Pittswood Birds

Still the wind blows, and the showers fall, this weather's getting boring now!

Out on my patch this afternoon was a bit of an anticlimax after the thrills of the weekend, I paid a visit to all my nest boxes whilst out, 8 in all, 6 had BLUE TITS in and the other two had GREAT TITS, It was interesting to see the Great Tits were almost ready to fledge, as were some of the Blue Tits, but two boxes of Blue Tits were only 3-4 days old.

A walk around the Lake, and scrub area produced a CUCKOO, which I chased friutlessly about trying to get a decent photo., also at least 4 TURTLE DOVES were singing, but not much else was of note, I couldn't hear much in the strong wind. A family of 8 well grown MALLARD ducklings was seen in the wet woods - nice to see some of the broods surviving.

Over at Migrant Alley, the wind was stronger across the open fields, and it felt cool, a SKYLARK sang above me, and SWIFT, SWALLOW and HOUSE MARTINS raced past, quickened by the gusty wind. I decided to abandon my seat and go behind one of the large earth mounds, created by the Pipeline workings, it was more sheltered here, I sat on a large chunk of topsoil, and looked up just in time to see a SAND MARTIN go over, another new species for the month, bringing up the 70. After an hour or so, having not seen anything notable, I made my way back home, ah well I can't see Kites and med Gulls every day!

I did see this KESTREL though as I neared my house, it was sheltering from the wind, behind a large chimney stack.

Lastly I'd just like to say thanks to all of you out there who leave such kind comments on my blog. It gives me the incentive to get out and find even more! I try answer any questions, via your own blogs, but some times time just runs out!