Sunday 28 February 2010

House Sparrows.

Three House Sparrows have appeared on the feeders this morning, 2 cocks and 1 hen almost the same time as last year(1/3/09).
A Song Thrush singing in the evening.
25/2/10.
Sparrows again today, 1 cock 1 hen, on the way to Carn Barges 4 Moorhen and a Grey heron. Tawny Owls (males) calling early this morning at least 4.
A flock of Lapwing over Moorcroft.
28/2/10.
Sparrows again yesterday and today, a Grey heron over the valley this morning being
harassed by Rooks and Herring Gulls.
For those who follow my blog regularly you will see I have included some bird pictures, these I have taken with a new camera which I am still getting used to so please excuse if bthe quality is not perfect.

Monday 22 February 2010

Rooks.

10/2/10.
A small flock of Snipe in the dip at Shefield this morning c 30,a group of Snipe is known as a Wisp, very apt as when they are on the wing they can look like smoke.
14/2/10.
On the way to Carn Barges 1 Curlew, Long Tailed Tits and 4 Mallard 2 male 2 female.
Offshore Gannets , Razorbills 3,Dolphins at least 4 working an area off the cove and appeared to be feeding, Fulmars 18 on the ledges where they will nest later on in the year.Black Redstart in the cove and Pied Wagtails Buzzards in the woods on the way home.I forgot 2 Moorhen as well.
15/2/10.
Goldfinches on feeders in the garden this morning.
16/2/10.
Gt Spotted Woodpeckers drumming most days now and Song Thrushes singing, Stonechats in cove 2 ,1male 1 female, Gannets offshore.
19/2/10.
A Song Thrush in the garden this morning, bathing in the bird bath and having a great time
21/2/10.
Green Woodpecker laughing up the valley this morning and a Gt Spotted on a feeder at home.
Walked out towards the Maidens this morning via Rocky Lane and in the fields opposite Borah Chapel were many Blackbirds, several Song Thrushes and close to 100 Redwings these were all feeding where dung spreading had taken place, later in the walk another large flock of Redwings (200+) in fields at Bosskena Home Farm.
Buzzards soaring and Goldfinch in the hedges.
22/2/10.
Evidence that the Rooks are starting to nest ,they are dropping twigs all over our garden.
Another sign of spring I found buds on the Marsh Marigolds today.

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Signs of spring.

3/2/10.
On the Morrisons roundabout this morning there was a Black Headed Gull with a full black hood this is their breeding plumage so an early sign of spring also in the same area in the scrub behind the garage a Song Thrush was singing its heart out.
On the way home catkins were appearing on the Hazels, particularly by the Lamorna Pottery.Later in the day I walked down to the cove and a long way offshore there were Gannets and Auks flying SW, the Auks were probably Guillemot but too far off to be sure.
In the cove there were Pied Wagtail,Stonechat and a Black Redstart,coming back over the downs in the Daffodil fields behind Estelles house a mole had been busy throwing up hills, in some parts of the country these used to be known as " Tumps"!.
5/2/10.
A large flock of Redwings at Boskenna home farm early morning.
6/2/10.
A Grey Heron in the valley this morning by Vow Cave studio,a Song Thrush feeding on Ivy berries by the town side entrance to Morrab gardens.
7/2/10.
Gannets and Guillemots offshore, 15 Fulmar on the ledges by the cross,2 Ravens displaying over Huers.
9/2/10.
Walked to Castallack, signs of Badger along the verges where they had been digging,small flock of Lapwing over Castallack moor also c 20 Golden Plover, a large flock of Redwing on the high fields.
On the way home stopped and had a chat to James Searle who was cultivating the land at the top of Oakhill ready for planting out using his tractor and James Fox,s old cultivator, its nice to see old tools still in use and doing a good job, 2 Pied Wagtails were taking advantage of the turned earth to feed.

Monday 1 February 2010

A quiet week.

25/1/10.
A small party of Long Tailed Tits on peanut feeders.
Walked to Castallack and on to Castallack moor, Redwings on the fields on the way to Castallack moor, Lapwings (97) over Castallack moor. A Goldfinch at Oakhill.
27/1/10.
Mallard (7)Gannets, Guillemot c 30,Fulmar 11 Grey & Pied Wagtails.
28/1/10.
Gt Spotted Woodpecker drumming.
1/2/10.
Tawny Owls calling,Woodpeckers Drumming,Moorhen (2) Gannets, Long Tailed Tits, Fulmar(13),Black Redstart in cove by cafe.