Pittswood Birds

CANADA GEESE on the Ornamental lake


Well it was back down to earth with a bump today! Gone was the sunshine, and the calm warm conditions of yesterday, back were the cloudy, cool and dull conditions, with a brisk wind, but being more optimistic, now the sun is higher in the sky, a dull February day, is not as dull as a dull January day!!!

Without the sun, the birds were no where near as active this afternoon, and the only real songsters were the MISTLE THRUSH and SONGTHRUSH, the ROBIN sang as well of course, they always do, it would have to be a bad day for them not to sing :-)

On the lakes today, the main lake had 4 Canada Geese, 3 MALLARD and 2 MOORHEN, the ornamental lake had two Canada Geese, and 4 Moorhen, and the small lake had 2 Canada Geese, I still hope to see a Kingfisher around these lakes before the months end.

Half an hour in the scrubby wood, and the regular birds were noted, but only in one's and two's - COAL TIT, TREECREEPER, GOLDCREST, LONG TAILED TIT and NUTHATCH were the pick of these, the Redwing that were here, foraging through the leaves yesterday had moved off. On one of my frequent glances at the sky, I saw two CORMORANT go low over, but they didn't show any interest in the water.

As yesterday, I paid a visit to the Pub Field and Migrant Alley, the former had at least 30 FIELDFARE on the maize stubble, with 3 REDWING and a JAY, while Migrant Alley had much the same as yesterday, WOODPIGEONS, ROOKS, and JACKDAWS, the Yellowhammers were not seen today, a dog walker saw them off before I got to where they normally feed, but the BLACK HEADED GULLS had returned to the sheep pasture after their absence yesterday, 124 were seen, with more occasionally dropping in.

Still no sign of a Grey Heron or Meadow Pipit, those two species along with the Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher are the most likely to be added to the Feb list,these would take it to 59 if they turn up, which happens to be the mean species total for the past 9 February's of recording.

I just had enough light later this afternoon to capture this GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER at my garden feeders, where I also saw the MARSH TIT, with it's distinct white primary feather, i've noticed this feather go from grey to white over the winter months :-)