Pittswood Birds

A grey start to the day, but by noon the sky started to clear making for a much brighter afternoon, with a brisk westerly wind.

In the dull, damp conditions early on, I set off for the lakes, ever hopeful of finding a duck species awaiting for me, but as is mostly the case I was disappointed, only MALLARDS were present, with along with 3 CANADA GEESE and a few MOORHENS, but at least a GREY HERON was visiting and the overwintering KINGFISHER was glimpsed again  :-)

The hoped for Woodcock didn't materialise in the Scrubby or Wet Woods, but as I searched, I had the pleasure of listening to both SONGTHRUSH and MISTLETHRUSH singing loudly, as well as hearing calls from COAL TIT, GREAT TIT, BULLFINCH, GOLDCREST, TREECREEPER and NUTHATCH, plus the drumming of a GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER.

The Small Holding Area had a few birds present today, the best being 9 FIELDFARE and 7 LESSER REDPOLL, the latter being drawn to the area by my nearby garden feeders.

Over on the fields at Migrant Alley, there was a mixed flock of gulls, which contained 6 HERRING GULLS, 1 LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL and 17 BLACK HEADED GULLS. There were 4 MEADOW PIPITS also seen, probably some of the birds that have come over from the dozen or so at the Ashes Lane Fields.

Just 4 SISKINS fed in the Alders at the Greenhouse Grounds, which was again heavily disturbed, so little else was seen there, although flyovers from SKYLARK and BUZZARD were noted whilst I watched the Siskins.

I was able to top up the 'blog Photo Folder with a few images this afternoon, just the usual garden fare, but they brighten the posts, here's a few to kick off with..............

Coal Tit

Great Tit

BLUE TIT