I wonder if there's any correlation between the spread of buzzards (certainly plenty in Cornwall last summer) and the perceived decline of barn owls, as they both take the same prey? Buzzards seem to be everywhere now, but it's a long time since I've seen a barn owl, even in the fields where they used to be much in evidence.

Incidentally, a park in the middle of Ipswich has a resident tawny owl known as Mabel, who sits in a hollow tree all day watching the people go by, and is thought to be the most photographed owl in Britain.

Sad news of the lone Rusty Dobro noted by Will Fly above - it can still be seen flitting from place to place, but its glorious plumage has fallen out, and its song, never melodious, is now harsh and tuneless. It often travels in the company of an elderly martin.