Surprised to find at least 15 Palmate newts in a local woodland stream. They were loitering in the deeper slow flowing pools. At least 15 in this pool but probably more #newts #amphibiansuk

Some more beautiful examples nearby #oaks #woodlandtrust

And this one has a girth of 7.1 metres #oaks #woodlandtrust

We are lucky to have some superb Oak trees in Benenden. None of them are classed as Ancient on the Ancient Tree Inventory but this one looks like a good candidate to me #oaks #woodlandtrust

Fascinating shape to this Oak in Benenden. Bell bottom trees like this one occur when the tree sustains damage which allows infection to reach into the heart of the tree and weaken it. The tree responds by growing more wood around the damaged area strengthening the trunk of the tree. #oak #trees

Early Purple Orchids well on their way now, Benenden, Kent

This is an iconic Oak tree in the village but I'm worried! In 2009 it was 7 degrees from vertical but now it's more like 16 degrees. I suspect the roots were cut when the path was constructed. Can this be saved? It's 300 years old but how much longer can it last? #trees #oak @WoodlandTrust

The Ashes of London series by Andrew Taylor is my favourite historical fiction. Set soon after the restoration of the monarchy, the books have mystery, romance, politics and great characters both real and fictional. Give it a go!

A couple of Common brackets today in misty Kent woodland - Birch Polypore and Oak Mazegill
#funghi #Kentwildlife

Back in April I smeared a Mistletoe berry onto this apple tree. A month later you can see it's taken but not much has changed since then - perhaps the roots are a little sturdier but I don't think there'll be any kissing under this for a few years #trees #mistletoe #christmas

A primrose blooming well in time for Christmas in Kent #wildflowerhour

Partial "rainbow" today with no rain (it's pretty nippy but with bright sunshine) . Is this caused by light refraction from ice crystals in the cloud? Or something else? #cloud #rainbow #cloudbow #cloudspotting

Unfortunately I don't know but the chap who found the nest has found and recorded one 5 years running in Benenden so they are still clinging on here. Sadly he's only on 'X'!

I also found two Orange Ladybirds, another common species which feeds on mildew, particularly that found on Sycamore and Ash

Hundreds of 16 Spot Ladybirds, a fairly common grassland species, overwintering on these fence posts in Benenden, Kent

A nice holiday butterfly poolside - a Scarce Swallow tail (although quite common here in Puglia!) It's lost half a hind wing probably to a bird distracted by it's "eyes"