On 3^rd September, we had a day focussed on the Orthoptera at Dungeness. During the afternoon, a slow wander brought us Cepero’s Groundhopper Tetrix ceperoi and Grey Bush-cricket Platycleis albopunctata, as well as good numbers of Mottled Grasshoppers Myrmeleotettix maculatus. In the evening, we reconvened and, thanks to Owen and Jacques of Dungeness NNR, and Dave and Gill from the bird observatory, we were able to enjoy the extraordinary experience of seeing and hearing the three recently arrived species which now make Dungeness their home: Sickle-bearing Bush-cricket Phaneroptera falcata, Large Conehead Ruspolia nitidula and Tree Cricket Oecanthus pelluscens. An impressive 13 species of Bush-crickets, Crickets, Groundhoppers and Grasshoppers was recorded in total.

Seven Club members met on 20th July to explore this Victorian parkland site, led by Ian Beavis. Despite much of the site being closely mown for amenity purposes, the lake, associated (usually) damp areas and rough grassland yielded plenty of insects. Dragonflies and damselflies surrounded us while we had lunch at the ornamental fountain, including several willow emerald damselflies.

On 9th July, fifteen of us took the opportunity to explore Kingsdown Farm, run by regenerative farmer, Neil Anderson. A wide range of plants and insects kept us pleasantly occupied, with highlights including good numbers of the very scarce Large Garden Bumblebee Bombus ruderatus and of the rare cornfield plant, Field Woundwort Stachys arvensis. Because Kingsdown Farm is mixed, with cattle grazing a number of fields, we also spent some time rooting around for dung beetles, an underappreciated and under-recorded group.

The Field Club was invited to visit Henley Down at Luddesdown Vineyard on the 21st May. Six members met with conservation manager Will Moreno (and got driven around in his ATV) to see what could be found on the chalk grassland and the surrounding organic fields. Butterflies and moths were abundant, including Adonis Blue, Dingy Skipper and Grizzled Skipper, and other nationally scarce or rare invertebrate species were also present. We even managed to add some plant species to their already substantial list. The most unusual discovery of the day was two stridulating males of the Common Green Grasshopper, when all the other Orthoptera on the site were still tiny nymphs!

Five Field Club members helped out with a bioblitz at Stream Walk Community Garden on the 14th May. We found an abundance of bees, hoverflies and spiders to help with pollination and pest control. But the gardens also support moths, butterflies and bush crickets, as well as slow worms and many bird species. We had a great relaxed day which included excellent cake and biscuits and a lot of interest from the garden's volunteers.