Pittswood Birds

There were some hefty, squally showers to negotiate this morning, meaning a lot of my visit was spent sheltering under trees!

No surprise then, that a poor bird species tally of just 37 was noted, but a couple of those were well worth getting a wet collar for  :-)

In a brief, dry interlude, I had a skywatch from my seat at Migrant Alley and during the 20 minute vigil I was well pleased to add LESSER REDPOLL (73) to the October list, a single bird went over, giving its tell tell, harsh, double noted call, even more pleasing was seeing two MEDITERRANEAN GULLS (74) go past in amongst 7 BLACK HEADED GULLS, that takes the October species list to 74, making it the joint second best October so far  :-)

MEADOW PIPITS and SKYLARKS also featured in my skywatch, as did a flock of 6 REDWING, but the only other thrush species seen today was the BLACKBIRD. The KESTREL pair were again seen in the nearby Greenhouse Grounds, with the flock of 20 ish GOLDFINCH in the Alders there.

Not much else of note was recorded, the lakes provided good views of the KINGFISHER again, and 4 of the MANDARIN DUCK were seen, but I suspect more were hiding up, a CORMORANT came down briefly before flying off again.

Unsurprisingly, not a single photo was taken this morning, and my attempt at garden bird photography this afternoon was thwarted by some heavy rain  :-(  More rain is forecast for tomorrow morning, so I may not be getting out early  :-(