Barn Owl

Dungeness - 0630hrs - mild, dry, sunny, se 2 - A superb morning to be out and about in the field. A check of the beach opposite Jarman`s resulted in a few singing Linnets, Skylarks, Mipits and Pied Wagtails, plus four Stock Doves, a Stonechat and 20 west bound Jackdaws overhead. We joined MH and CP from the boardwalk for an hour seawatch which produced very little apart from 20 Red-throated Divers, 15 Brents and two Common Scoters up-Channel, plus a few Kittiwakes, Gannets and auks.
East Guldeford - 1745hrs - Returning from Rye this evening we had cracking views of a Barn Owl by the railway line crossing the A259, my first of the year. The worry was that it was hunting a rough margin right beside what is a busy and fast road. Crossing Walland via Midley two Common Buzzards sat on posts were noted, but no further owl sightings in perfect still, mild conditions.
NB: A drake Hooded Merganser was seen on the bird reserve this afternoon on the small lake beside Hooker`s, viewable from the back track to Lydd (MH et al).