Pittswood Birds

The first complete walk round my patch of the month, and the census took place under dull misty and, at times , drizzly weather. A total of just over 670 birds, of 52 species were found, with the most abundant being the WOODPIGEON, with 90 birds present. BLACKBIRDS were well represented, with 39 recorded, and BLUE TIT, ROBIN and GREAT TIT all scored in the high twenties, it was also good to see 9 CHIFFCHAFF in various places around my patch. This mornings highlight was finding a COMMON SNIPE, flushed from a wet ditch, at the smallholding, always a scarce bird here, and this was the first ever April bird. Other 'winter' birds found were a single FIELDFARE, 3 MEADOW PIPITS and a SISKIN, with four more of the latter feeding in my garden.

It was evident that there was a movement of HERRING GULLS, as 51 were seen going west in varying numbers, from just 1 t0 11.

After the drizzle and mist had cleared around midday, I took my scope over to migrant alley, to scan the sky and fields. The first SWALLOW of the day flew over, but another sighting of the PEREGRINE was welcome, as it flew over and onto the tower. Two SPARROWHAWKS and a KESTREL were also seen, but bird of the day, for me, probably goes to the WHEATEAR, seen out on the ploughed field, my third this year.

Due to the poor weather this morning I didn't get any pics. But this afternoon I took the photo's below in my garden of this female SISKIN.