Pittswood Birds

A decent enough afternoon weatherwise, although a bit windy, enabled a walk around the Tree Nursery and the sheep pasture/horse paddocks of Migrant Alley. With one eye on the sky ( for the unexpected flyover) I searched for Butterflies and Damselflies along the few remaining hedgerows that hold habitat for them.

The first butterfly seen was a Common Blue, then a well worn, almost see through Small Copper, a few Small Whites flitted about, and just one Large White. My butterfly sighting of the day was finding the first large Skipper of the year, not a very exciting species to look at, but nice to see one :-) Other butterflies seen were Peacock and Red Admiral.

Whilst in the Tree Nursery the only birds of note were the KESTREL and a flyover LESSER BLACKBACKED GULL, however I was surprised when no less than 3 TURTLE DOVES settled on the telephone wires above the hedgerow, more than Ive seen for a while! Over at Migrant Alley, I saw a few Damselflies, Common Blue and Beautiful Demoisel sat still long enough to be photographed. Birds of note here were fewer than the Tree Nursery, just a SPARROWHAWK that was carrying prey back to a probable nest site. I suppose the two singing SKYLARKS deserve a mention though :-)

Above and below: My first large Skipper of the year.

Below: yet another Common Blue pic.

Below is the Common Blue Damselfly

.....and next the Beautiful demoisel damselfly

This is one of the Turtle Doves on the wire, the other two flew before I got the photo - shame.

and finally, This adult male BLACKBIRD had his work cut out, he was feeding no less than 4 well grown fledged young, I got three in the shot but the other one went into the untidy mess of vegetation that is my garden - Proper habitat :-)