Pittswood Birds

It was raining as I left for my patch walk this morning, but as the forecast was for showers, I decided to press on, a big mistake, as the rain turned torrential and lasted all morning!

I manged to get to the lakes, where I took shelter for a while, but it was pretty hopeless really, although I did spot 3 male and a single female MANDARIN DUCK (58) on the main lake, they were new for the months list, plus 2 CORMORANTS and a flock of 30 - 40 HOUSE MARTIN which flew over. After 90 minutes sheltering under an outbuilding, I finally legged it back home, getting thoroughly soaked in the process!

The rain finally stopped at around noon, so I had a quick walk around the sheep fields and paddocks of Migrant Alley, I didn't see much, just a few MEADOW PIPITS and PIED WAGTAILS, as well as the 3 regular raptor species of BUZZARD, SPARROWHAWK and KESTREL. In the hour I was there at least 50 more House Martins passed through, in small groups, plus once again I found a SWALLOW with them.

Photo's today are from yesterdays patch walk, more images of the the obliging Meadow Pipits   :-)