Report from Roger Lane. (2nd March 2010)

" Usual round and mostly usual stuff !
Pontsmill first: 'population' around feeders was definitely missing Bluetits and LTTits (just one of each), they must move out to territories earlier than the plentiful Coaltits and Greatits (and possibly nest earlier?). There were c.20 Greatits and c.25 Coaltits, and best of all a Nuthatch, head down, on the feeders. Also 1 x Marsh Tit and 3+, Goldcrests, but no dippers today.
On to Menabilly Barton the Chaffinches were at full stregth with 100+, but could not sort out a Brambling, also 20+, Goldfinch; 10+, Linnets; 50+ Starlings and 30+ Redwings (not bad for March). One Raven also flew over.
Back near Kilmarth were 10+, Pheasant (4 Black) and a new one for 2010, for me, were 2 x RED-LEGGED PATRIDGES. Back at sea-level: at PBP were 10+, C.Snipe, and in Par Bay: 8+, GCGrebes."

Thanks for the Report Roger...welcome back.
I watched the feeder at Pontsmill the back-end of last week and was amazed at the activity. The dipper also showed its face briefly ..practically alongside the house in question. My second visit I was not so lucky.
Again they were working on the railway overhead and things were quiet at the feeders. I did see two Mallards up in the small green slime coloured pond at the top of the old mine workings....Billy No Mates and his Mrs.