Pittswood Birds

It wasn't quite as hot and sunny for this afternoons patch visit, but warm enough for some Butterflies in the sunnier periods. I split my time this afternoon between the Tree Nursery whilst the sun was out, and sky watching at Migrant Alley when it went in again  :-)

Four raptor species were recorded during the sky watch, BUZZARD, SPARROWHAWK, KESTREL and a HOBBY, but the one I wanted, the Peregrine wasn't seen, I haven't added it to the months list yet, frustrating, as it was on the scaffolding around the village tower this morning when I passed on the way to work. Two Gull species went over - LESSER BLACK BACKED and HERRING GULL, and plenty of SWIFTS and SWALLOWS were hawking for insects, it was nice to see a party of six HOUSE MARTINS with them at one point. Out on the sheep pasture 19 GREYLAG GEESE were grazing, there were a mix of 76 Greylag and CANADA GEESE there this morning, plus the feral BARNACLE GOOSE. The paddocks had a mix flock of GOLDFINCH and LINNET, the ever present WOODPIGEONS and Corvids were also there, plus three STOCK DOVES dropped in with them for a short time.

Back in the Tree Nursery, birds were few, just the GREEN WOODPECKER and WHITETHROAT of note, so I chased a few butterflies about for some photo's :-

The Male Common Blue's were found first

Male Common Blue

Also this Female Common Blue

Female Common Blue

It didn't take long before the first Brown Argus was spotted

Then a pair were found mating

The pair in the previous photo were joined by another, but didn't get a look in  :-)

Just one Small Copper was found today

On the way home, this recently fledged MAGPIE was seen in a large garden