Pittswood Birds

The strong, blustery, cold NW wind made for a difficult visit, add to that the grey skies and spits of rain, it was unsurprising that nothing new was added to the March list. At least I know for sure there will be better days ahead during this month than today!!

A mixed flock of GOLDFINCH, CHAFFINCH, and GREENFINCH, numbering around 40 - 50 strong were observed feeding in the Alpaca enclosure at the Small Holding, they were unsuccessfully scanned through for the first Brambling of the year, if I don't get this winter species within the next few weeks, there is a chance of not getting one at all this year, as they are seldom seen in the pre-christmas winter months, that would knock my chances of reaching my target of 109 patch species for 2012. Anyway, with all these finch's were 7 REDWING, a GOLDCREST, a PIED WAGTAIL and a ROBIN, a little further on and 4 GREEN WOODPECKERS were seen in an adjacent large lawned garden.

That was the most activity I had this afternoon, a flock of SISKIN, maybe 6-8 birds, fed in an Alder tree in the Wet Woods, while at the lakes, the two COOTS were present, with a CORMORANT and 8 CANADA GEESE, 4 MALLARD were seen, all males, suggesting the females may be on eggs nearby ? The adjacent Scrubby Woods had some calling BULLFINCH, but they were barely audible against the sound of the roaring wind.

I had just a 20 minute sky watch at Migrant Alley, ( that's all I could take of that cold wind, at my exposed lookout seat!!) I only noted BLACK HEADED GULLS, and a SPARROWHAWK, but fleeting glimpse of a raptor disappearing behind the tree line, was probably a Peregrine, I didn't get enough of a look at it to confirm, a shame, as it would have joined the months list.

Another, or the same Sparrowhawk plagued the feeders back at home, making for an empty garden most of the time, just BLUE and GREAT TITS came in, and a couple of daring GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS, now I know why all the finch's were hiding out over at the nearby Small Holding!!   :-)