Pittswood Birds

I was out at 05:30 this morning for the penultimate full patch walk of June, an earlier start than normal as I had a full schedule this morning, and had to be finished for 10:00.

The fine weather continues, and by 07:00 the heat of the sun could already be felt, by which time I had racked up all the most common species to be found along Ashes Lane, the Tree Nursery, Migrant Alley and the College grounds. There was no sign of yesterdays young Stonechat in the Tree Nursery, but in the adjacent 'pub field' I saw another Roe Deer ( or the same one as last week).

A HOBBY was seen chasing SWALLOWS around the College Stables, then they ganged up and chased it back! SWIFT and HOUSE MARTIN were also seen around the College Grounds, as was one of the SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS, which called noisily. A TURTLE DOVE sang from the very top of one of the power pylons at the north end of Migrant Alley, and below it in the scrub, CHIFFCHAFF and BLACKCAP sang. Only two Gull species flew over a LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL and a HERRING GULL.

Over at the lakeside scrub, the few of the missing regular species were added to the day list, NUTHATCH, TREECREEPER, GREY HERON, KESTREL, SPARROWHAWK, and COAL TIT, bringing the days tally to a creditable 47. Whilst there I noted my first fledgling Blackcaps for the year, 3 were being fed by both parents.


Here's the Roe Deer again, It took me ages to sneak up throught the wet dewy grass to get a photo of it, one sound of the lens motor and of it went, but it stopped and turned for one last curious look at me .

There were relatively few butterlies seen, mostly Meadow Browns, but Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Small White, and this Large Skipper were also about.

This Orchid was in the Scrub area, the owners of which tell me is a Fragrant Orchid, well I take their word for it, I'm not good on Orchids :-)