Pittswood Birds

I was out for four hours this morning, on the penultimate full patch visit of September. The sun was out, and a clear blue sky prevailed for much of the morning, but a cool NW wind brought a flavour of things to come.

Despite the total of 45 species being recorded, there were in fact very few birds about, 10 of the 45 were recorded in singles, and of those species LITTLE OWL, NUTHATCH, TREECREEPER, BULLFINCH and COAL TIT were heard only. HERRING GULL, LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL and BLACK HEADED GULL were seen flying over, as was KESTREL, SPARROWHAWK and BUZZARD, so that didn't leave many species around to be seen in any numbers.

One species that was still numerous, was the hundred or so HOUSE MARTINS that fed over Migrant Alley, with them were 30 or so SWALLOWS, the latter are local breeders. These two species and the CHIFFCHAFF, of which five were seen and heard dotted around, were the only summer birds left on my patch, they are generally the last to leave.

A few LINNETS, MEADOW PIPITS and PIED WAGTAILS were also seen at Migrant Alley, and on the Maize Stubbles at the pub field, where incidentally the Roe Deer was still walking the perimeter. Over at the Lakes and scrub area the bird less theme continued, just a single MALLARD was on the water,while the scrub could only manage a party of LONG TAILED tits to keep me amused.


Above: Sparrowhawk. Below : Migrant Hawker Dragonfly