Pittswood Birds

Another grey, dull and drizzly morning, brightening up briefy around noon before rain spread in for a few hours.

A species total of just 41 was recorded today, in a little over 4 hours, there were some glaring omissions, like Sparrowhawk, Pheasant, Skylark, Mistle Thrush and even Songthrush, and just one species of Gull was seen going over, that being a HERRING GULL.

There were still some good birds seen though, one being a YELLOW WAGTAIL at Migrant Alley that was just seen before being driven off by a dog walker. Another good species was a GARDEN WARBLER, a migrant bird that was feeding in a willow by the now dry run off pool at the Tree Nursery, only the second one recorded this month.

Two feeding flocks were seen today, one at the College Grounds again, which consisted of the four Tit species, GREAT, BLUE, LONG TAILED and COAL, as well as TREECREEPER, CHIFFCHAFF and GOLDCREST, however I couldn't find any Spotted Flycatchers with them. The other feeding flock was at the scrub by the lakes, this one included all the above species, but also had NUTHATCH with them.

The only Raptor species seen was a KESTREL, hunting in it's favoured Greenhouse Complex area, but later in the afternoon whilst watching my garden feeders a HOBBY zipped through. Also a very noteworthy flock of CORMORANT went over in 'V' formation, 14 in all, this is the biggest flock i've ever recorded here, making the dayist up to a more respectable 43.

No sign of That 100th species for the year though, last year I had the 100th species in May! In 2008 I got it in October, so somewhere in between would be very nice for this year.

I did manage some photo's today, taking advantage of the 20 minute bright spell :-)

Below is a Probable Brown Argus, but it may be a female Common Blue!, it flew off before I got a look at the underwing :-)

This however is certainly a Common Blue, they are looking a little worn now.