Cover Photograph Kingfisher at Camel Estuary Adrian Langdon CORNWALL BIRD-WATCHING AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY Sixty-First Annual Report 1991 St. George Printing Works Ltd., Redruth. Tel: (0209) 217033 CONTENTS Page Officers for 1992/3 3 Treasurer's Report 4 Chairman's Report 6 Conservation Officer's Report 8 Editorial and Review of the Year 10 Contributors 18 Species List for 1991 20 Exotica 148 BBRC decisions 148 Ringing Report 1991 149 Skuas, gulls and terns in St. Austell Bay 153 Breeding status of the Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) in Cornwall 158 The Walmsley Sanctuary Project: Past, present and future 163 Rules 167 Officers 1992-93 President: Sir Alan Dalton, C.B.E., D.L. Chairman: L. A. Smith, 21 Vicarage Meadows, Fowey Vice-Chairman: R. J. Hooton, 17 Hawkens Way, St. Columb Major General Secretary: M. Lawson, Fieldfare, St. Giles Drive, Gonvena, Wadebridge Treasurer and Registrar: Mrs. A. D. Dunstan, Bell Cottage, Trevanson, Wadebridge Recorder and Editor 'Birds in Cornwall' S. M. Christophers, Bramblings, Rachels Way, St. Columb Major Assistant Recorder and Editor: E. J. Cook, 7 Trethewey Way, Newquay Conservation Officer A. R. Pay, 13 Tregellas Road, Mullion Assistant Conservation Officer: V. A. Stratton, 2 Alexandra Road, St. Ives Field Meetings Officer: D. L. Thomas, Mirador, Whitecross, Near Newquay Public Relations Officer: Mrs. E. McKenzie Tregarrick, St. Mawgan-in-Pydar Newsletter Editor: F. M. Couch, 29 Roman Drive, Bodmin Officer for Youth and Education: Mrs. A. C. Hathway, Langurra, Meadow End, Green Lane, Crantock, Near Newquay Research Officer: D. Lord, Tregale, New Polzeath, Near Wadebridge Joint Secretary, Recorder and Editor 'Isles of Scilly Bird Report': W. H. Wagstaff, 42 Sally Port, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly and P. Robinson, Riviera House, The Strand, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly Committee Members: Dr. J. F. Ryan (Penzance) - retires 1993, B. T. Craven (Launceston), S. F. Jackson (Falmouth), D. I. Julian (Wadebridge), D. Lewis (Camborne) and Mrs. H. C. Pay (Mullion) -retire 1994. G. P. Sutton (Bude) and B. C. Wotton (Newquay) - retire 1995. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1991 1990 1991 £ £ £ INCOME Subscriptions 3,748 \nnual Membership 4,074 556 Tax refund on covenanted subscriptions 510 4,304 4,584 385 Donations 242 388 Rents 413 Interest 32 War Loan 32 340 NSB Investment Account 711 3,954 Charities Deposit Fund 2,816 4,326 3,559 Other Income 1.212 Sale of Annual Reports — Scilly 1,449 382 — Mainland 420 Camel Estuary Study Group 757 Art Exhibition & Newquay Conference 836 212 Other Sales & Income 332 1,806 3,794 11,209 12,592 Less: GENERAL EXPENDITURE Annual Reports 1990: 2.646 Mainland 3,255 1,564 Scilly 1,887 466 News Letters 1,550 660 Other Printing and Stationery 762 761 Postages and Telephone 1,167 135 Bank Charges 185 606 Hide and Reserve Expenses 519 76 Subscriptions 243 51 Goods for resale 109 Publicity 151 Youth and Education 168 Camel Estuary Study Group 756 Art Exhibition & Newquay Conference 727 100 Miscellaneous 507 7,065 11,986 4.144 606 SPECIAL EXPENDITURE New Hide — Tregonce 644 New Hide — Walmsley 602 Walmsley Sanctuary Development 2,565 Software for Scillies Recorder 240 CTNC — Grant, Projector and Screen 250 509 Reserves equipment (net of NCC grant of £494) .. 200 Scillies hide repair grant 249 Typewriter for County Recorder 168 Display Equipment 1,126 4,301 EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE OVER INCOME £3,695 £3,018 EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE 4 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER, 1991 1990 1991 £ £ £ INVESTMENTS £902.24 3.5% War Loan at market price at 303 31st December, 1991 329 3,064 NSB Investment Account 13,275 3,367 13,604 929 DEBTORS 367 282 STOCK at cost 242 BANK BALANCES 25,900 COIF Charities Deposit Account 12,500 430 Current Account 718 Cash in Hand 26,330 13,218 30,908 27,431 Less: LIABILITIES 271 Subscriptions received in advance 430 Creditor 33 463 £30,637 NET ASSETS £26,968 ACCUMULATED FUNDS 27,645 Balance at 31st December, 1990 30,637 3,018 Add: Excess of Income over Expenditure for year Deduct: Excess of Expenditure over Income for year 3,695 30,663 26,942 (26) Increase/(Decrease) in market value of War Loan 26 £30,637 £26,968 (NOTE: The Society also owns land at Trethias Island and Walmsley Sanctuary in addition to the assets shown in this Balance Sheet. REPORT OF THE AUDITORS TO CORNWALL BIRDWATCHING AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY We have audited the above Balance Sheet and attached Income and Expenditure Account in accordance with the approved auditing standards. In our opinion, the above Balance Sheet and attached Income and Expenditure Account give a true and fair view of the state of the Society's affairs at 31st December 1991, and of its excess of Expenditure over Income for the year then ended. Dated: 13th February, 1992 Whitaker, Redfearn, Pappin & Co. Newquay Accountants 5 Chairman's Report 1992 The Diamond Jubilee of the Society was celebrated by two main events. The two day conference at the Great Western Hotel at Newquay, and an exhibition of wild life paintings at the C.T.N.C. headquarters at Allet. Dave Thomas organised both events virtually single handed and his work was greatly appreciated. The Conference speakers were most impressive and included; Professor Janet Kear talking about "Wildfowl and Man", Peter Robinson on "Scilly Birding Update", David Ramsden on "Barn Owls in the South West", Carey Coombs, son of our late President spoke on "Wildlife Poisoning". Peter Reay, gave a detailed tongue in cheek survey entitled "Tamar Avocets. How Cornish are they?" Input from the Society was provided by Steve Madge, and Roy Phillips who showed excellent slides which provided a great deal of light hearted amusement, as well as an excellent presentation. My contribution was a brief introduction to the history of the Society starting in 1931. Our final speaker was Mike Kendall, Manager of the B.B.C. Wildlife Unit at Bristol who spoke on "Filming Peregrines in Cornwall" and showed examples of the work of the Unit. It is refreshing to note that all speakers gave their services at no expense to the Society. It was disappointing that there were not more attending the Conference, but those who did attend, experienced an unforgettable occasion. The standard of work at the month long art exhibition was very high, well arranged, and attracted a considerable amount of interest. The Society was represented at the Royal Cornwall Show, and we were fortunate to attract air time during our Jubilee. We were also represented at the C.T.N.C. Country Fair at Trelissick, and the Newquay Green Fair. At the A.G.M. held at the County Museum at Truro on 24th April. Our Treasurer Alan Reynolds reported that the Society was in a most healthy state, nearly a thousand members, and a balance of nearly £27,000. Expenditure was increased in the year mainly on Walmsley Sanctuary Development, and new hides at Tregonce on the Camel, and at Walmsley. Alan Reynolds regrettably has resigned as Treasurer after serving for many years. He has done a wonderful job and will be greatly missed. His wise counsel and wisdom, helped us through many difficult situations, and he has brought professionalism of a very high standard to the post. I personally will miss his experience and total reliability. I said at the A.G.M. that he had become a legend, and this was not said lightly. Anita Dunstan has agreed to become Treasurer, and Mike Lawson will act as Membership Secretary in addition to his other duties as Secretary to the Society. The Camel Study Group have been busy during the year, and their second report is due to be published in late May. They have been liaising with other Camel bodies concerned with the preservation of the area. Birding days, talks, and other events have been organised by Mike Lawson, Derek Julian and Anita Dunstan. It is quite amazing the amount of interest which the work of this group has generated in the short time since its formation. Dr. John Ryan, Committee member, and Penzance G.P. has introduced a birdline, called "Birding South West" which has attracted national interest. All profit from the enterprise is donated by John to aid conservation in the County. I mentioned in last years report that a new hide was planned at Tregonce Cliff on the Camel. It is now operational and well used. Thanks to those who gave their time organising the site, and the building of the hide. The look-out at Porthscatho is now used by many members especially in the winter. On the subject of hides, I am pleased to report that all hides locks have been standardised, and that the key issued for the Stithians hide will open all hides owned by the Society. Should members require keys they are available from Anita Dunstan, and Mike Lawson at £2.00. 6 The Walmsley Sanctuary has improved considerably during the year, thanks to the work done by the NRA., and by our members, notably Alma Hathway, and Bruce Wotton, who gave an interesting presentation at the Autumn General Meeting. This subject is dealt with in detail in the Conservation officers' report. As time goes on, no doubt the Sanctuary will improve, and provide a much needed refuge in a very sensitive area. One of the last labours of love that Alan Reynolds undertook, was an examination of the Rules of the Society, and to clarify some points, and to improve where necessary. Copies of the New Rules with alterations underlined were circulated to members before the A.G.M.