Pittswood Birds

My first full patch walk of December was an enjoyable one, despite the showers which passed through. 45 species were recorded, the very first being GOLDCREST, two of which were in the hedgerow opposite my house, not often they grace the top of the list!

I watched the LINNETS leaving their roost at the tree nursery, and counted 48, but I missed a few! The next species on the list was a bit of a surprise, as I left the tree nursery, both PEREGRINES flew over, brilliant! I thought they may have left the area as I havn't seen them since October.

Crossing Migrant Alley, all was very quiet, and it felt cool in the NE wind, I heard the call of SKYLARKS above me and saw 3 go over, but more interesting was the 2 LAPWING that were just above them, another species not seen since October.

I added more common species to the day list as I walked through the college grounds, but I was surprised by the lack of FIELDFARE around, just 2 were seen, REDWING, however were more numerous with several small groups seen. Another new species for the month was seen on one of the small ponds in the college gardens - a KINGFISHER, too quick for my camera though.

The second part of my walk, through the small holding, wet woods, and lake area yielded PHEASANT, BULLFINCH, COAL TIT, MARSH TIT and 3 TREECREEPERS for the daylist, as well as MALLARD and MOORHEN which were on the lake, however, there weren't any nice surprises swimming with them!

I managed a few garden photo's today, below is a feeder full of finch's, with a GREAT TIT and a HOUSE SPARROW

Above is a WOODPIGEON, and below one of the many BLUE TITS that were around

Below is a GREENFINCH

A STARLING is next..........

and lastly, a nice surprise was the return of the Moorhen