Pittswood Birds

A new month starts, and a new list begins, hopefully this month may bring something a little different, as the early migrants start to move back south, also i'll be keeping an ear and eye out for the Marsh Tit, it arrived last year on July 1st, after breeding elsewhere, and stayed through till spring.

The first species on this months list was a JACKDAW, they were heard fighting over the nutfeeder very early this morning. Over breakfast I added DUNNOCK, ROBIN, HOUSE SPARROW, BLACKBIRD, COLLARED DOVE, STARLING, GOLDFINCH, GREENFINCH, CHAFFINCH, BLUE and GREAT TIT all feeding in the garden.

Leaving for work I added WHITETHROAT, CARRION CROW, MAGPIE,WREN, PIED WAGTAIL, WOODPIGEON, and LINNET along Ashes Lane, and at Migrant Alley ROOK, SWALLOW, SKYLARK and SWIFT were seen.

Passing through the College Grounds the SPOTTED FLYCATCHER was very vocal - good to get that one on the months list, also SONGTHRUSH, LONG TAILED TIT, HOUSE MARTIN and BLACKCAP were about.

After work I went over to the Lakeside scrub to see what I could add to the 28 species seen this morning, it was not very good! A very quiet visit, with not even a Mallard on the pond to record, I did add JAY, MOORHEN, CHIFFCHAFF, GOLDCREST, GREEN WOODPECKER, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, COAL TIT though.

Next stop was the Tree Nursery to find some butterflies, and whilst looking for those I added 3 species of GULL, BLACK HEADED, HERRING and LESSER BLACK BACKED all flying over. Two STOCK DOVES, flew out of the shrubs, and the MALLARD was picked up at the run off pool to finished the day list on a round 40. Which now goes to 41 as a SPARROWHAWK just went over, chased by some Swallows :-)


Below are the results of my Butterfly hunt, Top is a Small Tortoiseshell, they are every where this year. Next is a Small Skipper ( I think) and lastly a Common Blue.