Pittswood Birds

It was dull and overcast today, with a strengthening westerly wind, spits and spots of rain fell early in the afternoon.

The end of March approaches and there is no sign yet of spring Migrants arriving here at Pittswood, apart from a few CHIFFCHAFFS, it seems that the weather is holding up the northward progress of many species. I had a two hour wander out early on this morning, plus another hour out around 11:00hrs, the latter visit was worth the effort as I saw my first GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL (74,65) of the year fly over Migrant Alley, a very nice species to add to my year list with only a couple of sightings at most recorded each year  :-)

The early part of my visit was as dull as the weather, I checked up on the KESTRELS at the Greenhouse Grounds, the female was in her nest box while the male hunted around the grounds, I also checked the LITTLE OWL roost at the Greenhouse Copse where just one bird was seen, another Little Owl was heard calling from the Small Holding as I passed through later.

Around 20 FIELDFARES and 4 REDWINGS were on the sheep pasture at Migrant Alley, an adjacent field of sheep pasture had the BLACK HEADED GULL flock feeding on it, not quite as many as in recent weeks, about 80 or so, but no other Gulls were with them, however I did see both LESSER BLACK BACKED and HERRING GULLS fly over.

A BUZZARD was heard calling and then seen as it flew from the Wet Woods on my approach, the Scrubby Woods had CHIFFCHAFF, GOLDCREST, TREECREEPER, NUTHATCH, COAL TIT, BULLFINCH, STOCK DOVE, JAY, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER and GREEN WOODPECKER all actively calling or singing, but the adjacent lakes had nothing of note today, just a pair each of CANADA GOOSE, GREYLAG GOOSE, MUTE SWAN, and COOT, plus the usual few MALLARDS and MOORHENS.

Only garden bird images for the blog today, taken earlier in the week..............

Ive got lots of Nuthatch images, but I cant resist taking even more!