Pittswood Birds

The early part of this morning was a total right off. Heavy rain prevented me getting out until 8.00am. Once I was out, the skies cleared quite quickly, and some warm sunny periods were had.
I only recorded 42 species in the 4 hour visit, but that wasn't too bad, as the early hours that were missed means species like Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Jay and Nuthatch were unlikely to be encountered.
I started my walk from the farmland circuit today, I usually do this second, but due to the late start I wanted to get round the college grounds early enough to beat the workgangs! This paid off, as I came across the SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS, being the only person around I could pick my spot and get some good photo's without me or the birds being disturbed. I also found the KINGFISHER, but again missed a photo opportunity!
The BARN OWL was back at his roost, and on the latter part of the walk, I located the LITTLE OWL in its usual oak tree. A noteable occurrence was the HOUSE SPARROWS, they seem to have finished breeding, and were flocking up in one of the hedgrows that borders a field of barley, at Ashes Lane.
In the wet woods a large-ish party of GREAT TITS 10 -15 in all, were feeding, along with a single TREECREEPER.

The picture below was taken this afternoon. It is of a roost of Brown Long Eared bats in my attic! My missus was on one of her cleaning missions and found them - nice one Joy! I took two quick pic's and put the loft hatch back on. If you click on the pic. and enlarge it, you will be able to pick out at least 4 individuals.


Below are the better shots of the Spotted Flycatchers. in the college grounds

below is one of the House Sparrows in the Hedgerow at Ashes Lane, a fine looking Male. you can just see a metal ring on its left leg, it should have 3 plastic rings as well, enabling me to ID it individually, but the clever little fellows seem to be able to remove them.

Despite the heavy rain earlier, there was still a Common Darter to be seen

This is the Little owl in the oak tree. just for Josh!

If your reading this Josh, I wouldn't have known it was there unless I had seen it fly in there last week! It would have been all to easily overlooked.

Can you see it without enlarging the image?