Pittswood Birds

An extended 7.5 hour visit was made of my patch today, in two sessions, 06:30 - 10:30 and 11:30 - 15:00. In all, an excellent 56 species were recorded, with two new additions for the months list. A PEREGRINE that was seen flying over Migrant Alley to its favoured perch, on the tower, and at last a KINGFISHER, which was heard flying along the college stream, then picked up as it flashed by. So that brings up the months total to the best monthly tally ever recorded of 74 species, I don't think there will be much left to add for sept. now!

Some great birds were seen today as well, HOBBIES continually hunted over my patch, at least two were present, a COMMON BUZZARD went over, and a KESTREL hunted as well, thats a '4 raptor' day with the Peregrine. Two WHEATEARS were feeding on the maize stubbles, along with MEADOW PIPITS, LINNETS,SKYLARKS and a mix of JACKDAWS, ROOKS and CARRION CROWS. Also at Migrant Alley, in the tall hedge, were a mix of YELLOWHAMMER, REED BUNTING, GREENFINCH and CHAFFINCH, they were making feeding forays into the Maize stubbles, making for an autumnal coloured scene.

At times the sky was full of migrating HOUSE MARTINS and SWALLOWS, which passed over in varying numbers, from 20, to as many as a hundred. A YELLOW WAGTAIL that went over calling, made up the trio of wagtails, as I had recorded a GREY WAGTAIL this morning, and 58 PIED WAGTAILS that flew from thier roost at the Greenhouses.

A Whitethroat that was seen around the Greenhouse complex, was the latest ever recorded, by eight days, and will surely be the last until next spring.

Above and below a young HOUSE SPARROW

Below is a Hobby that alighted on a tree top, it was mercilessly mobbed by Jackdaws for 10 mins, before flying off.