Pittswood Birds

No sign yet of any more early spring migrants arriving here today, only the CHIFFCHAFFS having arrived so far, of which 3 were found in the Scrubby woods, and 1 in the Greenhouse Grounds.

Departing winter migrants were just as scarce, with just 3 flyover REDWINGS, a couple of MEADOW PIPITS over Migrant Alley, and a flyover SISKIN, ( another four were at my garden feeders, where the LESSER REDPOLL was also seen.)

The rest of my 3 hour visit was spent recording my usual fare, the BARNACLE GOOSE had returned to the lakes, where there were now 6 CANADA GEESE with the MUTE SWAN and COOT pair, plus a scattering of MALLARD and MOORHEN.

The Wet Woods had some interest today, with 2 pairs of MANDARIN DUCK seen on the pools of water, I also found the first Mallard ducklings of the year there, the second species to join the 2014 ''successfully bred'' list already  :-)

Fledgling Mallard

Mallard joins Woodpigeon on the 2014 ''successfully bred'' list

LITTLE OWLS were seen at the Greenhouse Copse and the old shack in the Ashes Lane Field, plus two were also heard calling from the Small Holding.

A skywatch at migrant Alley wasn't too productive, but sitting in the frequent sunny spells, out of the gusty wind was pleasant enough, and did produce the three raptors species that can be seen here on an almost daily basis, those being KESTREL, SPARROWHAWK and COMMON BUZZARD. Three Gull species were also seen, LESSER BLACK BACKED, HERRING and BLACK HEADED GULL, plus a YELLOWHAMMER flew over calling.

SKYLARKS were up singing around the Greenhouse Grounds, where a couple of LINNETS were seen, along with 3 PIED WAGTAILS, I also saw a GREENFINCH fly into a conifer with nesting material. Plenty of DUNNOCKS, WRENS, ROBINS, BLACKBIRDS and a couple of SONGTHRUSH were also about as usual.

Wren at the Greenhouse Grounds.

No time this afternoon for any garden bird photo's, but here's a few images from previous afternoons.

STARLING

.

BLUE TIT

.

CHAFFINCH