Pittswood Birds

There were some sunny periods this morning, but a moderate NE wind kept a cold feel to my patch visit, more so when went the sun went behind the cloud.

It was a short visit, as I had an appointment at 09:30hrs and in the two hours I was out very little of note was found. Birdsong was much muted compared to recent visits, and trying to pick out flyover calls in todays wind was not easy.

An early scan of the sheep pasture and paddocks of Migrant Alley only revealed ROOKS, WOODPIGEONS, a few LINNETS, a small flock of STARLINGS and a couple of BLACKBIRDS, the Wooded Headland had a CHIFFCHAFF and BLACKCAP singing intermittently, plus a pair of LONG TAILED TITS were seen carrying nest material. The nearby Greenhouse Copse had another Chiffchaff and Blackcap, but I didn't find the Little Owl there today.

Walking through the Greenhouse Grounds I watched at least 4 different SWALLOWS collecting mud from the drainage ditch, one of the last remaining places left for them to find nest making material, its been quite a dry April thus far. The KESTREL pair were mating again and calling loudly from the top of one of the greenhouses.

Three BUZZARDS were seen over the Ashes Lane Field as I headed off over to the lakes and Scrubby Woods, the former were back to normal after yesterdays surprises, only a pair of MANDARIN DUCK were of note there today. The Scrubby Woods however had a bit of life, with GOLDCREST, COAL TIT, NUTHATCH, JAY, STOCK DOVE, BULLFINCH and TREECREEPER all heard or seen, plus a couple more Chiffchaffs sang, as did a couple more Blackcaps, at one point I watched four of the latter in a Blackthorn bush, they seemed to be taking the nectar from the flowers. I was sure I heard the tail end of a Nightingale song at one point, but waiting around for another 20 mins didn't get me a repeat of it, something to take note of tomorrow!

Blackcap in the Blackthorn

Taking nectar or winkling out insects??

The only Butterfly seen was this Peacock, found in the hedgerow along Ashes Lane.