Pittswood Birds

Not as good a day as yesterday, weather, or birdwise. It remained dull and cloudy for all of the 4 hour visit, WOODPIGEONS were still going south, albeit in smaller numbers than the past few days, and REDWINGS were going west, two groups of 30 or so went over. Flyovers also included HERRING and BLACK HEADED GULL, CORMORANT and another 2 LESSER REDPOLL.
A sizeable flock of SISKIN fed in Alders along the stream behind the college, first about 15 were seen, then a larger flock of at least 60. Migrant Alley had the usual LINNET flock, and around a dozen MEADOW PIPIT, as well as 2 YELLOWHAMMER and 4 STOCK DOVES, a species not seen yesterday, also not seen yesterday was TREECREEPER, one was with a flock of LONG TAILED, BLUE, GREAT and COAL TITS in the wet woods, associating with those, was at leat 4 GOLDCRESTS. The lake was back to it's quiet mode, but two sets of dog walkers had already walked past it by the time I got there. 44 species seen today was still a respectable total and 52 for the weekend was good, especially with a new species for the year, and 4 more for the month. The arrival of the Fieldfare yesterday was exactly the same date as last years first record, and the Snipe was the first seen since 23 Dec. last year, one of three single last year, so to see two yesterday was quite an event !

Above: BLACKBIRD and below, one of the YELLOWHAMMERS - poor light today, so not very good snaps!