Pittswood Birds

The blue skies this morning lasted a little longer than yesterday, variable cloud cover approached from 11:00hrs, but the wind had dropped considerably, making it feel more pleasant.

Early morning ROBIN

I had a circuit of Migrant Alley first thing, but it provided little of note, just the normal ROOKS, JACKDAWS, CARRION CROWS, STARLINGS, and WOODPIGEONS on the paddocks and pasture, along with a few LINNETS and GOLDFINCHES. Passing the Greenhouse Copse I noted the WHITETHROAT family, plus BLACKCAP, CHIFFCHAFF, and a family of 4 GREEN WOODPECKERS.

I spent over 90 minutes watching the skies, where I saw at least 3 different BUZZARDS, had multiple sightings of a pair of SPARROWHAWKS, and watched the antics of KESTREL family at the Greenhouse Grounds. Also of note, over 50 CANADA GEESE flew over, as did a GREY HERON, and a MISTLETHRUSH, a few HERRING GULLS that flew past at varying heights, plus a LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL was also seen. SWIFTS were moving through in small numbers too.

Canada Goose

After my sky watch, I made my way over to the Scrubby Woods, via the Small Holding and Wet Woods, finding some of the bird species that weren't on yesterdays full patch walk, like TREECREEPER, COAL TIT, and PHEASANT. At the Scrubby Woods I spent much of the time chasing Butterflies and Dragonflies, I noted 13 species of Butterfly, those being, Large, Small and Green Veined Whites, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large and Small Skippers, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell. As for the Dragonflies, just 2 species were seen, Southern Hawker and Brown Hawker, but I did at least get a photo of the Brown Hawker today  :-)

I checked the lakes on the way home, where 21 Canada Geese were loafing around on the main lake, along with 4 MALLARDS, 6 MOORHENS and a lone female MANDARIN DUCK.

I found two different Brown Hawkers, both quite tatty, and both very flighty, only allowing a couple of shots to be taken.

When this species settles, I take what ever shots and angles I can get!

They don't hang about for long!

Comma Butterfly

Holly Blue Butterfly