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19th November 2006

Coppice Pond:
3 Goosander (Imm male & 2 Females), 21 Canada Geese,
Mallards, Coot and Moorhens.

Cuckoo Nest Wood:
A flock of Pink-footed Geese flew over but were hidden by the trees, so I couldn't count them or get a definite direction. Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jays and Nuthatches present.

Generally very quiet today despite the decent weather. No Sign of any winter passerines and it was quite frustrating to have only heard the Pink-footed Geese going overhead.

12th November 2006

Today I parked in the new car park near the Bingley entrance and walked anit-clockwise around the Estate, which is the opposite way round to my usual route.

Conifer plantation near Car park and Betty's Lodge:
A party of about 30, Goldfinch were feeding in the Larch trees along the edge of the wood. A Grat Spotted Woodpecker flew across the car park. There were several Jays in the woods. A male Kestrel was sat on the pylon wires at the reservoir side of the wood.

Crossgates Barn area:
Treecreepers were heard in the woods opposite the barn.

Racecourse Plantation:
No sign of Redpoll or Siskin, but a feeding party of Tits and 'Crests were heard.

Coppice Bog area:
A party of Goldcrests were "pished" down from the tree tops and came very close.

Coppice Pond:
2 adult male and 4 female Goosanders were present today, as well as a male Tufted Duck. The usual flock of Canada Geese and Mallards were keeping a watchful eye out for bread. The 30+ strong flock of Black-headed Gulls didn't include any other type of Gull species.

Cuckoo Nest Wood:
Very quiet except for the occasional calls of Nuthatches and Jays.

A pleasant walk but no sign of any winter visitors at all and no passage over head of anything was noted.

4th November 2006

Today was my first walk around St.Ives for quite a few weeks.

After a couple of days with frosty starts today was actually quite mild. I was hoping the birds would be taking advantage of the slightly warmer conditions and be very active. If they were they weren't active around me!

Coppice Pond: had the usual Mallards and Coot, with a collection of Black-headed Gulls. No sign of any Grebes but 5 Goosander were present. An adult male, 1st winter male, 2 adult females and a 1st winter female.

Coppice Bog: A small flock of finches flew overhead including Chaffinch and at least one Brambling (the first of this winter period).

Heather Park: A lone Redpoll flew over.

Racecourse Plantation: Another single Redpoll flew over

Cuckoo's Nest Wood: Very quiet except for the Wrens and Robins singing. I did manage a glimpse of a Nuthatch, but I saw very little else. I heard several Treecreepers and Jays as well as a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

All in all, a nice morning for a walk but sadly very little wildlife on show. Amazingly there was no sign of any Redwing or Fieldfare despite the recent influx into the country.

October

With the passing of October, just about all our summer migrant birds will have departed. There might still be the odd sighting of Chiffchaff into November.

Winter visitors, such as Fieldfare & Redwing, have arrived into the Bradford area in general. Bramblings have also been seen and Siskin and Redpoll numbers have swelled.