Pittswood Birds

Low cloud, mist and drizzle accompanied me throughout my patch visit early this morning, which had a few highlights recorded.

Many of the summer bird species have departed my patch now, but a few CHIFFCHAFFS were found, with 4 in the Greenhouse Grounds, 2 in the Greenhouse Copse, another 2 in the Wooded Headland at Migrant Alley, and two more in both the Wet Woods and Scrubby Woods. The only other Warbler found was a single BLACKCAP at the Greenhouse Grounds.

Three other summer species were noted today, the SWALLOWS, of which two dozen fed over Migrant Alley along with small parties of HOUSE MARTIN that passed through from time to time, and a bit more exciting, a HOBBY, the third recorded on consecutive days, I may well get a few more sightings of Hobby yet, with their 12 year median average last sighting date being the 27th September.

The highlight of the 3 hour visit this morning was watching a SNIPE (68) fly low over Migrant Alley, calling all the while, these are very scarce birds here unless there is snow on the ground, so its good to have one on the September list  :-)

Other noteworthy species seen today were NUTHATCH, TREECREEPER, COAL TIT, GOLDCREST, BULLFINCH and a troop of LONG TAILED TITS all seen in both the Wet Woods and Scrubby Woods. LESSER BLACK BACKED, HERRING and BLACK HEADED GULLS all flew over, as did a few MEADOW PIPITS, but only one alighted at Migrant Alley, before being flushed up again by a dog walker  :-(

The cloud lifted a little towards noon, and some bright spells were had, which enticed me out to the Greenhouse Grounds to look for Dragonflies, I wasn't very confident in finding any, but to my delight I found at least 3 Migrant Hawkers, which gave me some photo chances, just a pity the cloud rolled in again!

Mating Migrant Hawkers

The Male Of the pair

The Female of the pair

Migrant Hawker in flight

Migrant Hawker in flight

Migrant Hawker in flight