Steve
@kingsdowner.bsky.social
Enjoying the nature and history of east Kent, after a lifetime of spreadsheets.
Stinking Chamomile brings up 245 flowering species in November.
And fire and brimstone in the sunshine!
And fire and brimstone in the sunshine!
November 26, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Stinking Chamomile brings up 245 flowering species in November.
And fire and brimstone in the sunshine!
And fire and brimstone in the sunshine!
Strangely we recorded both Cow Parsley and Cleavers in the same arable field.
Sheltered from the wind today at Samphire Hoe, but few flowers. The jury is currently out on this possible Sea Carrot.
Sheltered from the wind today at Samphire Hoe, but few flowers. The jury is currently out on this possible Sea Carrot.
November 25, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Strangely we recorded both Cow Parsley and Cleavers in the same arable field.
Sheltered from the wind today at Samphire Hoe, but few flowers. The jury is currently out on this possible Sea Carrot.
Sheltered from the wind today at Samphire Hoe, but few flowers. The jury is currently out on this possible Sea Carrot.
The November flower list ticked up to 240 with a Goat’s-beard at The Bay, where a farmer kindly led frisky cattle away from the footpath.
The favourite Lunch Bench was occupied.
The favourite Lunch Bench was occupied.
November 24, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The November flower list ticked up to 240 with a Goat’s-beard at The Bay, where a farmer kindly led frisky cattle away from the footpath.
The favourite Lunch Bench was occupied.
The favourite Lunch Bench was occupied.
A few more species added to the #NovemberFlowerChallenge list, including the charming Hare’s-Foot Clover. Also Common Cudweed, Narrow-Leaved Meadow-Grass and a naturalised Himalayan Honeysuckle, at a deserted Betteshanger Park. 237.
November 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
A few more species added to the #NovemberFlowerChallenge list, including the charming Hare’s-Foot Clover. Also Common Cudweed, Narrow-Leaved Meadow-Grass and a naturalised Himalayan Honeysuckle, at a deserted Betteshanger Park. 237.
Basil Thyme has been the most surprising flowering plant found in our #Novemberflowerchallenge.
The mild month has (so far) given up 229 species while the Surrey competitor has seen more.
#wildflowerhour
KingsdownKent.blogspot.com
The mild month has (so far) given up 229 species while the Surrey competitor has seen more.
#wildflowerhour
KingsdownKent.blogspot.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Basil Thyme has been the most surprising flowering plant found in our #Novemberflowerchallenge.
The mild month has (so far) given up 229 species while the Surrey competitor has seen more.
#wildflowerhour
KingsdownKent.blogspot.com
The mild month has (so far) given up 229 species while the Surrey competitor has seen more.
#wildflowerhour
KingsdownKent.blogspot.com
When in Dover….. visit @dovermuseum.bsky.social.
Currently exhibiting a history of Crabble sports ground (the terraces have some great wild plants) and an immersive VR presentation that includes Anne Pratt. Must be a first.
Currently exhibiting a history of Crabble sports ground (the terraces have some great wild plants) and an immersive VR presentation that includes Anne Pratt. Must be a first.
November 15, 2025 at 5:18 PM
When in Dover….. visit @dovermuseum.bsky.social.
Currently exhibiting a history of Crabble sports ground (the terraces have some great wild plants) and an immersive VR presentation that includes Anne Pratt. Must be a first.
Currently exhibiting a history of Crabble sports ground (the terraces have some great wild plants) and an immersive VR presentation that includes Anne Pratt. Must be a first.
Day 15 of the #NovemberFlowerChallenge, and a good one despite the mist. Some good chalk species added from Lydden, including a late Autumn Gentian, Basil Thyme, Dyers Greenweed and a solitary Botanists’ Thistle. And Monkey-Flower by the Dour. Now on 228 species.
November 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Day 15 of the #NovemberFlowerChallenge, and a good one despite the mist. Some good chalk species added from Lydden, including a late Autumn Gentian, Basil Thyme, Dyers Greenweed and a solitary Botanists’ Thistle. And Monkey-Flower by the Dour. Now on 228 species.
Surprisingly pleasant on the cliffs of St Margaret’s Bay, with only a bit of drizzle. Added Goldenrod and Orange Mullein, bringing the #Novemberflowerchallenge total up to 218 species.
Entertainment was provided by a displaying Raven.
Entertainment was provided by a displaying Raven.
November 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Surprisingly pleasant on the cliffs of St Margaret’s Bay, with only a bit of drizzle. Added Goldenrod and Orange Mullein, bringing the #Novemberflowerchallenge total up to 218 species.
Entertainment was provided by a displaying Raven.
Entertainment was provided by a displaying Raven.
Day 12’s visit to the seaside didn’t bring many new flowering species (now 211) but it was good to be out. Also good to bump into the great Nic Mitchell @getwild1.bluesky.social
Sea Mayweed at Pegwell and Sticky Groundsel at Deal.
Sea Mayweed at Pegwell and Sticky Groundsel at Deal.
November 12, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Day 12’s visit to the seaside didn’t bring many new flowering species (now 211) but it was good to be out. Also good to bump into the great Nic Mitchell @getwild1.bluesky.social
Sea Mayweed at Pegwell and Sticky Groundsel at Deal.
Sea Mayweed at Pegwell and Sticky Groundsel at Deal.
Day eleven and we have hit 200 species of flowering plant in November, with additions including Common Broomrape (!), Blue Fleabane and Common Bird’s-Foot Trefoil. Quite overwhelmed by the numbers of species flowering this warm month.
November 11, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Day eleven and we have hit 200 species of flowering plant in November, with additions including Common Broomrape (!), Blue Fleabane and Common Bird’s-Foot Trefoil. Quite overwhelmed by the numbers of species flowering this warm month.
We decided to count the number of species flowering locally in the month of November, and it's become a #Novemberflowerchallenge. Helped by the mild weather and varied habitats we have so far recorded 193 species in 9 days, including Meadowsweet.
#wildflowerhour kingsdownkent.blogspot.com
#wildflowerhour kingsdownkent.blogspot.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:17 PM
We decided to count the number of species flowering locally in the month of November, and it's become a #Novemberflowerchallenge. Helped by the mild weather and varied habitats we have so far recorded 193 species in 9 days, including Meadowsweet.
#wildflowerhour kingsdownkent.blogspot.com
#wildflowerhour kingsdownkent.blogspot.com
Day 9 of the #Novemberflowerchallenge.
A few more species added from arable fields including Field Pansy, Cleavers (at last!) and Dogwood. Total species = 193.
A few more species added from arable fields including Field Pansy, Cleavers (at last!) and Dogwood. Total species = 193.
November 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Day 9 of the #Novemberflowerchallenge.
A few more species added from arable fields including Field Pansy, Cleavers (at last!) and Dogwood. Total species = 193.
A few more species added from arable fields including Field Pansy, Cleavers (at last!) and Dogwood. Total species = 193.
Day eight of the #Novemberflowerchallenge brings us up to 187 species, with a few added from the town of Deal. White Ramping-fumitory, and Water Bent at the end of the pier.
November 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Day eight of the #Novemberflowerchallenge brings us up to 187 species, with a few added from the town of Deal. White Ramping-fumitory, and Water Bent at the end of the pier.
Day seven of the #Novemberflowerchallenge saw us on the chalk arable fields of the East Kent prairies.
10 more species, including Common Poppy and Thyme-leaved Sandwort, bring the total up to 180.
10 more species, including Common Poppy and Thyme-leaved Sandwort, bring the total up to 180.
November 7, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Day seven of the #Novemberflowerchallenge saw us on the chalk arable fields of the East Kent prairies.
10 more species, including Common Poppy and Thyme-leaved Sandwort, bring the total up to 180.
10 more species, including Common Poppy and Thyme-leaved Sandwort, bring the total up to 180.
The summer fragrance of Meadowsweet is incongruous in November. The search continued into the dusk, at Worth marshes.
November 6, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The summer fragrance of Meadowsweet is incongruous in November. The search continued into the dusk, at Worth marshes.
This mild weather is certainly encouraging plant species to flower again, especially after some verge cutting. White Melilot and Meadowsweet have both bloomed again.
The #Novemberflowerchallenge total is now 170 species.
The #Novemberflowerchallenge total is now 170 species.
November 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
This mild weather is certainly encouraging plant species to flower again, especially after some verge cutting. White Melilot and Meadowsweet have both bloomed again.
The #Novemberflowerchallenge total is now 170 species.
The #Novemberflowerchallenge total is now 170 species.
A surprising 32 more species were seen in today’s round of the #Novemberflowerchallenge, on chalk grassland and Sandhills in East Kent.
Devil’s-bit Scabious, Long-stalked Crane’s-bill and Common Rock-rose were the most colourful.
Total is now 152, and we’re not at all competitive. Much.
Devil’s-bit Scabious, Long-stalked Crane’s-bill and Common Rock-rose were the most colourful.
Total is now 152, and we’re not at all competitive. Much.
November 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
A surprising 32 more species were seen in today’s round of the #Novemberflowerchallenge, on chalk grassland and Sandhills in East Kent.
Devil’s-bit Scabious, Long-stalked Crane’s-bill and Common Rock-rose were the most colourful.
Total is now 152, and we’re not at all competitive. Much.
Devil’s-bit Scabious, Long-stalked Crane’s-bill and Common Rock-rose were the most colourful.
Total is now 152, and we’re not at all competitive. Much.
New flowering species are getting harder to find. A few more today including Smooth Hawk’s-beard and Self-heal taking the #Novemerflowerchallenge total to 120.
November 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
New flowering species are getting harder to find. A few more today including Smooth Hawk’s-beard and Self-heal taking the #Novemerflowerchallenge total to 120.
A few chalk species picked up today in the damp gloom, including Burnet Saxifrage, bringing the #Novemerflowerchallenge total to 108.
November 3, 2025 at 7:35 PM
A few chalk species picked up today in the damp gloom, including Burnet Saxifrage, bringing the #Novemerflowerchallenge total to 108.
A pale, late Nettle-leaved Bellflower, seen earlier in the week so not a November bloom #wildflowerhour
November 2, 2025 at 8:48 PM
A pale, late Nettle-leaved Bellflower, seen earlier in the week so not a November bloom #wildflowerhour
An arable day today, and up to 98 for November but still lagging behind. #wildflowerhour
November 2, 2025 at 7:39 PM
An arable day today, and up to 98 for November but still lagging behind. #wildflowerhour
Early and Common Dog-violets tucked away in an East Kent wood. No respecters of season #wildflowerhour
November 2, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Early and Common Dog-violets tucked away in an East Kent wood. No respecters of season #wildflowerhour
Another from the archive.
October 31, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Another from the archive.
I’ve looked through my programmes and find that I missed seeing Foulkes, Brennan and Aston. Good days and many thanks to my dad for taking me and assorted friends to games.
October 31, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I’ve looked through my programmes and find that I missed seeing Foulkes, Brennan and Aston. Good days and many thanks to my dad for taking me and assorted friends to games.
Chuffed to find these dog stinkhorns (Mutinus caninus) near Whitfield.
October 24, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Chuffed to find these dog stinkhorns (Mutinus caninus) near Whitfield.