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30th Following on from yesterday's theme, a Hobby gave fabulous views as it tore along the dykes on Worth in search of dragonflies - had England's footie team had 10% of its strike rate many of our population would not now be in mourning. Elsewhere, a family of Great Spotted Woodpeckers was unearthed on the Estate and family parties were also apparent on Worth and New Downs, in each case having given no more than the merest of suggestions that they might be breeding. 2 Lesser Whitethroats were trapped, possibly early migrants but more likely to have been locally bred birds. 29th It's a bit difficult to divert attention from the tremendous numbers of dragonflies that are currently enjoying this warm weather, but we did manage a trek to Backsand Scrape, where 3 Green Sandpipers were lurking. We also managed to get soaked by a brief but enthusiastic shower in the process, which was almost as remarkable. 25th A calm, humid morning with the thermometer up to 20 by 8 am seemed ideal for a gentle stroll counting House Martin nests on the Estate. However, results were dispiriting - although 40 or so had been present on the Estate at the end of May, numbers declined in the cold NE winds that dominated the first half of June and there was evidence of only 13 occupied nests, three of which were in the early stages of construction, while others that were previously occupied were deserted. 24th A singing Lesser Whitethroat on 23rd The shrike was still present in the gorse at the Deal end of the Ancient Highway early on, but became more flighty as the morning wore on. 22nd Worth marshes got the nod this morning and a productive choice it turned out to be. 2 Marsh Harriers were floating about, a Hobby was chasing dragonflies near Roaring Gutter and other bits and pieces included 2 singing Yellowhammers and a Bullfinch. Back at the Observatory we were told of a Red-backed Shrike near Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club and were treated to super views of an adult male, hawking insects from the top of the gorse (photo below by Steve Ray). 21st Sunshine! Warm sunshine at that and with a light breeze. A trio of us walked along the dunes to the Point, mostly searching (successfully) for moths, but also encountering a female Stonechat, one of very few since the cold weather, and a few flurries of Sand Martins, 52 16th On a day that was more suitable to surfing than birding 6 Crossbills flew over the Estate into a howling NE wind and a Bullfinch was audible along Worth track. 15th An update every 5 days is currently appropriate, given the limited variations on the word 'quiet' and the forecast of strong NE winds for the next few days. However, there are a few Hobbies, the Little Ringed Plover comes and goes on the scrape and in sheltered spots on the Estate a few butterflies and orchids can be found, so if you're fed up with the incessant sound of wailing vuvuzelas ......... 10th The Little Ringed Plover was still on the scrape and despite a steady deterioration in an already overcast and rather cool day a walk across Worth marshes proved quite rewarding. A Marsh Harrier was quartering the fields, there was evidence of 2 pairs of Lesser Whitethroats, including one family group, a pair of Turtle Doves, a singing Yellowhammer and a male Bullfinch and good numbers of Scarce Chasers were present, sheltering from the wind. 9th Well, it's that time of year, when hordes of noisy Starlings are tearing about and the hedgerows fill with gangs of Long-tailed Tits. There was also a Little Ringed Plover on Restharrow Scrape. 8th Still no better than yesterday, a trek down to Backsand Scrape produced a Little Egret and a stark absence of any young of any sort. Water levels on the scrape have a lot of reducing to do before autumn wader passage gets under way - all hands to the pump, one suspects. 7th From an avian point of view, the month seems to have started much as May left off, although today brought the welcome sight of 6 Painted Ladies, augmenting the first significant numbers of immigrant moths over the last few days.
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the Estate was the first for over a month - there was also a new one on New Downs yesterday. Whether these are late spring migrants or, most likely, unpaired individuals looking for a mate they are interesting records. Otherwise, lots of young Common Whitethroats were jumping about, a Hobby was spectacularly pursuing dragonflies over Restharrow Scrape (photo on left by Ian Hodgson) and at least 4 Cuckoos were scattered about the Estate and Worth.. 
of which flew N.