Ringed Plover .........Charadrius hiaticula
Photographed earlier in the season. The bottom photograph is of a pair of juveniles.
The humble Mallard
6 days ago
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Car less.
Unfortunately due to mechanical car problems I will be unable to visit the site for a few days.
Reports of sightings are always welcome along with site photographs of interest.
Reports of sightings are always welcome along with site photographs of interest.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
St Austell a New Town.
Congratulations to everyone connected with building the New Town. Everywhere was spotless for the 10-00am opening and a credit to the people who tidied it up.
The local community was out in force along with the towns dignatiaries and security was in plentiful evidence.
I walked around trying to keep away from the crowd and get a shot or two with my compact.
The street art (The China Cafe) was fantastic and I would like to see more of this colourful approach to what has been a dreary town for a long while. I have always thought the town needs some recognised event that captures the publics imagination like the 'Obby 'Oss day at Padstow. Still...it is a step in the right direction.
The local community was out in force along with the towns dignatiaries and security was in plentiful evidence.
I walked around trying to keep away from the crowd and get a shot or two with my compact.
The street art (The China Cafe) was fantastic and I would like to see more of this colourful approach to what has been a dreary town for a long while. I have always thought the town needs some recognised event that captures the publics imagination like the 'Obby 'Oss day at Padstow. Still...it is a step in the right direction.
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Roger Lane Reports.
"Not a lot of interest at Par today (and not a single Diver or Grebe off Porthpean !). All there was at Par was 'clustered' around the Par River 'estuary' at high tide (c.15.30gmt?), they were:
20 x Turnstones; 1 x Bar Tailed Godwit; 1 x Wigeon and 1 x G.C.Grebe, well inshore ! "
Thanks for the report Roger.
The year is unfolding slowly.
20 x Turnstones; 1 x Bar Tailed Godwit; 1 x Wigeon and 1 x G.C.Grebe, well inshore ! "
Thanks for the report Roger.
The year is unfolding slowly.
Butterflies
There were plenty of Butterflies around the Wilderness yesterday . I must keep a record of the last recorded on site for the year.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Super Stonechat
Stonechat ...........Saxicola torquata
Photographed at Par Dunes.
I think he is getting use to me as he poses long enough to get a good photograph.
Windy Weather.
Took a look at the site early afternoon hoping the resent winds had blown some mega off course...sadly no such luck. The pool was its usual self with the dominant Geese and Gulls backed up by the Swans and wildfowl.
The tide was in so I was not expecting much on the shoreline..a few gulls were bobbing on the choppy water with a quintet of Kite Surfers further out . That is all I could see on the water.
Surprisingly ..nine Oystercatchers were the car park side of the River and Sea and I did manage to get a half decent shot before they flew off to Spit.
Nothing else of interest with the exception of the two Stonechats in the Dune area giving me another good chance of a photograph.
The tide was in so I was not expecting much on the shoreline..a few gulls were bobbing on the choppy water with a quintet of Kite Surfers further out . That is all I could see on the water.
Surprisingly ..nine Oystercatchers were the car park side of the River and Sea and I did manage to get a half decent shot before they flew off to Spit.
Nothing else of interest with the exception of the two Stonechats in the Dune area giving me another good chance of a photograph.
Monday, 26 October 2009
The Only Bird Photograph Taken.
Black-headed Gull ..........Larus ridibundusWas unable to visit the site over the weekend with the exception of a very short session yesterday evening as the sun went down.
Nothing unusual was seen or has been reported. We did watch the Starlings circle and eventually roost in the reeds after an aerial display that last many minutes.
Friday, 23 October 2009
Med Gull
Reply to John Rance regarding the Med Gull with the green coloured ring on its leg.
"Many thanks for reporting a colour ringed Med Gull. Unfortunately, it's not possible to tell you more about this Med Gull, except that it can come from France or Germany.
We would really appreciate if you could try to read the ring in the next days."
Thanks John for the update on the Med Gull with the green ring.
If anyone was fortunate enough to have read the numbers I would be happy to forward them on to John Rance.
If as I suspect the gull was just passing through I doubt the opportunity to read the number will present itself again...still all birders live in hope.
"Many thanks for reporting a colour ringed Med Gull. Unfortunately, it's not possible to tell you more about this Med Gull, except that it can come from France or Germany.
We would really appreciate if you could try to read the ring in the next days."
Thanks John for the update on the Med Gull with the green ring.
If anyone was fortunate enough to have read the numbers I would be happy to forward them on to John Rance.
If as I suspect the gull was just passing through I doubt the opportunity to read the number will present itself again...still all birders live in hope.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Roger Lane Reports
" thought I'd point out that there are thus THREE MED.Gulls at Par. Mine were unringed wint. ad.; SILVER-ringed wint. ad (with NO green ring), and your correspondent had a GREEN ringed adult I believe (all yesterday, 21stOct?)."
Thanks Roger for the report.
Thanks Roger for the report.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Stonechats Saved the Day.
Stonechats ....Saxicola torquataAfter dipping on the Med Gull and finding the Brent Geese had left the Bay I was looking for something to photograph. ...
Up pops my favourite birds a pair of Stonechats perched high and low but giving me a fair chance of a photograph......now if only all birds were that obliging.
Report from John Rance. (Tuesday)
"On PBP this morning:
1 Med Gull ( with green ring on right leg, details of which I've sent to the BTO)
5 Swallow over the Pool."
Thanks for the report John.
Sorry it 's gone up a day late but the gremlins have hit the computer.
I searched through the large flock of Gulls but could not locate it ...so I suppose it has moved on.
1 Med Gull ( with green ring on right leg, details of which I've sent to the BTO)
5 Swallow over the Pool."
Thanks for the report John.
Sorry it 's gone up a day late but the gremlins have hit the computer.
I searched through the large flock of Gulls but could not locate it ...so I suppose it has moved on.
Monday, 19 October 2009
A Touch of Cold Weather.
A brief look around the PBP and surrounding area.
A trio of Wigeon were on the pool early afternoon along with at least thirty Jackdaws.
Decided on a quick look for the Kingfisher but I dipped on that one also the Grey Wagtails.
The low tide shoreline yielded just the usual but I did notice the Brent Geese were still in attendance close into the shore.
The only other things I noted was.... it was extremely chilly by the shore and a few Kite Surfers were out on the waves.
A trio of Wigeon were on the pool early afternoon along with at least thirty Jackdaws.
Decided on a quick look for the Kingfisher but I dipped on that one also the Grey Wagtails.
The low tide shoreline yielded just the usual but I did notice the Brent Geese were still in attendance close into the shore.
The only other things I noted was.... it was extremely chilly by the shore and a few Kite Surfers were out on the waves.
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Manoa Valley
A trip to the Manoa Valley proved rewarding for such a short visit.
After again photographing the *Manoa White Horse* I stopped alongside a tree where I had noticed some activity... a little while earlier.
Using my bins I found a Blue Tit followed by a Great Tit and what I at first thought was a Coal Tit. The bird again came back into sight and I had a good view...there was no white patch on the back of the head...out went Coal Tit. That now left me with Marsh or Willow and I made a note the head was thickish like a Bullfinch and the top of the head was a dull black which I intended to I.D when I returned to the car.
Further activity revealed a Tree Creeper disappearing around the blind side of the tree and a movement in an adjacent Holly Tree caught my eye and I managed to see a pair of birds with one giving me a perfect head on view of the orange line on the top of the head....my first reaction was Firecrest then I started to have my doubts.
After looking in the Bird Guide I realised I had seen a Willow Tit which was a Life and Patch Tick .
The small birds were in fact Goldcrests.
After again photographing the *Manoa White Horse* I stopped alongside a tree where I had noticed some activity... a little while earlier.
Using my bins I found a Blue Tit followed by a Great Tit and what I at first thought was a Coal Tit. The bird again came back into sight and I had a good view...there was no white patch on the back of the head...out went Coal Tit. That now left me with Marsh or Willow and I made a note the head was thickish like a Bullfinch and the top of the head was a dull black which I intended to I.D when I returned to the car.
Further activity revealed a Tree Creeper disappearing around the blind side of the tree and a movement in an adjacent Holly Tree caught my eye and I managed to see a pair of birds with one giving me a perfect head on view of the orange line on the top of the head....my first reaction was Firecrest then I started to have my doubts.
After looking in the Bird Guide I realised I had seen a Willow Tit which was a Life and Patch Tick .
The small birds were in fact Goldcrests.
Missing Birds
Yesterdays visit to the Baywatch site 1100 hrs.
The first thing I noticed when I arrived at PBP was the absence of activity on the pool. In fact it was deserted..the bottom half of the pool from the deep water sign to the mobile homes was totally devoid of life on the pool or poolside...absolutely nothing . The other end had a dozen Moorhens a trio of Coots and two Canada Geese on the pool and everything else was at the poolside waiting for someone to come along and feed them . This included the Swans plus the two juveniles ,Mallards,Moorhens and Coots. There were no Gulls or Canada Geese (except the two on the water) anywhere on the site. I reckon that would account for at least five hundred birds missing since the same time the previous day.
The first thing I noticed when I arrived at PBP was the absence of activity on the pool. In fact it was deserted..the bottom half of the pool from the deep water sign to the mobile homes was totally devoid of life on the pool or poolside...absolutely nothing . The other end had a dozen Moorhens a trio of Coots and two Canada Geese on the pool and everything else was at the poolside waiting for someone to come along and feed them . This included the Swans plus the two juveniles ,Mallards,Moorhens and Coots. There were no Gulls or Canada Geese (except the two on the water) anywhere on the site. I reckon that would account for at least five hundred birds missing since the same time the previous day.
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Bad Kingfisher Shots
Kingfisher ........Alcedo atthis
Photographed at Par River at a distance of fifty metres approximately
The lighting was very poor and the photographs are just for the record
Roger Lane Reports
No sun today, so 'did' the rounds of Par Bay. Starting at the Menabilly Barton car-park, where there was very little except for the 120+, GOLDFINCH flock.
Back to Polkerris, the sea still entirely empty of wintering birds. Only bird of any note was the Par KESTREL flying over the sea toward the Gribbin !
Best stop was the high ground field at Kilmarth (opp. Daphne Du Maurier's old house). Here there was a MISTLE THRUSH on the electicity wires, stopped to check it out, and a flock of 100+, LINNETS flew up to wires ! Oh yes and 6+, PHEASANTS.
Down to Par, not a lot on the Pool (though I see the Geese are back (!), so they don't mind deep or saline water after all! ) I did see the LITTLE GREBE, the lone immature male TEAL feeding beneath the legs of the geese ! And no less than 45+ MOORHENS on the water, how many more were in the reeds ?
Finally Par Bay was obliging for once with a flock of precisely 10 WIGEON, and best of all two (more) pale-bellied BRENT GEESE.
Thanks for the report Roger.
I did manage to see the Brent Geese this time.(Patch Tick).
Back to Polkerris, the sea still entirely empty of wintering birds. Only bird of any note was the Par KESTREL flying over the sea toward the Gribbin !
Best stop was the high ground field at Kilmarth (opp. Daphne Du Maurier's old house). Here there was a MISTLE THRUSH on the electicity wires, stopped to check it out, and a flock of 100+, LINNETS flew up to wires ! Oh yes and 6+, PHEASANTS.
Down to Par, not a lot on the Pool (though I see the Geese are back (!), so they don't mind deep or saline water after all! ) I did see the LITTLE GREBE, the lone immature male TEAL feeding beneath the legs of the geese ! And no less than 45+ MOORHENS on the water, how many more were in the reeds ?
Finally Par Bay was obliging for once with a flock of precisely 10 WIGEON, and best of all two (more) pale-bellied BRENT GEESE.
Thanks for the report Roger.
I did manage to see the Brent Geese this time.(Patch Tick).
Patch Tick
I just caught the tail end of the geese before they moved further out to sea.
On the way out I caught sight of a female Pheasant around the grass area by the depth marker. Although the site has had a record it is the first one I have seen actually at Par Beach Pool.
On the way out I caught sight of a female Pheasant around the grass area by the depth marker. Although the site has had a record it is the first one I have seen actually at Par Beach Pool.
Brent Geese
Brent Goose ............Branta bernicla
Photographed at the low tide marker where they looked as if they were going over to Spit.
I should imagine they are the pale -bellied variety.
Rock Pipit ............Anthus petrosus
One of the resident Rock Pipits rummaging around the rocks and seaweed.
Collared Dove .....Streptopelia decaocto
The first bird I saw when I started the blog but this is the first time I have photographed one.
Stake Out.
Set out at 0930 hours this morning with the intention of photographing one of the *big three* Dipper, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail. The first hour was non productive then the Grey Wagtails came into view like yesterday...way too far away to photograph. Not long after the unmistakable flash of the Kingfisher as he swept past downstream. I located him perched sixty odd yards away on an upright post. Quickly I shot off a few shots for the record and unfortunately that is where they will remain. The Dipper...still no sign of it but two out of three is not bad...only the photographs.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
A Mixed Bunch.
Stonechat........Saxicola torquata
Robin ........Erithacus rubecula
Grey Wagtail......Motacilla cinereaThe photograph of the Grey Wagtail was the best of a extremely bad bunch. The bird was always out of range and never landed within my photographic zone. I hope to publish a much better photograph in the near future.
Kingfisher.
After a few days down the far West it is back to the nitty gritty.
I had an early start and was hoping to get a glimpse of the Kingfisher Mark photographed yesterday.
The PBP was a little strange with nothing on the water but all busy jostling on the foreshore waiting for further scraps fed to them (what I suspect is a daily ritual) by members of the public.
Looking through the groups was a lot easier .but the outcome remained the same. Swans,Geese, Coots, Moorhens, Pied Wagtails, Crows, Jackdaws, Mallards and Herring and Black-headed Gulls.
No sign of anything new.
I decided to look for the Kingfisher around the Par River. A couple of Grey Wagtails were very prominent but always a shade out of good photographic range. As I moved to another position I saw a flash of blue as a Kingfisher probably saw me and shot across the small river and disappeared upstream. I waited for another thirty minutes and only had a brief glimpse of it further upstream before I was Joined by Nigel a local birdwatcher. After a brief exchange of pleasantries I decided to have a look at the beach and leave the man in peace as Angie always says I make to much noise...being deaf I would not know.
On the walk to the beach I saw Robins and a number of Stonechats singing from the perch tops.
The beach at low tide yielded much the same as it always does....Gulls out at sea, Rock Pipits, Starlings, Crows, Oystercatchers over the Harbour side of the River and a flock of Turnstones ..twenty plus feeding around the rocks an seaweed.
The Kingfisher was my first sighting at Par so was a patch tick.
I had an early start and was hoping to get a glimpse of the Kingfisher Mark photographed yesterday.
The PBP was a little strange with nothing on the water but all busy jostling on the foreshore waiting for further scraps fed to them (what I suspect is a daily ritual) by members of the public.
Looking through the groups was a lot easier .but the outcome remained the same. Swans,Geese, Coots, Moorhens, Pied Wagtails, Crows, Jackdaws, Mallards and Herring and Black-headed Gulls.
No sign of anything new.
I decided to look for the Kingfisher around the Par River. A couple of Grey Wagtails were very prominent but always a shade out of good photographic range. As I moved to another position I saw a flash of blue as a Kingfisher probably saw me and shot across the small river and disappeared upstream. I waited for another thirty minutes and only had a brief glimpse of it further upstream before I was Joined by Nigel a local birdwatcher. After a brief exchange of pleasantries I decided to have a look at the beach and leave the man in peace as Angie always says I make to much noise...being deaf I would not know.
On the walk to the beach I saw Robins and a number of Stonechats singing from the perch tops.
The beach at low tide yielded much the same as it always does....Gulls out at sea, Rock Pipits, Starlings, Crows, Oystercatchers over the Harbour side of the River and a flock of Turnstones ..twenty plus feeding around the rocks an seaweed.
The Kingfisher was my first sighting at Par so was a patch tick.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Mark and the Kingfisher.
Take a look at the fantastic shot Mark Whittaker took of the Kingfisher at Par.
http://fatwagtailphotography.blogspot.com/
Congratulations Mark a great capture.
Incidentally Angie and myself met Mark at Marazion Marshes on Monday. He recognised us from our photographs which just shows he has a keen eye. We hope to cross paths again at Par in the near future.
http://fatwagtailphotography.blogspot.com/
Congratulations Mark a great capture.
Incidentally Angie and myself met Mark at Marazion Marshes on Monday. He recognised us from our photographs which just shows he has a keen eye. We hope to cross paths again at Par in the near future.
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Two Reports from Roger Lane.
10th October 2009
" Forgot to tell you, while recording butterflies at Trenarren this morning (10th) I saw a flock of 50 to 100 Swallows and Martins. Estimate 90% Swallows, only c.10 House Martins feeding higher up (above swallows).
Locality was thus Black Head. in 1Km Sq: SX0348."
11th October 2009.
" Visited the Pool after lunch, but no sign of Otters wouldn't you know ! Checked the spraint stone that was, only to find it totally overgrown, and access to it (from Pool) blocked by uncut reeds. It occurs to me the Otters may also be on 'post-breeding dispersal' and may not stay around, but let's hope so. I wonder if the fresh supply of fish (from the sea) brought them out !
Stangest thing today was TOTAL lack of Can.Geese after midday. Don't know if related but they all flew west last evening (Sat), a few passing over Holmbush (i.e. not to the Gribbin fields). Why have the Geese deserted? I reckon either due to increased water depth (can't reach any weed?) OR increased salinity from the sea-water. (I notice the depth marker is still just showing 4 blue markers (no change until next series of high tides, at least).
Few birds seen today: at PBP: 1 x G.Heron, 4 x Swallows (flew west) and 1 x Snipe.
Par Bay: 2+, Turnstone (!), 1 x L.Egret, 1 x Gannet, 6+, Linnets."
Thanks for the reports Roger.
We did not manage an appearance today as we were on an errand up North of the County
" Forgot to tell you, while recording butterflies at Trenarren this morning (10th) I saw a flock of 50 to 100 Swallows and Martins. Estimate 90% Swallows, only c.10 House Martins feeding higher up (above swallows).
Locality was thus Black Head. in 1Km Sq: SX0348."
11th October 2009.
" Visited the Pool after lunch, but no sign of Otters wouldn't you know ! Checked the spraint stone that was, only to find it totally overgrown, and access to it (from Pool) blocked by uncut reeds. It occurs to me the Otters may also be on 'post-breeding dispersal' and may not stay around, but let's hope so. I wonder if the fresh supply of fish (from the sea) brought them out !
Stangest thing today was TOTAL lack of Can.Geese after midday. Don't know if related but they all flew west last evening (Sat), a few passing over Holmbush (i.e. not to the Gribbin fields). Why have the Geese deserted? I reckon either due to increased water depth (can't reach any weed?) OR increased salinity from the sea-water. (I notice the depth marker is still just showing 4 blue markers (no change until next series of high tides, at least).
Few birds seen today: at PBP: 1 x G.Heron, 4 x Swallows (flew west) and 1 x Snipe.
Par Bay: 2+, Turnstone (!), 1 x L.Egret, 1 x Gannet, 6+, Linnets."
Thanks for the reports Roger.
We did not manage an appearance today as we were on an errand up North of the County
Cormorant
Cormorant .....Phalacrocorax carboThe Cormorant was photographed fifty yards upstream of the slipway on the Par River at low tide.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Spoonbills
Late afternoon we got a message that there were six Spoonbills on Dinham Flats along the Camel Estuary. Off we went on the twitch and duly saw them through a scope. Another life tick..watch out Mr Evans we are on your tail.
Report from Geoff Barter (Otters)
"Back from Scillies not a lot to report from there but this morning watched a pair of otters at the back of the pool ! just me and the two paramedics having their break had a look mid afternoon today but no sign will look again later this pm & tomorrow morning ."
Thanks Geoff.
Nice to have you back...hope you enjoyed the Scillies.
Thanks Geoff.
Nice to have you back...hope you enjoyed the Scillies.
Friday, 9 October 2009
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Pipits and Goldfinches.
The window today was at 09.00 hours and really not the best of times. Personally I like to be out and about at low tide but beggars are not choosers.
The PBP is always a nightmare to me and trying to find something different is not easy . Today was no exception.....Mallards made for the parked cars anticipating free food and they seemed to have increased in numbers. Nothing unusual was observed and I moved on to the rough car park which has had a coating of grit. The tide was right in and nothing but the usual was seen on the tide line.
Rock pipits were darting around the exposed seaweed close to the dune area and the Par River.
A flock of thirty plus Goldfinches landed close by but were soon again on the wing.
I tried for the Kingfisher, Grey Wagtails and Dipper down by the slipway but did not see any sign of them or the Robin that frequents the area.
On the way out I tried the Eastern cliff area but it was to my eyes (no ears) devoid of birds. A look around the sluice gates was also non productive.
The PBP is always a nightmare to me and trying to find something different is not easy . Today was no exception.....Mallards made for the parked cars anticipating free food and they seemed to have increased in numbers. Nothing unusual was observed and I moved on to the rough car park which has had a coating of grit. The tide was right in and nothing but the usual was seen on the tide line.
Rock pipits were darting around the exposed seaweed close to the dune area and the Par River.
A flock of thirty plus Goldfinches landed close by but were soon again on the wing.
I tried for the Kingfisher, Grey Wagtails and Dipper down by the slipway but did not see any sign of them or the Robin that frequents the area.
On the way out I tried the Eastern cliff area but it was to my eyes (no ears) devoid of birds. A look around the sluice gates was also non productive.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
The Survivor.
Mute Swan....Cygnus olor
It is surprising with the amount of swans on the PBP (thirty plus) that we have only the one surviving cygnet this year.
Nothing to Report.
Truly awful weather again today.
Nothing from me to report as most of the day I was trying to solve compatibility problems with my new printer. and never made it to the site.
Nothing from me to report as most of the day I was trying to solve compatibility problems with my new printer. and never made it to the site.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Roger Lane Reports
" I see the level only went up one inch or so 'overnight', though there is a delay in dispersal across the Pool, and there are blockages (green sea-weed, plus uncut reeds) which prevent the full force of sea-water. However, tonight's should have been higher than yesterday due to the strong S/SW wind. At flood tides I have seen the whole eastern car-park under water !
Regarding 'all the small birds, yesterday at Par, I guess it's just post-breeding dispersal, soon we shall have flocks of birds e.g. finches moving through to warmer climes, and our own resident flock of Green-finches, Linnets and the like.
Today at Par (6th) was hopeless, and wet ! Found out that the 'female Teal on the Pool is in fact an immature male ! The same one, feeding amongst the geese (!) but now sporting a bright green speculum. (I had it down as a imm. fem. Wigeon !!!).
The only 'action' was way out in the Bay with a flock of 10+, Gannets (20+ altogether) and also a Peregrine low over the waves.
Also went to C'town just as the mists cleared (4pm) and only action there was also 30+,Gannets following a fishing Factory Ship, with hundreds of gulls. In fact it made me realise I should have gone to Chapel Point, Mevagissey and done a sea-watch from the car, but it was too wet, too long !"
Thanks Roger for the report.
Regarding 'all the small birds, yesterday at Par, I guess it's just post-breeding dispersal, soon we shall have flocks of birds e.g. finches moving through to warmer climes, and our own resident flock of Green-finches, Linnets and the like.
Today at Par (6th) was hopeless, and wet ! Found out that the 'female Teal on the Pool is in fact an immature male ! The same one, feeding amongst the geese (!) but now sporting a bright green speculum. (I had it down as a imm. fem. Wigeon !!!).
The only 'action' was way out in the Bay with a flock of 10+, Gannets (20+ altogether) and also a Peregrine low over the waves.
Also went to C'town just as the mists cleared (4pm) and only action there was also 30+,Gannets following a fishing Factory Ship, with hundreds of gulls. In fact it made me realise I should have gone to Chapel Point, Mevagissey and done a sea-watch from the car, but it was too wet, too long !"
Thanks Roger for the report.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Slippy Slipway.
I had a quickish look around the site at 12-00 hours. The depth marker was as stated earlier.
My look at the PBP was really quite brief and I did not notice anything unusual.
What I did notice however was the amount of birds flying around the trees. A Song Thrush was bathing in a pool of water..and a little while later a Blue Tit and Dunnock were doing the same. I photographed at least three different Robins maybe four. A flock of Goldfinch were seen landing in one of the trees the usual Great Tits, Wren, Blackbirds and Chaffinch were all visible and I am sure we could add Chiffchaff and Stonechat to the list.
While looking for the Kingfisher I viewed an Aeriel display of two Grey Wagtails enjoying themselves.. I also saw another one a hundred yards away from the last sighting but I cannot be sure if it was a different bird.
The Grey Wagtails were too far away for my lens and I decided to get a mite closer....bad mistake.. I slipped on the slipway and landed in the mud..somehow I threw the camera away from the concrete and going to press all seems well if not a little muddy.
The shore visit was very brief . My trousers and underwear were very wet and I was far from happy.
The only waders I saw were Turnstones along with the usuals. Crows and Gulls.
My look at the PBP was really quite brief and I did not notice anything unusual.
What I did notice however was the amount of birds flying around the trees. A Song Thrush was bathing in a pool of water..and a little while later a Blue Tit and Dunnock were doing the same. I photographed at least three different Robins maybe four. A flock of Goldfinch were seen landing in one of the trees the usual Great Tits, Wren, Blackbirds and Chaffinch were all visible and I am sure we could add Chiffchaff and Stonechat to the list.
While looking for the Kingfisher I viewed an Aeriel display of two Grey Wagtails enjoying themselves.. I also saw another one a hundred yards away from the last sighting but I cannot be sure if it was a different bird.
The Grey Wagtails were too far away for my lens and I decided to get a mite closer....bad mistake.. I slipped on the slipway and landed in the mud..somehow I threw the camera away from the concrete and going to press all seems well if not a little muddy.
The shore visit was very brief . My trousers and underwear were very wet and I was far from happy.
The only waders I saw were Turnstones along with the usuals. Crows and Gulls.
More from Roger Lane.
" For me the most interest was up to 18.30 hrs, watching the high-tide force it's way up the eastern cliff stream, and I eventually watched 100's of gallons of sea-water pour into Par Pond, by watching at "the Kingfisher Sluice". The sluices are Closed (attempting to keep previously low water IN pool ?), but the sea-water works it's way under the sluices giving deep water INSIDE the sluice gate. I drove back to the nearest part of the Pool (as you drive in), and stopped at the water-depth marker just over the grass, past causeway to island, in space before reeds. At 6.30pm (dusk) tonight (Sun) there were SEVEN blue markers showing and the red 'danger pond full' marker at the top. Hope to 'read' it tomorrow to see if/how the depth has increased! You should be able to see sea-water pouring in to Pool at very last light (c.7pm?)."
Thanks Roger.
I shall have a look to see what changes the Equinox tide has had on the PBP.
Thanks Roger.
I shall have a look to see what changes the Equinox tide has had on the PBP.
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Roger Lane Reports.
"Tide was very high (Harvest Moon, Equinox), which doesn't help birders !
Not a lot around : G.Heron & Bar-Headed Goose on Pond; 2 x Grey-Wags on Eastern cliff stream, guess the Bay was best with 6+, Gannets (2 diving just off Killyvarder Rock); 8+, Curlew flew east, and more importantly, the 2 x Scoter were flying around the Bay, several times, and they are indeed both COMMON Scoters (no white wing-patch as in Velvets)."
Thanks for the report and also the technical stuff Roger.
Glad you managed to get the Scoters sorted out.
Not a lot around : G.Heron & Bar-Headed Goose on Pond; 2 x Grey-Wags on Eastern cliff stream, guess the Bay was best with 6+, Gannets (2 diving just off Killyvarder Rock); 8+, Curlew flew east, and more importantly, the 2 x Scoter were flying around the Bay, several times, and they are indeed both COMMON Scoters (no white wing-patch as in Velvets)."
Thanks for the report and also the technical stuff Roger.
Glad you managed to get the Scoters sorted out.
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Par Beach Pool
Pied Wagtail. ......Monacilla alba yarrellii
Photographed from out of the car window at PBP.
Roger Lane Reports (Friday 2nd Oct.)
" Today (2nd) I started at Menabilly Barton again, but there were only 4+, Pheasants and the same Golfinch flock (c.120)
Polkerris was packed out, could not even drive down there ! Overlooking Higher Lampetho farm (NE of Polkerris), I saw only 5+, Coll.Doves and 50+, Wd.Pigeons.
Down at PBP there were 300+, Canada Geese (!), and 2 x L.Egrets. But out in Par Bay were 2 x BRENT GEESE (pale Bellied form), you should/could get a 'photo from the shore at high(ish) tide)".
Thanks for the report Roger.
I did manage to get to PBP and beach at high tide 1700 hours but could not locate the Brent Geese. Nothing on the high tide line and nothing visible to us as we walked a little way upstream of the river. The rain started to get heavy so we called it a day after checking the Pool but did not see anything unusual.
Polkerris was packed out, could not even drive down there ! Overlooking Higher Lampetho farm (NE of Polkerris), I saw only 5+, Coll.Doves and 50+, Wd.Pigeons.
Down at PBP there were 300+, Canada Geese (!), and 2 x L.Egrets. But out in Par Bay were 2 x BRENT GEESE (pale Bellied form), you should/could get a 'photo from the shore at high(ish) tide)".
Thanks for the report Roger.
I did manage to get to PBP and beach at high tide 1700 hours but could not locate the Brent Geese. Nothing on the high tide line and nothing visible to us as we walked a little way upstream of the river. The rain started to get heavy so we called it a day after checking the Pool but did not see anything unusual.
Friday, 2 October 2009
Dog Walk.
Today we did have a brief visit to Par but we took Hesper (our dog) who has never been before. She is not good with other dogs and is never let off the lead. She did behave herself so we were quite pleased with her. But having her with us restricted our activities and the shoreline was left alone as she would have played up on the beach.
Photograph was restricted to a Robin who I am always happy to see.
The only other birds of note seen were a Grey Wagtail , Jay and a Coal Tit (patch tick) in the wooded area.
Well done Mark with the Dipper.
Photograph was restricted to a Robin who I am always happy to see.
The only other birds of note seen were a Grey Wagtail , Jay and a Coal Tit (patch tick) in the wooded area.
Well done Mark with the Dipper.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Tub of Flowers.
The tub containing flowers is situated close to the site entrance hut at Par Holiday Park.
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