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The Newsletter of Birds (CBWPS) No 28 - Summer 2008 Maer Lake bonanza: £24,500 compensation for flood defences work Graham Sutton, warden of Maer Lake reserve and Vice-chair of Cornwall Birds, has agreed compensation of nearly £25,000 from the Environment Agency for the flood defence work be- ing undertaken at the reserve (see page 7 for full report). The sum is almost the same as the original cost of the reserve when it was bought jointly with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust in 1993 - an excellent outcome, especially as, Graham points out, the new work is likely to have minimal impact on the birdlife at Maer. Graham recalls the dissention within the society when the Maer purchase was discussed and voted through. It has all worked out very well in the intervening 15 years thanks to good relations between Cornwall Birds and the CWT, he says, and the experience set a useful precedent that led to the next joint purchase with CWT several years later - that of Windmill Maer Lake - jointly owned by Cornwall Birds and the CWT Farm on the .

Four young fledge from Colin Selway takes over as the Choughs’ 2008 brood field meetings coordinator Another good season for the Choughs at the After a long gap when no-one held specific Lizard. The breeding pair has produced four responsibility for pulling together the pro- young, all of which had successfully fledged gramme of field meetings, Colin Selway has by mid June. kindly agreed to take on the role. There is as yet no official update from Colin is an experienced birdwatcher the RSPB who monitor the site throughout the and member of the committee. Proof that his season, but the unofficial news is encourag- efforts are already paying dividends can be ing. found on pages 14 and 15 where our biggest ever list of field meetings can be found. Share your experience on field trips with members CONTENTS Palores never runs reports of the excellent Bird Report: field meetings available to members - for Spring the simple reason that no-one writes them! - p 4 and 5 Have a look at the report of the Windmill Farm visit in April on page 15 - Reserve news that’s the sort of thing we want. It doesn’t - p 6, 7, 10 have to be a literary masterpiece, just a de- cent account of your day’s bird watching, The 2008 family Matthew Sallis Spring Watch and of course what you saw. You never know, you might quite enjoy writing up - p 8 and 9 your trip - whether you are a meeting leader Woodchat or just an attendee - almost as much as go- ing on it! Shrike Members unable to make it to all or - p 11 any of our meetings will be interested to know what people are seeing on these trips Field meet- and short accounts of field meetings will ings: Spring surely enhance the enjoyment of Palores. A Reed Warbler singing its heart out at Walmsley - p 14, 15 Please contact the editor to submit your reports (details on page 2) - preferably Sanctuary - caught on by email, but by post will do fine. Good camera by the ever- Rex Harper Cornwall’s newest Chough B. McGeough digital photos always very welcome too. watchful Colin Selway - p 16

Committee and Officers Palores - July 2008 President: Steve Madge t’s been a bumper season for birds in Cornwall as the various reports and articles Seawinds, Lower Trerive, , , I in this edition of Palores reveal. Sadly, I seem to have a bird jinx and pretty well PL11 3LZ (01503-250432) anything with feathers scarpers when they know I’m around with a pair of binocu- lars in my hands. Never mind, it can’t always be the case and with such a formida- Chairman: Peter Crispin ble line-up of field meetings in the summer, I’m 5 Church Lea, Launceston PL15 8QZ determined to improve my luck. (01566-773455) [email protected] Members will be particularly pleased to read of the compensation received by Maer Lake Vice Chairman: Graham Sutton for the disruption caused by the Environment Harcombe, West Park Road, , EX23 8PB Agency’s very necessary flood defence work at (01288-356605) the reserve. In effect, we and the CWT have ac- quired a superb reserve for a mere £500 (since the Honorary Secretary & compensation was only just shy of the original County Recorder: Darrell Clegg 55 Lower Fore Street, , PL12 6JQ Maer Lake price paid in 1993). We won’t always be so fortu- nate but it shows how important the acquisition of (01752-844775) [email protected] suitable habitat is for conservation-minded bodies like us. Hon Treasurer: Gary Lewis The RSPB adopted the strategy of acquiring and managing land years ago Manager ERCCISS, Cornwall Wildlife Trust and it has now become one of the UK’s largest landowners - all for the benefit of (01872 273939 - 247) [email protected] birds. Cornwall Birds’ ambitions must of course be more modest but even in our relatively unspoilt neck of the woods, the reserves we own, co-own and manage are Membership Secretary: Sara McMahon all important refuges for wildlife in general and birds in particular. 72 Underwood Road, Plympton, PL7 1SZ The best possible reason to pay your annual sub is the bit you are doing to (01752-242823) [email protected] help maintain and preserve these very special places for birds. Simon Marquis Editor, Birds in Cornwall: Derek Julian 12, Road, , PL27 7XD. (01208 816779)

Cornwall Birds Website administrator: Andy Pay The Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society Salena Cottage, TR13 0EA e-mail: [email protected]

Editor, Palores: Simon Marquis Place, Wadebridge, PL27 7JS (07711 883876) [email protected]

Field Meetings Officer: Colin Selway Registered Charity No 255899 Committee member: Rosemary Parslow Cornwall Birds (as the CBWPS) was founded in 1931 to encourage the study 17 St Michael’s Road, , TR3 7ED and preservation of birds in Cornwall. The Society has over 750 members. It (01872-865013) owns 3 reserves and manages jointly several others. The Society organises weekly bird-watching field trips (some jointly with the RSPB local members Committee members: group). Palores (its colour newsletter for members) is published quarterly. Bruce Taggart Every year the Society also publishes its authoritative annual record - Birds Paul Freestone in Cornwall - sent to all members. Public Relations Officer: vacant

Conservation Officer: vacant 2008 Subscriptions: Adult £14 Family £18 Senior Citizen £11 Senior Family £13 Reserve Wardens: Life member £200 Walmsley: Adrian Langdon Maer Lake: Graham Sutton Subscriptions for 2008 were due by 1st January . Windmill Farm: Andy Pay Loveny: Dave Conway Gift Aid saves the Society £1,500 a year. Please pay - if you can - by Gift Aid. Drift: Dave Parker : Simon Taylor Membership: to join Cornwall Birds, please call, email or write to Sara McMahon, Membership Secretary, 72 Underwood Road, Plympton, PL7 1SZ, (01752-242823), e-mail: [email protected]. Honorary Solicitor: Greg Adams 2 Wendron Street, TR13 8PS

Palores is published four times a year - January, April, July and October. Advertising rates: Full colour page £100, Half page £50. Independent Examiner: Mrs J E Cox FCA Small ads and notices are free to members: contact the Editor. Whitakers (Chartered Accountants) Design and typesetting by the Editor. Bryndon House, 5 Berry Road, TR7 1AD Printed by R. Booth Ltd, The Praze, Commercial Road, Penryn, TR10 8AA (01637-873838) Distribution by Envelope Supplies, Holsworthy, Devon.

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Western Isles, with confirmation that the Scottish Government has Chairman’s Chat rejected plans for a ‘farm’ of 181 giant wind turbines on the peat- land of North Lewis – a clear sign that they have listened to the y general consent the early summer period argument in favour of protecting land that is of high value to rare B has been excellent for birdwatching across and endangered birds. the country, and certainly here in Cornwall. The Nearly fifty members turned up for the Cornwall Birds reserve accounts and bird report in this issue tell field meeting at Windmill Farm reserve on the last Saturday in of some exciting sightings, and in West Cornwall April. This was the first part of our new format AGM, and a fine the influx over the winter of Cattle Egret and the and sunny morning was enjoyed by all, even if the exciting visitors arrival of several European Bee-eater in late seen on the reserve in the few days previous, such as Black-winged April/May, (to name but two species of several) Stilt and Purple Heron, had moved on by then. The majority of the Peter Crispin was unusual but welcome. Even the east of the group then descended on the pasty shop in Lizard village (and ex- county came up trumps with a Blue-winged cellent they were too!) and some went off to Teal at Siblyback/Dozmary. The positive feed- view the Choughs. Of course the week I was on Scilly The AGM was well attended as a con- proved quiet, with an Ortolan Bunting on Bry- back on the 2008 sequence, and following the business part, her the only unusual visitor – unlike the previ- Andy Pay presented a fascinating talk, illus- ous weeks! However, it remains a magical – AGM suggests that trated with some of his excellent digital photos, and relaxing – place, and the thrushes seemed the new format is a about the birds of the Kruger National Park, in particularly plentiful this year, and as bold as I South Africa. I am delighted that many of our remember. popular one, and so officers were willing to continue in post, and As ever, I bumped into several ac- that Colin Selway has taken over as our Field quaintances. Rosemary Parslow was on the we will make next Meetings Officer. The positive feedback on the outbound Scillonian with a party of naturalists day suggests that this format is a popular one, going over for the week (some looking rather year’s AGM an all and so we will make next year’s AGM an all- grey, as it was a bit ‘lumpy’), as was Roger day event also... day event also. Butts. During the week I came across a number We are sorry to lose Peter Kent from of people from my world of education – a consequence of being the post of Conservation Officer. Peter has been very pro-active in restricted to school holidays to take my own leave. (Not that I get the role, bringing to it significant professional expertise. He has teachers’ holidays!). Hopefully it won’t be four years before I re- regretfully decided to stand down, due to new work projects and turn. his ongoing academic studies. I hope we will be able to persuade At the other end of the country, Fair Isle has been exceed- him back in the future. ing even its own expectations with the recent Citril Finch, and In the meantime, enjoy this issue, and the summer months, there was further good news for those who love birds and the particularly if you are able to take a holiday. Good birding! Titbits...

f you have never visited there’s no longer any excuse! Simon Taylor, the I Cornwall Birds warden there, is leading three new walks over the summer. For details see his report on Stithians and the Field Meetings list on pages 14 and 15.

o any members recall a Mr Valentine from many years ago? He is mentioned in the 1944 D CBWPS Annual Report and knew Miss Hilda Quick. Please pass on any information you may have to Paul Heaton - contact at [email protected].

ightings of Balearic Shearwaters around the South West reached 130 to the end of May - well S up on last year, according to Seawatch SW. (See page 12 for 2007 report) Darrell Clegg and Peter Crispin leading this year’s well-attended AGM. The business was dealt with swiftly and efficiently and was fol- This little volume on Cornwall’s lowed by Andy Pay’s superbly illustrated birds may not be one for the sea- presentation on the wildlife of the Kruger soned expert but it is full of de- National Park...come to think of it, an excel- lightful pictures by award-winning lent choice of venue for next year’s AGM! photographer David Chapman. Published by Alison Hodge and available in most local bookshops at £5.99.

Sign of the times...This Barn Falling off his perch? Colin Selway hap- Owl was one of a pened to be in the right place at the right pair seen feeding in time to snap this Robin at the instant of and around take-off. Walmsley during Any other remarkable photographs of June. birds and bird behaviour, please email to photo by the editor - details on opposite page. Colin Selway

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and a possible Hudsonian Whimbrel during May as well as Ruff and Wood Sandpipers. As the majority of the adult gulls were leaving the county bird to breed during April and May a Franklin’s Gull visited Stithians Reservoir briefly, while at least half-a-dozen Iceland Gulls were seen at various sites until the beginning of June; at least ten Little report Gulls were seen around during April and another four were present around , while Ring-billed Gulls were noted at both Stithians and in April. Glaucous and Yellow-legged Gulls were seen until April at several sites in the far west until early May and small numbers of Mediterranean Gulls remained into June. Spring tern passage was good this year with up to four April-June 2008 Bird birdApril-June report Report2008 Roseate Terns being seen around Penzance and along with Arctic, Black, Common and Sandwich Terns; further east a (April-June 2008) Roseate Tern was off Torpoint for a few days too, while a Whisk- ered Tern put in an appearance at Maer in May.

Sara McMahon reports on this spring’s bird- Doves – Buntings watching highlights around the county Odd Turtle Doves were noted passing through the county from mid-April into May but amazingly there were probably more Bee- eaters reported over the period with at least a dozen being noted in Wildfowl – Game Birds May, including a flock of 11 at ; odd birds were still being Two Snow Geese were seen over Nanjizal and then Mullion dur- reported around the far west well into June. ing April. This is the second year running there have been reports At least eight Hoopoes were present during April but only of this species in Cornwall during the spring. An Egyptian Goose one lingered into May; a Short-toed Lark was found at Land’s End was on Millbrook during April too; while in the duck line a Black in early May but soon settled near Sennen and was seen until mid Duck was seen near briefly in May, a Ring-necked Duck June at least. remained at Stithians until mid-April and a Lesser Scaup visited The first Swift noted was April 16th at , the first Dozmary Pool and Siblyback Reservoir in April too. Garganey Cuckoo at Nanjizal on the 3rd while small numbers of Golden Ori- were noted at various sites county-wide in small numbers through- oles were reported at various sites county-wide throughout April out April and May but there were none noted in June. and May. Possibly four Tawny Pipits were present in May the most reliable being a bird at Sennen mid month. Divers – Coots There was only a single report of a Night Heron this year and that was from Gwithian in May; the Cattle Egrets were reported from various sites during April – the birds around Drift and proving the easiest to see, but in May 23 were noted flying over and not reported again. A Purple Heron visited Windmill Farm during April for ten days but proved quite elusive at times. Several days later a bird was seen over Breage – possibly the same individual on the move again. Also in April a White Stork was seen circling over ; while in June a Glossy Ibis flew over and a Spoonbill visited the . In the raptor line, a Black Kite was noted over Saltash in May and as with the last few years small numbers of Red Kites were reported the length and breadth of the county from April onwards. Honey Buzzards were seen from late April over Loe Pool and during early May over Penzance, Penryn and Land’s End; during June a male took up residence around Croft Pascoe Pool for nearly two weeks and gave people a chance to study this graceful raptor. Small numbers of harriers were noted on passage throughout the period including half a dozen different Montagu’s Harriers; likewise, Ospreys passed through the county on their way north during April and May while Hobbys were noted from mid- April onwards in small numbers around the usual sites and at least two Red-footed Falcons arrived during May but proved hard to catch up with There was a male seen briefly at Croft Pascoe and a wandering female seen between , and Altar- nun.

Waders – Auks Three stunning Black-winged Stilts visited Windmill Farm for a week in April before moving on, giving plenty of people the chance to admire these lovely wading birds. Of the two Little Ringed Plover that visited Gwithian during April, one was unfortu- nately taken by a passing Merlin, while another bird seen at Walmsley during May was more fortunate. Dinham Flats provided a feeding station for good numbers of Whimbrel over the period Black-winged Stilt, Windmill Farm, 8.4.08 photo Mike Barker 4

Synchronised preening: Choughs photo Steve Rogers

Roseate Tern

Woodchat Shrike photo Len Hadley Yellow-browed Warbler by Tony Blunden A Nightingale took up residence at Tregantle in April and A Serin was at Nanjizal in April, a Tree Sparrow and a although sang beautifully proved difficult to see; Subalpine War- Ortolan Bunting at Land’s End in May and a small influx of Cross- blers were at Nanjizal and during May along with bills seems to be occurring as I write with birds being noted at Cot, an Icterine Warbler seen at both Land’s End and Sennen. The win- Treeve, Polgigga, Davidstow and Constantine. tering Yellow-browed Warbler near Helston was last seen on April 12th and the Hume’s at Tehidy on 1st of the same month, but a Birds to look out for: singing Pallas’s Warbler graced a small park in St Agnes the same Summer, especially late July, is the time to start looking for rarer month and another was reported near Charlestown on the south waders as return passage starts, Long-billed Dowitchers often coast. appear at this time so check the estuaries such as Hayle and the Woodchat Shrikes were reported from Land’s End and Loe Camel. Seabird passage is usually good too – get to grips with Pool during April and around seven were thought to be present those Manx Shearwaters and then move onto Balearic and the county-wide during May; however no Red-backed Shrikes were larger Cory’s or Great Shearwaters. Storm Petrels can often be reported this spring. The breeding pair of Choughs on the Lizard seen close to land after summer storms so check round the buoys raised four young which had fledged by mid June. at for these dainty birds. 5

Drift Dave Parker reports...

ollowing the unprecedented influx of Cattle Egrets last winter, F (featured recently on BBC’s Springwatch), there were reports throughout the period until 6th May. The birds were often seen in local farms always returning to roost in the northeast arm. Mute Swans peaked at 62 and 2 pairs attempted to nest but for the second year running failed to produce any young. Canada Geese peaked at 29 and at least 3 pairs bred with 5, 6 and 11 gos- reserve news April-June 2008 lings; although only the brood of 11 survived the others presuma- bly fell victim to the local mink, which seem to be increasing. The mink also probably account for the lack of any successful broods By Adrian Langdon of Mallard. The last Tufted Duck of the winter was reported on Walmsley 28th of March and Teal on 7th April. A Great-crested Grebe was seen on 28th March. Wader passage inevitably, given the high wa- e have seven Lapwings in breeding plumage on site at the ter levels, involved only fly-over birds except for a few Curlews W moment although they don't seem very territorial so we will and Whimbrels, which frequented the surrounding fields. Pick of have to wait and see. There are also breeding Little Grebes, Coots, the birds were 7 Grey Plovers, 12 Common Sandpipers, 2 Ringed Moorhens, Reed Buntings, Reed and Sedge Warblers. We also Plovers, Greenshank and Redshank. have a pair of Barn Owls using the reserve to feed most evenings. A juvenile Iceland Gull also wintered in the area and regu- I have been contacted by the Environment larly flew in to bathe and was last reported on 19th May. It was Agency's new contractor about sinking three trial boreholes in the joined by at least 2 other individuals and a juvenile Glaucous Gull reserve to monitor water levels for the Amble valley water level was claimed on 9th March. Surprisingly no Mediterranean Gulls management plan. The manager has requested an onsite meeting were reported in the period just the occasional Common Gull and with me so I will try and push for as much freebie work as we can an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull with yellow wing tags. A smart get. I hope to be able to get the meadows and other areas to hold a Black Tern seen on 16th April was part of a broader passage lot more water and hopefully to get an island covered with shingle through the county and a surprise Sandwich Tern was seen the to attract Black-headed Gulls and possibly terns. following day. On the downside we have been hit with an invasive plant, Migrants started to arrive on 15th March with 120 Sand namely Azolla, a floating water fern (pictured below). There is a Martins being reported. Swallows appeared on 28th March, Willow control available that has been recommended by the Environment Warblers on 7th April, House Martins 17th, Ring Ouzel 20th, White- Agency using a biological source the Azolla weevil (stenopelmus throats 6th May and Hobby on the 12th. As usual, very little in the rufinasus)…. http://194.203.77.76/AzollaControl/default.htm way of maintenance has needed to be done, although a bridge was Obviously I'm very wary of this approach but reading the rebuilt by the fisheries bailiff and me. blurb it seems that it only eats Azolla then dies, (drowning whilst c l i n g i n g o n t o t h e s i n k i n g w e e d ) . What I need to do is to prepare a control paper and present it to Natural as the site is a SSSI. I've spoken with them and Loveny worryingly I knew more about Azolla than they did, but I sent Dave Conway reports... them off to Google anyway! he water level continued to rise throughout the Spring due to T the excessive rainfall and the pipeline that conveys water from the River extraction works at Restormel, all the way back to Colliford reservoir. The level is now less than 0.5m below maximum and must be the highest spring level ever. Migrants continued to arrive and by mid-May the reserve had an interesting range of breeding birds. Pride of place was the Black-headed Gull colony comprising around 70 adults with nests on two islands. As long as the water level remains high the foxes should not reach the young and a good fledging season is in pros- pect. As a supporting cast, there are at least two pairs of Great Crested Grebe, several pairs of Canada Goose with broods of two and six already swimming, a pair of Barnacle Goose, several Mal- lard, at least a pair of Tufted Duck, up to three pairs of Coot and Curlew, up to six pairs of Lapwing and a pair of Little Grebe on Dozmary Pool, a pair of Buzzard, three pairs of Carrion Crow, four pairs of Stock Dove, two pairs of Wheatear, a few pairs of Reed Bunting, several pairs of Linnet, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler. On the downside, there is no sign of breeding Whinchat which last bred in 2006. Good numbers of Swift, and up to 250 Swallow and Sand Martin feed over the reserve. The proposed hide is still under consideration. At a recent meeting with SWLT Conservation Officer, Mark Green, Peter Kent and myself, it was agreed to continue with the planning ap- plication and acquisition of a hide. If all goes well there may be a hide in situ by this autumn.

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Windmill Farm Maer Lake Andy Pay reports on Graham Sutton has great financial news... an exceptional spring for birdwatching... ith work on the Flexbury Flood Defence scheme progress- W ing at full speed on the reserve (see picture below), I am t's been a fantastic Spring at the farm. It kicked off with a pair pleased to report that we have reached agreement with the Envi- I of Garganey on Saturday 5th April. On the Monday I opened ronment Agency on a compensation package to cover the distur- the flaps on the new hide at Ruan Pool and was greeted by the bance caused and future rights of access to maintain the new flood sight of three Black-winged Stilts! They looked nicely settled and bank. attracted many admirers during their seven day stay. Two of The Environment Agency has agreed to pay The Society them were even seen copulating. and The Cornwall Wildlife Trust the sum of £24,500 together with Early on Wednesday 9th, Brian Dodd and Frank Hull had a package of improve- what they were sure was a Purple Heron flying across the reserve ment measures to en- then pitching down in the stream along the western bound- hance the reserve, the ary. Over the next week it gave fabulous views to lots of visi- most notable of which is tors. On the 17th Tony Blunden found a Hoopoe by the dragonfly the new access bridge ponds and this too remained for several days, feeding on the larvae which links our presently of Green Tiger Beetles. Meanwhile the female Garganey disap- land-locked field beside peared whilst the drake hung around suspiciously at the back of the road to the main the pool. I was rather hoping that we were going to have a breed- reserve. The bridge has ing record, but it turned out not to be. A second drake arrived been built to a very high shortly afterwards. specification and will May came up trumps for raptors. On the 11th one of two take our contractor’s 13 tonne swing shovel. The bat cave men- Montagu's Harriers I had seen on the downs the day before - a first tioned in the previous report has been cancelled due to budget summer male - duly obliged by hunting across the farm. The next restrictions! Hopefully, we can look again at this exciting project day a Red Kite came over and on the 22nd two Hobbies were in the future. hunting over the ponds. When we purchased the reserve with Cornwall Wildlife All the usual summer visitors have arrived. Swallows and Trust in 1993 at a cost of £25,000 it was a very innovative and Whitethroats are up, but Grasshopper Warblers down. A couple of ground-breaking project which caused a massive fallout in the Lesser Whitethroats came through and one of them is still singing Society. The Committee’s decision to purchase by a democratic his heart out in mid June. Great swathes of Yellow Bartsia have vote triggered the resignation of the then Chairman, Secretary and appeared in the meadows, with Ragged Robin in the damper ar- President, with all sorts of dire predictions about the Society’s eas. Sadly I think our small colony of Marsh Fritillaries has died future. out. After a record season in 2006, it looks like last summer's But the joint purchase by the Society and CWT has terrible weather has put paid to them. Small Pearl-bordered Fritil- worked very well with the strengths of each organization comple- lary numbers are well below average too. menting each other. Fifteen years later and we have received al- We have 'sexy' new interpretation material being installed most the original purchase price back in compensation for a com- munity scheme I am confident will have little impact on the re- in the Information Centre. This is being funded by the Heath Pro- ject (http://www.theheathproject.org.uk/). There is also enough serve. Things have changed dramatically over the fifteen year money in the pot to pay for our trail leaflets and these are currently period of ownership, especially in the issues of Health and Safety, in preparation. which put such enormous pressure on an organization like ours If you're visiting the reserve, please do not forget to close which does not employ professional staff. We benefit greatly from gates behind you where appropriate. There can be lots of horse- our close links to CWT. flies around in high summer - come prepared! Wader passage was extremely good this spring with excep- tional numbers of Whimbrel, usually in small parties, but two of 32 and 39 were excellent. Living so close to the Reserve the calls and melancholy song as the birds fly over the house is a real treat. Knot, Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint are guaranteed at Maer each autumn but all were good spring records. Little Ringed Plover is guaranteed in spring as are White Wagtails, but Yellow Wagtail was disappointingly scarce this year. With two swing shovels and five dumper trucks working full blast Maer was hardly the most peaceful place to be, but this did not deter a Whiskered Tern from paying a visit. I had not seen one of these marsh terns from south east Europe in Cornwall since 1995, when a very young Greg Conway, Derek Julian and a not so young Brian Cra- ven and I stumbled on one at Tregunna on the Camel while taking part in the annual bird race. There was a bird reported from Ireland a few days previously to the Maer Lake bird, I wonder if it was the same bird. The mass Cattle Egret influx seemed to have passed Maer by, the nearest one being a solitary bird regularly visiting a farm pond between Bridgerule and . However, the day after the cattle arrived to begin the spring/summer grazing on May 4th, what should turn up but a Cattle Egret! This second new Clockwise from top left: Yellow Bartsia; Red species for Maer made it an exceptional spring migration. If an- Kite; Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary; Garganey other influx occurs you may hear of some cattle rustling in North photographs by Andy Pay Cornwall! 7 ...Stithians report page 10

Spring Watch New pictures from some of our most talented photographers

Proving greats shots aren’t dependent on rare birds, this Chaffinch at Windmill Farm strikes a pose for Andy Pay A busy Whitethroat photographed by Andy and Shirley Park at Looe 13.6.08

A Red-rumped Swallow’s gorgeous colours set off to per- A Barn Owl, lit by low sun, cruises through fection by the light... Tony Blunden a cloud of flies at Walmsley... A Langdon

Steve Rogers had to wait until nearly dark to get all8 A male Reed Bunting taking family respon- three Black-winged Stilts in shot. Ruan Pool 8.4.08 sibilities seriously Adrian Langdon

The classic, alert Wheatear pose, captured by Andy Pay at Windmill Farm...

Adrian Langdon watched this Grey Heron catch an eel at Walmsley, then fly off into the meadow to eat it...

Unmistakable...the Raven’s shaggy throat and huge beak caught by Brian McGeough

Coming into land. A Great-spotted Woodpecker caught at the crucial moment by Matthew Sallis

Brian McGeough captures a Purple Heron against the light...

A great sight around our coasts, the Fulmar The ultimate9 bird portrait?...The familiar yet delightful at total ease in the air. Brian McGeough Robin - caught on camera by Brian McGeough

Stithians Spring news from Simon Taylor Garganey was present on the Southern Cut Off from the 9th May to the 13th. The 11th of May produced the rarest bird of the year when a Franklins Gull flew over without stopping off. South West Water once again started to pump water out of the area for reasons unknown to me giving mammals prime oppor- tunities to predate nests and this is just what they did. The Mute Swan who was sitting on 5 eggs for around 3 weeks suddenly found herself eggless, and presumably the same happened to the Great-crested Grebe when only 1 chick appeared from a clutch also of 5 eggs. Coot and Moorhen also seemed to have failed to breed successfully. The GC Grebe chick was first seen on the 29th May and is looking good as this report goes to press. 3 new species for the year have also been seen in the form of Red Kite, Skylark and 3 un-tickable Black Swans taking the year list to 91. Look out for guided tours around Stithians as part of the Field Meetings he last report was submitted for Palores on the 15th March. programme. Details can be found on pages 14/15 of this magazine. T Shortly afterwards Stithians was on the end of a clear-out. th Stithians Field Meetings The Bittern was last seen 3 days later; 28 March was the last th rd th The first of 3 guided walks around Stithians will start on the 20 reported Snipe, with Teal and Widgeon last seen on the 3 and 6 th st of April respectively. July with a further two walks on the 9 August and 21 Sept. The A single Goosander was present on the 16th March and the meeting point will be the dam car park as this is the most central 1st winter Ring-billed Gull put appearances in again on the 17th area of the reserve and gives opportunities to walk in either direc- March and 3rd April. The 17th March also produced a Goldeneye tion. on the reservoir. 2 Pochard and 2 Goldeneye appeared on the 28th The walks start at 9am and are entirely open and informal, March. The Ring-necked Duck was observed on several occasions with the choice of walk being decided on the day. A packed lunch finally departing on or around 14th April. 5 days later saw a Com- would be advisable just in case the walk finishes late. On a good mon Sandpiper, Sparrowhawk, and the first Sedge Warbler on the day with careful observation and a bit of luck over 40 species can reserve. The first Blackcap appeared on the 21st with the first be seen. Bring suitable clothing as Stithians can bring awful Whitethroat on the 27th and Cuckoo a day later. Into May and a weather. The reserve has had 91 species to date this year and the Pochard and 2 Garden Warbler were seen on the 3rd and a drake century is looking good. Further details available on the website.

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Derek Julian presents All the birds recorded are of the subspecies senator except two. These two were believed to be of the Mediterranean Island race Woodchat the history of this attrac- badius and were at on 19th to 27th May 1979 and at tive bird’s visits to Corn- Polgigga on 4th to 10th May 2007. This race is structurally the same Shrike wall... as the nominate form but lacks a white patch at the base of the primaries and has a slightly broader and longer bill. It is to be his predominantly Mediterranean species has reached the noted that both these records have not as yet been accepted by T Cornish mainland on 101 occasions (up to end of 2007). BBRC. The first for Cornwall was one noted in British Birds as References: CBWPS Annual Reports; Cramp, Handbook of the being present in the county on 12th May 1908, but unfortunately no Birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa Volume 7; location was recorded. Since then at least 36 sites have hosted this Small and Walbridge, A review of the identification of ‘Balearic’ small but powerful hunter. Woodchat Shrike, and details of three British records, British As you can see from the map the majority of records come Birds Volume 98, Pages 32-42. from the west of the county with Porthgwarra and Land’s End having the lion’s share of the records with 20 and 10 birds respec- Three 2008 photographs by Adrian Langdon and Brian McGeough tively. of Woodchat Shrike in Cornwall This species has been annual since 1979 with up to 6 indi- viduals noted in some years (see table). The earliest arrival date was of a bird at on 23rd March 2002 and the latest was one at 3rd to 5th November 1996. The best month to find this species is May; historically 36 birds have arrived in this month.

Distribution of Woodchat Shrike sightings by month

Distribution of Woodchat Shrike sightings in Cornwall

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importance of weather conditions on this species’ inshore move- Night out ments. Totals of other shearwater species seen during the Gwen- SeaWatch SW - nap Head survey included 16,000 Manx Shearwaters, 530 Sooty Shearwaters, 40 Cory’s Shearwaters and 10 Great Shearwaters, with nearly all birds flying west. The appearance of Sooty Shear- the bird summary waters in particular was closely related to low-pressure conditions, with strong southwest winds and poor visibility. This fascinating project produced valuable Arctic Skuas, Great Skuas and Kittiwakes showed a clear data and great birdwatching. For the full re- pattern of occurrence during the survey period, with small num- bers seen from mid-July to mid-September, then a marked peak of port and details on 2008 visit www.seawatch- westwards passage in late September. sw.org. By SW project leader Russell Wynn In October, all three species were noted lingering offshore for several days, with the skuas regularly stealing food from the Kittiwakes. Up to 20 Arctic Skuas (many in active wing moult), eaWatch SW is a new volunteer-based project, designed to were apparently roosting overnight to the east of Head, collect important baseline data for key migratory marine spe- S with birds moving west after dawn and returning east in the eve- cies in UK waters from 2007 onwards. The priority is the critically ning. endangered Balearic Shearwater, but other migratory seabirds as Guillemots and Razorbills also showed similar overall well as Basking Sharks, Ocean Sunfish and cetaceans are also the focus of effort-based monitoring off southwest England. trends, with small numbers of local breeding in birds present in late July, then few sightings until southwards passage began in late A total of 834 Balearic Shearwater records were reported September and early October. It was notable that Razorbills were to SeaWatch SW and/or Birdguides from the UK and Ireland in ten times more abundant than Guillemots. A total of 104 Puffins 2007, relating to a maximum of 5153 birds. However, this figure were also seen, mostly in July, with several records of birds feed- includes significant duplication, as some birds remained in one ing off Gwennap Head. area for several days or were recorded passing multiple watch- Gannets and Fulmars were too numerous to count system- points, but it does provide a useful index that can be compared atically, while other seabird totals included 612 Common Scoters, with future years. Small numbers of Balearic Shearwaters lingered 766 European Storm-petrels, 255 Sandwich Terns and 346 Com- off southwest England in January, then very few were reported until late May when the first returning birds were noted. Numbers mon/Arctic Terns. Scarcer seabird species included up to nine Grey Phalaropes, 20 Pomarine Skuas, two Little Gulls, 16 Medi- then built up through June and July as birds pushed northwards, terranean Gulls, a Black Tern and two Roseate Terns. before peaking in August and September. The Runnelstone reef was shown to be an important fea- There was a major exodus from UK waters in late Septem- ture off Gwennap Head, often attracting large congregations of ber, and almost all reports from October onwards were again from feeding gulls, Basking Sharks and cetaceans. Up to 1000 Herring southwest England. About two-thirds of Balearic Shearwater re- Gulls were regularly gathered along the reef line, with local fisher- cords in 2007 came from southwest England, but a few penetrated men in July reporting that large numbers of pipefish were gathered north to Scotland and a couple of records were even received from at the surface in this area. However, pipefish are not a particularly Orkney. During June and July an important gathering of moulting birds remained in the Portland Bill area for several weeks, peaking attractive prey item for many seabird species, which may explain why only small numbers of shearwaters, auks and other seabirds at 117 on 8 July. These birds began to disperse westwards in late were attracted to these feeding congregations. July and early August, with the peak count away from Portland Notable migrant land birds seen by SeaWatch SW observ- being 123 passing Gwennap Head, Cornwall on 3-4 Aug. ers in the Gwennap Head and Porthgwarra area included Little Effort-based monitoring of Balearic Shearwaters (and Egret, Osprey, Hobby, Water Rail, Dotterel, Long-eared Owl, other target species) was undertaken at Gwennap Head between 15 Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart, Dartford Warbler, Yellow- July and 15 Oct 2007. Over 40 volunteer observers helped man the browed Warbler, Dusky Warbler and Lapland Bunting. Peregrines watchpoint for 93 consecutive days, with ‘dawn to dusk’ observa- and Ravens were regularly recorded, and a Peregrine was even tions totalling almost 1000 hours. Balearic Shearwaters were seen every day off Gwennap Head during the survey period, with a total seen chasing European Stormpetrels offshore on two occasions. One of the highlights of the survey was the near- of 1361 birds recorded. Most (94%) were seen on direct westwards continuous presence of a pair of Choughs around the watchpoint passage, with two-thirds seen during the morning session prior to from 28 Sept to 15 Oct. These birds often fed within a few metres 1200hrs. of the observers, and colour ring observations revealed that they Peak movements all coincided with low pressure systems were both offspring of breeding pairs in west Cornwall. lying over, or to the west of, southern England, highlighting the

Russell Wynn, project leader, at the Gwennap Head watchpoint Basking shark photo by Gavin Parsons 12

Gary’s Cornwall Gary Lewis reports Two more beautiful paintings by Cornwall-based artist on his Cornwall Dick Twinney - Treecreeper and Goldfinches. See his website: www.dicktwinneyswildlifeart.co.uk ‘Big List’ 2008 bird list project...

t had long been an ambition of mine to spend a year trying to I see as many species in a calendar year within Cornwall. A career in the Royal Navy had always prevented any seri- ous attempt, but having left the Service I now work for the Corn- wall Wildlife Trust, so 2008 seemed the perfect opportunity to try. A trawl through past ‘Birds in Cornwall’ had suggested that some- where between 270 and 280 distinct species were recorded in Cornwall most years with a peak of around 290. I set myself an initial target of around the 250 mark; I could not find any previous attempt at a big list so believe that the mark I set this year will be a target for future Cornwall year listers. As I write this, 5 months into the attempt, I have certainly picked a vintage year as far as late winter and spring have been concerned with a wide variety of common migrants, winter visitors and scarce and rare spring birds. The almost constant easterly bias to the wind from late April through to the end of May has signifi- cantly contributed to this. There follows a brief resume of each month to give a flavour of the excellent birding:

144 species at the end of the month with 124 of those recorded in my home patch of . Highlights were all the regular UK Divers and Grebes, Hume’s Warbler (2), the influx of Cattle Egrets and a Bittern.

Cornish list up to 157 with 129 in Caradon. High- lights were a wintering Yellow-browed Warbler, Lapland Bunting and Woodlark. The eastern race Yellow Wagtail near Saltash was of real interest and this led to the discovery of a Richard’s Pipit in the same area. In terms of scarce species, the discovery of a drumming Lesser-spotted Woodpecker at was very pleasing.

List had grown to166 species in Cornwall with 132 in Caradon. Highlights were Little Bunting, Shore- lark and an early Hoopoe. Additionally, after numerous visits to Porthpean, I finally got good enough views of the reported Pacific Diver to convince myself of its identity. The discovery of a pair of Grey Partridge near was significant.

April gave me the early spring boost with the Cornwall total at 198 by the end of the month; 154 in Caradon. Highlights were the singing spring Pallas’ Warbler, White Stork, a Caradon Roseate Tern and good numbers of the common migrants.

The list had grown to 216 for Cornwall with 168 in Cara- don. This month has just been phenomenal. Bee-eater and Montagu’s Harrier at Rame, Whiskered Tern, Red- footed Falcon and Short-toed Lark were all not really expected. The period ended with my first visit to St George’s Island off Looe where I found a singing Marsh Warbler.

The summer is now upon us and a short lull in proceed- ings before the onset of autumn and all that that has to offer. I am still on track to achieve in the region of 250 species, but will need a bit of good fortune. The final seven months of the attempt will appear in a later edition of Palores; once the total is set it is there to be beaten! 2 1 6 ...

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Sunday 3rd August 9.00am Leader Viv Stratton (01736 796487) field meetings Porthgwarra. An all day walk looking for migrant birds and maybe some sea watching. Bring a packed lunch. Meet in the car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 371 218 July-September 2008 Wednesday 6th August 6.15pm Leader Gordon Mills (01209 718144 evenings) St Gothian Sands, . An evening walk around the area Wednesday 9th July 6.15pm Leader Gordon Mills looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car (01209 718144 evenings) park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422 St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car Saturday 9th August 9.00am Leader Simon Taylor park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422 (01209 614857) Stithians Reservoir. A walk around the reservoir looking for Saturday 12th July 9.30am Leader Mike Lord resident birds and waterfowl along with summer migrants and, (01326 290981) hopefully, a rarity or two. Packed lunch advisable. Meet at the Goonhilly Downs. A morning walk on the downs looking for eastern dam car park (not the Golden Lion). Take the only moorland birds. Meet at the Earth Station car park. Map ref: turning between and Hendra, this takes you to the car SW 736 206 park. Map ref: SW 714 364

Wednesday 16th July 6.15pm Leader Gordon Mills Sunday 10 th August 9.15am Leader Gordon Mills (01209 718144 evenings) (01209 718144 evenings) St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area Godrevy Headland. A morning walk around the headland look- looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car ing for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422 (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422

Sunday 20th July 9.15am Leader Gordon Mills Sunday 17th August 10.00am Cornwall Wildlife Trust (01209 718144 evenings) Goss Moor. A morning walk around this Natural England re- Drift Reservoir. A morning walk around the reserve looking serve, by CWT, to look for dragonflies, butterflies and birds. for gulls, waders and ducks. Meet at the reservoir car park. Meet at lay-by on the old A30 to Bodmin road. Map ref: SW 436 288 Map ref: SW 934 599

Sunday 20th July 9.00am Leader Simon Taylor Wednesday 20th August 6.15pm Leader Gordon Mills (01209 614857) (01209 718144 evenings) Stithians Reservoir. A walk around the reservoir looking for St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area resident birds and waterfowl along with summer migrants and, looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car hopefully, a rarity or two. This is a new walk which may ex- park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422 tend into the afternoon so packed lunch advisable. Meet at the eastern dam car park (not the Golden Lion). Take the only turning between Goonlaze and Hendra, this takes you to the car Wednesday 27th August 6.15pm Leader Gordon Mills park. Map ref: SW 714 364 (01209 718 144 evenings) St Gothian Sands Godrevy. An evening walk around the area Wednesday 23rd July 6.15pm Leader Gordon Mills looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car (01209 718144 evenings) park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422 St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car Thursday 28th August 2.00pm Cornwall C.C. park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422 (01872 323468) St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. A history and nature walk Saturday 26th July 4.00pm Leader Steve Madge around the reserve, led by Cornwall County Council, looking (01503 for birds and other wild life. Map ref: SW 586 415 250432) St John’s Lake, Torpoint. A meeting along the Torpoint fore- Wednesday 3rd September 6.15pm Leader Gordon Mills shore of St John’s Lake to count the moult gathering of Medi- (01209 718144 evenings) terranean gulls that assemble there in late summer. Also to St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area check for terns and early passage waders. Meet towards the looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car central part of Chapeldown Road. Map ref: SX 434 546 park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422

Sunday 27th July 9.00am Leader Viv Stratton Wednesday 10th September 6.15pm Leader Gordon Mills (01736 796487) (01209 718144 evenings) Hayle Estuary. A morning walk looking for early passage St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area waders and terns. Meet at the Eric Grace Hide, Ryan’s Field. looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car Map ref: SW 549 362 park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422

Saturday 13th September 9.30am Leader Andy Pay Please submit reports of field meetings to the editor. It (01326 565371) may be sensible to email or phone him before you put pen Windmill Farm, Lizard. A morning walk around the reserve, to paper in case others have the same idea! Contact de- paths can be wet so wellingtons recommended. Meet at the tails on page 2. Farm car park. Map ref: SW 277 292

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Saturday 20th September 9.00am Leader Steve Rowe (01637 875 788) field meeting report Porth Joke. A morning walk around the area looking for mi- grant and resident birds. Turn off A3075 (Newquay road) to . Take first left between Crantock and , this takes you past past Treago Farm and meet in NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 776 599 Windmill Farm 26.4.08 Sunday 14th September 9.15am Leader Gordon Mills (01209 718144 evenings) he weather was breezy - though not cold - and the sun Loe Pool and Helston Boating Lake. A morning walk to the T shone on the 60 or so people that gathered in the car park National Trust hide looking for woodland birds, gulls and wild- near the old windmill for the 9.30 start. The group split into a foul. Meet at Helston Amenity Area car park. Map ref: SW 654 more manageable two sections and set off in different directions 269 around the reserve. Hopes were high after a spate of good birds seen at the farm during April - including Hoopoe, Purple Heron Thursday 18th September 1.00pm Leader Eric James and Black-winged Stilt. (01326 573225) Sadly all these had departed by the 26th and in truth it /St Clements. An afternoon walk along the river bank turned out not to be a particularly spectacular day for birds. Ruan looking for waders, ducks and gulls. Path can be muddy so Pool yielded nothing more than a few Swallows, a Sand Martin strong foot-ware recommended. High tide approximately and a small party of Whimbrel. No sign of the two male Garganey 8.00pm. Meet at St Clements car park (can be restricted). that had graced the pool in recent days. Map ref: SW 852 439 In spite of all this, we saw and heard Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs aplenty - useful for those attending who have always Sunday 21st September 9.00am Leader Simon Taylor struggled with these very similar-looking birds; Sedge Warblers (01209 614857) belting out their frenetic song; a fine male Reed Bunting; White- Stithians Reservoir. A walk around the reservoir looking for throats diving for cover but occasionally giving a clear view on the resident birds and waterfowl along with summer migrants and, top of a bramble clump; a pair of Long-tailed Tits. One or two hopefully, a rarity or two. Packed lunch advisable. Meet at the Orange Tip butterflies were out enjoying the spring sunshine too. eastern dam car park (not the Golden Lion). Take the only Another party clocked up a Yellow Wagtail and a Cuckoo turning between Goonlaze and Hendra, this takes you to the car and Grasshopper Warblers were also heard on the reserve that day park. Map ref: SW 714 364 - though not by the group I was in. According to Andy Pay, warden and walk leader, no fewer Saturday 27th September 9.30am Leader Mike Lord than 40 species of bird were present during this field meeting: let’s (01326 290981) face it, not a bad total on what most would regard as a rather aver- The Lizard. A morning walk around the Lizard looking for age birding day. resident and migrant birds including, hopefully, Choughs. Meet With the society AGM scheduled for 2.15 in a local at Lizard Green car park (voluntary contribution). Map ref: SW school, many found their way down to Southerly Point (via Ann’s 704 125 Famous Pasty Shop) to see the resident Choughs. Were we to be disappointed again? Round here every Jackdaw trying to imper- Sunday 28th September 9.30am Leader Gordon Mills sonate a Chough can dash the spirits...The RSPB volunteer on site (01209 718144 evenings) said that both male and female Chough were in their nesting cave Bude Marshes and Maer Lake. An all day walk, the Marshes and it took a good half hour for the male to appear in the sunlight, in the morning and the Lake in the afternoon. Meet at the main unmistakably glossy blue-black, his coral-red beak easily visible town car park by the canal, bring a picnic lunch. Map ref: SS from a distance. The bird flew lazily over the Lizard café and im- 206 065 pervious sight-seers and away to the east - a tantalising yet satisfy- ing glimpse. Our field meetings occasionally yield wonderful avian Sunday 28th September 10.00am Leader Roy Phillips sights such as the Montagu’s Harrier spotted over Ruan Pool on (01736 351 793) some previous outing. 26th April was a rather ordinary day bird- Levant and Kenidjack. An all day coastal walk from the Le- wise, but a great morning out in the fresh air and full of bird- vant car park to Kenidjack to look for resident birds and sea or watching pleasures. land migrants depending on weather (126 species have been The great thing, it seemed to me, was how welcoming the recorded here). Please bring packed lunch. This walk is not meeting was, how un-threatening to the amateur. The crowd was considered suitable for dogs. Turn off St Ives to St Just road full of enthusiastic non-experts - I count myself amongst them. If (B3306) at Trewellard onto Levant Road, meet at car park at you’ve never tried a Cornwall Birds field meeting before, come end of road. Map ref: SW 368 342 along, you will not be disappointed!

Simon Marquis Pentire and Rumps Walks will continue this year on every Tuesday in July and August. We meet at 10.00am at Pentire Farm Map ref: SW 936 803 Walks last for about four hours. Contact Bernard Ide (01208 815621) Field meeting safety advice

Please: always take stout footwear, appropriate clothing and protection against sun, rain, thorns, insects etc. Ask permission before bringing a dog - and keep it on a lead. Beware of rabbit holes and low branches. Take water to drink. Observe the Countryside Code at all times and lis- ten to instructions given by the Leader. Let the Leader and The Mouls know if you wish to leave early. 15

companions, were soon enjoying the comparative freedom of the outdoor waterfowl enclosure, rapidly exchanging their baby down Return to the Wild for juvenile plumage. As with all the birds that would hopefully be given their A true, short story by Rex Harper freedom, the ducklings were kept as wild as possible. Their food was provided in troughs twice a day, otherwise the birds were left completely alone, with no attempt made to tame them, for once he surf rescue teams in Cornwall are famous for the many tamed the chances of the ducks surviving in the wild would be T beach rescues they perform each year, when bathers get them- minimal. selves into difficulties, or kids playing on inflatables are caught up With all young waterfowl, the wing feathers are the last to in an ebbing tide and carried out to sea. develop, but once these are just about fully grown, the birds will One summer the rescue team at Crantock beach on the be seen flapping their wings vigorously, showing that the captive north Cornish coast were faced with a different kind of rescue, birds are ready for release. When the young shelducks and the when ten shelduck ducklings were swept down the fast-flowing mallards had reached this stage, I caught them all up one morning, river Gannel, carried across the beach and into the surf. and placing them in carrying boxes, loaded them into the back of Shelducks breed on the banks of the river, using old rabbit the van, and drove them to the extensive mudflats of the Hayle holes in which to nest and lay their eggs, but problems arise when estuary, which is an RSPB reserve. The tide was out, but the river the ducklings hatch and their mother takes her brood down to the running through the mudflats was alive with birds of all kinds, river. Shelduck ducklings are extremely attractive, gaining imme- swans, Canada geese, various ducks, including (in the distance), diate attention from any walkers in the area who try to get as close several young shelducks. as they can to the little family, in order to take photographs. Donning wellingtons, carrying two boxes of birds, plus Close contact is not appreciated by the Shelduck mother, two more under my arms, I set off across the mud, and eventually who eventually takes wing leaving her young to run for the safety arrived at the river’s edge, opposite shelducks feeding on the mud. of the river. Inexperienced in the Opening the carrying boxes I art of swimming, and without the watched as the young ducks took guidance of their mother, the a long look at the river, before ducklings are soon in trouble, taking to the water, and dabbling carried along by the current. around in the shallows. Having This is convinced myself that all was probably what had happened in well , I collected the boxes and set the case of the ten ducklings off back across the mud towards which were spotted by a young the distant van. man from the surf club as they It was heavy going and were being tumbled around in the halfway back I stopped for a surf. Calling to breather. Glancing back the way I his colleagues for assistance, the had come I was amazed to see a man ran into the sea, and started line of ten ducklings, following in to pick up the wet and bedraggled my tracks! I felt a bit like the pied ducklings. Soon all ten had been piper! rescued and placed on a towel in a There was no way that cardboard box in the kitchen of those ducklings could have be- t h e s u r f c l u b . come imprinted on humans, but I A phone call to the suppose that faced with a totally RSPCA centre at , six strange environment, and feeling miles away, confirmed that it lost, they saw me as the only thing would not be possible to reunite recognisable as security the ducklings with their mother, What should I do? Dump- and that the best course of action ing the boxes on the mud I re- would be to bring them to the traced my steps to the river, and centre, where they could be reared the ducklings turned tail and fol- in captivity and later returned to lowed me. the wild. By Rex Harper This time a number of the The ducklings duly ar- wild shelduck youngsters were rived and were placed in a large indoor pen which was already feeding in the shallows on the opposite side, and my ten did not occupied by several mallard ducklings of a similar age, enjoying take long to join them. the overhead warmth given off by an infra-red lamp, suspended I waited for a while on the river bank, but all seemed well over the pen. Ducklings are not difficult to feed, and the brood so I slowly moved away, glancing back every now and then to were soon tucking into a meal of chick crumbs, in a shallow con- ensure that I was not being followed. Once back in the van, I tainer of water. scanned the mudflats and the distant river with binoculars, but Very young ducklings, reared without their mother, should there was no sign that the ducklings were leaving their new con- not be allowed swimming water for the first couple of weeks as tacts. they tend to overdo things, playing and bathing, getting wet Releasing captive-reared young birds is always a worry, through in the process, causing chilling and hypothermia. Once for no matter how careful you are in selecting a release site, the the ducklings are found to be growing well, and sprouting feathers fact that they have not had the guidance of their parents, so far as on their breasts, then we would transfer them to an outside enclo- predator attacks and food sources are concerned, make the young- sure with a pond, but still kept a close eye on them if the weather sters extremely vulnerable, but in the case of the shelducks, hope- turned cold. fully they survived in the company of their wild reared compan- The shelducklings did well, and together with their mallard ions on the food rich mudflats.

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