Cover Photograph Pectoral Sandpiper at Maer Lake Graham Sutton CORNWALL BIRD-WATCHING AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY Sixty-Second Annual Report 1992 St. George Printing Works Ltd., Redruth. Tel: (0209) 217033 1 CONTENTS Page Officers for 1993/4 3 Accounts 4-5 Chairman's Report — Richard Hooton 6 Conservation Officer's Report — Andy Pay 8 Editorial and Review of the Year — Stanley Christophers 10 Contributors 18 Species List for 1992 — Stanley Christophers 20 Exotica 156 British Birds Rarities Committee Decisions 157 Ringing Report 1992 — Stanley Christophers 158 Wild birds handled by the R.S.P.C.A. at Perranporth — Rex Harper 161 An Eastern Great Grey Shrike at Cape Cornwall — John Ryan and Ren Hath way 162 Tawny Owl systematically taking Fantail Pigeons from a Cornish dovecote during Springs 1990-1992 — David Glue and Brian Langley 163 The Society's Rules 165 Officers 1993-94 President: S. C. Madge, 2 Church Row, Sheviock, Torpoint, PL11 3EH Chairman: R. J. Hooton, 17 Hawkens Way, St. Columb Major, TR9 6SS Vice-Chairnian: G. P. Sutton, 6 Elm Drive, Bude, EX23 8EZ General Secretary: Mrs. E. McKenzie, Tregarrick, St. Mawgan-in-Pydar, TR8 4EU Treasurer: Mrs. A. D. Dunstan, Trewargas, Trevanson, Wadebridge, PL27 7HP Recorder and Editor * Birds in Cornwall' Stanley M. Christophers, Bramblings, Rachels Way, St. Columb Major, TR9 6EP Assistant Recorder: E. J. Cook, 7 Trethewey Way, Newquay, TR7 2AD Conservation Officer: A. R. Pay, 13 Tregellas Road, Mullion, TR12 7DX Assistant Conservation Officer: V. A. Stratton, 2 Alexandra Row, St. Ives, TR26 1EH Field Meetings Officer: D. L. Thomas, Mirador, Whitecross, Newquay, TR8 4LW Newsletter Editor: F. M. Couch, 29 Roman Drive, Bodmin, PL31 1EL Research Officer: D. Lord, Old Farmhouse, Pentireglaze, Polzeath, PL27 6UA Joint Secretary, Recorder and Editor 'Isles of Scilly Bird Report': W. H. Wagstaff, 42 Sally Port, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly and P. Robinson, Riviera House, The Strand, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly Committee Members: B. T. Craven (Launceston), S. F. Jackson (Falmouth), D. I. Julian (Wadebridge) and D. Lewis (Camborne) - retire 1994. B. C. Wotton (Crantock) - retires 1995. G. J. Conway (Bodmin), R. Henry (Nanstallon), S. C. Hutchings (Penryn) and V. Simpson (Chacewater) - retire 1996. 3 TRADING AND PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1992 1991 1992 f £ £ INCOME Subscriptions 4,074 Annual Membership 4,239 510 Tax refund on covenanted subscriptions 569 4,584 4,808 242 Donations 215 413 Rents 233 32 32 711 1,055 2,816 1,229 3,559 2,316 Other Income 420 Sale of Annual Reports — Mainland 350 1,449 - Scilly 1,237 757 Camel Estuary Study Group 812 836 Art Exhibition & Newquay Conference — 332 228 250 _ — Grants: Walmsley Sanctuary 2,550 3,794 5,427 12,592 12,999 Less: GENERAL EXPENDITURE Annual Reports: 3,255 Mainland 3,604 1,887 Scilly 3,045 1,550 News Letters 737 762 Other Printing and Stationery 972 1,167 Postages and Telephone 1,163 185 Bank Charges 185 519 Hide and Reserve Expenses 526 243 Subscriptions 119 109 Goods for resale 197 151 Publicity 8 168 Youth and Education — 756 Camel Estuary Study Group 1,600 727 Art Exhibition & Newquay Conference — 507 Miscellaneous 477 11,986 12,633 606 366 Less SPECIAL EXPENDITURE 644 New Hide — Tregonce — 602 New Hide — Walmsley — 2,565 Walmsley Sanctuary Development 2,289 240 Software for Scillies Recorder — 250 CTNC — Grant, Projector and Screen — Purchase of Maer Lake 12,500 Poldhu Valley 25 - Isles of Scilly Rat Clearance and Seabird Ringing 550 4,301 15,364 -£3,695 EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE OVER INCOME -£14,998 4 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER, 1992 1991 1992 £ £ £ INVESTMENTS: £902.24 Vh% War Loan at market price at 329 31st December, 1992 357 13,275 NSB Investment Account 6,830 13,604 7,187 CURRENT ASSETS: 242 Stock 140 367 Sundry Debtors 135 12,500 COIF Charities Deposit Account 3,800 718 Bank Current Account 1,322 13,827 5,397 CURRENT LIABILITIES: 430 Subscriptions in advance 586 33 Sundry Creditor 463 586 13,364 NET CURRENT ASSETS 4,811 £26,968 NET ASSETS £11,998 ACCUMULATED FUNDS 30,637 Balance at 1st January, 1992 26,968 3,695 Less: Excess of Expenditure over Income for the year 14,998 26,942 11,970 26 Increase/(Decrease) in market value of War Loan 28 £26,968 £11,998 NOTE: The Society also owns land at Trethias Island and Walmsley Sanctuary together with a half share of Maer Lake purchased this year, in addition to the assets shown in this Balance Sheet. ACCOUNTANTS REPORT In accordance with instructions given to us, we have prepared, without carrying out an audit, the attached Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31st December 1992 from the accounting records of the Society and from information and explanations supplied to us. We certify that the Accounts are correctly drawn up in accordance therewith. Dated: 5th April, 1993 Whitaker, Redfearn, Pappin Newquay Chartered Accountants 5 Chairman's Report 1993 Committee change The year saw many changes in our team, and I would like to say a big thank you to all those retiring officers who have contributed to the Society. I would especially like to recognize the hard work of our outgoing Chairman, Les Smith and Secretary, Mike Lawson; their efforts have left us with a well organised and financially sound Society. Trustees Recent guidance issued by the Charity Commissioners has meant us having to look closely at the role of our four trustees. These persons are entrusted with our Society and therefore we have to look closely at how we work with them, and vice versa. Peggy Visick has recently resigned her Trusteeship, and I would like to personally recognize all her work on behalf of the Society. New trustees are Viv Stratton and Bruce Wotton. Bird Reports Again we have seen the production of two splendid reports. The mainland report came second in the British Birds best annual bird report award, and gained a similar position last year — a tremendous achievement. It is my personal opinion that the benefit we can offer our members by providing them with TWO REPORTS is second to none. Maer Lake The Society has now purchased 22 acres of Wetland grazing meadows, in conjunction with Cornwall Trust for Nature Conservation (CTNC). The site is just to the north of Bude and is open and easily accessible for all our members. The Lake has a remarkable list, including some real spring and autumn cripplers. It is mainly due to the efforts of one person that the saving of this site has been made possible — Graham Sutton. Obviously I would like to thank all those who have given with such generosity (please keep it coming, the appeal fund is still open!), but the greatest thanks have to go to Graham. Walmsley Sanctuary The work on this reserve is now almost complete, with the provision of a hide for our members. The transformation of the habitat for birds and other flora and fauna in the sanctuary has been tremendous, and this was recognized when the County Council awarded us second prize in a competition for environmental projects. Where are we going in 1993/4? This question was brought home to me earlier in the year when a member asked me — are we a birding society or a building society? For those that have looked at our balance sheet over the years could not disagree that our financial management has not been sound, but we have to ask have we been providing enough for our members. I am not advocating that we go out and spend our resources just like that, far from it. What I am saying is that we should listen to our membership more in respect of what they want. This is where you can help the Society by letting us know your views: write to us, or speak to a committee member if you can. The Society will try to reflect what its members want. 6 The year ahead We shall continue as a voluntary organisation committed to our two objectives. The birds of Cornwall must always come first. Our membership has not suffered as a result of our subs, increase (currently standing at c.950) and I would like to thank the membership for sticking with us. I am anticipating a real increase in members this year. Management of our reserves is a priority, and the availability of grant aid for much of this work has greatly eased the financial burden that we could have suffered. However, for those physically able persons who cannot resist getting stuck in, the usual work parties will be available. The recessionary downturn has reduced the pressures on some of our threatened birding areas in the County, but unfortunately the same cannot be said for some of South West Waters' estate. I hope that the dialogue we have had and continue to have with them will overcome these problems. Birding issues and conservation is all about working in partnership, and to this end I hope that we can build on the relationship we have with the CTNC, Devon B.W.P.S., English Nature, and all the other wildlife groups throughout the County. Finally, I wish you all a successful birding season whether it is your desire to twitch or to just watch our birds. Richard Hooton Chairman. 7 Conservation Officer's Report The twelve months which have elapsed since last year's Report have seen the Society make further substantial progress towards becoming an effective bird conservation body, one able to meet at least some of the challenges of the 1990's.