Pittswood Birds

It was the first warm morning of the year - no winter coat or hat needed today, the sun was out and the wind, early on at least, was light. Spring migrants were in evidence, 3 more COMMON WHITE THROATS were found, one on the golf course hedgerow, one in ashes lane and one in cuckoo lane. Another LESSER WHITETHROAT sang, this one was in the scrubby area by the lake, and I was within a whisker of photographing it (Steve!) I didn't find the Turtle Doves, or hear a Nightingale, but a WILLOW WARBLER was singing, the same place as it has been for a week now, perhaps it will attract a mate and stay. Just two gulls flew over both HERRING GULL. At migrant alley A WHEATEAR was in the drilled maize filled, a new species for this April, and two BLACKCAPS sang in the college grounds. On the last part of my walk, just as I neared home a CUCKOO called from the lake area. A total of 43 species was a bit disappointing, considering the new arrivals on the list.

A check of the nest boxes found most of the blue tits sitting on clutches, one wasn't sitting and it had 12 eggs in. The Great Tit had 8 eggs in.
It seems the MISTLE THRUSH nesting above the front door lost the young )-: A shame they were so close to fledging. However I did see one of the adults in my back garden, collecting material for another nest. Only the second time I have recorded a Mistle Thrush in the garden.

A Male Blackcap was in fine song at the college

A Chiffchaff was showing itself well

Displaying , not sure whether its agitation or attracting a mate!

Ther are lots of Linnets around at the moment, quite a good sign for this declining farmland bird

I found this orchid in the wet woods, not sure what kind, Common Spotted of Early Purple ?

The sun brought out a few butterflies, this small White was on cow parsley