Pittswood Birds

A classic September morning, still, misty and warm, greeted me today, a lovely morning to be out early  :-)

I noted a few bits a pieces around today, with 8 CHIFFCHAFF spread around my patch, the only BLACKCAP was seen as I walked the edge of the Maize crop in the Pub Field, where it was also a nice surprise to find a LESSER WHITETHROAT. At Least a dozen SAND MARTINS passed quite low over the Ashes lane Field, where in the nearby old shack the LITTLE OWL was seen again. The only SWALLOWS seen today were over the sheep pasture at Migrant Alley, 15-20 HOUSE MARTINS were also seen over Migrant Alley, along with a few MEADOW PIPITS and the flock of around 70 LINNETS.

The fisherman had at last gone from the small lake, allowing some birds to visit the other two lakes, these included a KINGFISHER, a CANADA GOOSE and two MANDARIN DUCKS on the main lake, while the ornamental lake had an increase in MALLARDS - nine were present, plus the usual COOT, MUTE SWAN family and MOORHENS.

A pair of SPARROWHAWKS circled over the Scrubby Woods, but little was seen here today, the best being a family party of BULLFINCH, a singing COAL TIT and a pair of GOLDCRESTS.

 My ''sky watching'' seat at Migrant Alley, looking from the Greenhouse Grounds

A mid morning sky watch from the above position was had, whilst there I saw a group of 6 BUZZARDS soaring to the west ( left as you look at my seat) another single Buzzard was seen going low directly over, plus the KESTREL pair were observed hunting over the Greenhouse Grounds. Three SKYLARKS flew SE calling as they went, but apart from a couple of HERRING GULLS and the local PIED WAGTAILS, plus a few more calling Meadow Pipits, it was a quiet sky today.

Later in the afternoon I tried to get some ''in flight'' Migrant Hawker Dragonfly shots at the Greenhouse Grounds. I got one acceptable image, but I'll need to try harder I think  :-)

Migrant Hawker Dragonfly