65 Years of Working for Birds in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly
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CORNWALL BIRDWATCHING & PRESERVATION SOCIETY SIXTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT BIRDS IN CORNWALL - 1 995 ' 65 Years of working for birds in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ' The Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) is the emblem of the Cornwall Birdwatching and Preservation Society. The Chough was known to be in decline long before the turn of the century, and in the 1920's T.A.Coward wrote in his 'Birds of the British Isles & their eggs' " it is a species that is going under." In 1931 the Society was formed, with the key objectives of preservation and conservation - objectives that are carried on to this day. Bird-watchers, such as our founder Colonel Ryves and Jim Willcocks and Matchell Cox, closely monitored the breeding populations over the following years, but by 1946 only two broods were reported (10 birds). In 1948 our annual report reported that there was no evidence of any breeding on the north coast. By 1957 only one pair remained, and each year they carried nesting material to the traditional nesting site at Stem Cove, near Mawgan Porth, but without any breeding. In the spring of 1968 one bird was found dead, but still the other lingered on, but by mid-1973 it was gone. Our emblem is therefore a constant reminder to us that our conservation and research work is vital to prevent any further loss of a bird species in Cornwall, or indeed in the UK. However, comments and papers in this year's report highlight the decline of farmland birds and the Barn Owl - but hopefully this time our surveys and subsequent actions may assist in the preservation of these species. Many thanks to Kim Atkinson for her kind permission to use the Chough print overleaf. (Anybody interested in obtaining a copy of the print should contact CBWPS General Secretary, whose address can be found on page 164). CORNWALL BIRDWATCHING AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY SIXTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT BIRDS IN CORNWALL - 1 995 Editor: Greg Conway Editorial Assistants : Richard Hooton Andy Pay, Steve Rogers, John Ryan, Graham Sutton. CONTENTS PAGE Editorial & Review of the Year 2 Weather Report 1995 6 Systematic List for 1995 10 Red-throated Diver to Common Coot. G.J.Conway 11 Oystercatcher to Puffin. Dr J.F.Ryan 54 Rock Dove to Mistle Thrush. S.Rogers 87 Cetti's Warbler to Corn Bunting. A. R. Pay 108 Exotica 132 BBRC Decisions 133 Pending records 134 First & last dates of migrants - Summer visitors 135 Contributors 136 Ringing Report 1995 138 1994 Barn Owl Survey of Cornwall 145 The RSPB Aquatic Warbler ringing study at Marazion Marsh 150 Long-toed Stint at Marazion Marsh 155 Bay-breasted Warbler, Land's End, Cornwall 158 Richard's Pipit showing characteristic's of the race 'dauricus' 159 Gazetteer and Map Centre pages 1995 BUSINESS REPORT Chairman's Report 160 Conservation Officer's Report 162 The Society's Rules 163 Officers 1995/6 164 1995 Accounts 165 Published by CORNWALL BIRDWATCHING & PRESERVATION SOCIETY. (Registered Charity number 255899) Printed by St.George Printing Works Ltd. (01209) 217033 2 EDITORIAL REVIEW OF THE YEAR Greg Conway A total of 292 species were reported in 1995 and found to be acceptable. In excess of 40,000 records were received from 280 observers. This is a 25% decrease in the number of contributors compared with recent years, but somewhat surprisingly there has been an increase in the number of records received. Frigatebird sp. is the only new species to be added to the county mainland list. However, Bav-breasted Warbler and Tree Swallow are both potential firsts but await formal acceptance. Blackpoll Warbler and Pechora Pipit were recorded for the second time. Other notable records include the third Radde's Warbler, fourth and fifth Dusky Warblers, fifth Baillon's Crake and Scops Owl, sixth Citrine Wagtail and Upland Sandpiper, eighth Wilson's Storm Petrel and Whiskered Tern. In all a remarkable year with so many rarities in spring and autumn. Also, very noticeable was the continuing, somewhat dramatic, increase in Canada Goose and Little Egret numbers. January: Over-wintering birds from 1994 included Pied-billed Grebe at Stithians. Barnacle Goose on the Lynher Estuary along with the regular Spoonbill, Ring-necked Duck at Drift Reservoir, single Long-tailed Ducks at Loe Pool and the Fowey Estuary, and a single Snow Bunting at Gwithian. Regular adult Ring-billed Gulls frequented Par Beach and Copperhouse Creek (2) with two first winters at Helston Boating Lake. On the Carrick Roads a flock of 15 Black-necked Grebes remained along with two Velvet Scoter. Also, the Desert Wheatear at Hayle was later relocated and remained until March 20th and a female Garganey at Marazion was glimpsed intermittently throughout the first winter period. A record count of 263 Avocets was made on the f amar Estuary. Hen Harrier roosts at Trewey Common and Tregonetha Downs held three and four birds respectively. The relatively mild conditions encouraged substantial numbers of warblers to winter with around 160 Chiffchaff and 63 Blackcap. The discovery of a Dusky Warbler at Bude Marshes 11th was not totally unexpected as one was already wintering in Devon. At the beginning of the month there was a Velvet Scoter at Porthpean and a Little Auk, found dead at Bude. A lone party of four Crossbills at Crowdy Reservoir, subsequently proved to be the biggest flock of the year. From the 20th to the months end severe storms raged, concentrating seabirds in sheltered coastal bays. On the 21st around 2000 Fulmars and 3000 Gannets amassed in St Ives Bav and a Little Auk was seen near Bude. Around 3000 Razorbills were in St Ives and Carbis Bay (28th/29th). An adult Ring-billed Gull arrived at Drift Reservoir 24th, possibly pushed across the Atlantic by recent storms, and a Black Guillemot was around the Helford River the following day. February: Good numbers of the rarer Grebes were counted during the month involving groups of six Red-necked Grebe at Helford River and Carbis Bay. On the Carrick Roads the Black-necked Grebe flock increased to a peak of 19 and were joined by a Long-tailed Duck, early in the month. Nearby, there were two Black Guillemots in the mouth of the Helford River, one remained around Falmouth Bay into March. Apart from a near record flock of approximately 1000 Bramblings at Penryn few large finch flocks were reported. The drake Ring-necked Duck from Drift Reservoir visited Long Rock Pool where a second winter Ring-billed Gull was later sighted and a drake Green-winged Teal returned to Loe Pool for a second winter. A Long-eared Owl was found roosting at Silverwell and a Yellow-legged Gull associated with a flock of Lesser Black-backed Gulls near Colliford Dam. Two most unseasonal records involved a Sandwich Tern at Hayle Estuary (4th) and an exceptionally early Common Swift over St Ives (9th). 3 March: Good numbers of Red-necked Grebe were counted following an influx of spring migrants, involving 38 birds. Counts of nine, seven and six were made at Very an Bay. Chapel Point and Falmouth Bay. Over 100 Black-throated Diver were counted in the sheltered south coast bays, with a single flock of 68 roosting in Very an Bay. while at West Pentire a near record raft of 74 Red-throated Divers gathered. A first winter Ring-billed Gull at Swanpool and an adult Yellow-legged Gull at Drift Reservoir were presumably spring migrants. Fine weather early in the month allowed the first migrants to push north. The first Barn Swallow of the year arrived at Hannafore Point on the 4th followed by Sand Martin at Maer Lake and Wheatear at Gwithian 10th, and an exceptionally early Willow Warbler was at Marazion Marsh (18th). Six Sandwich Terns arrived at three sites on the 20th along with the first of 12 Hoopoes. The first apparent fall of spring migrants occurred on the 23rd involving another early Common Swift at Polruan, three House Martins at Seaton and 19 Black Redstarts around the Lizard. Few migrants were noted during the remainder of the month except for a Common Tern at St John's Lake 24th and an Osprey over Swanpool 30th. April: A small arrival of summer migrants occurred on the 3rd bringing the first Cuckoo of the year, a Black-tailed Godwit of the "Icelandic race* and over 2000 Sand Martins were counted over Marazion Marsh. Apart from a very early Lesser Whitethroat at Par and a Wryneck found dead at St John on the 5th where were few new arrivals until the 8th. Over the following eight days migrants streamed into and over the county. Reed Warbler, Redstart and Tree Pipit arrived (8th), followed by Grasshopper Warbler. Golden Oriole and Yellow Wagtail the next day. However, all was overshadowed by the discovery of a Scops Owl at Henna Cliff near Morwenstow. The following day s saw the arrival of Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Whinchat, Short-eared Owl and Ring Ouzel, with an early returning Pied Flycatcher at Lanhydrock (11th). The first of eight Little Ringed Plovers was at Walmsley Sanctuary 13th and a male Serin was at Church Cove the following day. During the latter half of the month an elusive male Sardinian Warbler was found at Trevose Head and a fine male Kentish Plover visited Par Beach. From the 23rd onwards there were regular falls of arriving migrants, involving counts of 300 Willow Warbler at Penlee Point 24th and Trevose Head 26th, however a massive arrival occurred on the 29th resulting in one of the largest spring falls for decades. On the Lizard alone there were 500 Willow, 30 Sedge and 7 Grasshopper Warblers, 65 Whitethroat, 83 Blackcap and 43 Wheatear, whilst at Land's End numbers were smaller but included a fine male Woodchat Shrike and a Short-toed Lark.