The crow family (Corvids) includes Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Rook, that are common on the wildlife site, Jay that visit here occasionally and Raven have been observed flying over the site. Members of the crow family are very intelligent predators that have better problem-solving abilities than most birds and most other creatures, for example dogs.
Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) and Magpie (Pica pica) are seen feeding throughout the wildlife site at all times of year. Like all Corvids, the diet of Carrion Crow is very varied but is of particular concern here because carrion crows are known as major predators of young lapwing. Magpie (Pica Pica) have also been seen taking young lapwing and mallard on the wildlife site. Magpies breed here but are usually seen in pairs or small groups (maximum group of 16 magpies recorded here).
Another member of the crow family that we see feeding on Fields 3, 4, 5 where lapwing breed, is Jackdaw (Corvus monedula). Jackdaw, distinguished by its grey "hood", are always present and sometimes in large flocks of several hundred birds. Jackdaw are not widely regarded as major predators of lapwing chicks but the large numbers of jackdaw disturb the lapwing and probably make the nests even more susceptible to opportunistic attack by crows and magpies
Rook (Corvus frugilegus), which have grey skin at the base of the bill, are frequently seen spaced around the Fields 3,4 and 5 often apparently digging for worms.
The colourful Jay (Garrulus glandarius) is basically a secretive woodland bird with taste for acorns but it is seen occasionally in areas around Downlee Lodge where there are groups of large mature trees.
Raven (Corvus corax) are seen and heard occasionally flying over the site.
Photographs of Corvids
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