Pittswood Birds

For the first time in a week the morning started off with some sunshine, which lasted much of the day :-)

The fine weather allowed for a full patch walk to be carried out this morning, the enjoyable visit produced 44 species, which is around the number that I would expect for a July visit. The expected species of Coal Tit and Bullfinch were not found, nor were Turtle Dove or Mistlethrush which still elude the July list. I did however add a species to this months list when a pair of COMMON GULLS (60) flew over Migrant Alley, bringing the July list to 60 at last, just 11 below last years record July tally now!

Early in the walk, as I left my house, I noted 26 SWALLOWS on the telephone lines along Ashes Lane.

Young Swallow on the line

A little later, the circuit of the pasture and paddocks at Migrant Alley was notable for the 34 GREYLAG GEESE and 9 CANADA GEESE that were grazing there, as I took a photo of a Greylag, a YELLOWHAMMER was heard flying over, plus a SKYLARK was up singing.

One of the 34 Greylag Geese on the sheep pasture

The Greenhouse grounds were only noteworthy for the KESTREL family that continue to haunt the dwindling habitat there, plus a couple of LINNET pairs in the boundary hedgerow, while the associated Copse had a calling CARRION CROW making a row atop a birch tree, whilst below in the edge of the copse, CHIFFCHAFF, BLACKCAP and WHITETHROAT were all heard.

Noisy Carrion Crow

Making my way over to the Wet Woods, Scrubby Woods and lakes, via the Small Holding, most of the common and regular species were picked up, a few SWIFTS and a GREY HERON were the only flyovers noted as I went.

The lakes were disturbed by the fisherman again, so only the MALLARDS and MOORHENS were seen on them, the adjacent Scrubby Woods were a bit less busy than yesterday, the large feeding flock had moved on, but the scarcer woodland species of LONG TAILED TIT, GOLDCREST, NUTHATCH, TREECREEPER, JAY, STOCK DOVE and SONGTHRUSH were all seen, plus, as yesterday, a SPARROWHAWK flew over with prey again.

Whilst in the Scrubby Woods I waited in vain for the Brown Hawker to alight, but I did get a chance to photograph a female Ruddy Darter, I also saw a Painted Lady Butterfly and my first Green Veined White Butterfly of the month.

Ruddy Darter