Pittswood Birds

A quick update for yesterday - An evening visit to Migrant Alley didn't turn up any migrant species, but a YELLOWHAMMER (65) was seen, the first this month, that is a sad reflection on the state of this birds status now. Also of note a SWIFT was seen, they are few and far between now.

Blue skies and just a light southerly wind greeted me for this mornings full patch walk, in which an excellent 50 species were recorded in the six hour visit, this was despite not finding Long Tailed Tit, Mistle Thrush or Kestrel.

Some interesting species ( for my patch) did turn up though, early on the second WHINCHAT (66) of the Autumn was found at Migrant Alley, where a little later 2 SAND MARTIN (67) flew over. At least 2 SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS were seen in the College Grounds, as well as CHIFFCHAFF, WHITETHROAT and BLACKCAP, the latter are getting hard to find now, and it's mostly females and young birds that are being recorded. Of the residents species there, COAL TIT, GOLDCREST, TREECREEPER and BULLFINCH were noteworthy.

The Greenhouse Grounds and the Copse behind them were a bit more lively this morning, with more Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Treecreeper, and NUTHATCH found, but the Redstart seems to have moved on. Fewer gulls were about, but still small groups flew over the Greenhouses to the adjacent harrowed field, mostly HERRING GULLS but at least 5 LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS and two BLACK HEADED GULLS were also seen.

Walking to the Tree Nursery large skeins of GREYLAG and CANADA GEESE flew noisily overhead, at least 200 in all split 50 / 50 i'd say. A TURTLE DOVE also flew speedily across the sky, and a few minutes later I once again had the pleasure of watching both the PEREGRINES up hunting. A check of the shrubs and bushes here didn't turn up the sought after Sedge Warbler, just more Whitethroats, and the more easily found WRENS, DUNNOCKS, ROBINS, BLACKBIRDS and SONGTHRUSH.

On the lakes today there was only a single Canada Goose, and 8 MALLARD, along with a couple of MOORHENS, a GREY HERON dropped in whist I was there, the final bird on the list today. Once again today the Scrubby Woods was very quiet, I was hoping to find a mixed feeding flock, or Garden Warbler, but they were not here today.

The additions to the months list, take it to 67 now, it's taken just 10 days to beat the 65 species found in July, but i'm still a long way off the record August total of 78 seen last year, that looks pretty secure I think, despite me finding Redstart and Green Sandpiper that didn't get found last August.

Photo's today are once again of the Spotted Flycatcher, got to get them whilst they're still here :-) and below that, a photo of the Whinchat, a brilliant little bird for any patch!