Pittswood Birds

The long run of fine summery weather came to an abrupt end today, showers and longer spells of rain were had throughout the day, allowing only a couple of short and camera-less patch visits.

It wasn't all doom and gloom though, as my first short visit to the greenhouse Grounds and Migrant Alley brought me the reward of a LESSER WHITETHROAT (65), the first this month, but it could also quite possibly be the last of the year. The 12 year median last sighting date for Lesser Whitethroat is in fact todays date, the 9th September, however, the latest ever sighting is the 25th September, so I might just see another  :-)

Up to 4 CHIFFCHAFF were seen around the Greenhouse Grounds, but the only other summer birds seen were the dozen or so SWALLOWS and  half dozen HOUSE MARTINS that fed low over the sheep pasture at Migrant Alley.

A very brief look over at the lakes wasn't worth getting wet for really, just a few MOORHEN and MALLARD were seen, however, hearing a BLACKCAP giving some quiet subsong on the edge of the Scrubby Woods was cheering  :-)

On the wet walk home I noted 2 GREY HERONS and  CORMORANT flyover.

On a subsequent afternoon visit, in a short lived dry spell, I again looked over Migrant Alley, and this time I found at least 4 SAND MARTIN (66) had joined the Swallows and House Martins feeding over the sheep pasture, again, this could possibly be the last Sand Martin record of the year, their 12 year median last sighting date is the 18th September. Below the feeding hirundines a large flock of STARLINGS at least 600 strong were picking over the pasture.

A couple of small skeins of GREYLAG GEESE flew over, and the KESTREL was seen hunting, then just as I left for home, a YELLOW WAGTAIL was heard, then watched as it flew south. As the rain came down heavier, I hurried home, but not before seeing a COMMON WHITETHROAT in the hedge along Ashes lane, another summer bird that I might have seen the last of for the year.

The two additions for the month list today, bring it to 66, making it the seventh best September tally out of twelve thus far, but i'll need another 5 new species this month to move up that list!

The last photo's in my blog folder are these, nothing left after that, lets hope the sun comes back!

Starling, from my garden

GREENFINCH'S at my garden feeding station, ( the red on their bills is Elderberry juice!)