Pittswood Birds

Dense fog was an annoyance first thing this morning, but by 09:00 it had dispersed, leaving some good sunny spells before showers set in for the afternoon.

In just over four hours this morning, I recorded a very good total of 49 species, a good mix too, as is expected at this time of year with both the winter and summer birds moving through. Of the winter birds, a small flock of REDWING was seen, and heard to give some song as they sat in dense shrubs at the College Grounds, also here were two LESSER REDPOLL feeding in a Larch tree. Another winter species ( for my patch) flew over Migrant Alley, the MEADOW PIPIT, a flock of five went through heading NW. Later in the walk I was back at Migrant Alley and had the excitement of watching no fewer than 8 COMMON BUZZARDS soaring above me, some displayed and some locked talons, a brilliant sight! KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK also put in an appearance as I watched the skies, plus the LITTLE OWL pair in the Greenhouse copse was heard to call to each other.

Over at the lakes this morning there was quite a bit of activity too, with 23 CANADA GEESE, with the feral BARNACLE GOOSE, 8 drake MALLARD, 6 MOORHEN, the pair of of COOTS as well as the pair of MANDARIN DUCK that have been here for the past 3 days now.

There were now 4 singing CHIFFCHAFFS on patch, two at the Scrubby Woods, one at the College Grounds, and one in the wooded headland at the northern end of Migrant Alley, but no other summer migrants have arrived yet.
I had lots to point the camera at today, with the following results, hope you've got some time on your hands!

Common Buzzard

Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Mandarin Duck

JACKDAW

STARLING

Starling

PHEASANT

Pheasant

SONGTHRUSH

BLACKBIRD Bathing

More of Blackbird bathing

One more Blackbird bathing  :-)