Wednesday 6th April 2011

What a scorcher, but I only managed to get outside for the cycle into work.  8x Chiffchaffs, 1x Willow Warbler, a Blackcap singing but not seen (first for the year).  Other birds seen along Gallagher's Gallop and the East Malling paddocks included 4x Bullfinches, 1x Nuthatch, 1x Yellowhammer, 4x Linnet, 2x Green Woodpecker, 1x Sparrowhawk (with a charm of Goldfinches 'bouncing' nosily above it!), 1x Little Owl and at long last my first Swallow of the year...phew!  But no Wheatear - and there were 25 in a paddock in Crayford this morning!!!

Back at home in Barming this evening, 2x Jackdaws, 1x Pied Wagtail, 2x Collared Dove, 3x House Sparrows, 1x Wood Pigeon, 2x Chaffinch all sat out on my roof (not necessarily at the same time) while I mowed the lawn.

Monday 5th April

Work, work, work - only a few snippets from the last week as I've been working my butt off!  Common Buzzard over S (Research Station) on Monday 28th March.  The North Street allotment Nuthatch became two on Saturday 2nd April, let's hope they breed.

A Small Tortoiseshell was found near Four Acres, East Malling.  Today saw my first Willow Warbler of the year, singing along the path between Gallagher's Gallop and the Quarry, with up to 5x Chiffchaffs nearby.  Masses of Stock Doves (+40) on the research station, feeding on some newly-harrowed land.  Wood Anemones were in full bloom in Oaken Wood and signs of Bluebell flowers.

Still no Wheatear or Swallow, only a Wood Pigeon up on the hedge by the paddocks, but I'm off to Cornwall at the weekend so I imagine I'll see my first of the year down there.