Officers 1973-74

President: Dr. C. J. F. COOMBS, Greenwith Place, Perranwell,

Chairman: Mrs. M. P. Visick, Trendain, Perranwell Station, Truro

Vice-Chairman : W. J. Julyan, Elm View, Carthew, St. Austell

General Secretary : W. J. A. Woodward, Lewidden, Penrose, St. Ervan,

Treasurer & Registrar : P. R. G Marriott, 59, Daniell Road, Truro

Assistant Treasurer & Registrar: P. J. Dwyer, 27, Trenance Road,

Field Meetings: F. M. Couch, Old Polzeath, Wadebridge

Conservation: G. Jackson, Treweege Barton, Stithians, Truro

Editor: J. E. Beckerlegge, St. Crowan Vicarage, Praze,

Assistant Editor: N. R. Phillips, Cucurrian Mill, Nancledra,

Secretary for the Isles of Scilly: Miss H. M. Quick, Priglis, St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly

Committee Members: Mrs. A. Robinson, Mrs. S. D. Johns, B. Wilson, retire 1974; Mrs. J. B. Bax, T. O. Darke, H. P. K. Robinson, E. G. Roper, retire 1975; B. N. Boothby, S. D. Gunn, D. R. Carter, R. J. Salmon, Mrs. K. West, retire 1976. and the Officers ex-officio. BIRD-WATCHING AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY

Forty-Second ANNUAL REPORT

1972

P. S. Brewer, Printer. . Tel. 2767 Secretary's Report for 1972

Our membership has passed the 1,100 total, in spite of the economic difficulties facing all Societies. Two well attended General Meetings, and four Executive Committee Meetings were held. At the Annual General Meeting on April 15th, proposed alterations in Rule 3 concerning membership were unanimously approved. These alterations abolished the lower age limit for Junior members, and form­ alised the fee of £20 for Life Membership.

After the election of Officers and the presentation of Officers' Re­ ports, an R.S.P.B. film entitled "Winged Aristocrats" was shown to mem­ bers present. At the Autumn General Meeting on November 11th, the Chairman Dr. Coombs, outlined plans for dividing Cornwall into 12 areas, each having a Conservation representative, approved by the Committee, who would report to the Conservation Officer any new developments affecting Bird Life in their area. They would also liase with other Conservationists, and try to prevent overlapping or duplication of efforts.

The Treasurer, Mr. Marriott, gave details of the expenditures to be met in connection with our work on Conservation. The improvements at Marshes, approximately £70. (Similar amount contributed by the ). The proposed new Hide at Stithians Reservoir would cost approximately £400. He would be asking the Members to sub­ scribe to a fund to help meet some of the costs of the Hide.

The Chairman thanked all those who helped to make the Field Day, "Bird Watching from a Train" such a success. He felt that this unusually large gathering of members had enhanced our reputation and increased the enthusiasm for Bird Watching among those present. Mr. Cecil Stevens was also thanked for originating the idea. Following this Meeting, our member, Mr. Roy Phillips, gave an ac­ count of his recent visit to Afghanistan and Kashmir, illustrated by many excellent colour slides.

During the year the Executive Committee had appointed 7 Wardens to keep a watchful eye on the Walmsley Sanctuary. Wardens would report trespassers to the owners or the Police, should interference to Bird Life be observed.

Action was also taken over limiting the public disturbance of birds at Porth Reservoir; the illegal shooting of birds at Trengwainton, and the future control of Bird Life in the Estuary. Also under active consideration is the formation of an R.S.P.B. branch in Truro to which the Committee would give its full support.

A programme of Field Days for Juniors in the Truro area is being arranged. During the year we held 14 Field Meetings, covering all parts of the County. W.J.A. Woodward, Hon. Gen. Sec. 2 Treasurer's Report

The year under review was a successful one for the Society and the financial position improved considerably. The final accounts showed an excess of income over expenditure of £395-34. Most of this money has been put aside for expenditure on the new hide at Stithians which the

Society intend to erect in 1973.

The expenditure on annual reports was held down during the year to £340-35 but increasing printing costs are still a cause for considerable concern. Sales of annual reports brought in the sum of £76-25. The bulk of this money came from the Isles of Scilly.

The total assets of the Society now stand at £3,495-68 less the amount of £224-19 still outstanding to the Cornwall River Authority.

The Society's thanks are due to Mr. P. J. Dwyer, the Assistant Treas­ urer and Registrar, who ably undertook to handle covenanted subscript­ ions and to Mr. A. F. Reynolds for kindly auditing the accounts.

4 CORNWALL BIRD-WATCHING AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31st December, 1972

Expenditure Income

£ P £ P £ P £ P Subscriptions to Societies: Subscriptions: British Trust for Ornithology 2 50 Annual Membership 730 38 Royal Institution of Cornwall 6 30 Life Membership 90 00 Royal Society for the 820 38 Protection of Birds 2 10 Tax refund on covenanted subscriptions 61 21 South Western Naturalists Union 2 75 Donations 47 19 Wildfowl Trust 1 05 Rent, Walmsley Sanctuary 52 00 Cornwall Conservation Forum 2 00 Interest: 16 70 War Loan 31 56 Printing and Stationery: Cornwall County Council Annual Reports 1971 340 35 Mortgage Loan 175 00 Typing and Duplicating 44 91 Bank deposit account 1 20 Other Printing and Stationery 45 66 207 76 430 95 Miscellaneous Income: Postages, Secretaries Expenses etc: Sale of Annual Report 76 25 Postages 89 48 Sale of Neckties 20 20 Bank Charges 20 25 Sale of Badges 12 00 Secretarial Expenses 122 55 Sale of Hide keys 5 78 Hire of Rooms, Projector, Films 30 54 114 23 Insurance 12 50 Hide keys 6 00 Rents—Shooting rights and hide 2 00 Miscellaneous 5 46 288 78 Walmsley Sanctuary Contribution to Cornwall River Authority 100 00 Marazion Marsh Improvement 71 00 Excess of Income over Expenditure 395 34

£1 ,302 77 £1,302 77 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER, 1972.

Liabilities and Fund Balances Assets Accumulated Fund: £ p £ p £ p £ p Investments Balance at 31.12.71 1681 45 £902-24 3.5% War Loan at market • Add: Excess of Income over price at 31.12.72 324 72 Expenditure for the year 395 34 8.75% Cornwall County Council Mortgage Loan 2000 00 2076 79 2374 72 Deduct: Depreciation on War Debtors 318 69 Loan 49 63 Bank Balances: 2027 16 Current Account 816 98 Legacies Fundi: Deposit Account 32 14 Balance at 31.12.1972 1214 10 849 12 Creditors 254 42 Postage and stamps in hand 3 15

£3495 68 £3495 68

Outstanding Liability: In respect of the Walmsley Sanctuary (River Amble Improvement Scheme) payable to the Cornwall River Auth­ Stock of Ties and Badges ority £224 19 Stock of Society Ties at cost £65 10

Report to the Members of the Cornwall Bird-Watching and Preservation Society. I have examined the above Balance Sheet dated 31st December, 1972, and the Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended on that date with the books of the Society and certify that they are in accordance therewith. A. F. REYNOLDS, Hon. Auditor. Altreations to Rules (Current from January 1st, 1974)

Rule 6. (Management)

After 'must have been received by the Secretary', insert words 'at least 10 days before the Annua! General Meeting'.

Delete'before the beginning of the Annual General Meeting'.

Add Rule 9. This Society shall neither be dissolved, nor amalgamated with, nor subordinated to any other body without the consent of 2/3rds of the members, at a General Meeting at which business is transacted, and in respect of which dissolution amalgamation or subordination prior notice must have been given under Rule 8. For the purpose of this Rule, Mem­ bers may vote by post.' Editorial

The Reverend John Beckerlegge became assistant editor to the late Col. Ryves in 1956, at a time when the latters failing health, at over eighty years of age meant that the compiling of records and production of the report became largely the responsibility of the assistant.

Since that time the membership has doubled and the volume of rec­ ords received increased enormously, but J. E. B. has continued the time- consumming practice of acknowledgement and correspondence regarding details and descriptions with courtesy and patience beyond the norm. The CBWPS owes him a dept of gratitude for the hundreds of hours of tedious work undertaken on our behalf over the past sixteen years.

Now that ill health and extra duties in The Church have forced his retirement as Editor we wish him a rapid recovery and more time to enjoy the Birds of Cornwall in the Field.

By coincidence, it is exactly twenty years since the first record from N.R.P. appeared in an Annual Report of the CBWPS. The same issue carried a splendid colour plate of a Blue-cheeked Bee-eater by Roger Tory Peterson, an account of lectures to the society by Niko Tinbergen and the late Ludwig Koch, and a monochrome photograph by A.G. Parsons of the Breeding Territory of Wood Sandpiper in Swedish Lapland. It was 80 pages long, cost One hundred pounds, three Shillings and Sixpence including plates, against subscriptions of One Hundred and Thirty Two Pounds Twelve shillings and Sixpence from five hundred and ninty mem­ bers.

There were three Editors; Col. Ryves, Miss Quick and Mr. Parsons, and one assistant—Dr. Blair. It probably came out in May.

The report of a society such as ours has a twofold purpose, the first is to present to the members an account of the year by bringing together the observations and records in a readable and entertaining form, and at the same time to further the Conservation of Cornish Birds by spreading knowledge and informed opinion.

The second purpose is to provide a Scientific and accurate record of Cornish Ornithology for the future. 8 The two are not incompatable, and with unlimited space would present no problems, but the rising cost of printing, means that both such extremes as "chatty Articfes for the former, and long lists of tables, listing the oc­ curence of every record of every species, can not be included. Papers on the birds of a particular area would be welcome provided they presented information not previously known, and papers on individual species would be not only welcome but eligible for the Ryves Memorial Prize.

The new Editor hopes to publish the report at a reasonable time, and in order to ensure this asks for records by January 15th,Records in diary form will be returned, or ignored, as will those in illegible handwriting. They should be listed in the order of this report, with any obscure localities clearly defined, for this is a long County and people at each end do not know all the hamlets and farms at the other, and neither do those out­ side the County who use the report for research. All records will be pub­ lished under species-heading in the systematic list unless part of a distinct article covering more than the annual occurences.

No correspondence will be entered into regarding the descriptions of Rare Birds: The records will be considered as received. With over a hundred contributors submitting records, from postcards to ten sheets of foolscap, there is work enough without reams of unnecessary corres­ pondence delaying compilation. One of the reasons for delay in the past has been the courtesy of the editor in this respect. There is now enough material to fill a report of twenty years ago being received from Porthgwarra alone!

The problem of Initials.

Observer credits, as they have been called, will be used after the records of rare birds considered by the British Rare Bird Committee; after such Cornish rarities and semi-rarities as determined by the Editors; after records of an unusual nature; and after dates of first and last migrants. That it has now become impossible to include the initials of every ob­ server who sees a bird is evident when over thirty people are present at once on St. Ives Island in a north west gale.

Records of National rarities published without comment have been accepted by the British Rare Birds Committee. List of Contributors

A. F. Airey H. J. Harvey D. J. Pitman R. Allen J. Hawkey T. R. Polglaze P. Allen H. G. Hockey R. J. Prytherch Miss M. D. Agnew J. N. Hoiiyer Miss H. M. Quick G. Allsop Mrs. P. Howell R. C. Rabjohns Miss J. Baker F. Hull Ulrich Radomski D. Barker H. G. Hurrell D. K. L. Rae Mrs. D. C. Barker L H. Hurrel Dr. H. P. K. Robinson O. M. Batchelor L. L. Hurrel Capt. E. G. Roper B. Battley R. Hurst P. D. Round J. A. Sage E. S. Bax D. Jenkin R. J. Salmon Mrs. M. Bazeley G. M. Carter-Jones C. L. E. Sanders N. Beach W. E. Jones J. E. Beckerlegge Miss M. J. Jones A. C. Sawle A. J. Bennallick S. Jones J. D. Seaford R. M. Bere J. H. Johns M. W. Seaford A. C. Blackburn C. Juleff R. Smalldon P. C. Boon W. J. Julyan B. Spenlove-Spenlove J. B. & S. Bottomley B. King J. Spenlove-Spenlove G. Brenton B. Kay Mrs. M. Steele D. J. Briton M. Knight C. J. Stevens R. Butts R. O. Liddicoat V. Stratton H. C. Carter D. Lucas J. H. Swan B. Cave S. C. Madge L. H. Tanner M. Coath P. A. Maker W. H. Taylor W. G. Collins P. R. G. Marriott W. G. Teagle E. Culwick P. Mcartney Mrs. J. F. Teagle R. M. Curber B. Mellor V. R. Tucker T. O. Darke Mrs. P. Mandells A. Vittery H. A. Deal D F. Metcalf R. E. Wake O. J. Dwyer G. E. Mills Fit. Sgt. F. G. Walker F. Edwards H J. Miners M. Walton G. D. Elwood T. Minton R. B. Warren J. D. Trustam Eve C. W. Morgan S. Wheeler N. B. Exelby L. L. Morgan F. J. Webber G. S. Gay Mrs. M. Morris L. P. Williams A. H. Glanville D. Norman Mrs. J. Woodward M. Holmes-Gore R Pattenden C. Wright M. Grayham R. D. Penhallurick A. Griffiths P. Pearce R. Harkness N. J. Phillips J. Harveson Miss R. M. Phillios 10 The Species List of Cornish Birds 1972

All observers are listed on page 10. Some are non-members.

With scattered records from all over the county the pattern of mi­ gration may not be apparent, but by analising those from the two most intensively watched points, Porthgwarra and St. Ives Island, a clear picture frequently emerges. More man hours have been put in at the former than at the latter, but St. Ives records have been abstracted and compiled by HPKR. They were intended as a separate article, but the editor (NRP) believes that all information should be under the species heading wher­ ever possible with no cross references. The coverage of the Island is tabulated below.

Totaling 260.5 hours of watching. The North Westerly bias is execpt- ionaly evident in this table, for the gales in the spring attracted far more watchers than usual at this time, while the low coverage in October merely reflects the lack of Atlantic Depressions for this month.

In addition to the birds in the systematic list, the following common residents were recorded during the year but reports concerning them call for no comment.

Common Buzzard, Pheasant, Moorhen, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Tawny Owl, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Magpie, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Stonechat, Robin, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch, Chaffinch and House Sparrow.

BLACK THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica Scarce passage migrant. Winter resident? Monthly maxima as follows Carrick Roads. Jan., nil. Feb., three on the 6th. March, nil. Nov., nil. Dec, one on the 3rd. . Jan., three on 2nd. Feb., one on 22nd. March, nil. Nov., one on 24th. Dec, one 26th to 31st. Mounts Bay. Jan., one.,Feb., six on 20th. March, three on 11th. Nov., two on 11th. Dec, nil. St. Ives Bay. Jan., nil. Feb., two on 20th March, one on 19th. Oct., one on 27th. Nov., two on 11th. Dec, ones on 2nd, 29th and 26th. Hayle Estuary. Jan., one on 2nd. Feb., one on 22nd. March, nil. Nov., one on 24th. Dec, one 26th to 31st. Also seen Trevone, four Jan. 29th. Sennen, One Jan. 16th. Dennis Head, one 31st. March. Towan Head, Two Nov. 20th. Daymer Bay, one Jan.3rd. to 6th. Falmouth Bay, four Feb. 22nd, and eleven on Dec. 15th. Rosemul- lion, three on Feb. 24th. Hemmick Beach, seven on Dec. 27th. The last may have been some of the Falmouth Bay birds of Dec. 15th. 11 GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer Winter visitor. Passage migrant Recorded in small numbers by many observers in Bays, Coves and Est­ uaries all round the coast, and migrating in ones and twos past the principle Headlands. Some of the larger numbers for the first winter were: March 5th, Twenty in Mounts Bay. March 7th, twenty at Hannafore, . March 17th seven in Falmouth Bay. Last seen Mounts Bay, one on the 24th May. One St. Ives Bay, June 2nd. First record for the 2nd. winter.. Oct. 22nd. one Towan Head, Newquay. Largest gatherings were on Nov. 25th. with eight in Mounts Bay, and Dec. 27th., twelve at Hannafore, Looe.

RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia Stellata Passage migrant. Uncommon, the rarest of the divers in Cornwall Occasionally winters? Recorded from: Looe One. Jan. 18th. Carrick Roads. One. Feb. 6th. One. March 28th. Falmouth Bay. One. Nov. 17th. Helford River. One. Feb. 27th. Mounts Bay. One from Feb. 21st to March 4th. Porthgwarra. One flying west. Jan. 16th. St. Ives Bay. One west on 6th and 19th Feb. Two west on March 27th. One on 28th March, and 26th April. One on Sept. 9th and Nov. 11th. Two Nov. 20th. Hayle Estuary. Three Feb. 25th. Camel Estuary. One, Rock. Feb. 7th. Barras Head. One Feb. 14th. One March 3rd. . One. March 12th.

GREAT-CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Chiefly winter visitor. Uncommon. Carrick Roads. Present in the first winter period until Feb. 20th. Max. four, on Feb. 6th and 20th. 2nd. winter. First seen on Dec. 9th, one. Five on Dec. 30/31. Mounts Bay. One on Nov. 25th/26th. One Dec. 29th. St. Ives Bay. One Nov. 25th. One Dec. 8th. Camel Estuary. One Feb. 6th. One March 12th. Stithians. One from Aug. 12th to 20th. Crowan. Presumably the same bird as above was last seen Sept. 5th.

RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena Uncommon winter visitor. A few might winter in S. coast estuaries . Jan. 15th five St. Mawes. Feb. 6th one Carrick rd. Falmouth Bay. One or two present Jan. 15th to March 17th. Dec. 13th. One. Helford. One or more many dates Jan. 7th to March 23rd. Max. of four Jan. 21st. Two on Feb. 20th. Dec. 3rd Two. Dec. 9th one. Dec. 30th four. Camel Estuary. One Jan. 22nd to March 10th. Nov. 23rd one. Hayle Estuary. One Dec. 23rd to 29th. 12 SLAVONIAN GREBE Podiceps auritus Winter visitor. The commonest of the wintering grebes. Largest numbers as usual at: Looe. Three on Jan. 18th. Five on Jan. 7th. The Fal. Max. Six on Feb. 29th. Ten on Dec. 30th. Falmouth Bay. Feb. 22nd five S. past Rosemullion. Max. nine March 15th. First for winter, Dec. 16th. Helford. Max. six on March 1st. Dec. 3rd four. Mounts Bay. Maximum in 1st winter period ten on March 9th. Maximum in 2nd winter period eight on Nov. 26th. St. Ives Bay. Maximum six on Jan. 23rd and Feb. 12th. Last on 19 March. 1st for winter one Nov. 4th. Camel Estuary. Maximum seven on March 1st. One on 19th March (last). Dec. 19th four. Also recorded from Gerrans Bay, Portscatho, Place Manor, and one at Stithlans on Feb. 5th and 22nd. the only record from fresh water.

BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis Scarce winter visitor Fal. Estuary. Feb. 6th two. SCM. VRT. Feb. 20th nine. JHJ. Feb. 26th two. HPKR. Feb. 29th one. DJB. Dec. 30th one. SCM. VRT. St. Johns Lake. Jan. 25th one. SCM. Dec. 13th—31st one. SCM. Mounts Bay. Dec. 3rd three. JHJ. Hayle Estuary. Jan. 16th one. MJJ. (Carnsew) Dec. 24th one. FH. Camel Estuary. Feb. 6th two SCM. March 8th one. DJB. LITTLE GREBE Podiceps ruficollis Resident, breeds. Winter visitor A new breeding locality was at Retallick Pool, Winnards Perch. This recently flooded area is interesting but access is limited. R.D.P. (Hence the breeding Grebes? Ed.) Max. wintering Tresillian 15 on Jan. 15th. FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis Summer resident. Passage migrant offshore March 2nd. Rosemullion Head (Falmouth Bay) 45 south in six hours. May 7th 50 at Porthmizzen. "A decrease noted at Pentire to Port Issac. In 1970 43 pairs but only 21/23 breeding pairs in 1972. Portgaverne—Tresungers pt. 18 breeding pairs in 1972, also a decrease since 1969 and 1970. Trebarwith—Tintagel 21 breed­ ing pairs (a slight increase from c. 17 breeding pairs in 1970) possibly three breeding pairs Pentargon, Boscastle, N. Beach. "Breeding Pairs" are not defined. Ed. A more accurate record. Six young at SW 855733, seven young at SW 850726. Two inland records; One at St. Coiumb Major on May 21st. One flying S. in mist over Hayle Estuary. St. Ives Island. Monthly Totals given below. None from Sept. 18th to Dec. 1st. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 51 41 1,037 1,303 1,911 389 123 448 182 — — 105 Major movements, all Westerly on March 27th, 840 in 8hrs. NW8. April 11th, 575 in 2 hrs. NW7. May 26th, 335 in 4hrs. NW7. May 27th, 1,330 in 9.5 hrs. NW8. Two "Blue" phase birds on May 27th. One on Aug. 1st. Per HPKR. 13 MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus Passage migrant First spring movement noted at Rosemullion Head on Feb. 1st one flew S. B.C. and March 2nd. when seven flew S. P.Mc. Balearic Shearwater. P. p. mauretanicus. Birds of the aark race were re­ corded at Porthgwarra on May 23rd (one) May 26th (two) May 29th (one) and Aug. 27th (one) HPKR. and at The Lizard on Aug. 8th Two. St. Ives Island. Two west on Feb. 12th. One on the 13th. Between March 5th and June 30th. a total of 46,788 flew west and 330 East in 109 hrs. watching. The major movements are detailed below. April 5th. 2,500 in 1.5 hrs. WNW6. April 8th. 7,876 in 3 hrs. NW8. May 26th, 4,620 in 4 hrs. W8. May 27th. 12,630 in 9.5 hrs. NW8. May 30th. 10,000 in 6 hrs. NW6. From the 1st. of July until the end of Oct. a total of 8,467 West in 101 hrs. watching. Peaks of 2,995 on July 2nd in 7 hrs. WNW6 and 2,849 on Aug. 1st in 91 hrs. NW8. Last seen Nov. 20th, One West. Balearic. Singles West on April 5th, April 29th, May 27th, May 28th, May 30th, and May 31st. Late birds on Nov. 5th, one., and Nov. 10th, one. In sharp contrast to 1971, only two in June and July, and 13 from Aug. to Oct. inclusive. Per HPKR.

GREAT SHEARWATER Puffinus gravis Occasional St. Ives Island. June 22nd two. BK.

SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus Uncommon passage migrant The Lizard. Aug. 8th one west. BC. Porthgwarra. Sept. 30th one west. HPKR. Nov. 19th three west. HPKR. St. Ives Island. Seen moving west on May 26th one. July 31st four. Aug. 1st seven. NW8. Aug. 8th seven. WSW6- Aug. 17th one. Aug. 20th one. Aug. 31st one. Sept. 10th one. Sept. 28th four (and one east). Sept. 29th five and Oct. 1st six. Per HPKR.

STORM PETREL. Hydrobates pelagicus Passage migrant. Breeds? Rosemullion Head. (Falmouth Bay) June 12th eight south. BC. Mounts Bay. One April 19th. Cape Cornwall. Four May 27th. BK. St. Ives Island. 104 west on May 26th in four hrs. Wind NW7. 408 on May 27th in 9i hrs. NW8. Nine on May 28th. Nine on May 29th. Eight on May 30th. One on May 31st. Three on June 3rd. Seven on June 18th. Four on June 19th. 13 on the 21st. 18 on the 22nd. One on the 24th. One on the 25th. (East) 86 west July 2nd. NW 5/6. One on July 3rd. 38 on the 7th 23 on Aug. 1st. Two on Aug. 8th. One on Aug. 17th. Per HPKR.

14 GANNET Sula bassana Passage migrant Rosemullion. Max. 3320 south on Feb. 15th. BC. The Lizard. Max. 375 in two hours on March 18th. P.Mc. Hayle Estuary. An adult on Carnsew Pool on April 12th. DJB. St. Ives Island. In January and February a total of 4 East and 1,584 West. From March 1st to June 31st 9,6.8 moving West. The major movements are detailed below. March 3rd, 1,215 in 2hrs. W6. March 27th, 1,370 in 8hrs. NW8. May 26th, 1,720 in 4hrs. NW7. May 27th, 2,117 in 9.5 hrs. NW8. July 1st to Dec. 31st 4,007 West. Per HPKR.

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Resident Bounds Cliff. June 16th 19—20 nests. N.B. The Moules. June 17th at least ten nests. N.B. Oct. 6th. 1130hrs. 21 flying high in line ahead at The Lizard moved NE to SW out over the sea until lost to sight. R.M.P.

SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis Resident Falmouth Bay. Raft of 230 off Swanpool Jan. 1st. RS. March 1st 205 P.MC. St. Ives. Nov. 4, raft of c. 40 in harbour mouth. NJP. 150 offshore Jan. 23rd. 100 offshore on Jan. 28th. 120 West on Feb. 5th. 40 West on Feb. 6th. Park Head. Complete absence of shags at the traditional sites in this area. B.? Unreadable signature. HERON Ardea cinerea Resident Four nests at Par. CJS. Three nests at St. Winnow CJB. Three nests at Tremount (Looe) ESB. and one at Bishops Quay (Helford) B. Kay. LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Vagrant Mill Pool, Looe. April 15th one reported and described by Chris­ tine and Edward Sanders (Y.O.C. members) and their Grandpop, but not submitted to the R.B.C., would appear to be a genuine record. Ed. BITTERN Botaurus stellaris Rare winter visitor Marazion Marsh. Feb. 5th and 12th. One. JHJ. HPKR. MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos Winter visitor. Resident Largest numbers: Looe. 60 Dec. 27th. SCM. Tamar Lake. 50 Feb. 4th. DJB. Porthcothan. 40 Feb. 28th. DJB. Loe Pool. 118 Dec. 23rd. HPKR. Melancoose. 40/50 Nov. 18th. PJD. Tresillian. 50 Oct. 14th. GDE. Drift. 30 in early Oct. AG. 15 TEAL Anas crecca Winter resident. Largest numbers Tamar Lake. Feb. 25th 60. DJB. Loe Pool. Nov. 25th 105. HPKR. Hayle Estuary. Jan. 23rd c. 100. EC. Melancoose. Oct. 1st 100 plus. PJD. Millbrook. Jan. 30th. c. 100. SCM. Whacker. (Lynher) Dec. 31st. c. 100. SCM. Camel Estuary. Dec. 3rd 100plus. REW. Nov. 19 to Dec. 15 maximum of 60. RJS. Tresillian. Jan. 16th 110. Dec. 17th 150. Lamb Creek. RDP. Jan. 16th 90. Dec. 17th 100 Merther Pool. RDP. Hayle Kimbro. Sept. 21st 100. PMc. Hayle Estuary. 1st on Aug. 29th. Max. Nov. 26th 200. EC. Drift Reservoir. Oct. 15th—22nd 200. AG.

GARGANEY Anas querquedula Scarce passage migrant; mainly spring. Occasionally breeds This rather secretive species can be difficult "to count but the records would indicate that it occured as foilows: Marazion Marsh. Four from March 22nd to 29th. One from April 2nd to May 2nd. with two on May 1st. Aug. 26th two. FH BP HPKR et al. Stithians. No spring records. In Autumn, one present from Aug. 5th. until Sept. 9th. Two on Aug. 19th. PDR JHJ EC et al. Drift Reservoir. One on March 21st, April 1st and 3rd. AG HPKR Sept. 24th one. HPKR PDR. Skewjack. Five March 18th. Four on 19th. Eight on March Nr. Sennen. 31st and April 1st. HPKR JHJ. Retallick Pool. One May 4th. to 21st. DJB. Goss Moor. April 5th a pair. PJD.

GADWALL Anas strepera Uncommon winter visitor Tamar Lake. Four on Jan. 16th. Fifteen on the 12th. February maximum, ten on the 25th, declining to six on March 12th. DJB. Camel Estuary. One record. Three, Amble Dam April 25th. DJB. Stithians. Two Aug. 31st to Oct. 8th. One Oct. 17th to Dec. 9th. DB BC PDR. Loe Pool. One Jan. 1st. Three Oct. 13th. Six Dec. 16th. Dec. 23rd Three. HPKR TRP. Hayle Estuary. Present through Jan. with a maximum of twelve on the 5th., and Feb. with seven on the 5th/9th. Last seen on Feb. 26th, three. EC NJP JB & SB. Drift. One Sept. 2nd to Nov. 4th. Two Dec. 23rd to 31st. AG. PDR.

WIGEON Anas penelope Winter visitor. Common The largest flock recorded was of 4,300 at St. Johns Lake on Dec. 19th, SCM. Other peak totals were 600 at Hayle (Dec. 31st) JHJ, 350 on the Camel (Feb. 7/8th and Dec. 15th) DJB RJS. 90 at Drift on Dec. 12th. AG. Late dates. One on the Camel April 10th, DJB. Two on Hayle from May 13th to 22nd. EC. and one at Melancoose on May 14th. PJD. First arrivals were at the Camel on July 28th. SCM.

16 PINTAIL Anas acuta Scarce winter visitor Lynher. Maximum 18 on Jan. 3rd. SCM. Dec. 10th at least nine. SCM. Camel. Max. 14 on Jan. 8th. JHJ. Last seen Feb. 7th, six. DJB. Dec. 16 seven, 19th four, 20th twenty six. REW RJS. Also seen Marazion one, Feb. 6th. HPKR. One Aug. 20th, JHJ. Drift, Two. Oct. 4th/21st AG HPKR. Loe Pool one Nov. 25th HPKR. Stithians two, Oct. 22nd. BC. and Hayle Kimbro, a pair on April 2nd. BC PMc.

SHOVELER Anas clypeata Winter visitor Recorded in small nos. on many fresh water localities. Some peak counts were 40 on Loe Pool, Dec 29th. RB. 27at Par, Feb. 6th. DJB. 14 at Ardevora, Dec. 10th. GS & WGC. 50 at Trewornan, Jan. 3Cth. CB. Less usual were thr^e on Hayle, Jan. 5th. NJP. (The species does not like salt water. Ed.) Two at Melancoose. Nov. 18/19th, PJD. One at Drift on Jan. 2nd, AG.

SCAUP Arthya marila Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant St. Johns Lake. Nine, Dec. 11th. Ten on 17th, last seen Dec. 18th. SCM. Tamar Lake. One. Late Nov. RMB. Par. Three, May 6th. JDT—E. One Oct. 10th to 15th. CJS CB. Camel. One, May 2nd. Two, May 3rd to 16th. DJB HAD WJJ PAM. Swanpool. One Oct. 23rd to 31st. BC TRP. Mounts Bay. One, Nov. 12th to 26th. JH RB. St. Clements. One, Dec. 24th. BM. St. Ives Bay. One, Nov. 5th. JNH DN. Drift. One Jan. 23rd. AG. One May 8th to 11th. HPKR.

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula Winter visitor Summer resident in small nos. Tamar Lake. 25 on Feb. 4th. DJB. Swanpool. 42 on Dec. 27th. PMc. Drift Reservoir. 65 on Jan. 16th. AG. Present throughout the year. AG. Loe Pool. 64 on Nov. 18th. HPKR. Melancoose. 40 on March 12th. PJD. Bussow (St. Ives). 40 on Jan. 1st. HPKR. (Absent in some years. ED.) Siblyback. 12 on Dec. 17th. SCM. Less usual occurances were small numbers recorded at Tresemple and Merther Pool, RDP, Carnsew, Tehidy, Penzance Harbour and a male at Par from April 1st to June 27th, CJS.

17 POCHARD Aythya ferina Winter visitor. Largest concentrations at: Argal Reservoir. 70, Dec. 17th. GSC & WGC. Drift Reservoir. 68, Nov. 18th. HPKR. 35, 6th/14th Feb. 35, Nov. 21st. A few summered AG. Loe Pool. 56, Dec. 23rd. One July 15th. HPKR. Melancoose. 40, Dec. 17th. PJD. Marazion. 27, Dec. 24th. PJR. Crowdy Dam. 22, Dec. 23rd. GB. Siblyback. 15, Dec. 17th. SCM. Swanpool. 14, Jan. 1st/2nd. RJ BC. Eleven Dec. 27th. PMc. Par. 14, Dec. 27th. RJS. Ones and twos at Carnsew, Tresemple Place Manor, and a summering? male at Loe Pool on July 15th.

GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Uncommon winter visitor. Maximum nos. Carrick Roads. 30, Feb. 6th. SCM VRT. 30, Dec. 30th. VRT. Carnsew. Five, Feb. 27th. JB & SB. Camel Estuary. Twelve, Feb. 6th. WJJ. Unusual occurances were one at Bussow Jan. 11th, Two Copperhouse Feb. 5th LPW. Singles flying south Rosemullion Head Jan. 11th, Feb. 2nd and 8th, Two on Feb. 4th. PMc. Also in small nos. at Crowdy Dam, Helford and Loe Pool.

LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis Scarce winter visitor Hayle Estuary/ The two birds from 1971 stayed until April 18th. Carnsew Pool. (LPW) moving about the estuary with the tides. Returned, two on Oct. 24th (LPW) till end of year. Three, Nov. 14th. JH. Some observers considered that up to five were present, but no more than two were observed at once, and the protracted moult of the 1st yr. birds gives rise to considerable variation in plumage. Ed. Mounts Bay. The one present in the Dec. of '71 stayed until April 23rd. HPKR DJB. But two on Jan. 12th. NJP. None in second winter.

VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca Scarce winter visitor Carrick Roads. Two, Dec. 9th. JHJ EC. Rosemullion Head. One female south, Feb. 2nd. Three females south Feb. 15th. BC. Helford River. One, March 10th to April 3rd. JH PMc PJD PM BM. Loe Pool. One, female, Dec. 3rd. BC. Mounts Bay. One, male, March 9th to 12th. JH. HPKR. BP. JHJ. Camel Estuary. One, Nov. 27th. REW. St. Ives Island. One west on 10th Nov. (JHH). Five west on Nov. 13th (JHH). Four east on Nov. 19th. (LPW) 18 COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra Passage migrant. Some winter? Largest numbers were as follows. Loe Bar—150 Dec. 29th. Sennen—50 Oct. 31st. Towan Head—27 Nov. 20th. Par—25 Sept. 28th. Mounts Bay up to nine in 1st winter. Last seen April 9th Two. Rosemullion Head. Recorded in small nos. all months ex­ cept May. BC. Also seen, mainly in ones and twos at St. Johns Lake, Millbrook, Tregantle, Looe, Helford, Carrick Roads, Carnsew and Porth­ gwarra. St. Ives Island. Between January and April 8th a total of 48 flew west in 5| hours. In July, 4 flew west on the 1st. Between August and December, 8 flew east and 140 west in 104 hrs. Peak of 67 west on Nov. 20th (NW 7) in 8 hrs. Per HPKR. EIDER Somateria mollissima Uncommon winter visitor. Recorded at eight localities. Carrick Roads. 12 on Feb. 6th and 26th (six in Dec. 71) Godrevy. Five, Feb. 6th to 26th. (two at end of 71) Mounts Bay. Three. Two females to Jan. 30th. One Male to March 9th (up to four Dec. 71) Rosemullion. Three, Jan. 7th. Barras Head. Two, March 3rd. Camel. One, Jan. 24th to Feb. 27th. Boscastle. One, Jan. 14th. St. Ives Island. Three females offshore on Dec. 24th and 26th. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Uncommon winter visitor Mounts Bay. Three on Jan. 3rd then two Jan., Feb., March with three again on April 25th. Seven on Nov. 12th. One or two until end of year. Carnsew. Two, Jan. 1st to April 9th. Four April 29/30th. Then one to May 25th. One Oct. 19th. Up to five on Nov. 12th, and two or three through Decem­ ber. Carrick Roads. c. 35 present Jan. 1st to March 28th. Peak of 45 on Feb. 6th. 25 on Dec. 30th. St. Johns Lake. One to three, Jan. 1st to March 12th, but with six on Jan. 30th. Two Dec. 17/31st. Percuil River. 16 on Dec. 22nd. Helford River. Three on March 1st. Drift. Four on Nov. 12th. Camel Estuary. Up to four in first winter, the last on May 1st. Two Nov. 19th, One Nov. 25th. Pennance Point Six on March 16th. Rosemullion. One on May 6th. St. Ives Island. One west on April 29th. One on sea May 14th. Singles west on 10th and 20th Nov. GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Scarce winter visitor Crowdy Marsh. One Dec. 29th. ACS. Melancoose. One Feb. 13th and March 12th. PJD. Loe Pool. Jan. 1st and Feb. 5th. HPKR and two April 1st. JHJ. Stithians Reservoir. One Jan. 1st and Jan. 23rd. Also Feb. 5th. PRGM CJ LPW Carnsew. One, Nov. 19th. LPW PRGM. 19 SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Summer resident and winter visitor Largest numbers were at: Lynher Estuary. 300 on Feb. 13th. SCM. Tresillian. 208 Jan. 16th. RDP. (Calenick & Lamb Creeks) Camel Estuary. 200 Jan. 29th. EGR. 192, Feb. 7th. DJB. Devoran. 96 Jan. 28th. PMc. Millbrook. 80 March 5th. RS. Hayle Estuary. 33 adults, 5 chicks May 5th. JHJ. Very few records for Hayle in 2nd winter. Ed. Helford River. 28 Feb. 28th. RB. Tresillian. Twenty young birds on Aug. 15th. PJD. St. Ives Island. Easterly migration recorded on Feb. 5th. (two) May 20th (one) and May 22nd (five). Per HPKR.

RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna Ferruginea Vagrant Five on the Camel Estuary July 16th. JHJ. PGRM. BM.

WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons. Winter resident at the Camel Estuary and Welmsley sanctuary. (Amble Marsh). Occasional elsewhere. Lowest figures for many years. Only 15 in early Jan. rising to 26 on Jan. 29th. 31 from Feb. 1st to 6th, 30 remaining till March 5th, and 29 till the tenth. Last seen on March 15th, Five. Fourteen on Dec. 25th. Seventeen on Dec. 31st. DJB. BC. JH. RJS. REW. Stithians Reservoir. Five on Nov. 7th. GEM.

BRENT GOOSE. Branta bernicla. Scarce winter visitor. Camel Estuary. Three Oct. 14th to 21st. HAD RJS JW. St. Ives. One Nov. 26th flying SE into the Bay. EC.

BEAN GOOSE. Anser fabalis. Rare winter visitor. Tregorden Farm. Eight Jan. 7th to 12th. Mrs. Bax. EGR.

CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis Occasional visitor. Stithians Reservoir. One Nov. 26th. GJ.

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor. Resident. Only records of large numbers received were of 69 on St. Johns Lake, and sixteen on the East Looe river in Mid Dec. Obviously there were many more.

WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus. Scarce winter visitor. Long Rock Pool. One adult from Nov. 14th to 18th. JHJ BK. et al. Bussow Reservoir. One adult Nov. 19th. JB & SB. 20 BEWICKS SWAN Cygnus bewickii Scarce winter visitor. Camel Estuary. Dec. 13th one. REW. Hayle Kimbro. Nov. 18th—Dec. 9th. two seen on several oc­ casions. RB PAM BM. Hayle Estuary. Nov. 26th three adults (one ringed). EC MJJ LPW. et al.

SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Resident. Winter visitor. Reported in the breeding season at Lanhydrock, Harrowbridge, Trevone. Cawsand, Nancledra, and Tehidy, where breeding proven.

RED KITE Milvus milvus Rare visitor. Porthgwarra. One, Oct. 14th. EC BM PAM PRGM HPKR. The last record was in 1966 Ed.

HONEY BUZZARD Pernis apivorus. Rare. Porthgwarra. One June 8th. BK. Full details supplied. The first for over ten years. Ed.

HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus. Scarce winter resident. At least four wintered on the moors of the Lands End Peninsula, but seen on many dates by many observers, and possibly considerably more were present. Individuals tend to be far-ranging and no more than two were seen together. Last date April 9th JH. First Oct. 8th C.J. Outside the Lands End, One "ring tail" at Dozmary Jan. 22nd DB. LPW. One at Tregonning Hill on Oct. 21st RDP. and one at Green-Burrow on Jan. 2nd. HPKR.

MONTAGUS HARRIER Circus pygargus Scarce summer resident. Four pairs bred, producing seven young. A male on passage was seen on the West Moors on April 25th and May 4th. DJB and an immature at Porthgwarra on Aug. 12th. HPKR.

OSPREY Pandion haliaetus. Scarce passage migrant. One on the Camel from Aug. 24th to Aug. 28th. RJS. PRGM. ET. AL. One at Carbis Bay in early Sept. seen by an observer who did not record the date.

HOBBY Falco subbuteo. Scarce passage migrant. Four records. Two Porthgwarra April 16th HPKR. One Porthloe April 18th WHT. One Skewjack June 14th. HPKR., and one Housel Bay Oct. 5th-6th RMP. Very early and very late. Ed. 21 PEREGRINE FALCON Falco perigrinus. Passage migrant. Rare breeder? Scarce winter resident. As usual most records were for the Sept.-Nov. migration, with one or two about the Camel Estuary from Aug. 24th (RJS) to Oct. 3rd (PJD) Others were seen at Rialton, One Sept. 17th (PJD) Predannack One (BC) and Hayle Kimbro One (TRP) both on Sept 24th. Porthgwarra One Sept. 30th (LPW DB). St. Ives One Nov. 10th (JEB JH). No breedinq records, and few in winter, One Hayle Estuary Jan. 16th BP MJJ LPW. St. Johns Lake One Feb. 13th (SCM). Trewey Common one Dec, 31st. (JHJ SCM VRT).

GYR FALCON Falco rusticolus Vagrant. Trevone, March 26th, One probably a tiercel. L.H.H. Full description supplied, by observer familiar with the species. Ed.

MERLIN Falco columbarius. Passage migrant and winter resident. Thirty four records, form Tor point to Porthgwarra, in all months except May-July. Last record April 9th (BC) and the first Aug. 7th.

KESTREL Falco tinnunculus. Resident. At least 14 seen hunting over Brea Down August 15th. KOW. An unusually large gathering. Ed.

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus. Chiefly winter visitor. Last record April 3rd. Newquay. PJD. First Sept. 10th, Two, Swanpool. PMc. No records for the summer.

SPOTTED CRAKE Porzana porzana. Scarce passage migrant. One on Par Beach Pool from Oct. 12th (WG & J FT) until Nov. 6th (CJS). ET. AL.

COOT Fulica atra. Winter resident. Passage migrant. Scarce breeder. Largest numbers. Drift Reservoir. 640 Jan. 2nd. Minimum 40 April 2nd. AG. Argal Reservoir. 350 Jan. 17th, CS & WGC. Loe Pool. 130 Nov. 25th. HPKR. Siblyback Reservoir. 45 March 1st. SCM. Melancoose. 38 Feb. 13th. PJD. Swanpool. 29 Jan. 4th. BC. One early bird on the Camel Sept. 15th (unusual here) RJS. One on Hayle during Feb. to March 5th. JB & SB. Breeding reported from Drift and Melancoose. It is interesting to note the preference for man-made habitat.

22 OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus. Uncommon summer resident. Winter resident. Largest gatherings reported were at the Camel estuary with 120 May 9th 375 Sept. 4th. (RS). St. John's Lake 320, Aug. 19th. (JHS). Tresillian 80 Oct. 14th. (GDE). Hayle Estuary 70 Jan. 15th (HJKR) Gannel Estuary 50/60 Jan. 16th (PJD).

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus. Resident and Winter visitor. C. 1,000 at the Walmsley sanctuary on Aug. 24th. An unusually large num­ ber for here. RJS.

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula. Winter visitor. Passage migrant. No longer breeds? 1st. noted Hayle Estuary, Five on July 12th. (NJP) increasing to a maximum of 160 on Aug. 29th (EC). Present at Stithians Res. from Aug 5th to Oct. 1st. with a maximum of 27 on Aug 27th. The only other non-tidal record was of three at Melancoose on Sept 17th. PJD.

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius. Scarce passage migrant. Recorded only from Stithians res. An immature on July 30th SCM. An adult on Aug. 5th EC HPKR. One on Sept. 29th. GEM.

KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus Occasional. Marazion Beach May 6th/7th. An adult male. JH. LPW.

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola. Passage migrant and winter visitor. Last record at the Camel estuary, One April 21st. DJB First record Porthkidney, One July 13th. JB & SB. Peak numbers recorded only from Hayle, 42 on March 17th HPKR and on the Camel estuary where in the 1st winter there were 24 on Jan. 13th and the extraordinary totals in the 2nd winter of 100 on Nov. 19th and C. 500 on Dec. 15th. DJB RJS. At St. Johns Lake 10 still present on April 1st. RMC. Less usual were one or two on Stithians from Aug 15th to Sept. 28th, JH. FJW., One at Drift, Oct. 22nd. AG., One at Predannack Sept. 24th PMc. BC TRP., single migrants at Porthgwarra on Sept. 19th and Oct. 10th JHJ. DB and four west at St. Ives Island on Nov. 20th

GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria. Winter visitor. First autumn record at Hayle, one in breeding plumage July 25th NJP. Two records of large numbers; 3,000 at Hayle Dec. 23rd. JHJ. and over 1,000 at the Camel on March 8th-17th. DJB.

23 DOTTEREL Eudromias morinellus. Scarce passage migrant. Before 1968 there were only two records this century (R. D. Penhallurick) but since then has occurred annually at Porthgwarra and at a few other places. Porthgwarra. One Aug. 2Cth. One Sept. 16th. Four Sept. 26th. One Oct. 10th. DB EC PDR HPKR JHJ LPW and UTC et al. St. Just Airport. Four Sept. 21st. JH.

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres. Winter resident. 1st. for autumn were 24 at Wilcove near , but some are occasion­ ally seen in summer. Larger flocks were seen at Polzeath, 150 on April 27th. Hannafore 150 on Dec. 27th. Harbour 170 Feb. 15th. Sennen 120 feeding in a grassed field, Dec. 2nd. One inland record: Drift four May 6th.

COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago. Winter resident. 120 on Marazion on Feb. 5th-6th was an unusually large number. HPKR. No. of birds wintering on the Amble Marshes was about 75 in both periods RJS.

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus. One or two on Marazion Marshes from Jan. 1st to Feb. 12th. DJB JHJ. One Marazion on Sept. 18th. JHJ.

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola. Winter resident. 1st for winter Oct. 21st. One Porthgwarra. HPKR.

CURLEW Numenius arquata. Winter resident. Passage migrant. Summer resident. St. Ives Island. Fifty flew west and then back East on March 5th. Between March 26th and April 29th 44 flew west. Peak of 35 on April 29th. Between July and December, ten East and 168 West. Peak of 150 on Dec. 3rd. (Per HPKR)

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus. Chiefly passage migrant. Three winter records. One from Feb. 2nd to Feb. 4th at Rosemullion Hd. BC Polhawn Cove Feb.-March One wintering "as usual" SCM. Helford one on Feb. 27th. DB. Spring migration began on April 9th and lasted until mid May. The peak number being recorded at the Camel, with 54 on April 29th. DJB. Autumn movements from Aug. 25th to Oct. 22nd with no large numbers involved. One record for 2nd winter period, at St. Ives on Dec. 3rd. EC. Presumably a late migrant. Ed.

24 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa. Passage migrant and winter resident. Apart from birds at their usual esturine localities, recorded at Stithians from July 30th to Oct. 2nd, with a maximum of six on Aug. 19th. Singles at Marazion Marsh Sept. 9th Copperhouse Aug. 31st. Trevethoe Golf Course May 25th. Seven at Kenidjack Sept. 24th. Largest numbers recorded at the estuaries; Wilcove. 168 Oct. 22nd. JHS. St. Johns Lake. 150 Dec. 17th. SCM. Millbrook. 102 Oct. 8th. RS. Lynher (Warren Pt.) 80 Sept. 14th. JHS. Tresillian. 80 plus Sept. 23rd. GDE. Camel Estuary. Eleven April 29th. Two in 1st. winter DJB. One Dec. 15th. RJS. Hayle Estuary. Ten May 2nd. JB & SB.

BAR TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica. Passage migrant. Winter resident. Camel Estuary. A maximum of thirty five in the first winter period re­ ducing to four on April 17th, then an influx of 103 on the 27th, and down to 22 on 29th and 30th. The spring influx was two days earlier than similar influxes of Black-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel. DJB. Maximum Autumn figures; 68 on Oct. 3rd. 70 on Nov. 11th. Hayle Estuary. At least ten in the 1st winter period and twenty in the 2nd (Dec. 3rd.) Spring peak coincided with the Camel figures, with 25 on April 26th. (JHJ) The autumn max. being 35 with 60 on Porthkidney. Some of which may have been the same birds. EC NJP. Two June 10th. RB. Marazion. Max. on migration were ca. 60 on Oct. 8th. PAM. Twenty nine present at the end of the year. PDR.

GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus. Passage migrant. Recorded in autumn at all it's usual localities, the first being at Redmoor on July 7th. HAD. and Porthgwarra on July 13th. HPKR. The largest numbers were recorded at Stithians, where there were 16 on Aug. 16th and 15 on Aug. 25th. Winter records came from: Amble Dam, Jan. 24th - Feb. 6th, one, Cargreen Feb. 3rd, one. Stithians Dec. 9th, one. Boscathnoe Res. (Penzance) Nov. 2nd, 22nd and Dec. 20th.

WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola. Uncommon passage migrant. Recorded at only seven localities, with more at Stithians than the rest put together. Hayle Kimbro. One Sept. 23rd. FJW. Par. One Aug. 19/26th. CJS. Drift. One Sept. 23/24th. HPKR. Crowan Reservoir. One July 29th—Aug. 5th. JH JHJ HPKR JEB. Stithians. Present in small numbers from July 29th three to Sept. 15th. one. With 5 to 7 on Aug. 5th to 30th. Not necessarily the same individuals. Hayle Estuary. One July 25th. NJP LPW. Copperhouse Creek. One Aug. 15/16th. LPW. 25 COMMON SANDPIPER Tringa hypoleucos. Passage migrant. Scarce winter resident. Recorded during the 1st winter period at Sladesbridge (until March 5th DJB) Stithians, , Mylor and Looe. Spring migration from March 1st, (one Came. JB & SB) until April 23rd (one, Porthgwarra. FH) Autumn passage maximum twelve at Stithians Aug. 27th JHJ and 23 plus on Hayle July 13th. (JB & SB). During the 2nd winter, three at Tresillian Dec. 23rd. GBE. and one at Lostwithiel Nov. 21st, HAD.

REDSHANK Tringa totanus. Passage migrant. Winter resident. Present at all estuaries during the winter. Last record May 22nd one at Hayle. (one on June 13th May have been last of spring, first of autumn, or even a summering bird. Ed.) By mid July autumn passage was well under way, with 80/90 on Hayle and over 80 on Tresillian. By mid-August there were 60 on Wilcove Lake, and 150 or more at St. Johns Lake by the 19th. Peak number at the Camel was 150 on Dec. 15th.

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus. Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Camel. Three in the 1st winter period until April 6th, one till the 17th. Five on Aug. 24th (six on the 25th) to Sept. 13th. Four Sept. 17th. One or two until Oct. 21st. Hayle. Two on Aug. 26th increasing to four by the end of the month, and to six on Sept. 2nd. Three until Sept. 17th. Stithians. Three Aug. 22nd increasing to 14 by the 30th. During Sept. up to ten present (21st) only three in early Oct. but up to eight on the 19th. One Oct. 29th. Three Nov. 10th. Tresillian. Up to eight in the 1st winter period (Feb. 6th). Peak spring number, fifteen on April 8th. None May—June, one July 8th. Autumn max. five Oct. 15th which equalled the number still present on Nov. 12th. One Dec. 3rd. Gweek. Four Sept. 11th. One Sept. 13th. Two Sept. 21st. Elsewhere. There were winter records from Devoran, Jan. 28th one, Looe Feb. 21st one, Gillan Creek Feb. 27th. one, Jan. 3rd one, Lynher Jan. 1st to March 12th one, Dec. 31st one. Par one frequented a flooded field from April 24th until May 20th.

LESSER YELLOWLEGS Tringa flavipes. Vagrant. Camel Estuary. One at the Amble dam Sept. 12th to 19th. PJD JH BM. Hayle Kimbro. One Sept. 23rd, 28th. FJW BC. (Possibly the same bird? Ed.) 26 GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia.

Passage migrant. Uncommon winter resident. Recorded from some thirty localities, in all months except June. Usually in ones and twos, but larger numbers were seen at Dinham, 40 on July 28th. St. Johns Lake, eleven Aug. 19th and Stithians, 10 on Aug. 16th to Sept. 3rd. Among 1st winter records the maximum was at the Camel with six on Feb. 1st, four staying until May 4th. Nine localities in 2nd winter with max. of four on Dec. 3rd.

KNOT Calidris canutus. Passage migrant. Winter visitor. On the coast and estuaries largest numbers were recorded at St. Johns Lake, with 800 on Jan. 30th, and 700 Dec. 10th, and the Camel estuary, with 55 on Jan. 7th. (Two still there May 3rd.) and 80 on Sept. 4th. At Tresillian, thirty, Nov. 11th. The first autumn record was of one at Hayle on July 22nd. Inland, they were present at Stithians from Aug. 25th to Oct. 22nd in small nos. with max. of four, Sept 1st. One at Drift Oct. 22nd. Four on flooded field at Par Aug. 31st.

PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima Winter resident. Records received from 18 localities, eleven on the south coast and seven on the North. The last at Rosemullion May 6th, the first at St. Ives Sept. 9th. This species is probably scattered all along the rocky coasts in winter and the total population of some hundreds. Maxima for restricted areas were Newlyn, Ca. 50 Feb. 5th—30th. Penzance, 43 March 12th— April 26th. Looe, 35 March 12th. Godrevy, 25 Nov 26th.

LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta Uncommon passage migrant. Camel Estuary. Winter records of (possibly the same?) birds from Jan. 8th to Feb. 11th, one, and during Nov. - Dec. one. DJB. RJS. In Autumn, two on Sept. 4th, three on the 15th and 23rd. Six on the 26th. Four on the 29th and three on Oct. 21st. Stithians. Present from Aug. 25th to Oct. 24th. Peak numbers of eight on Sept. 5th and 15th. Hayle Estuary. The first on July 23rd. (one) and in small numbers to Oct. 15th (one). Max. six at Copperhouse, Sept. 3rd, 6th and 7th. Par. Four Aug. 31st. Six Sept. 1st to 3rd, and four Sept. fourth. Loe Pool. Three Sept. 6th. One Sept. 24th. Marazion Beach three Sept. 24th. Two Sept. 26th. Hayle Kimbro. One Sept 24th. Calenick Creek. One Sept. 27th. Helford four Sept. 4th. Drift. One. Sept. 2nd-3rd. Melancoose One Sept. 17th.

27 DUNLIN Calidris alpina. Passage migrant. Winter resident. Occasional breeder. No breeding records. Maximum numbers were at; The Camel Estuary. 950 Jan. 13th. 1,0~0 Dec. 15th. DJB RJS. Hayle. 750 Dec. 29th. NJP. Wilcove Lake. 600 Feb. 6th. JHS. Helford. 400 Jan. 14th. B. Kay. Tresillian. 60 Dec. 30th. GDE. Stithians. 49 Sept. 3rd. JH. 40 Oct. 9th. RDP. First recorded 24 on Aug. 9th. JH. Other inland records were of five at Melancoose Sept. 17th. PJD One at Hayle Kimbro Sept. 13th. PMc. One at Bussow, Oct. 8th. JB & SB.

CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea. Passage migrant. Uncommon. Unusual in Spring but one was seen at Hayle on May 5th/7th and one in summer plumage at Marazion on 19th/20th. Also one at Porthgwarra on May 16th. JHJ HPKR LPW Camel Estuary. Present from Sept. 13th (one) until Oct. 8th (two) with up to seven on the 15th and 17th. Stithians Reservoir. Arrived Aug. 28th (two) increasing to six by Sept. 9th and seven on 15th and 20th. Down to three on the 17th and 18th with a lone straggler from Oct. 22nd. to Nov. 12th. Hayle Estuary. First seen Aug. 27th when there were six. Up to twelve next day. Up to twenty on Sept. 2nd down to eleven on the 7th then a sharp decrease with four staying until Oct. 1st. Also seen at Par; three, Sept. 1st-4th. Melancoose; one Sept. 17th Predannack; one, Oct. 1st. Gweek; one. Sept. 6th. Two Sept. 13th. Marazion Beach; one, Aug. 28th. Two Sept. 24th.

SANDERLING Calidris alba. Passage migrant. Winter visitor. Largest numbers were 110 at Marazion on Aug. 29th. c. 100 on Porth- kidney July 27th. 45/50 Penzance Sept. 9th. Less usual were one at the Amble Dam on May 24th, and four at Drift on May 6th. RUFF Philomachus pugnax. Passage migrant. Occasional winter. Amble Marshes. Winter; four from Jan. 7th to 2Cth then three to March 5th. Spring passage of six March 19th and three March 24th. Autumn passage from Aug. 24th (four) until Oct. 25th (two) with a max. of five on Oct. 21st. Stithians. Winter; one from Jan. 22nd to Feb. 22nd. Spring passage of twelve on March 10th. In Autumn, present from July 30th (three) to Oct. 7th (three). Peak of 16 Aug. 22nd. Five present at end of year. Hayle Kimbro. Sept. 13th one. Up to three present until Sept. Predannack. 24th. Hayle Estuary. Winter; one Jan. 22nd. One from March 5th to April 23rd could have been the same bird. One on Aug. 9th and Sept. 22nd (at Porthkidney) Skewjack. May 12th one. Marazion Marsh. Sept. 26th one. 28 AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta. Winter resident on the Tamar estuary. Occasional elsewhere. Tamar. A record number of 93 on the Tamar in the 1st winter. They departed in early March, and are now considered to be alternating between the two estuaries of the Tamar and the Tavy. Edwards. First arrivals were seen on Nov. 15th and were up to 53 by the 28th. The same figure for Dec. 10th but 58 on Dec. 17th. Elsewhere. There were two on the Camel from Nov. 17th until at least Dec. 15th. RJS REW. A flock of thirteen on the Fal estuary Dec. 30th (Turnaware Pt.) SCM VRT. Had been seen previously at Ardevora Veor.

GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius. Passage migrant. Uncommon. Seven birds reported in January. On the 2nd. two at Newquay, on the sixth, one at Newlyn. On the 12th two off Penzance and on 15th one off Newquay. PJD. DJB. NJP. One at Cape Cornwall, Oct. 29th. TRP. St. Ives Island. Singles on Jan. 2nd HPKR. Nov. 11th EC JHJ and Dec. 3rd. EC LPW

GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua. Passage migrant. Apart from those at St. Ives, seen at Rosemullion Hd. on Jan. 8th, Feb. 2nd, Aug. 27th, Sept. 3rd. All singles. The Lizard, Aug. 8th, One. Aug. 17th five. Aug. 26th one. Oct. 1st, one. Oct. 9th three. Porthgwarra Aug. 27th seventeen. Oct. 5th one. Nov. 19th one. From RMS Scillonian singles on Aug. 19th, Sept. 2nd and 30th. St. Ives Island Jan. 27th four. Feb. 12th five. March 26th three. March 27th five. March 28th one. April 8th one. May 27th nine. May 29th one. Between Aug. 1st and Sept. 10th nine in fifty hours. Later records: Sept. 28th and Oct. 1st, ones. Nov. 20th eleven. Dec. 28th one. Al! moving west. Per HPKR.

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus. Scarce passage migrant. Recorded from Rosemullion Head on the unusual dates of May 5th three, South, and June 12th, Seven, South. BC. Porthgwarra May 21st, one. HPKR Porthkidney. Aug. 27th one. DB. St. Ives Island. May 27th one. EC BP. May 28th one. DL BK RJP. Sept. 6th two. EC. Sept. 28th one. WEJ. Nov. 10th one. JHH. Nov. 20th two. EC. All moving west. Per HPKR. ARCTIC SKUA Sterceoarius parasiticus Passage migrant. Spring records. Four off Newlyn April 30th. One off Rosemullion May 5th. Three from the Scillonian May 13th. Four at Marazion and three at Porth­ gwarra on 21st. One Porthgwarra 25th. During the Autumn recorded at Rosemullion Hd. on July 3rd (one) Aug. 25th (two) and Aug 27th (four). Porthkidney Beach Aug. 25th (one) and 26th (two). At The Lizard singles on Aug. 26th and Oct. 9th. Porthgwarra Aug. 29th (two) and Sept. 27th (two). From the Scillonian singles on Sept. 2nd and 31st. were reported. 29 St. Ives Island. More records than normal in spring. One west Feb. 12th. One East on Feb. 18th. One west April 11th. May 26th three. May 27th six. May 29th two. June 7th One. Between July 3rd., and Sept. 11th., One flew East and thirty six West in 64 hours. Five offshore on Aug. 26th. Later records; Singles on Sept. 28th, Sept. 29th, Nov. 10th and Nov. 20th. PER HPKR.

GREATER BLACKED-BACKED GULL Larus marinus. Resident. Off Rosemullion Head, 182 flew South in five hours, January 11th. 259 in four hours on February 28th. (PMc) April 8th. At Porthgwarra a grey seal had caught and was eating an adult Greater Blacked-Backed Gull. About ten others of this species, all in- matures except one, dived on the seal each time it surfaced with its prey. It was apparent that the gulls were competing with the seal for its meal. When the seal had finished and gone the gulls squabbled over the last portion of their erstwhile companion. Then there was just the grey sea. PJD St. Ives Island. 99 West between Aug. 6th and Dec. 3rd.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus. Passage migrant. Winter resident. Summer resident. Seen in small numbers throughout the county during the winter. Spring passage, which begins mid February, produced the largest flocks as usual. IE. At Hayle Estuary there were c. 200 from Feb. 12th to March 11th, after only 63 on Jan. 14th. Peak numbers recorded on April 1st with 240 present. Autumn maximum of 135 on Sept. 9th. and down to 40 at the end of the year. At Par where the spring maximum reached 400 on Feb 29th, over thirty were counted on Jan. 25th; only winter record reaching double figures away from the Hayle Estuary. On the Lynher, 250 on March 7th. Birds of the Scandinavian race were identified at The Lynher on Jan. 3rd One. The Gannel, Feb. 13th two, Sept. 17th one. Looe, March 7th and 12th one, Dec. 27th one. About thirty at Hayle on April 8th "several" Oct. 27th and at least one on Dec. 31st. St. Ives Island. From April 2nd. to July 1st. totals of 25 East and 61 West. From Aug. to Dec, nine East 32 West.

COMMON GULL Larus canus. Winter resident. A few peak counts were received. Falmouth Bay 2,000 roostinq Jan. 11th. Hayle, 400 Jan. 22nd. 500 Feb. 26th. 400, Dec. 26th. Looe, 1,000 Dec. 10th. Autumn migration began early, with one at Hayle July 19th. Three at Rosemullion July 26th. One at Par next day. Four at Stithians on 30th.

GLAUCOUS GULL. Larus Hyperboreus. Scarce winter visitor. Newlyn/Mounts Bay. Many observers sent observations with many des­ criptions and opinions as to the numbers present from which the editor has deduced there was one present throughout the year, (JH) considered on arrival to be two years old, (2y), but that at the end of March and early April total of three were present; one 1y and two 2y. JHJ LPW DJB CBWPS and Old UTC et al. At other localities, Glaucous Gulls, possibly being some of the individuals above, were recorded at Mevagissey, One 1y, April 5th. RBW Looe, one 2y, Dec 10th. SCM VRT. Maenporth, One 1Y Dec. 16th. PMc. Porthgwarra, one 1Y, Nov. 19th. HPKR. St. Ives one 1Y Feb. 16th. DJB one 1Y off The Island Dec. 3rd. EC.

30 ICELAND GULL Larus Glaucoides. Scarce winter visitor. Mounts Bay. Up to three individuals. JHJ. Feb. 12th one 1Y. JHJ. March 11th one near adult. JHJ JH. April 7th and 8th one 2Y. JHJ JH. April 10th one 1Y. JH. Hayle Estuary. March 4th an "immature". DB EC JHJ LPW (Pos­ sibly one of the above. Ed.) Torpoint. One March 3rd. Immature bird on Thanckes rub­ bish tip. SCM. Looe. One March 12th and 15th. Called 2nd year by some observers 3rd year by others. Possibly the Torpoint bird. Ed. Falmouth (Gylingvase).One April 8th. An adult (? Ed.) BC. NB. The Editor would not be so presumtious as to assume that less ex­ perienced observers might confuse this and the preceeding species. Or to consider the possibility of confusion with adults of the following.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus. Uncommon visitor. The bird present at Thanckes rubbish tip Dec. 1971 remained until Feb. 16th. SCM. An adult in winter plumage was seen at St. Ives and Hayle Estuary from Jan. 1st to Feb. 28th. EC HPKR LPW. An adult in summer plumage returned on July 15th and was seen inter­ mittently between St. Ives and Hayle until at least Nov. 18th. JB & SB EC. This bird was in full summer plumage on arrival and had barely began moulting by July 21st but by the 27th the change was almost com­ plete. LPW. (There is a possibility that two birds were involved between St. Ives and Hayle in the Autumn, but no evidence has been submitted Ed.) Drift. Adult winter Dec. 9th. HPKR. (The same individual? Ed.) Penzance/Newlyn. One 1Y March 22nd. One 2Y (moulted? Ed.) from Aug. 30th to Dec. 23rd. JHJ EC. Pennance Point. Ad winter Jan. 1st. BC. One, 1st winter, Feb. 17th. PMc. Stithians. One 2Y Nov. 12th. JHJ.

LITTLE GULL Larus minutus. Winter visitor. Uncommon. Most recorded from the St. Ives Bay/Hayle Estuary area. In the 1st winter period up to nine were present (March 6th) from the beginning of the year to April 30th. The first autumn record on July 28th (one) with one or two reported until the end of the year. Maximum four, Sept. 27th. Off The Island a total of 17 West on five dates between Aug. 30th and Dec. 28th. Max. 7 on Nov. 11th. Per HPKR Newlyn/Marazion. One imm. Feb. 1st. One Feb. 12th. One Ad. April 22nd. Two 1Ys Aug. 26th. Stithians. Sept. 5th. Oct. 25th. Crowdy Dam. One imm. Nov. 28th. Loe Pool. Two 1Ys Sept. 5th Three 1Ys Sept. 6th. Rosemullion. One 1Y Aug. 27th. Par. One April 5th. Camel. One imm. March 19th to April 6th. Pennance Point Two ads. Jan. 31st. One (badly oiled) ad. Feb. 4th. 31 BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus. Maximum counts were at Newlyn, 1,000 Feb. 15th. Hayle, 1,000 Feb. 26th. Both lots departed March 25/26. JHJ. Carrick Roads, 4,500 Dec. 30th. SCM First immatures arrived June 28th One at Newlyn. July 1st Two at Hayle.JH March 19th. An all-white bird at Amble Dam. DJB (The editor would not be so presumtious as to assume that less experienc­ ed observers might confuse such a bird with adult Mediterranean or even Ivory Gull!)

SABINES GULL Larus sabini. Scarce passage migrant. April 8th. One adult in winter plumage off The Moules. RH. May 28th. One adult in summer plumage off The Island St. Ives. DL BK RJP The first time for over ten years that none were seen off St. Ives in Autumn. Spring records are rare.

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla. Summer resident. Passage migrant. Breeding. Rinsey, c. 118 occupied nests June 17th. JS-S Rosemullion Hd. Feb. 2nd. 1165 south in 2.5hours. BC PMc. Feb. 15th 1900 south. BC. March 2nd. 610 south in six hours PMc. Inland. An immature at Drift March 11th. An Ad. June 5th. HPKR. St. Ives Island. During January and February a total of 8,826 flew West in 18.25 hours. Peak of 2,660 on Jan. 19th, in Two hours. Wind NW 3-4. Between March and June a total of 10,787 West in 112.5 hours, with peaks of 1,867 on March 27th in 8 hours (wind NW 8) and 1,670 on May 27th in 9.5 hours, (wind NW8) Between July and Oct. a total of 1,629 west in 101 hours. In Nov. and Dec. 9,640 west in 28.75 hours with peaks of 3,200 on Nov. 10th in 2.5 hours (wind WNW 6) and 3,623 on Nov. 20th in 8 hours (wind NW 7) (Per HPKR)

BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger. Uncommon passage migrant. Camel Estuary. One Sept. 4th. RS. Loe Pool. One Sept. 2nd—6th. BC PMc. Turnaware Bar. One Aug. 27th—Sept. 3rd. PAM BM. (River Fal). Stithians Reservoir. One Aug. 25th/Sept. 5th. Two Sept. 10th. Three Sept. 11/14th. PM GEM LPW et al. Porthkidney. Two July 16th. PDR. Fourteen (ten in summer plumage) Aug. 12th. JHJ. Two Aug. 16th. NJP. St. Ives Island. Two west Aug. 12th. Two on Aug. 14th. Four on Aug. 15th. One east on Aug. 17th. Two west on Aug. 20th. Three on Sept. 1st. Two on Sept. 2nd. One on Sept. 5th. Three off-passage on Sept. 1st and 2nd. One on Sept. 5th. Two on Sept. 17th. (Per HPKR) 32 COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo. Passage migrant. 1st seen April 3rd Daymer Bay, four. ERG. Largest numbers. April 29th forty one, May 5th sixty three, June 18th sixty. All off Penzance. June 10th eighty one Rosemullion. Aug. 12th forty, Aug. 26th thirty five, on Porthkidney. Inland; Five on Stithians Aug. 27th. One Drift Sept. 9th. Last seen Nov. 19th St. Ives, One. EC.

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisea Passage migrant. Uncommon. Birds considered to be Arctic Terns by the observers were recorded as follows. Long rock. Two April 23rd. A.V. (Mounts Bay). Marazion. Two May 9th/11th. JHJ One July 18th. JHJ One May 26th. JHJ. Hayle. One May 21st. JHJ St. Ives. One May 13th and 20th. EC. Porthkidney. One July 28th. JH.

ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougallii. Scarce passage migrant. Hayle Estuary/ April 30th to May 6th. One. July 11th to Aug. 12th Porthkidney. One to three. Marazion. May 22nd three. May 26th/29th One. Newlyn. May 25th Two. Porthgwarra. May 29th One. JB & SB DJB EC JHJ PDR HPKR LPW. Off St. Ives Island. One west May 12th. EC. One off-passage May 13th HPKR. One west May 16th. EC. Off-passags birds HPKR. One west May 16th. EC. Off-passage birds 19th One. EC HPKR. July 24th Two. NJP. Aug. 8th One EC NJP PDR. Aug. 26th One. NJP. Sept. 2nd One EC. Passage west on Aug. 1st one. PRGM BP HPKR PDR. also Sept. 9th two. JHJ. (per HPKR)

LITTLE TERN Sterna albifrons. Uncommon passage migrant. Hayle/Porthkidney. First seen April 7th. Reported on thirteen dates (none June) with most on July 22nd, Eleven. Last seen Oct. 10th, the only Oct. record this year. Marazion, Six, May 1st. Falmouth, one, June 18th (Pennance). Two Sept. 10th (Gyllingvase). One, Aug. 27th and Sept. 3rd (Turnaware Pt) Camel Estuary. One April 23rd, Four on 24th, Three, May 1st. Two, May 8th ().

33 SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis. Passage migrant. First seen March 19th. One, Mounts Bay. JH HPKR. Last seen Oct. 10th, Two, Porthkidney. DB. St. Ives Island. First record fifteen on March 26th. During April and May totals of 23 East and 28 West. In June 3 East and 32 West. From July 1st to Sept. 13th totals of 17 East and 95 West in 80.25 hours. Peak of 54 on Sept. 9th in 6.25 hours, (wind N 7) Sept. 28th Three, Sept. 29th Two, Oct. 1st One. Usually less than five off-passage but 15 on July 19th. 30 on Aug 25th and 15 on Sept 13th. (Per HPKR).

RAZORBILL/GUILLEMOT Alca torda/Uria aalge. Large movements of Auks were recorded at: Rosemullion. 1050 south in six hours. Feb. 24th. BC PMc. The Lizard. 605 west in two hours. March 18th. PMc. St. Ives Island. Monthly totals tabulated below. Mth Jan. Feb. March April May June i July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total 3692 5445 3439 3327 958 829 186 25 37 1299 5420 1080 c. 500 off passage Jan. 23rd. 1000 off passage Jan. 29th. Major movements summarised below. Jan. 27th 2,500 west in Two hrs. NW7. Feb. 6th 2,750 west in One hr. NE4. Nov. 10th 2,600 west in 2.25 hrs. WNW6. Per HPKR.

RAZORBILL Alca torda. Resident. Passage migrant. Present in the breeding season at Trevose, Barras Cove, Gunver Head, Trevalga four pairs, Pentireglaze ten pairs, Trevone, five birds. No chicks reported. Ed. Seen on Carnsew (Hayle Estuary) in small nos. March 30th—April 30th maximum nine April 8th. HPKR.

LITTLE AUK Plautus alle. Scarce winter visitor. Jan. 8th and Feb. 2nd. One south off Rosemullion BC PMc. Jan. 29th to March 16th One seen between Newlyn and Longrock by at least eight observers. St. Ives. Nov. 11th One EC JHJ. Nov. 20th One EC.

GUILLEMOT Uria aalge. Resident. Passage migrant. Breeding. Present on ledges at Trevone (Marble Cliffs), Gunver Hd., The Sisters (Tintagel) 186 birds June 14th. Trevalga Cliffs, Twelve breeding pairs. Pentireglaze, twenty two breeding pairs. (One bridled). No reports of breeding success Ed.

34 BLACK GUILLEMOT Cepphus grylle. Occasional winter visitor. Feb. 2nd One flying south, with two Razorbills, off Rosemullion Hd. BC PMc March 19th One off Hor Point, St. Ives. VS per HPKR Dec. 30th/31st Two, in winter plumage, off Penarrow, Carrick Roads. SCM VRT.

PUFFIN Fratercula arctica. Summer resident. Breeding season reports from four colonies. Long Island. 18 birds present June 14th. Short Island. Six birds present June 15th. The Mouls. 13 on the sea June 17th. Lye Rock. four on the sea June 15th. On the evening of the 14th, a raft of at least 120 Auks (Razorbill, Guillemot and Puffins) 300 yds. off-shore. N. Beach. Trevone. Three on ledges. July 15th. ACS. Some interesting activity reported from the south coast with a total of six seen on three dates in April, off the Lizard. Off Rosemullion seen from May 5th to July 26th (fourteen) with most on June 12th (20). The "Gull Rock" off The Nare is a former breeding station. Off St. Ives Island seen flying West on eleven dates from April 8th to Aug. 8th. with max. of 8 on 2nd of July. Per HPKR. These possibly being feeding birds from the north coast colonies. Ed.

STOCK DOVE Columba oenas. Resident. (Uncommon?) Passage migrant. Polbathic Dec. 10th, at least 85, with Woodpigeons. SCM VRT. Flocks of this size are rarely reported in Cornwall Ed.

TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur. Uncommon passage migrant. Breeding in the East ? First seen April 29th One Crean. HPKR. Last seen Oct. 13th Heamoor (Penzance) FH. Thirty seven records submitted, all west of , Thirty one singles two twos, two threes, two fours and one flock of seven, June 1st, Porth­ gwarra. EC LPW.

COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto. Resident. Passage migrant. Porthgwarra, April 19th, Twenty three. JHJ. A large number for here, but there is a colony at Crean of some 30 birds.

CUCKOO Cuculus canorus. Summer resident. 1st—April 4th Stithians RB. Last—Oct. 8/9th The Lizard. BC. 35 BARN OWL Tyto alba. Resident. "A breeding stronghold exists around the area, at least with a breeding pair at nearly every farm." VRT. "Bred in straw bales at Rosemannan". AJB. Other breeding season records were from Rejerrah, Porth, and Water­ gate (Newquay), Egloshayle, Bofarnel Downs,Amble marshes, Portscatho Halsetown, Manaccan, The Lizard.

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua. Resident. Only one definite and five probable breeding records.

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus. Scarce winter resident and passage migrant. The Rumps, Polzeath. One Sept. 1st. RH. Towan Head, Newquay. One Oct. 4th. PJD. Hayle Kimbro. One March 14th. JB & SB. Porthgwarra. One Oct. 4th. JHJ. Trewey Common, Three March 19th. Two April 9th. JH.Sept. 28th (Zennor). one. Nov. 26th to Dec. 31st. Two. JHJ. Bartinney. 2nd half Dec. One. JHJ. Other moorland areas would probably turn up a few if watched at Dusk. Ed., (It seems that our members watch more Television than they admit.)

NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus. Uncommon resident. Decreasing. No definite breeding records. Only four records of birds on territory in the breeding season. Localities now suppressed.

SWIFT Apus apus. Summer resident. Passage migrant. First records April 4th Lewidden St. Ervan. JW. Very Early, usual first dates nearer April 20th Ed. Next seen April 30th One Skewjack HPRK. Last seen Sept. 24th, One Nanquidno, JH. Three Kenidjack, PMc BC TRP

KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis. Scarce summer resident. Winter visitor. Only two records in the breeding season, a nest at Helford and birds seen on the upper . JB & SB MDA RMC.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopus major. Resident. Scarce in the west. Records from open country in West Cornwall, mid-March to early April, could refer to migrants.

36 LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopus minor. Scarce resident. Breeding season records, but with no proof of breeding, were received from Anthony House, Melancoose, St. Erth, St. Clement, Lelant, Turn- aware Bar, and near Clapper Bridge. Winter records from lllogan Woods, two Jan. 3rd. and Tresillian, one, Feb. 22nd.

WRYNECK Jynx torquilla. Scarce passage migrant. Allet, Truro. One spent \ an hour in our garden G.A. Aug. 3rd. Porthgwarra. One (or Two, HPKR) from Sept. 3rd to 16th. EC JHJ LPW et al. Tregony, one at Bohago Farm, Sept. 25th. MM.

SHORT-TOED LARK Calandrella cinerea. Vagrant. Sept. 18th, One, Porthgwarra. HPKR. Oct. 21st, One, Porthgwarra. EC JHJ. The first since 1959.

WOODLARK Lullula arborea. Scarce summer resident. No breeding season records. Porthgwarra Oct. 25/26/28th. One in a Skylark flock. JH. JHJ.

SWALLOW Hirundo rustica. Summer resident. Passage migrant. First records, April 1st Loe Pool (HPKR) and St. Ives (EC). Last records Dec. 2nd, Two, Marazion. MS EC JHJ These stragglers bear no relation to the migration of the main pop­ ulation Ed.)

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica. Summer resident. Passage migrant. First—April 1st, One, Skewjack, HPKR. April 2nd, One, Copperhouse. LPW Last—Dec. 17th, Two, Ponsandane. JHJ. Two Cliff-nesting pairs at The Lizard. RB.

(What news of the Cliff colonies at Tintagel and near Port Isaac?)

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia. Summer resident. Uncommon of scarce. Passage migrant First—March 16th, One, Marazion. HPKR. Last—Porthgwarra, Oct. 28th. JHJ One breeding season record, several holes at Bazelys HQ near St. Columb. BM Exodus out from The Lizard Sept. 27th. FJW.

GOLDEN ORIOLE Oriolus oriolus. Occasional. Nanjizal, April 2nd. One male. An excellent description, forwarded via the editor of "Birds", from a lady with an unreadable signature. 37 RAVEN Corvus corax. Resident. The pair on St. Michaels Mount apparently bred again. PDR.

JAY Garrulus glandarius. Resident. Scarce in the West. An influx occured in Sept.-Oct. and many observers commented on their abundance, for instance at Anthony House where normally one or two are seen, ten or twelve arrived in Sept. and were regularly seen thereafter. (JHS) At Porthgwarra, where they are rare, up to five were recorded from Oct. 21st to 28th when they were seen flying high and out to sea (LPW) On the same day there were six at Drift Resevoir.

CHOUGH Pyrrhocorax pyrrhhocorax One. Seen by many pilgrims throughout the year. Last date received—Oct. 17th For those who wish to pay their respects a visit to Mawgan Porth/Stem Cove is recommended while there is still time.

MARSH TIT Parus palustris. Status? Lamorna, May 7th. A pair JB & SB. Treveneague, June 10th family of four, MJJ.

WILLOW TIT Parus montanus Status? Tresillian, Dec. 28th One, Kiggan Pool. RDP.

TREE CREEPER Certhia familiaris. Resident. May 28th. Seen feeding young in nest box. RCR.

DIPPER Cinclus cinclus. Resident on higher reaches of larger streams and rivers. Rare in West. Few records received this year. Plans to modernise the bridges are a threat to this species, as the nesting holes would disappear. One at Tamar Lake Feb. 4th. DJB Unusual here.

BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus. Vagrant. An irruption into the County on or just before Oct. 14th. Porthgwarra. Present from Oct. 14th when four were seen, until Nov. 4th with a max. of 19 on Oct. 21st. Marazion. Present from Oct. 22nd (twelve) until Dec 21st (three). About 40 counted on Oct. 28th. Par. Three to four from Oct. 15th to Nov. 13th. Gwithian. Four plus, Oct. 22nd. Porthcurno. Two Oct. 15th. Copperhouse, Hayle. Two Nov. 1st and 2nd. CBWPS et al. The last irruption was in 1965, before which the species had not been re­ corded in the county for some 119 years. Ringing recoveries indicate a Dutch origin for these Cornish birds. 38 FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris. Winter resident. Passage migrant. Last—April 26th, one, Nanquidno. JH First Sept. 5th St. Ives. NRP. No large flocks reported.

SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos. Resident. May 12th. A leucistic specimen at Halsetown. Pale buff, except for faint spots on throat and breast and slightly darker back. Soft parts normal. JB & SB The same bird (presumably) moved over to the Belyars area of St. Ives where it bred with a normal male in 1973. NRP.

REDWING Turdus iliacus. Winter resident. Last—March 12th, One, Swanpool. PMc. Others probably unrecorded, as this is a very early date. Ed. First Oct. 7th one Nanquidno EC JH.

RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus. Scarce passage migrant. Rare summer resident. Only two spring records; Malpas Two April 11th. GH. Trevail One April 13th MJJ. In Autumn reported from Kilmor Tor, three, Sept 24th. St. Ives, One, Oct. 7th and 8th. EC BK. Trevail Two Oct 18th. JHJ. Rospeath one Oct. 19th. BP. At Porthgwarra first seen on Sept 26th one (HPKR) and singles until Oct. 28th. JHJ. except for two on Oct. 2nd and three on 10th. (LPW)

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula. Resident. A resident pair at Port Navas nested for four years on a ledge of bare rock, with no cover whatsoever. The female died, and the male remated, the pair then nesting for two years in good cover elsewhere, but this year they raised three broods on the old exposed site. It seems therefore that while the male takes no part in nest building he must have succeded in getting the new mate to use this unlikely site. B. Kay.

WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe. Passage migrant. Scarce summer resident. 1st. March 12th, one, Carnsew, Hayle. R. B. Autumn Passage at Porthgwarra lasted from Aug. 11th until Oct. 21st. Two waves of migration with peak numbers of thirty on Sept. 2nd and again thirty on Oct. 8th. Four breeding records. Greenland race (o. o. leucorrhoa) May 15th, three at Nanquidno. JB & SB

39 WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra Passage migrant. Uncommon Summer resident. Breeding records only from the Upper Fowey and Moor. First spring migrant, One male Marazion, May 6th. JH. On Autumn migration reported from at least sixteen localities! Nearly all ones and twos and in September. At Porthgwarra present from Aug. 24th, one, and in small numbers until Oct. 22nd. (The last record. JHJ) With a peak of fourteen on Sept. 2nd.

REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus. Passage migrant. Scarce summer resident. No proven breeding records from this species which only started nesting in Cornwall about 1965. One Spring record. April 20th, a male at The Lizard. BC. On Autumn migration reported from at least thirteen localities from mid- Sept, to mid Oct. The last at Kenidjack on Oct. 22nd. BC. Present at Porthgwarra from Sept. 15th to Oct. 14th, mostly in ones and two's but four on Oct. 2nd.

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochrurus. Passage migrant. Scarce winter resident. In the first winter (Jan-Feb.) seen at Pentire, Falmouth, Polpear, Penzance, and East Looe, where one wintered from 1971. On Spring migration (March-April) at Hayle, Longrock, Marazion Porth­ gwarra, Polzeath, Lelant and The Lizard, the last on April 20th. BC. On Autumn migration at Porthgwarra from Oct. 8th to 28th. (up to five). At St. Ives from Nov. 3rd., (Five) to 6th (one). One at Cape Cornwall Oct. 18th, and one at Pennance Pt. (Falmouth) on Oct. 31st, may have stayed, for in the 2nd winter period they were recorded on Dec. 19th (two) and Dec. 29th. (one). One at Trevose on Dec. 31st, and a wintering bird again at East Looe.

NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos. Occasional. Porthgwarra. One Sept. 17th. F. Hull.

BLUETHROAT Luscinia svecica. Scarce passage migrant. Long Rock, Penzance. One trapped and ringed Sept. 22nd. BP.

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia. Summer resident. First on April 19th, Helman Tor. DJB. Last on Oct. 8th, Porthgwarra. JHJ. Sept. 17th, Hayle Kimbro. BC. A poor breeding season.

REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus. Uncommon summer resident. (Restricted habitat) First on April 23rd. Par Marsh CJS. Autumn passage birds seen at Nancledra, Nanquidno and The Lizard, with the last there on Oct. 13th BC. 40 SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus. Summer resident. First on April 20th, Marazion Marsh. HPKR. April 23rd. at Par. CJS. Last on Oct. 1st. Marazion Marsh. FH Sept. 24th at Hayle Kimbro. BC PMc TRP.

AQUATIC WARBLER Acrocephalus paludicola. Scarce or occasional passage migrant. Marazion Marsh, Long Rock. Eight trapped and ringed between Aug. 23rd. and Sept. 21st. BP PDR.

MELODIOUS WARBLER Hippolais polyglotta. Scarce passage migrant. Porthgwarra. One Sept. 30th. JHJ. Nanquidno. One Oct. 7th. JH.

ICTERINE WARBLER Hippolais icterina. Scarce or occasional passage migrant. Tregaseal, St. Just. One Sept. 28th. JHJ

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla Summer resident. Passage migrant. Scarce winter resident. In the first winter recorded at Penzance (up to three together) Lelant, St. Ives and Falmouth. Autumn migrants widespread in Sept. and Oct. Most at Porthgwarra where as many as eight (Oct. 7th) were seen between Sept. 17th and Nov. 18th. During the second winter recorded at Wilcove, Marazion (two trapped Dec. 15th. PDR) and St. Ives where a pair had been on territory all through the year, and probably bred. (Hain Walk) It is not known whether winter­ ing birds are British residents or immigrants from the continent.

BARRED WARBLER Sylvia nisoria. Scarce or occasional passage migrant. Porthgwarra. One Oct. 7th. JHJ.

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin. Summer resident. Passage migrant. First on May 7th. One singing, Lamorna JB & SB. Seen in small numbers at the coastal watching areas from Sept. 3rd. (Porthgwarra) to Oct. 15th (Porthgwarra and Porthcurno). The most together being 4/5 at Kenidjack on Sept. 24th. Last record at Rospeath, Oct. 16th. One ringed, BP. An unusual record was of one on the rocks at St. Ives Island on Sept. 8th. EC.

WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis. Summer resident. Still not recovered from the "crash", but a few more pairs reported breeding in the county than last year. First record April 15th, One Kynance RB. With a widespread arrival May 3rd. to 5th. Last at Porthgwarra, Oct. 8th. FH JH. 41 LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia corruca. Occasional passage migrant. Scarce breeder in the East. Skewjack (near Sennen) one or two from May 6th to June 1st. JHJ HPKR. Porthgwarra. One Sept. 28th. PJD HPKR.

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus. Summer resident. First record April 13th, Wilcove. JHS. Widespread arrival between then and the 15th. Last records Oct. 10th Nanquidno, JB & SB. and Oct. 22nd, one singing at Drift. HPKR. April 24th one perched on my foot aboard the Scillonian. AV.

CHIFFCHAFF Phylliscopus collybita. Summer resident. Scarce winter resident. Records of odd birds singing in early March may refer to 1st. arrivals or wintering birds, but it seems that the main movement began about March 25th. Wintering birds reported from at least sixteen localities, probably in­ volving some twenty-five individuals in the first winter period. Only five records of six birds for the second winter, Nov-Dec.

WOOD WARBLER Phlloscopus sibilatrix. Uncommon summer resident. Breeding season record from Cothele May 6th, two singing. JHJ. None recorded in the Fowey Valley this year. WJJ.

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus. Resident. Passage migrant. A large fall of Goldcrests at Kynance, Oct. 15th. All were males. Average wing 54mm. NBE.

FIRECREST Regulus ignicapillus. Uncommon winter resident. As an indication of the volume of records received by the editors I have listed the reports of this comparatively rare species in full. Ten years ago five or six records could be expected annually. During the first winter period. Falmouth. Feb. 1st One. BC. Porth Saxon. Jan. 21st, March 1st and 3rd One, March 9th two. PMc. Anthony. Jan. 30th one. SCM. April 13th and 14th one. JHS. Helford. March 3rd two. BC. The Lizard. March 18th two, BC PMc. March 19th one. BC. Loe Pool. Feb. 19th one. LPW. March 19th one. HPKR. Penrose. Feb. 19th one. JHJ. Drift. Feb. 5th one. HPKR. Feb. 19th one. DJB. Three wintered, last seen mid March. JHJ. St. Ives. March 4th two. JS—S. Lelant. Feb. 12th—14th one. EC. Copperhouse. Jan. 2nd one. LPW. On Autumn migration and in the second winter. 42 Pennance Point. Oct. 31st one. BC. The Lizard. Sept. 27th one or two. FJW. Drift. Nov. 12th one. HPKR. Dec. 31st one. JHJ. Treveneague. Dec. 17th and 30th one. JHJ. Madron. Nov. 29th one. JS—S. Nancledra. Nov. 6th two. NJP. Carbis Bay. Oct. 22nd two. EC. Dec. 22nd one. JB & SB. Lelant. Oct. 28th one. LPW. Nov. 24th one. JB & SB. Kenidjack. Sept. 24th two. BC PMc TRP. Rospeath. Oct. 17th Male ringed. Oct. 27th male and female ringed. BP. Porthgwarra. Sept. 3rd two. JHJ. Oct. 8th two. FH. Oct. 15th one. FH. Oct. 22nd one. BC TRP. Oct. 28th two. EC JHJ. Nov. 5th four. DN. Nov. 19th—25th one. BC.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata. Summer resident. First record; May 7th. One Davidstow, several North Hill DJB One Skew- jack same date. HPKR. Last record Oct. 15th One Porthgwarra, One The Lizard. EC JHJ LPW BC. Maximum at Porthgwarra; twelve on Sept. 9th. EC.

PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca. Passage migrant. Rare summer resident. Autumn passage from Aug. 21st (six at Lelant, MJJ) until Sept. 24th. reported in small numbers from Rialton, Porthcothan, Nancledra, Heamor, Kenidjack, Nanquidno, Drift and Zennor. At Porthgwarra from Aug. 22nd. to Oct. 14th (EC. Last date) Max. of four Aug. 29/30th. PDR. HPKR. Again bred successfully in Mid Cornwall. First Male heard singing in Mid April. May 6th. Pair at Nest box. May 21st. Female sitting on 7 eggs. June 8th. Seven pulli ringed. Breeding male ringed as pullus in adjacent nest box in 1969. This was first proof of return to breeding site. June 13th. Safely fledged, all departed. Bird ringed as pullus same site, in 1971, controlled as breeding male Wrangaton, Devon, 23rd June, 1972. Later trapped in Portugal on Oct. 4th 1972. Thus further proof of return to SW from winter quarters. RJS.

RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva. Occasional Passage migrant. Nanquidno. Sept. 24th and 25th. One seen by; BC JH JHJ PAM BM PRGM PDR HPKR. (CBWPS and Old UTC et al. Ed.) Porthgwarra. One seen by EC JHJ. Oct. 7th. One St. Levan, Oct. 14th. DB PM LPW. Trevail (Nr. Zennor). Sept. 27th. one. JHJ.

DUNNOCK Prunella modularis. Resident. Aug. 9th to Dec. 31st. A leucistic bird at Halestown. Bright yellow buff with pale brown feathers on lores, and nape. Primaries brownish. Dark eye (i.e. not an Albino. Ed.) Pale legs and bill. JB & SB. 43 RICHARDS PIPIT Anthus novaeseelandiae. Scarce passage migrant. Porthgwarra. Sept. 10th one. Sept. 29th two. HPKR. Oct. 21st two seen by EC. four by JHJ. Oct. 22nd one seen by EC. Three by JHJ. Oct. 25th two. JH. Oct. 26th one. JH. Oct. 28th two. DJB HPKR LPW BM PM DB PRGM Three. JHJ. Nanquidno. Sept. 24th one. HPKR. St. Just. Oct. 22nd one. JHJ. (on the airport) The Lizard. Oct. 8th two. BC TRP.

TAWNY PIPIT Anthus campestris. Occasional passage migrant. Porthgwarra. Sept. 10th one. EC JHJ HPKR.

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis. Summer resident. Passage migrant. Recorded in the breeding season in the Upper Fowey Valley, Clapper Bridge, Carthew and Helman Tor. The latter possibly migrants, as were two over Carbis Bay on April 24th. Autumn migration first recorded on Aug. 12th., Marazion and continued until Oct. 7th, Nanquidno. As usual records were of small numbers (one's and two's) and all from West Cornwall. At Porthgwarra recorded from Aug. 20th until Oct. 7th with peak numbers of six on Sept. 2nd and 16th. (Note for beginners; Most of these birds would have been seen in flight, and identified by call-note. Ed.)

WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta spinoletta. Status? Winter Visitor. At Marazion from Jan. 1st. until April 9th. Max. three March 31st April 1st. Oct. 15th until end of year. (Two from Nov. 18th) Stithians Reservoir. Two Jan. 22nd. BC PMc. Two Oct. 22nd. BC TRP. Helford. Dec. 3rd two. BC TRP. Tamar Lake. End of '71 to March 12th. DJB. Goss Moor. April 9th. Flock of twelve, AHG. Adequate details supplied. Ed.

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima. Passage migrant. Occasional Breeder. First spring migrant, April 9th, Stithians. GEM None breeding. In Autumn at Marazion from July 19th until Aug. 28th Max. of twenty, Aug. 23rd. Porthgwarra Aug. 22nd to Sept. 14th, max of 43, Aug. 24th. Small numbers recorded elsewhere during the migration, all in West Cornwall. 44 BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL M.F. Flava Of the nominate race. Recorded at St. Ives Island April 19th a male. JNH. Marazion June 10th a male. HPKR. Females and young are considered indistinguishable in the field so the majority of migrants in autumn are unassignable as to race.

GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor. Occasional. Helman Tor. One April 19th/20th. DJB.

WOODCHAT SHRIKE Lanius senator. Vagrant. Porthgwarra. May 31st—June 1st one female. EC JHJ HPKR LPW. Porthgwarra. July 22nd one immature. PDR HPKR.

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio. Occasional. Porthgwarra. Aug. 28th—Sept. 2nd one adult female. JHJ PDR HPKR LPW.

STARLING Sturnus vulgaris. Resident. Abundant winter visitor. March 5th. Chyenhal, Drift. A leucistic specimen. All buff except for sepia head and rump. Pink bill and legs. July 31st. Another! At Crows-an- Wra. Very pale creamy white except for some pale brown feathers about the head. Bill, eyes and legs, dark. Aug. 9th. Still present. JB & SB. March 17/18th. Considered to be the night of exodus of wintering birds by the numbers visiting bird-table. Decreased last year on March 21st MJJ.

HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes. Rarely recorded, especially in the west. Jan. 14th. Anthony House, two. Singles on Jan. 19th, 20th and Feb. 7th. JHS. Feb. 21st. Bussow, near St. Ives, one. BK. July 28th. On Crowlas—Nancledra Road, two. JHJ.

45

< SISKIN Carduelis spinus. Winter visitor. Uncommon. Following the trend of the past few years many records were received of the species, which was formerly scarce, or, in some years, absent entirely. During Jan.—Feb. small numbers (less than ten) recorded from Redmoor—1, Polbathic—4, Par—7, Rospeath—3, Melancoose—4, Shev- iock—1. Lelant one on April 4th. Larger parties from:— Swanpool. Up to ten through Jan., Feb. Hammersmill. St. Blazey. Ten Feb. 1st. Treveneague. Present until at least Feb. 27th. Max. fifteen Jan. 30th. Anthony House. Ten Jan. 19th. Rialton. Thirty Jan. 13th. Ten Feb. 1st. St. Erth. Thirty Jan. 15th. Two March 19th. The only March record. In the second winter small numbers at Nanquidno (Two on Sept. 21st the first for the autumn) St. Minver—9, Amble Marsh—2, Anthony—5, Shev- iock—6, Lelant—6. Swanpool. From Oct. 31st to end of year. Max. 40 on Nov. 30th. Treveneague. Thirty Nov. 26th to Dec. 17th. Rialton. 20/30 Oct. 25th decreasing to twelve Dec. 4th. St. Erth. 40/50 Dec. 31st. Plus a possible six extra seen separately. Drift. Two Nov. 17th. Max. 24 on Dec. 9th. Tresillian. Three or four Nov. 19th. 40/50 Nov. 26th. Twelve Dec. 11th, thirty five Dec. 16th. Porthgwarra. Migrants seen from Oct. 2nd (four) on Nov. 25th Max. ten Oct. 25th. Hellesvear, St. Ives. Oct. 14th (one) to Dec. 21st (one) Max. of twenty on Oct. 31st. Rospeath. Fifteen Oct. 21st. Forty Oct. 25th. Twenty five Nov. 10th. Three Nov. 26th. Two Dec. 2nd. One Dec. 24th. Boscathnoe Reservoir. Seventy Oct. 31st. "several" Nov. 2nd. From the records it would appear that the main arrival took place between Oct. 25th and Oct. 31st. The birds then spreading out to occupy their fav­ ourite habitat (Alder Trees) throughout the county, or passing on to the continent. REDPOLL Acanthis flammea. Uncommon winter visitor. Scarce summer resident. No breeding records received. During the first winter period small parties, some of which had wintered, were recorded at; Sheviock—1, Lelant—2, Sladesbridge—1, Hustyn—1, (March 19th ? breeding) Marazion—4, Feb. 17th and March 24th. Ros­ peath, Jan. to April 21st. Max. nine March 31st. In the second winter; First reported Porthgwarra Sept. 21st (one) max. four, Oct. 7th, until Oct. 25th (three), and at Hellesveor—4, Sheviock—1, Nanquidno up to 3, Swanpool—1, Anthony House—1, Hayle—2, Loe Pool 1, Rospeath singles from Oct. 17th to Nov. 26th. Marazion one Sept. 23rd. Twenty on Oct. 7th. Lelant three from Nov. 26th to Dec. 23rd. and one to end of year. St. Ives Seven, Dec. 20th, One having the characteristics of Arctic Redpoll, A. hornemanni. (JHJ). It is interesting to note that apart from the birds at Lelant and Rospeath which were apparently wintering in two favourite localities the only Nov. record was the bird at Loe Pool (Nov. 18th. HPKR) which would indicate a wave of migrants through the County in Oct. and the wintering birds arriving in early December. 46 SERIN Serinus serinus. Rare vagrant. Swanpool Falmouth. One female, Nov. 16th. BC.

CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra. Occasional visitor. The second major irruption into the County in ten years, the last being in 1966. One bird was seen in 1964 and one flock of fifteen in 1963. First seen on July 5th at Ninnisbridge Nr. Lelant. A flock of nine flying WNW. NJP. Most arrived on or about July 12th and were in the West of the County. Hayle/Lelant. July 12th twelve and three. July 16th thirty. Julv 22nd twenty. July 25th twelve. July—Aug. small flock c.6, present intermittently on conifers Carbis Bay. Dec. 2nd one Hayle. Anthony/Willcove. July 11th sixteen. Then present until Nov. 8th Max. twenty on Oct. 19th. Marazion/Rospeath. July 18th three. July 24th twelve. July 30th two and one Treveneague. Sept. 4th two. Nov. 26th four Treveneague. Porthgwarra area. July 14th four (Skewjack) Sept. 2nd one. Oct. 14th three. Elsewhere. Boscathnoe Res. One July 17th. Truro twelve July 17th. Two Sept. 22nd (Allet). Treverna Wood (where's that? Ed.) Two Aug. 7fh. Drift eleven Nov. 12th. Newlyn one Nov. 28th. Loe Pool max. five Nov. 18 to 25th. Davidstow two Dec. 17th.

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla. Passage migrant. Winter resident. Only one large flock reported during Jan./Feb. Over 100 at Botus Flemm- ing on Jan. 25th. Up to thirty five at Swanvale Dec. 22nd reducing to five by the 31st. Others scattered about the county in one's and two's. Last seen on March 19th at Porthgwarra (St. Levan) and March 22nd at Anthony House. First for Autumn on Oct. 7th at Nanquidno. One. Many reports of single birds and very small numbers throughout the county during Oct./Nov./Dec. The migration at Porthgwarra lasted from Oct. 14th (two) until Nov. 26th (two) with maxima of six on Oct. 18th and ten on Nov. 18th. The only flocks reaching double figures were at Lower Farm Trewithen, where ten on Dec. 1st increased to over 150 by Dec. 29th. (Feeding on seeding Charlock) Over 250 around Tresillian in late Nov. Down to c. 50 by Dec. 11th. 30/40 at Swanpool Nov. 19th decreasing to c. 20 by Dec. 19th

CORN BUNTING Emberiza calandra. Resident. Camel Estuary. Maximum of 33 Feb. 24th. DJB. Landewednack. c. 10 April 10th. BC.

CIRL BUNTING Emberiza cirlus. Scarce resident. May 7th—11th a pair near Prideaux Place, Padstow. RS. 47 ORTOLAN BUNTING Emberiza hortulana. Occasional. Sept. 27th One at Trevail near Zennor. JHJ.

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus Resident. Passage migrant? Maximum at Porthgwarra 30 on Oct. 25th. JH.

LAPLAND BUNTING Caiacarius lapponicus. Scarce passage migrant. Porthgwarra. One Sept. 24th. HPKR PDR. One Oct. 7th. EC JHJ

SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis. Scarce passage migrant. St. Ives Island. One Oct. 29th. TRP. A male Nov. 3rd/4th. JNH BK A female Nov. 5th. JNH. One Nov. 10th. JEB JH. Carthew, St. Ives. One Nov. 2nd. EC. One a different bird, Nov. 4th. EC. Ringed Recoveries

Chaffinch. A first year ringed at Wassenaar (Zuid Hollond) Netherlands Sept. 29th 1971 was recovered at Carlyon Bay Jan. 26th 1972. Sedge Warbler. Adult ringed Fair Isle, Shetland, June 9th 1972 controlled Long Rock Aug. 23rd, 1972. 1075 Kms SSW. BP. Sedge Warbler. Juv. Ringed Marazion July 15th retrapped July 18th controlled Bere Ferris, Devon July 27th. 100 Kms ENE. PDR.

Goldcrest. A male ringed Higher Metcombe, East Devon Oct. 25th 1972 controlled Rospeath Nov. 26th and Dec. 24th 1972. 168 Kms W. BP. Dunlin. The bird found dead at St. Johns Lake 1969 had been ringed in Norway in 1967. The year of ring­ ing had been omitted in the 1969 report. SCM. Greater black-backed Colour ringed Imm. Newlyn Feb. 22nd. had been Gull. ringed Tenby 1971. Herring Gull. Colour ringed Imm. Newlyn Feb. 22nd had been ringed pullus, Skockholm, 1970. See also under Pied Flycatcher.

Additions and Corrections

1965 Leach's Petrel Thirty near the Wolf Rock. Should be ammended to PETREL Sp. Not Storm Petrel, thirty near the Wolf Rock. Brent Goose. Porthkidney Three Dec. 26th. TRP.

Aquatic Warbler. Marazion Sept. 18th/19th four birds, not three. PDR.

49 Birds of the Valley of St. Columb Porth

by P. J. DWYER

The Porth Stream rises 66 meters (220 feet) above sea level on the Goss Moor, just north of the A30 trunk road. It twists its way down for about 7.5 kilometres (4.6 miles) to enter the North & Mid Cornwall Water Board's impounding reservoir at the Fir Hill. About 1.2 kilometres (0.75 miles) further on is the dam at Mellancoose. Below the dam the river winds on for another 3.2 kilometres (2 miles) through farmland, until it reaches the sea at St. Columb Porth. About mid way along this final section, at Rialton, the Water board extract the whole of the water supply for Newquay and district. The general direction of flow from the source to the sea is west-north-west.

Since 1965 I have watched more or less intensively the birds of the Porth Valley, concentrating mainly on the areas of the Priory at Railton and at Porth Reservoir, which was opened in 1960. Until 1960 this small valley was not greatly different from a number of other small valleys on the coast of North Cornwall. In all probability the species of birds which could be recorded there were also not greatly different. Although I was not familiar with the valley before the building of the reservoir, by study­ ing the available literature, in particular the Annual Reports of the Society since its beginning in 1931, I have been able to show to some extent, the difference that the reservoir has made to the bird life of the valley.

It was only after compiling the systematic list that I realised how sparse is my information on many of the commoner species. However this list could form the basis of a wider study, and a census of common birds would be a valuable addition to this initial survey.

When full the Porth Reservoir covers 15.5 hectares (38.3 acres) and contains 515,000 cubic metres (113.5 million gallons) of water with a maximum depth of nine metres (30 feet). The reservoir is used to regulate the river during periods of low flow. At these periods, usually towards the end of the summer and until the winter rains, large areas of mud are ex­ posed which attract small numbers of migrant waders and ducks, mainly Teal, Anas crecca.

Each year the lower reaches below Mellancoose are subject to occasional, sometimes extensive flooding. This affects the water meadows and low lying ground immediately bounding the stream, and several acres of marsh at the lower end of the valley. The farmhouse at Mellancoose and the water treatment works at Rialton are sometimes cut off for short periods when flooding is exceptional. This flooding provides a good deal of marshy ground on either side of the stream and at the lower end of the valley the marshy areas are extensive with several acres of reed (Phrag- mites sp.) marsh at the junction with a small valley coming down from Trevelgue on the north side of the main valley. The marshy areas above Rialton dry out to some extent during most summers.

50 The eastern end of the reservoir is an area of reedy swamp Phal- aris spp. and willows, Salix spp. The banks have a good variety of plant life including meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria, bur reed, Sparganium erectum, water plantin, Alisma plantago-aquatica, willows, alder, Alnus glutinosa, bramble, Rubus fruiticosus, bracken, Pteridium aquilinum, and many wild flowers. Trees and shrubs include oak, Quercus , chestnut, Castanea sativa, beech, Fagus sylvatica, Holly, Ilex aquifolium, elder,Sambucus nigra, and gorse, Ulex europaeus. Below the dam down to Rialton the stream is bounded by a good cover of riverside trees and shrubs, including oak, ash.Fraxinus excelsior, sycamore, Acer pseudo- plantanus, alder, willows, hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna, blackthorn, Prunus spinosa, and holly, and a wide variety of herbaceous plants, not­ ably meadowsweet, hemlock water dropwort, Oenanthe crocata, hemp agrimony, Eupatorium cannabinum, purple loosestrife, Lythrum salacaria, and yellow flag, Iris pseudacorus. This pleasant wilderness is backed by arable and pasture land, often with gorse breaks on the lower pastures and rows of mature elms.Ulmus procera, on the further hedges.

Porth Reservoir was designated a Wild Bird Sanctuary in 1964 under Order No. 1C97. The reservoir is kept stocked with brown and rainbow trout, Salmo trutta and S. Irideus, and also contains some rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus. Fly fishing only is allowed, from the banks and from boats. Shooting is prohibited within the reservoir boundaries, but it does take place on some of the adjacent farmland which comes right down to the waters edge. Wildfowl can be, and are, shot (legally) once they cross the reservoir boundary.

During the winter months since 1968, from October to January, the Newquay Sailing Club have been allowed to use the reservoir, except for an area at the eastern end, on Sundays only, for sailing, training youg club members and for carrying out essential maintenance work on their craft.

Apart from the adjacent shooting, disturbance from sailing, even for this short period, is thought to have further reduced the numbers of wintering wildfowl, and has, perhaps, affected the numbers of breeding Mallard, A. platyrhynchos. In my opinion the use of such a small reservoir for sailing is unjustified, and incompatible with the objectives of a Wild Bird Sanctuary.

A total of 128 species have so far been recorded in the valley and of these 49 (including Feral Pigeons) breed or are suspected of breeding. A further 12 species are possible breeders, except that the Cirl Bunting, Emberiza cirlus, is a species that seems to be in decline and if it has not bred is therefore unlikely to breed now. The species marked * were not recorded at all before 1960 and their presence can be attributed directly to the establishment of the Porth Reservoir in that year, except perhaps for the Great Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus, and the Lesser Black- backed Gull, L. fuscus.

51 Systematic List

Unless otherwise stated records of wildfowl and waders refer to the reservoir. * Species whose presence is attributed to the establishment of the reservoir.

Breeding Status: B—Breeds or has bred. S—Breeding probable. P— Breeding possible.

Great Crested Grebe * - One record; an immature at the reservoir for about a week in September 1970.

Little Grebe * B First recorded on reservoir in 1960. Bred 1963 and suspected 1961 and 1968. Win­ ters on reservoir.

Cormorant * - Frequent visitor to the reservoir. 12th April 1973 ten seen flying down valley at Rialton in vee formation.

Grey Heron - Present in valley most months. No breed­ ing records. No records prior to 1960, but probably present before this time. Bittern - A single record in 1939; seen by J. Muir of Michaelstowe House when shooting somewhere between St. Columb and New­ quay in February. Not shot at but sent to him later by the Keeper who found it with both its legs broken. Thought to have hit telegraph wires.

Mallard B At least twelve thought to have reared broods in 1964. Twelve pairs in 1965, at least eight of which bred. Breeding now reduced to one or two pairs at the res­ ervoir, but one or two broods from the adjacent areas usually appear on the lake. Before 1960 breeding recorded on marshy areas about Tregenna. (see introduction) Maximum wintering numbers have slumped from 130 in 1965 and 95 in 1967 to between about 30 and 60 in subsequent years. Birds from the reservoir are said to com­ mute to and from The Chicks off Kelsey Head, (where I saw four pairs in February 1973) to rest on the island or the sea dur­ ing the day.

Teal * - Maximum wintering numbers vary from about 30 to 100 plus. Garganey * - Two records; a drake 17 & 18 March 1965 and another drake 18 March 1973.

52 Gadwall * - Four records; 23 December 1963 three, 15 November to 13 December 1964 three, 14 to 23 November 1965 up to three and 8 January 1966 two.

Wigeon * - Small: numbers recorded 1960, 7 & 15 September 1968, 12 October 1969 and 18 November 1972. Largest number 28 in January 1962. A drake 14 May 1972.

Pintail * - One record; 13 January 1971 one. Shoveler * - Small numbers 30 December 1963, 29 Dec­ ember 1968, 2 January 1969 and 18 Nov­ ember 1972. Largest number 22 December 1963 nineteen.

Scaup * - Single birds or small numbers 15 March 1961, 13 November 1964, 16 October to 14 November 1965, 29 December 1968 and 11 January 1969.

Tufted Duck * - First recorded 23 December 1963 18. Maximum wintering numbers have risen to an average of about 40 since 1968.

Pochard * - First recorded 20 December 1961, 50 Maximum wintering numbers vary from about 30 to 50 plus.

Goldeneye * - Single birds or small numbers during most winter periods between October and March since 1961. Largest numbers, seven. Red-breasted Merganser * - One recorded 29 December 1968 a 'brown- head'. Goosander * - Four records; 14 December 1963 three females, 14 November 1971 six 'brown- heads', 13 February and 12 March 1972 one 'brownhead'.

Shelduck * - Three records; 7 April 1968 one, 18 January and 11/12 May 1970 one and two. Bewick's Swan * - Two or three records; 4 and 27 January 1962 two adults and one immature, 6 and 16 November 1968 one and six. B Seen at all seasons. Eight seen over Nan- swhyden 2 September 1934 and eight re­ Buzzard corded together at Rialton 26 September 1967 and 22 February 1969. Has bred near Rialton and a second site near the reser­ voir.

B Breeding recorded at a site near the res­ ervoir in 1967 and believed to have bred Sparrowhawk there in 1968. Seen in same area during the breeding season 1970.

53 Montagu's Harrier - One record; a passage bird "in 1960" at reservoir.

Peregrine - Two records; 6 December 1971 and 17 September 1972 single birds, both at Rialton.

Merlin - Two records: a male 18 April, 1943 at Porth Island (really a coastal record), and one flying up the valley at Rialton 24 November 1971.

Kestrel - Seen at all seasons hunting in the valley. No breeding records in the valley but breeds on the cliffs at Whipsiderry, one site and possibly two.

Partridge - Recorded in the valley, but some released birds present and breeding status not known.

Pheasant B Breeds in the wild in at least three areas in the valley but stock has been supplemented by released birds. Possibly entirely intro­ duced.

Water Rail - Winters in valley at Rialton and at Reser­ voir, and probably phragmites bed at lower end of valley. No records prior to 1967 but probably present before that time.

Spotted Crake - One recorded at Porth 4 October 1966. Moorhen B Breeds at reservoir and suspected at Rial- ton, possibily also at lower end of the valley. Winter flocks up to about 40 have been recorded at Rialton. Coot* B Recorded regularly at reservoir since 1960. Bred at reservoir 1969 and present during breeding season since. Maximum winter­ ing numbers about 40 to 50, but 300 plus 18 January 1962. Oystercatcher - One recorded at Rialton 17 February 1969.

Lapwing - Recorded after the breeding season flying over the valley and Tn winter on fields, mainly in hard weather. Ringed Plover * - Small numbers on autumn migration. Larg­ est number, ten 6 September 1968.

Grey Plover - Only records refer to eight at Porth Island 10 September 1943 and "at the reservoir" 1960. Golden Plover - Recorded in winter on fields during hard weather, and flying over the valley on weather movements. 54 Snipe - At the reservoir 7 September 1968 four, 16 February 1969 eight and 17 September 1972 six. Rialton 11 January 1968 seven.

Woodcock - One recorded near Mellancoose 13 Jan­ uary 1972. Probably more frequent than this record suggests.

Curlew - Recorded flying over the valley and occas­ ionally seen feeding in ones and twos near Rialton outside the breeding season.

Green Sandpiper * - Numbers up to eight on spring and autumn migration since 1964.

Wood Sandpiper * - One recorded 13 September 1970. Common Sandpiper P Small numbers on spring and autumn migration at the reservoir and occasionally at Rialton. Seventeen at reservoir 10 Aug­ ust 1967. A pair present 25 April to 21 Sept­ ember 1960, "but despite careful obser­ vation breeding not proved". At Rialton 6 May 1971 two, and a young bird 20 July 1971. Spotted Redshank * - Two records; 24/25 August 1967 three, and 5 September 1971 one. Greenshank * - Small numbers on autumn migration since 1967.

Terek Sandpiper * - One recorded 13 June 1961, the first for Cornwall (fourth for Britian). Little Stint * - Two records; 9 September 1965 "two on stream running into Porth beach, one 10th remaining until the 14th", and 17 September 1972 one at the reservoir. Dunlin * - Small numbers on autumn migration. Curlew Sandpiper * - One recorded 17 September 1972. Ruff * - One recorded 13 and 15 September 1968.

Great Black-backed Gull * - Ones and twos on the reservoir with Herring Gulls.

Lesser Black-backed Gull * - Up to four recorded on the reservoir with Herring Gulls. Also seen feeding singly in fields near Rialton. Herring Gull - Large numbers use the reservoir for bath­ ing and resting. Hundreds commute up and down the valley at dawn and dusk on their way to inland feeding areas and back to the coast to roost. Hundreds feed in the St. Columb Minor area, especially where pig swill is available in some fields, and on pasture land opposite Rialton. There is a roof nest record at Porth in 1934, though none nest on the cliffs within the porth itself. 55 Black-headed Gull - On a lesser scale the same remarks as for Herring Gull apply with regard to commut­ ing and use of the reservoir. Also observed feeding by plunge diving to the surface round the margins of the reservoir.

Black Tern * - Two records; 5 October 1960 one and 12 September 1965 one.

White-winged Black Tern * - One recorded in breeding plumage at the reservoir 4/5 May 1964.

"Commic" (Sterna spp.) * - A party of five flew down the reservoir at dusk 13 September 1970.

Little Tern * - One immature recorded at the reservoir 14 August 1967.

Stock Dove - 13 June 1961 two, and 3 and 19 September 1964 both at the reservoir, the only two records, but seen not infrequently flying over the valley at Rialton. Believed to breed on cliffs on either side of Porth. Feral Pigeon B Flocks based on some of the farms in the valley. Bred at Railton 1972. Believed to breed on cliffs adjacent to Porth also.

Wood Pigeon B One of the most abundant species. Collared Dove P Two records at Rialton; 14 April 1968 one and a pair 17 March 1969. Believed to breed at Rialton Barton, just over the hill.

Cuckoo B One record of breeding prior to 1925. Young seen in the nest of Meadow Pipit. Record­ ed annually.

Barn Owl B Up to the early 1950's used to nest reg­ ularly at Railton Priory. Since then records are scarce, but present during breeding season at Rialton 1967 and reservoir 1968. Recorded annually since then, hunting out­ side the breeding season.

Little Owl P Probably spread to this part of Cornwall about 1918, In 1934 once seen and once heard at Nanswhyden, and thought to be rare in the St. Columb district. Three records at Porth; in 1942 a pair seen frequently July to December, 1944 and 1954 when present January to August. Not recorded since.

Tawny Owl B No records prior to 1967 but undoubtedly present before this time. A young bird was picked up at Rialton with both legs broken, apparently shot, 19 July 1970.

Long-eared Owl - Only record, 1934, one heard twice in one night in woods at Nanswhyden.

56 Swift P Breeding status not known.

Kingfisher B A site near Rialton was used in 1966. Believed to have bred in Tregoose area but no details available. Birds are record­ ed annually at Rialton and the reservoir. Hoopoe B Two records; bred at Carworgie in a branch of the main valley above Tre- budannon in 1901. One recorded at Lower Tregenna 3 to 13 September 1966.

Green Woodpecker B No records prior to 1967 but probably present. Young recorded at Rialton in the 1967 breeding season.

Great Spotted Woodpecker B No records prior to 1967. Bred at The Fir Hill in 1970.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker P A pair recorded during the breeding sea­ son 1972 near Trewassick. The only record.

Woodlark - One record at Penhale, St. Columb Minor Valley in 1943. Swallow B Three nest sites at Rialton. House Martin - Believed to breed at Trewassick. Sand Martin - Early arrivals feed up and down the valley and over the reservoir. Not usually seen after breeding commences.

Raven - Frequently seen flying over the valley. Breeds on the cliffs between Whipsiderry and Watergate. Carrion Crow B Usually two or three pairs breeding inRial- ton area. Rook B A small rookery at St. Columb Minor and another at Nanswhyden. Jackdaw - Breeds on all adjacent cliffs.— Seen feeding with Herring Gulls in fields where pig swill is available. Up to 400 com­ mute to and from inland roost/s and the coast at dawn and dusk, particularly out­ side the breeding season. Magpie B Usually two or three pairs in the Rialton area. Jay B Seen at all seasons. One or two pairs be­ tween Rialton and Nanswhyden. Great Tit. B Breed in Rialton area.

Blue tit B Breed in Rialton area in two or three sites each year. Coal Tit S Present all through the year. Appears to be increasing. 57 Marsh Tit B Seen at all seasons but appears to have decreased.

Nuthatch S Seen at all seasons in Mellancoose to Fir Hill areas.

Treecreeper B Seen at all seasons between Rialton and Fir Hill. A pair at Rialton in 1967 deserted a nest with five fertile eggs apparently because the nest became wet. A family party seen at Rialton 1968.

Wren B One of the most abundant species. Dipper B Bred at Trekenning Bridge in 1965. Present status not known but single birds recorded at Rialton 10 October 1968 and 27 Aug­ ust, 4 and 10 September 1971. Also single birds at Mellancoose 19 September 1960 and 27 October 1968.

Mistle Thrush B No early records, but bred at Rialton in 1971 "for the first time since 1962". Breed­ ing recorded in 1972 and 1973 also.

Fieldfare - Winter visitor. After initial arrival not seen frequently except during hard weather. Song Thrush B Numbers supplemented in winter by visitors. Redwing - Winter visitor. A small roost suspected in the valley below Rialton. Ring Ousel - One recorded at Rialton 5 October 1970.

Blackbird B As for Song Thrush. One of the most ab­ undant species.

Stonechat - Recorded at Rialton and the reservoir during hard weather only.

Robin B Appears to be evenly distributed where ever habitat is suitable. Grasshopper Warbler P My first record one reeling 5 May 1972. Reported to occur regularly at the lower end of the valley. Reed Warbler P Present during breeding season at Porth 1968. Sedge Warbler B Recorded at Rialton and Nanswhyden. Young seen at Rialton during breeding sea­ son 1968, but breeding not noted since.

Blackcap B Appears to be distrubed evenly between Rialton and Mellancoose. Whitethroat P Recorded during breeding season but status not known. Lesser Whitethroat - One record at Porth 25 June 1944. 58 Willow Warbler B Distributed throughout the valley.

Chiffchaff B Distributed throughout the valley but thought to be more abundant than Willow Warbler.

Goldcrest B Seen at all seasons. Has bred at Rialton. Firecrest - Two records at Rialton; 7 December 1968 and 24 March 1971 both single birds. Spotted Flycatcher B Breeds regularly in Rialton area. Pied Flycatcher - Three records; 3 September 1964 one near Mellancoose, 22 August 1972 a female or immature, and a male 3 May 1973, both at Rialton. Dunnock B One of the most abundant species. Tawny Pipit - One or two records; 13 and 22 October 1950. Possibly coastal records.

Meadow Pipit B Only breeding records are prior to 1925, at the lower end of the valley, otherwise has only been recorded during winter periods, up as far as the reservoir.

Pied Wagtail B Has bred at Rialton. Grey Wagtail B Suspected of breeding in the area of the reservoir annually, but bred at Rialton in 1972 and 1973.

Yellow Wagtail - Two records; 5 May 1943 and 19 September 1963, both at Porth. Starling S No breeding records. Frequently seen fiying over the valley on way to and from roosts during winter periods and feeding in the valley. Greenfinch B No details of breeding but believed to breed near Trewassick. Siskin - First recorded 24 December 1971 about 20 at Rialton. Up to 30 in January, February, October, November and December 1972.

Linnet P Breeding status not known.

Bullfinch B Seen at all seasons but breeding details not known. B Evenly distributed through the valley. Chaffinch Winter roosts recorded at Tregoose of 200 plus in 1963 and 1,000 plus in 1965. - At least ten with Chaffinch roost at Tre­ Brambling goose in 1963, with five and two present 22 January and 21 March 1964. Twenty plus with Chaffinch roost 1965. Yellowhammer B Breeds in Rialton and reservoir areas. 59 Cirl Bunting P A male 10 September 1942 at Porth. A pair 23 April 1943 at Porth. A pair present during the breeding season 1967 at Rialton, breeding not proved. A single male in the breeding season 1968 at Rialton. Reed Bunting P One record only; a male 30 May 1943 at Porth.Probably more frequent than this re­ cord suggests. House Sparrow B Breeds at Rialton. Acknowledgements: Members of the Society whose records I have used:— T. O. Darke; Dr. D. Harvey for use of un­ published records; Mr. and Mrs. N. Higman for additional in­ formation; R. D. Penhallurick for advice, help and ad­ ditional information; P. R. G. Marriott. References: Bielby G. H., Fisheries Officer, Cornwall River Authority, "An attempt to establish Rainbow Trout in Cornish streams 1968— 1969". British Birds, Vol. XIII, 1919—20, p. 274 Clark J., Birds in Victoria County History, Vol. 1, London 1906. C. B. W. P. S. Annual Reports, 1931—1971 McClintock D. & Fitter R. S., "Pocket Guide to Wild Flowers", Collins, London, 1961. North & Mid Cornwall Water Board, Chief Engineer's Annual Report for 1969—70. Penhallurick R. D., "Birds of the Cornish Coast", D. Bradford Barton Ltd., Truro, 1969 Rodd E. H., "The Birds of Cornwall and the Scilly Islands", edited by J. E. Harting, London, Trubner, 1880. Ryves B. H., "Birds life in Cornwall!", Collins, London, 1948.

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