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.

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.

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?

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

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.

River at Par

The river viewed from Par Beach harbour end.

This is where I saw the Grey Wagtail recently .

PBP and Beach.

Uneventful day with nothing new to report. The Pool is full with Canada Geese and Gulls and it is difficult to spot anything else at the moment.

The shoreline provided the usual Oystercatchers, Rock Pipits and Turnstones along with the resident gulls.
It is strange but I seem to see the Rock Pipits or the Pied Wagtails...never both.
Probably my imagination but I will keep an eye on it.

Mark Whittaker reported five Bar-Tailed Godwits at Spit this morning around 09.00 hours.

St Austell Bay

The Bay looking from Par Beach.