Bird Walk 14th May 2011

Another late start, 7.30 am again, on a much cooler windy day. The blustery wind had a bit of an effect on the bird life but thanks to the sun shining the birds were singing though not as well as they would on a warmer calmer day.

Much the same as last week though no sign of the Crossbill. The Wood Warblers are still singing some distance off the path in the Racecourse Plantation. The Pied Flycatcher is still singing near the Monk's Pond in Cuckoo Nest Wood. These are both good signs that they have attracted mates and will stay to breed. Fingers crossed!

There were plenty of Blackcap, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs singing with a supporting cast of Garden Warblers (2) and Whitethroat. Several birds were seen carrying food indicating young in the nest.

The Little Owl was on show sat on the dry stone wall near the pylon field.

On my way home I managed to see a couple of Sand Martin flying over the road from Heather Park towards Harden Moor.

Species List;

Pheasant, Canada Goose, Mallard, Coot , Moorhen, Little Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodpigeon, Stock Pigeon, Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Robin, Wren, Hedge Accentor, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Pied Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch

Bird Walk 7th May 2011

Kicking off as late as 7.30am the 1st bird walk of 2011 was well attended. The two of us, both birders, enjoyed one of the better walks due to both the good weather and the amount of birds seen or heard.

In recent weeks both Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler have returned to St.Ives and were still present though both took a little finding. It was discovered that there are currently two males of both species singing in Cuckoo Nest and Racecourse Plantation respectively.

Two male Whitethroats were heard with one being seen after a short wait.

A Crossbill was heard flying over Coppice Pond before the walk started.

Species List;
Grey Heron, Canada Goose, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Stock Pigeon, Skylark, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Robin, Hedge Accentor, Wren, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Wood Warbler, Goldcrest, Pied Flycatcher, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Crossbill.


M Doveston, J Roberts

Hawfinch update

The male Hawfinch is still being seen in the same place near the play area, in the surrounding tree tops.

As a result of extra observers in the Estate a couple of different Buzzards have been seen flying overhead during the past month.

http://bogimages.blogspot.com/2011/03/eureka-hawfinch-coccothraustes.html

Hawfinch update - Tuesday 22nd February 2011

The male Hawfinch is still being seen around the play area car park though it has now twice been seen to leave the area heading East. Possibly to Betty's Lodge.

Hawfinch update

Two weeks after the Hawfinch was first found it is still being seen by visiting birders in the same place, outside the Mansion House grounds opposite the play area car park.

It appears to be using the trees between the play area car park and the STRi offices as well as the ones to the left of the drive-way into the Mansion grounds.

At the Weekend there was a Little Grebe on Coppice Pond as well as a female Goosander.

Hawfinch update

The Hawfinch is still being seen close to the Mansion House from 9am until 11am.

Better images have been posted on the BOG Images blog below;

http://bogimages.blogspot.com/2011/02/hawfinch-st-ives-today.html

January 30th 2011

Hawfinch


First seen at approx 09.40 behind the mansion in a tree top with other finches and Redwings.

It flew off with a Redwing to the front of the mansion house where it was re-located on it's own at the very top of another tree. It spent about 10 minutes there before dropping down to feed among the lower branches. As more birders arrived it flew off to the nearest Yew Tree close to the mansion house.

It was seen briefly again close to the Yew Tree from the back of the mansion house.

Please note the mansion house grounds are off limits to the public. However there are footpaths or roads around the mansion house and it's private gardens which should suffice for those wanting to try and see the Hawfinch.

Elsewhere

Brambling, Siskin, Redpoll, numerous GSWdpkrs drumming,

80+Mallard, 18 Canada Geese, Common Gull, 50+BHGull,

Fieldfare, Redwing, Nuthatches