Gallery

These photos and videos were taken by members of the group during outdoor trips or volunteering activities. If you wish to submit a photo or video, please send them to the webmaster.

Sunday, 27 July 2008

Lestes dryas

After the Higham Bight clean up some of us stayed at Northward Hill RSPB reserve for a while. Julie and Chris visited one of the ditches and found the scarce emerald damselfly. This is THE special damselfly of the north Kent marshes. It is very similar to the common emerald but can be distinguished by looking at the male genitalia. (Sorry I know this is a family site). Julie's photograph shows this really well. The inner "bits" (appendages) on the last abdominal segment are curved inwards and clubbed - rather like two hockey sticks. On the common emerald they are straight and thin. Well now you know!

Clean-up Crew

On Saturday members of the group, local residents and people from as far as Sittingbourne cleared rubbish from the shore of the Thames at Higham Bight just east of Gravesend. The shoreline of this bay is owned by the RSPB and forms part of the complex of RSPB reserves in north Kent. Higham Bight is one of the most important feeding areas along the Kent shore for migrant and wintering wading birds, such as dunlin, redshank and curlew. But no-one had brought binoculars or a telescope! - however we could hear whimbrel, oystercatcher and curlew calling and common terns were flying over our heads all afternoon. Thanks to everyone who helped to make the shoreline a better and safer place for wildlife. Special thanks to Carol Donaldson, RSPB Community Officer, for organising the event and to our neighbouring landowner, Bretts Aggregates, for the final removal and safe disposal of all the rubbish.

Friday, 25 July 2008

FW: Raft spider?

At Thursley Sam found a small spider on one of the bog runnels. It looked at home and stayed on the water for at least 30 minutes. Other raft spiders found on the day were much bigger. Does Sam's photograph show a young raft spider or another species just enjoying a swim! It was quite a hot day.

Thursday, 24 July 2008

Volunteering Opportunity and Family Event

This Saturday (26th July) there are a group of volunteers helping to clean up the banks of the Thames at Higham Bight beach.
If you would like to help, please contact Malcolm Jennings for further details, or contact the RSPB North Kent Marshes office:
Telephone: 01634 222480
E-mail: northkentmarshes@rspb.org.uk

Tuesday, 22 July 2008

Where?There!

On Sunday the group visited Thursley Common in Surrey. This National Nature Reserve of open heath, woodland and bog is one of the best sites for wildlife in England. The birds seen on the day were very special. Dartford warbler was seen after only a few minutes and by the end of the day we had seen hobby, woodlark, redstarts and other more common species. Excellent views of a lesser - spotted woodpecker were a real bonus.

However, at Thursley, many of the wildlife gems can only be seen by looking down! The photograph shows Malcolm trying to persuade Sue that black darters (a small dragonfly) are just as interesting as the hobbies that like to eat them! Keeled skimmer and small red damselfly were all seen flying low over the bogs and common lizards were found on the boardwalks. A very enjoyable day - thanks to Paul for leading the group.

Tuesday, 1 July 2008

Cub Green Day

On Sunday 22nd June our group organised a Green Day for the District Cub Scouts at their Hope Hill camp site.The children were excellent and enthusiastically joined in birdwatching, plant finding, craft activities, insect sweeping, environmental games and recycling.

Our thanks go to the Cub Scout leaders, Helen Morley from Plantlife, Lisa Selby from Gravesham Borough Council, Jenny Collins from Groundwork Trust, David James and his RSPB team, Pauline Heathcote, Sally Jennings, Sam Yetman and, most of all, Maria Yetman for the smooth organisation of the whole day.

Longfield Fete

On Sunday 29th June, Jan & Mick represented the RSPB at the Longfield Fete.They enjoyed good weather and the Fete was a great success. They sold £53 of RSPB sales goods and gave out lots of information & advice.

Don't they look professional in their RSPB tabards!

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