Friday 11th July

News came through today of a couple of unusual species for the Research Station site in East Malling. A Ring-necked Parakeet had been seen on two dates recently in the apple orchard to the north of the footpath from the main building to Kiln Barn Road; and a Barn Owl was seen in flight over Ditton Rough from Kiln Barn Road on Wednesday.

I managed an evening stroll out with my two lads through the orchards by South Street, Barming this evening. The sky was tiered with hirundines; Swifts high overhead, Swallows sweeping around the apple trees and House Martins skimming along the River Medway below us. East Farleigh looked so picturesque nestled in the valley.

Thursday 10th July

A call at lunchtime from Ross had me rushing down to Bradbourne House, East Malling. While on one of his entomological wanders he'd managed to locate a pair of Tawny Owls roosting in the uppermost branches of one of the trees down there. I managed a couple of records shots before leaving it enjoy the rest of it's afternoon snooze.

Monday 7th July

Heavy rain and thunderstorms were the order of the day. Large numbers of Swifts were seen racing ahead of the storm clouds in Barming. Lots of birds in the garden seemed agitated and I clocked up a count of 13 species in 20 minutes as the storm brewed. Unfortunately this included a Jay with Blackbird nestling in beak, the third to be predated by a jay in my garden this year.

Saturday 5th May

2x White Admirals seen in Oaken Woods, Barming along with 3x Red Admiral and a Comma. White Admirals along the ride from the water tower towards Luckhurst farm (approx TQ715555).

Late news from Friday: No sign or sound of Nightjars in either Oaken Wood or deserted Orchard south of Cottenham Close, East Malling.

Friday 4th July

A lunchtime sortie turned up one of the reported White Admirals on the edge of Barming Woods, from the footpath by Luckhurst Farm (TQ713557). My first seen in these woods. It made up for having to endure the company of Ross, who only yesterday had misinterpreted my message and gone to Mereworth Woods instead of Barming, but still managed to locate a White Admiral...sickening! Mike Easterbrook provided better, and more informed company and I'm also grateful to Mike Solomon who interrupted one of his erratic training runs to confirm what he'd seen and pass the message on.

A couple of Bullfinches flew across our path and Chiffchaffs called from the coppiced plantations.

Wednesday 2nd July

Another Hobby flying low over the glasshouse area on the East Malling Research site (viewable from the public footpath) as I left work at 18:00.

Yellowhammers seem to be out in force at the moment. A walk from East Malling church, across the research centre land by the public footpath to Kiln Barn Road or Hermitage Lane is guaranteed to throw up at least a couple of males singing from the top of the Italian Alder windbreaks. Pairs of Linnets and Goldfinches also occupy these windbreaks and can often be seen perched on the wire fence at the base of the trees. Skylarks are also in full voice, with the set aside areas near the cereal and linseed plots between Kiln Barn Lane and Hermitage Lane (also viewable from the public footpaths) being particulary reliable.

Sparrowhawks are also daily sightings, the one on East Malling Research site seems to favour the area just east of the main buidings often flying down from one of the windbreaks, low across the turfed area trying to pick of unsuspecting finches and sparrows that feed by the buildings. In Barming one is often seen flapping and gliding at the top of Gallagher's Gallop, near the eastern edge of Oaken Wood. Along with the Kestrels, occasional Hobby, Little and Barn Owls, and odd sighting of Buzzard or Red Kite the area is becoming raptor rich!

Tuesday 1st July

Swifts, Swallows and House Martins everywhere over the East Malling Research site today - practically swarming over one wheat field near Newgates.

A walk down the River Medway east of Barming Bridge towards East Farleigh turned up a pair of Turtle Doves gently purring in the trees bordering the railway line. There was no sign of the Spotted Flycatchers that had frequented this stretch of the river in previous years. Just before dark I ventured up to Oaken Wood, Barming in the hope of catching the sound of a Nightjar, but after an hour's walk around suitable coppice I failed to hear or see any....another year without them in Barming! I did see 3x Glow Worms, at least they're still around!