Bit of a Do

Today we had to go to an engagement party over in Fowey....so no updates unless something comes along later.

St Andrews Road Wilderness

Marsh Tit

Long-tailed Tit

The two excellent photographs were submitted by Nigel Climpson. He said a total of sixteen species were seen around the Hard Rock Cafe and Wilderness area of St Andrews Pool in a short space of time. Counting the birds on the water a total of twentythree were recorded.

Thank for the the photographs and information Nigel.

Nothing Unusual.

Off again early 1000 hrs and my first port of call was St Andrews Pool.
The lone Tufted Duck was still there along with the usual residents. I had a look in the wilderness and recorded Wrens, Marsh Tits, Chaffinches, Blue Tits, Great Tits , Blackbirds and Robins....the usual mob really.

PBP was again devoid of anything unusual the only change from yesterday was an extra three or four Oystercatchers at the poolside.
Song Thrush, Greenfinch, Dunnock and House Sparrows were seen on the way to the top car park.
The seashore was empty... no Pied Wagtails, Rock and Meadow Pipits or Waders to be seen anywhere..the only bird seen was a roosting Little Egret upstream on the River Par.
The Mistle Thrush was again opposite the Ship Inn at 1200hrs.
A very quiet day.

St Andrews Pool Tufted Duck.

Tufted Duck ....Aythya fulgula

Photographed today at St Andrews Pool

A Dippy Day

I decided to have a look at Pontsmill this morning 1000hrs and was not disapointed.
The house feeder had a stream of visitors and it was a joy just to sit and watch them.
Photographs were out of the question as one does have to respect peoples privacy.
A walk as far as the Old Mine working did not produce much in the way of LBJ's but woodland I feel is a hard place to see birds. At the top of the Mine workings is a small stagnant pool always covered in a thin green slime and lo and behold ...a male and female Mallard.I did not expect that. Just goes to show this birding lark is a funny old game. On the return I recorded a Dipper.

At St Andrews Pool the lone Tufted Duck was paddling with the usuals crew of Wildfowl ,Swans and Geese.
At the Cafe the Long-tailed Tits divebombed about with Blue Tit , Great Tit, Marsh Tit and Robin providing back-up.

PBP was its usual self...nothing I saw was out of the ordinary. The Tufties do appear to have left now.
Ten Oystercatchers were at the the waters edge at the far end by the caravans.
Surf was up again so I returned home noticing the Mistle Thrush was back again opposite the Ship Inn at 1230hrs.

After lunch 1400hrs I visited the Manoa Valley but it was really quiet today and nothing to record except two Dippers.

...it was a dippy day.

Report from Roger Lane. (23rd February 2010)

"Nothing worth mentioning. Only visited Pontsmill briefly, c.5 x Bluetits; c. 2 L.T.Tits; 20+, Greatits and 30+, Coaltits. Also 2 x Goldcrests and in the stream below 2 x Dippers."

Thanks for the report Roger.

It may have only been a brief visit but it looked as if it was more than worthwhile.

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull .......Larus ridibundus

Report from John Rance (23rd February 2010)

"Not much around on PBP this afternoon, all the regulars, except for the Tufties who seem to have shipped out, plus;

7 LBB Gulls (on the water), 13 Oystercatchers ( on the grass) and 2 Water Rail ( along the path behind the pool)"

Thanks for the report John.
Circumstances prevented me from getting out to the sites today so the report is most welcome.

Report from Roger Lane. (22nd February 2010)

"Not much better today, most of the activity in Par Bay was surf today ! However, briefly the after-noon panned out as follows:
Manoa Valley: 1 x M.Thrush; Porthpean: 1 x Gannet; 30+, Fulmars; 1 x Comm.Scoter and 1 x G.N.Diver. Carlyon Bay: 1 x B.T.Diver. St.Andrews Pond: 1 x Redwing (!). Polkerris: 2 x Gannets and 10 x G.C.Grebes (again). 'Kilmarth': 500+, Starlings; 12+, Pheasants and 4 x STOCKDOVES (2nd sighting this year). Just 1 x Tufted Duck left on Par B.Pool !"

Thanks for the Report Roger.

I saw one Tufted Duck at St Andrews but did not locate the one at Par.

Rock Feeder.

Long-tailed Tit ...........Aegithalos caudatus

Nothing New.

Very little on the PBP at 1415hrs today. A lone GBB Gull was seen having a bath in the middle of the pool.
No Tufties again today so I should presume they have departed for new pastures.
Menbilly Barton car park was a no-go area today as a lorry and tractor were blocking the entrance.
The drive up saw the usual flock of Redwings also a Chaffinch one.
A Buzzard was perched atop one of the Telegraph poles but soon flew away as I approached.
At St Andrews Pool I saw a lone Tufted Duck on the water . Nothing else of interest was recorded.
The Coal Tit, Marsh Tit , LT Tit , Chaffinch and Robin were active along the wilderness path.

Baywatch Site 21st February 2010

The first port of call was the Manoa Valley. Goldcrest, Dunnock, L.T.Tit, Wren, Sparrow, Chiffchaff and the usual Crows and Gulls kick-started off the list.

We made PBP around 1000hrs . Redwing were on the grass close to the Indian Restaurant, Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush were also seen before we reached the Pool.

The Pool held thirty Mute Swans , Canada Geese, Coot, Moorhen ,Mallard and a lone L.B.B Gull . There was no visible sign of the Tufted Duck.
Further along ..up by the caravans were Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Raven and six Oystercatchers that were later seen in the middle of the caravan park.

We decided to take a walk along the back of the pool and soon had a Snipe and Reed Bunting on the list.
The walk at the back of the caravans to the Restaurant yielded up Bullfinches (M&F) , Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch,Wren and Robin.
Passing the Pool the second time we added Heron and Cormorant.

A short walk to the shore did not produce much A Stonechat overhead.
Scoping the Bay we found...two Cormorants, Six G.B.Gulls, Two Red-throated Divers, Five Black-throated Divers,Nine G.C.Grebes, Gannet and a Shag out towards Spit.

St Andrews Pool held only the usual Gulls and Wildfowl. No sign of Tufted Duck.
A walk into the Wilderness produced a Male Pheasant, Coat Tit, Robin, Wren Chaffinches, Rooks, Crows and a obliging Marsh Tit.

On to Colliford Lake (out of bounds) looking for the Black Duck.
We clocked up ten Tufted Duck, Teal, Mallard and Lesser Scaup. We think we found the sleeping Black Duck over on the far shore but as it did not move we and five others could not make the definite identification.

It was a cold day at times but we had a good haul.

The Watcher

No Reports.

Nothing to report today....it has been quiet on all fronts.

Report from Roger Lane. (19th February 2010)

"It gets worse and worse and none too warm either ! Again today is hardly worth reporting. Firstly I drew a blank at Pontsmill. There was rail track repair work (just above the feeders, which had been allowed to go empty for first time). Saw NOTHING, do hope you didn't waste time there !
So, first was Somerfields, and I got within 10ft of the Little Egret 'still' there ! Otherwise only a few Redwings.Just 1 x Tufted Duck at St.Andrews Pd. Then c.20 Redwings on Par Station football field. Even at Menabilly Car-park it was quieter than I had known, just 10+, Goldfinch and 20+ Chaffiches ! BUT being bored I noticed a group of Jackdaws hurridly take to the air and land immediately, when over their tree tops came a v. large female PEREGRINE ! At least one '1st for the year' for me ! Near Kilmarth were 10+ Pheasants feeding (4 black).
Down to Par B.Pool to be 'met' by another L.Egret on the eastern perimeter stream ! On the Pool were just 10+, Tufted Duck and 2 x Gadwall (a pair). Could hardly park at western car-park, just long enough to see 8+, GCGrebes still wintering, some may move on soon. Hope you got out today."

Thanks for the report Roger.

No I had to stay away again today. Hesper our dog was at the vets having six teeth out and I was waiting for the call to go and collect her. She is okay just feeling a little sorry for herself.
Still it looks like I did not miss much.

Report from Roger Lane. (18th February 2010)

"Hardly worth reporting today, got out late and it was chilly ! First it was Porthpean, almost birdless with just 30+, Fulmars; 3 x Comm.Scoter; 1 x GNDiver and a single female SEAL. In P'pean car-park was a singlr M.Pipit (only my 2nd this year !). At Carlyon Cliff was 1 x GNDiver; 1 x Razorbill and a Curlew (over).
Later popped in Somerfield's (St.Andrews), parked where the car backs on to a small stream or 'ditch', when I came out a Little Egret was feeding 50 metres from the cars ! St.Andrews Pond seems to have lost it's Tufted Duck(s), and most else, save a few Redwings. When I got to Par Beach Pool I found out why, there were no less than 24 Tufted Ducks on the Pool (a winter record?), flocking up before migration perhaps and/or including migrants leaving us. But that was all, and only c.6 x GCGrebes in the Bay."

Thanks for the report Roger.

Got confined to barracks today...so cannot add anything.

Report from Roger Lane. (17th February 2010)

"Today (17thFeb'2010) was a 'scrappy' day, wasted the morning searching for butterflies. There 'should' have been some (long warm periods of sun), but a chill, humid Southerly wind did not suit their wintering area, at Trenarren. All I got was a G.S.W'Pecker, again ! Seems to be a plethora of them this winter. Or was that floating leaf really a Red Admiral ! ? A butterfly was seen at Hayle today.
On to Pentewan (Mev.Bay), not eactly on the patch, but only 4 x Comm.Scoter at sea, and 5 x Ravens (over) anyway. After a 3pm (!) lunch at home, drove to Pontsmill to look at the private feeding station (from a distance with 'bins). It was PACKED, difficult to believe but it is in mature woodland. Best estimates were: 15+, Bluetits; 30+, Coaltits; 25+, Greatits and 20+ L.T.Tits (large feeders always full, well managed).
Also my luck was in with two year ticks in surrounding trees, firstly a NUTHATCH and then a MARSH-TIT ! Oh yes, several Goldcrests too. Then looked over the river bridge and there was a Dipper (2nd sighting).
Par B.Pool was unexciting but did have 15 x Tufted Ducks! Par Bay yielding just 9 x G.C.Grebes."

Thanks for the Report Roger.
I must pay a visit to Pontsmill and have a look at those feeders...the small woodland birds are my favourites and the Nuthatch would be a Year Tick so well worth a visit.
Still waiting to see/photograph my first butterfly of the year.

Valley Grey Wagtail

Grey Wagtail..........Motacilla cinerea

Early Start.

Early morning visit (0915 hrs) to the sites yielded very little.
The PBP was much the same as usual with nothing but the residents.
The *West End* on the Par River was a little better with a Little Egret in the Tree, a Heron flew overhead and a lone Redshank probing the mud area.
Menabilly Barton was also quieter than normal with the usual Chaffinchs (saw no Brambling) Goldfinches and Redwings in small numbers.
St Andrews was even more of a let down as my excursion into the swamp area threw up nothing but a couple of Dunnocks.
Off To the Valley where I was hoping for better luck. The Dipper (2) Grey Wagtail , Robin, Chiffchaff and a Little Egret which was my first for the Valley were recorded.

Report from Roger Lane. (16th February 2010)

"Congratulations on your goodly list around Dawlish and the Tamar, no hope of catching you now !
Today got even worse (although several road works have gone, or moved). Visitors stopping me getting the car near the sea ! So, briefly, here's what I saw:
At Porthpean: 30+, Fulmars; 1 x Comm.Scoter; 1+, G.N.Diver and 1+, B.T.Diver and people! At Menabilly car-park just: 10+, Goldfinch; 50+, Chaffinch and 1 x male BRAMBLING, again ( & a Kestrel ).
At PBP: 5+, Tufted Duck and 5 adult L.B.B.Gulls (migrants?). In the Bay only 6 +, G.C.Grebes seen !"

Thanks for the report Roger.
I did not go to PBP today fearing a wasted journey with the roadworks in place.
Tomorrow I shall try and have a good session at the sites, weather permitting.
I need the Brambling so I shall be at Menabilly Barton with fingers crossed.

Today I had a short visit to the Manoa Valley before the rain interrupted my visit.
Grey Wagtail, Wren, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tits entered the notebook.

We have been on a Cruise.

.
.
.
No! we have not won the lottery. inherited any money or sold the dog...in fact we only cruised up and down the River Tamar.

I did not really expect to add to my life list as this year we have really plugged the Divers, Ducks and Wildfowl gaps but things do not always turn out the way you expect them to.
The trip was well worth it to observe the Avocets that generally can be seen during the early months Also a Spoonbill added to the year list with a Scaup at Wacker's Quay completing the trio of Year Ticks and it was also a Life Tick for me.

After staying overnight in Devon I was determined to do a tour of the counties Nature Reserves with a couple of my own thrown in for good measures.
The intended list was as follows.
1. Aylebeare Common RSPB Reserve
2. Bowling Green Marsh.
3. Exminster Marshes.
4. Powderham Castle Estate.
5. Cockwoods
6. Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve
7. East Dartmoor Woods and Heath NNR

The good and bad news.
The first three reserves were somewhat disappointing..the first the tracks were covered in mud and doggie do-dar and even though it looked a great place for Dartfords I felt it was to early in the year ..so we moved on.
Bowling Green Marsh was even more frustrating as we did not quite find what we were looking for although we saw enough to realise the potential of the site.
The Exminster Marshes were another let down..Angie said it was teeming with Warblers but they never showed at all and we left with just Geese, Wildfowl and a Heron in the notebook.

Off to the Castle where we have been a couple of times before . The Castle was closed so we walked down the lane seeing Redwings galore in the fields. A Nuthatch was missed by me in the treetop although I probably did see it with the other silhouettes I will not count it for a Year tick. Incidentally the same thing happened on the Cruise with a Merlin...failed to locate it. Two year ticks missed.
We sighted Deer that were in the fields adjacent to the Castle.... close to where we hoped to see the Tree Creepers that we saw on our last visit .
A Coal Tit played on the bark of a large tree raising my hopes but we left without adding the Tree Creeper to the list.
Numerous Pheasants were recorded on the Estate.

Off to Cockwood which is a great place with lots of waders and seabirds around. I had two Year ticks with Brent Goose and Whimbrel .
Redshank, Greenshank, Curlew, Barwhit, R.B Merganser, Goldeneye, Med Gull, Oystercatcher and Little Egret were added to the day list plus others I have probably forgotten to mention.

The time was getting on and I had the feeling the Dartmoor trip was now off the cards. (Pity because I remember J. Rowe saying it was one of his favourte sites)

Dawlish Warren has always been good to us and I do enjoy walking around the dunes and seashore.
A very helpful couple told us where to expect to see the Surf Scoter in the Bay and also pointed out Black Redstarts were around the Site Information Lodge.
Angie soon found the Surf Scoter and took a while watching, eventually deciding it was a female.
Divers and Shags were also seen .
The Black Redstarts were soon found close to the Lodge and photographed but not at close range.

Life Ticks.
Scaup
Surf Scoter

Year Ticks
Avocet
Whimbrel
Spoonbill
Brent Goose
Black Redstart
Scaup
Surf Scoter

Angie said the days total Bird count was seventy eight..which is our record so far. So in conclusion... if you want that bird list up and running...follow the WANDERING WATCHER. Q.E.D

This post also appears on A&T Birding

Report from Roger Lane. (15th February 2010)

"Another thrawted day due mainly to Par roadworks ! No access to PBP or Menabilly Barton. So, a very sparce list, as follows: (Mon.15thFeb'10)
Porthpean: 40+, Fulmars; 3 x Comm.Scoter; 1 x GCGrebe; 2 x GNDivers and 1 x BTDiver, and 12 x Canoeists ! St.Aust.Sew.Wks: 2 x Bullfinches and 1 x G.S.W'Pecker. Carlyon Bay cliff car-park: 2 x BTDiver The alternating weather pattern and half-term visitors didn't help. But at least it's less cold !"

Thanks for the report Roger.
I have been away for the weekend and did not know about the road works. Will have a look tomorrow some time.

Baywatch Dipper.

Dipper....Cinclus cinclus

Report from Roger Lane. (13th February 2010)

"Firstly at Menabilly B. Car-park: 10+, Goldfinch; big increase to 120+, Linnets;100+,Chaffinch with just 1 male BRAMBLING, again, but had to wait an hour for that; 30+, Redwings, and back at Kilmarth 20+, Fieldfares.
Back down in the lowlands: St.Andrew's Pond: just 2 x Tufted D. and a few Redwings. At PBP just 3 x Tufted D (all males) and good close views of 4 x Snipe (feeding near roadside at start of causeway to island, eminently photographable !), feeding in soft molehills !
Par Bay was slightly different in that there were TEN G.C.Grebes (definitely), only 9 until now."

Thanks for the report Roger.

Things are looking quiet at the present moment.

Cormorant St Austell Bay

Cormorant .......Phalacrocorax carbo

No Brambling.

Managed to get out for a short while today. I tried the Manoa Valley early morning 1030 hrs and found it a lot quieter than usual. I did record a Dipper, Wren and Grey Wagtail along with the usual Gulls and Crows.
At 1400hrs I went to Menabilly Barton in the hope of seeing a Brambling unfortunately after setting up the scope the flocks all landed in the far fields or out of sight somewhere and all i saw was the odd straggler or two. Buzzard, Song Thrush, Redwing,Chaffinch and Goldfinch were recorded plus the Mistle Thrush at the Ship Inn at 1500hrs.
Par Beach Pool was quiet and all I saw was three Tufted Ducks, Little Grebe plus the usual lot. Once again I saw a large dog charge into the Swans and Geese (Golden Labrador)but it was reprimanded by its owner after coming back out of the water.
The Beach yielded up nothing of note except two Cormorants in the Bay.

Report from Roger Lane. (12th February 2010)

"Not a lot to report, only thawed out by lunch-time! A bit less cold since I'm glad to say. Indifferent day regarding birds.
Starting at Menabilly B. car-park I could only find 20+, Redwings; 70+, Linnets; 100+ Chaffinches; 1 x male BRAMBLING and a G.S.Woodpecker.At Kilmarth were 30+ Fieldfares. Back down to sea-level, at St.Andrews Pond were 1 x Tufted Duck and 2 x Shovelers(pr). At Par Station (football field) were c.50 Redwings, and the regular Mistle Thrush opp. the Ship Inn ! At P.B.P. were 5+, Tufted D. and 1 x Little Grebe. Finally in the Bay were 8 x G.C.Grebes. Hope you, or Mark, did better !"

Thanks for the report Roger.

I should imagine Mark was stuck at work today and did not go out.

Yellow-Browed Warbler

"Didn't mention this earlier as I wanted to mention this to Roger, but after a quick discussion I'm pretty sure I've spotted a Yellow browed warbler at the back of the pool by the caravans. I wonder if you could put it on your blog and see if any other "local birders" would/ have seen it recently.Shame Ian Phrophet has no computer as he could have been a good one to contact. Maybe this is the bird from St.Andrews ? I was there today at 2pm. It was by the caravan with the blue folding washing line in the reeds on the right. It later moved into the more dense reeds at the back and moved like a Goldcrest on speed."

Anyone out there that can confirm Mark's sighting?

Report from Mark Whittaker (11th February 2010)

Menabilly Car Park

10 x Redwing
1 x Skylark (went up singing a few times)
20 x Chaffinch
1 x Buzzard
1 x Female Sparrowhawk
2 x Great Spotted Woodpecker (one drumming)
3 x Lapwing over
1 x Female Brambling

Polkerris

3 x Lapwing over
1 x Great black backed gull
3 x Black Throated Diver

Par Beach Pool

1 x Chiffchaff (Very pale looking bird by the eastern stream. Most probaly a Siberian Chiffchaff race "tristis"
1 x Water Rail
1 x Female Stonechat
1 x Great black backed Gull
7 x Snipe

Thanks for that report Mark
Looks like you had a good session.

Ship Inn Mistle Thrush and Friend.

Photographed today by Michelle O' Shea

Report from Michelle O'Shea (10th February 2010)

Hi,

Ship Inn Mistle Thrush has a friend!

Michelle

Thanks for the report Michelle.
I shall look out for the latest addition on my next visit.

Report from Roger Lane. (9th February 2010)

"Went out for my afternoon hour again despite the chill wind, but not a lot doing at the few sites I visited. Went to Menabilly B. car-park the (drier) mud. Was surprised at the number of finches, when I saw a large female Sparrowhawk was working the hedgerows! That was pleasant for me (if not the finches!), since it is a year tick ! Settled down to access what was about i.e. when the LBJs perch in the sparce trees, and came up with the following: 20+, Goldfinch; 30+ Linnets; 100+, Chaffinches; 70+, Redwings & 1 x Sp.Hawk !
BUT, the gems amongst the masses were 2+ ad.male BRAMBLINGS. Scarce this winter, and obviously a year tick for me ! (Probably several more among the Chaffinch flock).
V.little at Tregaminion and Kilmarth (except a couple of Black Pheasants). Almost nothing at Par, save the wintering 8 x Tufted Ducks. Not surprising after Trevor's black dog episode, the owner can be prosecuted if Swans were present I believe. Anyway it's a local Nature Reserve, most irresponsible. Finally today from the western car-park not a lot but 6+ Gannets diving (in lee of Gribben, due to East wind), and all 9 x GCGrebes (as Trevor saw this morning). Can't complain with 2 year ticks, including the Bramblings !"

Thanks for the report Roger.
The Bramblings are of particular interest to me as they represent a Life Tick.
Must look a lot closer at the Chaffinches.

Report from Roger Lane. (8th February 2010)

"What a successful weekend you had . I gather from the species that you went as far as Carrick Roads. I reckon the Roseland Peninsula (especially the surrounding seas) has the best bird fauna in C'wall, for wintering. Today must have been a bit of a let down for you !
I did my customery round, following in the footsteps of Mark I see ! First down to Porthpean (2pm to 3pm), just, 2 x Gannets; 30+, Fulmars; 1 x Comm.Scoter; 1 x G.C.Grebe; 1 x GNDiver and 3 x BTDivers.
on to Carlyon Bay upper cliff car-park, only, 2 x GNDivers; 4 x BTDivers and 1 x Red Throated Diver.
Then St.Andrews Pond: 1 x Tufted D and 2+ Teal. On to Par B.Pool: where only 8 x Tufted Ds!
Par Bay not much better with 3 x Ringed Plover, Turnstones, Oystercatchers and 6 x GCGrebes ! (4.30)."

Thanks for the report Roger.

In the Tree.

Little Egret ..........Egretta garzetta

Stonechat ..........Saxicola torquata

Early Start

Got up to the site early 1015 hrs and was greeted by a sight that is often seen at the pool. A lone man with a large amount of bread was feeding the Swans and shooing away the Gulls. Everything on the pool was around him except the T-Ducks and a right old melee it was . Then right out of the blue a large black dog charged into them sending them in all directions...he even went into the pool after them..the man looked crestfallen as he tried to find the owner and pin the blame. Nothing doing, the dog left as quick as he came charging across the car park into the dunes. The guy visible shaken got into his small car and drove off.
I counted eight Tufted Ducks, twenty eight Mute Swans and seventeen Oystercatchers at the far end by the caravans plus the usual Canada Geese, Wildfowl and Gulls.
I saw the full patrol(nine) of Great-crested Grebe in the sea off the Polkerris end of the Bay, a lone Turnstone, and Rock pipits around the seaweed by the river.

Further upstream of the river I saw a Little Egret roosting in the trees and made my way through the Wilderness to try for a photograph which I did manage from a distance. While I was photographing the Little Egret a Kingfisher landed within seven or eight foot from me on a branch over the river and in a blink of blue flash was gone again. My prize..a Year Tick.
Stonechats were active again but I could not quite get close enough...still they always are a welcome sight.

The Ship Inn Mistle Thrush was visible again at 1100 hrs.

The still very muddy Menabilly Barton car park yielded up flocks of Chaffinch and Goldfinches. Redwings were also about in fair numbers.

A quick visit down the Manoa Valley was rather quiet today with just the usual L.T.Tits, Goldfinches and a Song Thrush showing.

Report from Mark Whittaker (8th February 2010)

Porthpean (10am-12pm)

30 x Fulmar, 1 x Shag, 1 x Red Throated Diver, 2 x Common Scoter, 3 x Black Throated Diver

Par Beach Pool (12:15 - 1pm)

All the usual plus 1 x Cormorant & 1 x Shoveler (F)

Thanks for the Report Mark

Roseland Peninsular

Another day out with Derek Julian took us around the Roseland Peninsular looking for seabirds and anything else that happened along. According to Angie a shade over seventy different species were logged today which was very near her record.
Overall the day was a shade better than yesterday with eight Year Ticks and three Life Ticks.

Life Ticks
Cirl Bunting
Black-necked Grebe
Lesser Scaup.

Year Ticks.
Sylark, Greenshank, Gannet, Cirl Bunting, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Black-necked Grebe and Lesser Scaup.

Also seen.
Peregrine Falcon, Goldeneye, Razorbill, B.T.Diver, G.N.Diver, 228 Linnets on wire, Slavonian Grebe, Shag, Cormorant,Med Gull, Stonechat, Curlew, Oystercatcher,Little Grebe, Raven, Buzzard and many of the small and popular birds and gulls.

Thanks again to Derek Julian for taking the trouble and patience to give out expert advice and sightings.

After leaving Derek ..Angie and myself proceeded to Dozmary Pool to see if we could find the Lesser Scaup...as luck has it we were rewarded with a good view in a matter of a few minutes.
Another good day birding.

This post has been duplicated on A&T Birding.

Report from Roger Lane. (6th February 2010)

"Virtually no birds to report today since it was warm enough for Butterflies ! Managed 5+, Red Admirals at Trenarren, and another 1 x Rd.Admiral here in Holmbush ! 6 for 6thFeb. can't be bad ! Also 2 Wasps and a Bumblebee.
Regarding birds, the few were outside your area and 'common'. My best was a Dipper flying up the Pentewan Valley (first for 2010 !) Way down below Lon.Apprent. at Nansladron Bridge. Otherwise it was mostly Redwings, 2 flocks of c.50 and 1 flock c.100 (latter at Treesmill).
Finished up at Par Pool (as ever), but other than 6 x Tufted D. there was only 1 x Little Grebe.

Thanks for the report Roger.

My list today....
Eider (female)..Port Mellon
Razorbill, Red-necked Grebe and Red-throated Diver. St Austell Bay . Meva.
Guillemot and 19 Black-throated Divers...Gorran Haven.
Green Sandpiper at Caerhays Castle Pool.
Also G.N.Diver, Kittiwake, Shag, Med Gull, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Slavonian Grebe and most of the usual LBJ's.
A great thank you to Derek Julian who once again provided the expert advice and sightings.
A Dipper, Grey wagtail and Buzzard were also seen by me down the Manoa Valley with a Chiffchaff and Goldcrest or two with Angie who forced me into a return trip.
Two life Ticks
Eight Year Ticks.

I thought I saw a White Butterfly a little way past The Lost garden of Heligan but I cannot swear to it as I was driving and could not look back.

Report from Roger Lane. (5th February 2010)

"Glad to hear the 3 RTDivers were still at Porthpean today, didn't go down due to SE wind and potentially rough seas. Went looking for butterflies in the SUNshine, but no luck.
Did go to Par B.Pool later in the wet afternoon, met Ian Profit and spent some time chatting, we also saw 1 x Greylag Goose; 15+, Curlew (over) and a slendid 2ND-WINT. Med Gull (by far the most scarce of the plumage variations, since 'plenty' of 1st-winters and most are adults (long life). The Med Gull was very photogenic (apart from the rain!). Ian is going to listen out for the Cetti's Warbler too and try and get sight of it - far more difficult !"

Thanks for the report Roger. I am still stuck with various commitments and once again did not venture out.

Red-Throated Divers

Three R.T Divers were at Porthpean around midday. Reported by Derek Julian.

Brucie.

No Reports

Roger and myself have both given the site a miss....sorry no reports today.

Report from Mark Whittaker (3rd February 2010)

"Did a head count of all the species I saw today. 10am - 12pm

Par Beach Pool
Herring Gull (19) - Mute Swan (23) - Wood Pigeon (2) - Carrion Crow (3) - Robin (2) - Canada Geese (52) - Moorhen (21) - Coot (23) - Black Headed Gull (72) - Lesser Black Backed Gull (1) Blackbird (5) Jackdaw (6) - Tufted Duck (4m + 2f) -Mallard (15) - Chaffinch (3) - Dunnock (3) - Pied Wagtail (1) - House Sparrow (9) - Snipe (7) - Great Tit (1) - Great Spotted Woodpecker (1) - Water Rail (1) - Cormorant (1)

Par Beach
Herring Gull (24) - Mute Swan (1) - Rock Pipit (2) - Black Headed Gull (47) - Carrion Crow (5) - Oystercatcher (7) - Great Black Backed Gull (1) - Pied Wagtail (3) - Stonechat (1 f)

Was great to see you and Angie on the patch yesterday. Must catch up for a proper session soon."

Thanks for the detailed report Mark.
Where did you see the Water Rail?

Report from Roger Lane. (2nd February 2010)

"Thanks for email. So you met Mark 'on site' at last did you ! Yes come to think of it the M.Thrush was STILL opp. the Ship Inn, at 4pm yesterday. That's about 10 days now. I reckon it's got something to do with the small chicken farm immediately behind the wall, lots of juicy worms due to chicken droppings within 20ft !
I'm writing to say I did not go out today, too wet after too cold ! While I think of it, if you want a close Comm.Gull at Par B.Pool, always check the bird occupying the 'leaning post' at the western end of the Pool. Usually it's a Comm.Gull (with yellow-green legs) etc."

Thanks for the report Roger. I failed to get to the site myself so nothing can be added.

Chuckles Pays a Ground Visit

Photographed today at Par Pool car park.

Report from Roger Lane. (1st February 2010)

Have read your detailed report on the Somerset Levels, quite an adventure, and marginally better than Par ! Congratulations on all the ticks, that's what comes of getting up so early, must try it sometime !
I popped down to Porthpean where conditions were excellent, but a squad of canoeist were out ! Hardely a bird in sight, save 40+, Fulmars. Otherwise my worst visit to P'pean in ages with 1 x Comm. Scoter; 1 x Razorbill; 1 x GCGrebe; 1 x G.N.Diver and 1 x B.T.Diver !
Off to Par (with all this extra daylight!), but hopeless again. On St.Andrews were 4 x Male Tufted D's 'only'. At Par Beach Pool were just: 1 x Comm.Gull (ad); 1 x Greylag Goose'; 2 x Gadwall (pr) and 1+, Tufted Duck. In the Bay were just 1 x G.N.Diver and NINE x GCGrebes (a full compliment not seen together since before Xmas). Oh well now it's February month the butterflies will soon be out, says he hopefully !

Thanks for the report Roger.

Angie and myself paid a visit at 1300hrs and I cannot add much to that. We did see the resident pub Mistle Thrush in the usual spot this afternoon.

Somerset Levels

It was 5-30am and we were on our way to the Chew Valley Lakes and the Somerset Levels. Four species had been targeted...Great Egret, Smew, Glossy Ibis and Ruddy Duck before they exterminate them.
The first stop (well second...the first was the customary Mc Donalds :-( ) was Herriots Pool on the Chew Valley Lakes complex. Derek Julian soon had us onto a Smew on the water opposite and almost immediately Ruddy Ducks along with Goldeneye and Tufted Ducks. Next stop was Cheddar reservoir where we were surprised with Red-crested Pochard on the far side which were again soon picked up by Derek's scope. Good going.it was just 1045 hrs and with three life ticks in the bag things looked rosy.
Bladon Waters, Burnham on Sea and Catcott Nature Reserve did not add to the tally but we added greatly to the day list.
Next came Shapwick Heath RSPB and again nothing was added to my list but Derek and Angie heard a Cetti's Warbler in the reed beds but there was no chance of that with me.
Derek decided to return to Catcott NR as the Glossy Ibis had been seen daily for some time now and as providence would have it , three of them flew overhead giving all in the hide a good view.
We dipped on the Great Egret but added the Red-crested Pochard , Glossy Ibis , Smew and Ruddy Duck to our Life List thanks to the expert spotting skills of Derek.

Yep....a good days work.