Pittswood Birds

The morning was frosty, and foggy with no wind, and the birds were not easy to find first thing. Things did slowly improve however, and the usual species were eventually added to the days list. The highlight was a PEREGRINE that flew over, the first time I've seen it this month, also of note was a pair of REED BUNTING and two YELLOWHAMMER, all in a setaside field that lies just off the NW end of Ashes Lane. A CORMORANT, GREY HERON and a KINGFISHER were at the lake, and a large mixed feeding flock were in the wet woods, TREECREEPER, NUTHATCH and GOLDCREST followed along with the Tits. The BARN OWL was in residence, and Migrant Alley had it's usual LINNET, WAGTAIL and PIPIT flock. A small flock of around 20 SISKIN fed in alders along the stream behind the college, and a flyover REDPOLL was heard. At the end of the walk a respectable total of 45 species was seen.
Only one full visit of the patch left this month (but tomorrows weather look unpromising) I have reached 64 species , which is the best October species total, equal to last October. All I need is that Canada Goose, a species that I have never failed to record in any month, in any year!

Above, the sun trying to rise over Migrant Alley. Below is a CORMORANT flying over