Total monthly rainfall: 36.5 millimetres. Maximum daily rainfall: 26 millimetres (20^th July). Measurable rain fell on only six days of the month, resulting in a drop in pond-water levels to 40 centimetres below maximum. There were only 8 days when cloud-cover reached 100% during part of the day. Maximum temperature on the warmest day was 35°C on the 25^th, and on the coldest day was 18°C on the 27^th. Strong winds on the 30^th-31^st removed many small branches, twigs and green leaves from the trees.

Total monthly rainfall: 102 millimetres. Maximum daily rainfall: 28.5 millimetres (10^th June).

June was a month of much-needed rainfall, with measurable rain falling on 10 days of the year sufficient to top-up pond-water levels by some ten centimetres. There were 16 days with complete cloud cover for at least part of the day.

Maximum temperature on the warmest day was 30°C on 29^th June, while maximum temperature on the coldest day was 12°C on June 19^th, and there were fresh-to-strong winds on June 6^th-8^th, 13^th-15^th, and 26^th-28^th – often leading to the downing of twigs and green leaves from some trees.

Total monthly rainfall: 29 millimetres. Maximum daily rainfall: 12.5 millimetres (7^th May).

Another month of low rainfall, with measurable rain falling on only 8 days, resulting in pond levels already over 30 centimetres below maximum.

Maximum temperature on the warmest days reached 22°C on May 23rd and 30^th, while maximum temperature on the coldest day was 10°C on the 4^th. Although there were only 13 days with full cloud-cover, there were 16 days when a stiff breeze from the north-west and north-east caused unpleasant flying conditions for dragonflies, butterflies, and moths.

Total monthly rainfall was 22.8 mm with a  maximum daily rainfall of 6 mm on 9th April. There were 10 days when measurable rainfall occurred, and 13 days when cloud-cover was 100% for at least part of the day. Rainfall was much lower than daily forecasts suggested because most of the showers avoided our area. Maximum temperature reached 23°C on April 21st amid a warm spell between the 18th and 23rd, and only reached 10°C on the 9th and 14th. A strong wind-chill was present during this latter period, and returned again between the 25th and 28th.

Take part in this survey to help Kent Wildlife Trust understand wildlife declines:

Recent scientific research has shown that in Europe, flying insects have declined by 75%. In the UK, we don’t have the data to assess this trend for most insect groups, but we do know that many are in decline here too. These are very worrying statistics, not only for insects but also for the huge number plants and animals (including humans) that depend on them for food, pollination and other essential functions. We need to act now to understand what is happening to them and work towards a Wilder Kent.

By counting the insects that get squished on the number plate of your car, you can help us assess the insect trends and the productivity of ecosystems in Kent. You can contribute on any journey you take within the county between June and September 2019.  Any journey within Kent will give us valuable data – simply driving to work or school is perfect. Shorter journeys are especially useful and will help us understand the differences in insect numbers in different parts of the county. 

To find out more, visit https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/get-involved/our-projects/natures-sure-connected