House Martin at Nest.

House Martin ....Delichon urbicum

House Martins

Penrice has two breeding pairs of House Martins.

Whitethroat

Report and Photograph sent in by: Angela Tonry. 28th June 2010.

"One of a family of 7 Whitethroats seen at Treskilling Downs on Sunday."

Thanks for the report Angie.

Small Skipper

Report. R.Lane.28th June 2010

"Forgot about a 'new' butterfly for Par Dunes yesterday (Sun.27thJune). This was a SMALL SKIPPER (x 2), country cousin to the Large Skipper listed 3 weeks ago. Also saw 4 this evening.
Not much on ParBPool this evening, except an increase of B.H.Gulls to 15 on the Pool. There was also a (new?) family of Coots, 2ads and 7 Cootlets ! (More BHGulls along the Bay). Can't stand much more of this weather, maybe some much needed rain this week."

Thanks for the report Roger.

Blach Headed Gulls

Report. R. Lane. 27th June 2010

"Nothing much doing. A single Little Egret was at Par B.Pool again, otherwise the day was notable for the flock of c.10 Blk.Headed Gulls (autumn returns) on the Pool and some 25 more flew across the Bay, in just an hour. Lets hope this marks the return of Autumn Migration. Grand Prix produced a reasonable result "

Thanks for the report Roger.

Being patriotic does not always pay dividends.
I took a hit today with the Germans winning the Grand Prix and the World Cup match.

Carne Hill. (Out of Bounds)

Report sent by. John Rance 25th June 2010.

FYI, at Carne Hill last night,

At least 3 Nightjar, 2 churring and another hunting, 1 Yellowhammer, several Tree Pipits , 1 male Cuckoo, 1 male Stonechat, Buzzard, Kestrel, and an Adder.

Thanks for the report John..

Even though it is *out of bounds* I feel it is close enough and of sufficient interest to be included on the Blog.
The Tree Pipit would be a Life Tick for me ...

Bullfinches

Report. R. Lane. 25th June 2010

"Not a good day for butterflies or birds methinks ! During the brief stop at P.B.Pool I did see that a single Little Egret was there again. I do wonder if the mate is sitting on eggs nearby as last (?) year, when 2 ads and a juvenile appeared at the pond in late July. The male will soon be back and forth on feeding flights if any egg(s) hatch. The only other 'unusual' flyover was 4 x Bullfinches, calling, possibly a family party."

Thanks for the report Roger.
Things certainly are quiet.

Penrice G.S.Woodpecker.

Great Spotted Woodpecker .....Dendrocopus major

Par Still Quiet.

Report. T.R.Moore. 24th June 2010

Had a morning visit to Par 1030hrs.
Very little of interest on the Pool.
Canada Geese c 70
Goslings c 20 maybe more.
Cygnets x 2
Mallard Ducklings x 9
L.B.B.Gull x 1
Heron x 2
Moorhens
Jackdaws
Pied Wagtails.

The sea was at low tide and I was very disappointed not to find a Wader or two. In fact I saw nothing at all except Herring Gulls and two GBB Gulls.
The Wilderness area yielded a Kestrel overhead , a young Robin and Corvids.
Par still seems very quiet at the moment with very little Wader activity at the moment being reported.

Black Tailed Skimmer.

Photograph taken(22nd June 2010) by Chris Hollyoaks at Treskilling Pit.

Thanks for giving me permission to use the photograph Chris.

Ringlet at Pontsmill.

Report. R.Lane.22nd June 2010

"Didn't you do well at TresK Dwns ! Must admit I've hardly had time to look at the Blog and it was another reader Chris Hollyoak and his wife, whom I met at Tres.K Pit today, who told me of your photos and success. Unfortunately being a blazing hot afternoon they had not had the same good fortune ! I was able to show them a fair number of B.T.Skimmer dragonflies instead, little else ! Too HOT too Long.!
Forgot I have a new butterfly to report for the patch (Pontsmill,S) i.e. a RINGLET (Aphantopus hyperantus) on Mon.21stJune.2010. Nothing today (22nd)."

Thanks for the report and comments Roger.
It was one of those evenings when it all came good....do not have enough of 'em .

Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer.....Emberiza citrinella

Photographed at Treskilling Downs

Common Sandpipier

Reported by D. Julian. 20th June 2010.

Par.

5 x Sandwich Terns

1 x Common Sandpiper at PBP.

Thanks for the sightings Derek.

Treskilling Downs

Managed to get out on to the Baywatch sites after a couple of evening *Owling* which unfortunately was not productive bird wise but was an enjoyable experience.

Penrice yielded the usual assortment i.e: Jay, G.S Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Pheasants, Squirrel and the usual woodland small birds.

An evening visit to Treskilling Downs was very rewarding....we spotted.
Cx 3 Yellowhammers.
Cx 20 Linnets
Cx 2 Jays
Cx 6 Song Thrushes.
2 x Greenfinches
3 x Willow Warblers
Chiffchaff
Kestrel
2 x Buzzard
2 x Bullfinches (M & F)
Meadow Pipit
Wood Pigeons
Robin
Magpie
Corvids and Herring Gulls.

The Downs were alive with the young birds learning their flying technique. Yellow hammers were easily seen perching on the Gorse Bushes. Song Thrushes seemed to be everywhere along with the Jays and it proved to be a lovely way to spend a sunny summer evening

Holmbush Raptor

Report. R.Lane. 16th-17th June 2010.

"Sorry been out butterflying most of this week and all 'out of bounds'! Wish I had a rest up have been overdoing it again. So hot could not get indoors until 8pm last two nights, like an oven !
Last night (16th) was sat outside at 8pm watching brood of 4 young swallows being fed, swifts in the sky above, when swallows scattered and swifts moved away. Just caught glimpse of a fast powerful raptor heading toward Pinelodge Gardens, but no 'bins available. However, glimpse was enough to show we had a Peregrine or a Hobby, hunting over Holmbush !
Only a Grn.W'Pecker at Carloggas Dwns today, no new butterflies, nor at TresK Dwns."

Thanks for the report Roger.
Would like to catch up with the Green Woodpecker at Carloggas Downs.....only ever seen one in flight .

Today's Jay

Jay.....Garrulus glandarius

Mixed Bag

What with the Grand Prix, Royal Ascot, World Cup and Dogwatch (ends tomorrow) things have been very quiet on the birding front.
I managed a short rewarding thirty minutes at Penrice and had ...Blue Tit, Coal Tit,Chaffinch, Robin, Nuthatch x3, G.S Woodpecker, Jay, Pheasant and Squirrels. Most of them photographed to an exceptable level. The Jay is now getting a little more adventurous and I have managed a close up or two on my last two visits.

Sparrowhawk in the Garden.

Nothing new to report today from Penrice and Treskilling Downs.
A few Butterflies were on the wing but nothing new. Penrice was a lot better with a close up shot of the Jay, G.S Woodpecker and the male and female Pheasants. The smaller birds were scarce today with only Great Tits and Robin seen at the feeder.
On the home garden front we had a new visitor...a female Sparrowhawk which I view as a potential hazard to our garden bird population. Today she did not appear to catch anything and sat in the tree just above the fence for 30 seconds so I am told.

Two New Browns for the List.

Report. R. Lane. 13th June 2010.

" Glad to hear you're still guarding that dog, shouldn't it be the other way around ? Wish I'd rested my legs, walked my socks off before lunch. Visits to Pontsmill (cloudy), so drove to Polkerris, S. to give me time for lunch and weekly shopping before the Grand Prix. You were right another British one--two !
While at Polkerris,S (SW0951), I found TWO new butterflies for the St.Austell Baywatch list, namely: 4 x MEADOW BROWNS and 1 x WALL BROWN."

Thanks for the report Roger.

Hopefully I will manage to get out to one of the sites tomorrow.

Black -Tailed Skimmer

Report. R.Lane. 12th June 2010

Good butterfly day (at Readymoney) but little for Par ! On my late afternoon visit I did see 2 x Black-tailed Skimmers, the scarcest large Dragonfly which breeds in Par Pool, probably 'new' since they've only been out 2 weeks.

Thanks for the report Roger.
Still on Dogwatch.
Hope you enjoyed the Grand Prix....a good British victory. A great pity our soccer boys could not manage it.