Pittswood Birds

There were a few brief spells of sunshine this morning, but it soon clouded over and became windy again, with a few light showers.

The mixed feeding flock of SISKIN, LESSER REDPOLL, GOLDFINCH, GREENFINCH, LINNET and YELLOWHAMMER were still making the most of the weedy patch of habitat at the Greenhouse Grounds, it was hard to put numbers on each species, as the mixed flock was mostly seen as silhouettes against the sky whenever they were flushed, which was mainly by the female KESTREL! Yellowhammers certainly numbered no more than 3-5, with Chaffinches and Greenfinches numbering around 10 of each. There seemed to be a few more Linnets in with the Redpoll, but I left them in peace rather than try to get a precise count and keep disturbing them  :-)

As I watched, and attempted some Siskin photo's, a small party of 19 FIELDFARE flew over, soon followed by a skein of 23 CANADA GEESE.

Male Siskin in the Alders at the Greenhouse Grounds

A look through the Greenhouse Copse, mainly to see if there were any Little Owls about, which there weren't, provided me with views of GOLDCREST and TREECREEPER, plus this CARRION CROW that was keeping an eye on me  ;-)

Carrion Crow

I made a visit to the lakes, via the ashes Lane Field, where the MEADOW PIPITS were the main attraction, but the lakes proved as disappointing as ever, with just a GREY HERON joining the MALLARDS and MOORHENS.

Meadow Pipit at the Ashes Lane fields

This one sat on the wire fence that runs along the drainage ditch

I spent quite a while in the Wet Woods following a troop of 6-8 LONG TAILED TITS, which had with them a COAL TIT, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Treecreepers. a NUTHATCH and a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, most of which I had good views of, but the light was just too poor for any photo's.

Still no additions to the November Species list, I think the forecast change in wind direction this weekend may help me out, fingers crossed !