Pittswood Birds

Yet another dull and gloomy summers morning, with a cool wind thrown in  to dampen the spirits. I did the usual early morning walk over to the College grounds, not finding an awful lot on the way, a singing BLACKCAP was heard at the Greenhouse Grounds, where a KESTREL sat on the roof of one of the greenhouses. Another Blackcap sang from a large garden adjacent to Migrant Alley, and on the paddocks there, 11 GREYLAG GEESE and 14 CANADA GEESE were grazing, while on the sheep pasture at least 125 ROOKS were feeding, at least a quarter of those were young ones.

Arriving at the College Grounds I was straight away greeted by the calls of - at last- a SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (97,68) a quick look through the foliage of an Oak tree soon revealed it, before it quickly flew off further into the Grounds, where I came across it a few minutes later, but no photo was obtained, as the light was so dull and dismal I left the camera at home. Lets hope between now and September that we get a sunny morning to grab some images of the Spotfly  :-)

Looking at my stats for Spotted Flycatcher reveals just how late this spring is, todays arrival is 10 days later than the 12 year Median average arrival date, and 6 days later than the previous latest date!

On my way back across Migrant Alley, I stopped for a half hour sky watch from my seat, the highlight of that was seeing a PEREGRINE fly across to the tower in the village, with a large item of prey, a SPARROWHAWK was also seen up high.

A check of the Lakes and Scrubby Woods was quite a poor affair, 14 Canada Geese were on the Water, with 8 GREYLAG GEESE and a single drake MALLARD. The COOT pair were on their own lake, feeding their 3 young, and 2 pairs of MOORHENS were skulking around the lake edges.

In the Scrubby Woods, fewer CHIFFCHAFF and Blackcaps are singing, a COAL TIT also sang, as did a GOLDCREST or two and both GREEN and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS were seen. I watched a pair of BULLFINCH feeding quietly in an old dying apple tree, easily the best looking birds seen today  ;-)

A surprise for the day was waiting as I got home, I reached my front garden and heard a TURTLE DOVE singing loudly from a large poplar tree 30m out in the field opposite my house, it's been a few years since I heard this species from my garden! Also this afternoon, the first newly fledged STARLING was seen with its parents at my feeders, 10 days later than last years first record, and 6 days later than 2011.

Down to the last few photo's in the blog photo folder now, at this time of year it should be crammed full! Just the rest of the Great Spotted Woodpecker and Starlings left. :-(

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Starling

Starling