Pittswood Birds

Whilst watching the Fox in my garden last evening, I noticed a LESSER BLACKED BACKED GULL (53) flying over, just squeezed that in for the months list :-)

Two more species went on that list this morning as I walked into work, a CUCKOO (54) that flew over Migrant Alley, and a MISTLE THRUSH (55) that flew over the College Grounds. The walk home was equally as productive for me, two more species turned up in the College Grounds, the SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (56) and more surprisingly a singing LESSER WHITETHROAT (57) I haven't heard one singing since the 14th May.

That quartet just about brings the expected species for june to a end, just Greylag Goose, yellowhammer, and flyovers by Hobby or Cormorant can be expected with any confidence. So I walked over to the lakes this afternoon in the hope of finding the Greylag, no luck though, in fact it was really quiet in the warm sunshine, just 2 MALLARDS, 2 MOORHEN and a COOT were on the water. The Scrubby Woods had a bit of birdsong to listen to, BLACKBIRD, CHAFFINCH, ROBIN, CHIFFCHAFF, BLACKCAP and a bit later a Cuckoo all sang, no new breeding species were noted today.

With the warm sunshine I turned my attention to Butterflies, checking the Oaks for an early Puple Hairstreak, but it was a poor visit for flutters too! Maybe we are in between broods :-) I only saw Large and Small Whites plus Speckled Wood, and a Large Skipper. Of the Odenata, Common Blue, Azure Blue,
Large Red and White Legged Damselflies were noted as well as my first Black Tailed Skimmer of the year, an immature one.

I took the photo of the above male HOUSE SPARROW whilst eating lunch - it looked better in real life :-)

Below are a couple of Great Tit photo's. These Juv's were in the Tree Nursery

Above and below is the Imm. Black tailed Skimmer, also found in the Tree Nursery.

Lastly a pair of mating Large Red Damselflies