Pittswood Birds

It stayed mostly cloudy for todays 5 hour full patch walk, a NW wind made it feel chilly, but at least it stayed dry whilst I was out.

Most of what could be expected turned out today, 49 species wasn't a bad return, just the Bullfinch was missed out of the regular birds normally seen. Three Gull species were noted, 4 of those were LESSER BLACK BACKED that fed on the pasture at Migrant Alley, along with 5 HERRING GULLS, a group of 6 BLACK HEADED GULLS flew over the sheep pasture there.

Of the summer arrivals it was good to find two WHITETHROATS, one in the Wooded Headland at the north end of the paddocks, with the other in a small patch of bramble on the edge of the College sports pitch. CHIFFCHAFFS were spread widely over most of the patch habitat, but a singing WILLOW WARBLER over at the lake side was more enjoyable to listen to. BLACKCAPS have increased from just 2 birds in the Scrubby Woods to at least 8 now. The only other summer birds noted today were the SWALLOWS, 6 were at the College Stables with 4 at the private stables opposite my house, alas, still no Cuckoo's  :-(

I checked up on the LONG TAILED TITS nest along Ashes lane, which is now almost finished, the other two nests I'm keeping an eye on were empty, but probably not abandoned just yet, they are the MISTLETHRUSH at the College Grounds and the CHAFFINCH in the wrecked hedgerow running along the Wooded Headland.

Other bits of note this morning were singing TREECREEPER in the Wet Woods, where a NUTHATCH called, and a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER drummed. The COOTS on the Lake have 5 of their six young still going, and the feral BARNACLE GOOSE was seen in the sheep pasture next to the Tree Nursery, keeping company with two CANADA GEESE. Flyovers were few, but notable were a pair of GREY HERONS and a SPARROWHAWK, the only other raptors today were the KESTREL pair hunting at the Greenhouse Grounds, where I am informed they are nesting in a box provided for them - i'll have to investigate that further!

Nothing much for the camera today - just a few garden bird images, taken this afternoon whilst I was waiting for a workman to fit our water meter  :-)

Tomorrow we are promised some sunshine, but will it be windless and warm ? 

DUNNOCK

GREENFINCH

Chaffinch