The good news is that Folkestone continues to attract relatively exotic wildlife. First there was Dave the Dolphin. Then, back in Jan, I was fortunate enough to come across a flock of waxwings who had come to visit Park Farm industrial estate.

Now, just round the corner from Park Farm, at Brickfield’s, near the car wash, a large population of caterpillars of the brown tail moth, have taken up residence. I went along to see for myself, and was amazed at the extent to which the caterpillars had set up camp, in tent after tent, in approx 60 metres of hawthorn bushes.

The bad news is, that the hairy caterpillars are not popular with gardeners, or the owners of the site, as they cause an unpleasant rash when handled, and can cause breathing problems. But it’s a shame that it’s deemed necessary to destroy the entire population and burn the bushes as, it seems, is planned. Left to continue their natural life-cycle, the caterpillars would soon go on to become moths, which are pollenators, and, as far as I can tell after researching on the web, are not considered a problem at that stage.

One observation I did make, is that that many of the hairy trouble-makers, in blatant disregard for authority, were crossing the red and white tape barriers, and leaving the cordoned-off zone.  I’m hoping that if the afore-mentioned drastic measures are taken, then at least some of the furry little creatures will get away, to set up home elsewhere.

For more pictures of the caterpillar infestation click here, and to see an image of the adult moth click here.