Noticing Nature Blog

Common Toad This beautiful Common Toad was in the churchyard. We often see toads here particularly in the autumn. They like all the damp hiding places created by tombstones and log-piles and long grass. I wonder where they breed though? I know of no ponds nearby, although there must be one or two in local gardens. Hopefully, we'll see spawn in the churchyard pond this coming spring.

Willow Warbler (Library picture) Bird sightings in and around Staple village for August and September: A Little Owl or two has been regularly vocal along the boundary between Rowan Close and Animal Farm. I'm sure there must be a breeding site in the near vicinity as birds have been heard here for several years now. A Barn Owl flew out of the barn at Crixhall Court on 11/09 signalling a possible return to its winter roost. Autumn migration is under way in August and Reed and

Within the 3K circle from Staple church, there are a number of different wildlife habitats. Despite the underlying chalk under much of east Kent, natural chalk downland is a rare one. The only pocket (a small one at that) that I know of is at Lower Rowling. This consists of a short stretch of KWT roadside nature reserve, an irregularly used but working chalk quarry and a recent arable reversion field adjacent to both. Here you will find examples of chalk downland flora and fa

This small, day-flying moth was one of several around the Wild Marjaram in my garden today. It is one of the Mint Moths, probably Pyrausta purpuralis. They are fairly common if the right plant species are available but easily overlooked. Mint Moth

This Lime Hawk Moth caterpillar was on the footpath north of the church this afternoon. Lime Hawk Moth caterpillar

An obliging Willow Emerald Damselfly by the Great Pedding stream. This damselfly is a recent colonist, first recorded in Suffolk in 2007, and has spread rapidly. Willow Emerald Damselfly