Pittswood Birds

Great Tit


So the last days walk of the year has arrived. My aim to get 100 species for the year is still 2 short, so I went out to find the most likely of these, that elusive Redpoll, and maybe another new species. Well I got half of what I wanted! A walk around the lake produced a LITTLE GREBE , 99 for the year!!! this is only the second one ever for my patch, the last was back in March 2005. The walk round saw another 45 species, yesterdays missing ROOKS turned up, and a surprise bird for the month was a LINNET or rather a pair, feeding in some weedy ground at the college. This species always departs on the coming of winter, only to return in the spring, a ''local'' migrant, although I have had December records before, they are few. Also at the college, along the stream, feeding in alders was a flock of SISKIN, I estimated about 110. I stood examining each of them for that dratted Redpoll, but no, it just wasn't to be, although a TREECREEPER did pop up with them. The months total of 62, is a very good tally, the best December by 3 species, it could be bettered though, the total for all Decembers is 73, so there is scope for an improvement next year! A few more notes for 2007. The average number of species seen per month works out at 63, the best month was jointly held by April and Sept with 70. The lowest species total was Novembers 57. The Woodwarbler and Black Redstart I saw earlier in the year, were the only two new species for my patch this year, bringing the grand total to 116. Anyway, enough of the stats! tomorrow is a new year and I will be trying for that 100 harder than ever! Have a good new birding and wildlife new year everyone!!