Pittswood Birds

All change with the weather again for todays full patch walk, it was grey and overcast with a chill wind, keeping many species quiet, such as Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat and Turtle Dove. Seven fewer species were seen than yesterday in the mornings count of 45, but I did record TREECREEPER, LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL and HOUSE MARTIN, all species that weren't seen yesterday, making for a weekend total of 55 species.

One more species joined the 'confirmed successfully breeding' list for the spring, when nine CANADA GEESE goslings were seen on the lakes. The Scrubby Woods were much quieter in the cooler, duller conditions, but some song was heard by the stalwart species, BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF, CHAFFINCH, ROBIN, WREN, DUNNOCK, SONGTHRUSH, and BLACKBIRD being they  :-)

Fewer SWIFTS were seen going over today, just 6 were noticed, other flyovers included GREY HERON, HERRING GULL, plus the already mentioned Lesser Black Backed Gull, and House Martins, of which a tight flock of 8 moved through headed west. Just SPARROWHAWK and KESTREL showed for the Raptors, however, 2 COMMON BUZZARDS were recorded this afternoon as I sat in my garden eating lunch in some much warmer conditions - apparently a sign of things to come this week, so I could see a few more new species of Butterflies emerging  ;-)

The camera stayed at home today, it being so dull, so here's the rest of yesterdays efforts, and quite a few there are    :-)

Blackcap

Blackcap

SWALLOW

Grass Snake - not a good shot, but this is the only angle I could get on it without disturbing it. ( note the Ladybird!)

Holly Blue Female

Holly Blue Female

Holly Blue Female

Large White

Orange Tip Female

Mother Shipton moth - my first this year  :-)