Pittswood Birds

Early rain prevented a dawn start to this mornings full patch walk, but I was out by 07:30hrs, when it soon became sunny and mild.

I was hoping to add Mistlethrush and Lesser Black backed Gull to the November list today, as these are just about the last of the regular species that are to be found here that I haven't yet seen this month, but despite finding a decent 44 species during the 4 and a half hour walk, these two still elude the months list.

There were a few winter species about today in small numbers, a pair of LESSER REDPOLL were seen at the Scrubby Woods, with another pair at the Greenhouse Grounds, where half a dozen SISKIN had joined a flock of a dozen GOLDFINCH in the line of Alder Trees there, with those was a TREECREEPER and a dozen LONG TAILED TITS, of course with all this bird activity it wasn't long before the SPARROWHAWK came hurtling through! A single REDWING was on the battered hedgerow at Migrant Alley, nice to have one on the floor instead of just flying over! A pair of GREY WAGTAILS were seen flitting between Migrant Alley and the Greenhouse Grounds, plus I saw a group of 10 CORMORANTS flyover as I was photographing the female KESTREL.

A BUZZARD flew from the Pub Field again, then further along, into the Ashes Lane Fields, 2 MEADOW PIPITS were flew up and 8 SKYLARKS flew over, the LITTLE OWL sat in the old shack sunning itself contentedly.

Over on the lakes there was nothing too exciting to see, however I watched the KINGFISHER fly from its perch, catch a large fish, then fly straight towards me, I was in the shadows and all I saw was the silvery fish coming at me  :-)  The Kingfisher settled on a branch just 10 meters from me, but it was totally obscured by branches and in the dark shade so photographing it was impossible, frustratingly!

The nearby Scrubby Woods had more activity than of late, with the already mentioned Lesser Redpoll, NUTHATCH, BULLFINCH, GOLDCREST, GREAT SPOTTED and GREEN WOODPECKER, JAY, STOCK DOVE and SONGTHRUSH being the more notable sightings.

For the first time in ages there was enough light to take the camera out, allowing a few birdy shots to be obtained, the Kestrel was particularly obliging, i'll post the other images tomorrow's blog  ........