Sunday 9 May 2010

Warblers, and em Warblers

I thought I would try and get involved with some survey work, so after contacting the necessary people a few tetrads were picked up. One of which is the Universities campus and farmland. So this morning, joined by a friend who's just getting into birding we headed out for a 2 hour timed tetrad.

We started at my block, Blencathra, we headed towards the small Rookery, and House Sparrow hot spots first. Over the day we counted 31 House Sparrows, the Rookery held 6 nests with young. Highlights of the day were a total of 12 Stock Dove, discovery of a Yellowhammer nest with 4 eggs, a Chaffinch nest with 2, a Long-Tailed Tit nest, a Female Blackbird incubating, and a Common Buzzard nest. Through the day there was also a lot of Warbler song and activity, with 11 Willow Warbler singing, 8 Blackcap, a smaller number of Chiff Chaff than expected with only 3 singing birds, same again with Whitethroat with only 1 singing male, but by the far the highlight of the day was 2 singing Garden Warblers.

Scribblies
The rest of the day was spent revising until 18:00 when I needed a breather, so Cliburn Moss seemed like the perfect place to have a wander. As I got out the car I was hit by what sounded like the M6 of Warbler song, walking the circular route I picked up 14 Willow Warbler, 4 male Blackcap, and another 2 Garden Warbler, not a single whisper from a Chiff Chaff. Also about, 2 ducklings in the small pool, although no adults in sight, a Moorhen nest with 4 eggs was also on the pool, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Jay, Pair of Tufted on larger pond, 2 Curlew, Wren, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Song Thrush, 3 Treecreeper, House Sparrow, Swallow, 2 Red Legged Partridge, and 3 Willow Tit which I was very pleased to find as they are a declining species in the county.
I love this wood.

9 comments:

  1. Good to see you back up and birding and blogging:-) Sounds like a good day, apart from the revising bit! I just came across the term 'scribbles' the other day. Cheers. Brian.

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  2. I agree with Brian, we need MORE Holywell Birding as your observations Cain are always a joy. Great to read about all the nests you came across.
    Forgive my ignorance but could you explain the term "scribbles"
    Cheers John

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  3. I'll be done and dusted on Friday, then it will be time for some proper blogging :)

    'Scribbles' refers to the pattern on the Yellowhammer's egg, (lots of scribble like lines), Yellowhammers themselves used to be referred to as Writing Lark, Scribbling Lark, and Scribe. I got the term off my dad.

    Cheers,

    Cain

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  4. I'd just come across the term 'scribbling' lark myself whilst preparing some info. The 'Writing Lark' and 'Scribe' is a bit added info which I shall include.:-) Cheers. Brian

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  5. Got them two from 'Th Observer's Book of Birds' Eggs' by G. Evans. Got some more for you haha, known as a Yellow Yowlie locally in Northumberland, and looks like I've had a spelling mistake, 'Scribblie'

    Cheers,

    Cain

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  6. Thanks for that Cain, interesting stuff to be looked up.
    Cheers
    John

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  7. A bit of research and more for the list for Yellowhammer.
    Yellow Yeldring, Yellow Bunting, Gold-spink, Yoldring, Yeorling, Yeldrock, Yellow Yite, Yoit, Yarlin, Yeet, Blakeling, Gladdie, Golden Amber, Scribbling Schoolmaster.
    John

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  8. It certainly had a few names.

    Thanks for your added research :)

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  9. Just thought I'd add a little more info.:-) The 'Scribbling' markings on the egg where once thought to hold demonic meaning! (birds Britannica). The 'hammer' part of the name is derived from the German word 'Ammer' which means bunting. Cheers. Brian.

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