Pittswood Birds

I didn't get out for a patch visit until 10:00hrs today, as I had to wait in for a parcel pick up, by that time of course bird activity had declined, and the local dog walkers would have flushed up anything interesting.

I spent 3 hours out though, a lot of that time was occupied by me watching the BUZZARDS, three were overhead locally, but there always seemed to be another on any distant horizon, what an excellent return to our countryside they have made  :-)  A few BLACK HEADED and HERRING GULLS were also noted in the sky, but generally it was devoid of birds.

I visited the lakes briefly, and found the third COOT had returned, it was on the small lake, along with the feral BARNACLE GOOSE and 12 CANADA GEESE. The MUTE SWAN pair were with the pair of Coot on the ornamental lake, but the main lake was empty, except for a pair of MOORHEN not one Mallard was there today! The tall trees around the banks of the main lake had a small number of both REDWING and FIELDFARE in them, I don't think I will be recording these winter thrushes much longer, an early exit back north is on the cards this year I reckon.

A walk across the Pub Field, normally an empty field, had some interest today, as at least 20 STOCK DOVES flew from it, a big number for here, normally they turn up in ones and two's. A circuit of Migrant Alley was also made, where I got in some practice at scanning the fence posts, ready for a possible migrant visitor, to early yet though, just the ROOKS, JACKDAWS and WOODPIGEONS were seen, a couple of MEADOW PIPITS got up from the sheep pasture, as did a couple of SKYLARKS, other than that it was all very quiet birdwise.

I've still got a few photo's from the 'blog folder' - just as well, as I didn't get anything performing for the camera today.

GREENFINCH

CHAFFINCH

SISKIN

Siskin

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER