Pittswood Birds

Autumn migration continued on my patch this morning, as I left for work SISKINS could be heard going over, but they were too high up to see. A CHIFFCHAFF sang strongly at the college grounds, and a COAL TIT was calling loudly. On the way home, I saw that Migrant alley was full of MEADOW PIPITS (around 30 ) and LINNETS (around 100) all feeding in the Maize stubbles.
A quick bite to eat, and then I was out back at the stubbles, I walked up the most popular fenceline for 'chats' and wasn't disappointed, a WHINCHAT was atop a tall hedge that divides the stubble from the greenhouses, this is where the Redstart was. Another 50m on, and a STONECHAT was seen! Migrant Alley really has earned it's name this year! Overhead a dozen HOUSE MARTINS and 5 SWALLOWS passed through, the only raptor seen today was a KESTREL.
A look round the tree nursery produced a handsome male PHEASANT but nothing much else, although I did glimpse a ''Little Brown Job'' as it flew from the hedge and into a stand of Laurel shrubs, despite searching and waiting I didn't see it again, one that got away!


Above and below: Stonechat.

Below: Yet another Whinchat. This is now easily the best year for this species on my patch.

Below is the Handsome male Pheasant

This looks like a Common Darter. It may be an old Female?