Bittern

Report. Roger Lane.

A brief visit to Par Pool this morning, with only binoculars, showed 1 x resident Shelduck, some 6+ Tufted Duck, 4 x Goosander (1male). Did not see any more interesting ducks (but anything could have been behind the island !)

                 I did however see the Bittern (when it moved) standing motionless, within the yellow reeds at the back of the Pool !

Thank you for the report Roger. It is nice to see you have been out and about again,

Med Gull

Report and photographs.Phil Ouless.


I paid a brief visit to Par this morning and noticed a Mediterranean Gull on the pond. The attached photo shows the bird moulting from winter into summer plumage.
also managed a distant shot showing the difference between the Mediterranean Gull & one of the Black-headed Gulls.


Thank you for the report and photographs Phil.
I always seem to miss the Med Gulls at Par.

Bittern

Report and photograph. Phil Ouless.


The Ring Necked Duck was still present at Par this afternoon, though keeping well clear of all the commotion around the feeding area.
There was a Bar-Headed Goose sitting on the concrete "partition" at the eastern end of the pond. While watching this one, a Bittern flew up out of the reeds nearby & flew slowly over to the back of the pond.
A handsome drake Shoveler was also was also present today (photo attached)

Thank you for the report and photograph Phil.

Angie and myself were at the Pool around  1600 hrs today. I noticed someone taking photographs at the beginning of the Pool (reedbed end) possibly it was you.
Nice photograph of the Shoveler.

Goosander at St Andrews

Report and photograph. Nigel Climpson

Four Goosanders at St. Andrews Road Pool this morning including one drake. They flew in the direction of the sea at about 11.30. Also one Shelduck. Perhaps from Par Beach Pool?

I attach a rather animated picture of one of the redheads.

Thank you for the report and photograph Nigel.

Butterflies.

Photographs Andrew Thomas

I attach some butterfly photographs that I took at the Gribben in 2003. No idea what they are, but I thought you may be interested. I will be down next week with family and trusty Camera! The last "butterfly" is actually a Kestrel - not very clear but carrying his lunch!

Thank you for the photographs Andrew. I hope you have a good time at the Gribben next week.

Common Scoter

I was out at the Mussel Farm in the bay this morning (half a mile off Ropehaven) & noticed a flock of 31 Common Scoter. It was quite interesting to watch the entire flock dive simultaneously, which they did on several occasions.

Phil Ouless.


Thank you for the report Phil.

Little Owl

Report John Rance.

Thought you might like to know I've just spoken to a lady who found an injured and exhausted ( and now sadly deceased) Little Owl on the dunes at Par Beach on Monday! She gave a very good description, and I'm sure she'd identified it correctly- she also mentioned she'd spoken to the people at Screech- so possibly Mark knows a little more about it?

Screech had suggested it was a migrant from further north or east in England driven this way by the cold. I've looked at our records here and the last Little Owl record we have for the whole of Cornwall is from 1986!

I'd be interested to know if Roger recalls any Little Owls ever being seen around the patch?

John Rance-Wildlife Information Service

Thank you for the report John.  A great pity it had a sad ending. 

Goosanders at Par Beach Pool

Photographs and report. Andrew Carey

Hi Trevor, you should have got up and out this cold, frosty and sunny morning!! Par Beach Pool held 3 Goosanders, including 1 male, the Ring-Necked Duck gave a good close pass, and a pair of Widgeon were tucked in under the trees by the island.

 

Photos of the Goosander(s) and the RN Duck attached.

The Goosanders are moving about . Thanks for the photographs and report Andy.

We had a pair of Jays on the garden feeder early this morning.....a first for us.

 

Goosanders

Report and photographs. Nigel Climpson.

Three Goosanders at St. Andrews Road Pool this morning.

Thank you for the report and photographs Nigel.

Around the Bay

Report:  Derek Julian
Male Ring Neck Duck still at Par beach pool
Female Goosander at St Andrews Pool, Par.

Thanks for the report Derek. A