Two Little Gulls

Report and photograph. Nigel Climpson

Seeing double. Two Little gulls at Par Beach pool first thing this morning.

Thank you for the report and photograph Nigel.

I visited the Pool myself at 1030 hrs . Sadly just in front of the far reed beds was a dead Swan.

When I returned from checking out the shoreline it had been removed.

The tide was in and I did not see any waders....just Stonechats on top of the bushes with a Dunnock or two.

Little Gull

Report and photograph. 15th November 2011. Mark Whittaker


Visited St.Austell Sewage Works and Par Beach pool today and had the following :

Sewage Works : 10+ Long Tailed Tit, 30+ Meadow Pipit, 40+ Pied Wagtail and 8 Goldcrest

Par Beach Pool : Teal (2 Female), 1 Male Pochard (Andy may have some better pictures as mine were rubbish), 1 Female Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Shelduck,6 Greylag Geese, 8 x Snipe and Adult Little Gull. Starling roost was superb again tonight. If you've not already, get yourself down there and see them.


Thank you Mark....that completes the set.

Med and Common Gull.

Report and photographs. Mark Whittaker

6 Greylag Geese, 1 Kingfisher on the Island, 1 partially leucistic Jackdaw, Med Gull and Common Gull. No sign of the Little or Yellow Legged Gull

Thank you for the report and photographs Mark. Pity John's Gull was not about.

Odd Looking Gull.

Report. John Rance.

Had a quick scan of the pool this morning-no sign of the Little Gull- but came across a very odd looking Lesser-black backed ‘type’ gull. It appeared on the pool for a quick wash and a preen before heading towards the beach, so this is really an appeal for a photo if anyone with a decent camera comes across it!

A brief description:

 

Lesser black-backed-like  at first glance, but;

-  the yellow legs and bill were a sort of deep  golden yellow not the quite bright yellow of our  average LBB- although bear in mind the bright sunshine may have been a factor.

- the mantle is the ‘wrong’ shade of grey-paler and more of a mid/slaty grey than our ‘usual’ LBB’s- although again  the bright sunshine may have influenced this. The nearest thing I can compare it to is a ‘Common Gull shade of grey’.

- a heavily and distinctly streaked head.

 

Structurally quite large, bulkier in appearance, with broader wings than the average LBB’s which are normally quite slim and pointed.  In flight, prominent broad white trailing edges to the wings.

 

I’m pretty sure it’s one of the Lesser black-backed races but I’d dearly love a good photo to try and decide which-so over to the photographers!

Anyone out there who can help John on this one

 

Brent Goose

Report and photograph. Nigel Climpson

A Brent Goose was on Par Beach Pool at 08:30 this morning but flew out to sea shortly after, Also the Little Gull was present

 

Thank you for the report and photograph Nigel. Things are starting to hot up again.

Around the Bay

Report. Olly Mears

Friday 11th Nov, afternoon

Porthpean, relatively quiet.  Large flock of B-H Gulls.  1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine over.

Charlestown.  2 Ravens, one being repeatedly attacked/stooped on by Peregrine.  Raven appeared somewhat annoyed!  1 Rock Pipit, 1 male Stonechat.

Charlestown to Carlyon Bay. 1 GN Diver, summer plumage, visible from Coastwatch point. 1 Buzzard.

Carlyon Bay. 1 Kestrel hunting on golf course, multiple Rock Pipits.

Spit Point.  Large flock of roosting Oystercatchers and Curlew.  Also 14 Turnstone and 12 Ringed Plover.

Thank you for the report Olly.

Black-Headed Gull

Report. Nigel Climpson

Is this the same black headed gull reported on by Derek Julian?

There were about 5000+ starlings at Par Beach Pool this evening. A jolly good display. Also the Little Gull was present for a short while. 6 Greylags on the Pool and 5 Brent Geese on the sea.

Nigel also sent in a photograph of the ringed Black-headed Gull (2V27)

Ringed Gull

Report and photograph. Andrew Carey

Fuirther to Nigel's report, I spent an hour at Par Beach Pool this afternoon, and watched 6 greylag geese fly off, and around the area, a sparrowhawk fly across the lake towards the island, a buzzard soar over head, two little egrets and considerable numbers of the usual suspects.

 

I've attached a pic of what I take to be Derek's black headed gull, with the ring clearly readable.

 

Thank you for the report and photograph Andy.

Little Gull

Report and photographs Nigel Climpson.

A Little Gull was reported at Par Beach Pool yesterday afternoon. It was still there this morning and I have attached a couple of pictures. Also 5 Brent Geese among the tide pools on the beach. Two Eider seen off Spit Beach

Nice one Nigel.

Common Sandpiper at Par

Report. Phil Barlow..8th November 2011

Another quick scan at 4pm showed a little grebe , two common sandpiper and a 1st winter med at the beach pool and still 2 brent geese at factory end feeding in the weed.

Thank you for the report Phil.

Baywatch Sites

Report. M. Whittaker. 7th November 2011


St.Austell Sewage Works - 2 Goldcrest, Mixed flock of Redwing + Fieldfare over (40ish) and a Marsh Tit

Porthpean - 12ish Gannet fishing at distance and 1 Juvenile fishing close in, Great Northern Diver (4) all in near summage plummage & Black throated Diver (2)

Charlestown - Black Throated Diver (5) 2 in near summer plummage & 2 Great Crested Grebe

St.Andrews Pool -  2 Teal (Male)

Par Bay - Female Goosander (2), Pale Bellied Brent Geese (2), Great crested Grebe (2), Common Scoter (5) at distance, Teal (8), Male Wigeon (1), Shelduck (1), 

Par Beach Pool - Little Grebe (1), Med Gull (1), Shelduck (1), Dunlin (2) and Starling roost easily up to 3000 birds. Flock attacked several times by a female Sparrowhawk. Eventually choosing to roost in the hedges behind the car park which was quite a sight to see.


Thank you for the report Mark. Glad to see the Divers back in the Bay.

Report. Mark Whittaker. 5th November 2011


Black Headed Gull with metal ring, 1 Male Shoveler, 2 "White" Wagtails and Starling roost up to about 2000 birds. Starling show kicks off about 4pm.


Yesterday
A Hawfinch was present near the hard rock cafe at St.Andrews Pool early this morning but very mobile


Thank you for the report and photograph Mark.

Black-headed Gull

Report. Derek Julian.

The ringed Black-headed Gull noted at Par Beach Pool on Oct 23rd was ringed at Cleveland Farm, Wiltshire on Jun 9th 2009 and has been seen once before at Par Beach Pool on Dec 12th 2009.

This according to the ringer is fairly typical behaviour with birds moving south and west from their ringing grounds.

Thank you for the update Derek.

Baywatch Sites.

Baywatch sites at 1130hrs this morning, 


No sign of the Great Egret at Par, St Andrews Pool or Snowlands.


Muscovey Duck still at St Andrews.

Par and St Andrews Pool

Report. Derek Julian . 26th October 2011

Yesterday, visited the following sites;

Par Beach Pool

• Mute Swan – 10
• Cormorant – 1
• Coot – 22
• Moorhen – 22
• Canada Goose – 115
• Heron – 2
• Mallard – 22
• Mallard hybrid – 32
• Little Grebe – 1
• Great Black-backed Gull – 3
• Lesser Black-backed Gull – 1
• Jackdaw – 6
• Black-headed Gull – 87, (one with a metal ring, unable to read)
• Herring Gull – 86, (one with a metal ring, only partially read poss. GR027027?)
• Pied Wagtail – 8
• Reed Bunting – 1
• House Sparrow – 12
• Dunnock – 1
• Robin – 1
• Wood Pigeon – 2
• Goldcrest – 1
• Magpie – 2
• Raven – 2

St Andrews Pool

• Pike – 1 caught by fisherman
• Brown Rat – 3
• Robin – 4
• Chaffinch – 1
• Muscovy Duck – 1
• Mute Swan – 3
• Canada Goose – 7
• Shelduck – 1
• Black-headed Gull – 20
• Mallard – 20
• Mallard hybrid – 35
• Moorhen – 11
• Blue Tit – 2
• Goldcrest – 2
• Blackbird – 1
• Coal Tit – 1

 

Hope all is well,

Thank you for the report Derek.

I see the Great Egret was missing from the list yesterday.

Great White Egret

Report Chris Holyoak. Monday 24th October 2011

Although it is not a brilliant photo I believe this shows a great white egret at the far side of the pond this afternoon.

Firstly...sorry it is up a day late.

Wonderful capture Chris if it is confirmed as a a Great  Egret.

Manoa Valley

Report Olly Mears 23rd October 2011

Manoa Valley this afternoon, 2+ Dippers.

I am glad the Dippers have become visible again. A camera trip beckons.

Thank you for the report Olly.

Baywatch Sites

Report. Derek Julian. 23rd October 2011 

The following were noted around your area today.

St Austell

·         Buzzard – 1 over

·         Herring Gull – 35

·         Lesser Black-backed Gull – 1

·         Feral Pigeon – 1 sitting on a nest

Porthpean

·         Merlin – 1 male in off sea, then flew east

·         Gannet – 10                           

·         Shag – 3

·         Great Black-backed Gull – 6

·         Black-headed Gull – 24

·         Cormorant – 3

·         Carrion Crow – 2

·         Herring Gull – 6

·         Robin – 2

·         Meadow Pipit – 2 over

·         Raven – 1

Par

·         Jackdaw – 65

Par Beach Pool

·         Black-headed Gull – 159, 1 with white darvic. Probably from Cotswold Water Parks.

·         Jackdaw – 85                    

·         Herring Gull – 72

·         Common Gull – 1

·         Canada Goose – 111

·         Shelduck – 1

·         Lesser Black-backed Gull – 1

·         Greenfinch – 8

·         Pied Wagtail – 6

·         Moorhen – 29

·         House Sparrow – 16

·         Coot – 25

·         Mute Swan – 5

·         Teal – 3

·         Mallard – 21

·         Mallard hybrid – 12

·         Heron – 1

·         Chaffinch – 1

·         Small Tortoiseshell - 1

St Andrew’s Pool

·         Blue Tit – 1

·         Wood Pigeon – 1

·         Brown rat – 2

·         Muscovy Duck – 1

·         Canada Goose – 9

·         Mute Swan – 3

·         Shoveler – 1 male

·         Black-headed Gull – 8

·         Moorhen – 14  

·         Herring Gull – 1

·         Robin – 1

·         Teal – 1 male

·         Mallard – 26

·         Mallard hybrid – 28

·         Speckled Wood – 1

·         Chaffinch – 1

Coal Tit – 1

Thank you for the detailed report Derek.

Menabilly and Gribben Head

Report .Mark Whittaker

1 "Ringtail" Hen Harrier
4 Peregrine
1 Merlin
2 Buzzard
10+ Siskin
1 Firecrest
1 Brambling
2 Stonechat
8 Redwing
2 Fieldfare
1 Swallow
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Jay
1 Raven
4 "Melanistic" Pheasant

Loads of other common bits and bobs like Skylark, Linnet, Goldfinch and various tit species

A very similar report to John's. Does seem a lot of activity around Menabilly at the moment.

Thank you for the report Mark.

Menabilly Barton

Report. John Rance. Sunday 16th October

A few highlights from around Menabilly Barton early this morning:

1 ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier ( overhead, being mobbed by 3 Carrion Crows)

2 Brambling

25+ Redwing

3 Fieldfare

10+ Siskin

1 Wheatear

Tens of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails

Also Linnet , Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Robin, Kestrel, Blue, Coal and Great Tits, Woodpigeon, Herring Gulls and a single Swallow.

A nice collection from Menabilly Barton. The Redwing, Fieldfare and Brambling are the first reported to the Blog this Autumn. 

Thank you for the report...a good day by all accounts.