17th February 2007

This morning was a much nicer day than of late, being quite sunny and mild. With this hint of spring in the air the bird life in St.Ives performed well with many species singing.

Cuckoo Nest Wood - Several Nuthatches were very vocal and Jays were present all over. A female Sparrowhawk was being mobbed by a couple of Jays and several crows. Great Spotted Woodepckers were drumming at various places.

Coppice Pond - a Little Grebe was present and being quite adventurous as it wasn't tucked away in a corner of the lake. A female Goosander also surprisd me as she didn't fly away when harrassed by a swimming dog. The owner of which seemed oblivious to the signs asking for dogs to kept out of the water. There are currently at least 36 Canada Geese on the lake with a couple defending territory on the island already. Coots and Moorhens alongside the Mallards are still around in good numbers.

Coppice Bog - a male Bullfinch stopped off briefly in the tree tops but not long enough forme to get good views. Two Song Thrushes were seriously belting out their song either side of the bog.

Heather Park - A pair of Goldcrests showed well in the path side trees. I heard at leats three Skylarks calling overhead, no doubt returning to their breeding grounds somewhere.

Racecourse Plantation - At least one Skylark was heard singing in the fields north of St.Ives from the plantation. Chaffinches were singing in the woods as well as a couple more Song Thrushes. A flck of Redwing were in the Beech trees over looking Altar Lane and were singing among themselves. In these same trees there were plenty of Tits and a few Nuthatches.

Blind Lane - A pair of Siskins were flying around chasing each other. A Dunnock was singing a duet with another across the fields.

Todays list: Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Canada Goose, Mallard, Goosander, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Stock Pigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Redwing, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Greenfinch, Bullfinch.