Pittswood Birds

Clear blue skies and warm temperatures right from the off today for my full patch walk, a stiff northerly breeze made it feel comfortable, but difficult to photograph the insects, not that there were many about today for some reason, this Beautiful Damoiselle was out before 07:00hrs though.

Immature Beautiful Demoiselle

The majority of the six hours I spent out today was spent looking for bird activity, and although a good total of 48 species was recorded, it was a bit disappointing not to add any species to the months list, being that for the last ten years May has produced a combined total of 91 species. It was also disappointing not to have recorded a Turtle Dove, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Nuthatch, Long Tailed Tit, or Coal Tit all of which are out there hiding up, todays species list could well have been in the mid fifties  :-)

The best of what was recorded though probably goes to the SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS, two males were calling in the College Grounds. Earlier in the walk I again encountered the Geese on the sheep pasture at Migrant Alley, 26 GREYLAGS, 16 CANADA, and the feral BARNACLE GOOSE were present, overhead the only SKYLARK of the morning was heard singing as it drifted over my patch - a species that no longer breeds here due to the constant mowing regime of the college equine centre and the over grazing by sheep.

Successful breeding was confirmed by two more species though, the first new fledged BLUE TITS were seen being fed in the Wet Woods, and a MAGPIE was being fed by both parents in the Scrubby Woods, these bring the total to 17 species. A female CUCKOO gave a call whilst I was in the Scrubby Woods, but despite the fine weather not much singing was occurring, BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF, SONGTHRUSH, BLACKBIRD, ROBIN, CHAFFINCH and GOLDCREST were the main stars.

Flyovers were nearly none existent today, only the local birds were moving about, these included SWIFTS, SWALLOWS, a BUZZARD, a SPARROWHAWK two KESTRELS, which showed some interest in the nest box, have they bred I wonder ?  Also a few HERRING GULLS went over, but again it was disappointing not to have House Martins on list this morning, their last strong hold on the College buildings having been lost due to refurbishment work, you'd think a land based college would have thought about putting up nest boxes  :-(

Other notables :- The COOTS are doing well on the Lakes with their two offspring, the WHITETHROATS in the Tree Nursery are carrying food to nestlings, and a nice flock of LINNETS are on the paddocks at Migrant Alley, at least 40 were seen this morning.
Given the excellent light today, you'd think I would have got some bird photo's, but I failed entirely, despite spending ages waiting for the Spotted Flycatchers to come down from their high song posts, some mornings go like that though. All I can offer are these, better luck maybe tomorrow  :-)

Immature White Legged Damselfly

Brown Argus