Pittswood Birds

The fine weather this morning didn't quite last long enough for a decent patch visit this afternoon, I was out for just under an hour before the rain came on :-(

In that hour, I visited the Tree Nursery, where in the initial bright and humid conditions a number of butterfly species were seen, including Essex and Small Skippers, Small and Large Whites, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, and a lone Peacock. The family of WHITETHROATS were heard in the hedgerow, but only two showed themselves, other birds were few and far between, but of note were both GREEN and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS, as well as a calling CHIFFCHAFF, a species that isn't normally seen in the nursery.

I made my way over to Migrant Alley, the dark clouds were already coming over, a short sky watch there was quite productive, with KESTREL, and BUZZARD going over, as well as a HERRING GULL and ten BLACK HEADED GULLS, ive not seen that many since the winter. SWIFTS continued to be seen, feeding amongst the SWALLOW flock over the sheep pasture, which has now been reduced by another few acres in favour of a new horse paddock, a new fence was being erected across the field this morning, not good news really, Migrant Alley is already much more disturbed than in recent years, it remains to be seen if this affects the number of passage birds visiting.

I got some early photo's on my less than satisfactory visit, all of butterflies, the first is of a Large White.


Next up is the Small Skipper

Lastly, another Small Skipper, unfortunately this one was being consumed by a spider!