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

16th May 2010 Bird Walk

Seven of us gathered at the Coppice Pond entrance, later joined by an eighth, at 7am for the final spring bird walk around the estate.

The highlight of the walk was the relocation of a singing male Pied Flycatcher which may have been the same on heard two weekends before in Cuckoo Nest Wood. This weekend he was singing in the oak woodland above Beckfoot Lane. He was very active flying from tree to tree singing.

A single Siskin was heard flying over Racecourse Plantation which could be either a late staying winter migrant or a potential breeding resident in one of the conifer plantations.

The cool strong breeze did it's best to disuade the birds from singing but with spring in full swing it failed to do so and many species were heard. There do, however, appear to be less Song Thrushes and Chiffchaffs this year, possible casualties of the long cold winter?

With leaves on the trees it is now getting hard to see the heather moorland at Heather Park which looks more like a young woodland every year and we're already losing the bird species which breed in the moorland habitat.

Nest sites for Treecreeper and Nuthatch made both easy to see.

With more to listen to the walk took almost three hours but as we were busy it flew by.

Thanks to all who attended.

Bird Walk - 18th April 2010

The first bird walk of the spring was well attended, thanks to those who took part.

The usual route clockwise around the estate starting at Coppice Pond was taken.
A pair of Tufted Duck on Coppice Pond were an early highlight.
Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard throughout and along the trail in Cuckoos Nest Wood the yaffle of a Green Woodpecker briefly broke the dawn chorus.
Chiffchaff and Song Thrush were largely absent though females of both were seen collecting nest material.

Coal Tits were very vocal in the conifer woodlands. Nuthatch were likewise in the oak trees.

Blackcaps have returned in decent numbers to Cuckoos Nest.

A pair of Little Owls were observed in their "usual" haunt.

A female Sparrowhawk was seen circling over the lower woodland edge.

May 2009

May is the month where most of our summer visiting birds arrive. Sadly once again we haven't seen Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Wood Warbler or Redstart arrive. This is despite all the nest boxes.

We do have Garden Warbler, Whitethroat and plenty of Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaffs and of course Swallows.

Siskins put in an appearance mid month but have moved on as have any Redpolls that were lingering.

Squirrels and their young are numerous in the woods and at the feeding station. A large brown rat can also be seen feeding on the ground. We may have to stop scattering seed on the ground for a while.

Now the warmer wether is upon us insects are more active with many butterflies being seen around the estate. Dragonflies and Damselflies won't be far behind.....

18th April 2009

These mallard ducklings were on Coppice Pond. Also on the water were three Tufted Ducks and the usual mix of Coot, Moorhen and Canada Geese.

Elsewhere in the woods were several Chiffchaff, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps, all recent arrivals for the summer. There were also a scattering of Siskin throughout as well as a pair of Redpoll.

Recent sightings from B.Nield

Below is an email sent by B.Nield after his first visit into St.Ives Estate.

Hello, I had a trip up to St.Ives Estate yesterday & had a walk around the
coppice pond area & a long sit in the new observation area. There were 30+ Canada Geese, 20+ B.H.Gulls, 15+ Mallards, 6 coot & a Moorhen on the water, unfortunately getting severly harrassed by Dogs jumping into the water after them.

At the feeding station:
Robins:5, Not fighting just all feeding in different areas together.
Dunnocks:3, Same as Robins not fighting.
Pheasants:1M & 1F, very shy but male came out when it was quiet.
Wood Pigeons:6, Mega shy usually came out when no people in hide. Managed
2 when on my own. Great Tits:8+, Blue Tits:3, Coal Tits:6, L.T. Tits : 2's & occasional party of 5. Nuthatch:3 at one time. Chaffinch:1 lonely female. Treecreeper:1, had a good look around the trees at the station on 2 occasions. Sparrowhawk:1, only a fleeting glance against the sun, so no way to sex. Blackbirds:2 pairs, again no fighting all feeding together. I also saw a wood mouse nip out for a few seeds & there were 6
Squirrels at one time.

Blue Tit at the feeders

Brambling 09/11/2008

A male Brambling was found at the new feeding station. Here it is pictured with a Coal Tit.

Goosander on Coppice Pond

Coot on Coppice Pond

October News

Thanks to a winning bid FoSI were awarded funds via the WREN project. Part of our plan was to have a bird hide over looking a feeding area. On the 21st October the bird hide was officially opened. The hide is along the main path past Coppice Pond. It has already been a success with people and the birds! Below are some images taken from the hide.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Nuthatch

Blue Tit

Missing migrants

This year St.Ives appears to have missed out on some birds it used to attract.
Redstarts, Tree Pipit, Wood Warbler, Cuckoo and Pied Flycatcher all used to be annual visitors. Pied Flycatchers were hopefully going to be encouraged back into Cuckoo Nest Wood with the erection of about 200 nest boxes. In 2007 we did get a male singing for about ten days but he didn't return this year. The first four mentioned have been missing for a few years now with only Wood Warbler putting in appearances though these have finally dwindled to zero this year.

On top of that this year St.Ives didn't have any singing Garden Warblers at all to my knowledge. Though we have gained Whitethroat these are only turning up and singing and not holding territory.

Dawn Chorus 2008

Two guided walks took place on the 3rd and 10th May which were tied into the International Dawn Chorus Day, which was promoted by the BBC.

Both walks were well attended by 9 and 7 people.

Complete novices and birding beginners were introduced to the various bird songs as we made our way around the estate grounds. Though nothing rare was seen or heard, those whom attended marvelled at the songs of Song Thrush and Blackcap. By the end of the walks many were picking out "their own" Chiffchaffs.

The awe factor was provided by the female Goosander and her 11 ducklings all sat out in the sunshine preening.

Sadly, the star summer migrants haven't arrived even now, so we didn't get to listen to Pied Flycatchers, Redstart, Wood Warbler or Garden Warbler

First breeding Goosanders at St.Ives

Image supplied by I.Hargreaves with thanks

April 2008

With March being much colder this year than of late, summer migrant species were late to return. April started in a similar vein but eventually migrants started arriving. Chiffchaffs & Blackcaps normally arrive in March but didn't start turning up until mid-April. By the end of April there were at least 9 singing Chiffchaff and 4 singing Blackcaps. Willow Warblers were also back but not in good numbers.

There have been a few sightings of a Common Buzzard over St.Ives and the surrounding area, though nobody has managed to see a pair.

Great Spotted Woodpeckers have been drumming in several locations around the estate.
I have only heard the Green Woodpecker once though.

Coots, Canada Geese and Moorhens are all sat on nests.

When the weather improves we should have an influx of migrants, fingers crossed it'll be soon...............

24th March 2008

A full circuit starting from the new car park, clockwise through Cuckoo Nest Wood, past Coppice Pond & bog, past Lady Blantyre's Rock and into Racecourse Plantation via Heather Park.

Cuckoo Nest Wood; Plenty of bird song from Song and Mistle Thrushes. At least two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were drumming. Nuthatches were also in good voice and quite active.

Coppice Pond; A pair of Goosanders graced the pond. 29 Canada Geese made their presence felt but the Mallard numbers appeared to be low. Coot numbers were good with 12 present.

Lady Blantyre's Rock; Both Siskin and Redpoll flew over head.

Racecourse Plantation; Another woodpecker was drumming.

On the whole spring was in the air but not summer as both Chiffchaff and Blackcaps have yet to arrive.

January 2008

The Mute Swan has departed and has not returned, and he has not returned to East Riddlesden Hall where he spent his adolescence.

Goosanders have been seen occasionally usually in pairs on Coppice Pond.

The Canada Geese have returned in force with at least 22 present most days.

In the woods Siskins have been found in flocks of 20+ around the Lady Blantyre's Rock area and in Racecourse Plantation. One or two Redpoll have been seen with them.

Many birds have started singing now with good numbers of Robin, Chaffinch joining the Song Thrushes and Blackbirds in the dawn chorus.

Great Spotted Woodpeckers are now drumming in the woods.

Some birds have started pairing off and even nest prospecting though it'll be a while before they start breeding.

On the sunny warmer days one or two Butterflies have been seen.

23rd December 2007

A full circuit today produced few birds but at least the weather was nice for a change.

Coppice Pond
The male Mute Swan is still present (no doubt sometime soon he'll be "named")
No sign of any geese or visiting waterfowl. Plenty of Moorhen and Coot among the army of Mallards.

Racecourse Plantation
Siskins were heard overhead. A party of Long-tailed Tits contained Goldcrests and Coal Tits.

Golf Course - fields adjacent to the second tee.
On the dry stone wall a pair of Little Owls sunning themselves were interupted by a Grey Squirrel. One flew off but the other just ignored it by pretending to be a stone.

Cuckoo's Nest Wood
Nuthatches were vocal but difficult to locate. However we saw at least 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

15th December 2007

A full wander around the estate grounds this morning produced the following sightings;

Coppice Pond
Although partially frozen it made counting the waterfowl easier. The lone Mute Swan remains but there was no Canada Geese again. There were 42 Mallards, 10 Coot and at least 7 Moorhen.

Racecourse Plantation
Feeding quietly in the pathside trees were 4 Redpoll which I nearly missed as I walked past them. thanks to a flock of Goldcrests I managed to see them.

Blind Lane
A flock of 75+ Redwings were feeding among the leaf litter under two large isolated trees in the fields either side of Blind Lane. they didn't appear to mind me as I got closer and closer and I had excellent views of this winter visiting Thrush.

Cuckoo's Nest Wood
Nuthatches and Treecreepers were very vocal though I didn't see many of either.

More Fungi images