Pittswood Birds

Another grey morning, but it was at least mild and windless.

Three hours out this morning proved worthwhile, as I was fortunate enough to see 3 GREAT BLACK BACKED GULLS (63) fly over Migrant Alley, a good species for the December list and a scarce bird to see here. Other than that it was down to finding the regular woodland species to keep me amused, which it did, finding LONG TAILED TIT, COAL TIT, TREECREEPER, NUTHATCH, GOLDCREST, BULLFINCH, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER and JAY among the more common stuff.

A SKYLARK was heard flying over the Greenhouse Grounds, the first for a week and the finches continue to feed on my provided seed there, although in smaller numbers, just 6 LESSER REDPOLL were among the 20-30 CHAFFINCHES, which also had a few GREENFINCH and GOLDFINCH among them, however the only SISKIN today was seen in the Wet Woods. The half dozen YELLOWHAMMERS continue to feed by the Greenhouse Copse, a really cheering sight, especially the bright yellow males  :-)

I didn't see the regular female Kestrel today, but did see a couple of BUZZARDS perched up over at Bustard Hill, where I also noted a flock of 24 MEADOW PIPIT, very nice! I also went and checked up on the LITTLE OWL in the old shack at the Ashes Lane Fields, finding it perched up in the dry  :-)

Around midday, the skies lightened and the sun almost appeared, but thought better of it! There was just enough light to take a few images of the garden birds at my feeding station though  :-)

Male Chaffinches are always a good way to brighten the post

A couple of Coal Tits are coming and going, making it difficult to photograph them

3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers are coming in, mainly for the fat products

The Goldfinches are having to fight off the Redpolls, I didn't get any Redpoll photo's though........you'll be glad to know!