Pittswood Birds

The last full patch walk of september took place in similar conditions to yesterday, cool and clear to begin with - sunny and warm later.

I started my walk with the small holding, wet woods, and lake area today, in order to get to the lake early, if I was going to get a new species for the month it would probably be a duck species. However, my plans were scuppered, as there were noisy fisherman using the lake, and nothing but MALLARD and MOORHEN were seen. Its always a gamble doing the lake circuit first, as it means I get round later to the college area, where there will be disturbance, so I blew out all round today.

I did see some good birds though, HOBBY, BLACKCAP, up to 7 CHIFFCHAFF and 3 migrant SWALLOWS were the remnants of summer birds. A WHEATEAR was still at Migrant Alley, where a KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK were hunting. SKYLARK, PIED WAGTAIL, LINNET and MEADOW PIPIT were also at Migrant Alley.

The best of the wet woods and lake area were TREECREEPER, NUTHATCH, a family party of BULLFINCH'S and one of the two 'wintering' MARSH TITS was found.

46 species was a fair tally for the day, but it's a bit frustrating not getting any new monthly species, as I am so close to getting 80 now, mind you I have only recorded 88 species in all of the now 8 septembers combined, so I have had a good run, the missing birds are things like Osprey and Barn Owl, which are one time birds only!

I got a few photo's today, below is another Clouded yellow butterfly

Above and below are Skylarks, the top one looks real cute if you enlarge it.

Below is a Chiffchaff

Lastly a GREAT TIT