Blogger boob.

This is not a new blogg as such.

Anybody who has read my previous effort would notice the title,( Jacdaws evicted) but would find nothing relating to the subject.

The fault is all mine, so now we,ll try to bring some sense to it.

On Saturday Warwick came up to borrow my ladder to clear the Jackdaws nest from the village hall roof and he and I went over to do same, we cleared the outside then went to do the same in the hall.

Getting the ladder up to the trap we then discovered, ( not unexpectedly ) that the nest material extended over the trap which was part lifted with some difficulty to give us access and we proceeded to remove it until warwick could gain access to the roof space and complete the task, amongst much dust and debris.

The rubbish removed filled 5/6 barrowloads and was removed to the garden area, this rubbish consisting of mainly very dry sticks could have become a fire hazard in time.

I then came home and proceeded to do my blogg giving it as I thought an appropriate title, got to the end, posted it then found I had written nothing about it. Senior moment!!!!!., Will try to do better in future.

Evicting Jackdaws.

6/8/10.

Sitting quietly today having a rest when there was a smack on the ground in front of my feet followed by a Blue Tit which took one look at me and promptly departed leaving behind a Lime Hawk Moth caterpillar, I dont know what the Tit thought it was going to do with it as it was nearly as big as him , a couple of inches long with a long hook on the back, quite a mouthfull!.

7/8/10.

A Curlew flew over Morrisons car park this morning, the first I have seen since the spring.

8/8/10.

A Curlew calling over the valley today.

9/8/10.

Two young Song Thrushes and A Chiff Chaff in the garden at lunchtime.

14/8/10.

A Heron flew up the valley this morning. later two Long Tailed Tits on the feeder.

15/8/10.

Green and Gt Spotted Woodpeckers calling today, many Swallows(high) and a Peregrine over the garden mid afternoon.

19/8/10.

Walked over the downs to Kemyel today, Blackcaps in the blackthorn.

20/8/10.

Reports of an Otter by the bridge below the mill shop, unconfirmed.

29/8/10.

A Tawny Owl roosting in a Larch tree today, seen on our Sunday walk.

31/8/10.

Several Long Tailed Tits on the feeders today, but did not stay.

9/9/10.

Walked to Carn Barges, a Kestrel and a possible Merlin, a Pheasant exploded from cover almost beneath my feet, Gannets offshore and a Seal in the cove.

12/9/10.

Porthgwarra. A late Swift and a Kestrel, Gannets, Shag, Gulls, a Seal in the cove.

14/9/10.

A Sparrow Hawk over Treverven.

17/9/10.

A Heron flew down the valley early morning.

19/9/10.

A Green Woodpecker on the back lawn feeding on ants, Common Sandpiper along foreshore near Carn Barges.

26/9/10.

Walked to Carn Barges and back to the cove, Gannets, Cormorant Oystercatchers ,one being harassed by a raptor, probably a Sparrowhawk. Rock Pippits and several Grey Wagtails including one in the garden when I got Home, A Dipper by the bridge the first i,ve seen for some time.

A quiet time of year

Not a lot to report as I have not been out much, been doing some work on the Landrover and also clearing parts of the garden, hope that things will begin to pick up now that autumn is approaching.
26/6/10.
A Heron flew down the valley early this morning, heard it calling and then it emerged from the mist. A family of Blue Tits in the garden, the adults being kept very busy feeding their young.
30/6/10.
Today I watched a life and death drama in my garden, a predator had caught its prey which was doing its utmost to escape and at one stage actually did so only to be seized again and dragged off to the predators lair, had this been on the African veldt it would have been the subject of a wildlife documentary and shown to millions but this took place in the corner of a window in an outhouse between a spider about a half inch across (including legs!) and what I believe was a predatory wasp approx three quarters of an inch long, the spider won !.
1/7/10.
A flock 0f young Goldfinches in the back garden this morning, looking tatty as they are moulting into adult plumage.
18/7/10.
Today was the first of our sunday walks 16 people in total and they seemed to enjoy it, not a lot to see but Manx Shearwaters in good numbers off Kemyel Point.
20/7/10.
A female Wolf spider carrying its egg case on the rear of its body seen in the grass this morning.
23/7/10.
I watched a Swallow today playing with a feather, for about ten minutes it kept taking it high in the air and releasing it and chasing it down until it caught it just above the ground and then repeating the operation many times, Swift and House Martins also on the wing.
25/7/10.
14 people on the walk the only thing of real interest was a mixed flock of Gannets and Manx Shearwaters feeding off Carn Barges, people seem to be more interested in the plants which we see, good thing ! as they dont fly away.
1/8/10.
A wet misty day 6 people on the walk, 2 Common Sandpipers off Carn Barges and a juvenile Whitethroat on the way back to the cove.
3/8/10.
Another very wet misty start to the day,I was out and close to a Buddleia bush in full bloom and suprised at the lack of butterflies, until the rain stopped and within minutes it was smothered,Red Admirals were the most numerous with Painted Ladies and Whites and also many bees.

Summer.

2/6/10.

On the way to Penzance this morning I saw a Kestrel over the fields between Sheffield and the Ring and Thimble, this was the first sighting I have had for some time as it seems they have abandoned their usual nest site in the NE quarry.

8/6/10.

I saw a Skylark this morning between the Maidens and St Buryan turn but have not heard any singing, this used to be frequent when I was younger but sadly this is no longer so.

A small party of Bullfinches between between Treveren and Sparnon cross, also today I found a Blue Tits nest in an old iron cooking pot hanging on a fence.

13/6/10.

Walked to carn Barges today, nothing to report on the bird front but Honeysuckle and Elder are coming into flower as are Stonecrop,Pennywort, Sea Beet and Bittersweet.

18/6/10.

A Greenwoodpecker in the garden today, a Tawny Owl calling at 10.15 in the morning at Boskenna, also at Boskenna a Swallow took exception to my presence and proceeded to dive bomb me as I was walking through a particular area, presume it had a nest nearby.

21/6/10.

walked to Carn Barges, Goldfinches, Long Tailed Tits, Linnets a flock of Guillemot 15/20 strong a long way offshore. Royal Fern leafing up.

22/6/10.

3 Gt Spotted Woodpeckers on one feeder in the garden !! a tight fit.

Buzzards

18/5/10.
While at Treverven today I watched 2 Buzzards displaying, they started high up and tumbled over and over at times locking talons, they fell almost to the ground and then headed off.
20/5/10.
The Sparrows are still visiting the feeders but no sign of any young.
Did my usual walk today not a lot happening but Orange Tip butterfly on the wing and Yellow Flag Irises in flower. Off Lamorna Point Gannets were feeding.
21/5/10.
Toad tadpoles in the ornamental pond a Boskenna gathered along the water line feeding on algae. We have a young Robin who comes visiting most days, getting very bold feeding from Jo,s hand and sitting on her knee.
24/5/10.
Walked to Carn Barges ,along the coast path and back up through the woods.
Hawthorns now coming into flower, also called May, it is said to be unlucky to bring it into the house, Foxgloves starting to bloom and Honeysuckle showing colour on the buds.
The Buzzard at the nest on the cliffs was showing but difficult to see saw my first House Martins of the year , they seem to be scarce here this year, Swallows, Linnets and a possible Sedge Warbler, audible only. May bugs in the garden.
28/5/10.
Clearing some growth in a damp area at Boskenna found 1 adult and 2 young Frogs, 2 young Toads and numerous common Newts, pictures will be on Piccassa.
30/5/10.
Walking today to Carn Barges Linnets, Willow Warblers, Chiff Chaff, Blackcap, Song Thrush, Goldfinch and Whitethroats.A flock of around a hundred Gannet were feeding very close in off Carn Barges, so close you could see the bubble trails as they were diving underwater but could not see what they were feeding on .
The Buzzard on the nest was showing well today, it appears to be a well fledged young bird almost ready to fly. As I was walking back to the cove I came over a small rise close to the cross and almost stepped on a young Raven, I not sure who was the most suprised !!.
In a wet place found Water Forget Me Not in flower and along the cliff path Scabious are showing colour.

Pheasant.

4/5/10.
Today at Treverven I saw my first Swift this year.
9/5/10.
The Apple trees that grow along the path to Carn Barges and on the cliffs are now coming into flower, they produce very little fruit as they live in harsh conditions.
Bugle,Dog Daises,Kidney vetch and the first threads of Dodder are appearing.
On the bird front a Mallard drake, Moorhen, Blackcap, Linnet and Willow Warbler, there are young Robins in the garden.
11/5/10.
Two duck flew over the valley early this morning, probably Mallard, I had to take the Landrover for its MOT today and I always put my bike in the back and ride home along the sea wall from Marazion to Penzance and today I had the company of Swallows flying along at my side.
17/5/10.
Walked to Carn Barges this morning and saw Mallard (2), Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff and a Buzzard at the nest site on the cliffs, on the path a Pheasant chick appeared at my feet and I managed to catch it, while in my hand it let out a loud cheep and the mother came out of the undergrowth and proceeded to put on her broken wing act and led me off along the path until she was satisfied her brood were safe. A small lizard ran across the path on the way back to the cove. Counted 19 Purple Orchids in flower.

White Bluebells

White Bluebell

13/4/10.
Today I walked to Carn Barges and there were Willow Warblers in the Willow carr also Chiff Chaff and Goldfinches.
More Bluebells in flower.
A f ew weeks ago spotted what I thought might be a Buzzards nest on the cliffs and this morning there were 2 birds at the site but early days yet they could still decide to go elsewhere.
Gannets over the sea and a Raven and a Sparrowhawk along the cliff path, a Pheasant calling.
15/4/10.
A report of a possible Red Backed Shrike in the Lamorna area today, the person who saw it took some pictures, photos to follow ( hopefully)!. A pair of Goldcrests in the garden today.
18/4/10.
At Marazion today a pair of Mallard with 15 young
23/4/10.
Found a Blackbirds nest today with 2 eggs.
24/4/10.
A Sparrowhawk over the garden early this morning.
25/4/10.
Did a walk through Tregurno, Rosemodress and Tregiffian then back via the Maidens and Rocky lane, very little to see just the usual. On the road bv the maidens we saw Eric Care driving his pony and trap.
29/4/10.
Today a young Robin flew into our lounge window but no damage done flew off with an adult.
1/5/10.
St Marks flies on the wing, Im not sure about their correct name can never find them in a guide but this is their local name, the fishermen say the fishing is good when they are about.
2/5/10.
Sparrows and Goldfinches in the garden this morning, Swallows over Chygurno and along the cliffs. Bluebells now numerous on the path to Carn Barges and on the cliffs also Spring Squill,
Foxgloves in bud, Bladder and Sea Campion flowering 1 white Bluebell and a lot of Thrift.
Three Cornered Leek everywhere, I know its a nuisance in the garden but I like it.
The Whitethroats have now returned and are busy on the cliffs,a male Blackcap singing, 1 Moorhen heard but not seen 1 Canada Goose.
On the way back through the woods Early Purple orchids (7) Garlic Mustard also known as Jack by the Hedge and Pendulous Sedge, the various species of ferns are now coming into leaf ,the new growth looking like Bishops Croziers .
Along the lane by home Shining Cranesbill and in the back garden Ladies Mantle also known as Cuckoo flower.