Pittswood Birds

Two hours were spent out this morning, but some very poor light, a blustery wind and drizzly rain, made for a miserable visit  :-(

Most of my time was spent around the Lakes and Scrubby Woods, the 3 lakes had a slight increase in MALLARDS, from yesterdays 29, to 32 today, no ''proper' ducks had joined them though! The MUTE SWANS were still around, and the CANADA GEESE that arrived here yesterday were also still about, as was the GREY HERON that had left its fir tree perch and was now on an island on the Small lake. There was no sign of the Kingfisher this morning or any Mandarin Ducks.

In the Scrubby Woods I was fortunate enough to encounter the LONG TAILED TIT flock, which filtered past me as I stood and watched, with them were COAL TIT, TREECREEPER, NUTHATCH, GOLDCREST, BLUE TIT and GREAT TIT. BULLFINCH, JAY, MISTLETHRUSH, SISKIN, GREAT SPOTTED and GREEN WOODPECKER were all heard but not seen. As I left the area 2 CORMORANTS flew low over, but didn't alight on any of the lakes.

As I crossed the Ashes lane Field the strong wind broke up the light rain into a fine spray, which blew into my face and down my neck, oh how I love December! BLACK HEADEd and HERRING GULLS were noted going over, and 2 MEADOW PIPITS flew up, but I didn't stay out in the open long, instead I headed for the more sheltered Greenhouse Grounds, here I located the usual suspects, lots of DUNNOCKS, a few BLACKBIRDS, ROBINS and WRENS, a small flock of GOLDFINCH feeding in the Alder Trees, and a couple of SONGTHRUSH.

After an unsuccessful sky watch - hoping for a Lapwing or Lesser Black back Gull to fly over, I soon gave up for the day, and headed home for some more decorating - very sad!