RSPB Farmland Bird Survey, Postling

Dungeness - 0630hrs - cool, ne3, sunny - Tried another hour in the seawatch hide with several other optomists first thing. Nothing much apart from a few passing Gannets, terns and divers, plus Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and a few Swallows in, and 2 Red-throated Divers and 5 Guillemots on the sea.
The Baitdigger had a Black Kite fly over his cottage mid-morning (about time the slacker found another mega in his garden!). It then toured the point and was last seen over the bird reserve heading towards Lydd. Seem to be going through a dipping period at the moment, so contrived to miss it by 20 minutes despite having two phone calls and regular texts (thanks to all concerned) as to its whereabouts ... First Swifts of the year over Boulderwall.

                                          Barney - "Phew! I`m used to the Flatlands!"

Postling 1100hrs - Paid a visit to my survey farm on the downs this morning and into the afternoon. Despite the freshening wind a decent return with Linnets, Skylarks, Yammers, Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat all on territory and several Buzzards noted. Must be morphing into a Marshian as struggled like mad up the `scarp slope. Once on the summit though, terrific views across the Garden of England.