Pittswood Birds

Thursdays walk was done in dull, damp and misty conditions, I didn't even bother taking my camera! However, that's what the morning had brought, so I had to except it. I had to visit the tree nursery first, before the work crew arrived, I found a REED BUNTING here, not very often I see them away from the wild bird crop, which is 200 yards away, as the Bunting flies. The Barn owl was still not to be found, maybe it's gone to breed elsewhere. The LINNETS were seen leaving their roost, and a PIED WAGTAIL flew over, whilst song was heard from MISTLE THRUSH, SONG THRUSH, DUNNOCK, WREN, ROBIN and CHAFFINCH. Next stop was the wet woods and the Lake area, GOLDCREST, NUTHATCH, TREECREEPER and SISKIN were all seen in the woods, but the highlight for the day was finding 5 GREYLAG GEESE on the lake, the species I needed to get the February species record, which is now 64. There were also the Usual MALLARDS and MOORHENS, also 7 CANADA GEESE but nothing more exciting was found. I walked back through the woods, and on to the small holding, hoping to see a Little Owl, but it wasn't home, I did find GREEN WOODPECKERS, REDWINGS, BULLFINCH'S and a fltover GREY HERON, heading for the lake. As I came out onto Ashes lane, I scanned the wild bird crop, and the adjacent hedgerow, and saw 10 each of YELLOWHAMMER and Reed Bunting, but there were undoubtedly more in the crop.
After a quick stop at my house for a drink and snack, I went over to Migrant alley and the College grounds, being a working day there was alot of people around by now, and sightings were limited to the common species, Tits and Finch's, a few bold Redwing and a flock of 50 ish FIELDFARE on the sheep pasture, a SPARROWHAWK went through and spooked them all up, so I headed off home. It was a worthwhile trip though, 45 species is above average for a feb. day, and the new record for february was pleasing to achieve.

After getting home and having lunch, i set to work in the garden for a couple of hours, pruning back the Buddlea, and taking out the leaf fall from my ponds, the weather had perked up by now, so I decided to retire to the back bedroom and watch the birds. I got my camera out so I could put something on my blog, even if it was only garden bird pics. But I was pleasantly surprised by a welcome winter visitor - a SISKIN, a new one for the 'February Bird Count' taking me past my target total of 40, good one to get. It brings the total number of birds to use my garden this month to 25.


Above and below: The male Siskin on the sunflowere feeder

This Robin was in full song when I snapped it, a bit grainy but I liked the pose !

This is one of two Nuthatch's that came in

below is a ''full house'' of GOLDFINCH and a single GREENFINCH

'' next is a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, the first one is the male (Red spot on the back of head)

Below is one of the many Greenfinch's that feed on the sunflower hearts