Pittswood Birds

Another grey morning, but it was dry and mostly windless until after midday.

My full patch walk today provided a better tally than the last one, with 41 species being recorded, still rather low, but at least I added PHEASANT (50) to the year list! I also added SKYLARK (51), when at least a dozen were seen mixing with 20+ MEADOW PIPIT over at Bustard Hill.

The three resident raptor species of BUZZARD, KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK were all seen hunting over the area, the latter on several occasions, when the male was watched performing it's display flight.

MALLARDS had returned to the lakes, along with a few MOORHENS, but nothing else was on the water. The Woodland species all turned out apart from the Coal Tit and Stock Dove, as usual the pick of what those were the numerous GOLDCRESTS, as well as BULLFINCH, NUTHATCH, TREECREEPER, LONG TAILED TIT, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, GREEN WOODPECKER and and JAY.

FIELDFARE and REDWING continue to feed on the Ashes Lane Fields and Migrant Alley, about 150 birds in all. Noteworthy flyovers today included CANADA GOOSE, CORMORANT, HERRING GULL and SISKIN.

The January list creeps up to 15th out of 16 now, the mean average January species total for the previous 5 years is 64, that looks a big ask to reach that!