Pittswood Birds

It took ages for it to get light this morning, in fact it never really did,  thick cloud hung around all day, and a light rain fell at times. The excitement of yesterdays patch ticks wasn't repeated today in any way, in fact it was a pretty normal 4 hour patch walk, with 42 species being found, but Greenfinch and Nuthatch weren't among them, these are normally regular sightings.

The highlights were few today, but the first FIELDFARE for a week were a welcome sight, as 22 were seen to drop down into the top of a tree by the Pub Field, a few LESSER REDPOLL were heard flying over as I walked around the College Grounds, where six SISKIN were seen feeding in their favourite tree species, the Alder  :-) Walking back over Migrant Alley, a YELLOWHAMMER was seen, and four MEADOW PIPITS got up from the Sheep pasture, overhead a flock of 11 SKYLARKS flew NW, but just two LINNETS were seen in the Greenhouse Complex, most seem to have moved off elsewhere now.

Over at the lakes and Scrubby Woods, it was dull and dark, with only 4 MALLARD, 6 MOORHEN and the fishing GREY HERON to be seen on the water, I didn't expect much here today, as last nights fireworks would have flushed any ducks off the lakes! I recorded the regular species, the best being TREECREEPER, GOLDCREST, LONG TAILED TIT, COAL TIT, and BULLFINCH, but that was as good as it got here.

Walking along the western end of Ashes lane, I looked over the field of seedling wheat, adding BLACK HEADED and HERRING GULL to the list, but there was also a COMMON GULL out there too, next to this field is a set aside field, planted with a crop for wildlife, nothing was in there today, but it has promise for late winter :-)

The only raptor seen on my walk was the KESTREL, but a SPARROWHAWK was at my garden feeders this afternoon, successfully catching a GOLDFINCH, and the missing GREENFINCH'S and NUTHATCH'S were also seen, making up the day list to 45.....an average day, but i'll except that after the great excitement of yesterday!   No photo's today - just too dark!!