|
Mrs S
B Bottle
Bird Survey
for the Churchyard
Area of St John the Baptist
Letton Herefordshire
March/April
2003
Contents:
1. Approach to survey.
2. Listing of Birds Seen.
3. Nesting Observed.
4. Points of Interest.
5. Conclusion.
1. Approach
to Survey:
a) The survey was carried out on three separate
occasions covering morning, mid-day and late
afternoon.
b) The numbers of birds given should be read
as the maximum number for any single visit without
duplicating sightings.
c) The sightings were taken from the churchyard
area, only noting the birds which were subject
to the area (except where noted).
d) Listing given in alphabetical order.
e) Where obviously paired it is stated D As
a general guide some sighting areas have been
stated.
2. Listing
of Birds Sighted:
| Name |
No's. |
Sighting Area |
| Blackbird |
5 |
Tree perching |
| Blue Tits |
1 pr |
|
| Chaffinch |
3 |
|
| Coal Tits |
1 pr |
|
| Collared Doves |
1 pr |
Perched in large tree on west
side |
| Greenfinch |
1 pr |
|
| Goldfinch |
2 |
Flitting between trees |
| Nuthatch |
1 pr |
|
| Pied Wagtail |
1 |
Exploring church roof |
| Robin |
1 pr + 1 |
|
| Song Thrush |
2 |
|
| Sparrow |
1 pr + 3 |
|
| Willow Warbler |
1 |
Perched, singing from conifer |
| Wood Pigeon |
5 |
Visiting in & out |
3. Nesting
Observed:
a) Blue Tits, Coal Tits and Robins were seen
to be possibly nesting in the conifer hedge
along the South perimeter.
b) One pair of Blackbirds was possibly nesting
in the conifer at the South East corner.
c) One pair of Sparrows was seen revisiting
the church eaves.
d) A considerable number of nests were observed
around the church and particularly mud built
nests around the church tower eaves, also with
one seen in the porch roof space. The mud built
external nests of this nature is only built
by House Martins (Martins together with Swallows
and Swifts do not revisit us until May).
Five to Six nests seen on each of the tower
N. W & E walls were mud built, several of which
had entrances on the underside, which is not
normal for House Martins. Reference was made
to the RSPB of this situation and they advised
that Woodpeckers do take over this style of
nest occasionally and make entrances in the
downward position. However a large corner position
nest like this looks more like a wasp or similar
nest.
4. Points
of Interest.
a) As well as feeding in the trees the Nuthatches
were observed feeding together on the church
roof and on the roofs of surrounding buildings.
b) In addition to the birds seen in the churchyard,
a number of Rook, Jackdaw and Carrion Crow are
seen nesting in the surrounding areas.
5. Conclusion:
It was pleasing to find a broad
selection of birds for such a small area, feeding
on insects, seeds in trees and on the ground.
If replacement or increase in number of deciduous
trees is considered, thought should be given to
improving feeding and nesting facilities for the
birds. Also nesting facilities in the form of
bird boxes should be increased.
Download
and print the Survey in Full:
You may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader
to view the above pages.
Click here to download your free copy:
Take
Part
If you would like to take part,
or would like to support this project, please
email godsacre@lettonvillage.com
for more details.
|
