Tuesday 7th May 2013

 A sortie of Oaken Woods this morning turned up a couple of Buzzards and a Turtle Dove.  Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Bullfinch were all seen or heard.

Yellowhammers seem to be just about everywhere on patch at the moment, cracking birds, especially when the sun catches their glowing heads.  I think they're superbly marked, especially when seen close-up.  Just can't get enough of them at the moment.

One bird I'm missing this year is Cuckoo.  The Barming bird has failed to return this year .  They're everywhere else: Wateringbury, West Malling, East and West Farleigh, but not Barming and it's the talk of South Street, "You heard the Cuckoo this year?" I keep getting asked.  Its obviously being missed by both birders and non-birders alike.