Pittswood Birds

Another springlike day, and once again around the woods and pond areas, (the tree nursery had a work party there, so I gave it a miss). On the way to the woods is a footpath, which had a small tree slanting across it, a victim of the stong winds, whilst I can see the sense in removing the tree, the footpath managers (who ever they were??) had seen fit to also cut through the ivy that had grown up the trunk of an Oak. I suppose they are of the opinion (old fashioned) that the ivy causes the Oak some harm - In truth the ivy does no harm whatsoever to the Oak. It has its own root system, and is not parasitic. All they have achieved is to deprive the local wildlife of habitat and a food source. Slash and burn merchants!

Ivy, Cut Through. Pure Ignorance - If Not Vandalism!

On the brighter side I did manage to see some woodland birds, TREECREEPERS sang, as did COAL TIT, and BULLFINCH called. The CHAFFINCH flock was among the leaf litter again, but as yesterday, no Brambling amongst them. The best sighting however was of a female LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER (64) I had some good, if distant views of it. This species has never been recorded in any February, until now, and puts the combined Feb. total to 72.

Male TEAL On The Waterlogged Woodland (yes, a crap pic, but they are hard to sneak up on!)



Also in the woods were at least 3 TEAL. On the pond the LITTLE GREBE was out in the open for some time, but it saw me eventually and retreated to cover.