Pittswood Birds

Bluebells from the Wet Woods

Early sunshine gave way to high cloud by 10:00hrs, but it remained a warm and settled day throughout for my 5 hour visit today. A few nice bits and pieces were about on my patch, the first of note, seen as I made my way over to the College Grounds first thing, was a LESSER WHITETHROAT (59) heard singing from the Wooded headland at Migrant Alley, the first recorded this month, lets hope it stays to attract a mate.

The early visit to the College Grounds didn't give me the Spotted Flycatcher I was looking for, but a whole host of regulars turned out including, BULLFINCH, COAL TIT, GOLDREST, PIED WAGTAIL, LINNET, CHIFFCHAFF, BLACKCAP,  MISTLE THRUSH and GREEN WOODPECKER.

Walking back the way I'd came, across Migrant Alley, a YELLOW WAGTAIL was heard calling as it flew over, I just about picked it out against the blue sky, the first of two that were recorded going over today.

In the Scrubby Woods today I was at last rewarded for my persistence when I heard my first TURTLE DOVE (94,60) of the year singing, I tracked it down to an over head power cable, and had good views through my bins  :-)  I used to record up to 10 pairs here a decade ago, when the noise of their massed ''purring'' was quite something to hear!  Although this year they have turned up two days earlier than last, the Turtle Doves are 13 days later than the 12 year Median average date, and are the second latest recorded in that 12 years.

Over on the adjacent lakes, I got to see two well grown young COOTS being fed by both parents, but apart from that there were 8 CANADA GEESE, 2 GREYLAG GEESE ( one still incubating), two male MALLARDS and the feral BARNACLE GOOSE.

My mid morning sky watch, from my favoured seat at Migrant Alley, was notable for a pair of MUTE SWANS that flew over, my third sighting of this species this month, normally that would be my yearly quota  :-)  BUZZARD, KESTREL, HERRING GULL, SKYLARK, another Yellow Wagtail, and a calling LITTLE OWL from over at the Greenhouse Copse were the best of the rest, making for a days tally of 49 species.

Not much action for the camera today, birds were not co-operating, and the Butterflies not stopping, but I did get to photograph this Large Red Damselfly from my garden  :-)

Fresh Large Red Damselfly