Pittswood Birds

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!

After yet more overnight rain, Christmas day came in with intermittent showers and the odd blue patch of sky, although these didn't coincide with the suns position until after my 3 and a half hour full patch walk!

Although no Christmas presents were to be found on my patch this morning, either in the form of a 'year' or 'month' tick  ( Despite being promised one by a fellow blogger!) it was still enjoyable. An about par total, for a December day, of 42 species was found, with the lakes being of more interest than of late. Here, the MUTE SWAN pair were still present, (it will be a bonus if they can be added to the new year list), with them were half a dozen MALLARD, a scattering of MOORHENS, a GREY HERON, plus the BARNACLE GOOSE with two CANADA GEESE.

All the scarcer woodland species were encountered in the Scrubby Woods, they being NUTHATCH, TREECREEPER, COAL TIT, LONG TAILED TIT, GOLDCREST and BULLFINCH, plus the likes of GREAT SPOTTED and GREEN WOODPECKERS, a STOCK DOVE was also seen, the first for a couple of weeks.

The Ashes Lane Field was empty but for a few MAGPIES, although the old shack there had the LITTLE OWL showing well again. The Pub Field was holding plenty of large puddles, and looked good for something to be out there amongst the maize stubbles, but it was completely devoid of birds  :-(

Over at Migrant Alley yesterdays gull flock had gone, but three species of gull flew over, those being HERRING, BLACK HEADED and LESSER BLACK BACKED, the STARLING flock was still present as was the ROOK and JACKDAW flock, but the hoped for Lapwing sighting wasn't forthcoming, still time yet to encounter this species for the months list.

The Greenhouse Grounds and Copse were quite busy, with a dozen DUNNOCKS foraging in the undergrowth, SONGTHRUSH, BLACKBIRD, GOLDFINCH, CHAFFINCH, plenty of BLUE and GREAT TITS, plus the male KESTREL were all seen, 5 MEADOW PIPITS were a nice sight as they fed in the skeletal remains of the poly tunnels.

A very average walk today, but as I said, an enjoyable one, undertaken in near peace and quite for once!

Whilst waiting for my very patient and lovely wife to sort out the Christmas lunch, ( which was delicious!) I snuck off up to my upstairs ''bird obsevatory'' to take some photo's of the usual suspects that use my garden feeders, as by now the sun had found some of those blue bits  :-)

There were 3 of these Great Spotted Woodpeckers

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Up to 15 Blue Tits

plus 2 Nuthatch