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A Kinson website devoted to old Kinson and modern Kinson

Kinson Review of 2008

Enjoying local history through Communigate

Isaac Gulliver

Old Maps of Kinson and the surrounding district

Unusual sunsets in Kinson

Kinson Astronomy Photo diary

Kinson Wild Flowers Botany & Blooms picture diary

Kinson Common Wild Orchids

Mr. Archibald Hedge Hog`s column

Looking around the historic Kinson Church

About this website

Kinson Common, Local Nature Reserve, SSSI, SACs site

Kinson Smugglers

Kinson & Kinson Common, 1066 to modern times

Kinson Local Astronomy monthly

Poems about Kinson

History of Kinson in Dorset

Natural history files for Kinson, Longham, Millhams, Turbary

A Naturalist`s Millennium & Kinson Nature Diaries

Kinson Heritage buildings

Kinson Common Virtual Tour

Local Views

Glimpses of Old Kinson

Monthly Nature Diary for Kinson

Butterflies

Moonfleet mono photo gallery

Moonfleet colour photo gallery

Moonfleet cartoon photo gallery

Nature Gallery

Kinson Seasons

Insects and Spiders

All named areas of Kinson Common

Kinson Walks 2009

Cuckoo Woods

Kinson News 2009

Moonfleet Kinson Wild Birds Photo Gallery

Guestbook

Which of these places do you like to visit in Kinson?

MOONFLEET OF KINSON

Welcome to the Kinson website which offers superb free detailed information about Kinson, Kinson, Kinson, Kinson! We are proud to cover many Kinson topics including the following:-

Kinson Astronomy
Kinson & Kinson Common 1066 to modern times
Kinson Church
Kinson Common Local Nature Reserve
Kinson Common Virtual Tour
Kinson Common Wild Orchids
Kinson Heritage buildings
Kinson Maps
Kinson Monthly Nature Diary
Kinson Natural History Files
Kinson Old and Modern
Kinson Poems
Kinson Smugglers
Kinson Sunsets
Kinson Walks
Kinson News

If there is a Kinson topic we have not yet covered, please contact us as we are very keen to ensure that this Kinson website is truly devoted to an older and modern Kinson.

One of our stated aims is to be a top Kinson website for the benefit of the Kinson Community whom we are pleased and proud to serve.

(To 18th June 2009: 102,792 combined hits for all web pages featured on our Kinson website.)

About us

Our successful local venture started in 2003 and we have been connected with the Kinson area for over 38 years.

As a community-based organisation we are recognised by Bournemouth Council,the Youth Outreach project, local groups and other organisations.

Our continued aim is to inform and to stimulate interest in Kinson and the surrounding area. We also enjoy researching local history and natural history , sharing our knowledge with others of all age groups. Activities involving the local community will continue in 2009.

As well as continually updating our website with information about an older and more modern Kinson, we also devote time to undertaking occasional walks and astronomy evenings. The latter activity is subject to the weather.

Occasionally, we are asked to undertake illustrated talks for local groups, guilds and societies.

Our website contains over 30 sections and we cover many topics which we have tried to make as wide-ranging and interesting as possible.

We know that many of you have greatly enjoyed looking at the Moonfleet galleries and especially those dealing with Isaac Gulliver and Kinson smugglers.

In 2009, we intend to do our very best to maintain your interest throughout this year.

Thank you for taking the time to view our website today.

The Kinson Common Local Nature Reserve

If you are looking for a complete A- Z on the Kinson Common, this section is definitely for you.

It also includes Kinson photographs, Kinson maps old and modern, also Kinson Common historical research, relating to the 1700`s and 1800`s, carried out in 2005 and 2006. Recent research focussed on researching the history of the Kinson Common side-stream, also the generally lower water table, with possible longer terms effects upon flora and fauna.

Our Kinson Common checklists are set out in an easy to follow manner. Our wild flower list is also set out in family order and totals 387 entries (2008). New discovery, Orange Hawkweed, added to the list on 30th June, 2008.

In one of our most comprehensive and detailed sections within our website, we take you on a journey and retrace the story of human involvement with this unique area of Kinson which began as a community almost half a million years ago and which still florishes today.

We journey through the Ages of Stone, Bronze and Iron which have all provided evidence of Kinson`s rich archaeological heritage and it was the Saxons who eventually set down the essential roots and founded a village which still lives on in the hearts and minds of a great many people who live in Kinson today.

As you will see, many other Ages are also covered, even the recent and the present

Having visited this site and been associated with this area for over 30 years, we would be pleased to try and answer any natural history or local history questions you may have.

Our "All named areas of Kinson Common" section also contains useful natural history information about the Common.

OUR SUMMER VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE KINSON COMMON IS INTENDED AS A GENERAL GUIDE, TO SHOW WHAT CAN BE OBSERVED ON THIS IMPORTANT LOCAL NATURE RESERVE.

Astronomy evenings

If you are interested in viewing the night sky on an occasional basis, please contact our website.

In the Frame!

A pristine Clouded Yellow, one of a record number we photographed and recorded on the Kinson Common Local Nature Reserve in 2007. With the high influx of Painted Lady butterflies in our region, we also hope that we will see lots of the "yellows" as well.

More photographs like this will be published on a regular basis.

A Spectacular Sunset

Kinson Sunset in Summer.

Just like the ever changing Sun, the Moonfleet web pages are being continually updated to cover topical interests.

More photographs are featured in our Unusual sunsets in Kinson section of our website.

Spiders

These are a few examples of the spiders we have photographed locally.

Moonfleet of Kinson butterflies

Many interesting local species are featured in our Butterflies section.

We love to photograph them and, although sometimes very challenging to do so, patience is always well rewarded.

Kinson Walks - Summer 2009 to Autumn 2009

With over 30 years of local knowledge and experience, we are continuing to offer Kinson walks to both public and private organisations. If you carry your own public liability insurance, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Seasons

Pelhams in Kinson in Summer.

This section plots the four seasons of the year.We hope that you will enjoy looking at the photographs, and will consider sending us your own photos, as we would be pleased to display them on this website.

Shetland cattle grazing on the Kinson Common in 2009

Our featured photograph was taken during early Winter on Poole Lane Heights and the cattle grazed intermittently during 2008.

More changes will certainly be taking place from February 2009 when the present grazing regime will be extended to the north, the sensitive heartland of the Common`s wild orchids, and to the south of the site close to the Kinson cemetery.

200 years ago, present day Kinson Common would have been known as Howe Farm with the tenants living at the Dolphin Inn now known as Gulliver`s Tavern. Latest researches also reveal interesting information about those far off days.

Animal values then (of those connected with the Kinson Common) were as follows: cow �3, heifer �3.50, sow �2.20, small pig �1 and sheep 37.5p each. Horses (mares) used around Howe Farm were valued (depending upon age) at between �7-�8. Colts were valued at c�2.63 and probably an old horse, as low as �1!

Some of the more recent and earlier changes over a long time period reduced the acreage of what was Howe Farm from over 100 acres to around the present day acreage of 40, a 60% reduction overall from when it was originally an economically sustainable arable farming unit.

Over 200 years ago, home grown and stored commodities were worth as follows: barley �15, hay �5, oats �4.20, peas �2 and wheat �14. Barley stored in a granary was valued at �11.25. The figures quoted form part of a property and contents inventory worth over �500 and excludes land values associated with the acreage of the Kinson Common which was owned by and rented from the Canford Estate at �60 per annum.

Comprehensive and updated records of the Kinson Common are also featured in our Natural History files section and you are welcome to download this information too for your own personal enjoyment.

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THE MOONFLEET OF KINSON WEBSITE CAN BE COPIED FOR PERSONAL ENJOYMENT. IF YOU INTEND TO PUBLISH ANY INFORMATION, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE SOURCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

MOONFLEET OF KINSON IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF EXTERNAL WEBSITES.

Our Insects & Spiders section

These are a few of the many to be found in Kinson and other areas locally.

When ever we go on local walks we always carry our camera with us.

Larger photographs are featured in our Insects and Spiders section.

The Longham waterworks

Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink.
(Summer.)

Mr. Jack Hargreaves

Many still remember the days when Jack was a visitor to the Waterworks, filming his Out of Town programmes.

Kinson Wild Flowers Botany & Blooms picture diary

Pyramidal Orchid on Kinson Common in July 1984.

Since 1988 we have counted over 17,223 orchids on the Kinson Common. Heath Spotted orchids represent 56.09%, Southern Marsh 38.74% and Early Marsh 5.17%.

If we laid every orchid end-to-end, they would cover a distance of 2.89 miles. The 2009 orchid count would extend over 506 metres.

At present, around 90% are within access to the public with the remaining 10% located in more difficult terrain such as bogland.

In 2009, Heath Spotted orchids account for over 78.98%, Southern Marsh 16.66% and Early Marsh 4.36% of the overall number of orchids existing on the Kinson Common.

Our Kinson Wild Flowers Botany & Blooms picture diary features detailed information about many of the species we have photographed.

THIS SECTION AND THE KINSON COMMON WILD ORCHIDS PAGES HAVE BEEN UPDATED, FOR SUMMER 2009.

NEW INFORMATION ADDED TO OUR ORCHIDS PAGES ON THE 5TH JULY 2009.

July Photo feature: Isaac Gulliver and John Potter

We thank the Rev. Pat Nesbit and church members of St. Andrew`s for allowing us to show two parties of senior Winton students around the interior and exterior of the church in connection with a smuggling project during June 2009.

For this reason, we are pleased to feature again an extract from Kinson church records dating to around the late 1700`s, which brought together a certain Isaac Gulliver and John Potter who owned the Dolphin Inn (now known as Gulliver Tavern) and also found time to farm as well.

Isaac Gulliver was paid the princely sum of one shilling and six pence (perhaps his smallest business deal worth about 7p today?) for supplying lime and John Potter received fourteen shillings for supplying oak timber to St. Andrew`s church in Kinson.

When Mary Barnes sold Pitts Farm to Gulliver for �817 in 1775, Potter farmed a small portion known as Sowditch Close which was close to Burts and Cudnell Woods. Potter also had other Kinson farming interests which probably included three acres known as Wood & Furze and what remains of this today is now known as Blanchard`s Copse (Kinson Common).

The oak timber is likely to have come from a source very close to Kinson church and the lime may have originally come from the Sturt family who owned several vessels for shipping items such as limestones and who are likely to have had "business" connections with Isaac Gulliver.

We are very fortunate also to have so many other records, features and buildings in the Kinson area to remind us of our rich heritage locally.

Each month we intend to display more photographs of the areas covered by Moonfleet of Kinson. We look forward to featuring more of them in 2009.

St. Andrew`s Church in Kinson

We have recently updated our Looking around the historic Kinson Church section of our website. This section now includes details of the faculty to restore the church in 1894 and its re-opening in Kinson in 1895.

Our photograph features two phases in the long and interesting history of St Andrew`s, in Millhams Road, Kinson.

The Dorset Stour

A view from Longham bridge in Summer.

A sidestream by Longham bridge

A Summer scene by the Ringwood Road at Longham.

Kinson maps

This is our latest drawing of an older Kinson when Isaac Gulliver owned and lived in the Wimborne Road property numbered 168.

Included also, are many field names and the site of the Dolphin Public house, known now as Gulliver`s Tavern.

This year, we will be adding more information to our Maps section.

We have already drawn many local areas and you are welcome to download and enjoy them.

Kinson Smugglers

Our section about Kinson smugglers was recently updated and two more maps were added.

This is the tombstone of Robert Trotman, a smuggler who died on the 24th March, 1765 and was buried in the north side of St. Andrew`s churchyard in Kinson.

As late as 1868, it was said, " the inhabitants of Kinson were, till within the last thirty years, famous as smugglers. The top of the church tower and the inside of a large old altar tomb opposite the south door, were favourite places for hiding contraband goods."

Back in the olden days

A man enjoys a rest while out on a bike ride near Kinson Road, East Howe, Bournemouth.

Local Views

Updated photographs of Kinson and the surrounding area now featured in this section of our website.

The featured photograph is of the ancient Kitcher`s Mead by Millhams bridge in Kinson.

Millhams Mead

The small area of land at the bottom left of our map is marked "Millhams" (originally Mill Hams).

With the passing of time (at least two centures), this name has been applied to the whole of the area surrounding it.

Meet Mr. Woody

He`s just popped in to collect his July 2009 starmap and to look at our latest Kinson Local Astronomy Monthly page.

Kinson Review of 2008

We have devoted a special section to what was another memorable year for us.

Modern Millhams Mead

We will continue to enjoy exploring Millhams Mead in 2009 and we are delighted the area is supported by the recently formed Millhams Meaders.

Down in the paddock

A Mother Shipton moth rests in the Summer sunshine.

Spindlewood bridge near Cudnell woods

One of our favourite local scenes in Summer.

The Millhams Splash

This local scene was painted before the 1900`s. Long before a German Kaiser became stuck here and a brick bridge was built.

Millhams stream appears to have been shallower then and there was also a small wooden crossing in the same area.

Cuckoo Woods in central Kinson

This area supports a wealth of flora and fauna and is well worth visiting during the Summer.

A recently constructed footpath leads from Brook Road to the woods.

Meet Sebastian

He`s one of the characters of Cuckoo Woods.

In the heart of Kinson village

This is a scene dating to the 1950`s. We do receive many requests to publish more Old Kinson photos and we promise to rectify this in 2008.

Kinson School 1874

This is a glimpse of the time when the original school stood on the ground which eventually became the Kinson Village Green.

Holt Lodge - home of Charles Bennett, Olympic Champion of 1900

Long demolished, this property once fronting the Wimborne Road in central Kinson, was the home of Charles Bennett, Olympic champion.

The second Olympic Games of the modern era took place in Paris in 1900.

Events in which Charles Bennett successfully competed include:

1500m
1. Charles Bennett GBR 4:06,2 (gold)
2. Henri Deloge FRA 4:06,6
3. John Bray USA 4:07,2

4000m Steeplechase
1. John Rimmer GBR 12:58,4
2. Charles Bennett GBR 12:58,6 (silver)
3. Sydney Robinson GBR 12:58,8

5000m Team
1. Great Britain (gold)
2. France

Charles was buried in St. Andrew`s churchyard (Elev 17m, SZ06731 BNG 96876) and the photograph was given to us by a family member. (Inset added by us.)

Inscriptions in the Kinson churchyard read: In loving memory of Charles Bennett who died 13th Dec 1948 aged 78 years. Also of his beloved wife Sarah Lena who died 13th Feb 1950 aged 75 years. "Until the Day Break."

The busy Wimborne Road in central Kinson

An early 20th century view. Kinson Cottage or House where Isaac Gulliver lived in 1815 is shown on the right. The wall on the left belonged to Eglington House.

In the distance is a glimpse of Holt Lodge, where
Olympic champion Charles Bennett once lived.

And of course, there is only one car to be seen. How times have changed!

Monthly Nature Diary for Kinson

Monthly Nature Diary for Kinson 2009

We regularly update this section of our website and you are welcome to download this information.

Areas including Longham and Millhams are also featured on a monthly basis.

We have also added Kinson wild bird recordings dating from the 1st January to 4th July 2009.

Interesting wildlife and natural history sightings in July:

Bee Orchids now well faded in north Bournemouth (1st).
Commas and Meadow Browns showing well at Millhams Mead (1st).
Roe Deer present near Big Meadow, Kinson Manor Farm (1st).
Brown Hawker and Emperor dragonflies circling Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (1st).
Banded and Beautiful Demoiselles active in the lower valley, Kinson Common (1st).
Small numbers of Southern Marsh orchids still flowering in the lower valley, Kinson Common (1st).
Blackcaps present around Gover`s Glade and Blanchard`s Copse, Kinson Common (1st).
Commas, Large and Small Skippers, Meadow Browns, Speckled Woods and White butterflies active around Kinson Common (1st).
Good numbers of 5-spot Burnet moths observed in the grassland of Poole Lane Meadows, Kinson Common (1st).
Roe Deer grazing together in Big Meadow by Kinson Manor Farm (2nd).
Red Admirals observed on brambles at Millhams Mead (2nd am).
Green Woodpeckers feeding in the grassland at lower Millhams (2nd).
Globe thistles coming into flower on the higher ground at Millhams Mead (2nd).
Whitethroats investigating bramble patches at Millhams Mead (2nd am).
Comma,Green Hairstreak, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Copper, Small Skipper, Speckled Wood and White butterflies observed around the lower valley of Kinson Common (2nd).
Heath Spotted orchids well faded in the lower valley at Kinson Common (2nd).
Large shoal of 3 spined Sticklebacks and Palmate newts observed around Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (2nd).
Damselflies of many varieties including the Beautiful Damselfly present at Pepin`s Pond, Kinson Common (2nd).
Hazel nuts forming on a hedgebank by Kinson Primary School (2nd).
Roe Deer grazing in a hay meadow near Kinson Manor Farm (3rd).
Comma, Large White, Meadow Brown, Small and Large Skipper, Small Copper and Speckled Wood butterflies active around Kinson Common (3rd pm).
Fox seeking cover under a bramble patch at Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (3rd pm).
First of the season`s blackberries ripening at Glenmeadows, Kinson Common (3rd).
Small numbers of 5-spot Burnet moths observed in Dragonfly Hollow, Kinson Common (3rd pm).
Despite most orchids now fading, Southern Marsh orchids continuing to flower at the northern end of the lower valley, Kinson Common (3rd).
Purple Loosestrife and Yellow Loosestrife flowering and ripened Reedmace heads observed in Dragonfly Hollow, Kinson Common (3rd).
Green Woodpeckers, Pied Wagatils and Starlings feeding together at ground level at Millhams Mead (4th am).
Buzzard "pewing" while flying over Millhams bridge towards Kinson Manor Farm (4th am).
Brimstone (male), Large and Small Skippers, Meadow Browns, Small Copper and an assortment of White butterflies observed in Central Bog, Kinson Common (4th pm).
Golden-ringed and Brown Hawker dragonflies observed in a sunny glade in Poole Lane Sallows, Kinson Common (4th pm).
Beautiful Demoiselles and Large Red Damselflies patrolling the Central Bog stream banks, Kinson Common (4th pm).
Keeled Skimmer dragonflies (male & females) active around pools at the eastern end of Central Bog, Kinson Common (4th pm).
Blackcaps singing from tree cover around the Glenmeadows and Pepin`s Pond regions of Kinson Common (4th pm).

Down at the riverside

A Mute Swan with 8 cygnets close to the Dorset Stour in Summer 2009.

Roe deer

We have named her Rosy and we occasionally see her on our local walks in Kinson.

Barn owl

There is a haunting quality about them,especially when they emerge through the mist while hunting over meadowland near water.

Cudnell wood

This ancient woodland, in the background of our photograph, is specifically mentioned by name in a legal agreement between Richard Barns and Sir Thomas Webb of Great Canford, dated the 5th March, 1754.

Kestrel in Kinson

Our commonest local falcon is also present at Longham, Millhams Mead and the Kinson Common.

Meet Kipper

A very special little friend of ours who enjoys her daily walks around Kinson.

Isaac Gulliver

This section, we know, has created much interest in the past year or so. We will do our very best in 2009 to ensure that this interest continues.

We leave it to the historians among you to decide which Gulliver we feature in our photograph.

Chiffchaff in Kinson

One of our favourite visitors in Summer.

Blackcap

A welcomed Summer visitor which sometimes visits Kinson gardens.

Looking for Roe deer in July 2009

Although very secretive, this species is well distributed in the Kinson area.

Tracks were found and deer were observed during June 2009.

We feature Roe deer in a Kinson meadow in Summer.

Pale Butterworts in Kinson

2009 is proving to be another excellent year for recording Pale butterworts on the Kinson Common. Our featured photograph was taken on 23rd June 2009. All around this plant within a radius of 0.0929 sq metres, another 50+ were found of varying sizes.

At the present time they continue to have a range of 48.4 metres in an important bogland which is still retaining moisture. Back in 2006, during the drought, they were extremely scarce.

Kinson Buzzard

A familiar daily sight in all corners of Kinson in Summer.

Moonfleet Kinson Wild Birds Photo Gallery

Our Moonfleet of Kinson Ornithology project continues during the Summer of 2009.

Our main focus will be to record as many species of wild birds which reside in or visit the Kinson area and to feature them on our website.

We hope that the featured photographs within our Moonfleet Wild Birds Photo Gallery will stimulate interest and encourage you and many others to delve deeper into this fascinating branch of nature.

From time to time we will also be updating species information and images displayed. (Updated: 4th July 2009.)

New species will be added, as and when photographed.

Just as our subjects roam free, giving us many hours of enjoyment, please download the featured photographs on the same basis and enjoy them yourselves.

Marsh Pennywort in Kinson

A beautiful Summer flower, often found in Central Bog and in Dragonfly Hollow on Kinson Common.

Beautiful Demoiselle (female) in Kinson

A regular Summer feature around the side-stream which flows through Kinson Common.

Glow-worm in Kinson

Worth looking for on late Summer evenings between Pepin`s Pond and the waterfall on Kinson Common.

Enjoying the Kinson sunshine

3 foxes resting on Kinson Common in Summer.

Scarlet Tiger moth

Recorded and photographed at Millhams Mead on 24th June 2009

Linnet

A lovable songster in Kinson and at Millhams Mead.

Whitethroat

A Whitethroat investigates a bramble patch at Millhams Mead near Kinson.

Kinson Common Heath Spotted Orchids 2009

Heath Spotted Orchids 2009

A pleasing year for this species which represent 78.98% of all orchids found on site. 95.10% appeared in the lower valley and the remaining 4.90% were grouped in smaller colonies in the upper valley. Those flowering in Dragonfly Hollow (lower valley) were again affected by winter conditions with losses of up to 97 and represent 7% of the species count and 5.53% of the total count. About 41% remain of those which existed in this area in 2006 which also succumbed to prolonged stream flooding. 36 flowerings representing 37.5% of this species in the upper valley were lost (to 15th June) during the survey and at least 43 other plants failed to show this year. The flowerings lost during the survey represent 1.84% of the hso counted on the Common and 1.45% of all orchid species on site. Those in a remnant of Redgate Moor (now known as Gover`s Glade) continue to florish and it will be interesting to see how this region will further develop in the coming years and whether present numbers will be sustained. First found on 2nd March 2009 at 10mm tall. Smallest found at 3mm tall on 7th March. First flowerings by 20th May 2009. Hybrids measured at 620mm and 781mm tall in the lower valley. Some typical specimens measured to 290mm tall and many more much tinier specimens observed in 2009. Over a two-decade cycle, the heath spotted orchids in the lower valley represent 43.99% of all orchids counted on site and 1,000+ more than the southern marsh orchids which began colonising a new location during the 1980`s. In the same time period, heath spotted orchids outnumbered the early marsh orchids by about 11 to 1 and southern marsh orchids by about 1.45 to 1. In 2009, heath spotted orchids outnumbered early marsh orchids by 18 to 1 and southern marsh orchids by 4.73 to 1.

Footnote 5th July 2009: 25 plants remained visible in the upper valley of Kinson Common on the 26th June and we have been assured that those which disappeared during the count (DDC), are not lost. Future monitoring will confirm or disprove this.

Kinson Common Early Marsh Orchids 2009

Early Marsh Orchids 2009

An improved year year with the count far higher than expected. Flowerings excellent with a wide range of heights and plants widely dispersed in the bogland. New colony of 9 found and this number reduced to 1 and 12+ flowerings were lost from the larger colony. This equates to a species loss of 18.50% and 9.30% of upper valley total losses (all species) to 15th June 2009. Species growing in 2009 on the ancient Redgate & Long Moors of the past. At least 26 non-flowering developing plants were found ensuring succession in the future. Winter water-logging of the upper valley region has seen the plants developing northwards and appearing in new locations. This species represents 50.23% of all orchid species counted in the upper valley in 2009 and about 29.51% of the total count in the same region over a two-decade time period. First found on 22nd March 2009 at 14mm tall. First flowering on 9th May and flowerings fading by 3rd June onwards. Tallest plant c290mm and the smallest c100mm. This species represents 4.36% of all orchid species found and counted in 2009 and 5.17% of all orchids found and counted over a two-decade cycle. Both colonies occupy an area of approximately 285 sq metres which represents just .17 of 1% of the total area of Kinson Common.

Footnote 5th July 2009: 10 plants remained visible in the upper valley of Kinson Common on the 26th June and we have been assured that those which disappeared during the count (DDC), are not lost. Future monitoring will confirm or disprove this.

Kinson Common Southern Marsh Orchids 2009

Southern Marsh Orchids 2009

Those counted in 2009 represented 16.66% of all orchid species counted on site. 31% remain in the lower valley of the record high count of 2006 when this species represented 61% of all orchid species counted on site. One small colony near the waterfall failed to properly show or flower this year and even Poole Lane Meadows proved to be disappointing. A developing flowering colony in the upper valley was reduced from 10 to 2 during the survey. This species accounts for just 1.39% of the upper valley counts over a two-decade time period and 5.12% of the upper valley counts this year. Those in the lower valley increased by 8%, due in part to an improved count in the far north of the site which included the finding of 37 non-flowering developing plants. First found on 12th March 2009 with 5 specimens found at 14mm, 18mm and 20mm tall. First flowering by 20th May 2009. Tallest in the lower valley measured at 750mm and in the upper valley, 572mm tall.

Footnote 5th July 2009: 1 plant remained visible in the upper valley of the Kinson Common on the 26th June and we have been assured that those which disappeared during the count (DDC), are not lost. Future monitoring will confirm or disprove this.

Looking for Butterflies in July 2009

We feature a Green Hairstreak enjoying the Summer sunshine on Kinson Common on 2nd July, 2009.

Brimstone, Brown Argus, Comma, Common Blue, Hedge Brown, Holly Blue, Skippers, Large & Small White, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood, are some of the Kinson species worth looking out for on bright sunny days during July.

The most exciting to look for this month are the Clouded Yellow, Marbled White and the glorious Silver-Washed Fritillary. It all depends on the weather!

Looking for Dragonflies in Kinson

The following are worth looking for in Summer. Top: Broad-bodied, middle: Scarce Chaser, bottom: Black-tailed Skimmer.

Another orchid species discovery in Kinson

Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis). Photographed locally during the Summer of 2008.

Willow Warbler in Kinson

This beautiful visitor arrives around late Spring and remains with us throughout the Summer. This warbler has a wonderful song which contains a cascade of memorable notes.