Pittswood Birds

There was wall to wall sunshine right from the off today, making for a very warm patch visit.

The very enjoyable weather conditions today didn't provide much in the way of bird activity, with no new species added to the month or year lists. I felt sure a Cuckoo would be heard to call this morning, their median average arrival date on my patch is the 14th April, they have only been later than the 15th on 3 out the previous 13 years, so the wait goes on.

 MAGPIE

The most notable thing that happened on todays 5 hour patch walk was the sighting of 3 CORMORANTS that flew over in perfect alignment and the continued MEADOW PIPIT passage that has been under way for weeks now.

BLACKCAPS, CHIFFCHAFFS and SWALLOWS are here in good numbers now, making it all very summer like, plus all the scarcer woodland species were found today, the best of those being GOLDCREST, TREECREEPER, COAL TIT, LONG TAILED TIT and BULLFINCH, but STOCK DOVE, JAY, MISTLETHRUSH, GREAT SPOTTED and GREEN WOODPECKER were also seen.

The three regular Raptor species were all up hunting over the area, with 2 SPARROWHAWKS, a group of 4 BUZZARDS and the KESTREL pair all showing well.

Whilst at home this afternoon I saw Orange Tip and Green Veined White Butterflies in the garden, visiting my ladies Smock flowers, I tried to get some images, but chances were fleeting, plus I cocked up on the camera settings with the Orange Tip, most annoying as opportunities with this species are hard fought here!

Orange Tip - just a bit over exposed  :-(

Green Veined White, not quite all in view, its hard work getting the images you want sometimes!!