Coppice Pond and Cuckoo's Nest:
I only found time to have a short walk in St.Ives today, starting off by visaiting Coppice Pond. Here I found 2 broods of well grown Coot juveniles and 2 broods of small downy young still in the next. I spotted a Moorhen with fledged downy young on the edge of the island. The multitude of Canada Geese and their young were all fast asleep on the island itself.
In the woods, very few birds were singing despite the sunny day. 2 Chiffchaff and only one Blackcap could be bothered enough to sing, while very few resident species followed suit. This is undoubtedly due to them all having fledged young to feed. I did manage to see Spotted Flycatcher catch a butterfly, but didn't see any youngsters with it.
On the insect front I saw 2 Speckled Wood butterflies in Cuckoo's Nest. There were also several blue Damselflies on the lillies on Coppice Pond, I presume they were Common Blue Damselfly.
24th June 2006
Today's sightings included a couple of interesting birds. The first was a Siskin flying overhead from Lady Blantyre's Rock heading North East. This birds presence at this time of year suggests that there marbe a pair breeding locally if not in St.Ives. Hopefully a familt party will be seen in the next couple of weeks.......
A male Tree Pipit at Heather Park was the second decent sighting of this mornings walk. This is also intriguing as it's been about a month since I last saw one in the same spot singing. Have they managed to stay and breed or is it a failed breeder from elsewhere trying his luck ?
The rest of my walk went true to form, all the usual woodland species and most of them now have fledged young. Three pairs of Coots were at three different stages in their breeding cycle. One pair had independant young, another had downy young, while the third were doing some home improvements preparing for the next clutch! Also on Coppice Pond 13 well grown Canada Geese goslings were in a creche while 16 adults were keeping their distance.
In the woods, Great Spotted Woodpeckers were everywhere with young not far behind. Jays were also very vocal all around the Estate grounds. Swallows were seen zooming low over the STRI grounds with young sat on the fences eagerly waiting to be fed. A feeding party of c30 Swifts were found over Racecourse Plantation.
Three Chiffchaff and several Blackcap are still singing alongside the omnipresent Wrens.
A male Tree Pipit at Heather Park was the second decent sighting of this mornings walk. This is also intriguing as it's been about a month since I last saw one in the same spot singing. Have they managed to stay and breed or is it a failed breeder from elsewhere trying his luck ?
The rest of my walk went true to form, all the usual woodland species and most of them now have fledged young. Three pairs of Coots were at three different stages in their breeding cycle. One pair had independant young, another had downy young, while the third were doing some home improvements preparing for the next clutch! Also on Coppice Pond 13 well grown Canada Geese goslings were in a creche while 16 adults were keeping their distance.
In the woods, Great Spotted Woodpeckers were everywhere with young not far behind. Jays were also very vocal all around the Estate grounds. Swallows were seen zooming low over the STRI grounds with young sat on the fences eagerly waiting to be fed. A feeding party of c30 Swifts were found over Racecourse Plantation.
Three Chiffchaff and several Blackcap are still singing alongside the omnipresent Wrens.
Summer sightings to watch for
As we're now, alledgedly, in summer time most of the bird life in St.Ives will have youngster in tow. There should be many large parties moving through the tree tops. You're probably more likely to hear them rather than see them because of the foliage on the trees. If you do encounter parties crossing the path in front of you during a walk, it's worth just standing quietly and counting how many birds you see. Birds such as Long-tailed Tits can have upto 14 young following them around.
On the sunnier days it's also worth watching for Butterflies and Dragonflies. There are several species of both in St.Ives.
On the sunnier days it's also worth watching for Butterflies and Dragonflies. There are several species of both in St.Ives.
Nest boxes 2006
Earlier this year the woodland officers from the council kindly put up another 100 nest boxes. This time they went up largely in the wood above Beckfoot Lane with a few in Cuckoo's nest and near Betty's Lodge.
Sadly due to work commitments I haven't been able to check the boxes for inhabitants sufficiently well. I have managed to find that 35 Blue Tits and 2 Great Tit pairs have used the boxes. There could easily have been a lot more during May which I have missed.
Sadly due to work commitments I haven't been able to check the boxes for inhabitants sufficiently well. I have managed to find that 35 Blue Tits and 2 Great Tit pairs have used the boxes. There could easily have been a lot more during May which I have missed.
June 3rd Bird Walk
After the previous two walks being complete wash outs, this weeks warm and sunny one was most welcome. Five people joined me for a three hour stroll around the estate grounds which proved to be the best of this springs walks.
Coppice Pond; Canada Geese and Coot have fledged young, the Moorhens won't be far behind.
Coppice Bog; Blackcap and Chiffchaff stil in full song, as well as Blackbird. Whitethroat can be heard outside of St.Ives at the other side of the road.
Lady Bolantyre's Rock; Chiffchaff was singing as we approached the plantation belwo the rock.
Heather Park; 3 Meadow Pipits were seen, which are the first seen for a few weeks now. I was getting worried that the cold wet weather had scared them away. The first 3 Willow Warblers were heard singing.
RaceCourse Plantation; No sign of the Spotted Flycatcher here this week.
Druid's Altar; at least 3 Willow Warblers singing.
Two Barns area; No sign of the Little Owl but 2 Garden Warblers were heard in the woods. Another Chiffchaff sang here as well as a few Blackcaps. A male Kestrel was using the pylon cables as a hunting post.
Cuckoo's Nest Wood; 2 Spotted Flycatchers were seen. Several Blackcap heard. 2 Chiffchaff were heard singing, another was heard calling. Only one Nuthatch was heard.
Other Birds seen: Long-tailed tits, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Jay. Several nest boxes are being used by Blue Tits and Great Tits.
It doesn't look like we'll be seeing Pied Flycatcher, Redstart or breeding Wood Warblers again this year. The Wood Warbler heard a week ago wasn't there again. However, Spotted Flycatcher numbers must be at a record high!
Thanks to all those who have joined me on the walks this year. I hope to do one or two evening walks but that'll depend upon my work place calming down a great deal.
Coppice Pond; Canada Geese and Coot have fledged young, the Moorhens won't be far behind.
Coppice Bog; Blackcap and Chiffchaff stil in full song, as well as Blackbird. Whitethroat can be heard outside of St.Ives at the other side of the road.
Lady Bolantyre's Rock; Chiffchaff was singing as we approached the plantation belwo the rock.
Heather Park; 3 Meadow Pipits were seen, which are the first seen for a few weeks now. I was getting worried that the cold wet weather had scared them away. The first 3 Willow Warblers were heard singing.
RaceCourse Plantation; No sign of the Spotted Flycatcher here this week.
Druid's Altar; at least 3 Willow Warblers singing.
Two Barns area; No sign of the Little Owl but 2 Garden Warblers were heard in the woods. Another Chiffchaff sang here as well as a few Blackcaps. A male Kestrel was using the pylon cables as a hunting post.
Cuckoo's Nest Wood; 2 Spotted Flycatchers were seen. Several Blackcap heard. 2 Chiffchaff were heard singing, another was heard calling. Only one Nuthatch was heard.
Other Birds seen: Long-tailed tits, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Jay. Several nest boxes are being used by Blue Tits and Great Tits.
It doesn't look like we'll be seeing Pied Flycatcher, Redstart or breeding Wood Warblers again this year. The Wood Warbler heard a week ago wasn't there again. However, Spotted Flycatcher numbers must be at a record high!
Thanks to all those who have joined me on the walks this year. I hope to do one or two evening walks but that'll depend upon my work place calming down a great deal.
May Bird Walks
There are two more birds walks organised in May, 13th and 20th, and another on June 3rd. If you are interested in joining me please get in touch by email (see my profile), by posting a comment on this blogger or by phoning and leaving a message on 01535 274525.
cheers
MD
cheers
MD
29th April 2006 - Bird Walk
Two people joined me on today's bird walk starting at 7am from Coppice pond as usual. As we waited for more folk to join us we watched several pairs of Canada Geese having territorial disputes as their population increases leads to breeding season tension. Also noted was a Coots nest on the edge of the island.
Sadly despite it being two weeks since the last walk there doesn't appear to be many new arrivals. Willow Warblers are back in force as they were last weekend but Blackcap and Chiffchaff numbers remain low. I have had reports of Chiffchaff numbers being in double figures again but today there were only about 4 singing. 8 males Blackcaps were heard and just one female seen.
The best bird of the walk was heard at the Racecourse Plantation, where the "buzzing" of Redpoll was heard briefly. Swallows were noted over the woods. a small number of nest boxes are being used but I have yet to go in and check to see how many and by whom.
We did see a Nuthatch taking nesting material into a natural hole in a tree known to me as a nesting site for them a few years ago. The entrance hole has been tidied up by the new home owners. Jays were far more prominant than of late with at least 6 being seen or heard all around the estate grounds. Great Spotted Woodpeckers were everywhere.
Sadly despite it being two weeks since the last walk there doesn't appear to be many new arrivals. Willow Warblers are back in force as they were last weekend but Blackcap and Chiffchaff numbers remain low. I have had reports of Chiffchaff numbers being in double figures again but today there were only about 4 singing. 8 males Blackcaps were heard and just one female seen.
The best bird of the walk was heard at the Racecourse Plantation, where the "buzzing" of Redpoll was heard briefly. Swallows were noted over the woods. a small number of nest boxes are being used but I have yet to go in and check to see how many and by whom.
We did see a Nuthatch taking nesting material into a natural hole in a tree known to me as a nesting site for them a few years ago. The entrance hole has been tidied up by the new home owners. Jays were far more prominant than of late with at least 6 being seen or heard all around the estate grounds. Great Spotted Woodpeckers were everywhere.
8th April 2006 - Bird Walk
The spell of warm weather with southerly winds disappeared in time for this weekends bird walk and the cold wet northly weather returned. This meant any of the summer migrants that may have returned in that small window of decent weather didn't make thier presence known by singing. I was very lucky to see the one Chiffchaff that I did as it flew across the path in front of me. This time last year there were nine singing male Chiffchaffs around the estate grounds.
Though the weather was actually quite kind to me as I made my way around the birds were not performing as they usually are and not many were singing. The main highlight was my first ever Great Crested Grebe on Coppice Pond, not only that it is the only one in Bradford Ornithological Group's records as well. It's be nice to see a pair of them stay and breed, but it'll have to attract a mate first! Also on Coppice Pond one pair of Canada Geese are nesting on the island but all the others appear to be just contnent with pairing up and squabbling if they get too close to another's intended. Both Coot and Moorhen are well underway with nest building.
It was a good day to find Woodpeckers with both Great Spotted and Green very vocal and or drumming. Siskin's were also present but in small numbers and they were hard to find, thankfully they were vocal. The nest box numbers have swollen to 200 in recent weeks but there appeared to be very little interest in any of the new or old boxes, but it is early days yet.
Though the weather was actually quite kind to me as I made my way around the birds were not performing as they usually are and not many were singing. The main highlight was my first ever Great Crested Grebe on Coppice Pond, not only that it is the only one in Bradford Ornithological Group's records as well. It's be nice to see a pair of them stay and breed, but it'll have to attract a mate first! Also on Coppice Pond one pair of Canada Geese are nesting on the island but all the others appear to be just contnent with pairing up and squabbling if they get too close to another's intended. Both Coot and Moorhen are well underway with nest building.
It was a good day to find Woodpeckers with both Great Spotted and Green very vocal and or drumming. Siskin's were also present but in small numbers and they were hard to find, thankfully they were vocal. The nest box numbers have swollen to 200 in recent weeks but there appeared to be very little interest in any of the new or old boxes, but it is early days yet.
Bird Walks in April
There are to be two Friends of St.Ives bird walks in April 2006.
Both take place on Saturdays on the 8th and 29th.
They start at Coppice Pond at 7am near the gateway.
If you are interested then please get in touch by posting a comment.
Both take place on Saturdays on the 8th and 29th.
They start at Coppice Pond at 7am near the gateway.
If you are interested then please get in touch by posting a comment.
A cold March
March:
I didn't get chance to do much watching in St.Ives this March due to the poor weather and work commitments. With prolonged wintery weather coming from the North the usual late March influx of spring migrants didn't happen. For the first time in years I didn't see or hear a Chiffchaff singing, by 30th March 2005 there were nine singing males present.
The resident species have started to nest but even their dawn chorus isn't as welcoming as usual. April hasn't started much better than March ended and there is the promise of more cold weather to come.
I hope that the winds swing southerly and the air gets warmer in time for the first Friends of St.Ives bird walk on Saturday April 8th.
I didn't get chance to do much watching in St.Ives this March due to the poor weather and work commitments. With prolonged wintery weather coming from the North the usual late March influx of spring migrants didn't happen. For the first time in years I didn't see or hear a Chiffchaff singing, by 30th March 2005 there were nine singing males present.
The resident species have started to nest but even their dawn chorus isn't as welcoming as usual. April hasn't started much better than March ended and there is the promise of more cold weather to come.
I hope that the winds swing southerly and the air gets warmer in time for the first Friends of St.Ives bird walk on Saturday April 8th.
5th March 2006
Coppice Pond was frozen this morning but not totally. In the little bit of water that wasn't frozen a male Wigeon was swimming around with the Mallards. I presume this is the male from a nearby collection and is the same bird that arrived last winter for a short while.
The woods close to Coppice Pond were alive with the sound of Siskins singing and plenty of the usual suspects, Nuthatches, woodpeckers drumming, Robins and Wrens singing alongside Hedge Accentors and Thrushes. A few Redpoll were spotted by a friend of mine.
Very little signs of other wildlife about except for the occasional Grey Squirrel.
It was a gorgeous morning despite the lingering snow from Friday 3rd.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
A male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen at Baxter's Pond high up in the tree tops. It's call was heard first, though briefly, which alerted me to it's presence. It's been about 14 years since I last saw one in St.Ives. Needless to say but I was absolutely choughed to see it. IT fed among the highest branches before flying to the back of the opening where it sat for about ten minutes doing nothing. After a short spell of feeding it then flew of at quite a height before being lost in the sky.
Spring is in the air....
21st January 2006
There has been a distant weather warning about a cold spell possibly approaching as Moscow is suffering it's coldest snap for a long, long time. This morning in St.Ives it was very spring like, the sun was shining, the air was warmer and the birds were singing their heads off!
Coppice Pond
1 pair of Goosander were present as numbers remain low.
Woodlands
Mistle Thrushes are in full voice at the moment. One was sing in a treetop where a Redwing flock, of about 60 birds, were joining in singing among themselves. This is something that we don't get to hear often in the UK. I saw a couple of male Blue Tits grapping as they floated down to terra firma, another sign of spring. The woodland birds were very active in general. I even heard a Bullfinch doing his best to sing. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in Cuckoo's Nest Wood.
A Little Owl was sat out in the sunshine on the roof of White Cotes Barn
There has been a distant weather warning about a cold spell possibly approaching as Moscow is suffering it's coldest snap for a long, long time. This morning in St.Ives it was very spring like, the sun was shining, the air was warmer and the birds were singing their heads off!
Coppice Pond
1 pair of Goosander were present as numbers remain low.
Woodlands
Mistle Thrushes are in full voice at the moment. One was sing in a treetop where a Redwing flock, of about 60 birds, were joining in singing among themselves. This is something that we don't get to hear often in the UK. I saw a couple of male Blue Tits grapping as they floated down to terra firma, another sign of spring. The woodland birds were very active in general. I even heard a Bullfinch doing his best to sing. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in Cuckoo's Nest Wood.
A Little Owl was sat out in the sunshine on the roof of White Cotes Barn
14th January 2006
Coppice Pond
27 Canada Geese appear to be resident. Goosander numbers have dropped with few being seen at the moment.
Woodlands
With today being a mild and sunny day for a time the woodlandbirds were very vocal. At least three mistle Thrushes were in full song mode, many Great Tits were calling. A pair of Treecreepers were keeping close together.
Winter visitors seem to be very hard to come by. No flocks of winter finches have materialised at all this winter. The Thrush numbers are typically sparodic.
27 Canada Geese appear to be resident. Goosander numbers have dropped with few being seen at the moment.
Woodlands
With today being a mild and sunny day for a time the woodlandbirds were very vocal. At least three mistle Thrushes were in full song mode, many Great Tits were calling. A pair of Treecreepers were keeping close together.
Winter visitors seem to be very hard to come by. No flocks of winter finches have materialised at all this winter. The Thrush numbers are typically sparodic.
Sightings in December 2005
Coppice Pond
Goosander numbers fluctuated greatly with a maximum of 29 being seen late one afternoon mid month. Coot numbers are maintained at about 16 birds present. The Canada Goose flock comes and goes with their maximum being 27.
Two Barns Fields / Blind Lane area
The Redwings disappeared but were replenished when the cold snap brought 159 to the fields adjacent to Blind Lane. Most departed but 60 or so have remained.
Woodlands
Tit flocks containing the usuall 4 species, Coal, Blue, Great and Long-tailed, also attract Treecreepers and Nuthatches. The Crossbill, Siskin and Redpoll flocks just haven't materialised as yet. Hopefully they will between now and March.
Goosander numbers fluctuated greatly with a maximum of 29 being seen late one afternoon mid month. Coot numbers are maintained at about 16 birds present. The Canada Goose flock comes and goes with their maximum being 27.
Two Barns Fields / Blind Lane area
The Redwings disappeared but were replenished when the cold snap brought 159 to the fields adjacent to Blind Lane. Most departed but 60 or so have remained.
Woodlands
Tit flocks containing the usuall 4 species, Coal, Blue, Great and Long-tailed, also attract Treecreepers and Nuthatches. The Crossbill, Siskin and Redpoll flocks just haven't materialised as yet. Hopefully they will between now and March.
Goosanders & Goldcrests
26th November 0830-1000am
Coppice Pond:
11 Goosander were on Coppice Pond this morning, suggesting that they may have roosted over night or arrived from a roost in the very early hours this morning.There were at least three adult males with another very scruffy looking male, possibly a younger bird. 2 Common Gulls were among the 25 plus Black-headed Gulls. Good numbers of Coot remain.
Racecourse Plantation:
A large flock of Goldcrests were alongside the path just north from Heather Park. They were showing very well and it was good to see some interaction between them, the flaring of their crests and fanning of tails, as they resolved pecking order issues. In the flock were the usual Tit species and a Redpoll. I also heard another Crossbill fly over. Still no sign of any flocks of Crossbill, just singletons being seen or heard.
Crossgates Barn Area:
40 plus Redwing were feeding in the fields here. A Blackbird was alarm calling due to the presence of a Little Owl in a Hawthorn.
Coppice Pond:
11 Goosander were on Coppice Pond this morning, suggesting that they may have roosted over night or arrived from a roost in the very early hours this morning.There were at least three adult males with another very scruffy looking male, possibly a younger bird. 2 Common Gulls were among the 25 plus Black-headed Gulls. Good numbers of Coot remain.
Racecourse Plantation:
A large flock of Goldcrests were alongside the path just north from Heather Park. They were showing very well and it was good to see some interaction between them, the flaring of their crests and fanning of tails, as they resolved pecking order issues. In the flock were the usual Tit species and a Redpoll. I also heard another Crossbill fly over. Still no sign of any flocks of Crossbill, just singletons being seen or heard.
Crossgates Barn Area:
40 plus Redwing were feeding in the fields here. A Blackbird was alarm calling due to the presence of a Little Owl in a Hawthorn.
19th November 2005
Birds:
Not much to report as it is traditionally a quiet time for the birdlife of St.Ives. There was a small flock of Redwing and I could hear Fieldfare calling somewhere. There was no sign of any winter finches such as Redpoll, Siskin or Brambling and once again no sign of the Crossbills.
Coppice Pond was frozen this morning, except for a small area at either end on the water. About 30 Mallards were in a group at the Eastern end of the pond, the males were displaying to the females among them. The 12+ Coots had an uneasy truce at the West end due to the reduced area of water.
Insects:
I found a pale brown moth on the path in Cuckoo's Nest Wood, but I have no idea which type it was and had no camera to take a photo to enable ID later.
Not much to report as it is traditionally a quiet time for the birdlife of St.Ives. There was a small flock of Redwing and I could hear Fieldfare calling somewhere. There was no sign of any winter finches such as Redpoll, Siskin or Brambling and once again no sign of the Crossbills.
Coppice Pond was frozen this morning, except for a small area at either end on the water. About 30 Mallards were in a group at the Eastern end of the pond, the males were displaying to the females among them. The 12+ Coots had an uneasy truce at the West end due to the reduced area of water.
Insects:
I found a pale brown moth on the path in Cuckoo's Nest Wood, but I have no idea which type it was and had no camera to take a photo to enable ID later.
5th November 2005
Water Rail at Coppice Pond.
I heard a Water Rail squealing at Coppice Pond this morning but sadly couldn't find it.
There was very little else to be sen despite it being a mild pleasant November morning.
There was no sign of any winter Thrushes or finches.
I heard a Water Rail squealing at Coppice Pond this morning but sadly couldn't find it.
There was very little else to be sen despite it being a mild pleasant November morning.
There was no sign of any winter Thrushes or finches.
Winter arrivals
29th October 2005
Winter visitors have arrived in St.Ives and the summer migrants have departed. There may still be a chance to see Chiffchaff though I didn't manage one today, which being a mild sunny day was probably one of the better days to get one.I did see Brambling and Redwing which will hopefully hang around for a while. Bramblings are winter visiting finches which like to feast on Beech mast along with Chaffinches and Tits. The best spot for these is between the exit to Druid's Altar and the Racecourse plantation as there is a mature Beech wood and it is usually full of birds all winter long.
Redwings and their cousins Fieldfare are Thrushes and will be in St.Ives as long as there are berries on the trees. These can be seen anywhere with berry trees and they are usually in sizeable flocks. The resident Thrushes can also be seen in flocks joining the winter Thrushes so you may se 5 species in the same tree.
A Kingfisher was at Coppice Pond today. This is a welcome sight and a more fequent one in recent autumn / winters, possibly due to local breeding succes along Harden Beck.
There haven't been any Siskin or Redpoll numbers to speak of, just small numbers seen occasionally but this should change in the new year. No Crossbills were seen.
Feeding parties have formed and several are roaming the estate grounds. These usually consist of Goldcrests, Long-tailed, Coal, Blue and Great Tits along with Treecreepers and Nuthatches. Occasionally Woodpeckers join in.
Other sightings today included:
4 Great-spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 2 Jay & many Goldcrests.
8th October 2005
A short and rather wet walk around Coppice Pond and down into Cuckoo's Nest Wood produced few birds. Coppice Pond had at least 11 Coot and the usual gang of Mallards. A Jay was seen near the mansion buildings and a Treecreeper was doing it's thing, creeping up a tree, near the Pond car parking area.
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