Crossbill at last!

24/9/05
Bird sightings:
The long awaited sight of Crossbill occurred on Saturday 24th September when a flock consisting of one Crossbill flew from the Blantyre's Rock are heading towards Racecourse Plantation.
(See the link below to find out more about the Crossbill)
http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/c/crossbill/index.asp

At least 2 Chiffchaff are still present as were 8 House Martins though these may have been passing through. I had three sightings of Grey Wagtail but they may have been of the same bird. A pair of Treecreepers were spotted belwo Lady Blantyre's Rock.

Insects:
Red Admiral were seen passing through

28th August 2005

Birds:
still plenty of Chiffchaff calling "sveet" around the estate.
Both Blackcap and Willow Warbler are still present
Swallows and House Martins can be seen feeding over woods
Nuthatch, Treecreeper, & Great Spotted Woodpecker in woods
Bullfinches were seen feeding on Rowan berries at Coppice Bog
Small feeding parties of birds are now being formed
But still no sign of the Crossbills invasion in St.Ives.

Insects : Butterflies
Meadow Browns are still about but weather conditions weren't good for finding butterflies and dragonflies this weekend.

11th August 2005

18.10-19.00hrs Coppice pond area
several Chiffchaffs calling, Goldcrest family party
Immature Coot of various ages on Coppice Pond

6th August 2005 0900-1045

Birds:
Canada Geese with well grown young, Mallard
Sparrowhawk young heard calling again
Moorhen and Coot with young on Coppice Pond
Swallow, Great Spotted Woodpecker
Several Chiffchaff calling around the estate
Goldcrest with young in Racecourse Plantation
Nuthatch, Jay, Goldfinch etc

No sign of any Crossbills in St.Ives as yet

Butterflies:
Meadow Brown, Large White

Dragonflies:
Common Hawker

Crossbills are coming (?)

In recent weeks their have been reports of what could be an invasion by the Common Crossbill into Britain from the continent. This usually means that at some point during August St.Ives will have a varying population. In the past we have had flocks of over 100 Crossbills but we often get smaller flocks.

Crossbills are large finches with the tips of their mandibles crossed, hence the name. They prefer conifer plantations and Larch trees as they feed almost exclusively on the cones.

I will obviously post any sightings as soon as I see or hear some

30th July 2005 - 0730-0900

Birdlife:
Spotted fLycatcher feeding fledged young in trees near
the Harden entrance car park.
Sparrowhawk young heard calling near Lady Blantyre's Rock
Garden Warbler seen near Crossgates Barn
Little Owl seen in Whitecotes Barn wall facing bridlepath
Several Great Spotted Woodpeckers seen and heard throughout
listen for the explosive "Tchick!"call of the Woodpecker
Several Chiffchaff seen and heard throughout, listen for the
nasal "Sveet" call as well as young males trying to sing the
distinctive "chiff chaff chiff chaff"
Nuthatch and Treecreeper were also about with young

Butterflies:
Meadow Brown seen in the horse paddock off Blind Lane

Crayfish in Coppice Pond

The Crayfish in Coppice Pond have recently been identified as the native species, White-clawed Crayfish. More information can be found at http://www.english-nature.org.uk/default.asp

16th July 2005 - 0800-1030 hrs

Birds sightings all with fledged young:
Spotted Flycatcher in the memorial wood,
Little Owl, Nuthatch-lots down Blind Lane, Treecreeper
Great Spotted Woodpecker near the Druid sculpture,
Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Jackdaw, Jay
Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch,
Coal Tit, Blue tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit,
Coot on Coppice Pond, Robin, Blackbird,
Pied Wagtail-several on the Turf research lawns,
Swallow, Chiffchaff.

Garden Warbler was behind Betty's Lodge up Blind Lane

Insects
Plenty of Meadow Browns about at the moment

Pond Life in the disused reservoir
hundreds of tadpoles, a few Water Beetles, Cadisfly larvae
Leeches,