Pittswood Birds

Another full patch visit took place today, a four hour walk, in cloudy, cool conditions with a stiff northerly wind, but a few short lived brighter spells were had from time to time, more akin to October weather than mid -summer!

Despite the weather, a great total of 53 species was recorded, and that was without a sniff of a Mistle thrush or Sparrowhawk, two species that are normally regular on the list.

The three flyover GULL species, HERRING, LESSER BLACK BACKED and BLACK HEADED helped enhance the daylist, as did the CORMORANT, which went over Migrant Alley, where a new species for the month a LAPWING (67), also flew over, alighting briefly on a horse paddock before continuing on it's way. This brings this months bird species level with the best ever June tally, can I find one more new species for the month ?

Another nice species for the day which is not regularly seen, was a TAWNY OWL, one was seen hiding out in an evergreen tree, at the Lakside Scrub area, only found because two JAYS were tormenting it, screeching loudly to give away its presence to me.

Most of the summer migrant species sang, but in fewer numbers, CHIFFCHAFF, BLACKCAP, WHITETHROAT, TURTLE DOVE and what might be the last CUCKOO this year was heard, the SPOTTED FLYCATCHER was calling at the College Grounds.

Three more species were added to the patch 'confirmed breeding ' list - MAGPIE, WREN and Whitethroat were tending recently fledged young.

A few photo's were taken this morning, despite the dull weather. This Muntjac (?) deer was a real surprise, it was in the Maize at the Pub Field.
EDIT : The deer has now been Id'd as a Roe Deer :-)

Above and below - the Spotted Flycatcher, making the most of one of the few brighter interludes

Below: The Lapwing.

Here's a challenge for the more sharp eyed of you, there is a Tawny owl in there honestly ! Enlarging the photo may help pick it out !

Lastly, a real coup for my garden bird sightings was this BULLFINCH. It came in around 17:30, it was quite dark, so it's not a good photo, but it shows its on the feeder. Ive recorded them in the garden before, but never have I had one use the feeders - lets hope others catch on :-)