Pittswood Birds

Today was the final patch walk of my holiday time, and tomorrow it's back to work, and the less productive afternoon visits, although I might pick up something as I walk in across Migrant Alley.

This morning's walk didn't throw up any surprises, despite a good total of 47 species being seen, Long tailed Tits remain elusive, none were seen today, and no Swifts were seen either. A pair of HOBBIES flew low over the Tree Nursery,
and the SPARROWHAWKS continue to feed their fledged offspring, a Juv. was heard in both the Wet Woods and the Greenhouse Copse, although I don't know if they are from separate broods.Three Gull species went over BLACK HEADED, LESSER BLACK BACKED, and HERRING, the latter were seen in scores later in the day as they congregated to feed on the irruption of flying ants.

The only other noteworthy bird activity was in the lakeside scrub, where the Elder and Blackberries continue to provide a feast for numerous species, including BLACKBIRD, SONGTHRUSH, WREN, DUNNOCK, ROBIN, BLUE and GREAT TIT, BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF and GARDEN WARBLER.

Below: A female YELLOWHAMMER was collecting food for some young at Migrant Alley, they must have bred nearby, but I havn't found the nest site yet.

Butterflies were again a feature of the day, with these Common Blue being very numerous, more so now than in any other year.

Also some Brown Argus were about, but were looking as tatty as the flower it alighted on :-)

Finally, a silhouette of one of the Hobbies as it went over