Farm.

These two pictures were taken at New Hythe. The Small Red-Eyed Damselfly has recently arrived in Britain from the continent in the last few years, and has spread rapidly. There are a few small differences between the two species, but the most obvious is the shape of the blue markings at the end of the abdomen.

This large caterpillar was taken at Sevenoaks Reserve.

Taken at Elmley, this is the first I have seen this year.

A couple of hares basking in the early morning sun at Elmley.

This female Southern Hawker was taken at Sevenoaks Reserve.

This moth was photographed at Sevenoaks Reserve. It is common and well distributed in central and southern England. Named from its red underwing which unfortunately is not shown here.

This Ladybird is common throughout Britain and Ireland and is found in deciduous trees and hedgerows.

This Bumble Bee was taken at Wierton Hill Farm.

This Hover Fly was taken at Wierton Hill Farm.

This Hover Fly was taken at Wierton Hill Farm.

A Bumble Bee taken at Wierton Hill Farm.

This Mole taken by Don was alive, as opposed to the one previously shown. An animal well known by the presence of Mole hills, but rarely seen.

This picture of a female Southern Hawker was taken in the grounds of Hadlow college.

This male Brown Hawker picture was taken in the farmland surrounding Hadlow college. Note the very waisted thorax and the long anal appendages, which differ from the female.

This male and female Common Blue Damselfly are mating in 'the wheel' position.

Taken at New Hythe this is only the second one of the year I have seen here.

This beetle has been fairly common at New Hythe this year. Found between May-August on flowers in hedgerows all over Britain.

Broad-Leaved Helleborine Jerry Warne

This orchid was found at New Hythe. It is a robust and tall plant, up to 90cm, and is widely distributed throughout England, Wales and Scotland. It grows on calcareous soils in broad leaved and coniferous woodland, especially on road and track verges where there is plenty of sunlight.

Tetragnatha-extensa Terry Laws

Ruddy Darter Terry Laws

Ruddy Darter Terry Laws

Peacock larva Terry Laws

Narrow-Bordered Five-Spot Burnet Terry Laws

Black-Tailed Skimmer Terry Laws

The Cinnabar Terry Laws

This is the larva of the Cinnabar moth which was taken at New Hythe. This is found over most of Britain and is fairly common.

Red Eyed Damselfly Terry Laws

Mole Terry Laws

This Mole was found dead at New Hythe. An animal that is not often seen so a picture of the front forelimb, showing this powerful digging tool, I thought was called for. Moles live almost entirely underground in tunnels which they dig with a breast stroke action of their shovel-shaped, out turned front limbs.

Mole Terry Laws

Common Shrew Terry Laws

These two pictures of the same animal were taken at New Hythe. On that day I had seen three Common Shrew, one of which was dead, and one Pygmy Shrew. Prior to that I had only seen one Water Shrew in the area.

Common Shrew Terry Laws

Ivy Broomrape Jerry Warne

Ivy Broomrape is a plant  lacking in chlorophyll, and is a root-parasite as its name suggests, on Ivy. This was found at Stockbury Hill Wood.

Yellow Birdsnest Jerry Warne

Yellow Birdsnest Jerry Warne

Yellow Birdsnest is a very localized saprophytic species living in leaf litter in dense shade. These were photographed under mature Beech woodland on Detling Hill.

Small Tortoiseshell Waren Baker

Taken at Pittswood, this is normally a very common  butterfly. This year most people are reporting that they are scarce.

Comma Waren Baker

Popular Hawk Moth Martin Coath

Taken at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve this is the most widely distributed and frequent Hawkmoth, which over winters as a pupa underground.

False Oil Beetle Terry Laws

Oedemera nobilis is found in southern Britain and is fairly common. This male, told by the swollen back legs, was taken at New Hythe. They are found in meadows and feed at flowers.

Hover Fly Terry Laws

Leucozona lucorum is found over most of Britain and this was taken at New Hythe.

The upper picture is the insect at rest and the lower is from below as it was hovering, taken with a high shutter speed to freeze the wings.

Hover Fly Terry Laws

Syrphus ribesii commonly occurs in gardens where its larvae are major aphid predators. Found all over Britain, this was taken at New Hythe.

Large Red Damselfly Terry Laws

Latticed Heath Terry Laws

I found this moth when looking for Grizzled Skipper at New Hythe. First seen in flight it resembled the Skipper as it is about the same size, but obviously different at rest.

Malachius bipustulatus Terry Laws

The large red spot at the rear of each elytron distinguishes this rather soft beetle from a number of superficially similar species. Found over most of Britain, this was taken at New Hythe.

Mayfly sp Terry Laws

Cloeon dipterum I think. Taken at New Hythe this is found all over Britain in ponds and ditches, even water butts.

Wasp Beetle Terry Laws

Looking very much like a wasp, this insect is harmless. Taken at New Hythe, but can be found over most of Britain in gardens, hedgerows and many other habitats.