Wednesday 9th June

Busy at home and work hence lack of posts of late.  I snatched 30 minutes at lunchtime to watch the House Martins that seem to be swarming around the East Malling Research site and discovered upto 16 birds collecting mud in the main car park.  Most of the derelict nests have been renovated with up to 20 birds skimming through the skies I think we're in for a bumper crop this year! 

Further on a Pied Wagtail was defending territory on one of the cold stores, I hear his calls most mornings when I arrive at work.  With Skylark, Linnet and Blackcap all heard and seen as I headed back to my office, and a clump of Bee Orchids lost amongst the high grasses . 

Opening the window I noticed a small mammal scurry across the path that leads between the Conference Centre and the main lab building - I managed a quick snap and put it down to a rat - then I saw it again, a Weasel!  I've done well with this species on site in recent years, not suprising with the amount of rabbits and voles that live on site.  I went back out and with the aid of a piece of raw bacon (don't ask!) I managed to tempt him briefly back out for a record shot!

Other notable sightings over the last few days were 10+ Sand Martins on Monday just E of Gallagher's Gallop - nesting in the Quarry?  Nightjar in Barming Woods on Friday/Saturday night.

Wednesday 26th May

A late visit to Barming Woods this evening turned up a churring Nightjar.  Glad he's back!

Tuesday 25th May

The Harris Hawk was seen again this morning from my garden in South Street, Barming.  It's become an almost daily sighting, either gliding above the A26 Tonbridge Road or soaring around The Bull and Matterdale Gardens/North Street area.  An impressive bird!

Monday 24th May

The best place to be today was in the woods, in the dappled shade of Barming Woods, away from the 27.C heat!  Good numbers of butterfles were on the wing, including Orange-tip, Peacock, Large White and Speckled Wood.  I cycled round to where I'd heard the Tree Pipit on Friday, but with coppicing continuing close-by I couldn't pick out its song, only a close by Willow Warbler.  Cycling back to work a Common Buzzard lifted off from one of the older coppice plantations and soared on the thermals, before drifting west. 

Saturday 22nd May

A late evening circular walk from Barming Bridge via Teston Country Park and Barmin Woods turned up a mixed bag of birds including a Turtle Dove (West Farleigh bank), Swifts and a Reed Bunting singing (Teston Lock) but none of the target species; Kingfisher, Spotted Flycatcher, Barn Owl or Nightjar - may be I'm being too impatient!

Friday 21st May

All the usual suspects on the cycle into work - but Linnets and Yellowhammers more noticeable than of late.  A sortie up to the felled areas in Barming Woods turned up a distant Tree Pipit, heard not seen, and good numbers of Willow Warblers.  It was good to see House Marting, 8 in total, prospecting sites around the East Malling Research main laboratory buildings - they've been around since Tuesday.  Pleasing to see a few more than last year.

Thursday 13th May

A couple of Whitethroats singing along Gallagher's Gallop this morning, including one in the hedgerow near Kiln Barn Farm - it seems to have been a good year so far for these birds on my patch.  I paid a long overdue visit to Ditton Quarry at lunchtime, a few Blackcaps and Whitethroats but really quite quiet. 

A toad and a Holly Blue were the only other sightings of note.