Quite a few carrion crows have fledged in the Landshipping area now. Juveniles can be seen perched in various trees and bushes awaiting
food from the adults. There seems to be a plentiful supply of small marine organisms to support them. Jack Donovan and
Graham Rees (Birds of Pembrokeshire) mention groups of non-breeding crows,
sometimes up to 100 strong, gathering on the estuaries during the summer to
feed on shellfish. Over the last several weeks we reckon to have seen at least 100-150 non-breeders doing just that along
the shore between Landshipping and Sam’s Wood.
This afternoon over at Blackpool Mill, blue tits (several pairs) were extremely
busy taking in caterpillars to their young. Judging by the amount
of food being taken to various nests, it looks like they are probably
having a pretty good breeding season, although adult plumage is starting to look
a bit worn now.
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| Sawfly and moth larvae seemed to be the main food |
The spotted flycatcher was feeding occasionally from
the river-side willows this afternoon but never close enough to enable a closer
look at its right leg ring.
There were plenty of other woodland birds around. Stock doves were calling nearby and a few wood warblers were singing in their usual spots. Great spotted woodpeckers were also looking for caterpillars in the canopy to feed their probably soon to fledge offspring. Blackcaps are one of the most numerous species in our area. This territorial male (who seems to have a damaged right tarsus and was only able to perch on his left foot) was keeping a close eye on at least two other nearby singing males.
