Pittswood Birds

Early rain and a busy Sunday schedule meant that only another short patch visit was possible today, just 90 minutes were spent out, in which I walked the Greenhouse Grounds, part of Migrant Alley and the ashes Lane Field.

The rain ceased around 9:00hrs, so the most productive part of the day had been missed, however, I saw the BULLFINCH pair in the Ashes lane hedgerow again, wont be long before this habitat gets the chop  :-( I found a CHIFFCHAFF at the Greenhouse Grounds, along with the KESTREL pair and at least 9 DUNNOCKS, where did they suddenly pop up from ? The 30-40 strong LINNET x GOLDFINCH flock was still on the paddocks at Migrant Alley, while the MEADOW PIPITS were in the adjacent long grass of the sheep pasture, it was hard to tell how many as they flew in and out of cover, at least 20 I'd estimate.

A BUZZARD flew low over the Ashes Lane Fields and a couple of SKYLARKS flew up, but easily the best sighting for the day was another STONECHAT, once again on the fenceline above the drainage ditch, that's four this Autumn that have found this 200 meter stretch of ditch to their liking, it's all under threat of destruction of course  :-(

I was sweating as I walked home, it was that warm today, even with the moderate SW wind blowing, so no chance of finding my first Fieldfare of the Autumn, or for that matter the first Lesser Redpoll or Siskin, a good Northerly blow is needed! Looking at my stats, the average first sighting date for Fieldfare is the 17th October, for the Siskin it's the 9th October and the Lesser Redpoll the 20th October........any day now then  :-)

Oh, nearly forgot to mention, today is the 7th anniversary of this blog, how things have changed here in the past 7 years!

Last of my images from the blog folder!

GREAT TIT

Goldfinch

WOODPIGEON