Pittswood Birds

Walking home from work this afternoon I narrowly avoided a soaking from a hefty downpour, just getting home in time. The weather didn't look too good as I ate lunch, a strong gusty wind blew and the sky was dark, but having finished lunch I decided I would go out anyway, albeit without the camera again.

I walked over to my seat at Migrant Alley for a sky watching session, at least here I was near to cover if the rain came again, but it never did, I saw big shower clouds pass to the east and west of me, but never did they come directly over - a bit of luck! Alas, that was the only luck for me on my skywatching session, I sat for two hours in a blustery, but warm wind, not getting to see my target species, a Hobby, or a possible Migrant Sand martin.

I did see three species of Gull though, LESSER BLACK BACKED, HERRING, and BLACK HEADED, all looking spectacular against the dark clouds as some weak sunshine showed them off. The whole time I was there, SWIFTS were in the sky, some were local, but others were no doubt migrants, all heading SW, seems like they've only been here a few weeks. The CHIFFCHAFF behind me in the Tall Hedge was another reminder of the progressing year, it had changed its tune from 'Chiff-chaff'' to 'Hu-itt', but at least the SWALLOWS were here to stay for a few months yet, at least a dozen fed over the sheep pasture, they will get another brood in before departing in October.

Not much else was seen, STOCK DOVES, WOOD PIGEONS, a mixture of Corvids, and one each of SPARROWHAWK and KESTREL, it was nice to see a resplendent male YELLOWHAMMER come bounding over, and alight in the Tall hedge, not seen many of these in the last few months.

Same again tomorrow!!!