Pittswood Birds

Today was the finest day of the year as far as the weather was concerned, clear blue skies, with little wind, and it felt warm for once, about time too!

After work this afternoon I headed over to the lakeside Scrub, hoping to find an early Turtle Dove, whitethroat or Cuckoo to add to the year list, but none were found, I think if any had arrived they would be resting up in cover, relaxing in the sunshine after their long journey, morning would be best to hear or see them.

I waited in the scrub area and just listened and watched, it was so relaxing in the warm sun, all around the sound of birds could be heard, BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF TREECREEPER, COAL TIT, LONG TAILED TIT, GOLDCREST, DUNNOCK, WREN and ROBIN all made for an entertaining audio extravaganza. Alas I had to move on though, and a quick scan of the lake provided me with the sight of the first MALLARD ducklings of the year, 9 in all with a proud mum nearby.

I took a wander over to Migrant Alley, finding my first Small Tortoiseshell butterfly of the year on the way, also a lot of Comma butterflies had been noted. I did a circuit of Migrant Alley, but nothing had arrived in the way of migrants, a couple of YELLOWHAMMERS were seen, as well as some LINNET, but that was about it. Both KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK were seen hunting, and the PEREGRINE was seen, but just off my patch. An hour on my skywatching seat didn't produce a thing, nothing was moving in the glorious afternoon sunshine, so I decided to come home and have an early tea, so as to have time to get out this evening, on the way home I passed a large Blackthorne tree in full flower, as I stopped, and took in the scent, I saw 3 Peacock Butterflies there.


Above: Long Tailed Tit and Below Blackcap seen in the Scrub by the lake

Below is a STARLING

Below is a GREENWOODPECKER - a bit far away though!

Above the first Mallard Ducklings!

Above My first Small Tortoiseshell of the year, and below another peacock.