Ian Wallace Stresses

No 40 - Summer 2011

Ian Wallace stresses ‘preservation’ priority In an entertaining address following the 2011 CBWPS AGM, Ian Wallace, respected orni- thologist, author and artist, urged the CBWPS to remember its aim of preserving as well as watching birds. Referring to our wonderful reserves, Wallace suggested the society should continue to invest in improving these priceless environments for wildlife. (Ian Wallace at the AGM left, and Walmsley right)

Blackbird’s New CBWPS logo unveiled song is... This is the new CBWPS logo, featuring Cornwall’s iconic ‘Mellifluous’ according ‘Visions of Nature’ bird the Chough. The new, to Melanie Brown. She more modern look will be used wins the British Library See the back page for de- on all society publications and birdsong CD. Well done tails of the CBWPS Wild- promotional material, notices and the web- Melanie and thanks to all the other entrants life Art Exhibition at site. The logo was designed by Joe Arm- who took part in our competition. Mount Edgcumbe. strong, a Cornwall-based graphic designer.

Dartford Warbler, Bertenshaw on Show photographed in Cornwall If you were at the Royal Cornwall Show on on 25th May the opening Thursday you might have spot- at an undis- ted our Secretary, Tony Bertenshaw tucked closed away in a corner of the Horticultural Tent. location by Tony had been asked to give a talk to Chris Sapey “gardeners” on garden birds. With 23 million gardens in Britain covering 1 million acres Inspiring young birders he stressed the importance of what we can do to ensure we have a healthy population of The grant which CBWPS has been awarded birds in our gardens. by OPAL, a consortium devoted to increas- Naturally, food figured prominently Wildlife artist Dick Twinney is working on ing awareness in natural history through and the importance of certain trees and a book including his paintings entitled Wild- educational programmes, is designed to plants was highlighted – plants and trees life and Waterways. Dick exhibited at the develop youth activities in our Society. which provide seeds and berries/fruits. Tony Royal Cornwall Show and his work is on The grant will be used to host events advised on what sorts of feeders and feed are show in St Columb Major. More details can at two of our reserves with a view to encour- appropriate for the commoner birds encoun- be found on www.theartofdicktwinney.com. aging young people to observe and enjoy tered in gardens, and listeners were encour- birds. We will make available optical and aged to put up nest boxes, leave holes in recording equipment and identification walls and a bit of rough for ground nesters. CONTENTS guides to enable those attending to get the Some of the audience were surprised Chairman’s chat - p3 most out of their visit and to coach them in to learn that there are 9 million cats in the Bird Report - p4-7 bird identification. UK and they are estimated to kill 55 million Black Stork - p8 It is likely that the first event will birds annually. Again advice to deal with the Look out for - p8 take place at our own reserve at Walmsley. problem was suggested. Reserves - p10-12 Meanwhile, we intend to approach schools Standing proudly in front of a large Nestboxes - p13 and other organisations which cater for the CBWPS poster, Tony explained what the Skuas - p14 younger generation. ‘NN’s - p15 Society does and what it provides to mem- Bonaparte’s Gull, Please access our website where we Internet - p 16 bers in the hope some of the audience would Hayle estuary, 20th will be posting further news about the Field Meetings - p18 pick up one of our membership flyers! April. By Tony Mills OPAL activities. Art Exhibition - p20

Committee and Officers filling the void left by Tony Jones. I would like to welcome him on Palores - July 2011 Chairman’s Chat behalf of the committee to this important post. President: Steve Madge I would like to thank all the committee members who This is the first issue of Palores to run to 20 pages. I hope you enjoy the many exam writing this shortly after returning from a Seawinds, Lower Trerive, Downderry, Torpoint, helped at the AGM and the ladies who made the tea and coffee. cellent articles and pictures—thanks to all those that contributed. walk along the Camel Trail, beside Treraven PL11 3LZ (01503 250432) I The talk by Ian Wallace was very entertaining and appreciated by ‘Contributing’ is a bit of a theme this issue, where you will find several Meadow. The sounds of the myriad young, re- all. I would also like to thank everyone for attending and making it impassioned pleas for help in the running of your society! We have 750 members Chairman: Derek Julian cently-fledged birds filled the air as they still an enjoyable evening. but no more than a handful are actively involved in its running. I’m sure our mem- 12, Dunveth Road, Wadebridge,PL27 7XD. cried for their parents to feed them, with Blue At the AGM attendees voted against electing Honorary bers don’t want the CBWPS’s activities put at risk but that is the risk: we simply (01208 816779) [email protected] Tits, Great Tits, Blackcaps and Bullfinches all Members because the consensus was that there were so many de- cannot run a thriving society with so few people. trying to be the loudest. Even as I stood there, serving members that it was difficult to choose. I feel that the So- I wonder why so many feel reluctant to roll their Vice Chairman: Bruce Taggart just listening, people were passing me oblivious Derek Julian ciety has in the past neglected to recognise these people and would sleeves up. I got involved about six years ago when I saw Primrose Bank, Radford Lane, Millbrook, PL10 1AH to the secret, noisy world around them. like your help in finding other ways to honour them. Please email that the editor of Palores was stepping down. Having been (01752 829163) [email protected] The dry sunny weather of the last few me with your suggestions. involved in the magazine industry, I thought it was some- months, has been good for many woodland species but has also thing I could do. But while I am very enthusiastic about Honorary Secretary: Tony Bertenshaw caused a lot of problems for others. Blackbirds have had difficulty birds, I wouldn’t begin to call myself an expert, but that Hantergantick, St. Breward, PL30 4NH finding food, with their main meal, earthworms, being very scarce Titbits doesn’t matter. So if you’re tempted but feel a bit daunted, (01208 850419) [email protected] at the surface and House Martins having difficulty finding enough give Derek or Tony a call. It is actually very satisfying to mud to build their nests. In nature everything has an up and down help out. Conservation Officer: Tony Blunden side. ake a note of the date of our joint conference with the This is a great time of year: long days and small Pencairn, Penmenner Road, The Lizard, Helston, Visits to all our reserves in the last couple of months have BTO: Saturday 29th October at the Bedruthan Steps TR12 7NR. (01326 291064) M birds everywhere in the gardens. Thank goodness, my Spot- been enjoyable as always, with a good selection of species on [email protected] Hotel. More details nearer the time and on our website. ted Flycatchers returned this year and have raised one brood show, many of which were noted breeding. The evidence of the successfully. The Swallows who built at head height next to the shed years ago dry weather though was everywhere with lower water levels and Membership Secretary: Angela Tonry ong-eared Owls are now confirmed to be breeding on have dusted off their old home and five perfect, tiny eggs are waiting to hatch. 20 The Copse, Boscoppa, St Austell PL25 3EU slightly retarded growth. The work at Walmsley is coming along Bodmin Moor. Looking ahead, have a good look at the programme of summer and early (07944 988599) [email protected] nicely and should be completed soon; all the disturbance will be L autumn field meetings at the end of this edition. As always some wonderful places worthwhile in the long run. ou can now upload your bird records directly on to our to go and watch birds in the company of like-minded people. Enjoy. SM County Recorder: Darrell Clegg Unfortunately the Report Writing Training Day had to be 55 Lower Fore Street, Saltash, PL12 6JQ cancelled due to lack of interest. Elsewhere in this edition you will Y website www.cbwps.org.uk. (01752 844775) [email protected] find pleas for help and information on what is needed. Please stand The Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society up and commit what ever time you can spare, even a couple of ohn Stanlake has taken on the accounting responsibili- Derek Julian Editor, Birds in Cornwall: hours a week could be of great benefit. One such person is John ties for the Society. Many thanks to John. (details as above) Stanlake who has agreed to become the Society’s book-keeper, J

Field Meetings Officer: Gordon Mills 11 Commercial Street, Cambourne, TR14 8JZ On joining the committee you will receive a handbook (01209 718144) [email protected] which tells you all you need to know about the Society and being a Is there any way you committee member. We meet 6 times a year and whilst many of our committee have full-time jobs they are still able to contribute Publicity Officer: Peter Crispin 5 Church lea, Launceston, PL15 8QZ effectively. In short, if we have more committee members we can Registered Charity No 255899 (01566 773455) [email protected] could help please? spread the load and operate more efficiently. We have in the past urgently requested section writers for The CBWPS was founded in 1931 to encourage the study and preservation of Committee members: n the last few editions of Palores we have Birds in Cornwall. We have recently lost a number of writers and birds in Cornwall. The Society has over 750 members. It owns 3 reserves and Bob Bosisto, Stephen Jackson, Dave Parker, I consistently asked for more help from our the situation is becoming critical in that we see little chance to manages jointly several others. The Society organises weekly bird watching Rosemary Parslow, Peter Roseveare members in a number of areas. catch up without more help; it simply cannot be left to the commit- field trips (some jointly with the RSPB local members group). Palores (its Unfortunately, this request seems to have tee to do this on its own. A recent offer to provide training pro- colour newsletter for members) is published quarterly. Every year the Society fallen on deaf ears and the current committee is duced only 3 responses, one of whom was an existing committee also publishes its authoritative annual record - Birds in Cornwall - sent to all Financial Controller: John Stanlake now struggling with the weight of projects and member. This is obviously very disappointing. Elsewhere in this members. daily tasks to keep its head above water. issue, Bruce Taggart gives comprehensive guidance as to what is Editor, Palores: Simon Marquis Tony Bertenshaw involved in writing reports. So if you think you could contribute to 2012 Subscriptions: Adult £17 St Breock Place, Wadebridge, PL27 7JS We urgently need: our major publication, please do get in touch. (07711 883876) [email protected] Family £21 Lastly, The Cornwall Atlas is an even bigger project.

[email protected] Andy Pay especially in terms of the current total membership and the acqui- Angela Tonry, Membership Secretary CBWPS, 20 The Copse, Boscoppa, St I am writing this article in the hope that it provides a little more [email protected] Dave Parker sition of reserves, etc. but would be worried that momentum could Austell PL25 3EU or email: [email protected] clarity as to what it means to be a committee member. Firstly, you Loveny - Dave Conway don’t have to be an expert in any particular field; we don’t require be lost which may affect the Society’s future. The current commit- Stithians - Simon Taylor tee will not last forever and our desire is to have committee mem- Gift Aid saves the Society £1,500 a year. Please pay - if you can - by Gift Aid. any particular skills, just enthusiasm and a degree of common- sense. You don’t have to be an expert birder - most of what we bers in the wings to take over some of the executive positions Honorary Solicitor: Greg Adams discuss isn’t specifically about birds. when the current incumbents retire. 2 Wendron Street, Helston TR13 8PS Also we would encourage any age group. Experience So let’s hear from you please. Feel free to contact any Palores is published four times a year - January, April, July and October. shows that those who have recently joined the committee have member of the committee for an informal chat or better still, offer Advertising rates: Full colour page £100, Half page £50. Independent Examiner: Mr S.G. Hawkey ACA Small ads and notices are free to members: contact the Editor. settled in very quickly and are making a valuable contribution to to help in any way you can – our contact details are on page 2 of Whitakers, Bryndon House, 5 Berry Road, Newquay Palores. We would greatly value any contribution you care to Design and typesetting by the Editor. TR7 1AD (01637-873838) our meetings. They also find it fulfilling and the experience gained Printed by R. Booth Ltd, The Praze, Commercial Road, Penryn, TR10 8AA in voluntary work is recognised as a valuable asset by others e.g. make. Distribution by Envelope Supplies, Holsworthy, Devon. employers. Thank you. Tony Bertenshaw, Secretary 2 3

Senior Citizen £14 • more committee members; Again we are looking for volunteers to write up species accounts Website administrator: Nigel Climpson Senior Family £16 • writers to clear the backlog of our annual based on a data set which should be completed by the end of the [email protected] Birds in Cornwall Report; and year. Writing the species accounts will require similar skills to Subscriptions for 2012 are due by 1st January 2012. Cheques made out to those needed for Birds in Cornwall. Again training will be offered. “CBWPS”. For all subscription payments, membership applications and en- Reserve Wardens: • writers to help with the production of the Adrian Langdon Lt-Col Ryves who founded the Society 80 years ago would quiries please contact: [email protected] Cornwall Bird Atlas. [email protected] Graham Sutton be heartened by the progress which has been made since that time [email protected] Andy Pay especially in terms of the current total membership and the acqui- Angela Tonry, Membership Secretary CBWPS, 20 The Copse, Boscoppa, St I am writing this article in the hope that it provides a little more [email protected] Dave Parker sition of reserves, etc. but would be worried that momentum could Austell PL25 3EU or email: [email protected] clarity as to what it means to be a committee member. Firstly, you Loveny - Dave Conway don’t have to be an expert in any particular field; we don’t require be lost which may affect the Society’s future. The current commit- Stithians - Simon Taylor tee will not last forever and our desire is to have committee mem- Gift Aid saves the Society £1,500 a year. Please pay - if you can - by Gift Aid. any particular skills, just enthusiasm and a degree of common- sense. You don’t have to be an expert birder - most of what we bers in the wings to take over some of the executive positions Honorary Solicitor: Greg Adams discuss isn’t specifically about birds. when the current incumbents retire. 2 Wendron Street, Helston TR13 8PS Also we would encourage any age group. Experience So let’s hear from you please. Feel free to contact any Palores is published four times a year - January, April, July and October. shows that those who have recently joined the committee have member of the committee for an informal chat or better still, offer Advertising rates: Full colour page £100, Half page £50. Independent Examiner: Mr S.G. Hawkey ACA Small ads and notices are free to members: contact the Editor. settled in very quickly and are making a valuable contribution to to help in any way you can – our contact details are on page 2 of Whitakers, Bryndon House, 5 Berry Road, Newquay Palores. We would greatly value any contribution you care to Design and typesetting by the Editor. TR7 1AD (01637-873838) our meetings. They also find it fulfilling and the experience gained Printed by R. Booth Ltd, The Praze, Commercial Road, Penryn, TR10 8AA in voluntary work is recognised as a valuable asset by others e.g. make. Distribution by Envelope Supplies, Holsworthy, Devon. employers. Thank you. Tony Bertenshaw, Secretary 2 3

Lesser Scaup Spoonbill Stithians in 2009 and on the Lizard last year, but where did it come The returning drake from 2010 was last seen at Dozmary Pool on Three wintering birds remained on the Camel estuary visiting vari- from and where does it go? Cornwall is probably as far away from bird March 4th. If anyone has a description of this bird either from 2010 ous sites, including Walmsley Sanctuary until April 8th. Two pre- breeding Golden Eagles as it is possible to get in Europe and they or 2011 I’d be very pleased to receive it. BBRC will often accept sumed “visitors” flew over the Amble confluence on May 28th. On are not known for any long distance sojourns. Possible explana- photos from birding websites in the absence of a written descrip- the Tamar two Dutch ringed birds remained in the Kingsmill Lake/ tions could be an escaped bird – there is known to be one in report tion but so far no photos seem to exist, presumably because of the Cargreen area from April 1st – 23rd and at Hayle one bird was seen Wales, or a wanderer from the re-released Irish population. extreme distance. Without a description or a photo this record and on May 1st. The first sighting was probably at Portscatho on March 8th and the 2010 occurrence will not be accepted. If you can help please Honey Buzzard between March 19th – April 2nd it was seen intermittently from contact [email protected] Three birds were reported this spring. Singles were recorded at Truro, Devoran, Bartinney Downs, Chapel Carn Brea, Marazion, March-May 2011 th th Tony Mills Velvet Scoter Penlee Battery on April 24 Helston on May 12 and Swanpool on Drift reservoir, St Ives, St Erth, Plain-an-Gwarry and Gwithian, An increasingly rare site in Cornwall so two reports, including a May 15th. before its final appearance over Eastern Green Penzance. These are all unchecked and unauthenti- long staying drake was most welcome. A female was reported in Black Kite We look forward to a return in 2012. By Darrell Clegg cated records. Publication here does not Gerran’s Bay on March 22nd and a first year drake was found in As many as seven birds were reported from all areas of the county Osprey constitute acceptance. If you were lucky enough to see or find any Prussia Cove on March 7th before relocating to nearby Kennegy this spring. The first was a bird photographed over Bude marshes A nice early record on March 14th at Sladesbridge kicked off the of these birds please submit a description to the county recorder. Cove from March 8th – 22nd. on April 20th followed by a single at the opposite end of the county migration season for this marvellous raptor, followed by one at [email protected] County and national rarity description Smew at Croft Pascoe on April 23rd. Also on the Lizard a bird was seen at Polmassick on March 18th. In April birds were seen at Porth Kea forms can now be downloaded from the daily bird news section A female/immature spent some time at Bake fishing lakes from Lizard Village and later over Cadgwith on April 25th and a day on 10th and at Plain-an-Gwarry on 13th. In May one flew over on the website www.cbwps.org.uk March 15th – 21st associating with the local Tufted Ducks and later another was seen in mid-Cornwall at St Blazey. In the west of Crowdy reservoir on 4th with a very late bird at Ruan Lanihorne on th th Whooper Swan dodging the angler’s fishing lines. the county one was seen at Buryas Bridge on May 5 and in the far 28 . Two birds spent the latter part of winter and the early part of Quail east one was observed flying over the A38 at Tideford on May 6th. Red-footed Falcon spring in the county. One bird was present on the Camel estuary Just one record of a bird which flew from the cliff top at Lizard Back in North Cornwall at Beeny near Boscastle on May 22nd One was seen at Godrevy Cove near St Keverne on May 17th and a and Walmsley Sanctuary until April 1st and another delighted visi- Point on May 18th Red Kite superb first summer male was photographed at Lowland Point on tors to Drift Reservoir until April 8th. Sooty Shearwater A number of birds were seen from many areas of Cornwall be- May 21st. rd th Tundra Bean Goose Two unseasonal sightings hopefully bode well for a bumper pas- tween Mar 23 – May 15 It is thought that most birds visiting Corncrake Always a rare treat in Cornwall, one spent some time on the Camel sage later in the year. Birds were recorded passing Rame Head on Cornwall are non-breeding birds of British origin rather than conti- Usually heard but not seen, this individual lived up to type by estuary and at Walmsley Sanctuary, often in the company of Pink- May 7th and Land’s End on May 26th. nental overshoots. Birds in the county observed with wingtags calling from 07:45 near Nancledra on May 31st. footed Geese until its departure on March 24th. Balearic Shearwater have all been traced back to a UK source. The huge influx of early Black-winged Stilt th Pink-footed Goose Single birds were seen passing St Ives on March 10 ; Pendeen on June will be more fully explored in the next issue of Palores. A very lucky holidaymaker had two birds fly over the beach at Three birds could be seen on the Camel estuary from March 4th March 13th -14th, May 22nd, May 31st; Mount’s Bay April 30th; Widemouth Bay on April 17th. Four birds graced St Gothian Sands these were joined by a fourth on March 17th and all four remained Gwennap Head, May 23rd. Two birds were reported from Hanna- NR on May 8th but unfortunately one seemed to be suffering from until March 31st. fore on May 7th and Gwennap Head on May 28th. an injured leg. he Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) really is Greenland White-fronted Goose Bittern Continuing the excellent run of wild geese this period the Single birds remained at College reservoir until March 19th and T an amazing creature, weighing only about 7 grams and barely Greenland White-fronted Goose remained at Drift reservoir until Walmsley Sanctuary and Camel estuary until March 28th. Two 10cm long. They somehow manage to fly thousands of miles from April 6th. What was possibly the same bird looked in on College birds were seen at Marazion marsh on March 24th North and Central Asia to land on our shores in seemingly ever Reservoir on April 15th – 27th before continuing its northward mi- Great White Egret increasing numbers. Cornwall is a relatively good county for this gration. Does anyone remember the days when this was a really rare bird? species and with some forward planning and a bit of luck there is no reason why you can’t find your own Yellow-browed this Au- Pacific Diver Up to seven birds were seen this spring with individuals at Sennen The long-staying (and returning) bird was recorded at various sites Cove on March 8th and another in off the sea on May 3rd. A colour- tumn. in Mount’s Bay until March 6th. ringed bird was at Hayle on May 1st and an unringed bird was at Identifying Yellow-browed Warbler in the field is pretty th straightforward. Their striking yellowish double wing bars and Garganey Marazion the same day, remaining until May 12 . In the north of Always a delightful early spring visitor, the usual small numbers the county a bird was found at Petherick Mill near Bude on May long supercilium together with a ‘clean’ looking appearance really were found at various sites. A drake and duck were seen at College 9th and two were seen flying over Walmsley Sanctuary on May stand out amongst other crests and warblers. The problem is that reservoir from April 8th -13th with the drake remaining until 16th. 17th with one seen again on May 28th. they are very active and will often feed in dense foliage or high up Three birds, including two drakes were on the sea in Mount’s Bay Purple Heron in the canopy of trees. Prolonged views are always difficult and a before flying to Long Rock pool on April 15th. A pair was found at Not to be outdone by the previous species up to five Purple Herons great deal of patience is needed to obtain them. This is why their Croft Pascoe Pool on April 28th and a drake graced St Gothian visited various sites this spring. The first bird was seen at Land’s call is so useful and important to learn: ‘Tswooeet’, a loud disylla- Sands NR on May 1st.The final birds were two drakes at Walmsley End on April 2nd and another (or possibly the same bird) was at bic call sounding almost like a Coal Tit but slightly higher pitched Sanctuary on May 15th with one remaining until 17th. Drift reservoir the following day. A popular bird was found at and usually repeated at a faster rate. th th Ring-necked Duck College Reservoir on April 6 which remained until April 24 . A Most birds will usually move through Cornwall in a six The wandering drake remained until May 1st, finally locating him- bird was reported from Helson Loe pool on April 8th and another weekAmerican period, Golden starting Plover in the last week of September and continuing self at Stithians reservoir and displaying to the local Tufted Ducks. long staying bird was at Marazion from April 15th – 24th. Marsh Harrier onA well-watchedinto early November. bird was Thispresent is whenon the it Hayle is important estuary tofrom keep May an His current whereabouts – and potential offspring! are unknown. Singles were reported from six sites from April 7th – May 12th. Of eye1st – on7th .the weather charts, especially wind direction and air pres- those which were aged/sexed none were males. The first was seen Temminck’ssure. Any easterly Stint airflow coinciding with high pressure further to at Trevilley on April 7th followed by a female/immature at Wind- Anthe excellenteast at this spring time willrecord almost of this always rare wader throw inup Cornwall a Yellow-browed involved mill Farm on April 9th. At nearby Kynance another female was oneor two. on Ryan’s A good Field idea Hayle is to on keep May checking 13th – 14 nationalth. bird sightings seen on April 29th. One flew west over Trewellard on May 6th and websites such as Bird Guides as it gives a picture of how many are another female/immature flew over Sancreed on May 8th. The final arriving nationally and whether or not there has been an influx. As record was of a female at Marazion on May 12th. a general rule early birds tend to turn up on the East Coast and Montagu’s Harrier Scilly, whilst in Cornwall the first few tend to turn up a few days Two records of fantastic males this spring, both multi-observer later usually in the west of the county. sightings. The first was seen and photographed at Hell’s Mouth The best place to start looking as with most migrants is on and later at nearby North Cliffs on April 10th. The second involved the coast. Willows, sycamores and mature tamarisk will still hold a well watched bird seen at Croft Pascoe from April 16th – 19th. enough insects to attract warblers and flycatchers including Yel- Goshawk low-browed. Keep checking through mixed flocks of warblers, An intriguing record of a bird at Helson Loe Pool on April 27th crests and tits (especially Long-tailed Tits) as Yellow-browed will Golden Eagle often join up and feed alongside them. From my own experience Cornwall is becoming the place to see this species in England in an early morning start is vital . Not only as this seems to be when early spring. This must surely be the same individual seen at the birds are at their most active but also if there isn’t much ground cover they can move through very quickly. 4 5

Pectoral Sandpiper for the site and mirrors the first bird way back in 1998 which also Waxwing most certainly the same bird was seen again in nearby Church Walmsley Sanctuary hosted a nice spring record of this species passed through very quickly. More obliging was the bird found at The tail end of the remarkable winter influx continued with birds Cove on the same date. from May 24th -28th Treve Common from April 10th- 11th. On the North Coast one was remaining into April. One was seen by the Goss Moor cycle trail at Lapland Bunting Sabine’s Gull seen at Porth Joke from April 11th – 17th and photos show what Indian Queens on March 4th and another was in Kingfisher Drive The wintering flock in the Port Isaac / Port Quin area peaked at an This is a rare bird in Cornwall in spring so the report of two in was probably a second bird at nearby Crantock on April 16th. Two St Austell from March 10th-12th. In Penzance a bird re-appeared at amazing 150 birds on March 6th. Other birds on the north coast Holywell Bay on May 26th is particularly welcome. birds delighted observers at Treen from April 17th – 19th and the Parc Mellan, Treneer from March 17th- April1st. included 15 at Crugmeer on March 6th with two remaining until Bonaparte’s Gull final sighting was another one day bird at Windmill Farm on April Rose-coloured Starling March 14th. At Rumps point four were present on March 6th and on A long staying first winter bird at Hayle from April 13th – May 21st 23rd. The wintering bird in Penzance continued to entertain visitors until the Camel estuary at Amble marshes up to 2 were seen between obliged many admirers who were able to enjoy American Golden Chough it’s last known sighting on April 9th. March 8th-13th. The only record away from the north coast was at Plover and Temminck’s Stint during its stay. Another first winter The latest news on our Choughs comes courtesy of the RSPB. Richard’s Pipit Kynance cliff, where one was seen on March 13th. bird was reported from Portscatho on April 26th. Four nests have recently been checked (under licence) and 15 One was seen at Trevelgue Head on March 23rd. Ortolan Bunting Ring-billed Gull young (10 male, 5 female) were found and colour ringed. A fifth Hawfinch A nice spring record involved a bird seen at St Levan on April 21st. The only report received was of an adult on the Cowloe, Sennen nest was sadly predated. Although we will continue the news Up to four birds were recorded, though in typical elusive style Cove on April 2nd-3rd. blackout for a while longer it is still important that news is sent in, none were able to be widely admired. A bird was seen in Cot val- Photos courtesy of: Steve Rogers (Ring-necked Duck; Pur- Iceland Gull so that the RSPB's workers and volunteers can keep tabs on their ley on April 12th and at the same site two were seen on April 18th. st ple Heron; Red Kite), Sam Williams (Temmink’s Stint; Late wintering or migrating birds were recorded at Stratton on whereabouts. News on any of our birds would be most welcome One was recorded in Lizard village on May 1 and what was al- Black-winged Stilt) and Darrell Clegg (Iberian Chiffchaff). March 10th; Camel estuary March 17th – April 1st; Hayle estuary, even if the rings cannot be read. March 20th and St Gothien Sands NR on April 20th. Short-toed Lark Let’s start with Glaucous Gull. As Glaucous Gulls are Glaucous Gull A bird was reported from Arden-Sawah Farm and at nearby Pol- th th Write a species account for uncommon all records are of interest so, using the data from your A first winter was present on the Cowloe, Sennen Cove from gigga on April 9 – 10 . th th spreadsheet, you list the dates in chronological order, then the sites March 15 - 19 and what may have been the same bird paid a Woodlark ‘Birds in Cornwall’ – it’s much th alphabetically, and the observer’s initials, if appropriate. Where a visit to Hayle estuary on March 18 . Another first winter bird was A group of four was observed around the Camel estuary on March rd th bird has several observers, the first one or two are listed with ‘et found on a CBWPS field trip at Lizard Point on April 3 where it 13 . easier than you may think! th al’ to take in the rest. It is also interesting to have approximate was seen intermittently until April 5 . Red-rumped Swallow Bruce Taggart explains exactly what this monthly totals. This will highlight times of the year when you are Gull-billed Tern With the large numbers of Hoopoe, Bee-eater and Woodchat th th most likely to see one in Cornwall (February 2006 showed double An adult spent some time from April 6 – 10 delighting birders at Shrikes around this spring it is perhaps surprising that we only entails and asks (well, pleads) for your help ... the number of records compared to any other month). Your ac- various sites around Land’s End, Sennen and St Just. What was have one record of this species. One was seen in Lizard Village on th nd lsewhere in this issue Tony Bertenshaw makes an impas- count will look like the record on page 76 of the 2006 Bird Report. probably the same bird visited Hayle estuary on April 19 . April 2 . sioned plea for help with our production of Birds in Cornwall. The only addition necessary is the description of its status. Black Guillemot Iberian Chiffchaff E This article is based on my writing for the 2006 report (which I More common species can be summarised using the Two records which may refer to just one bird involved singles at In an exceptional year nationally, the existing county total of two nd th ‘Maximum Numbers...’ table, - Herring Gull, for example. This is Gerrans Bay on March 22 and at Portscatho on April 26 . birds could be doubled if this spring’s sightings are accepted. A suggest you have to hand) and will hopefully convince those of th th you that may have considered writing some species accounts to simply a record of the highest numbers for each month at the main Pallid Swift probablehe Yellow-browed was seen around Warbler Kenidjack (Phylloscopus from April inornatus) 24 -28 reallyand an- is th th th sites, i.e. sites where there are records for at least 4 months in a A possible was seen over Trevilley, Sennen on April 8 . otheran was amazing present creature, near Rame weighing Church only from about May 711 grams-15 .and barely pick up the phone or send us an email. T I have been involved with bird report writing for over year. This is easily done from the spreadsheet. I set up a table in Little Swift 10cm long. They somehow manage to fly thousands of miles from Word and the result is shown on page 74 of the Report. Surely a contender for birds of the spring. Two birds spent a cou- North and Central Asia to land on our shores in seemingly ever thirty years, firstly with the Hertfordshire Bird Report and, more st You may find additional ‘one off’ records that don’t war- ple of hours over Coronation park, Wadebridge on April 21 . It is increasing numbers. Cornwall is a relatively good county for this recently, with the Cornwall Report. Although I would consider rant inclusion in the table but are noteworthy. An example of these possible that these birds were present at the same site a day earlier. species and with some forward planning and a bit of luck there is myself a reasonably competent birder, I have no training in writing scientific reports and as long as you can write reasonably well, you is shown on page 75. Bee-eater no reason why you can’t find your own Yellow-browed this Au- Sometimes a species occurs irregularly or only at certain Reflecting the early nature of many migrants this spring all our tumn. shouldn’t find it too difficult. times of the year. Kittiwake is a good example. It is not common birds turned up in a brief exciting rush in April. Surprisingly the Identifying Yellow-browed Warbler in the field is pretty So what do you need? Firstly, some spare time and access so observers will send in records of maybe 50 birds, 20 birds or first record came from east Cornwall with a bird at Fowey on April straightforward. Their striking yellowish double wing bars and to a computer. In 2006 I wrote the section on skuas, gulls and terns nd even single birds in some cases. To list every record would take up 2 . This was quickly followed by a bird at Windmill farm on April long supercilium together with a ‘clean’ looking appearance really – a fair amount of writing - but if we have more writers, the sec- rd th too much space so you have to make a decision based on an arbi- 3 and at Kynance on April 7 . Another was seen in the Land’s stand out amongst other crests and warblers. The problem is that tions can be divided up into smaller units so the report can be writ- th trary number – but state that figure - 100 in this case (see page 76) End / Trevilley area on Aprl 8 with a further bird near Kennack they are very active and will often feed in dense foliage or high up ten quicker. The length of each account will vary according to the th With passage migrants it may be possible to break the data Sands on April 18 . The final sighting was of a bird between Cov- in the canopy of trees. Prolonged views are always difficult and a species with some having more records than others. th down to give finer detail. The main autumn passage of Arctic Skua erack and Black Head on April 24 . great deal of patience is needed to obtain them. This is why their Secondly, you will need to follow instructions. The Editor will supply you with a format which can be easily followed. If this (page 68) lasts between July and October. Splitting the data for Hoopoe call is so useful and important to learn: ‘Tswooeet’, a loud disylla- th th each site into fortnightly periods enables readers to identify the Up to 20 birds were recorded between March 7 and May 6 . bic call sounding almost like a Coal Tit but slightly higher pitched is done it will save time later when editing. peak passage period and the best places to look for Arctic Skuas in Birds were seen in all areas of the county, though as usual the and usually repeated at a faster rate. Thirdly, you need to be able to extract and summarise data. autumn – try Pendeen or Trevose Head during the last two weeks more western areas and the Lizard peninsula saw the lion’s share Most birds will usually move through Cornwall in a six This may sound complicated but in these days of computers, it of August. of sightings. week period, starting in the last week of September and continuing isn’t. The Bird Recorder will supply you with a spreadsheet of the records for that group of species you have elected to cover. You It also enables us to monitor trends or patterns, and in time Wryneck on into early November. This is when it is important to keep an you’ll be able to add additional comments like “an exceptional Just three birds recorded this spring. One was seen at Trevilley, eye on the weather charts, especially wind direction and air pres- can take on as much or as little as you like but I suggest a small th th group to start with and possibly a group that particularly interests year”, “a very poor year” or “a continuing decline”. However, if Sennen on April 10 -11 ; another was recorded at Trevalsoe on Siberiansure. Any Chiffchaff easterly airflow coinciding with high pressure further to th you’re unsure the Editor can add additional comments at a later April 14 and the final bird was photographed at Roseudgeon on Thethe east wintering at this timegroup will at almostBrew sewagealways throwworks up peaked a Yellow-browed at four on you. I sort these into alphabetical site order with a click of a button rd nd stage. or around April 23 . Aprilor two. 2 Abefore good trailing idea is away to keep until checking the last sighting national of bird two sightings birds on in Excel, then into date order with another click. Don’t worry if th you’ve never used Excel before, it’s very easy; it must be for me to Finally, there are the rarities. These are the easiest of all. Golden Oriole Aprilwebsites 16 such. Away as Birdfrom Guides this site as the it gives only othera picture records of how were many singles are th th st th With only a few records they can be listed in full. Any that have A female / immature bird was seen at Kenidjack on May 7 -8 atarriving Nanjulian nationally farm on and March whether 31 orand not Porthgwarra there has been on April an influx. 16 . As be able to do it! Once you’ve got this far, you’re ready to start writing. Start by looking at previous reports to get a feel for the not survived the scrutiny of ‘British Birds’ or county rarities panel and what was probably the same bird was present in Cot Valley on aSardinian general rule Warbler early birds tend to turn up on the East Coast and th th can be deleted at the editorial stage as can the total number of the latter date. A male was singing in Nanquidno on May 11 and Scilly,A male whilst was seen in Cornwallat Nanjizal the on first April few 24 tend. to turn up a few days species; how much information to include; what to leave out; any th noteworthy behaviour etc. records for the county or when it was last recorded. Roseate Tern another male was heard at Windmill Farm on May 18 . Subalpinelater usually Warbler in the west of the county. th I start a new page for each species in Word and save it (page 79) is the example. Great Grey Shrike A superb The male best was place well to watc starthed looking at Treve as withCommon most onmigrants April 10 is on. nd th with the species name. The common and scientific names can be I hope that this article will encourage you to help out. If One was well watched on Kit Hill from March 22 – 30 . One of Melodiousthe coast. Willows, Warbler sycamores and mature tamarisk will still hold you would like some “hands-on” training, this can be arranged. I the Kit Hill wardens reported that it had possibly been present for Thisenough species insects is tomore attract usually warblers encountered and flycatchers in autumn including so a spring Yel- copied from a previous report as can the underlying status sum- mary, (once you’ve done one year, this is a cut and paste job - find it quite rewarding when Birds in Cornwall is published and I at least three weeks beforehand. recordlow-browed. is most Keep welcome. checking One throughwas present mixed in Nanquidnoflocks of warblers, on May th simple). read my summaries as part of the bigger picture. Woodchat Shrike 4crests. and tits (especially Long-tailed Tits) as Yellow-browed will Then it’s a case of going to your ordered spreadsheet to With your help we will be able to catch up on the backlog An excellent spring for this species with at least seven birds from Greatoften join Reed up Warbler and feed alongside them. From my own experience th and get the annual report published within the following year as it five sites. The first was a very short staying individual at Penlee Onean early was morningtrapped atstart ringed is vital at Nanjizal . Not only on Aprilas this 10 seems. to be when turn the data into prose. I’ll try and give some guidance by using th. should be. Battery on April 4 . This is surprisingly only the second record the birds are at their most active but also if there isn’t much real examples from common and less common species. 6 7

Pectoral Sandpiper for the site and mirrors the first bird way back in 1998 which also Waxwing most certainly the same bird was seen again in nearby Church Walmsley Sanctuary hosted a nice spring record of this species passed through very quickly. More obliging was the bird found at The tail end of the remarkable winter influx continued with birds Cove on the same date. from May 24th -28th Treve Common from April 10th- 11th. On the North Coast one was remaining into April. One was seen by the Goss Moor cycle trail at Lapland Bunting Sabine’s Gull seen at Porth Joke from April 11th – 17th and photos show what Indian Queens on March 4th and another was in Kingfisher Drive The wintering flock in the Port Isaac / Port Quin area peaked at an This is a rare bird in Cornwall in spring so the report of two in was probably a second bird at nearby Crantock on April 16th. Two St Austell from March 10th-12th. In Penzance a bird re-appeared at amazing 150 birds on March 6th. Other birds on the north coast Holywell Bay on May 26th is particularly welcome. birds delighted observers at Treen from April 17th – 19th and the Parc Mellan, Treneer from March 17th- April1st. included 15 at Crugmeer on March 6th with two remaining until Bonaparte’s Gull final sighting was another one day bird at Windmill Farm on April Rose-coloured Starling March 14th. At Rumps point four were present on March 6th and on A long staying first winter bird at Hayle from April 13th – May 21st 23rd. The wintering bird in Penzance continued to entertain visitors until the Camel estuary at Amble marshes up to 2 were seen between obliged many admirers who were able to enjoy American Golden Chough it’s last known sighting on April 9th. March 8th-13th. The only record away from the north coast was at Plover and Temminck’s Stint during its stay. Another first winter The latest news on our Choughs comes courtesy of the RSPB. Richard’s Pipit Kynance cliff, where one was seen on March 13th. bird was reported from Portscatho on April 26th. Four nests have recently been checked (under licence) and 15 One was seen at Trevelgue Head on March 23rd. Ortolan Bunting Ring-billed Gull young (10 male, 5 female) were found and colour ringed. A fifth Hawfinch A nice spring record involved a bird seen at St Levan on April 21st. The only report received was of an adult on the Cowloe, Sennen nest was sadly predated. Although we will continue the news Up to four birds were recorded, though in typical elusive style Cove on April 2nd-3rd. blackout for a while longer it is still important that news is sent in, none were able to be widely admired. A bird was seen in Cot val- Photos courtesy of: Steve Rogers (Ring-necked Duck; Pur- Iceland Gull so that the RSPB's workers and volunteers can keep tabs on their ley on April 12th and at the same site two were seen on April 18th. st ple Heron; Red Kite), Sam Williams (Temmink’s Stint; Late wintering or migrating birds were recorded at Stratton on whereabouts. News on any of our birds would be most welcome One was recorded in Lizard village on May 1 and what was al- Black-winged Stilt) and Darrell Clegg (Iberian Chiffchaff). March 10th; Camel estuary March 17th – April 1st; Hayle estuary, even if the rings cannot be read. March 20th and St Gothien Sands NR on April 20th. Short-toed Lark Let’s start with Glaucous Gull. As Glaucous Gulls are Glaucous Gull A bird was reported from Arden-Sawah Farm and at nearby Pol- th th Write a species account for uncommon all records are of interest so, using the data from your A first winter was present on the Cowloe, Sennen Cove from gigga on April 9 – 10 . th th spreadsheet, you list the dates in chronological order, then the sites March 15 - 19 and what may have been the same bird paid a Woodlark ‘Birds in Cornwall’ – it’s much th alphabetically, and the observer’s initials, if appropriate. Where a visit to Hayle estuary on March 18 . Another first winter bird was A group of four was observed around the Camel estuary on March rd th bird has several observers, the first one or two are listed with ‘et found on a CBWPS field trip at Lizard Point on April 3 where it 13 . easier than you may think! th al’ to take in the rest. It is also interesting to have approximate was seen intermittently until April 5 . Red-rumped Swallow Bruce Taggart explains exactly what this monthly totals. This will highlight times of the year when you are Gull-billed Tern With the large numbers of Hoopoe, Bee-eater and Woodchat th th most likely to see one in Cornwall (February 2006 showed double An adult spent some time from April 6 – 10 delighting birders at Shrikes around this spring it is perhaps surprising that we only entails and asks (well, pleads) for your help ... the number of records compared to any other month). Your ac- various sites around Land’s End, Sennen and St Just. What was have one record of this species. One was seen in Lizard Village on th nd lsewhere in this issue Tony Bertenshaw makes an impas- count will look like the record on page 76 of the 2006 Bird Report. probably the same bird visited Hayle estuary on April 19 . April 2 . sioned plea for help with our production of Birds in Cornwall. The only addition necessary is the description of its status. Black Guillemot Iberian Chiffchaff E This article is based on my writing for the 2006 report (which I More common species can be summarised using the Two records which may refer to just one bird involved singles at In an exceptional year nationally, the existing county total of two nd th ‘Maximum Numbers...’ table, - Herring Gull, for example. This is Gerrans Bay on March 22 and at Portscatho on April 26 . birds could be doubled if this spring’s sightings are accepted. A suggest you have to hand) and will hopefully convince those of th th you that may have considered writing some species accounts to simply a record of the highest numbers for each month at the main Pallid Swift probablehe Yellow-browed was seen around Warbler Kenidjack (Phylloscopus from April inornatus) 24 -28 reallyand an- is th th th sites, i.e. sites where there are records for at least 4 months in a A possible was seen over Trevilley, Sennen on April 8 . otheran was amazing present creature, near Rame weighing Church only from about May 711 grams-15 .and barely pick up the phone or send us an email. T I have been involved with bird report writing for over year. This is easily done from the spreadsheet. I set up a table in Little Swift 10cm long. They somehow manage to fly thousands of miles from Word and the result is shown on page 74 of the Report. Surely a contender for birds of the spring. Two birds spent a cou- North and Central Asia to land on our shores in seemingly ever thirty years, firstly with the Hertfordshire Bird Report and, more st You may find additional ‘one off’ records that don’t war- ple of hours over Coronation park, Wadebridge on April 21 . It is increasing numbers. Cornwall is a relatively good county for this recently, with the Cornwall Report. Although I would consider rant inclusion in the table but are noteworthy. An example of these possible that these birds were present at the same site a day earlier. species and with some forward planning and a bit of luck there is myself a reasonably competent birder, I have no training in writing scientific reports and as long as you can write reasonably well, you is shown on page 75. Bee-eater no reason why you can’t find your own Yellow-browed this Au- Sometimes a species occurs irregularly or only at certain Reflecting the early nature of many migrants this spring all our tumn. shouldn’t find it too difficult. times of the year. Kittiwake is a good example. It is not common birds turned up in a brief exciting rush in April. Surprisingly the Identifying Yellow-browed Warbler in the field is pretty So what do you need? Firstly, some spare time and access so observers will send in records of maybe 50 birds, 20 birds or first record came from east Cornwall with a bird at Fowey on April straightforward. Their striking yellowish double wing bars and to a computer. In 2006 I wrote the section on skuas, gulls and terns nd even single birds in some cases. To list every record would take up 2 . This was quickly followed by a bird at Windmill farm on April long supercilium together with a ‘clean’ looking appearance really – a fair amount of writing - but if we have more writers, the sec- rd th too much space so you have to make a decision based on an arbi- 3 and at Kynance on April 7 . Another was seen in the Land’s stand out amongst other crests and warblers. The problem is that tions can be divided up into smaller units so the report can be writ- th trary number – but state that figure - 100 in this case (see page 76) End / Trevilley area on Aprl 8 with a further bird near Kennack they are very active and will often feed in dense foliage or high up ten quicker. The length of each account will vary according to the th With passage migrants it may be possible to break the data Sands on April 18 . The final sighting was of a bird between Cov- in the canopy of trees. Prolonged views are always difficult and a species with some having more records than others. th down to give finer detail. The main autumn passage of Arctic Skua erack and Black Head on April 24 . great deal of patience is needed to obtain them. This is why their Secondly, you will need to follow instructions. The Editor will supply you with a format which can be easily followed. If this (page 68) lasts between July and October. Splitting the data for Hoopoe call is so useful and important to learn: ‘Tswooeet’, a loud disylla- th th each site into fortnightly periods enables readers to identify the Up to 20 birds were recorded between March 7 and May 6 . bic call sounding almost like a Coal Tit but slightly higher pitched is done it will save time later when editing. peak passage period and the best places to look for Arctic Skuas in Birds were seen in all areas of the county, though as usual the and usually repeated at a faster rate. Thirdly, you need to be able to extract and summarise data. autumn – try Pendeen or Trevose Head during the last two weeks more western areas and the Lizard peninsula saw the lion’s share Most birds will usually move through Cornwall in a six This may sound complicated but in these days of computers, it of August. of sightings. week period, starting in the last week of September and continuing isn’t. The Bird Recorder will supply you with a spreadsheet of the records for that group of species you have elected to cover. You It also enables us to monitor trends or patterns, and in time Wryneck on into early November. This is when it is important to keep an you’ll be able to add additional comments like “an exceptional Just three birds recorded this spring. One was seen at Trevilley, eye on the weather charts, especially wind direction and air pres- can take on as much or as little as you like but I suggest a small th th group to start with and possibly a group that particularly interests year”, “a very poor year” or “a continuing decline”. However, if Sennen on April 10 -11 ; another was recorded at Trevalsoe on Siberiansure. Any Chiffchaff easterly airflow coinciding with high pressure further to th you’re unsure the Editor can add additional comments at a later April 14 and the final bird was photographed at Roseudgeon on Thethe east wintering at this timegroup will at almostBrew alwayssewage throwworks up peaked a Yellow-browed at four on you. I sort these into alphabetical site order with a click of a button rd nd stage. or around April 23 . Aprilor two. 2 Abefore good trailing idea is away to keep until checking the last sighting national of bird two sightings birds on in Excel, then into date order with another click. Don’t worry if th you’ve never used Excel before, it’s very easy; it must be for me to Finally, there are the rarities. These are the easiest of all. Golden Oriole Aprilwebsites 16 such. Away as Birdfrom Guides this site as the it gives only othera picture records of how were many singles are th th st th With only a few records they can be listed in full. Any that have A female / immature bird was seen at Kenidjack on May 7 -8 atarriving Nanjulian nationally farm on and March whether 31 orand not Porthgwarra there has been on April an influx. 16 . As be able to do it! Once you’ve got this far, you’re ready to start writing. Start by looking at previous reports to get a feel for the not survived the scrutiny of ‘British Birds’ or county rarities panel and what was probably the same bird was present in Cot Valley on aSardinian general rule Warbler early birds tend to turn up on the East Coast and th th can be deleted at the editorial stage as can the total number of the latter date. A male was singing in Nanquidno on May 11 and Scilly,A male whilst was seen in Cornwallat Nanjizal the on first April few 24 tend. to turn up a few days species; how much information to include; what to leave out; any th noteworthy behaviour etc. records for the county or when it was last recorded. Roseate Tern another male was heard at Windmill Farm on May 18 . Subalpinelater usually Warbler in the west of the county. th I start a new page for each species in Word and save it (page 79) is the example. Great Grey Shrike A superb The male best was place well to watc starthed looking at Treve as withCommon most onmigrants April 10 is on. nd th with the species name. The common and scientific names can be I hope that this article will encourage you to help out. If One was well watched on Kit Hill from March 22 – 30 . One of Melodiousthe coast. Willows, Warbler sycamores and mature tamarisk will still hold you would like some “hands-on” training, this can be arranged. I the Kit Hill wardens reported that it had possibly been present for Thisenough species insects is tomore attract usually warblers encountered and flycatchers in autumn including so a spring Yel- copied from a previous report as can the underlying status sum- mary, (once you’ve done one year, this is a cut and paste job - find it quite rewarding when Birds in Cornwall is published and I at least three weeks beforehand. recordlow-browed. is most Keep welcome. checking One throughwas present mixed in Nanquidnoflocks of warblers, on May th simple). read my summaries as part of the bigger picture. Woodchat Shrike 4crests. and tits (especially Long-tailed Tits) as Yellow-browed will Then it’s a case of going to your ordered spreadsheet to With your help we will be able to catch up on the backlog An excellent spring for this species with at least seven birds from Greatoften join Reed up Warbler and feed alongside them. From my own experience th and get the annual report published within the following year as it five sites. The first was a very short staying individual at Penlee Onean early was morningtrapped atstart ringed is vital at Nanjizal . Not only on Aprilas this 10 seems. to be when turn the data into prose. I’ll try and give some guidance by using th. should be. Battery on April 4 . This is surprisingly only the second record the birds are at their most active but also if there isn’t much real examples from common and less common species. ground cover they can move through very quickly. 6 7

bomber, the “Blackburn Skua” . 1989 an adult at Hayle estuary May 4th, then Camel estuary May 9th captivating plumage of the Pomarine, make the Skua family group a real treasure of the Atlantic Ocean. 1991 one adult at St Buryan on August 27th *The Arctic also comes in different 1993 one adult at St Buryan August 24th, then St Keverne on same day Great Skua colours. Again the lighter morph is Steve Rogers 1995 an adult at St Buryan on July 31st the most common, followed by the 1998 an adult at Church Cove on August 28th. * This bird has many local names, darker morph.

The first for the 21st Century was an adult at Goonhilly Downs on with most birders calling it the th Bonxie. This is a Scandinavian *At 40cm long and a wing span of 115cm, it does appear signifi- May 29 2003. Three years elapsed before the next, again on the Lizard but cantly smaller than the two previous species. this time at Church Cove on August 27th 2006. The most recent sighting was word used on Orkney and Shetland th (where it nests). A Cornish nick- in 2007 when one was tracked through the county on August 8 , it was first *The American name for this bird is Parasitic Jaeger! "Jaeger" is seen at Redruth and then over St Just, Penzance and Sennen. name is Tom Harry! (I do not know why, but would like to). derived from the German "hunter." Often targeting smaller more

* The Great Skua looks immense! Steve Rogers agile victims such as turns and small gulls. What to look out for this summer/early autumn… With a length of 60cm and a wing- or me July is the start of Sandpipers will display all of these. My favourite places for find- span of around 140cm, it is a sight to behold. *The Arctic Skua has a flight that very much resembles a falcon’s. Green Sandpiper F Autumn migration and ing them are listed at the bottom of this article. Separating * The Great Skua is a master pirate and bullies species as large as It often glides on bowed wings. This can make the flight line more after a few slow weeks the the two species in the field is straightforward after you have seen a Gannets to drop food. It is also the most adept at killing other birds sporadic than other types of Skua.

Wood Sandpiper birding starts to get interest- few of each. They both have a very distinctive appearance and jizz, for food. There are even records of a Grey Heron being killed and ing again. It is a very good once learned. The dark looking Green Sandpiper doesn’t look as eaten by a Bonxie! The adult Arctic again has a dark cap, but not black as on the month for wader passage in Cornwall as early breeders from the elegant as a Wood Sandpiper, being shorter legged and quite ∗ When conditions are calm the Great Skua will fly low, using Pomarine. The cap also fails to extend around the beak. The dark Arctic accompanied with non-breeding birds pass through the dumpy in comparison. It lacks the prominent supercilium of the steady purposeful wing beats. However, in stronger winds it breast band is faint or non-existent. The central feathers are county on their way south to wintering grounds. Green Sandpipers Wood Sandpiper and has duller greyish green legs (brighter and can take on an almost shearwater like flight with varying amounts slightly longer than the rest of the tail, but still nowhere near the are often the first of these waders to move through and the much pale yellow on Wood Sandpiper). The surprisingly small Wood of flapping followed by a glide. length of Pomarine. The Beak is also light with a black tip. scarcer Wood Sandpiper can also be seen if you are lucky. Sandpiper is a browner looking wader with more obvious pale Green Sandpipers can turn up almost anywhere in Corn- spotting on the upperparts and a diffuse breast pattern ( clear cut The main identification feature of the Great Skua is that it is all Long-tailed Skua wall so no matter where you live you have a good chance of find- breast band on Green Sandpiper). In flight Green Sandpiper re- dark. The wings are broad but pointed with white patches on the ing one nearby. Any freshwater habitats are worth checking such veals blackish wings and a large white rump so it almost looks like top and bottom. These flash whilst it is flying. It has been likened ∗ As its name suggests it has a very long tail! as lakes, marshes or ditches. Indeed they a giant House Martin. Wood Sandpiper is rather pale underneath to a flying barrel, due to its rotund belly. It has a heavy bill, with With the two central tail feathers extending can turn up in very unlikely places and and if you get a good view its toes project beyond the tail. Wood a large neck. It is also worth remembering that the tail is short. another 25cm past the rest of the tail. will only be discovered by you when they Sandpipers call is also very different to Green, being a quick high flush and fly off calling distinctively (a pitched chiff-if-if. It takes a while to learn this but once you do it is Pomarine Skua ∗ This species is the smallest of our Skua’s. loud, clear too leet - repeated several really easy to separate each species on call. The length of the bird is around 35cm, how- times). I once had one in next door’s I hope you can see both species this autumn - they are ∗ The interesting name this Skua ever as mentioned before they have another has comes from the thin plates that 25cm extending out the tail. The wing span is Green—by Colin Selway farmyard feeding in a slurry pit for sev- handsome waders and real characters. It is also worth keeping an eral days. Estuaries aren’t brilliant for eye out for unusual waders as you never know what might turn up. overlay the base of the bill in all around 110 cm. them but they will turn up there on passage. Check muddy creeks American waders from previous autumns that are now adults stuck skuas. Using a combination from Tony Blunden or further up-river where it is less brackish. If you do live on the on the wrong side of the ocean tend to pass through at this time. Greek e.g. pomato=lid and rhi- ∗ This species again has parasitic tendencies, coast the best chance you have of finding one is to get up early to This is more obvious on the East Coast but in recent years Pectoral nos=nose. mainly targeting small Gulls and Terns. However it is the mostly look and listen for a flyover. Foggy, misty mornings are best for Sandpiper, Bairds Sandpiper and Long- billed Dowitcher have Steve Rogers likely of the skua’s to catch their own fish. this as waders get disorientated so fly lower and call more fre- turned up in July/early August in Cornwall. ∗ They come in two colour morphs. quently. Five Top Places to See Green and Wood Sandpiper Firstly the light morph which is the most common form and ∗ The Long-tailed is very distinctive in flight. Due to its diminu- Wood Sandpiper on the other hand is pretty scarce in 1) Walmsley Sanctuary - probably the best place in Cornwall for Wood around 10% of the population are of the dark form. tive size and body structure the species looks Tern like whilst fly- Cornwall. It is still worth keeping an eye Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper almost daily at this time of year. ing. It is also known to stop and hover ready to pick up food. out for them anywhere as you never 2) Maer Lake - Wood Sandpiper annual here. ∗ The Pomarine is slightly smaller than the Great Skua. At around know but like Green Sandpipers they 3) Drift Reservoir - Good for a Wood Sandpiper if the water level is down, 50cm long and with a wingspan of 125cm, this Skua still looks The Long-tailed Skua has a slender gull like body, but looks bigger look in the north eastern arm for Green Sandpiper. due to the long, elegant wings. It has a tern like flight, and will tend to stick to freshwater habitats. Visit- 4) Stithians Reservoir - Good for Green and Wood Sandpipers. Check the substantial. ing a traditional site where they regularly often stop and settle on the sea. This bird also has a distinct black southern cut off and the north western causeway by the Golden Lion pub. cap and dark bill. The most obvious distinguishing features on this turn up is your best chance of seeing one. 5) Egloshayle/ Treraven Meadows - The pools near the rugby pitch and * The Pomarine also relies on parasitic behaviour, sometimes rob- If you have the new Birds in Cornwall the large wet meadow situated alongside the Camel Trail are excellent for bing birds as large as Gannets. Often using a formidable attack bird are the two long tail streamers that are very obvious when Wood—by Steve Rogers Digital DVD then a search on Wood Green Sandpipers. They even winter here in small numbers every year. viewed at short range. This species also comes in a dark morph. 8 9

2 CBWPS policy, until the victim regurgitates its last meal. They also pray on 1 Seabird Campaign smaller Gulls and Terns. Black Stork S S S 2011 ∗ Flight can be referred to as Herring Gull like but more mechani- 9 Cornish rarities by Derek Julian cal and stiff wing beats. 8 he Black Stork has been likened to an Oystercatcher on steroids, with its 7 Things to look for on a Pomarine are the black cap which covers black and white plumage and big red bill. Breeding in Eastern Europe T 6 Skuas the chin. The pale nape and body with a dark spotted breast band. and wintering in tropical Africa, (with a few resident birds in Iberia and Bul- It has long central tail feathers, and if you are close enough you garia), only 189 have made it to Britain of which just 14 have graced Corn- 5 will notice they have a spoon shaped tip that hang down slightly. wall (up to the end of 2009). 4 Peter Roseveare continues his series on sea- The bill is pale with a black tip. The Dark morph is obviously The first for Cornwall, (second for Britain), was one shot on Beggars 3 birds with the ‘Cornish Pirates’... th darker but has the characteristic spoon shaped tail feathers. Island, River Lynher on Nov 5 1831. Then there were none recorded in the 2 Duchy until 1977 when an adult was found on Trobus Farm, Ladock on May The Skuas that pass through our waters at the end of summer and rd 1 well into the autumn truly are the pirates of the Atlantic. Robbing Arctic Skua 23 . Over eleven years passed before the next, also an adult, was located at S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 S 1 2 3 4 5 Porthgwarra on Jun 14th 1988. This was followed by another adult at Wendron and mobbing other birds for their food, and slaying our gentle *One of the smallest and most agile on Sep 20th. Kittiwakes and Auks for a moment’s sustenance. Yet, like Johnny of our Skuas. Due to their aerial In the next ten years a further seven individuals were recorded, all but Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean, there is a charming quality dexterity they inspired the name one of which were adults. These are listed below: about these birds, and they really do brighten up a sea watch. The for the RAF's first naval dive- sheer size of the Great, the falcon like flight of the Arctic and the bomber, the “Blackburn Skua” . 1989 an adult at Hayle estuary May 4th, then Camel estuary May 9th captivating plumage of the Pomarine, make the Skua family group a real treasure of the Atlantic Ocean. 1991 one adult at St Buryan on August 27th *The Arctic also comes in different 1993 one adult at St Buryan August 24th, then St Keverne on same day Great Skua colours. Again the lighter morph is Steve Rogers 1995 an adult at St Buryan on July 31st the most common, followed by the 1998 an adult at Church Cove on August 28th. darker morph. * This bird has many local names, The first for the 21st Century was an adult at Goonhilly Downs on with most birders calling it the th Bonxie. This is a Scandinavian *At 40cm long and a wing span of 115cm, it does appear signifi- May 29 2003. Three years elapsed before the next, again on the Lizard but cantly smaller than the two previous species. this time at Church Cove on August 27th 2006. The most recent sighting was word used on Orkney and Shetland in 2007 when one was tracked through the county on August 8th, it was first (where it nests). A Cornish nick- name is Tom Harry! (I do not know *The American name for this bird is Parasitic Jaeger! "Jaeger" is seen at Redruth and then over St Just, Penzance and Sennen. derived from the German "hunter." Often targeting smaller more why, but would like to). * The Great Skua looks immense! Steve Rogers agile victims such as turns and small gulls. What to look out for this summer/early autumn… With a length of 60cm and a wing- or me July is the start of Sandpipers will display all of these. My favourite places for find- span of around 140cm, it is a sight to behold. *The Arctic Skua has a flight that very much resembles a falcon’s. Green Sandpiper F Autumn migration and ing them are listed at the bottom of this article. Separating * The Great Skua is a master pirate and bullies species as large as It often glides on bowed wings. This can make the flight line more after a few slow weeks the the two species in the field is straightforward after you have seen a Gannets to drop food. It is also the most adept at killing other birds sporadic than other types of Skua.

t was a very exciting Seven slow worms were counted one day and adders are using Windmill Farm I Spring at the farm, with them too. many notable records and Following last year’s disappointing failure to get our ar- reserves report By Andy Pay some exciting develop- able plot cultivated, we sought some professional advice from the ments. It started with a Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. Following their recom- number of species appear- mendations, our local farmer has done a great job and we should ing well ahead of schedule. have a good mix of various seed producing crops, along with bar- Four Willow Warblers ley, oats and various grass mixtures. Elsewhere, the new scrapes turned up in the company of are in and it will be interesting to see how they develop. At the five Black Redstarts on southern end of the farm, there is now access through to Grochall, March 25th and a female a collection of small fields owned and being developed for wildlife Hen Harrier was seen the by the National Trust. They have already put in some ponds and following day. scrapes and planted an orchard and it is well worth a visit. April-June 2011 April saw new arri- vals almost daily, with a male Ring Ouzel on 2nd being followed by an exceptionally early Whitethroat on 3rd. The Hen Harrier put Whitethroat by Andy Pay in another appearance on 4th, then the period 7th-11th brought the n the maintenance front, the hide least three pairs have raised ducklings with varying degrees of first Swallows, Wheatears, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers, on the Southern Cut Off now has success. This year has been the worst breeding season on the water Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Greenshank and Redshank. The first Stithians O th a new roof, the old, rotten, galvanised since I've been in post. On dry land however we have a slightly Cuckoo was calling on 16 and a brood of Mallard was seen on different story. The nest box scheme has been a success and is 17th. A Hoopoe, which was to remain for five days, and a Short- By Simon Taylor roof has been removed and a new one th of marine ply with corduline panels has covered elsewhere in this edition of Palores. A Robin's nest was eared Owl made for a very notable day on 19 . been fitted (see photo by Len Hadley). I would like to thank John found with 5 eggs but it was sadly predated. At least five pairs of Over the next few days, the first Whimbrel started to come Rowe and Daniel Eva for assisting in this work and the CBWPS Carrion Crow have bred with two nests producing 2 young each, through and there were further records of Ring Ouzel and Merlin, for paying for it. Hopefully it'll be a bit quieter now when it rains. the other three have produced fledglings of an unknown amount along with two Common and two Green Sandpipers, three Dunlin, There is a plan to lay a second skin on the sides to give us a water- due to being totally inaccessible, even with a mirror on a very long three Black-tailed Godwits and a Ringed Plover. Counts of singing proof hide again. telescopic pole. Also proven to be breeding are Willow Warbler (6 warblers produced a staggering count of nine Grasshopper, nine young), Dunnock, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Long-tailed Tit, A drake Ring-necked Duck was a frequent visitor to the Sedge, 12 Whitethroats, five Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat reserve which finally departed with the Tufties. All the Goldeneye, Blackbird (eggs predated) and Greenfinch built but didn't use. (which was still on territory in late May), six Chiffchaffs and 24 Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon and migrant Coot have gone just leaving Open nest finding this year has taken a back seat for the BTO's Willow Warblers. th the resident breeders behind. The Hirundines and Warblers arrived Atlas but next year hopefully I can start an ongoing programme of Attention turned to insects on 24 when an extremely rare on schedule as did two Cuckoo. The breeding on the water has nest recording for species like Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats, Reed Vagrant Emperor dragonfly from sub-Saharan Africa was identi- been nothing short of disastrous. The lack of rain has seen water Buntings etc. fied flying about over the heathland. Astonishingly, two were levels drop and keep dropping exposing the nests of the water found at Ruan Pool the following day and gave great views in the based birds to predation. Many empty shells have been found warm sunshine. Six Red-veined Darters were also present. Further (mostly Coot's), yet no young have been seen. One Coot nest just bird records up to the month’s end included Peregrines, Tawny in front of the Southern Cut Off hide providing an excellent view- Owl, Whinchat, two Reed Warblers, a further Lesser Whitethroat ing opportunity contained seven eggs but it also sadly succumbed. and a Garden Warbler. A pair of Great Crested Grebes on three eggs opposite the The weather went somewhat downhill in May, but the Stuart Hutchings hide found themselves predated presumably by month nevertheless produced further good sightings. Whimbrel Herons and the only evidence of Little Grebe so far is a single peaked at 15 on 3rd, with varying numbers present regularly until record in the logbook of an adult with 3 young. No further sight- 10th. A few more Dunlin and a Golden Plover also passed through. ings that I'm aware of. Not even a sniff of a Moorhen's nest yet. Nine species of warbler were present on 6th, along with an unsea- After all this predation it was delightful to find on the 2nd June, a sonal female Wigeon. A Red Kite flew over on 15th, then the 19th Coot and a second pair of Great Crested Grebes were sitting on brought a very nice surprise: a Golden Oriole, our second in 12 their nests 3 feet apart surrounded by a good depth of water. Un- months. This one stubbornly refused to reveal itself, despite sing- fortunately three days later they were also high and dry and pre- ing away almost directly above my head in the thick willow dated such was the warm weather during the half term holidays. canopy! This was probably the last opportunity for breeding on the water By now, bird migration was more or less over but, as visi- with suitable habitat running out. Mallard are early breeders and at tors to the farm will know, it is so much more than a bird reserve. It was now time for the botanists to make their presence felt, with impressive lists of ferns and sedges and, best of all pygmy rush, a th s usual wildfowl numbers re- Migrants started to make an appearance on 13 March famed rarity found in the UK only on the Lizard. What is espe- th Drift A duced dramatically with the with 5 Sand Martins, quickly followed by 2 Swallows on the 16 . cially pleasing is that over 100 of these plants have reappeared in st onset of spring, with Mute Swans By 1 April Chiffchaffs were singing and Willow Warbler, the old trackways that we excavated last year precisely for this and th By Dave Parker dropping from 35 to 10, Canada Geese Reed Warbler and Blackcap arrived on the 11 with Whitethroats other scarce species, like the yellow centaury which is also growth from 86 to 19, Mallard from 34 to 8 and Sedge Warblers on the 19 . ing there in profusion. Green-winged orchids have also been and Tufted Duck from 9 to 2. It wasn’t until May that the first Garden Warbler, Swifts found in one of the pasture fields this Spring, and the southern The overwintering Greenland and House Martins were reported. marsh orchids are spreading too. th White-fronted Goose finally left on 6 Along with these regular migrants we had our fair share of Our small colony of Marsh Fritillary butterflies is still nd th April and a Whooper Swan that joined unusual birds including Golden Eagle on 22 and 24 March, a extant, with at least six on the wing on June 5th, although the Small th rd rd the Mute Swans on 10 March, left on Hoopoe on 23 March, a Purple Heron on 3 April, 3 Red Kites Grass Emerald moth is probably our rarest resident. This is a na- th th 8 April. The last Teal and Goldeneye on 26 April and finally a Turtle Dove, which is getting increas- tionally scarce and declining species, with very few recent records th st th were seen on 12 March but a pair of ingly rare, on 1 and 8 of May. outside its strongholds on the Lizard peninsula and the New For- th Coots lingered until 16 May raising The clearance of willow in the reedbed was obviously to est. It’s been an excellent time for dragonflies: in addition to the hopes of a breeding attempt. With the water levels still up to the the Reed Warblers’ liking, as 2-3 pairs have settled in. rare ones mentioned above, a further 12 species have been rest dam, the only waders reported were 42 Curlew on 1 March, 5 Fingers crossed for a dry summer as water continues to corded this year, many of them in very good numbers. Reptiles th th Rare birds/plants/moths at Windmill Farm. Photos by Andy Pay. Snipe and a Jack Snipe on 12th March, 4 Ruff on 9 -12 April and slowly drop, revealing a tantalisingly narrow sand/mud edge to the have been showing well too, especially under some of the small th From the top: Hoopoe; Pygmy Rush; Small Grass Emerald moth a Common Sandpiper on 19 April. shoreline. sections of corrugated roofing sheet we’ve laid around for them. 10 11

id June and the long spell of see so many in full summer plumage; a great spectacle with their Maer Lake M dry weather has finally ended, black belly reflections in the Lake as they circled and wheeled low first with heavy rain showers and then around the Reserve. Little Stint is always a good spring record th th By Graham Sutton with a solid day’s rain and strong with one present on May 9 , and then another on June 5 being winds. my first ever June record of this species. A Little Ringed Plover Nest box I have certainly enjoyed the was present on May 9th, and a Great White Egret was found on dry weather. What a difference it Bude Marshes on May 10th but flew south, so regretfully no visit makes not having to worry about wet to Maer Lake. success weather footwear, but the Reserve and The spring/summer grazing regime commenced on April countryside badly needed the rain and 19th with the arrival of fourteen bullocks. They do a much more is already much improved. beneficial job of grazing the Reserve than horses and cause much stories My memory of Aprils in the less trouble. I must admit to being prejudiced. I come from a farm- past is of brief heavy showers, and ing family and am used to cattle, while horses are a mystery to me. then steaming country roads in the sunshine, you could almost see Why do they have to keep rubbing themselves against the fencing the vegetation growing. This year April was unseasonably dry and posts? And how do they manage to keep loosening the top strand Simon Taylor reports on the results of his nest warm and although temperatures fell back considerably in May it of barbed wire in the fencing? It’s a nuisance and time consuming still remained remarkably dry. and expensive to deal with. box initiative at Stithians Reservoir reserve With both Red and Black Kite seen quite amazingly regu- At the time of the flood prevention work the Society and uring the Autumn of 2010 I approached the CBWPS about larly both to the north and south of the Reserve, it has certainly Cornwall Wildlife Trust were given some extra funding to use running a nest box scheme at Stithians and they kindly spon- been a spring to remember. Teal paired and mated on the Reserve towards a maintenance access track at the rear of the Reserve D sored me £100 to get the scheme up and running. before doing their usual disappearing act in mid April. Golden (between the flood bank and the Reserve). We hope to make a start th th The money saw 23 tit boxes and 18 open-fronted boxes Plover were last seen on April 8 and Lapwing on April 25 . in late July/early August on this and the other usual annual tasks, th th constructed and erected through the winter with a further 10 kept Whimbrel numbers were excellent from April 17 to May 29 , rainfall permitting. There should be little disturbance caused. The th back as replacements. All the boxes were positioned to face be- with a peak of 62 on May 11 . A Wood Sandpiper was present on birds tend to move to the other side of the lake, which actually st nd tween NW and NE to avoid strong summer sunlight and thus re- May 1 . Dunlin numbers peaked at 58 on May 2 , delightful to makes viewing easier from the gate. duce the risk of cooking the chicks alive. The open-fronted boxes saw no occupancy whatsoever. I No report on Walmsley this issue but what more definitive proof of the wonderful sights to be found there have now learnt that my idea of ‘well-concealed’ was inadequate Walmsley than Lesley Mitchell’s wonderful shot of this Hobby, hunting over the reserve... and that this type of box is notoriously difficult to get occupied. The small hole tit boxes were erected at a height of 2-2.5m ensuring that each box had the required clear flight path that tits demand. Hole size was 28mm with the odd box drilled to 25mm and erected low down to encourage Marsh Tit. The first visit took place on April 11th when a check of all 41 boxes resulted in only one box having any signs of use. Within two weeks 13 tit boxes were occupied giving an occupancy rate of 56.5%. A further 4 boxes had nests started but not completed taking the interest in the boxes to 74%. Monitoring took place on a weekly basis. Of the 13 boxes used, one was Great Tit, the other 12 all occupied by Blue Tits. A total of 83 eggs were laid by Blue Tits of which all 83 hatched. Of the 83 pulli 74 made it through to fledging (89.2% success rate). Of the 9 pulli that didn't make it 5 were the entire contents of one box indicating that the adult possibly died meaning the chicks starved. For the Great Tits, 13 eggs were laid, 13 eggs hatched with 10 seeing it through to fledging (76.9%). This was the result of occupancy of two boxes, one of mine and one that was clearly several years old that I happened to stumble across. This old box took the total to 14 occupied boxes. Last year, when only 6 boxes were up, the only success were the Great Tits using the same box as they did this year. From the other 5 of last year’s boxes, 2 were unused, 2 deserted and one predated. This year's activity was a month earlier than last year, no predation, no egg desertions so all in all this year’s boxes have been a raging success. I'm hoping to have a Kestrel box erected for next year and also a couple of Grey Wagtail boxes if I can access the dam over- flow. It's also anticipated that the number of tit boxes will double and extra interest will come when I see how many of this year's young use the boxes next year thanks to the help of Mark Gran- tham in ringing the pulli that were of a suitable age during the visits. If this article has enthused anybody to run a nest box scheme or even simply to put one up in the garden then more information including the all important Nest Recorders "Code Of Conduct" can be found at www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/nrs or to join the 23,500 registered garden nest boxes then visit Photos by Simon Taylor from the top: Blue Tit on the nest; one day www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/nbc. old Blue Tit; Blue Tit young; Great Tit nest

12 13

hotographs by Adrian Langdon, anti-clockwise gaps or things to check. Every year Collins would request an up- P from top: Treecreeper, Bodmin Moor; Green date on my ‘progress’, so I would have to come up with an imagi- Woodpecker, Camel valley; Great Spotted Wood- Writing a native reply to hide my lack of progress! pecker, Camel valley; mating Grey Wagtails, One by one the chapters evolved. I contacted old friends Camelford; Sand Martin, Walmsley Sanctuary. with queries and requests for photographs. I still collected copies ‘New Naturalist’ of everything I could about Scilly and blew the advance on books and travelling to the islands! I read everything I could find in the Looe-based Rosemary Parslow is a member of English Nature library and other Cornish libraries, browsed and a very exclusive club—she is a New Naturalist made notes on scientific reports, travelled to London and spent a week in libraries there. I also had long sessions in the archives of author. She explains how she came to create the IOS Museum. NN number 103... Collins had asked for chapters to cover archaeology, history, geology and so on, subjects I might have an interest in but he invitation to write a New Natural- was far from expert. Again I was very lucky: my younger daughter T ist book on the Isles of Scilly came is an archaeologist and there are several archaeologists on the is- more or less out of the blue. So it was a lands who kindly agreed to read through what I wrote. Similarly surprise when Collins asked for a synop- with birds, the authors of both sis of the book and a sample chapter. I the recent books on the birds looked at a couple of other recent NNs. of Scilly and the Chair of the Daunting! How on earth could anyone IOSBG read my chapter on cover the range of subjects expected? birds – although I decided to Somehow I cobbled together the sample restrict birds to one chapter as chapter and a list of chapter headings. there were perfectly good When the contract arrived I began to systematic accounts available. realise just what I had taken on! Some chapters were even At first I assumed I had plenty of more challenging, inverte- material. For years I had been collecting brates and lichens for exam- books, keeping notes and squirreling away everything I could ple, but here again I tried to about Scilly. I had a range of useful experience: a training in ma- include species visiting natu- rine biology and collecting marine specimens (from Scilly) for the ralists might be likely to see. Natural History Museum, also a close involvement with St Agnes Again other specialists were Bird Observatory, staying there with my children when my orni- generous with advice and thologist husband returned to his work on migration. And later information. when working at the Nature Conservancy Council being appointed At last I had all the The lovely Robert Gillmor BSBI (Botanical Society of the British Isles) recorder for Scilly. chapters written and was able cover of ‘The Isles of Scilly’ Over the years I had been employed to carry out surveys on plants, for once to report truthfully to bats and other subjects in Scilly, including writing a management the Collins Board! Two editors now became involved, one to ad- plan for the IOSWT. When it came to the actual writing it was a vise me on scientific content and one to advise on the writing, bit of a shock to find how little I really knew! photos etc. Eventually the book was launched at the Bird Fair in So I started seriously researching everything I could. Even- 2007. tually I was surrounded by ring-binders, boxes and shelves of I was told that being asked to write a NN was a singular books. But it wasn’t until about 2001 when I officially retired and honour (you certainly don’t do it for the money!) and I did feel moved to Cornwall I started to actually write anything. Now no very honoured. It still seems amazing to be in the august company excuses, other than a few consultancy jobs – to pay for my trips to of many of the naturalists I have admired. All in all I enjoyed the Scilly – at last I had time. My computer had become filled with writing and it was wonderful to be able to use all those notebooks disjointed bits of text arranged by subjects. When I seemed to have and papers I had collected – although now I do not know what to all I could find on a subject I started to knit the scraps together into do with them! a rough draft – usually with lots of high-lighting to remind me of (below: a selection of the iconic New Naturalist cover designs)

14 15

Tides & The Weather then looking for second hand equipment online can save you a lot of money. Check out the CBWPS website’s For Sale and Bob Bosisto shares his tips on how to harness the If you are planning a day’s birding it is very advantageous if Wanted page and also South West Optics Second Hand sec- internet to enhance your birdwatching enjoyment you know what the weather is going to do. Equally if you are tion. visiting the coast or an estuary, knowing the tide times is Equipment reviews are also well worth reading before equally important. you invest heavily on a new gizmo. There are many reviews Instead of having to buy a tide table or watch televi- for most birding related equipment online. The most honest sion forecasts you can find all the information you need on and informative ones that I have come across are to be found the internet. The biggest plus point is that internet tide times on Birdforum and Surfbirds. and weather forecasts are often very specific to a particular I hope you will discover for yourselves just how enter- area. For instance on the Met Office website you can get taining, instructive and beneficial the internet can be for the weather updates every three hours from about a dozen differ- birding scene. And if you know of other good websites for ent places in Cornwall. As well as a general weather forecast birdwatchers in Cornwall please let me know by emailing the you also get temperature, visibility, wind speed and direction editor ([email protected]). Birding updates. Very handy information to know if you’re planning a day out in advance. It is a similar story for tide times— I per- Websites for birdwatchers in Cornwall: sonally use the BBC Weather website for this.

St Austell Baywatch staustellbaywatch.blogspot.com Bird Identification

and the South West Optics Blog www.swopticsphoto.com The internet is a brilliant resource for learning more about particular birds and also identifying something you may have seen but couldn’t identify yourself. Birding Frontiers www.birdingfrontiers.com If there is a bird I have heard about or perhaps I have seen but want to see more photos of them in a few clicks of CBWPS www.cbwps.org.uk internet the mouse I will usually find what I am looking for. As an example when a bird turns up in Cornwall that I have never Birdwatching in West Cornwall www.sennen- heard of, such as the Alder Flycatcher, a few years ago, I cove.com/birds.htm simply type in ‘Alder Flycatcher’ on a search engine such as Google and selecting ‘Images’, literally hundreds of photos of Alder Flycatcher came up on screen. You can do this with any Cornwall Birding www.cornwall-birding.co.uk bird species and it is also a great way of finding new websites and blogs to look at. Just beware if you look up a Great Birdguides www.birdguides.com Tit or a Shag! If you still can’t identify that mystery bird, posting Rare Bird Alert www.rarebirdalert.co.uk photos or a description of it on a forum can be a good idea. There are often very experienced birders on these forums and Met Office www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/ reading their comments and using their experience is a great way of learning. The Bird Identification Q and A thread on BBC Weather (tide tables) news.bbc.co.uk/weather/ Birdforum is an excellent example of this. If it is a bird you have heard rather than seen then coast_and_sea/tide_tables/ check out www.xeno-canto.org/europe/. It is a massive shared database that has the calls and songs of pretty much Google www.google.co.uk/ very year the internet plays a bigger and bigger part and interesting stories from Cornwall’s birding scene. And St every bird in Europe. You type the species you want to hear in modern day life and it is no different in the world Austell Baywatch is a good example of a local patch blog. into the search bar on the top of the screen and a series of Birdforum www.birdforum.net/ of birding. Managed by ‘The Watcher’ who documents the birds, ani- free recordings will be displayed ready to play. Whether you want to brush up on your I.D. mals, flora, fauna and fungi seen by himself and others For those of you who wish to learn about more pio- Xeno-canto www.xeno-canto.org/europe/ Eskills, learn of bird sightings or socialise with fellow birders, around St Austell Bay . neering bird identification I would advise you to check out all_species.php there will be a website out there covering what you need. I Martin Garner’s personal blog called Birding Frontiers. Excel- will be looking at how the internet can benefit our hobby and lent photographs and fascinating I.D. articles of really tricky Sightings Websites species are posted every week by Martin Garner who is an South West Optics www.swoptics.co.uk suggesting the best ways to use it along the way. author and current member of the British Birds Rarity Com- Whether you are just looking for influxes of certain species or mittee. It can be heavy going at times but I think there is Surfbirds surfbirds.com/ Blogs and Blogging you like twitching, the internet is an excellent place to find something for everyone to learn on this website. out what birds are being seen in Cornwall. The Society’s own RSPB www.rspb.org.uk A blog is simply a website that acts as an online journal or website has a special sightings section (www.cbwps.org.uk/ diary. Blogs can be updated at any time and are generally bird_news1.htm) that is updated every evening and gives Equipment free of charge to use. Many local birders have their own members an snapshot of what is happening in the county. RSPB local group www.rspb.org.uk/groups/cornwall blogs and they are becoming increasingly popular. Many birders contribute their records to this success- If you are looking to buy books, binoculars, a telescope or Having a blog lets you share your birding experiences ful part of our website and it often has excellent photos. even a new camera, it is no secret that the best deals can British Trust for Ornithology www.bto.org with everyone through writing and photographs. You can also Other county-based websites include: Sennen Cove Bird often be found on the internet. If you are on a budget like me follow other people’s blogs, meaning that whenever they Watching which specialises in birds seen in West Penwith, update theirs the new post shows automatically on your and Cornwall Birding. If you need more up to the minute screen. It becomes a nice way of keeping in touch with news on birds then it is best to visit Birdguides or Rare Bird friends and also a good way of meeting new people. Alert. So whether you are a keen photographer wanting to Although you must pay for certain services you can showcase your pictures or a local patch birder wishing to get instant information via Email or straight to your mobile correspond with like minded folk, a blog could be right for phone as well as detailed directions to the places where a you. The two blogs I follow are: Steve Rogers’ photo blog bird has been seen, vital if you don’t want to ‘dip out’ on that (swopticsphoto) as it always shows excellent images of birds rarity! 16 17

St Austell Baywatch staustellbaywatch.blogspot.com Bird Identification

and the South West Optics Blog www.swopticsphoto.com The internet is a brilliant resource for learning more about particular birds and also identifying something you may have seen but couldn’t identify yourself. Birding Frontiers www.birdingfrontiers.com If there is a bird I have heard about or perhaps I have seen but want to see more photos of them in a few clicks of CBWPS www.cbwps.org.uk internet the mouse I will usually find what I am looking for. As an example when a bird turns up in Cornwall that I have never Birdwatching in West Cornwall www.sennen- heard of, such as the Alder Flycatcher, a few years ago, I cove.com/birds.htm simply type in ‘Alder Flycatcher’ on a search engine such as Google and selecting ‘Images’, literally hundreds of photos of Alder Flycatcher came up on screen. You can do this with any Cornwall Birding www.cornwall-birding.co.uk bird species and it is also a great way of finding new websites and blogs to look at. Just beware if you look up a Great Birdguides www.birdguides.com Tit or a Shag! If you still can’t identify that mystery bird, posting Rare Bird Alert www.rarebirdalert.co.uk photos or a description of it on a forum can be a good idea. There are often very experienced birders on these forums and Met Office www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/ reading their comments and using their experience is a great way of learning. The Bird Identification Q and A thread on BBC Weather (tide tables) news.bbc.co.uk/weather/ Birdforum is an excellent example of this. If it is a bird you have heard rather than seen then coast_and_sea/tide_tables/ check out www.xeno-canto.org/europe/. It is a massive shared database that has the calls and songs of pretty much Google www.google.co.uk/ very year the internet plays a bigger and bigger part and interesting stories from Cornwall’s birding scene. And St every bird in Europe. You type the species you want to hear in modern day life and it is no different in the world Austell Baywatch is a good example of a local patch blog. into the search bar on the top of the screen and a series of Birdforum www.birdforum.net/ of birding. Managed by ‘The Watcher’ who documents the birds, ani- free recordings will be displayed ready to play. Whether you want to brush up on your I.D. mals, flora, fauna and fungi seen by himself and others For those of you who wish to learn about more pio- Xeno-canto www.xeno-canto.org/europe/ skills,E learn of bird sightings or socialise with fellow birders, around St Austell Bay . neering bird identification I would advise you to check out all_species.php there will be a website out there covering what you need. I Martin Garner’s personal blog called Birding Frontiers. Excel- will be looking at how the internet can benefit our hobby and lent photographs and fascinating I.D. articles of really tricky Sightings Websites species are posted every week by Martin Garner who is an South West Optics www.swoptics.co.uk suggesting the best ways to use it along the way. author and current member of the British Birds Rarity Com- Whether you are just looking for influxes of certain species or mittee. It can be heavy going at times but I think there is Surfbirds surfbirds.com/ Blogs and Blogging you like twitching, the internet is an excellent place to find something for everyone to learn on this website. out what birds are being seen in Cornwall. The Society’s own RSPB www.rspb.org.uk A blog is simply a website that acts as an online journal or website has a special sightings section (www.cbwps.org.uk/ diary. Blogs can be updated at any time and are generally bird_news1.htm) that is updated every evening and gives Equipment free of charge to use. Many local birders have their own members an snapshot of what is happening in the county. RSPB local group www.rspb.org.uk/groups/cornwall blogs and they are becoming increasingly popular. Many birders contribute their records to this success- If you are looking to buy books, binoculars, a telescope or Having a blog lets you share your birding experiences ful part of our website and it often has excellent photos. even a new camera, it is no secret that the best deals can British Trust for Ornithology www.bto.org with everyone through writing and photographs. You can also Other county-based websites include: Sennen Cove Bird often be found on the internet. If you are on a budget like me follow other people’s blogs, meaning that whenever they Watching which specialises in birds seen in West Penwith, update theirs the new post shows automatically on your and Cornwall Birding. If you need more up to the minute screen. It becomes a nice way of keeping in touch with news on birds then it is best to visit Birdguides or Rare Bird friends and also a good way of meeting new people. Alert. So whether you are a keen photographer wanting to Although you must pay for certain services you can showcase your pictures or a local patch birder wishing to get instant information via Email or straight to your mobile correspond with like minded folk, a blog could be right for phone as well as detailed directions to the places where a you. The two blogs I follow are: Steve Rogers’ photo blog bird has been seen, vital if you don’t want to ‘dip out’ on that (swopticsphoto) as it always shows excellent images of birds rarity! 16 17

Thursday 22nd September 1pm Leader: Pat Farmer Thursday 13th October. 1pm Leader: Pat Farmer (01209 718648) (01209 718648) Tresillian River St.Clements. A walk along the river looking for Tresillian River St.Clements. An afternoon walk along the river field meetings waders, ducks and gulls. The path is muddy so good footwear looking for waders, ducks and gulls. Path can be muddy so good recommended. Meet St. Clements car park Map Ref: SW852439. footwear recommended. Meet at St. Clements car park. Map Ref: SW852439 Saturday 24th September. 10am to 3pm. Contact: Dave Thomas (01726-861093.) Saturday 15th October. 7am Leader: Colin Selway Breney Common Nature Reserve Work Party Bramble and Gorse bash. Please come along and bring your The Rumps. Details as per 3rd September. friends to help us keep clear some of the paths and small meadows. Bring lunch, protective gloves, cutting tools and binoculars. Sunday 16th October. 9am Leader: Viv Stratton Meet at Gunwen Chapel car park. Joint meet with CWT (01736 796487) Porthgwarra. An all day walk looking for migrant and resident Sunday 25th September. 9am Leader: Viv Stratton birds with hopefully some sea watching. Bring packed lunch. Meet (01736 796487) in the car park. Fee payable. Map Ref: SW371218 Stepper Point and Pentire Head July – October 2011 Hayle Estuary. A morning walk around the area looking for gulls, waders and migrants. Meet Ryan’s Field car park Map ref: Pentire and Rumps nature walks. Approximately 4 hours, taking his Summer and early Autumn programme of field meetings Wednesday 17th August 6pm Leader: Gordon Mills SW549362 place every Wednesday during July and August, covering Flora has a strong focus not only on birds but habitats and the di- (01209 718144 evenings) T and Fauna as well as birds. Walks start at 10.00am and will be led verse species of flora and fauna which can be found in them. The St. Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area nd Sunday 2 October. 9:30am Leader: Gordon Mills by Bernard Ide, Paul Whittick and Jack Humphrey. Meet at Pentire Head and Rumps walks (see end of programme for details) looking for resident birds, butterflies and wild flowers. Meet in (01209 718144) Pentire Farm. Map ref: SW936803. Phone Countrywise on 01208 are a great way for families, visitors to Cornwall and local bird first NT car park. Map ref: SW584422 Tehidy woods and Basset Cove. A morning walk along the coast 812423 to check that walk is on. Map ref: SW989725 watchers to visit these areas with leaders with knowledge of but- and the woods looking for local bird life. Good footwear essential. Camel Trail nature walks start again in September. All details terflies, insects, geology and flowers as well as birds. Sea watch- Sunday 21st August 2pm-4:30pm organised by: Meet Tehidy, North cliffs car park, on the Portreath to Hayle coast as per Pentire and Rumps walks above. Meet outside Countrywise, ing field meets continue this summer led by specialists in our local Cornwall Council (Booking preferred 01872 323468) road. Map Ref: SW642436 Eddystone Road, Wadebridge. seabirds. A walk around Kit Hill`s beautiful heath looking at the plants and

birds that live there, how and why we manage it. Learn more about th Sunday 9 October . 9am Leader: Simon Taylor PLEASE NOTE Tuesday 5th July 6:45pm for 7pm start. Leaders: Dave Thomas the uses of heaths past and present. (07825 797909) Walk leaders have given their telephone numbers with each walk. & Chris Lowe Meet Kit Hill Adit car park (second on right). Map ref: SX377715 Troon/ Treskillard. A walk around Troon / Treskillard looking for However before contacting them, would you please check the (01637 850930 mob: 07860927833) resident and winter migrants. Stout footwear recommended. Park- Newquay, evening boat trip/sea safari. A slow ride around Saturday 3rd September. 7am Leader: Colin Selway RSPB (www.rspb.org.uk/groups/cornwall) and CBWPS ing available off the minor road from King Edward Mine to Tre- Newquay headlands then out to sea to look for sea birds, seals, (www.cbwps.org.uk) websites for the latest information. skillard Farm at Grid ref SW 668 393. possibly dolphins and basking sharks. Meet Newquay harbour, The Rumps. Colin will be sharing his knowledge of seabirds. De- look for the Boat “Atlantic Diver” SW808619 Cost £20. pending on weather and watching conditions, species could include Shearwaters, Auks, Gannets and Kittiwakes, but again you Wednesday 13th July 6:15 pm Leader: Gordon Mills never really know what may pass by! Hopefully finishing around (01209 718144 evenings) midday. As and when any more information becomes available it Hells Mouth. An evening walk to see breeding birds on the north will be posted on websites ASAP. Meet Pentire farmyard. Map ref: cliffs. Meet in the car park at Hells Mouth café. Map ref: SW 935802 SW504428. Sunday 11th September. 9:30am Leader: Gordon Mills Wednesday 20th July 6pm Leader: Gordon Mills (01209 7198144) (01209 718144 evenings) Carminowe Creek and Loe Pool. A morning walk around the St. Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area creek and seaward end of the pool to see autumn migrant and resi- looking for resident birds, butterflies and wild flowers. Meet in dent birds. Meet Degibna Chapel car park Map Ref: SW653251 first NT car park. Map ref: SW584422. Wednesday 14th September. 6pm Leader: Gordon Mills Wednesday 3rd August 6pm Leader: Gordon Mills (01209 7198144) (01209 718144 evenings) St. Gothian Sands, Godrevy. The last of the evening walks around St. Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area the area looking for resident and migrant birds, Meet in the first looking for resident birds, butterflies and wild flowers. Meet in Godrevy NT car park. Ref: SW584422 first NT car park. Map ref: SW584422 Sunday 18th September. 9am Leader: Colin Moore Sunday 7th August 7am - 10am Leader: Tony Blunden (01736 788787) Nanquidno Valley. A morning walk looking for resident and mi- Bass Point, The Lizard. Parking is available at the N.T. car park grant birds. Actual walk may vary according to local information. (fee payable) at the Lizard Point or on the Lizard Green. Then Meet in the large lay-by on the East side of the B3306 opposite walk, circa.1 mile, to the coast watch observation tower at Bass Lands End aerodrome. Map ref: SW377292. Point. Tony’s target species will be Manx and Balearic Shear- waters, but just about anything could turn up. Meeting will con- September 18th & 19th. 10am to 4pm. Cornwall Wildlife Trust tinue after 10 am if conditions are good. Wildlife Celebration at Heligan Gardens. Come along and

th meet the CWT staff and volunteers. Nest box building with your Sunday August 14 9.30am Leader: Gordon Mills children, bat walks, nature photography, bird walks and wildlife (01209 718144 evenings) information for all the family. Please come along with your friends Loe pool costal and woodland walk. A morning walk to the coast to support us on these two great days. and back through Penrose woods. Bring refreshments. Meet in Penrose walks NT car park, just off the B3304 Helston to Porth- leven road. Map ref: SW639258.

18 19

with the most votes at the end of the exhibition. It is a great opportunity to show off the work of the society and hopefully Visions of Nature to recruit more new members to our ranks." Once the exhibition has started it is hoped to put images of the pictures on the society’s website www.cbwps.org.uk. reparations for the CBWPS’ 80th Anniversary Art Exhibi- There will be a premier viewing from 4pm-7pm on tion 'Visions of Nature' at Mount Edgcumbe Country Park Saturday 23rd July, before the exhibition opens to the public. areP well advanced. Members are invited to this reception but should contact We have over 70 exhibits from some of the UK's most Bruce Taggart in advance to obtain a ticket. talented artists. The exhibits will all be for sale, 10% of the The exhibition runs from Sunday 24th July until Satur- price going to CBWPS and 10% to Mount Edgcumbe. Prints day 6th August, open daily from 10am until 4pm and admis- and gift cards are available for the more modest budgets. sion is free. The Barrow Centre gallery is in the newly re- Bruce Taggart, exhibition co-ordinator said: stored courtyard of Mount Edgcumbe House and Country "The quality of the exhibits is outstanding and once displayed Park, a Grade 1 listed property and gardens which is sign- in the gallery each artist will have a fantastic platform to posted from the A38 at Trerulefoot or easily accessed from show off their work. The exhibition features paintings and Plymouth via the Torpoint Ferry [A374] or by taking the Cre- mixed media, silk screen prints, sculpture and photographs. myll Passenger Ferry across the Tamar. On some days there will be an artist in residence so you can We are also looking for volunteers to help staff the talk to them about their techniques and watch them at work. Exhibition. Any member who is able to spare an afternoon or Anyone visiting the exhibition will have the opportunity to morning please contact Bruce as soon as possible. vote for their favourite picture with an award to the artist Bruce Taggart; Tel 01752 828163; [email protected] Here are just three of the superb artworks for sale at the CBWPS Wildlife Art Exhibition. ‘Evening Redshank’ by Hilary Kington; ‘Grey Seals and Oyster- catchers’ by N Elton; ‘Across the Falls’ by Ian Griffiths