Pittswood Birds

I added TAWNY OWL (58) to the patch year list last night, when I heard two birds calling from my house in the clear frosty conditions at 23:10hrs.

This morning the frost was still around, with some sparkling sunshine first thing, although showers fell by 11:00hrs. I decided to carry out a full patch walk and in the four and a half hours found a good tally of 46 species, but nothing new for the year list sadly.

There were 2 female GOOSANDERS back on the main lake, but the Coot wasn't seen today, hopefully it was just well concealed somewhere in the bankside vegetation. The adjacent Scrubby Woods and the Wet Woods, between them provided all the woodland species I can expect here, with TREECREEPER, NUTHATCH, LONG TAILED TIT, COAL TIT, GOLDCREST, BULLFINCH, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, GREEN WOODPECKER, JAY and STOCK DOVE all being found, I also came across a BUZZARD in the Scrubby Woods, which was feeding on a recently killed WOODPIGEON.

GREY WAGTAIL, PIED WAGTAIL, the KESTREL pair, 2 REDWING and the regular WREN, ROBIN, DUNNOCK, BLACKBIRD, SONGTHRUSH and GOLDFINCH were all seen around the Greenhouse Grounds, plus the LITTLE OWL gave good views at the Greenhouse Copse.

At least ten MEADOW PIPITS flew up from the Ashes Lane Fields, and another 2 were seen out on the sheep pasture at Migrant Alley, where three Gull species were seen, HERRING, COMMON and BLACK HEADED.

Flyover species boosted the day list today, with CORMORANT, YELLOWHAMMER, SKYLARK, and FIELDFARE all going over in singles.

Not much for the camera today, despite hanging around for the Goosander to come nearer, which they never did, plus trying to get Goldcrest and Treecreeper photo's, where I was thwarted by dog walkers. I did get a couple of images though, the female Kestrel is always obliging, as are the Blackbirds at the Greenhouse Grounds.

 Kestrel

 Blackbird