Birds in 2006

Ydhyn yn Kernow Cornwall Bird-watching and Preservation Society CORNWALL BIRD-WATCHING & PRESERVATION SOCIETY

SEVENTY-SIXTH

ANNUAL REPORT

2006

Edited by Derek I Julian

HONORARY OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE

President Steve Madge, Seawinds, Lower Trerieve, Downderry, , PL15 3LZ

Chairman Peter Crispin, 5 Church Lea, Launceston, PL15 8QZ

Vice-Chairman Graham Sutton, Harcombe, West Park Road, , EX23 8PB [email protected]

General Secretary and County Recorder Tony Bertenshaw, Hantergantich, St Breward, PL30 4NH [email protected]

Treasurer Gary Lewis, Manager ERCCISS,

Membership Secretary Sara McMahon, 72 Underwood Road, Plympton, PL7 1SZ [email protected]

Conservation Officer Tony Blunden [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Simon Marquis, Place, , PL27 7JS

Field Meetings Officer Colin Selway, 2 Two Trees, Wadebridge PL27

Public Relations Officer Vacant

Honorary Solicitor Greg Adams, 2 Street, , TR13 8PS

Committee Members: Rosemary Parslow, Bruce Taggart. ******** The Society is a Charity registered with the Charity Commission for and Wales Number 255899 The Trustees are the Honorary Officers and other Members of the Executive Committee shown above *******

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County Recorder Darrell Clegg, 55 Lower Fore Street, , PL12 6JQ [email protected]

Editor “Birds in Cornwall” Derek Julian, 12 Dunveth Road, Wadebridge, PL27 7XD. [email protected] (01208816779)

Section Writers Sara Mcmahon – Games Birds, Birds of Prey to Bustards, Waders and Pigeons to Woodpeckers Darrell Clegg – Waders and Larks to Dipper Bruce Taggart – Skuas to Terns Paul McCartney – Wrens to Bunting Andy Pay – Wildfowl Derek Julian – Divers to Herons, Oystercatcher to Plovers and Auks

Records Committee: Mashuq Ahmad, Greg Conway, Pete Fraser, Steve Madge, Keith Pellow, Graham Sutton & Laurie Williams

Front cover photograph; Purple Heron, College Res., May 2006 – Darrell Clegg

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Review of the Year.

January 2006 Birds remaining from 2005 included Black Guillemot – . Long-tailed Duck, Sandwich Tern – St Johns Lake. American Wigeon: Long-billed Dowitcher; Green Winged Teal; Ring-billed Gull – ; Lesser Scaup - Drift 1st Little Bunting - Lelant – to 20th 12 Wood Lark – Lizard 2nd Yellow-browed Warbler – Newlyn – to 14th Ring-necked Duck – Loe Pool – to Mar 27th Siberian Chiffchaff – Amble Marshes 3rd Hawfinch – Tresemple Pool – to 5th Iceland Gull – Camel Estuary – to Apr 22nd 6th Ring-necked Duck – Porth Reservoir – to Feb 3rd 7th Glaucous Gull – Hayle 1-2 birds to Apr 30th Common Starling minimum 100,000 Davidstow roost 8th Cirl Bunting – 8 Chaffinch - c500 Churchtown Farm Saltash Eurasian Spoonbill – 4 – to Feb 20th (with 3 to May 18th) 9th Sandwich Tern- 2 Mount‟s Bay 10th Iceland Gull – Sennen Cove - to 17th 12th Bittern – Relubbus 15th Purple Sandpiper – 34 Jubilee Pool (highest count of 2006) 17th Iceland Gull - Sennen Cove Ring-billed Gull – 2 Sennen Cove 18th Long-eared Owl – Spotted Redshank – 5 Tresillian River (highest count of 2006) 20th Black-legged Kittiwake – 4068 21st European Golden Plover -11000 Camel Estuary (highest count of 2006) 25th Corn Bunting – 112 Trevose Head 29th Yellow-browed Warbler – Grogley Halt

February 2006 4th Iceland Gull – Par Beach 5th Brambling – 150 Notter Bridge Bar-tailed Godwit - 35 St john‟s Lake(highest count of 2006) 7th Ring-billed Gull – Hayle Estuary. Adult joined the 2nd winter – to 8th February 7th Iceland Gull – Polgigga – to 18th April 9th Iceland Gull – Hayle Estuary – to 19th Feb 11th Iceland gull – Sennen Cove 13th Iceland Gull – Camel Estuary – to 15th February (2nd bird) 14th Pied Avocet – 263 Kingsmill Lake (highest count of 2006) 15th Glaucous Gull – 2 Hannafore, with 1 to 18th Feb 25th Yellow-browed Warbler – Lower Nansloe Lesser Scaup – College Reservoir – to 10th April 26th Ring-necked Duck – College Reservoir – to 12th March

March 2006 1st Laughing Gull – Hayle Estuary 6th Iceland Gull – Arden-Sawah 7th Ring-billed Gull – Stithians – to 17th April 15th Black-crowned Night Heron – – found dead Black-crowned Night Heron - – till 17th

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Black-crowned Night Heron - Lelant 16th Eurasian Spoonbill – Camel Estuary/Walmsley Sanctuary – to 27th March 18th Black-crowned Night Heron – Plain-an-Gwarry 19th Osprey – Camel Estuary Ruff – 4 Camel Estuary/Walmsley Sanctuary – to 21st (highest count of 2006) 21st Black-crowned Night Heron – near 28th Green-winged Teal – Walmsley Estuary – to 1st April 30th Alpine Swift - Falmouth 31st Hoopoe - Polgigga

April 2006 1st Hoopoe – Iceland Gull – Loe Pool – to 3rd April 2nd Red-rumped Swallow – Kenidjack – to 7th April 3rd Black-crowned Night Heron – Hayle river nr 4th Black-crowned Night Heron – Ruan Lanihorne 5th Ring-billed Gull – Camel Estuary Osprey – 2 Camel Estuary 6th Black-crowned Night Heron – Boscathnoe Reservoir – till 22nd April (2 birds on 7th& 8th April) 7th Hoopoe – Redmoor Red-rumped Swallow - Nanquidno 8th Black-crowned Night Heron – St Levan Hoopoe – 11th Hoopoe – St Just 15th Ring-billed Gull – Sennen Cove Common Nightingale – Trevose Head 16th Alpine Swift – Bay Black-winged Stilt – Windmill Farm – to 17th April 17th Hoopoe – 18th Iceland Gull – Nanjizal 19th Ring-necked Duck – College Lake Kentish Plover – 2 Marazion Beach 21st Laughing Gull – Restonguet Creek/Devoran – to 29th April 22nd Woodchat Shrike – Porthgwarra – to 28th April European Bee-eater - Porthgwarra 23rd Common Quail - Nanjizal 26th Iceland Gull – St Levan 27th Whimbrel – 105 Camel Estuary (highest count of 2006) Richard‟s Pipit - Porthgwarra 30th Laughing Gull – Newlyn Ring-necked Duck – Stithians Reservoir – to 8th May

May 2006 4th Red-backed Shrike – Land‟s End 5th Tawny Pipit – Porthgwarra Kentish Plover – Marazion beach 7th Laughing Gull – Marazion Woodchat Shrike – Porthgwarra - to 11th May(possible badius) European Bee-eater – Porthgwarra 11th European Bee-eater - Polgigga 12th Osprey – Trevissom 14th Montagu‟s Harrier – /Croft Pascoe – to 21st May Kentish Plover – Marazion Beach – to 15th May

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19th Surf Scoter - Porthpean 20th Purple Heron – College Reservoir – till 15th June (2 birds reported 22nd-29th May& 15th June) 24th Red-rumped Swallow – Maenporth – to 28th May 25th Spotted Sandpiper – Newlyn – to 28th May

June 2006 1st Osprey – Rosemullion Head 4th European Bee-eater – 2 5th Black Duck – Colliford Reservoir – to 9th June 6th Black Kite – 8th Common Rosefinch – Nanjizal 11th European Honey-buzzard – Kit Hill 20th Common Quail - Porthgwarra

July 2006 1st Gull-billed Tern – Walmsley Sanctuary/Camel Estuary to 4th July 5th Great Bustard - Lizard 7th Alpine Swift – Wheal Rose 30th Black-crowned Night Heron - Wadebridge

August 2006 1st Common Quail – 2 Windmill Farm 15th Eurasian Spoonbill – Stithians Reservoir 20th Osprey – Colliford Lake – to 27th August 23rd Osprey – Saltash 24th Pectoral Sandpiper – Siblyback Lake 27th Black Stork – Church Cove Lizard 28th Osprey – Ruan Lanihorne

September 2006 5th Melodious Warbler – Nanjizal 6th Buff-breasted Sandpiper – Sennen Buff-breasted Sandpiper – Trevorian Pool 8th Baird‟s Sandpiper – Hayle Estuary – to 13th September 9th Osprey – Drift Reservoir – to 16th September Osprey – Malpass 10th Melodious Warbler – Land‟s End Woodchat Shrike – Sennen – to 11th September 12th Pectoral Sandpiper – Upper Tamar Lake – to 13th September Buff-breasted Sandpiper – Colliford Reservoir 13th Wilson‟s Phalarope – Walmsley Sanctuary – to 16th September Pectoral Sandpiper – Camel Estuary/Camel Estuary – to 14th September Buff-breasted Sandpiper – Crowdy Reservoir – to 15th September Tawny Pipit – Windmill Farm 15th Osprey – Colliford Reservoir 17th Ortolan Bunting – Rame Head – to 23rd September Least Sandpiper – Hayle Estuary – to 25th October Wilson‟s Phalarope – Stithian‟s Reservoir – to 25th September Bluethroat – Amble Marshes Buff-breasted Sandpiper - Sennen 18th Pectoral Sandpiper – Hayle Estuary 19th Pectoral Sandpiper – Stithians Reservoir – with up to 3 birds to 6th October 20th Baird‟s Sandpiper – St John‟s Lake

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22nd Hoopoe - St Michael‟s Mount Ortolan Bunting – Land‟s End Melodious Warbler – Porthgwarra – with birds to 26th October 23rd Common Quail – Windmill Farm Woodchat Shrike –Trevose Head 24th Yellow-browed Warbler – Porthgwarra – with birds to 4th November Melodious Warbler - Nanjizal 24th Osprey – Sennen Cove 25th Osprey – Portscatho Richard‟s Pipit – Land‟s End – to 28th September 28th Grey Phalarope – Trevose Head 29th Red-breasted Flycatcher – Sennen Cove 30th Buff-breasted Sandpiper – 2 Predannack

October 2006 Unknown Date Great Bustard - Torpoint 1st Osprey – Camel Estuary – To 3rd October Grey Phalarope – 2 Melodious Warbler – Nanquidno Pectoral Sandpiper – Hayle Estuary – to 11th October 2nd Grey Phalarope – Pendeen Red-eyed Vireo – Nanquidno – to 4th October 6th Spotted Sandpiper – Hayle Estuary – to Year end 8th Tawny Pipit – Nanjizal 8th Spotted Sandpiper – Upper Tamar Lake – to 22nd November 9th Long-billed Dowitcher – Upper Tamar Lake – to 14th November Red-backed Shrike – Kynance - to 10th October 10th Yellow-browed Warbler – Nanjizal – with birds to 1st November Surf Scoter – Swanpool Bay area – to 15th October 12th Yellow –browed Warbler – Sennen Cove – with birds to 28th October 14th Yellow-browed Warbler – – to 20th October Great Egret - Camel Estuary Yellow-browed Warbler – Porth Joke Yellow-browed Warbler – Kenidjack – with birds to 3rd November Yellow-browed Warbler – Trevose Head 16th Yellow-browed Warbler – Land‟s End – with birds to 3rd November Yellow-browed Warbler – Sennen 17th Surf Scoter – – to 20th October 18th Yellow-browed Warbler – Polgigga – with birds to 29th October Common Rosefinch – Pallas‟s Leaf Warbler - Nanjizal Common Rosefinch – Lizard Village 19th Bluethroat – Porthgwarra – to 20th October 20th Red-backed Shrike – Porthgwarra – to 23rd October Long-eared Owl – Land‟s End Yellow-browed Warbler – St Levan – to 26th October 21st Red-backed Shrike – Duckpool – to 26th Oct Surf Scoter – Sennen Cove – to 22nd November Siberian Stonechat – – to 24th October 23rd Common Yellowthroat - Penryn 24th Grey Phalarope – 3 Trevose Head Greenland White-fronted Goose – Walmsley Sanctuary/Camel Estuary – to 31st October 26th Long-tailed Duck – Sennen Cove

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Yellow-browed Warbler – Amble Marshes – to 30th October 27th Red-breasted Flycatcher - Nanjizal 28th Ring-necked Duck – 2 Porth Reservoir – to Year End 29th Yellow-browed Warbler – Sancreed to 31st October Long-eared Owl – Land‟s End 30th Yellow-browed Warbler – Porthcurno – to 4th November 31st Taiga Bean Goose – Gannel Estuary. Seen at Trevose Head 2nd November

November 2006 2nd Ring-billed Gull – Millbrook Richard‟s Pipit - Porthgwarra 3rd Eurasian Spoonbill – 12 Hayle Estuary 4th Richard‟s Pipit – Nanzijal – to 5th November 5th Eurasian Spoonbill – River Lynher – to year end 7th Ring-necked Duck – 2 College Reservoir to 17th December. 1 to 19th December 9th Little Bunting – Amble Confluence – to 20th November Richard‟s Pipit – Stepper Point Red-breasted Flycatcher - Porthgwarra 11th Glaucous gull – Camel estuary 12th Long-billed Dowitcher – Upper Tamar Lake Spotted Sandpiper – Upper Tamar Lake 16th Yellow-browed Warbler – Falmouth 17th Yellow-browed Warbler – Loe Pool Ring-necked Duck – Drift Reservoir – to 19th December 18th Yellow-browed Warbler – Hatt Dusky Warbler - Sladesbridge 20th Black-tailed Godwit – 90 River (highest count of 2006) Grey Phalarope – St Ives Bonaparte‟s Gull – Tamar Estuary 21st Yellow-browed Warbler – – to 9th December Iceland Gull - Pendeen 25th Glaucous gull – Sancreed Green-winged Teal – Camel Estuary 27th Iceland Gull – Newlyn – to 19th December

December 2006 3rd Leach‟s Petrel – 1 Wacker Quay Leach‟s Petrel - 2 St John‟s Lake Leach‟s Petrel - 2 Leach‟s Petrel - 1 Camel Estuary Leach‟s Petrel - 4 Sennen Cove Iceland Gull – Drift Reservoir – to 7th Bonaparte‟s Gull – Carnsew Pool 4th American Wigeon – Camel Estuary/Walmsley Sanctuary – to year end 5th Leach‟s Petrel – 4 Porthgwarra, 2 Sennen Cove Ring-necked Duck – Loe Pool – to 23rd 6th Leach‟s Petrel – 3 Trevose Head 7th Leach‟s Petrel – 30 Sennen Cove Grey Phalarope – Sennen Cove 8th Leach‟s Petrel – 5 St Ives, 1 Pendeen 9th Leach‟s Petrel – 75 St Ives Leach‟s Petrel -31 Pendeen Leach‟s Petrel - 6 Rumps Point

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Leach‟s Petrel - 1 Trevose Head Leach‟s Petrel - 1 Newlyn Green-winged Teal – Stithians Reservoir – to 10th 10th Leach‟s Petrel – 1 Trevose Head Leach‟s Petrel - 1 Mousehole 11th Leach‟s Petrel – 1 Trevose Head Iceland Gull – Camel Estuary 12th Ring-billed Gull – Hayle Estuary 15th Grey Phalarope – Camel Estuary 16th Iceland Gull – Hayle Estuary 17th Grey Phalarope – Carbis Bay 19th Gyr Falcon – Trevose Head 20th Yellow-browed Warbler – Polgigga Iceland Gull - Mousehole 22nd Yellow-browed Warbler - Ponsanooth 25th Yellow-browed Warbler – Helston Sewage Works – to 30th 31st Yellow-browed Warbler – Nanjizal Grey Phalarope -

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Submitting records...

Cornwall Birds are now using the Mapmate system for recording birds in the county. The advantage of this database is that it is widely used by clubs and societies throughout the country, as well as by thousands of individuals for recording everything from mosses and liverworts to cetaceans. Records can be exchanged between recorders so that large volumes of data can be downloaded onto a main database quickly and easily. In Cornwall this means that we can have a team of people imputing data and sending it to the county recorder, speeding up the lengthy process of adding every single bird record to the database. A small team has already been assembled and training on the system begins in early January.

Another major advantage of the Mapmate system is that it can import emailed Spreadsheet records provided they are submitted in the following column headings:

Taxon, Vernacular, Site, Gridref, VC, Recorder, Determiner, Date, Quantity, Method, Sex, Stage, Status, Comment

This is not as daunting as it looks, and indeed some of the columns can be left blank. The following however are important

Taxon: The scientific name – including sub-specific name for distinct sub-species, i.e. Motacilla flava flavissima

Site: Hopefully self explanatory

Gridref: CBWPS uses a 4 figure grid reference, and a comprehensive gazetteer can be found at the back of the Cornwall Bird Report. A 6 figure gird ref can also be used if preferred

VC: The county is divided into 2 vice counties. West Cornwall is VC 1 and East Cornwall is VC2. The dividing line is more or less from the Camel to the . If in doubt, a rough guide is that SW grid refs are usually VC1 and SX and SS grid refs are VC2

Recorder: Again self explanatory – usually YOU

Determiner: A determiner is someone who confirms a record, so if you see a House Sparrow and can identify it yourself – you are the determiner. If someone else identifies it for you – they are the determiner.

Date: can be written as either 01.01.07 or 01/01/07 or 1st January 07

Quantity: The number of birds seen. Mapmate doesn‟t like estimates so c100 won‟t work, however 99+ will. It‟s one of the anomalies of the system!

All the other columns can be left blank, though you can fill them in if you wish to provide extra

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information.

The vernacular column is the common English name for a bird which you may find useful to fill in, though Mapmate will assign an English name from the Taxon. For Example – it doesn‟t like Common Scoter or Common Gull so Melanitta nigra is Black Scoter and Larus canus is Mew Gull.

If you want more information on any of the other columns, or to receive a blank spreadsheet file, email the recorder [email protected]

This is what a completed spreadsheet will look like:

Taxon Site Gridref VC Recorder Determiner Date Quantity

Apus melba Falmouth SW8032 1 Birguides Birdguides 30/03/2006 1

Apus melba Truro SW8244 1 Birguides Birdguides 05/04/2006 1

Apus melba Porthallow SW7923 1 Birguides Birdguides 16/04/2006 1

Apus melba SW6942 1 Birguides Birdguides 09/07/2006 1

Pluvialis dominica St. Just SW3731 1 Birguides Birdguides 15/09/2006 1

Nanjizal Pluvialis dominica Valley SW360239 1 Birguides Birdguides 01/11/2006 1

Colliford Pluvialis dominica Lake SX183744 2 Birguides Birdguides 04/11/2006 1

Larus argentatus Sennen smithsonianus Cove SW3526 1 Birguides Birdguides 28/01/2006 1

Larus argentatus Sennen smithsonianus Cove SW3526 1 Birguides Birdguides 11/02/2006 1

Larus argentatus Sennen smithsonianus Cove SW3526 1 Birguides Birdguides 11/02/2006 1

Larus argentatus Sennen smithsonianus Cove SW3526 1 Birguides Birdguides 21/02/2006 1

Larus argentatus Sennen smithsonianus Cove SW3526 1 Birguides Birdguides 28/02/2006 1

Larus argentatus Sennen smithsonianus Cove SW3526 1 Birguides Birdguides 14/03/2006 1

Larus argentatus Sennen smithsonianus Cove SW3526 1 Birguides Birdguides 15/03/2006 1

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The entry of records into our database is a huge task, one that needs to be spread over the whole year. If you submit more than just a handful of records therefore, please submit them on a quarterly basis.

For more information on Mapmate see www.mapmate.co.uk

If you wish you send records by post, please send to the County Recorder: Darrell Clegg, 55 Lower Fore Street, Saltash PL12 6JQ e-mail (click): recorder

Please ensure that your name and address, together with the year to which the records apply, are clearly shown on the front page.

All records are of use. Whilst not every report is included in our annual "Birds in Cornwall", they are all entered in the database, where they are available for research. They may be used in the compilation of the Cornwall Bird Atlas. a long-term project for which data is required over a period of a number of years.

Submission of Rarity Reports

National Rarities Descriptions of national rarities should be sent to the County Recorder who will then forward them to the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC) for appraisal. These descriptions should follow the criteria listed below or can be submitted on special BBRC forms that are available from the County Recorder or the Secretary of the BBRC, Mr. M. J. Rogers, 2 Churchtown Cottages, Towednack, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 3AZ. Please enclose copies of field notes and photographs, where possible. County Rarities The identification of the majority of county rarities is quite easy for experienced observers and, consequently, the following list of 'Group A' species requiring a full description is relatively small. Many of the species requiring a full description in the past are now included in 'Group B'. Descriptions are not required for sightings of 'Group B' species unless specifically requested by the County Recorder, and provided the bird or birds have been seen by three, experienced observers who are known to the Rarities Committee - the names of the observers should be included when details of sightings are submitted. These arrangements have been introduced to eliminate the need for unnecessary descriptions of 'easy' rarities, without compromising the integrity of the county records.

Group A - Species requiring a full description Bean Goose Rough-legged Buzzard Twite American Wigeon Long-tailed Skua Mealy Redpoll Surf Scoter Caspian Gull Rustic Bunting European Honey-buzzard Kumlien's Gull Any unusual subspecies Montagu's Harrier Roseate Tern Northern Goshawk Tawny Pipit

Group B - Species not normally requiring a description, provided the bird(s) has been seen by at least three experienced observers who are known to the Rarities Committee - please submit names of

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observers with the record details. Purple Heron Ring-billed Gull Barred Warbler White Stork Sabine's Gull Icterine Warbler Pink-footed Goose Long-eared Owl Melodious Warbler Snow Goose European Bee-eater European Serin Green-winged Teal Short-toed Lark Red-breasted Flycatcher Ring-necked Duck Horned Lark Woodchat Shrike Corn Crake Bluethroat Red-billed Chough Common Crane Richard's Pipit L. S. Woodpecker Kentish Plover 'Scandinavian' Rock Pipit Common Rosefinch Stone Curlew Water Pipit (away from Ortolan Bunting Temminck's Stint Maer Lake and Walmsley Cirl Bunting Pectoral Sandpiper Sanctuary) Plus any uncommon races Buff-breasted Sandpiper Rufous Nightingale Red-necked Phalarope Aquatic Warbler

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Editorial Welcome to my first “Birds in Cornwall”, and thank you for your patience. It has taken a long time, along a steep learning curve, to this finished report.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped with the production of this report, especially the section writers and Darrell Clegg, the County Recorder, and his team of data imputers, also the photographers, Andy Pay, Mike Barker, Dave Flumm, Adrian Davey, Steve Rogers and Darrell Clegg for the use of they photographs.

As you are probably aware the 2006 report has been published before the 2005 one. This was brought about because of two changes of county recorder and the loss of many records, as well as a change in computer programs. The 2005 report should be with you later this year.

I have introduced a few changes to the format of the report and the way species are represented with more enthusiasm on commoner and/or breeding birds. The changes can only be brought about with more reporting of these species by you the observers, so let‟s all see how many House Sparrows breed on your street for instance. This will make the report a better tool in safeguarding the aviafouna, of the county, and its habitats.

I would like, in closing, to thank everyone who has submitted records, without whom there would be no report.

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This section of the report contains all the species recorded in Cornwall during 2006 and should stand as the official record for this year.

The presentation of this section is as follows;

1. Species; All records of species recorded in the county and appear in all Categories of the British list are included, (BOU, 2006 and updated at http://www.bou.org.uk/recbrlst.html). The two numbers in brackets indicate the total number of individuals noted in Cornwall up to the end of 2005 and this year. 2. Abundance and status; A brief statement has been given after each species recorded within the county, using the definitions in the tables below, broadly following McCartney 2000. (Unfortunately these are may not be accurate due to the lack of information previously published in the county, especially on common birds. Hopefully this will be remedied soon with the writing of the atlases). The figure at the end of this statement denotes the last year this species was noted in the county, (if no date then the species was recorded during 2005).

Abundance Table

Terms Non-breeding Individuals Breeding Pairs

Abundant >100,000 >50,000 Very Common 10001 - 100,000 5001 - 50,000 Common 1001 - 10000 501 - 5000 Scarce 101 - 1000 51- 500 Very Scarce 11 - 100 6 - 50 Rare 1 - 10 <5 Very rare less than 1 annually less than annual

Status Table Breeding Resident Species which is present throughout the year Breeding Summer Visitor Species which winters to the south, but breeds in Cornwall Species which pass through the county towards their Passage Migrant breeding or wintering grounds

Winter Visitor Species that winters in Cornwall but may breed elsewhere Species which has arrived in Cornwall by accident due to Vagrant weather patterns or in irregular irruptions due to food shortages Species which have been introduced into wild, either by accident or deliberately and appears to be have formed Feral/ Introduction self sustaining populations

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Escapee Species which have escaped from captivity.

3. Tables; The Maximum number table’s shows the highest single day total for that species at a single site. This table also contains the WeBs results for wildfowl, waders, gulls and some other species. In the table title two figures maybe present these are the thresholds for national and international importance, (i.e.; GB50 INT 300, these figures signify 1% of the populations). No counts or zero counts are represented by a – Bold figures indicate national importance. 4. Sites; The sites referred to in the systematic list can be found in the Site Gazetteer together with its grid reference. Some sites form part of a larger site, (usually estuaries). In the table below the main site and their sub sites are listed. Both site and sub sites may be listed in the maximum number tables and observers should send in their records for the sub sites.

Main Site Sub-sites. Camel Estuary Main estuary, Amble Marshes, (Walmsley Sanctuary), Clapper Marshes, Treraven . Hayle Estuary Lelant Water, Copperhouse Creek, Carnsew Pool, Ryan’s Field. Marazion Marsh Main Marsh, Pool. Mounts Bay Penzance Seafront, Tolcarne Beach, Long Rock Beach, Eastern Green Beach, Marazion Beach. Tamar Complex Upper/mid Tamar, Kingsmill Lake, Torpoint, Millbrook, St John’s Lake, Lynher Estuary. Tavy Estuary (). Tamar Lakes Upper Tamar Lake, Lower Tamar Lake

5. Information Sources; the majority of the records in this report are submitted by the societies membership and non members, which are entered onto the societies data base. Some information is also supplied by Birdline Southwest and by some internet sources including Birdguides. (Information from internet and telephone services is only used with substantiated information supplied by the original observer or photographs, so please submit to the county recorder as well as to these sources).The BTO also supplied a large amount of data from its WeBs and Heronry Surveys, it must be noted that this data may not be 100% accurate, because it was supplied before being checked. 6. Observers; Observers initials are given for all county and national rarities and any unusual sightings or ringing recoveries. The finder initials will always be placed first, if known, or those reporting the first or last occurrence, or giving a full description. If more than three observers et al, (and others), will be added. Refer to the List of contributors for observers names.

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SYSTEMATIC LIST

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor Scarce breeding resident

Breeding took place at Argal Res., Bude Marshes, Clapper Marshes, College Res., Harlyn Pools, Lynher Est., Marazion Marsh, Millbrook, Old Town Cove, Par Beach Pool, St.Germans, Stithians Res., Wadebridge and Walmsley Sanctuary

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 375 INT 380)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Argal/College 18 16 18 1 19 12 - - - - - 6 Bude Marshes 4 - - - - 6 ------Camel Est. 56 50 65 53 32 57 60 63 53 45 42 55 Devoran - - - 24 13 ------Drift Res. 88 73 71 - - - 73 70 82 75 81 76 Harlyn Pools 7 2 - 2 2 1 2 3 - - - - Hayle Est. 2 - 2 - 4 - 2 8 1 8 7 - Loe Pool 2 ------35 35 - - Looe River/Est. 4 16 15 ------7 10 Lynher Est. - 2 - - - - - 2 3 9 13 6 Marazion Marsh 8 8 4 3 6 - 1 5 - 5 6 5 Millbrook Lake 5 2 - - - - - 9 11 10 8 9 Par 34 31 34 26 12 - 17 - 19 26 26 28 Penryn River - - 31 ------St.John's Lake 7 ------14 - - Stithians Res - - - - - 7 2 4 - - - 4 Swanpool 32 - 5 - 6 ------Tamar Est. 62 64 ------

WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus (555) (3) Very scarce passage migrant and winter visitor

Hayle Est: eight on Oct 29th Marazion Marsh: one on Nov 2nd Drift Res: one Nov 19th-24th.

The top site for this species is the Camel Est.

BEAN GOOSE Anser fabalis (25) (1) Very rare passage migrant. Has wintered. (2003)

Gannel Est: one of the subspecies A.f.fabalis known at Taiga Bean Goose on Oct 31st SMC,RAFOS,SGR Trevose Head: presumably the same bird on Nov 2nd CS

The top site for this species is the Camel Est. where 12 individuals have been noted.

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus (95) (21) Rare passage migrant. Has wintered.

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Camel Est (Dinham): one on Oct 31st SMC Drift Res: singles on Oct 1st KH; Oct 13th to Nov 4th RRB, SMC, DIJ; Dec 22nd-29th DSF Hayle Est: one on Nov 19th BSW Penryn: 15 on Oct 16th BSW village: 15 on Oct 14th ARP Trevose Head: three on Nov 2nd CS Walmsley Sanctuary: one on Oct 24th-30th SMC,DIJ,RAFOS Windmill Farm: 15 on Oct 11th WFL, subsequently seen at The Lizard and Penryn.

2006 is by far the best year on record. The flock of 15 birds in the Lizard area is the second largest noted in the county only surpassed by 20 at Mawgan Porth in 1954.

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons Very scarce passage migrant. Has wintered. Two forms of this species have reached Cornwall. The Eurasian race A. a. albifrons which was the race which wintered at the Amble Marshes in the late 1960,s and the Greenland race A. a. flavirostris, which accounts for more of the sightings in recent years.

Walmsley Sanctuary: two of the Greenland race flavirostris Oct 24th-31st.

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Very scarce passage migrant and feral introduction. It is very difficult to ascertain the true status of the species due to increasing breeding feral population in the rest of the country including Devon. Genuine wild birds probably do not visit the county.

Carnsew Pool: eight on Sep 18th College Res: one on Jan 2nd and 23rd Drift Res: three on Jan 1st, four on Jan 2nd, four on Sep 9th, six on Sep 23rd and 30th, 15 on Nov 14th, 16 on Dec 20th; plus singles on several other dates. Single birds also reported from Colliford, Goldsithney,Stithians Res. and Wadebridge. Various Greylag x hybrids were reported from Clapper Marshes, Colliford and Drift Res.

GOOSE Sp. Anser sp. Bude: three, (white birds), on Jun 18th HK, RRB

GREATER CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis Scarce breeding resident, common feral introduction.

Breeding was reported at Clapper Marshes, Colliford Lake, Crowdy Res, Oakside Fishery, Par Beach Pool and Walmsley Sanctuary.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 600 INT n/a)

Ja Fe Ma Ap Ma Au Se Oc No De n b r r y Jun Jul g p t v c Camel Est. 56 45 40 16 5 5 135 427 3 1 52 69 Clapper Marshes 8 4 8 8 11 3 10 6 16 1 - 15 College Res. 86 30 7 24 11 25 - - - 181 - 6 133 195 Colliford 673 506 99 37 26 2 5 94 104 157 883 591

Birds in Cornwall 18

Crowdy Res 99 56 19 10 12 166 176 170 397 348 149 138 135 49 20 3 4 - 2 51 - - 2 101 Drift Res. 9 7 6 11 - - 10 10 12 10 13 30 Par Beach Pool 50 25 39 22 25 - - - 65 64 92 60 Siblyback 250 75 23 14 15 29 13 15 161 400 277 285 Stithians Res. - 4 - 12 15 32 - - 20 - - - Upper Tamar 101 Lake 104 - 22 - - - - 7 201 - 234 - Walmsley Sanc 62 85 89 30 23 12 21 309 4 1 - 58 Winnard's Perch - 3 49 - - 14 - - 74 30 - -

Additional records: E. Looe River: 160 on Sep 3rd, 300 on Sep 28th Kingsmill Lake: 87 on Nov 19th Lynher Est: 58 on Jan 1st, 137 on Dec 16th Maer Lake: 96 on Dec 15th Park Clay Pit: 59 on Mar 3rd, 25 on Dec 22nd Penmillard: 70 on Sep 15th Porth Res: 15 on Oct 31st Retallack: 51 on Sep 27th Ruan Lanihorne: 451 on Sep 30th, 63 on Oct 18th St.Columb Major: 49 on Sep 6th St.John‟s Lake: 62 on Jan 7th, 45 on Aug 6th, 28 on Dec 19th Stannon Clay Pit: 18 on 8th Jun Tamar Est: 20 on Jan 1st, 100 on Feb 1st Trenance Lake, : 37 on Oct 15th

Two sites, (Colliford and Upper Tamar Lake), hold nationally important numbers of this increasing goose.

Canada/Greylag hybrids were seen at eight sites.

BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis Rare vagrant and very scarce feral introduction.

Bude Marshes: one on Dec 31st Camel Est: one or two in May and July; ten Nov 6th to Dec 15th Colliford: three to seven birds present all year Dozmary Pool: two on Jan 26th, one on Aug 7th, five on Dec 22nd Drift Res: one from Dec 22nd-31st Land‟s End: one on Nov 10th Park Clay Pit: one on Mar 2nd, two on Dec 21st-22nd Polgigga: two on Nov 3rd Porthgwarra: four on Oct 21st, two on Nov 3rd Sennen Cove: 10 on Oct 26th, perhaps the same as those later on Camel Est. Siblyback: singles in Jan, Feb, Jun and Oct; two on Nov 25th, three on Dec 8th Trevose Head: one on Oct 22nd.

The majority of these records refer to feral birds, but the birds seen in late October and early November from coastal sites were probably “wild birds”. Of the ten birds at the Camel Estuary, two wore darvic rings, one of which, (orange ring with black CPC), was ringed as a male gosling on 7th April 2006 on the Solway, Scotland.

Birds in Cornwall 19

BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla Very scarce passage migrant and winter visitor. Three races of this species have occurred within the county. B. b. bernicla, the dark- bellied form, makes up the majority of the wintering birds, as that B. b. hrota, the pale bellied form, accounts for most of the passage birds. The third race B. b. nigricans, has occurred once on the Camel Estuary in 1981

LIGHT-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla hrota: Camel Est: two on Nov 2nd Harlyn Bay: two on Oct 11th Millbrook: eight on Jan 7th, three on Dec 10th Mounts Bay: 11 on Apr 23rd : two on Nov 2nd Pendeen: one on Oct 7th St.John‟s Lake: eight from Jan 1st-26th, 17 on Apr 15th, two from Dec 16th-31st.

DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla bernicla: Camel Est: seven Jan 7th to Mar 14th; two on Dec 19th, four Dec 21st-30th Daymer Bay: six on Mar 19th Fort Picklecombe: two on Nov 29th Hayle Est: one from Oct 18th-Nov 1st Killigerran Head: two on Nov 15th Marazion: one on Dec 19th-22nd Millbrook: two on Jan 2nd, seven on Jan 7th, two on Nov 2nd, five from Dec 5th-10th Padstow: seven on Feb 19th and Mar 14th St.John‟s Lake: six on Jan 1st, up to 17 from Jan 8th to Feb 14th, 20 on Apr 15th; five on Dec 3rd. 10 on Dec 16th and up to eight to Dec 30th.

EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiaca (24) (1) Very rare feral wanderer and escapee. (2002) This species is increasing throughout the UK, with a pair breeding in Devon in 2005.

Bude Canal/Marshes: one on Jun 18th and Jul23rd Upper Tamar Lake: one on Sep 23rd.

COMMON SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Common resident and very scarce breeder.

Breeding was noted at Bohetherick, Camel Est., Devoran and Hayle Est.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 782 INT 3,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est. 176 200 128 135 80 45 42 - 1 5 47 130 Hayle Est. 91 118 119 78 37 - 21 19 7 9 15 - Lynher Est. 240 90 - - - - - 13 - 35 146 260 Millbrook 126 59 90 - - - - 138 - 5 - - St.John's Lake 340 140 ------30 130 Tamar Est. 650 502 490 403 216 308 91 24 29 116 304 630 Tresillian River 39 - 75 ------

Additional records: Est: 20 on Feb 18th

Birds in Cornwall 20

Gweek: 33 on May 1st Cargreen: 83 on Nov 19th Kingsmill Lake: 45 on Nov 19th

MANDARIN DUCK Aix galericulata (82) (1) Rare vagrant from feral introduction elsewhere in Britain, including Devon. Escapee Loe Pool: male on Mar 20th and 23rd Helston Boating Lake: probably the same bird on several dates Sep 24th-Nov 23rd.

EURASIAN WIGEON Anas penelope Common winter visitor and scarce passage migrant. Has summered.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 4,060 INT 15,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est 355 340 414 29 - - 2 - 17 220 125 192 College Res. 473 377 389 ------58 Colliford 30 23 11 - - - - - 1 - 10 27 Gannel Est. 133 114 112 ------16 57 85 Hayle Est. 1600 450 850 - - - - 3 165 620 679 - Kingsmill Lake - 330 ------4 - 110 96 Loe Pool 24 ------11 24 - - Lynher Est. 315 122 ------68 460 380 Maer Lake 153 - 36 ------96 Mawgan Porth 121 90 ------45 St.John's Lake 225 340 25 ------6 80 175 Stithians Res. 106 115 32 - - - - - 18 20 - 197

No other site held more than 20 birds.

AMERICAN WIGEON Anas americana (20) (1) Rare annual vagrant.

Hayle Est: last year‟s drake Jan 1st – Mar 8th DE, DIJ et al Walmsley Sanctuary: a first winter drake Dec 4th-30th SMS, CS et al

The Walmsley bird is the only the second for the Camel Est. the first was a female last year. The Hayle Est. is the top site with 20.

GADWALL Anas strepera Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 171 INT 600) Ja Fe Ma Ap Ma Ju Ju Au Se Oc No De n b r r y n l g p t v c College Res. 8 8 8 ------4 - Loe Pool 7 ------3 3 - 20 Walmsley Sanctuary 2 3 3 - 2 - 1 - - - - -

Additional records: Harlyn Pools: five on Jan 7th Marsh: nine on Feb 26th

Birds in Cornwall 21

Hayle Kimbro: four on Mar 19th Up to three were occasionally recorded at several other sites.

EURASIAN TEAL Anas crecca Common winter visitor and scarce passage migrant. Has bred.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 1,920 INT 4,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bude Marsh 23 - 35 ------18 Camel Est 310 50 50 27 11 1 1 30 125 140 150 250 College Res. 25 8 8 ------4 10 Colliford Lake 122 32 8 4 - 4 1 17 46 10 16 25 Crowdy Res. 260 165 88 4 3 - - 9 27 21 71 47 Dozmary Pool 54 13 19 - - - - - 18 4 6 9 Drift Res. 10 30 - - - - - 2 20 1 4 - Harlyn Pools 15 7 2 ------16 20 Hayle Est. 220 18 35 - - - - 5 67 180 183 - Loe Pool 13 ------18 26 - - Lynher Est. 127 76 ------26 80 194 Maer Lake 154 26 27 - - 3 4 - - - - 130 Marazion Marsh 30 43 10 4 - - - - 3 15 30 48 Mawgan Porth 125 60 6 ------40 - 35 St.John's Lake 33 45 50 ------8 51 - Stithians Res. 142 125 17 4 - - - 8 26 20 - 36 Tamar Est. 322 237 241 51 - - 2 - 65 26 80 194

Additional records: Skewjack: 50 on Jan 20th Millbrook Lake: 25 on Jan 7th, 27 on Feb 25th Nanquidno: 30 on Feb 22nd Poldhu Marsh: 80 on Feb 26th Truro River: 34 on Mar 2nd Devoran: 106 on Dec 18th Up to 20 were occasionally recorded at several other sites.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL Anas carolinensis (52) (2) Rare annual vagrant.

Hayle Est: Last year‟s drake present Jan 1st-21st; the same or perhaps another Dec 16th-25th PC, DIJ et al Stithians Res: drake Dec 9th-10th SGR Walmsley Sanctuary: drake Mar 28th – Apr 1st RRB,SMC,SGR

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos Common breeding resident. Feral introduction.

Broods of ducklings were reported from Camel Est. (several sites), Maer Lake, Marazion Marsh, Stithians Res., Walmsley Sanctuary and Windmill Farm.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 3,520 INT 20,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Birds in Cornwall 22

Camel Est 62 45 58 38 42 45 35 72 79 110 53 68 Colliford Lake 16 10 13 1 6 22 29 18 54 24 26 4 Crowdy Res. 44 13 7 4 - 12 15 15 48 32 56 27 Drift Res. 28 17 15 13 - - 17 17 26 27 23 - Hannafore 32 11 10 ------18 31 17 Hayle Est. ------73 72 12 - - Loe Pool 25 ------143 74 - - Lynher Est. 52 19 ------39 107 114 Marazion Marsh 6 6 2 ------32 - 23 Porth Res. 143 78 11 - - - - - 80 122 164 79 Sibyback Res. 54 47 31 8 17 11 78 64 57 51 63 62 Stithians Res. 49 47 15 6 4 2 34 36 56 6 - 36 Tamar Est. 287 221 155 98 90 151 140 64 222 335 331 483 Windmill Farm 57 60 ------27 29

Other records included: Trenance Lake (Newquay): 104 on Feb 2nd Lower Tamar Lake: 61 on Aug 13th Helston Boating Lake: 83 on Sep 24th, 63 on Dec 25th St.John‟s Lake: 45 on Oct 22nd Kingsmill Lake: 67 on Nov 19th Penryn River: 52 On Nov 27th Ruan Lanihorne: 65 on Nov 18th

AMERICAN BLACK DUCK Anas rubripes (9) (1) Very rare vagrant. Probably has bred with , producing hybrid young. (2004)

Colliford Lake: a drake on 5th and 9th Jun RRB,SMC

This is the third bird at Colliford making it the top site in the county

NORTHERN PINTAIL Anas acuta Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 279 INT 600) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Hayle Est. - - 6 - - - - - 2 4 3 3 Lynher Est. 5 9 ------4 7 Stithians Res. - 5 5 ------3 - - Walmsley Sanc 3 7 6 3 - - - - 2 1 1 2

Additional records included: Hayle Kimbro: three on Mar 15th, seven on Mar 19th, three on Apr 2nd Nanquidno: 11 on Mar 17th, six on Mar 21st Nanjizal: six on Mar 18th Bude Marshes/Canal: two from Mar 19th-21st Clapper Marshes: three from Mar 19th-27th, 4 on Apr 23rd Windmill Farm: five on Mar 27th Drift Res.: three on Oct 13th Ruan Lanihorne: eight on Oct 18th One or two birds were recorded from six other sites.

Birds in Cornwall 23

There appeared to be a small movement of birds in mid March with over 30 birds involved.

GARGANEY Anas querquedula (1123) (28) Very scarce passage migrant. Has bred.

Walmsley Sanctuary: a pair on May 9th, the male remaining until 17th, one from Jul 17th- 30th, five from Aug 10th to Aug 14th, with three remaining until 26th, a first-winter female from Sep 11th-16th Nanquidno: a drake and two females from Mar 17th to Apr 2nd, one on Oct 14th and 20th St.Levan: 2 on Mar 22nd Nanjizal: a pair on Mar 28th Marazion Marsh: drake from May 7th-18th, one on Jun 6th Hayle Kimbro: one on May 13th Maer Lake: drake from Jun 11th-18th Hayle Est.: two on Jul 30th, one on Nov 14th-23rd Crowdy Res.: two on Aug 11th, singles on Aug 14th and Sep 15th

A fairly average year with a minimum of 28 birds noted.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - 2 307 403 153 22 51 179 81 33 4 4

NORTHERN SHOVELER Anas clypeata Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 148 INT 400) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Clapper Marshes 3 10 18 9 ------2 8 Walmsley Sanc 20 20 24 14 1 - 3 1 2 3 4 16

Additional records: College Res.: 19 on Jan 2nd and 5th, 13 on Jan 23rd Loe Pool: 18 on Jan 2nd, 31 on 25th Drift Res.: eight on Jan 29th Windmill Farm: 11 on Feb 10th, ten on Dec 10th Hayle Kimbro: 20 on Mar 15th increasing to 35 on 19th, 17 on Apr 2nd Trevose Head: six on Aug 8th Dozmary Pool: six on Dec 22nd

Up to four birds were recorded at fifteen further sites.

COMMON POCHARD Aythya ferina Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 595 INT 3,500) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec College Res. 12 8 8 ------2 Dozmary Pool 27 30 27 - - - - 1 - 2 22 13 Drift Res. 6 2 3 ------1 - Loe Pool 91 ------2 19 - 48

Birds in Cornwall 24

Park Clay Pit 4 31 1 ------6 23 - Stithians Res. 3 1 2 - - - 4 - - - - 2

Up to three birds were reported from eight further sites.

RING-NECKED DUCK Aythya collaris (56) (10) Rare annual vagrant. Loe Pool: drake from Jan 2nd – Mar 27th RRB,SMC, drake on Nov 7th BG, female from Dec 5th-23rd Porth Res.: female from Jan 3rd-Feb 3rd SMC; female on Oct 28th, then two females from Oct 31st-Nov 5th SMC,SGR, RAFOS; female again on Dec 17th then Dec 24th-31st SGR College Res.: female from Feb 26th-Apr 19th SFE et al; two females from Nov 7th-29th, then again on Dec 17th, one remaining to 19th DE at al Argal Res.: female on Mar 3rd RRB Stithians Res.: female from Apr 30th-May 8th DE,SFE Drift Res.: drake from Nov 17th-Dec 19th RH,DP et al

It is very difficult to track these sightings but as many as ten birds may have been involved this year. The Argal bird was the same at that at College. The Nov-Dec records from College, Loe Pool and Porth probably related to the same two females. Ten in one year is a new record.

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred.

Breeding took place at Bake, where two females had 15 ducklings between them in late July

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 901 INT 12,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bake 2 7 - - 12 - 17 17 15 25 57 45 College Res. 47 46 55 ------21 Colliford Lake - 3 3 - - - 24 24 7 - - 2 Dozmary Pool 33 34 37 38 21 8 5 9 23 28 27 28 Drift Res. 55 61 12 ------5 52 54 Loe Pool 51 ------32 71 - - Park Clay Pit 27 27 20 - - - 13 - - 42 30 27 Siblyback Res. 3 20 20 24 3 - 1 - - 1 1 4 Stithians Res. 15 18 34 8 9 - 4 10 17 6 - 22 Swanpool 62 - 28 ------44

There were also 30 on Helston Boating Lake on Dec 25th and occasional single figure counts from several other sites.

GREATER SCAUP Aythya marila Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Loe Pool: three on Jan 2nd , one on 6th, two on 25th and 28th, one on Feb 2nd; one on Dec 9th Mounts Bay: two on Jan 14th; three from Jan 27th-Feb 1st, then four from Feb 11th-16th; three on Oct 27th, two on Oct 28th-29th, then from one to five on many dates up to Dec 30th Stithians Res.: one from Jan 22nd-Feb 11th, two from Feb 18th- Apr 17th but three on Mar 12th Gwithian: one from Feb 8th - Mar 12th Drift Res.: one on Feb 14th, three on Feb 20th, five on Mar 4th, then up to four until 21st and three until 31st, with one remaining to Apr 2nd ; In the autumn three from Oct 13th-Nov 30th and one on Dec 1st College Res.: two On Mar 3rd

Birds in Cornwall 25

Dozmary Pool: one from Apr 28th- May 9th : one on Dec 17th Polbathic Creek: one on Dec 26th

LESSER SCAUP Aythya affinis (9) (0) Very rare vagrant.

Drift Res.: last year‟s 1st winter drake from Jan 1st-Feb 21st DE, DIJ, DFS et al No new birds this year although at least two birds were claimed but not submitted.

COMMON EIDER Somateria mollissima Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Carbis Bay: one on Jan 17th Carrick Roads: eight on Jan 9th, seven on Jan 24th Point: singles on Jan 22nd, Apr 24th, Jul 3rd and Sep 14th Mounts Bay: one from Jan 27th-29th, one on Oct 19th Newquay: one on Mar 3rd Par Bay: one on Jan 2nd, two from Jan 7th-Mar 8th but three on Feb 21st, one remaining to May 8th; two on Dec 24th Rumps Point: one on Aug 12th Trevose Head: four on Aug 4th

LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis (531) (3) Very scarce passage migrant and rare winter visitor.

St. John‟s Lake: female from Jan 1st-Mar 17th SMC,DC,GL et al; female on Dec 3rd DC Sennen Cove: one on Oct 26th BG

A very poor year.

BLACK SCOTER Melanitta nigra Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant, a few birds summer.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 500 INT 16,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Gerrans Bay 60 27 50 ------14 24 Mounts Bay 28 16 5 8 - 18 - - - - 2 - Par Bay 12 8 8 ------St. Austell Bay 25 12 2 ------25 20 Trevose Head 13 - 3 - - - 119 110 70 290 42 55

Other records included: Rame Head: 70 on Apr 15th, 20 on 21st St.Ives: 40 on Apr 15th, 19 on Dec 9th : 20 on Apr 30th, 25 on Jul 29th Killigerren Head: 30 on Jul 29th, seven on Nov 27th Porthgwarra: eight on Jul 9th and 29th, 41 on Aug 6th Rumps Point: 20 on Aug 3rd Colliford Lake: six on Sep 12th Looe: 12 on Oct 25th Sennen Cove: eight on Nov 3rd Pendeen: 14 on Nov 29th

Birds in Cornwall 26

Portwrinkle: eleven on Dec 6th and 23rd, 12 on 26th

The 290 at Trevose Head is the largest flock observed in the county this century.

SURF SCOTER Melanitta perspicillata (15) (4) Rare vagrant. (2003) Porthpean: adult drake (and a probable female) May 19th BG Falmouth: juv/female off Gyllingvase and Swanpool from Oct 10th-15th DE, BG, KH, DJ Penzance: juv/female from Oct 17th-20th RI et al Sennen Cove: the Penzance bird from Oct 21st-Nov 22nd BG Charlestown: one on Nov 17th BG Four in a year is a new record. The top site for this species is Bay with five records.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 1 1 2 2 - - - - 7 2 2

VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca (473) (3) Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.

Par Bay: 1 from 2005 to Jan 8th SMC Porthpean: a drake on Nov 26th BG Charlestown: four on Nov 30th BG Towan Head: one flew west on Dec 7th SGR

COMMON GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 249 INT 4,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Argal Res. - 10 11 ------Camel Est. 3 4 ------Carrick Roads - 9 7 ------Colliford Lake 1 3 5 ------Dozmary Pool 7 5 8 6 ------1 3 Loe Pool 5 ------1 Park Clay Pit 8 10 10 ------Stithians Res. 10 8 5 ------3 3

One or two birds were also occasionally recorded at College Res., Crowdy Res., Kingsmill Lake, Porth Res., St.John‟s Lake and Siblyback Res.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 98 INT 1,700) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est. 2 3 ------3 3 Carrick Roads 30 ------43 Lynher Est. 3 5 3 ------11 6 Millbrook 5 4 3 ------11 11 Penryn River 6 ------7 St.John's Lake 3 3 ------

Birds in Cornwall 27

Tamar Est. - 7 ------

Six birds were on the Truro River on Feb 4th and occasional singles were reported from eight other sites.

GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Potential breeder with birds occasionally present in the summer months.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 161 INT 2,700) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Argal Res. 1 7 5 Loe Pool 6 1 1 Lower Tamar Lake 8 14 Stithians Res. 7 6 4

Additional records included: Gannel Est.: two on Jan 1st, one on Jan 27th Porth Res: one from Jan 10th-13th, then two from 14th-18th, one on 22nd Siblyback Res.: singles on Feb 26th, Aug 28th and Nov 18th, two on Nov 25th Colliford Lake: two on Mar 11th College Res.: four on Mar 21st Camel Est.: two on Nov 11th

Single birds were also recorded at Crowdy Res., Dozmary Pool and Helston Boating Lake.

RUDDY DUCK Oxyura jamaicensis (192) (4) Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.

Dozmary Pool : female on Jan 4th, Feb 22th and Mar 5th SMC,DIJ,JCN Park Clay Pit: female on Feb 2nd RRB,SMC Loe Pool: female Oct 13th-19th SMC,SFE Drift Res.: two females on Nov 1st SMC,RAFOS

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa Very scarce breeding resident. Feral introduction. An endemic European species whose breeding population has declined over the years and although released in large numbers in Cornwall during the 1970s and „80s it has never really taken a hold in the county. Reported from over 40 sites this year; however the larger winter counts received may hold numbers of released birds as breeding season reports are much lower.

Records of note included: Porth Mear: 60 on Jan 7th. SMC St Columb (sewage works): 16 on Jan 9th. DAC St Germans: 12 on Jan 27th. A&PB Dinham (shoreline): 60 on Oct 14th. DIJ Amble Marshes: 42 on Nov 7th. SMC Portholland: 70 on Dec 24th. SMC

GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix Rare breeding resident. Feral introduction. A small number of birds are now being introduced annually for shooting. Having declined nationally by 50% in recent years the decline in the south west is thought to be nearer

Birds in Cornwall 28

95% and records this year seem to indicated that this is indeed probable.

There were sightings in only seven places this year and no proven breeding records. Amble Marshes: Singles on Jan 8th and May 10th. DIJ SMC Trevarrian: Four on Jan 4th SMC Turnaware Point: Singles on Jan 5th and 24th. SMC RRB Portholland: Two noted during Jan with four in Dec. SMC RRB Dinham (shoreline): Singles on Feb 27th, Mar 3rd, Oct 13th and 14th with four Dec 14th. DIJ Carnanton: Two on Apr 29th. REW Polbathic: One Jul 4th. JG

COMMON QUAIL Coturnix coturnix (350) (4) Rare summer visitor and passage migrant. Has bred. A widespread summer visitor to much of continental Europe where it is estimated there are almost three million breeding pairs. In the UK there are only around four hundred pairs breeding and in Cornwall it is now virtually only seen and heard as a passage migrant as was the case this year.

There were just four reports: Nanjizal: Single male on Apr 23rd. KEW Porthgwarra: One flushed near Trevean Pool on Jun 20th. DSF PSP Windmill Farm: Two on Aug 1st and a single on Sep 23rd. WFL Only four birds again this year, this being the worst year since 1991.

Monthly totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 - 1 6 95 126 64 30 21 7 2 -

COMMON PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus Common breeding resident. Feral introduction.

The BTO states that this is one of the most ignored birds in Britain because there are at least four million released each year for the shooting season between Oct and Feb. So with this in mind it is difficult to assess the true wild population in the county, apart from to say it‟s healthy! There were over a hundred records for the species received from over thirty sites many of which had noted the species to have been present all year.

GOLDEN PHEASANT Chrysolophus pictus Escapee

There are around a hundred breeding pairs scattered around the UK, but most of the reports in Cornwall are due to escaped birds as this attractive sedentary species is often kept in Collections. There was just one report this year from Respryn on May 5th. MA

RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. A scattered distribution around the coast, with the largest concentrations along the north coast between and Port Isaac and in .

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 49 INT 10,000)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est. - - 1 ------1 1

Birds in Cornwall 29

Mount‟s Bay 1 - - 1 ------1 Trevose/Pentire 69 7 2 2 - - - - - 4 2 9 Whitsand Bay 1 - 20 ------1 - -

Other maximums around the coast included 19 off Dodman Point Jan 27th, seven off Portloe in January and six there in February, all other sites held only one or two birds. The sea off Trevose Head is Nationally Important for this species, the winter maximum this year is the highest since Feb. 1999 when 72 were observed. Extreme dates were June 13th, at Carbis Bay, and Oct 7th, off Trevose Head.

BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica Very scarce winter visitor and very scarce passage migrant. A much more south coast bias than the previous species, with the majority of records off the stretch coast between St Austell Bay and Carrick Roads. Mount‟s Bay has become more important for this species in recent years.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 7 INT 10,000) mmmmmmmm Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Gerrans Bay 13 10 ------8 10 Mount‟s Bay 12 3 - 2 1 ------4 St Austell Bay 15 1 24 ------1 Bay 38 20 10 22 ------17 Whitsand Bay - - 1 4 ------

No other site held more than two birds, unusual was one at Carnsew basin on Dec 18th. Extreme dates were May 21st, in Mount‟s Bay, and Nov 7th, off Trevose Head.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. The most widespread diver species, wintering individuals noted along most of the coast, with Internationally Important numbers in St Austell Bay.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 30 INT 50) mmmmmmmmmmmm Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est. ------2 2 Falmouth Bay ------14 Gerrans Bay 8 2 ------11 10 Hayle Est. ------5 Bay 4 - - 3 3 ------2 Mount‟s Bay 15 - 1 1 2 ------5 Padstow/Harlyn Bays - - - 1 - - - - - 2 2 7 St Austell Bay 14 29 16 1 3 ------3 St Ives Bay 1 ------7 St John‟s Lake 1 ------1 1 Veryan‟s Bay 5 1 - 4 ------8 Whitsand Bay 1 - 30 2 1 - - - - - 3 6

No other site held more than three birds. Unusual was one flying in land at Treator on Nov 10th. Extreme dates were June 30th, at Coverack and Oct 6th, off Trevose Head.

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis Very scarce breeding resident. Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Birds in Cornwall 30

Breeding was noted at the following sites;

Amble Marshes 2 pairs 4 young Lake 1 pair 1 young Drift Res. 1 pair 1 young Marazion Marsh 1 pair No young Stithians res. 1 pair Unknown Additionally a pair may have bred at Butter‟s Tor Marsh.

This species was recorded at all suitable localities.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 78 INT 3,400) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bude Marshes - - 1 ------5 Caerhays - 7 ------4 Camel Est 14 7 10 4 2 3 8 12 14 7 6 16 College Res 1 - 2 ------1 Crowdy Res 2 1 1 1 - - - - 1 1 - - Dozmary Pool - 2 2 2 2 1 1 6 2 4 2 2 Drift Res 6 3 4 1 - 4 1 2 10 22 15 - Harlyn Pools 7 7 4 4 - 2 - 1 2 2 2 6 Hayle Est 4 1 9 1 - - - - 3 3 3 7 Loe Pool 10 ------10 18 6 - Marazion Marsh 4 3 2 3 - - - - 1 3 4 3 Millbrock 11 8 - - - - - 2 7 12 11 21 Par Pool 1 1 1 ------1 - 2 Porth Res 1 1 ------1 - - Siblyback Res 8 6 5 - - - 1 11 21 16 7 4 St John's Lake 23 6 26 - - - - - 4 1 6 8 Stithian's Res 14 9 4 1 - 3 8 13 12 6 - 14 Swanpool - - 5 - 2 - - - 6 10 6 6 Tamar Est 23 24 8 1 - 2 2 5 17 6 26 33 Tamar Lakes - - 3 - - - - 1 2 - 2 - Tehidy Pool 8 9 5 2 2 2 2 2 - 2 2 5 Tresillian River 8 6 2 - - 1 2 5 6 6 11 6

One at Nanquidno Pool on Mar 14th was notable.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Rare breeding resident. Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding was noted at the following sites; Near Newquay: a pair raised three young on a small lake. First breeding at this site. Siblyback Res: pair raised two young. Stithian‟s Res: pair nested but were unsuccessful Lower Tamar Lake: pair with one young in August.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 159 INT 4,800) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Argal - 1 1 - - 2 ------Camel Estuary 1 2 2 2 ------1 2 College Res. 2 2 2 - 2 2 ------

Birds in Cornwall 31

Colliford - 2 1 - 2 5 3 6 3 1 - - Crowdy Res. - 2 1 3 2 3 7 6 3 1 1 1 Hannafore - 4 8 ------1 Loe Pool ------2 Lynher Est. 18 8 7 ------22 44 12 Par Bay 13 14 10 3 ------2 Siblyback - 1 2 2 2 2 4 3 2 - - - St John's lake 15 8 9 6 - - - 2 4 18 23 12 Stithian's 2 2 5 4 3 2 2 - 7 - - - Tamar Est. 6 13 4 3 3 4 - 2 2 7 7 5 Tamar lakes 5 5 12 5 - - 3 3 3 3 2 5

No other site held more than three birds.

RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena Rare winter visitor and passage migrant. As with previous years the majority of records came from the south coast, between St Austell Bay and Falmouth Bay, this area holding nationally important numbers. Inland records are scarce but one at Drift Res. on 9th Jan and a juvenile at Porth Res. on 28th Oct. to 1st November were notable.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 2 INT 1,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Carbis/ St Ives Bay 2 2 2 ------1 - Falmouth Bay 1 ------Gerrans Bay 3 - 1 1 - - - - 2 - - 3 St Austell Bay 1 - 2 2 ------1 -

Extreme Dates were April 26th at Charlestown and September 30th at Gerrans Bay.

SLAVONIAN GREBE Podiceps auritus Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Numbers appeared to be down on previous years but the large numbers at Downderry are interesting.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 7 INT 35) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est 3 3 3 ------Downderry - - 20 ------5 Falmouth Bay 6 ------Gerran's Bay 7 12 1 ------3 Hannafore 4 1 3 1 - - - - - 1 1 5 Lynher Est 2 1 ------1 - Mount's Bay 3 4 1 ------Porthpean 1 4 2 3 ------3

BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

A very scarce grebe away from the Fal Complex. This site being the premiere site in Britain for this species, with numbers here slightly above average this year.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 1 INT 2,800)

Birds in Cornwall 32

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Carrick Roads 25 48 10 ------6 17 Loe Pool 2 2 2 1 ------St John's Lake 2 2 ------1

Away from these sites a single bird was noted on the Lynher Estuary on Jan 7th and 8th, it may have been one of the St John‟s Lake birds. Two were also noted at Seaton on Feb 22nd.

NORTHERN FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis Common breeding resident and passage migrant.

Having first bred in 1943, this species breeds around the coast. Interestingly this year not a single nesting bird was noted.

Movements and gatherings around the coast included; Hannafore Point: 84, west in one hour, Jan 10th. Porthpean: Up to 50 present Jan to March. Pendeen Watch: 200, in two hours, Feb 15th. Porthgwarra: 111, in two hours, Mar 14th; 110, in three hours, Aug 22nd. Towan Head: 74, in two hours, May 23rd. Killigerran Head: 86, in three hours, Jul 29th; 529, in three hours, Aug 22nd. Trevose Head: SMC noted a total 9797 moving west during the year, (a breakdown appears below);

Monthly max (date) No of hrs Monthly total No of hrs Jan 112 (28th) 1 190 8 Feb 24 (17th) 1 24 1 Mar 406 (28th) 2 706 8 Apr 60 (1st) 1 118 8 May 404 (19th) 4 832 22 Jun 15 (12th) 1 56 6 Jul 161 (23rd) 2 1316 27 Aug 518 (1st) 5 1806 56 Sep 147 (15th) 3 43 35 Oct 23 (24th) 3 174 23 Nov 520 (3rd) 2 1732 25 Dec 221 (13th) 1 1900 31

CORY’S SHEARWATER Calonectris diomedea Very scarce to scarce passage migrant. (Numbers fluctuates annually).

Porthgwarra: A total of 98 birds head between Jul 6th and Aug 31st with a maximum of 72 on Jul 30th and 13 the following day. BD, DIJ, CM, CS et al. Pendeen Watch: A total of seven passed between Jul 9th and Aug 28th with a maximum of two on Aug 1st. DSF, CM, et al Trevose Head: 11 passed between Jul 23rd and Aug 29th with a maximum of six on Aug 24th. RRB, SMC. Land‟s End: singles noted passed on Jul 24th and Aug 1st. RI : one passed Aug 1st, Birdguides Godrevy Point: Eight passed Aug 1st. LPW

GREAT SHEARWATER Puffinus gravis Very scarce to scarce passage migrant. (Numbers fluctuates annually).

Birds in Cornwall 33

Land‟s End: one passed Aug 24th RI Pendeen Watch: five birds were noted Aug 1st – 6th, with no more than one on any day. DE, CM Porthgwarra: 16 passed Jul 29th – Aug 20th, with maximums of five Jul 30th and seven Jul 31st. DIJ, CS, KEW Trevose Head: nine birds were noted Aug 1st to Sep 23rd with a maximum of five Aug 24th. RRB, SMC, JDD. Scillonian Crossing: single birds were noted on Aug 26th, 27th and 30th.

The run of low numbers continues.

SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus Scarce to common passage migrant.

Lizard Point: One June 1st, four Sept 20th. Porthgwarra: Noted July 6th to 28th Oct with a total of 93 birds recorded. Highest daily count include 25 July 31st and 16 Sept 2nd. Pendeen: A total of 103 were recorded July 9th to Oct 6th with maximum daily counts of 30 Oct 1st and 25 Oct 25th. Trevose Head: A total of 99 were recorded July 31st to Dec 2nd with a maximum of 43 on Sept 14th. Chynalls Point: One Aug 16th. Land‟s End: One Aug 24th. North Cliffs: Two Aug 20th. Godrevy Point: Four Sept 3rd. Hannafore Point: One Sept 20th. Killigerran Head; Three Sept 21st. St Ives Island: A total of 23 were noted Oct 2nd to Dec 12th, with a maximum of 16 Oct 6th. Cove: Three Oct 5th. Tolwan head: One Dec 3rd.

Occurances of Sooty Shearwaters in Cornwall July 6th to October 31st..

Birds in Cornwall 34

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Jul Jul Jul Jul

- - - -

Oct Oct Oct Oct

Sep Sep Sep Sep

Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug

- - - -

- - - -

- - - - -

06 13 20 27

12 05 19 26

07 14 21 28

03 10 17 24 31

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus Common to very common passage migrant and summer visitor. Has bred and may still do so.

Recorded in every month of the year from both coasts.

Counts over 500 are listed below; Rame Head: 500 Apr 21st, 725 May 20th. : 660 May 21st. Godrevy Point: 700 Sep 3rd. Lizard Point: 732 May 31st. Towan Head: 2400 May 20th, 770 May 23rd. St Ives Island: 1600 Apr 16th/ 17th and 20th. 900 Apr 21st. Sennen Cove: 1000 Mar 28th, 1158 Jun 21st, 1400 Jun 22nd. Hannafore: 1000 May 1st. Pendeen: 3000 Aug 1st.

At Trevose Head SMC noted 65715 birds flying west during the year, below is a monthly breakdown. Monthly max (date) No of hrs Monthly total No of hrs Jan 1 (16th & 21st) 2 2 2 Feb 0 1 0 1 Mar 3408 (28th) 2 3951 5 Apr 2429 (18th) 1 8238 8 May 5623 (19th) 4 18231 22 Jun 1172 (1st) 1 3783 6 Jul 9126 (15th) 2 15994 27 Aug 6144 (1st) 5 14203 60 Sep 432 (4th) 3 1227 33 Oct 26 (7th) 4 58 22 Nov 4 (11th) 3 7 9

Birds in Cornwall 35

Dec 3 (6th) 2 11 11

BALEARIC SHEARWATER Puffinus mauretanicus Scarce passage migrant.

Maximum numbers at main sites Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Pendeen 1 - - - 1 1 - 71 25 126 - 42 Porthgwarra - - 2 - 2 4 177 45 98 11 2 - St Ives Island 5 ------11 6 27 4 154 Trevose Head 2 - - - 1 2 12 149 131 191 21 73

Maximum counts at main sites Pendeen: 21 Aug 28th,40 Oct 2nd, 40 Oct 6th, 30 Oct 7th. Trevose Head: 39 Aug 23d, 20 Sep 4th, 36 Sep 14th, 23 Oct 2nd, 34 Oct 22nd, 77 Oct 31st. Porthgwarra: 60 Jul 29th, 45 Jul 30th, 30 Jul 31st, 72 Sep 2nd. St Ives Island; 67 Dec 5th, 63 Dec 6th.

All other reports are listed of this globally threatened species; : Four Jan 23rd. Carbis Bay: One Mar 28th, one Dec 13th, four Dec 17th. Land‟s End: Two Apr 18th, one Jul 11th, one Jul 25th, one Aug 24th, one Oct 18th, three Oct 30th. Gorran Haven: one Apr 26th. Mounts Bay: One May 19th, one Aug 2nd, one Aug 22nd, two Sep 3rd, two Sep 21st, one Oct 30th, three Dec 7th, three Dec 10th, one Dec 13th, one Dec31st. Towan Head: two May 20th, three Sep 3rd, two Oct 1st, six Oct 6th, five Nov 18th, 12 Dec 3rd, 14 Dec 5th, 16 Dec 12th, one Dec 30th. Rumps Point: One May 22nd, one Aug 3rd, three Aug 12th, six Aug 26th, six Dec 8th. Sennen Cove: Two Jun 21st, one Aug 22nd, two Oct 5th, one Oct 29th, five Dec 3rd, two Dec 4th, 48 Dec 6th, one Dec 7th. Hannafore: Two Jul 23rd. Chynalls Point: 15 Jul 29th, one Aug 25th, 13 Sep 16th, seven Oct 22nd. Killigerran Head: 50 Jul 29th, 105 Sep 21st, five Sep 30th, six Nov 15th, six Nov 24th, one Nov 27th , one Nov 30th. Cape Cornwall: Two July 31st, four Oct 9th, 12 Oct 31st. Rame Head: Two Jul 31st, four Sep 3rd. Godrevy Point; Ten Sep 3rd, four Oct 31st. : One Sep 15th. Lizard Point: Three Sep 20th.

NORTH ATLANTIC LITTLE SHEARWATER Puffinus baroli (5) (1) Very rare vagrant. (1999)

Pendeen: at single flew past on Aug 20th CM, MTE, SR.

Accepted by BBRC.

Of the six birds noted in the county all have been between Aug 13th and Oct 28th, with Sept being the most popular month with three records.

Distribution of sightings of North Atlantic Shearwater

Birds in Cornwall 36

UK Status: A

WILSON’S STORM-PETREL Oceanites oceanicus (11) (4) Very rare vagrant. (2000)

St Ives; One flew west Oct 1st. Pendeen Watch; On Nov 4th a total of three birds were logged, the first passed west at 11.50, this was followed by two together at 12.45. SMC JDB TMC

Four in one year is a new record as is three in one day. The November birds were the first in that month.

EUROPEAN STORM-PETREL Hydrobates pelagicus Common passage migrant and scarce summer visitor. Has bred and may still do so.

No evidence of breeding was found this year.

The first for the year was 124 at Towan Head on May 18th and the last were singles past Towan Head and Pendeen on Oct 1st. In Spring a massive wreck occurred along most of the coast with hundreds of birds noted. All sites with counts over 20 are listed below;

Falmouth: 34 off Gyllynguase Beach May 23rd. Gorran Haven: 133 May 21st. Newlyn: 50 May 19th, 73 May 20th, 100 May 21st, 140 May 22nd. Pendeen: 129 July 9th, 20 Aug 1st. Porthgwarra: 84 May 21st, 20 July 9th, 30 July 29th, 80 Sept 2nd. Rame Head: 20 May 21st. Rosemullion Head: 47 May 25th. Rumps Point: 40 May 20th, 48 May 22nd.

Birds in Cornwall 37

Scillonian Crossing: 33 May 26th, 20 June 28th, 35 Jul 26th, 100 Aug 30th. Sennen Cove: 24 May 24th/25th. Towan Head: 124 May 18th, 194 May 19th, 782 May 20th, 135 May 21st, 37 May 22nd.

At Trevose Head, SMC, recorded a total of 126 moving west from May 19th to Sept 5th.

Monthly max (date) Monthly total May 17 (19th) 40 Jun 0 0 Jul 35 (22nd) 64 Aug 14 (1st) 20 Sep 1 (4th & 5th) 2

LEACH’S STORM-PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa (3272) (180) Very scarce passage migrant.

St Ives Island: One Aug 29th, three Dec 2nd, five Dec 8th, 75 Dec 9th. SGR et al. Trevose Head: One Aug 31st, one Dec 5th, three Dec 6th, with single birds on the 9th, 10th and 11th. RRB SMC. Porthgwarra: One Sept 20th, four Dec 5th. Towan Head: One Oct 1st, two Dec 12th. SGR Pendeen: Singles Dec 2nd and 8th, 31 Dec 9th. RI DSF. Camel Est: One Dec 3rd. SMC DGD et al. Sennen Cove: Four Dec 3rd, two Dec 5th, 30 Dec 7th. St John‟s Lake: Two Dec 3rd. DC Newlyn: One Dec 9th – 10th. SMC BMP. Rumps Point; Six Dec 9th. CS Lynher Est; One Dec 12th. DC

A very poor autumn passage was followed by a spectatular storm driven movement in December, with record numbers recorded. The 176 birds noted in December is the highest total for that month.

NORTHERN GANNET Morus bassanus Very common passage migrant, with birds present throughout the year. Bred on Gulland Island, Padstow until 1478, the nearest colony now is on Grassholm Island, Pembrokeshire.

Recorded around the coast throughout the year, all counts over 500 are listed below; Sennen Cove: 1200 Mar 28th. Killigerran Head: 739 Sept 30th, 859 Nov 24th. Lizard Point: 829 Sept 20th. Porthgwarra: 603 Aug 22nd, 622 Sept 13th, 743 Oct 28th.

At Trevose Head SMC noted 59918 birds flying west during the year, below is a monthly breakdown. Monthly max (date) No of hrs Monthly total No of hrs Jan 13132 (20th) 3 15318 8 Feb 960 (17th) 1 960 1 Mar 196 (4th) 1 894 8 Apr 73 (18th) 1 325 8 May 2388 (19th) 4 3402 22 Jun 47 (12th) 1 189 6 Jul 959 (30th) 2 5324 27 Aug 1390 (1st) 5 11542 56 Sep 1302 (28th) 3 8504 35

Birds in Cornwall 38

Oct 2901 (31st) 3 7394 35 Nov 652 (18th) 2 3335 25 Dec 404 (28th) 2 2731 31

GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Very scarce breeding resident. Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

The only breeding record received was of 14 nests at Hell‟s Mouth. This is a slight reduction on the 18 nests noted in 2004.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 230 INT 1,200) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Argal Res 1 3 1 ------Camel Est 10 13 21 2 3 8 6 4 32 15 - 10 College Res 5 5 5 - 1 1 - - - - - 1 Colliford Res - - - - 1 1 4 7 3 1 3 1 Crowdy Res 2 - - 1 - 1 2 5 8 4 3 1 Drift Res 3 3 3 3 - - 1 5 9 6 2 1 Fowey Est - 2 - - - - 8 7 5 10 5 7 Hayle Est 1 2 2 - - - - - 10 17 - - Killigerran Head ------17 - 10 - 3 - Loe Pool 11 ------70 - - - - 1 7 7 5 - 4 11 6 2 7 Siblyback Res 1 1 1 1 - 2 2 3 1 2 2 - St John's Lake 4 15 - 8 10 10 8 7 10 11 8 12 Stithian's Res 8 5 1 2 1 3 11 8 4 - - 8 Swanpool 2 1 2 - 3 - - - 1 4 3 2 Tamar Complex 38 39 35 26 42 46 63 38 73 71 52 73 Tamar Lakes 7 8 6 4 - - 2 4 6 3 9 6 Tresillian River 1 2 1 2 - 2 - 1 2 1 1 3

At Trevose SMC noted a total of 275 flying passed during, below is a monthly breakdown. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 8 26 17 4 38 24 123 28 3 4 No other site held more than 10 birds.

EUROPEAN SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis Very scarce breeding resident. Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

No breeding records were received this year.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB ? INT 2,400) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est 3 5 16 4 6 11 1 18 4 2 6 2 Hannafore 58 27 ------14 - - Harlyn Bay 170 6 ------40 Killigerran Head ------156 32 298 - 191 - Porthgwarra - - 5 - 2 - 20 15 10 15 - - Sennen Cove - - 20 ------25 - - Towan Head - - 80 - 11 - - 7 - - 16 -

At Trevose Head SMC noted a total of 2691 birds passing the headland during the year, below is a breakdown.

Birds in Cornwall 39

Monthly max (date) No of hrs Monthly total No of hrs Jan 60 (20th) 3 118 8 Feb 12 (17th) 1 12 1 Mar 73 (28th) 2 180 8 Apr 17 (1st) 1 56 8 May 138 (19th) 4 439 21 Jun 21 (7th) 1 105 6 Jul 51 (31st) 3 379 27 Aug 42 (27th) 3 440 54 Sep 83 (4th) 3 334 35 Oct 28 (6th) 6 226 35 Nov 58 (16th) 2 281 35 Dec 27 (30th) 2 127 29

Two other sites held over 20 birds Coverack: 33 Apr 9th. Queener Point: 38 Nov 4th.

GREAT BITTERN Botaurus stellaris (166) (3) Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.

Marazion Marsh: The 2005 bird was last recorded on Apr 8th. DF Stithian‟s Res: A single bird was present Jan 11th until Feb 18th SFE et al Relubbus: A single bird flew into the reedbed Jan 12th. Birdguides. Loe Pool: One on Dec 25th SFE

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec undated 59 35 11 1 - - 1 1 5 4 21 30 1

AMERICAN BITTERN Botaurus lentiginosus (5) (0) Very rare vagrant. (1999)

After a review of all 1950-57 British rarities by BBRC, it was found that Stratton record of one found dead in September 1953 was now deemed no longer acceptable. The county total is now five, these are detailed below; 1873 – One shot at Tresamble, Gwennap ; November 4th. 1906 – One male killed near Porthcurno; November 12th. 1927 – One shot at ; November 28th. 1977 – One at Marazion Marsh; September 7th to 25th, and was also seen at St Erth 18th-19th September. 1999 – One at Walmsley Sanctuary; 13th to 17th May.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON Nycticorax nycticorax (41) (9) Rare vagrant. (2004)

Polperro: one Mar 3rd – 15th. DC Trevean Pool: one Mar 15th – 17th. DP et al Plain-an-Gwarry: one, in private garden, Mar 18th. Mr John Matthews per DSF Liskeard: one, in a private garden, Mar 21st, CG Hayle Est: one Apr 3rd, (may have been present up to two weeks previous). Birdguides DP Boscathnoe Res: an adult Apr 6th – 22nd. CM, DSF et al

Birds in Cornwall 40

Loe Pool: an adult Apr 6th. K & GC St Levan: one, in private garden, Apr 8th. Wadebridge: one, immature, forced done into the Polmorla Valley after being mobbed by Herring Gull. Jul 30th. CS.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec undated - - 13 20 7 - 2 - 2 1 - - 5

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Very rare breeding resident. Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

A minimum of 16 pairs nested within the county.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB ? INT 1,300) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est 14 11 14 17 16 19 44 40 43 29 4 11 Colliford Res - - - - - 1 1 13 2 - - - Drift Res 3 ------5 3 3 1 - Looe River 2 18 2 - 4 - 1 15 30 35 14 11 Fowey Est ------26 31 45 64 4 5 Gannel Est 2 2 - - 1 - 3 - - 6 6 10 Hayle Est 5 3 9 8 5 8 10 21 21 18 21 - Lynher Est 10 14 - - - - - 6 10 11 47 11 Marazion 2 3 2 3 - 1 8 18 13 6 7 3 Penpol Creek 12 13 8 6 2 - - - 12 12 14 14 Restronguet Creek 2 4 2 4 2 3 8 3 5 4 2 2 Ruan Lanihorne 7 11 3 3 - 3 4 15 22 20 17 8 Lerryn River 3 3 4 - - - 6 7 10 10 7 6 Siblyback Res ------5 - 1 - St John's Lake 10 10 - 3 1 - 4 20 34 28 12 12 Stithian's Res ------2 3 2 - - Tamar Complex 42 56 26 37 18 19 33 74 97 87 70 74 Tresillian River - 4 - 8 5 7 9 11 10 10 3 6 Truro River 1 1 4 7 5 24 31 14 - 10 2 1

No other site held more that ten birds.

GREAT EGRET Ardea alba (15) (4) Very rare vagrant. (2005)

Marazion Marsh: Two Aug 3rd DSF Truro River: One Sep 20th REW Camel Est: One Oct 14TH DeJ

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - 1 2 1 1 1 2 5 3 - -

Hayle Est. is the top site for this species with 3 individuals.

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea Very scarce breeding resident. Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Birds in Cornwall 41

The following Heronries were reported this year; Marazion Marsh – 5 nests Polwheveral Creek – 14 nests Restronguet Creek – 7 nests Pill Creek – 5 nests Pinkson Creek – 9 nests Shillingham Creek – 16 nests Trenant Point – 6 nests

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB ? INT 2,700) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est 5 12 2 - 1 24 6 10 14 26 - 2 College Res - 1 2 - - 1 ------Colliford Res - - - - - 1 2 6 1 - 1 - Crowdy Res 1 1 - 1 1 3 8 8 2 1 - - Drift Res 1 1 - - - - 4 2 5 2 2 - Fowey Est ------7 3 2 7 - 1 Harlyn Pools 1 - 1 1 ------1 1 Hayle Est 7 1 - - - - - 6 - 2 - - Lerryn River 1 - - - - 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 Loe Pool 3 ------2 - Looe Est - 3 ------2 8 Lynher Est 8 6 ------3 7 7 Marazion Marsh 12 10 2 4 - 14 7 18 17 1 10 1 Porth Res 3 2 - - 2 3 - - - 2 - - Restronguet Creek 7 8 - 2 5 1 6 1 4 14 1 1 Ruan Lanihorne - - - - 2 2 3 - 2 3 4 - Siblyback Res ------8 2 3 2 2 - St John's Lake 12 3 - 2 2 - 4 4 6 6 8 12 Stithian's Res 3 3 2 - - 4 6 3 4 2 - 1 Tamar Est 49 27 14 16 33 34 23 25 30 48 44 46 Tamar Lakes - 1 2 - - - 8 3 7 2 1 - Tresillian River 3 3 1 2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 3 Truro River 2 14 19 10 10 19 17 6 - 14 6 3

No other site held more than four birds. Moving birds were noted as follows; Porthpean: one flew out to sea Jan 2nd DIJ Trevose Head: three flew east Sep 9th and one flew west Oct 21st SMC

PURPLE HERON Ardea purpurea (33) (8) Rare vagrant. (2003)

Marazion Marsh; One Apr 4th. DF Nanjizal; One Apr 21st. Birdguides Land‟s End; May 9th. Birdguides College Res.; Two birds summered on this reservoir, first noted on May 20th, these birds played hide and seek with the multitude of birders. Breeding can‟t be ruled out although no nests or young were found. The last sighting was of both birds, on June 15th. DE DJe et al Lizard Point; One flew in off the sea June 1st. Birdguides Wadebridge; One flew over the town June 2nd. DIJ Polgreen Farm; One was located on a small pond Aug 24th. REW

Birds in Cornwall 42

Eight in a year is unprecedented.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - 2 14 13 3 - 2 3 2 - -

Marazion Marsh remains the top site with six birds.

BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra (12) (1) Very rare vagrant. (2003)

Church Cove, Lizard: One flew over 27th Aug, before being seen flying out to sea at Loe Pool and then over Porthgwarra.

This record has been accepted by BBRC. (This bird was thought to be the bird first seen on the Isle of Wight on Aug 22nd).

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - - 3 1 1 5 1 1 1 -

This is the second record for Chuch Cove, the first being Aug 28th 1998. The only other site to host more than one bird is St Buryan, which hosted singles in 1991 and 93.

EURASIAN SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia (215) (14) Rare passage migrant and winter visitor. Has summered.

Lynher Est: The four individuals from 2005 were present until 15th March, with up to three until 18th May. These birds were noted along the entire estuary from Polbathic to Jupiture Point and occasionally onto the Tamar off Saltash. (A monthly breakdown is below). The usual adult returned on 5th Nov and present to the end of the year. Camel Est: A single adult was present Mar 16th to the 27th. Stithian‟s Res: One was present early morning on Aug 15th, before flying off at 09.55am, (this being only the second ever bird at this site). Hayle Est., A flock of 12 birds, all juvenile, were present on Nov 3rd.

Approximate Monthly Totals on the Lynher Estuary. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 4 4 4 3 3 - - - - - 1 1

EUROPEAN HONEY-BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Rare passage migrant. (2004) Although the population in Europe is regarded as stable and the number of records in Britain of the species is on the increase it was a poor year for the species in Cornwall with only a single passage birds noted.

Kit Hill: One bird at Sevenstones on Jun 11th. RMB

BLACK KITE Milvus migrans (18) (1) Very rare vagrant.

Birds in Cornwall 43

Almost annual in Cornwall as a passage migrant, reflecting the general increase in reports elsewhere in the UK,

Stepper Point: Probably the same bird as seen at Jun 6th. TD Polzeath: A single bird flew north east Jun 6th. Birdguides

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - 3 9 2 1 - 2 1 - 1

RED KITE Milvus milvus Rare passage migrant. There have always been ancient claims of this species breeding in Cornwall but there has never been any proof; rumours of birds being present for long periods of time in suitable breeding habitats still persist so the possibility of successful breeding should not be dismissed out of hand; especially in view of the success of the national reintroduction scheme.

This year as usual, there was a spread of sightings from Apr to Nov, but with the majority of birds being noted during Jun when the anti-cyclonic weather conditions allow these wandering birds to have a look round the county.

Apr – Jun. Two records probably involving a single bird on Apr 10th at Trencom and Marazion. DSF

During May two birds were seen over Land‟s End and Marazion Marsh on 11th, again it is possible these are the same birds. Then the following day two were seen over Lizard Village. DSF The majority of sightings were during Jun when probably twenty plus birds were present in the skies over Cornwall, drifting from Land‟s End up through the county and on into Devon. Records of note included: Trencom: A wing tagged 2004 bird (yellow left, red right) from Central Scotland on Jun 1st. DP : A bird with yellow wing tags on Jun 4th. (The Trencom bird?) Trethewey: When eighteen were seen together on Jun 6th. KAW Land‟s End: Fifteen were noted – these probably included some of the birds noted at Trethewey as they were recorded on the same date. The last bird noted in Jun was on 28th when a single bird was reported at Marazion Marsh. DSF

Oct – Dec. A single bird at Goonhilly Downs on Nov 5th. SFE

EURASIAN MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus Very scarce passage migrant. This species almost became extinct as a breeding bird in Britain during the 1960s, but by changing its‟ behaviour and nesting on farmlands it has recovered to the point where many individuals will also now winter and hence is seen in many months of the year in Cornwall.

Jan – Mar. The 1w male, from 1995, was present on Goss Moor on Jan 29th and 30th. SMC LW RRB

Apr – Jun. Of the four Apr records a male was at Park Head on 21st, a female at Polgreen Farm on 23rd. REW; another female at Men-an-Tol on 24th and an immature bird at Nanjizal/Skewjack on 27th. KEW CMo. During May there was a 1s female at Marazion Marsh on May 1st. DSF, DP . Jun birds included one seen flying east at Hayle on 3rd and an immature female at Marazion Marsh on 5th. DSF

Jul – Sep. Aug produced an ad female at Stithians Reservoir on 17th. DE; a juv over Hayle on 18th LPW and a female at Crowdy Reservoir from Aug 21st to Sep 10th. SMC, RRB. Other Sep sightings included an ad female at the Upper Tamar Lake on 6th DAC and a bird at Windmill Farm 9th. WFL. A

Birds in Cornwall 44

juv was at Rospannel on 29th. KH

Oct – Dec. A single bird visited Dinham Flats on Oct 1st and 2nd. AW, NF ; another was at Nanjizal on 17th. KEW; a third bird was at Porthgwarra 19th – possibly the Nanjizal individual CMo and the last bird of the year was one at Land‟s End on Oct 27th seen flying NW.

HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred. Hen Harriers are widespread but patchily distributed breeders across much of Northern and Central Europe and accounts for less than a quarter of its global breeding range. The European breeding population of 59,000 pairs is relatively small having undergone a large decline during the 1970s and „80s; this decline abated to some extent during 1990s and many populations stabilised. The relationship between gamekeepers and this bird is still preventing breeding numbers increasing in this country although the situation is improving. An average year for records of the species in Cornwall with just over 80 reports coming from around 25 different sites; the only communal winter roost seems to be at Men-an-Tol now although odd birds were often recorded on Goonhilly Downs.

Jan – Mar. Birds were recorded at 12 sites during Jan including six birds – 5f and 1m at Men-an-Tol on the 8th. CMo ; the only records of more than one bird came from Sancreed on 1st when a male and a ringtail were noted DSF and Goss Moor on 11th when a 1y male and a ringtail were seen SMC and RRB. By Feb 19th only 3f remained at Men-an-Tol CMo; a lone ringtail at Sancreed on 4th DSF and two adults were noted on Goonhilly Downs 11th onwards intermittently into Mar. DP. The roost at Men- an-Tol dropped to 2f during Mar DP and a passage male was noted at Porthgwarra on 22nd.

Apr – Jun. Two ad birds were seen on Goonhilly Downs during Apr, presumably the two from earlier in the year SFE; a single ringtail was at Tregonetha on Apr 2nd RRB and a probable migrant bird was at Windmill Farm on 27th. WFL. May produced two birds one at Chynalls Point on 4th PJB and the male from earlier in the year at Goonhilly Downs which was noted on and off all month. SFE DE. The story was much the same for Jun with the male remaining on Goonhilly Downs until the 4th SFE DE and a single passage bird at Marazion Marsh on 16th DSF.

Jul – Sep. With no records for Jul or Aug the first passage bird of the autumn, a ringtail was seen on the Lynher on Sep 20th EHW.

Oct – Dec. Of the three Oct records one was a ringtail at Colliford Reservoir on 8th RMB; the second was of an ad m at Sancreed on 22nd DSF and the final one on the same date was of two birds at Men- an-Tol. There were records from seven sites during Nov including Porthgwarra, Windmill Farm, Tregantle and Goonhilly Downs but only single birds were noted at each site. Men-an-Tol was the only site to record more with three birds being present on 26th of the month DP. The story was much the same for Dec with reports of single birds at Sancreed, Goonhilly Downs, Bartinney Downs, Tregonetha and Wood Gumpus Common; again the only site recording more than one bird was Men-an-Tol where 2 males roosted on 17th.

MONTAGU’S HARRIER Circus pygargus (124+) (2) Rare passage migrant. Has bred. Montagu‟s Harrier last bred in Cornwall in 1979, since then it has become a rare passage migrant with the majority of sightings being confined to May on The Lizard; this year was no exception with just three reports of a lone female at Goonhilly and Croft Pascoe. Although the European population underwent expansion until 1990 it is still relative small although thought to be stable; this could therefore account for the lack of sightings in Cornwall.

Goonhilly Downs: May 14 -15th. SK SFE IG Croft Pascoe: May 21st. DP

Birds in Cornwall 45

NORTHERN GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis (97) (1) Rare resident and passage migrant. Probably breds. Unlike Devon where there is a small stable breeding population showing some expansion and dispersal, the only records in Cornwall appear to refer to passage birds or wandering individuals.

Rame: One flew towards Maker on Sep 7th. EHW

EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Common breeding resident and scarce passage migrant. With a stable UK and European population of around 340,000 pairs this once rare species has recovered well from the poisoning episodes of the 1960s and is now a familiar site in urban gardens as well as its‟ usual more rural habitats.

Although there were reports from around 90 locations across the county compared with more than 130 ten years ago there is nothing to suggest that the population has altered; being more frequently seen people tend not to send records in thinking that they won‟t be need. Records covered every month of the year, but there were only three proven breeding records; although displaying birds were noted at several sites. From the data it is almost impossible to say whether any of the birds were migrants as there was such a spread of records. Of note a bird was seen around Davidstow and Crowdy Reservoir hunting birds from the Starling roost on Jan 7th DIJ.

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo Common breeding resident and scarce passage migrant. With more than 710,000 pairs breeding across Europe and still increasing this is now a very familiar bird in Cornwall. Rabbits are their preferred food so as long as the rabbit population stays healthy the outlook for the Buzzard is good.

With more than 250 records covering the length and breadth of the county it was again difficult to assess if there were passage birds present. Large gatherings included 12 birds over Marazion Marsh on Apr 12th DSF; 11 over Goonhilly Downs Feb 18th SFE and 11 over the Camel Estuary on Mar 19th SMC. An unusual record from an unknown observer was of a bird being mobbed by cows on Nov 18th on the Amble Marshes!

OSPREY Pandion haliaetus Scarce passage migrant. A widespread summer visitor to much of Northern Europe with around 10,000 breeding pairs; in Britain released birds have encouraged further breeding and many of the young have been ringed and tagged with satellites to enable people to gain a better understanding of the species. In Cornwall, as to be expected birds don‟t tend to linger in the spring, as studies have shown they only refuel for a couple of days before moving on; whereas in the autumn they tend to feed up for as long as two weeks before making tracks for their wintering grounds. This year in Cornwall there were four spring records relating to five birds.

Amble Marshes/Walmsley Sanctuary: A single bird flew N on Mar 19th. SMC REW RRB Camel Estuary: Two birds heading N on Apr 5th. SMC RRB Falmouth/Trevissom: A bird flew up the Penryn River on May 12th. SFE Rosemullion Head: one flying E to W out at sea on Jun 1st.

Autumn passage consisted of at least nine birds reported from nine sites, given the dates it is possible there were more birds involved but taking into account the fact they will spend longer at sites in the autumn it is difficult to decide just how many were present. Colliford Reservoir: A bird was first noted on Jul 25th and reports continued until Sep 15th, these were

Birds in Cornwall 46

probably different individuals but there was insufficient data to conclude this either way. SMC JMB JCN SCV Saltash: A bird at the mouth of the Lynher on Aug 23rd. Ruan Lanihorne: A bird perched in a dead tree early morning on Aug 28th. Sancreed: One late afternoon on Sep 9th. DSF Malpass: A single fishing on Sep 9th. PAD Drift Reservoir: A juv bird was present from Sep 9th to 16th. CS DIJ Sennen Cove: One flew over on Sep 24th. Portscatho: One going W on the morning of Sep 25th. Camel Estuary: An ad was seen from Oct 1st until 3rd. CS

COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Scarce breeding resident and passage migrant. Although a widespread and fairly common breeding bird across much of Europe several population have declined since 1990; these include the populations of Russia, France and the UK it is therefore now being monitored.

Reported from fewer than 50 sites this year compared with over 130 ten years ago and fewer than 90 records of the species were received; this may reflect the decline in populations that have been seen elsewhere in the UK. Both m and f birds were noted at several sites but the only proof of breeding where juv birds were noted came from Porth Joke, Godrevy Point, Trevose Head and the Amble Marshes; this compares with proof of breeding at ten sites ten years ago. There was no obvious passage of birds this year although seven birds at Goonhilly Downs in Sep could have involved passage birds SFE.

MERLIN Falco columbarius Very scarce passage migrant and winter visitor. With around 49,000 breeding pairs in Europe the population is relatively small but stable; in the UK the number of breeding pairs has increased slightly during the 1990s.

Records came from more than 40 sites this year this included wintering and passage birds.

Jan – Mar. There appeared to be wintering birds at Trevose Head where one was noted from Jan 6th until Mar 20th when it was joined by a second, possible passage migrant, bird, SMC CS DIJ; Goonhilly Downs where there were two birds from Jan 8th to Mar 11th, SFE; the Amble Marshes played host to a singleton from Jan 25th to Mar 6th, SMC DIJ RRB. Fourteen other sites, including Men-an-Tol where the Hen Harriers roost, had single birds over the period.

Apr – Jun. Of the two birds noted in this period one was a wintering bird noted twice, Apr 14th and 16th around the Amble Marshes, SMC RRB and the other was a passage bird seen at Windmill Farm on Apr 1st, WFL.

Jul – Sep. Sep passage birds included birds at Sancreed and Sennen on the 7th, DSF and KEW; a female around Crowdy Reservoir and Davidstow from 12th to 19th, SMC DE RRB; a bird at Nanquidno with dark colouring on 22nd and 27th, CMo BD and a bird around the Upper Tamar Lake on 27th, DIJ.

Oct – Dec. Around 20 birds were present in the county during Oct around and a little over half appeared to be passage birds. Individuals returning to traditional wintering sites included one at Trevose Head from Oct 14th onwards; this was joined by a second bird on 21st and they were reported at the site until the end of the year, SMC; Goonhilly Downs where a female was present from Oct 18th into Dec being joined by a male in that month, SFE; at Men-an-Tol the first bird appeared on Oct 19th, CMo, this two was joined by a second bird on Nov 2nd, SMC RRB. Porthgwarra had birds present during November when three birds were noted on 1st, SMC as did Goss Moor where two wintering

Birds in Cornwall 47

birds were joined by a third on Dec 24th, RAFOS and SMC.

EURASIAN HOBBY Falco subbuteo Rare breeding summer visitor and very scarce passage migrant. A widespread summer visitor to much of Europe where there are thought to be around 120,000 breeding pairs. In the UK the summer population seems to be increasing.

First and Last. Apr 15th one in off the sea at Rame Head, DC and the last two birds were noted at Empacombe, DRC and Nanjizal, KEW on Oct 8th.

Breeding. There were no confirmed breeding records although bird were seen displaying at two sites.

Migrants. Spring passage was slow and only single birds were reported, autumn was better with juv birds being noted at Padstow, Nanjizal, Trevose and Nanquidno during Sep and Oct but again it was only ever single birds that were noted.

GYR FALCON Falco rusticolus (15) (0) Very rare vagrant. The largest falcon species these impressive birds are natives of Arctic Europe, Asia, North America, Greenland and Iceland. The birds seen in Britain are largely birds moving to avoid the extreme cold. All the records received this year refer to a hybrid bird which escaped from a falconer. Portreath: A possible white morph bird flew NE on Apr 4th, Birdguides Land‟s End: A hybrid bird was noted on May 11th, DSF Marazion Marsh: The above hybrid was at this site on May 18th, DSF

PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus Very scarce breeding resident and winter visitor. This previously rare species is now classed as secure in Europe even though there are only around 25,000 pairs breeding.

Almost 300 records were received covering more than 50 sites the length and breadth of the county this year; with breeding proven in a handful of places. Interesting notes included, a bird taking a Dunlin on May 14th on the Camel Estuary, DIJ; Birds hunting Starlings coming into roost at Crowdy on Jan 26th, DIJ and Dec 15th and 31st, SMC; a bird mobbing an Osprey at Malpass on Sep 9th and another mobbing a Buzzard at Goldsithney on Sep 12th, PAD; and one taking a Herring Gull in flight at Trevose Head on Aug 1st, SMC.

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus Very scarce breeding resident, Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. This secretive bird has a European breeding population of around 140,000 pairs of which around a thousand can be found in the UK. Considered stable there has been some decline of the species in Britain but this could just be due to the secretive nature of the bird.

Reported from almost 30 sites in Cornwall this year, but there were no confirmed breeding records – in fact there were no records for the species during May or Jun and only a single Jul record. Records of note included: Loe Pool: Four birds present on Jan 2nd. SMC RRB Amble Marshes: Four birds noted on Jan 4th. CS Goss Moor: Nine birds present on Jan 11th. RRB SMC Marazion Marsh: Birds were present from Jan to Apr and then again from Sep to Dec; the maximum noted was on Sep 6th when six birds were present. DSF Bude Marshes: Four birds present on Mar 19th. DIJ Harlyn Bay, Porthgwarra and St Levan all had three birds on several dates during the year and Drift,

Birds in Cornwall 48

Windmill Farm and Polgreen Farm all had two visiting at various times.

SPOTTED CRAKE Porzana porzana (165+) (5) Rare passage migrant. Has bred. With a European breeding population of around 120,000 pairs the species is relatively stable although scattered rather thinly over many countries. The key populations in Russia, Belarus and Romania have increased slightly over the last decade and breeding in Britain is now virtually annual.

This year five individuals were recorded at Marazion this year between Aug 15th and Sep 17th. DSF, KEW

CORN CRAKE Crex crex (170) (0) Rare passage migrant. Has over-wintered. Has bred. (2004) A widespread summer visitor to the middle latitudes of Europe where around 50% of its‟ global breeding range lies; the species declined rapidly during the 1970s and „80s and although it has recovered somewhat the population is still below that of the 1960s. This would therefore account for the poor number of records now received for Cornwall.

Two birds were reported to Birdguides, one in April and another in October, but unfortunately no records were received by the county recorder.

COMMON MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus Scarce breeding resident. With more than 900,000 pairs nesting across Europe this species is a familiar bird to many. An interesting bird to watch as it is one of the few species which actively encourages the young from the first brood of the year to help with the raising of subsequent broods.

Recorded at 40 sites across Cornwall, monthly totals are slightly lower than in previous years but this is probably due to under reporting rather than any decline in the species.

Approximate Monthly Totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 190 92 89 69 12 36 35 79 96 84 91 115

Sites reporting successful breeding included: Amble Marshes: Where there were at least six successful pairs. DIJ and SMC Dennis Cove: One nest seen. DIJ Harlyn: A brood of three. DIJ Marazion Marsh: Seven pairs bred and raised six young. DSF Pond: Two juv noted. JCN Sladesbridge: Two pairs with eight young. DIJ Stithians Reservoir: An unknown observer reported a pair with two young. Windmill Farm: A pair raised a single chick. WFL

COMMON COOT Fulica atra Very scarce breeding resident. Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. A familiar bird on larger lakes and reservoirs there are over 25,000 pairs nesting in the UK, but due to the lack of large bodies of fresh water in Cornwall there are relatively small numbers breeding in the county;

Reported from 28 sites this year. Breeding was attempted at Marazion Marsh but the pair failed to bring up the young, DSF; at Walmsley a bird was seen sitting, DJe and at Bake Lakes two pairs raised a total of eight young, DC.

Birds in Cornwall 49

Approximate Monthly Totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 474 252 197 59 28 34 72 104 327 226 113 278

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 1,750 INT 17,500)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Amble Marshes 6 6 19 15 10 6 2 6 3 3 6 18 College Res. 62 49 33 - - 2 - - - - - 70 Dozmary Pool 16 21 29 9 2 5 18 35 132 32 35 21 Drift Reservoir 17 16 11 - - - 3 4 6 6 8 - Park Clay Pit 153 87 18 - - - 9 - - 43 37 19 Siblyback Res. 20 28 27 5 3 2 4 13 27 12 17 21 Stithians Res. 24 24 4 6 2 6 28 38 31 - - 23

There appear to have been passage birds present in the county during Sep as 132 were noted on Dozmary Pool and a further 117 at Loe Pool, these birds then dispersed later in the month and during Oct.

GREAT BUSTARD Otis tarda (3) (0) Very rare vagrant. Escapee. Great Bustard being used for the re-introduction scheme on Salisbury Plain are all reared at a field station in Saratov, Russia; when the chicks arrive in the UK from Russia they are subject to the statutory requirement of 30 days quarantine. On the day of release all the Great Bustard chicks are fitted with wing tags that display a unique number and a colour according to the year of release. The wing tags allow each bird to be identified individually from a safe distance; they are also fitted with electronic transmitters which help project staff to track them in the wild. There were two reports of this species in Cornwall during 2006: The Lizard: An immature wing tagged male (Yellow 04) was photographed on Jul 5th; this bird was released in 2005 and wintered in Dorset before visiting Somerset and the Lizard. GBG Torpoint: An immature seen in flight during Oct. GBG

EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus Very scarce breeding resident. Common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding was only noted from two site with single pairs present at Ryan‟s Field, Hayle Estuary and Trevose head.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 3,200 INT 10,200) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est 81 148 31 88 80 35 85 155 263 316 152 340 Constantine Bay - - 23 - 23 ------45 Devoran Creek ------30 31 48 - - Downderry ------12 - 9 35 Fowey Est - 3 - - - - 1 12 2 8 2 4 Gannel Est 5 9 ------30 - 11 - Hannafore 31 45 ------1 14 50 50 Hayle Est 39 17 14 2 9 - 27 45 43 23 17 - Killigerran Head ------10 - 17 - Lynher Est 82 93 - - - - - 14 - 29 215 108 Par Sands 51 3 ------78 Restronguet Creek 3 2 - - 1 - 3 24 22 22 19 -

Birds in Cornwall 50

Ruan lanihorne 66 63 6 9 11 14 24 134 92 112 54 124 St John's Lake 175 62 - 60 20 15 25 150 225 198 120 88 Tamar Complex 305 156 94 80 28 21 51 194 291 131 267 411 Tresillian River 3 - - 3 - - - 3 10 4 4 9 Trevose Head - - 3 15 16 1 7 11 34 38 6 2 Truro River 55 27 25 - 1 - - 3 - 25 44 40

Inland recorded came from the following; Colliford Res: one Aug 24th. Dozmary Pool: oner Sept 29th. Siblyback Res: one Nov 18th. It is possible that all three records relate to a single wandering bird.

BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus (27) (1) Rare vagrant.

Windmill Farm: one visited the reserve Apr 16th-17th. MRA et al

After a break for 12 years, recorded in consecutive years.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Undated - - - 9 6 2 - 1 1 1 - - 8

PIED AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta Scarce winter visitor. Very scarce passage migrant.

As with previous years nearly all the records came from the Tamar Complex. Maximum counts were slightly higher than in previous years and some doubt has been expressed with the count accuracy.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 35 INT 730) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Tamar Complex 262 494 29 ------8 250 314 Tamar Est 262 471 29 ------8 156 82 Lynher Est 125 76 ------250 124

Away from the Tamar the only other site to host this species was Tresillian River were four birds from 2005 remained until Feb 12th with one until Mar 12th. A single bird return on Dec 15th.

LITTLE PLOVER Charadrius dubius (359) (10) Very scarce passage migrant.

Clapper Marshes: one Mar 20th – 22nd. DIJ CS Amble Marshes: one Mar 21st – 22nd; one May 12th – 14th. RRB SMC DIJ Gwithian: one Mar 21st. RKT Trevose Head: one Apr 21st. RRB SMC Colliford Res: one Aug 10th – 24th. SMC Drift Res: two Aug 17th – 23rd, with one until 24th. DE DSF Upper Tamar Lake: two Sept 18th – 23rd. RKT

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula Common passage migrant and scarce winter visitor. Former Breeder. An average year for this species with a good autumn passage at inland sites.

Birds in Cornwall 51

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 330 INT 730) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est 10 22 7 13 15 3 3 51 16 23 28 22 Colliford Res ------35 32 - - - Crowdy Area ------1 24 24 - - - Devoran - - - 4 - - - 4 22 - - - Gannel Est 2 1 ------5 - 1 - Hannafore 5 4 ------2 - - 5 Hayle Est 35 20 30 21 5 - - 140 81 23 1 - Mounts Bay 10 - - 14 11 - 21 - 25 21 1 - Par Sands 12 5 1 ------9 Ruan Lanihorne - - - - - 4 - 30 5 - - 2 St John's Lake - 4 - - - - 2 8 4 - - 7 Tamar Complex - 4 - 12 - - 2 8 4 - - 7 Tamar Lakes ------12 10 2 - - Trevose Head - - - 1 2 - 2 2 13 1 - -

No other site held more than five birds except Stithians Res which hosted six Aug 31st.

KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrines (58) (2) Very rare vagrant. (2001)

Marazion Beach: Two, (male and female), Apr 19th to May 14th with the female remaining until 15th. DSJ, SFJ et al

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - 4 13 22 2 1 5 9 1 - -

Marazion area is the top site with 21 individuals.

EURASIAN DOTTEREL Charadrius morinellus (338) (4) Very scarce passage migrant.

Davidstow Airfield: one juvenile Sept 16th – 19th. SMC HK MKW Nanjizal: one Sept 24th. KEW Polgigga: one Sept 17th. Porthgwarra: one juvenile Sept 9th – 23rd. SC SMC DE

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 1 14 51 24 - - 45 143 51 9 2

Top site is Porthgwarra with 81 individuals.

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis dominica (59) (2) Rare vagrant.

Colliford Res: one Nov 11th. CS Camel Est: one Nov 17th – 27th, (video). RRB SMC.

EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria

Birds in Cornwall 52

Very common winter visitor and passage migrant. Has bred.

No hint of breeding again this year.

Bird were noted in the county up until Apr 22nd when a single bird was at Davidstow Airfield. The first for the autumn were 17 flying over Wadebridge Sewage Works on Aug 16th.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 2,500 INT 9,300) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est 12000 3410 150 - - - - 16 - 8 7500 4000 Colliford/ Dozmary 2000 80 100 ------367 1500 305 Crowdy/ D'stow 450 1100 - 1 - - - - 1 132 500 - Hayle Est. 600 ------300 400 200 Maer Lake 2400 - 1 ------1100 Lands End/ Sennen 200 ------2 300 300 - Siblyback Res 300 85 250 ------9 - - Trerulefoot ------300 400 Windmill Farm - 12 ------7 1000 1500 1500

1200 at Bude Marshes on Jan 11th were probably the Maer Lake birds, no other site held more than 300. The maximum count on the Camel Estuary is the second highest count ever in the county only bettered by 15000 at the same site in Jan 1969.

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Noted until May 21st when the last bird was noted at Hayle Est. The returning bird was at the same site Sept 1st.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 530 INT 2,500) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est 45 57 37 4 - - - - 1 12 20 30 Hayle Est 32 32 5 1 1 - - - 1 2 6 13 Lynher Est 25 35 ------5 - 10 9 St Johns Lake 20 20 ------1 - 52 Trevose Area - 1 11 - - - - - 3 - - 4

No other site held more than four birds.

NORTHERN LAPWING Vanellus vanellus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Rare breeding resident.

Breeding was noted at the following sites; Walmsley Sanc; at least three pairs built nests but were trampled by cattle. Colliford Lake; two pairs were thought to have nested. Dozmary Pool; two pairs nested raised at least one young. Rushygate Moor; a single pair was thought to have bred.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 20,000 INT 20,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bude Marshes 450 - 2 ------450 Camel Est 3700 2950 465 5 6 4 28 1 - 230 1200 4005 Colliford/ Dozmary 70 70 140 10 6 4 30 42 27 40 110 70 Crowdy Res 380 30 ------106 560 -

Birds in Cornwall 53

Hayle Est 400 67 - - - - 3 - - 92 175 500 Maer Lake 350 - 1 - - - - - 1 - - 300 Ruan Lanihorne 240 212 - - - - 7 - - 22 276 262 Stithians Res 268 260 ------220 Tamar Est 393 379 8 ------107 262 Walmsley Sanc 430 185 320 6 6 4 2 - - 39 155 75 Windmill Farm - 30 - 2 ------180 450

No other site held more than 400 birds.

RED KNOT Calidris canutus Very scarce winter visitor and scarce passage migrant.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 110 76 61 20` 120 - 4 9 24 6 3 13

A strong start to the year for this species with higher than average numbers on the Camel Estuary which peaked at 75 birds on Feb 22nd, and also at St. John‟s Lake with 20 on Jan 1st. A slight spring passage was noted when a group of 120 birds flew over Amble Marshes on May 20th. It has become the norm in recent years for the county to experience a negligible autumn passage and small second winter period gatherings and 2006 continued this trend with a maximum five birds at Hayle Estuary from Sept 1st -6th and four wintering birds at St. John‟s Ford on Dec 4th.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 2,800 INT 4,500) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Camel Est. 68 75 56 20 120 - 2 2 3 1 2 2 Hayle Est. 6 1 4 - - - 1 1 5 1 - - Mount‟s Bay 1 ------1 St John‟s 20 ------4

SANDERLING Calidris alba Very scarce winter visitor and scarce passage migrant.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 110 76 61 20 120 - 4 9 24 6 3 13

Mount‟s Bay is the key site for this species, supporting the main wintering flock and the largest migrant numbers. There is a distinct spring passage through the county as birds head north towards their breeding grounds, and this accounts for some of the largest numbers recorded during the year. The first spring birds were three at Mount‟s Bay on May 3rd, rising to 24 by 6th. Peak passage occurred at the end of the month with 46 on 25th; 55 on 30th and 80 on 3rd June. Return passage centred on Porth Kidney which seems to have become important in recent years as an alternative to Hayle Estuary. 20 were present on 5th Sept, rising to 100 by 14th Sept, with 50 on 24th Sept.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 300 INT 1,200) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est. 1 - 1 - 9 - 7 12 3 - 1 1 Hayle Est. 5 10 13 - - - - 7 5 30 - 4 Mount‟s Bay 25 2 - - 55 80 - - 5 - 1 - Porth Kidney - - - - 12 - - - 100 - - - Trevose Hd. - - - - 16 - 6 4 5 2 - -

Birds in Cornwall 54

Other reports: Sennen Cove: One, Feb 22nd. St John‟s Ford: One, Mar 18th. Constantine Bay: One, May 17th. Par Beach: Six, May 17th. Harlyn Bay: One, May 22nd; nine, Aug 7th. Colliford Res: One, Aug 20th. Crooklets Beach: Three, Sept 10th. Stithians Res: One, Sept 20th. Crowdy Res: One, Sept 24th.

LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta Very scarce passage migrant. Has wintered. This species is highly variable in numbers. Breeding success coupled with the fact that the main migration route is down the east coast means that Cornwall is always likely to record fewer birds than elsewhere. An average of 50 birds is usual, so 2006 was slightly lower than the mean, and considerably lower than the record year of 1996 when over 900 were seen, illustrating the wide variation recorded from year to year.

No spring birds were seen in 2006. The first record was of three at Hayle Estuary on Sept 1st, and the last was also at Hayle on Nov 14th.

Maximum numbers at regular sites: Hayle Estuary: Three, Sept 1st; Nine, Sept 9th; Two, Sept 10th -11th; Three, Sept 12th; One; Sept 17th – 22nd; Two, Sept 24th -25th; Two, Oct 1st; One Oct 6th – 9th; One, Nov 14th. Colliford Res; Two, Sept 10th Siblyback: One, Sept 11th. Upper Tamar Lake: One, Sept 13th – 14th. Crowdy Res: One, Sept 15th; Two Sept 16th -19th; One, Sept 24th -26th; Three, Sept 27th-28th; One Sept 29th. Amble Marshes/Walmsley Sanctuary: One Sept 20th – 24th. Stithians Res. Two, Sept 23rd – 24th. Trevose Head: One, Sept 23rd; One Sept 28th.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec ------39 4 1 -

LEAST SANDPIPER Calidris minutilla (7) (1) Very rare vagrant (1993)

A juvenile was present around the Hayle Estuary, Carnsew pool and Copperhouse Creek areas from Sept 17th– Oct 15th PC RJC This record constitutes the 8th record for Cornwall and the second for Hayle. Accepted by BBRC

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - 1 - - - - - 1 5 1 - -

Birds in Cornwall 55

BAIRD’S SANDPIPER Calidris bairdii (27) (2) Rare vagrant. (2004) Two were recorded in 2006 from opposite ends of the county. Hayle Estuary: One, juvenile 8th -13th September SR et al St John‟s Lake: One Juvenile at St John‟s ford high tide roost 20th September SV et al Both birds accepted by BBRC

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ------4 22 3 - -

PECTORAL SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos (268) (9) Very scarce vagrant. This is the most frequent nearactic wader to visit Cornwall, seen in all but four years since 1960. 2006 saw a typical scattering of birds at traditional sites between August – October.

Siblyback Reservoir: One, Aug 24th KP Upper Tamar Lake: One, Sept 12th – 13th CS Amble Marshes/Walmsley Sanctuary: One Sept 14th RRB, SMC MKW Hayle Estuary: One, Sept 18th, seen at Lelant Saltings and Carnsew Pool DIJ CM CS with another Oct 1st -11th Stithians Reservoir: Two, Sept 19th September SE increasing to three on 23rd September SR and four on 26th September DJ. One bird remained till 6th October

Approximate Monthly Total (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - 1 2 2 - 42 176 49 4 -

CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea Very scarce passage migrant. Wintering birds and spring migrants are uncommon in the county and this proved to be the case in 2006 with no birds reported in the first part of the year.

The first record was of one bird at Colliford Reservoir on Aug 11th. The only other August record was one on the Camel Estuary on the 18th. The main thrust of the autumn migration began on Sept 6th and continued through until Oct 13th, with peak numbers around the Sept 11th – 12th. A single bird was reported at Hayle until the year end. Numbers were on the low side this year, the maximum number being 10 at Hayle, indeed the Hayle complex was the only site to record more than four birds at any one time

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ------2 34 7 - 1

Colliford: One, Aug 11th; Two, Sept 27th. Camel Estuary: One Aug 18th; Two Sept 10th -11th; Three, Sept 14th; Three Oct 1st. Hayle Estuary: Six, Sept 1st; One, Sept 3rd – 7th; Two, Sept 8th – 10th; Six; Sept 10th; 10, Sept 11th – 13th; Two, Sept 15th -23rd; Three, Sept 24th; Two, Sept 25th; One, Sept 28th– Oct 1st; Two Oct 4th; One, Oct 9th; Two, Oct 13th; One, Oct 28th -30th; One Dec 5th – 29th

Birds in Cornwall 56

St John‟s Lake: One, Sept 2nd. Drift Reservoir: One, Sept 8th – 11th. Crowdy Reservoir: Four, Sept 11th; Three, Sept 16th; One, Sept 24th. Upper Tamar Lake: Four, Sept 11th -14th; Three, Sept 18th. Kingsmill Lake: Two, Sept 11th; One Sept 12th – 27th; One, Oct 2nd. Ruan Lanihorne: One, Sept 30th.

PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Has summered.

Mount‟s Bay, particularly the Jubilee Pool area in Penzance is the main site for this species, although the wintering group at Sennen Cove comprises a large percentage of the county total, though numbers were somewhat reduced when compared to previous years. Of concern is the decline of the regular wintering flock at Hannafore, for which no adequate explanation can be given. Thankfully numbers were at their highest here for some years and it is to be hoped that this trend will continue, but when compared with numbers from previous years the decline is obvious.

Approximate Minthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 42 26 16 36 2 - - 7 - 19 21 55

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 180 INT 750) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Hannafore - 1 ------5 Penzance 34 20 - 31 2 - - - - - 7 24 St. Ives 4 ------20 Sennen - - 9 - - - - 6 - 15 13 - Trevose 4 ------1 - 1 - -

Maximum numbers at Hannafore 1986 – 2006 per CFNHC Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1986 10 16 10 10 - - - - - 8 14 16 1991 9 6 4 1 ------1 1 1996 1 1 ------1 1 2006 - 1 ------5

Other records: Penlee Point, Rame: Two Feb 3rd. Little London: Three Feb 5th. Constantine Bay: Three Mar 19th, two Dec 10th. Mevagissey: Five Apr 15th. Towan Head: One Aug 1st, Three Dec 19th. Godrevey Point: Two Oct 30th. Mousehole: One Dec 20th.

DUNLIN Calidris alpina Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Former breeder. The BTO reports nationally that wintering Dunlin numbers are currently at their lowest levels since records began in 1974. This decline is mirrored in Cornwall with significantly smaller flocks at traditional strongholds such as St. John‟s Lake and the Lynher estuary. Numbers on the Camel estuary were slightly up on previous years, and birds on the Hayle Estuary remained stable.

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A slight spring passage was noted peaking from May 1st - 15th with 164 birds on the Camel estuary on the 14th 50 at Hayle Est. on July 1st may have been very early returning non-breeders heralding the start of autumn passage which involved small groups of birds throughout the county. Peak numbers included 150 at Hayle Est. on Aug 1st and 122 on Sept 13th.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 4102 3438 1363 102 439 56 125 405 401 207 975 4304

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 5,600 INT 13,300) Jan Feb Ma Ap Ma Ju Ju Au Se Oc No Dec r r y n l g p t v Camel Est. 650 533 529 45 164 5 30 87 26 40 360 650 Colliford Res. 3 ------14 12 - - - Crowdy/Davidsto ------9 10 1 1 - w Gannel Est. 1 - - 6 40 - - - 3 - 1 - Hayle Est. 600 400 380 5 60 19 50 160 122 41 110 200 Kingsmill Lake ------3 - 40 - Lynher Est. - 500 ------15 150 0 Maer Lake 35 - 10 - - 2 - - 2 - - 25 Mount‟s Bay 40 2 - 3 58 30 10 - 10 - - 18 Millbrook 610 61 ------St John‟s Lake 200 140 - - - - - 3 - 1 400 100 0 0 0 Trevose Head - - - - 29 - 27 41 9 2 11 1 Truro River - - 20 ------Walmsley Sanc. 50 - 14 - 10 - - 7 - - - - Windmill Farm - 1 - - 1 - 1 2 2 - 6 -

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER Tryngites subruficollis (115) (4) Rare vagrant.

Colliford Lake: One, 12th September SMC MKW Crowdy Reservoir: One, 13th -15th September RRB et al. Predannack: One, 30th September ARP Sennen: One in fields near Trevorrian Farm, 6th -17th September RRB SMC MM et al

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - - - 1 - 4 102 11 1 -

Top sites are Crowdy/ Davidstow Airfield with 28 and Pendannack Airfield with 22.

RUFF Philomachus pugnax Very scarce passage migrant and rare winter visitor. A very poor year illustrating the continued decline of this species in Cornwall

Approximate Monthly Totals

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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - 1 7 4 1 1 - 4 12 1 1 1

To demonstrate the decline, here are the monthly totals from 1996, which was regarded as a poor spring and only an average autumn.

Approximate monthly totals 1996 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 5 1 7 2 4 - 4 18 41 6 1 2

A single wintering bird alternated between the Camel estuary and Walmsley Sanctuary during February. Spring passage began with three birds on the Camel Estuary on Mar 17th, which had moved to Walmsley by 19th and had been joined by a fourth bird. Two birds were seen on the Camel most days between Apr 3rd to 28th, but otherwise the only other spring birds involved two at Cadgwith on Apr 2nd, one at Hayle on May 28th -29th and a late bird at Nanjizal on Jun 5th. Autumn passage started with a single bird at Upper Tamar Lake on Aug 3rd. Other well scattered singles slowly trickled through during the month with birds at the Camel Estuary on 9th; Croft Pascoe Pool 12th; Amble Confluence 14th and Stithians on 20th. In September one/two birds were seen on the Camel Estuary most days between 8th and 27th. At Hayle one bird was recorded from 17th- 23rd and at Crowdy, three birds on the 17th were the most recorded from this site during the year. A presumed late migrant was at Crowdy on Nov 9th, and the last record of the year was of one at Dinham Flats on the Camel Estuary on Dec 16th.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 7 INT ?) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est. - 1 3 2 - - - 1 4 - - 1 Crowdy Res. ------4 - 1 - Hayle Est. - - - - 1 - - - 2 - - - Stithians Res. ------1 1 1 - - Walmsley Sanc. - - 4 2 - - - - 1 - - -

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. This species is almost certainly under recorded and is more widely distributed than the records suggest. It is probably present in most suitable habitat but the difficulty of surveying such areas, combined with the fact that the species does not flush until they are virtually underfoot contribute to the shortage of records. One bird that was ringed at Land‟s End in 2003 was re-trapped the following winter, indicating that the species can be site faithful. All records: Copperhouse Creek: One, Jan 9th; One Nov 4th : One Jan 22nd Par Beach Pool: One, Feb 4th Land‟s End: One Feb 27th Hayle Kimbro: One Mar 15th Nanquidno: One, Apr 20th Crowdy Reservoir: One Aug 11th. Walmsley Sanctuary: One Nov 4th Windmill Farm: One, Nov 8th Marazion Marsh: Singles Nov 10th and19th; three, Dec 17th Trewithen Estate: One, Nov 15th

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Drift Reservoir: One Dec 9th.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 2 1 1 - - - 1 - - 6 4

COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago Rare resident breeder. Common winter visitor and scarce passage migrant. Another species showing a decline in recent years. are prone to hard weather movements, and perhaps the lower numbers are an indication that birds are wintering elsewhere in the country due to the milder winters rather than an actual decrease in numbers. There have also been a lack of records from a stronghold of this species at Maer Lake which reflects observer coverage rather than an absence of birds.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 860 257 367 96 2 - 9 74 36 57 265 684

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB ? INT 20,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Estuary 250 67 81 20 1 14 9 6 19 275 Harlyn Bay 38 17 3 ------4 22 Hayle Estuary 186 - - 6 - - - 3 1 1 41 - Maer Lake 160 - 11 ------20 Marazion 30 31 6 6 - - - 5 1 2 3 82 Stithians 35 41 1 - - - 3 2 - - - 4 Walmsley - - 95 3 1 - - 3 1 3 - -

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER Limnodromus scolopaceus (26) (1) Very rare vagrant. The long staying bird from 2005 remained on the Hayle Estuary until 23rd April. Upper Tamar Lake: One, juvenile/1st winter Oct 8th– Nov 14th. MSS DC et al

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 - 1 - 1 - - 1 4 17 1 -

EURASIAN WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Former breeder. The secretive nature of this species and its preferred woodland habitat away from the well worn footpaths used by birders makes this one of the most under recorded species in Cornwall. It is suspected to be fairly widespread in winter and verbal accounts from woodland estate workers in the east of the county of frequent sightings would seem to support this theory. There were 29 reports this year, but no information came from shoots, which tend to record the largest numbers.

All reports: Hal‟s Grave; One, Jan 8th. Goss Moor; Two, Jan 11th; One, Nov 5th.

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Millbrook Lake; One, Jan 14th. Skewjack; 15, Jan 20th. Treleiver Cross; One, Jan 29th. Men-an-Tol; Two, Feb 19th. Tregonetha Downs; One, Mar 5th. Windmill Farm; Singles, Mar 6th, Dec 17th. Mitchell; Two, Mar 8th. Trispen; One, Mar 8th. Nanjizal; Singles, Mar 15th, Oct 16th, Nov 26th, Dec 31st. St Germans; One, Mar 22nd. Found exhausted on a garden patio. Porthgwarra; Singles, Nov 3rd – 4th. Camel Estuary: Two, Nov 16th. Gillan Creek; One, Nov 17th Harlyn Bay; One, Dec 2nd. Narkurs; One, Dec 8th. Polbathic; One, Dec 8th. Rame Head; One, Dec 8th. Scorrier; One, Dec 18th. Was it just coincidence that three birds were seen on the same day in a relatively small area of east Cornwall, or could it be indicative of a small influx?

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor. Wintering flocks were seemingly in line with the long term average for this species, though numbers at the main sites do show considerable variation from year to year.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 147 119 151 48 26 4 10 34 74 65 185 114

The first migrant of the year was an early record of a single at Marazion on Feb 23rd. A total of c90 passed through during the spring, though exact numbers are difficult to determine unless birds are recorded away from the estuarine wintering strongholds. The final spring migrants were four at Walmsley Sanctuary on June 2nd. The first returning birds were three on the Camel Estuary on July 2nd. Small numbers were seen on passage throughout August and September and continued through to Oct 13th when two were seen at Gwithian

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 150 INT 350) Ja Fe Ma Ap Ma Ju Ju Au Se Oc No De n b r r y n l g p t v c Camel Estuary 43 40 40 40 14 4 9 6 22 6 12 6 Hayle Estuary - - - 5 10 - - 12 12 1 - - Tamar Estuary* 64 58 ------3 - 64 - St. 25 47 2 ------1 3 19 John‟s/Millbrook* Lynher Estuary* - 10 ------2 - 15 - Truro River - - 70 3 - - - - - 35 90 80 Devoran ------10 14 20 - 7

*Some interchange between birds at these sites

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None estuarine records: Maer Lake; Three, Jan 11th, Three, Mar 19th, Two, Mar 26th, One, Dec 31st. Marazion; One, Feb 23rd, Two, Mar 17th-19th, Three Mar 20th, Two, Mar 21st -22nd, One Mar 24th-25th; Three, Mar 28th, Two, May 30th, One Sept 15th. Windmill Farm; One Mar 28th. Trevose Head: One July 24th. Stithians Reservoir: One July 31st. Upper Tamar Lake: Five, Aug 9th. Nanjizal: One Aug 18th. Drift Reservoir; One, Aug 22nd – 27th, also seen at Sancreed; One, Sept 19th – 20th. Killigerran Head; One, Sept 21st. Gwithan; Two Oct 13th.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor. Noted in every month of the year apart from June this wader breeds mainly in Siberia and Fennoscandia and winters in good numbers – around 62,000 individuals – in the UK. Although only a small proportion of these are found in Cornwall the numbers are relatively stable as in the rest of the country. Reported in every month of the year except June; numbers appear lower than ten years ago when counts of over a hundred were noted wintering in the county.

Approximate Monthly Totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 22 80 64 48 35 - 11 7 68 70 20 26

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 620 INT 1,200) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est. 3 24 37 12 28 - 10 3 40 42 8 13 Hayle 17 10 21 6 3 - - - 17 26 11 11 Millbrook 1 55 - - - - - 2 - 2 - -

Other reports: Truro River: Six on Mar 20th. RBB Marazion Beach: Sixteen on Apr 30th. MW Par Beach: Two on May 6th. SMC Upper Tamar Lake: A single bird on Aug 13th. SMC BMP Maer Lake: Two birds on several dates in Dec. SMC East Looe River: One bird on Oct 11th. DC Gannel Estuary: A bird reported on and off all year. SMC, RAFOS et al

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor. A few birds summer. The European breeding population of around 160,000 pair‟s accounts for 50% of the world‟s breeding birds hence is important and happily stable. In Britain there are around 530 breeding pairs which appear to be increasing slowly. In Cornwall passage numbers vary from year to year but with no particular pattern except the majority of birds are recorded in spring.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 4 9 913 551 3 75 112 142 31 9 3

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Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB + INT +) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est. - 2 3 400 215 7 49 21 6 3 1 - Hayle - - - 41 6 - 14 23 11 1 - - Millbrook 1 2 2 - - - - - 37 18 4 3 Mount‟s Bay - - - 64 188 ------

Other reports: Kennack Sands: Forty two on Apr 27th. PJB Windmill Farm: Twenty two on Apr 27th. WFL Tollgate: Seventy two roosting in a field on Apr 28th. DIJ Nanquidno: Around 100 on the rocks near the coast path on Apr 29th. MW Sennen Cove: Eighty three in the overspill car park on Apr 30th. Birdguides Perranuthoe: Fifty on Apr 30th. PAD Porth Joke: Twenty two on May 6th. SGR Trevose Head: Fifty six on Sep 4th. SMC

EURASIAN CURLEW Numenius arquata Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Although a widespread breeding bird over much of northern Europe the species declined during the 1970s and „80s and is still considered as declining especially in the UK; here in Cornwall the overall wintering populations are smaller than ten years ago and there were no breeding records submitted, although a pair of birds were noted in Jun at Park Clay Pit.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 1,500 INT 4,200) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est. 301 494 326 25 18 42 321 382 429 342 132 389 Drift 115 - - - - - 90 31 72 60 74 - Gannel 1 12 ------132 200 - Fowey Est. - 56 - - - - 60 24 84 61 64 54 Hayle 150 11 100 6 - 176 180 220 170 170 81 200 Lynher Est. 214 165 - - - - - 63 300 19 120 171 Maer Lake 27 21 17 - - - 6 - 20 - - 49 St John‟s 218 196 ------12 140 123 130 Stithians 13 36 - - - - 40 100 42 - - 17 Tamar Est. 147 118 ------65 - - - Trevose Head - - - 22 - - 5 4 3 2 1 1

Other reports: Gweek: 236 birds seen on Jan 21st. SFE Devoran: 177 passage birds on Aug 8th. DJe Ruan Lanihorne: 167 birds on Sep 30th. SMC Devoran: 125 birds on Aug 20th.DJe Tresillian River: 118 wintering birds on Jan 31st. SFE

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Although the species is stable in Russia and Norway the population in Finland has declined and as a result fewer birds are being recorded in Britain and hence Cornwall; during the 1980s flocks of around twenty were regularly recorded on the Lynher and Tresillian Rivers but now these have disappeared and only odd birds are occasionally noted.

Approximate Monthly Totals:

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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 12 4 6 1 2 - - 5 3 1 2 1

Jan – Mar. The maximum count during this period was of five birds on the Tresillian River on Jan 18th. DIJ; there were four birds present on the Tamar Estuary during the Jan WeBS Count – being reported from Millbrook, the Lynher and Polbathic Creek; by Mar these had all moved on. The only other birds were two regulars on Hayle which were present into Mar. LPW and a singleton on the Camel Estuary on Jan 19th and Feb 27th. DIJ.

Apr – Jun. The regular birds on Hayle were reported until May 6th. SMC and single birds were again seen on the Camel Estuary on May 25th and 31st. SMC CS. The bird on Walmsley on May 24th was presumably one of the Camel birds. RRB.

Jul – Sep. Aug produced the first returning birds with single birds at Crowdy on the 7th. SMC; Colliford on the 10th. SMC and Marazion, Nanjizal and Drift Reservoir on 25th, DSF and KAW. During Sep a single bird was reported on Hayle all month PCo, DIJ, SMC CS and two birds were present at Kingsmill Creek on Sep 9th. DC.

Oct – Dec. The single Hayle bird remained present until the end of the year and the only other report was of another singleton at Kingsmill Lake on Nov 19th. SMC.

COMMON REDSHANK Tringa totanus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. A widespread breeder across Europe which contains around 50% of the breeding pairs in the world, the species has under gone a steady decline in breeding numbers in Russia and Norway throughout the 1990s and this is reflected in the numbers being reported around the county, where flocks of over 200 were once regular around the estuaries during winter.

Approximate Monthly Totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 684 393 155 42 1 - 72 220 620 422 419 443

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 1,200 INT 1,300) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est. 142 136 93 32 - - 44 40 42 63 110 173 Hayle 57 28 62 8 - - 34 55 72 81 80 - Lynher Est. 77 49 - - - - - 36 66 32 60 124 Millbrook Lake 11 45 - - - - - 49 120 77 54 46 St John‟s 125 25 ------4 54 28 - Tamar Est. 225 97 ------90 - 70 -

Other reports: Colliford Reservoir: A single birds on May 13th and Aug 24th. SMC Crowdy Reservoir: Three birds on Jul 2nd. SMC Maer Lake: Single birds on Jul 9th and 21st. SMC Devoran: Seventy birds on Aug 1st. DJe and 72 on Oct 11th SFE Drift Reservoir: One bird on Aug 5th. DSF Trevose Head: one on Aug 5th and two on Sep 9th. SMC Stithians Reservoir: Three birds on Aug 8th. DJe and three birds on Dec 18th SMC Siblyback Reservoir: One on Aug 12th. SMC Upper Tamar Lake: A singleton on Aug 13th. SMC Marazion Marsh: One on Aug 25th. DSF Marazion Beach: Two birds on Dec 18th. DSF

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COMMON GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Very scarce winter visitor and scarce passage migrant. Of the 160,000 pairs that breed in Europe around a thousand breed in the UK where there was a marked decline during the late 1990s. This is reflected somewhat in the figures occurring in the county during 2006 as they were lower than 1996 when over 400 birds occurred on passage in Aug.

Approximate Monthly Totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 49

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 6 INT 3,100) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est. 17 19 13 10 2 - 5 84 58 30 9 11 Devoran - - - 14 - - - 25 12 11 - 5 Drift ------6 3 - 1 - Hayle 2 4 2 2 1 - 3 6 5 5 3 3 Lynher Est. 3 1 - - - - - 4 4 1 1 4 Millbrook Lake 8 7 1 - - - - 3 5 7 7 7 Stithians ------1 7 2 - - - Tamar Est. 13 5 - - - - - 18 25 - 13 - Tresillian 5 - 5 4 - - - - 7 - - -

Other reports: Windmill Farm: A single bird on Jul 15th. WFL Trevose Head: Three W on Aug 5th. SMC Crowdy Reservoir: three on Aug 7th, 17th and 24th. SMC Colliford Reservoir: Five passage birds on Aug 20th and 24th. SMC Upper Tamar Lake: A singleton on Sep 18th. RKT

GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus Very scarce winter visitor and scarce passage migrant. Around 330,000 pairs breed in northern and central Europe of these around 750 winter in the UK. The numbers and sites used in Cornwall vary from year to year with no particular pattern.

Approximate Monthly Totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 4 2 4 5 1 3 36 61 38 12 3 2

Present in every month of the year, spring passage seems to have gone unrecorded while birds on passage occurred during Jul, Aug and Sep; this is also when the majority of records were sent in so perhaps giving a false impression of the year. Wintering birds were noted at Wendron, Clapper and Amble Marshes in Jan and at Amble Marshes and Stithians in Dec. Autumn groups included ten birds through Nanjizal in both Jul and Aug KIW; eight birds at Amble Marshes on Aug 24th and 27th DIJ; seven birds at Windmill Farm Jul 23rd WFL and six birds at Drift Reservoir and Clapper Marshes during Aug CS CMo.

WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola Very scarce passage migrant. The European breeding population declined from 1970 – 1990 and then appeared to stabilise; it still hasn‟t fully recovered and this is reflected in the numbers of individuals appearing on passage in Cornwall. This year although single birds were seen regularly it was difficult to assess whether there were more than twenty individuals involved.

Birds in Cornwall 65

Approximate Monthly Totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - - - 1 3 12 6 - - -

Apr – Jun. A single bird at Walmsley on Jun 2nd. SMC and RRB

Jul – Sep. One of the birds reported during Jul at Walmsley was possibly the bird that had been present during Jun; the others, singletons were noted at Maer Lake on Jul 2nd, SMC and Nanjizal on Jul 22nd, KIW. Aug produced the most records with lone birds being present at Croft Pascoe, Stithians, Sheviock Pond, Siblyback and Drift; the only site recording more than one bird at a time was Crowdy Reservoir where three were noted on Aug 10th. Of the birds seen in Sep several were Aug birds still feeding well before moving on; other birds were reported from Walmsley where two were noted on several dates DIJ, CS et al and the latest bird was one at Anderton on Sep 15th, DRC.

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos Very scarce winter visitor and scarce passage migrant. A widespread breeder over much of Europe with around 12,000 pairs breeding in the UK; it is last known to have bred in Cornwall in 1989. Some populations declined marginally from 1990 – 2000 but this doesn‟t seem to have affected the numbers of birds visiting Cornwall.

Approximate Monthly Totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 10 7 11 26 5 1 84 66 21 6 3 8

During Jan there were wintering birds on the Tamar, Lynher, Camel and Hayle Estuaries as well as three on Clapper Marshes; some of these lingered into Mar when the spring passage began with six birds together on the Dinham section of the Camel. Apr saw the majority of the spring birds with reports from Heamoor, Gillan Creek and Crowdy Reservoir where four birds were present on Apr 29th SMC. Odd birds were reported during May and Jun before autumn passage began during Jul; of note there were 11 birds at Hayle on Jul 1st PC and 13 there on the 20th of the month LPW. Passage continued well into Aug with ten birds being seen at Clapper Pools on Aug 10th CS and seven at Tremayne Quay on the 22nd PJB. Oct through to Dec saw wintering birds on the same estuaries as were populated during Jan of the year.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER Actitis macularius (8) (3) Very rare vagrant. This species has a large global range and with an estimated 250,000 individuals world-wide is thought to have a stable breeding population. It is the most widespread breeding sandpiper in North America so it is not surprising that odd individuals appear in Cornwall especially as they have been shown to have several patterns of migration.

Newlyn: A sum plum ad. Was found on May 25th and remained around the harbour until May 28th when it was seen flying towards Sandy Cove. MA DSF BD Hayle Estuary: A juv bird was present from Oct 5th to the year end. MAB IK JPM et al Upper Tamar Lake: A bird was found on Oct 9th and remained until Nov 12th. FHCK DIJ CS et al

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - - 2 1 - 1 3 3 1 -

Three in a year is a new county record. No more than one has been recorded before.

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RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeding in coastal areas of northern Europe the relatively small population of 81,000 pairs is thought to be stable. Of these around 52,000 individuals choose to winter around the UK with a small proportion of them – about 250 – finding their way to Cornish shores.

Approximate Monthly Totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 240 250 164 30 49 - 9 35 101 137 171 310

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 500 INT 1,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est. 70 43 42 6 - - 5 12 6 17 72 57 Downderry 6 ------5 - - 6 Hannafore 55 70 80 - - - - 1 18 6 33 46 Hayle 20 17 5 8 - - 1 1 4 12 - 20 Mount‟s Bay 33 40 - 4 9 - - - 16 4 - 45 St John‟s 15 40 ------35 15 48 Trevose Head - - - 2 20 - 3 2 28 7 7 -

Other reports: Par Beach: Around 31 birds were present during Dec. SMC Sennen Cove: Thirty birds on Oct 6th. KH Crowdy Reservoir: Two inland birds on Aug 7th. SMC

WILSON’S PHALAROPE Phalaropus tricolor (22) (1) Very rare vagrant. (1995) Although still abundant as a breeding species in central and western North America there has been a decline in the number of breeding pairs over the last twenty years; however it is still recorded as a vagrant in Cornwall occurring less than annually. A single juv bird was present in the county from Sep 13th to 25th; initially been found at Walmsley it visited the nearby Amble Marshes on a couple of occasions before moving to Stithians. Walmsley Sanctuary: Juv bird on Sep 13th to 16th. DJe, DIJ, FHCK et al Stithians Reservoir: From Sep 17th to 25th. SFE, ARP et al

GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius (4646) (30) Very scarce passage migrant and rare winter visitor. The European breeding population is only around 350 pairs so at times it is surprising that over a hundred can be recorded off the coast of Cornwall after an autumn storm; however this year was a quiet year for the species with only 12 birds being noted and these were all during the latter part of the year. Trevose Head: One bird on Sep 28th. SMC Pendeen: Two birds on Oct 1st and another singleton on the following day. RI Trevose Head: Three birds on Oct 24th. SMC St Ives: One on Nov 20th. Birdguides Sennen Cove: A single bird on Dec 7th. Birdguides Camel Estuary: A bird noted off Dinham Flats and later seen flying towards Walmsley on Dec 15th. CS, DIJ, AJ & SAP Carbis Bay: A bird lingering offshore on Dec 17th. Birdguides Kingsands: One close to shore on Dec 31st. MP

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus (3219) (52)

Birds in Cornwall 67

Scarce passage migrant. An unseasonable bird flew west past St Ives on Jan 25th and a sub adult flew past Trevose Head on Mar 29th SMC RRB.

Spring passage in May involved 6 or 7 birds and included 2/3 past Porthgwarra on 2nd, and singles at Gorran Haven on 16th DP, Chapel Point on 18th, Tolcarne Beach on 19th and Penzance on 21st. An adult flew sw past Trevose Head on Jun 21st.

Autumn passage lasted from Jul 8th to Oct 29th and involved a minimum of 39 birds, with peak passage in second half August (8) and first half of October (10). These are summarised as follows – Porthgwarra: 3 Jul 8th and 31st, singles on Jul 10th and Oct 6th and 4 on Oct 29th Cape Cornwall: one Jul 31st. Pendeen Watch, singles Aug1st, 27th and 28th, and Oct 1st with 2 on 2nd and 6th Lands End, one Aug 3rd. Trevose Head, singles Aug 21st, 29th and 30th, Sep 1st, 4th , 16th, and 23rd and Oct 2nd and 6th Camel Estuary, , an adult and juvenile lingered off shore on Aug 26th DIJ et al St Ives, one 29 Aug Chynalls Point, an ad 27 Sep Towan Head, one 17 Sep Sennan Cove, one 28 Oct

In December, one flew past St Ives on 8th, there was a juvenile off Trevose Head on 27th and 28th and one flew past Marazion on 29th.

The birds on the Camel Estuary are the first for the site.

ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus Scarce passage migrant.

Jan – Mar No records

Apr- Jun Spring passage was first noted on Apr 6th when one flew past Marazion. This was followed by a further 8 birds from four sites until May 23rd with a peak of 3 at Gorran Haven on May 4th.

Jul – Oct 191 returning birds were seen between Jul 9th and Oct 31st. The table below indicates that peak passage occurred during the second half of August but note that the figures may be biased by weather conditions and degree of observer coverage.

Autumn Passage of Arctic Skua July Aug Sept Oct Total 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 Cape Cornwall ------3 3 Chynalls Point - 15 - 2 2 - - 1 20 East Pentire ------1 - 1 Godrevey Point - - - - 5 - - - 5 Killigerran Head - 1 - - - 1 - - 2 Pendeen Watch - - 1 12 - - 27 6 46 Porthgwarra/Gwennap 5 8 - 7 6 - - 7 33 Rumps Point - - - 1 - - - - 1 Sennan Cove ------1 1 St Ives ------5 - 5

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Towan Head ------1 - 1 Trevose Head - 1 3 39 19 6 2 3 73 Totals 5 25 4 61 32 7 36 21 191

Nov – Dec Late birds were one past Porthgwarra on Nov 4th, a juvenile that lingered of Killigerran Head from Nov 24th – 30th and one off Trevose Head on Dec 9th.

LONG-TAILED SKUA Stercorarius longicaudus (213) (9) Rare passage migrant. (2004) There were no spring records but a max of 11 birds in the second half of the year.

July – Sept. The first for the year wasa single juvenile off Porthgwarra on 22nd SMC, JDB et al. Single birds were noted off Trevose Head on 29th RRB and 30th SMC, RRB. Oct – Dec. An adult flew past Pendeen Oct 1st and there were 2 juvs at Porthgwarra on 27th and 28th SMC et al. There was a juv at Killigerran Head Nov 24th SMC, RRB.

Many more records were received but lacked descriptions

GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua Scarce passage migrant and rare winter visitor.

Jan – Feb First for the year was one at Pendeen on Feb 11th DP.

Mar – Jun Twenty nine birds were seen on spring passage between Mar 1st and May 21st. These are summarised in the Table below. The highest day count was 8 on Mar 28th.

Spring passage of Great Skua.

Mar Apr May Totals 1 - 15 16 - 31 1 - 15 16 - 30 1 - 15 16 - 31 Chynalls Point - - 3 - - - 3 Gorran Haven - - - 6 1 1 8 Pendeen / Pendeen Watch - 3 - - - - 3 Porthgwarra - - - 3 1 - 4 Sennan Cove - 2 - - - - 2 Towan Head 5 - - - - 1 6 Trevose Head - 3 - - - - 3 Totals 5 8 3 9 2 2 29

Jul – Oct Autumn passage involved a minimum of 252 birds as summarised in the table below. As with Arctic Skua the pattern shows a bias caused by observer coverage and weather conditions. The highest daily tally was 49 on Oct 6th with 30 past Pendeen alone, but other significant counts were 13 at on Sep 2nd RBW, 24 past Trevose Head on Sep 28th SMC .and 18 past Pendeen on Oct 2nd .

Autumn passage of Great Skua

Jul Aug Sep Oct Totals 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16 -31 Cape Cornwall ------8 8 Chynalls Point - - - 3 - - 1 1 5 Godrevey Point - - - - 7 - - - 7 Killigerran Head - - - - - 4 - - 4

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Land‟s End - - 1 - - - - - 1 Lizard Point - - - - - 3 - - 3 Mounts Bay ------1 1 Newquay - - - 1 - - - - 1 Pendeen - - 4 11 8 - 55 - 78 Porthgwarra 1 3 - 3 29 - 1 - 37 Rump‟s Point - - - 1 - - - - 1 St Ives ------12 - 12 Towan Head - - - 1 - - 2 - 3 Trevose Head - 2 5 17 19 29 12 7 91 Totals 1 5 10 37 63 36 83 17 252

Nov – Dec Birds continued to trickle through, generally in ones and twos, totalling 23 in Nov. A notable movement occurred during the first week of Dec involving in excess of 100 birds and peaking on 6th when 37 flew past St Ives, 21 were seen off Trevose Head and 13 past Pendeen. Single figures continued to be noted from Trevose Head and Towan Head until the year end.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor. Over 700 reports were received from widely dispersed coastal sites. Maximum numbers at the principle sites are shown below. Additional counts of note were seven at Drift Res on Oct 13th and 18 at St Merryan Airfield on 26 Oct..

Birds of mixed ages were seen from Jan – Mar, but there were no adults or second years seen between Apr 8th and Jun 11th when an adult was seen at Marazion. Second summers began returning during the last week in June, with adults and juvenile numbers increasing from the second week of July and increasing through the autumn.

Three colour ringed birds were seen on the Camel Estuary on Apr 6th (5P1, red ring, white digits, ringed as a pullus at Przykona Res Poland on May 20th 2005), Jul 24th (3P45, white ring, black digits, ringed at Antwerp Belgium as an adult on May 15th 2006) and in Aug (M58, white ring, black digits, ringed at Jablines, Seine-et-Marne, France on Jun 29th 2004 and seen on the Camel in Oct 2005. Two more were seen at Torpoint on Aug 6th, (A6V, green ring, white digits ringed at Gamshein, France as a pullus on Jun 4th 2002 and seen at Torpoint in 2004 and a well travelled adult, 3H29 white ring, black digits, ringed as a pullus at Antwerp on May 31st 2002 and subsequently seen in Dorset, Devon, Pas- de-Calais, France as well as returning to its natal site in Apr 2006. SMC DIJ

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 9 INT 8,400)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est 6 4 4 5 2 5 42 53 49 60 38 17 Falmouth 1 - - - - 1 2 2 3 1 1 4 Gannel Est 2 3 ------11 4 3 Harlyn Bay 10 1 ------1 1 - 2 Hayle Est 8 9 4 - 1 2 10 4 12 10 10 17 Killigerran Head ------6 - 16 1 16 - Marazion 1 - 1 - - 3 4 1 - 3 3 2 Millbrook Lake 5 2 1 - - - - 2 - - 2 6 Sennan Cove - - 2 - - 1 3 3 4 6 1 - St John‟s 7 10 - - - - - 46 32 10 4 6

LAUGHING GULL Larus atricilla (18) (3)

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Blue-headed Wagtail, Windmill Farm , April 2006 – Andy Pay Red-rumped Swallow, Kenidjack, April 2006 – Mike Barker

Least Sandpiper, Hayle Estuary, Oct 2006 – Dave Flumm Dotterel, Davidstow Airfield, Sep 2006 – Adrian Davey

Spotted Sandpiper, Newlyn, May 2006 – Dave Flumm Kentish Plover, Marazion Beach, May 2006 – Steve Rogers

Red-backed Shrike, Duckpool, October 2006 – Adrian Davey Red-necked Grebe, Porth Res., November 2006 – Adrian Davey

Very rare vagrant. After last years invasion of ten birds, up to three returning birds were recorded, probably more as several reports received through „Birdguides’ have not been substantiated by BBRC. All accepted records are listed.

A 2nd winter was seen at Restonguet Creek from Apr 21st – 24th WRW MM and a 1st winter was at Newlyn on Apr 30thMA. In May an adult flew over Penzance Heliport on 4th KW, probably the same at Marazion on 7th PAF.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - 3 2 1 - 1 1 - 9 4

LITTLE GULL Larus minutus Scarce passage migrant and very scarce winter visitor. Jan – Apr: An adult was at the Gannel Est. Jan 14th and seen subsequently in the Newquay area and Porth Res until Feb 28th. Spring passage was noted from Mar 28th when 7 flew through the Hayle Est. and Marazion and out into Mounts Bay with two further adults at Hayle Towans and the Camel Est, seen again at the latter site on Mar 31st and remained in the area until Apr 14th, it was joined by a second adult on the 5th.

May – Jun: A late 1w was at Porth Kidney Beach May 28th.

Jul – Sep: The only autumn records were of a juv at Drift Res Aug 22nd and another off Killigerran Head Sept 22nd.

Oct – Dec: An adult was at Hayle Est from Nov 16th – 20th and then irregularly until the end of the year. There were additional November reports from Trevose Head, an ad west on 21st, Killigerran Head on 24th, 2 at Porthpean on 24th, 1 at Falmouth on 24th and singles at Mounts Bay and Drift Res on 27th. There were December sightings of singles from St John‟s Lake on 3rd, Trevose Head on 9th and 28th, Porth Kidney Beach on 22ndand Helston Boating Lake on 27th and 28th. Four flew past Penlee Point on 3rd, a second bird was at Hayle on 6th and 17th, 2 were at St Ives on 10th, a remarkable 76 flew through the Hayle Est on 27th (together with 17 Meditterranean Gulls), 8 flew past Towan Head on 30th and 2 the following day.

SABINE’S GULL Larus sabini (1340) (11) Very scarce passage migrant. Eleven autumn sightings of individuals generally flying past typical headland locations. The first was an ad past Pendeen Aug 24th, followed by another flying west past Trevose Head on 25th SMC, a juv past Pendeen on 28th and an ad past Porthgwarra on 30th. In September there were juvs past Kynance Cove RW and Pendeen on 3rd and past Killigerran Head on 22ndSMC. In October an ad flew past Pendeen on 2nd CM and a juv was at the Camel Estuary the next day RRB. Another ad was off Pendeen on 6th CM and the final sightings was of a juv past Trevose Head on 31st RAFOS

BONAPARTE’S GULL Larus philadelphia (38) (2) Very rare vagrant. (2004)

A 2W joined the roost on the Cornwall side of the Tamar Est. Nov 20th having previously been seen in

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Devon SCV At Carnsew Pool a 1W was present at Carnsew Pool Dec 3rd LPW

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 7 4 10 4 1 - - - - 1 4 5

Other records received without descriptions.

BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus Very scarce breeding resident. Very common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding was recorded at Colliford Res where there were 110 birds on June 5th, leading to 35 occupied nests and 22 juveniles noted on June 11th. Six nests were seen at Buller‟s Tor Marsh on June 2nd DAC

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 19,000 INT 20,000)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Hayle Est 800 600 187 6 10 - - - 38 210 - - Gannell Est 800 720 ------800 281 1200 Camel Est 1700 832 246 220 10 186 210 445 765 4200 8000 3500 Tamar Est 948 1300 - 1600 ------Lynher Est 316 175 ------700 240 - - St John‟s 1775 480 ------370 - 150 Millbrook 269 248 - - - - 126 217 - 155 - 350 Harlyn Bay 1600 1400 ------

Additionally there were significant counts of >100 from the following sites. Loe Pool: 200 Jan 25th Mounts Bay: 285 Feb 1st Drift Res: 330 Feb 1st Porth Res: 315 Feb 2nd Crowdy Res: 116 Feb 18th Fowey Est: 163 Feb 19th Par Sands: 103 Feb 21st Upper Trevean: 260 Apr 2nd Devoran: 165 Apr 24th Truro River: 384 Aug 25th Wadebridge: 300 hawking insects over the town Sep 4th Killigerran Head: 220 Sep 21st and 542 Nov 15th Looe Estuary: 400 Dec 3rd Downderry: 350 Dec 29th

RING-BILLED GULL Larus delawarensis Rare vagrant. A series of sightings in the west of the county between January and April probably relate to only 3 or 4 birds.

Hayle Est: A 2w mainly frequented the Copperhouse Creek section from Jan 1st until at least Apr 12th, but was also seen at Carnsew Basin and off Lelant Station. It was joined by an adult Feb 7th and 8th and this or another was noted Mar 6th and Apr 13th . A 1w was also seen Feb 24th and 28th. An ad was

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present on Dec 12th LPW RRB SMC et al Sennan Cove: An ad and 1w were reported to Bird guides Jan 17th and a 2w Apr 15th may have been the Hayle individual. Stithians Res: An adult was seen Mar 7th to 12th and Apr 14th LPW DGD Millbrook Pond: An adult was seen on Nov 2nd MP

MEW GULL Larus canus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Extreme dates were Apr 27th and Jul 10th both at the Camel Est, although 14 passage birds were at Stithians Res on May 7th.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 9,000 INT 17,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Hayle Est 52 60 13 3 - - - - - 8 10 22 Gannell Est - 9 ------4 6 Camel Est 294 138 55 5 - - 3 3 6 8 400 176 Lynher Est 14 ------110 St John‟s Lake 165 54 - 1 - 1 - - 4 - 40 8 Millbrook 63 148 ------11 - 102 Harlyn Bay 70 54 22 ------1 1 14

Additionally there were significant counts from the following sites. Portholland: 30 Jan 5th Porth Res: 12 Jan 8th and 11 on Feb 2nd Caerhays : 30 Jan24th Loe Pool: 120 Jan 25th Trevose Head: 32 flying west Jan 28th Par Sands: 10 Feb 21st. Mounts Bay: 12 Nov 27th Looe Est: 11 Dec 3rd Rump‟s Point: 20 flying south-west Dec 9th Winnard‟s Perch: 65 Dec 26th

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus Very common passage migrant and common winter visitor. Rare breeding resident. Recorded throughout the year with notable passage in March involving a few Continental birds.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 500 INT 5,300) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Hayle Est 629 176 348 10 - - - 60 8 38 - - Gannell Est 131 158 67 ------67 22 Camel Est 797 173 234 93 1 1 - 4 30 1 321 61 Colliford Res 347 146 165 1 4 43 119 189 13 - 235 355 Siblyback Res 193 264 205 1 - 2 - 139 68 85 593 108 Crowdy Res 1 13 - - - 4 9 158 236 120 - -

Addition counts of note (25+ birds) were: Harlyn Bay: 27 Jan 16th Castle-an-Dinas: 32 Feb 22nd Dozmary Pool: 28 Feb 26th Colquite, Blacktor Down: 111 Mar 5th Drift Res: 29 Mar 6th Maer Lake: 78 Mar 26th

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Sancreed : 50 Mar 27th Trevescan: 230 Mar 28th Bosistow Farm: 110 Mar 28th Stithians Res: 9 May 3rd Davidstow Airfield: 29 Sep 15th Looe Island: 175 Sep 20th, Park Clay Pit: 38 Nov 19th

Birds showing characteristics of the continental race L. f. intermedius were noted as follows; Camel Est: ad Feb 21st, 2ad Mar 10th and another Mar 27th SMC RRB Millbrook Pond: one Mar 5th DC Hayle Est: ad Mar 14th SMC RRB

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis Very scarce passage migrant and winter visitor. Some summer.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 11 6 5 1 - - 4 8 7 7 8 2

Birds showing characteristics of this sometimes tricky to identify species were noted as follows:

Siblyback Res: A 3w Jan 1st, a 2w Feb 2ndand ad Feb 11th, two 3w 12th and an ad Feb 27th and Mar 2nd. Two ad and a juv Aug 12th, a 1w Sep 10th, 2 ad Oct 11th and a 3w Oct 23rd RRB DC SMC JCN Camel Est: A 1w Jan 10th and Feb 15th, an ad Jan 16th with an ad and 2w Mar 14th. A juv Aug 6th and an ad Nov 11th RRB SMC DIJ CS Hayle Est: A 3w Jan 12th, a 2w 21st and an ad 22nd and 31st. An ad Feb 15th - 19th. One Oct 9th and an ad Oct 30th PC KH LPW et al Colliford Res: Two 1w and 3w Jan 19th with the 3w also 26th. Two 3w Jul 2nd and an ad 25th. Three ads Aug 5th, one 7th and 2 12th. Two 1w Sep 10th and an ad 15th . An ad Nov 5th and 11th. An ad Dec 8th, a 2w 22nd and an ad 27th DC SMC SCV JCN Gwithian: An ad Jan 19th LPW Kingsmill Lake: An ad Jan 28th GL College Res: An ad Mar 21s DIJ Nanjizal: A 1y Jul 1st KW Crean: A 1y Jul 15th KW Sennen: Three juv Aug 17th, one Oct 14th, and an ad Oct 29thand Nov 1st. Three on Nov 2nd, one on 8th and a 1w on 21st. SMC RAFOS Dozmary Pool: A 1w Sept 12th SMC,MKW Crowdy Res: Adults Sep 15th, 16th, 24th and 27th SMC SCV Trevose Head: An ad flew west Sep 26th SMC Killigerran Head: A 3w flew west Nov 30th SMC

HERRING GULL Larus argentatus Scarce breeding resident. Common winter visitor and passage migrant. The only breeding birds reported were 5 nests at Bosigran and 4 at The Mouls.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 4,500 INT 13,000) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Hayle Est 727 655 525 254 - - - - 483 585 - Gannel Est 163 550 ------750 1140 Camel Est 1013 725 739 770 322 474 90 264 484 85 1311 973 Tamar Est 258 223 ------

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Lynher Est 164 111 ------7 - 380 St John‟s 175 125 - - - - - 300 500 29 - 180 Millbrook 222 184 ------188 Harlyn Bay 1600 24 ------Mounts Bay 64 143 35 41 ------Par Beach Pool 135 145 ------Crowdy Res 79 12 10 - - 252 503 362 187 - - - Colliford Res - 13 31 15 - 122 207 170 - - - 15 Siblyback Res 25 37 57 - - - - 158 17 59 59 12 Sennen - 80 83 - - - - - 280 300 - - Drift Res 34 255 42 - - - - - 145 147 - -

Addition counts of note >100 were: Carbis Bay: 310 Jan 6th, 650 Jan 17th. Pentire Point: 300 Jan 18th. Looe Est: 710 Feb 16th, 600 Dec 3rd Castle-an-Dinas: 600 Feb 22nd Skewjack : 160 Mar 6th Trevescan: 184 Mar 28th Park Clay Pit: 488 Jun 13th, 470 Jul 7th Stithians Res: 100 Sep 15th, Trevose Head: 2170 moving west in one hour on Jan 28th.

Birds showing characteristics of the Scandinavian form were noted as follows;

Camel Est: An ad Jan 17th and 27th RRB SMC Colliford Res: An ad Dec 8th SMC Harlyn Bay: An ad Jan 17th SMC Hayle Est: An ad Jan 22nd LPW Millbrook Pond: A 1w Mar 5th DC Siblyback Res: An ad Aug 14th SMC

ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoides Very scarce winter visitor.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 3 3 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2

Camel Est: A 2w bird Jan 3rd - 18th. A 1w Jan 20th - Feb 15th and a 2w Mar 3rd - Apr 27th. A 3w Dec 11th was probably that present the previous winter RRB SMC DIJ CS Trevose Head: A 1w past Jan 20th SMC Par Beach: A 1w Feb 4th IRS Polgigga/ Sennen Area: A 1w Feb 7th - Apr 29th, often frequenting the ploughed fields of Arden-sawah and Bosistow Farms. KW et al Hayle Est : An ad Feb 9th- 19th. A 1w Dec 16th PC Helston Loe Pool: A 2w on Apr 1st - 3rd PJB Nanjizal: A 1w Apr 18th KW Pendeen: A 1w flew past Nov 21st. Newlyn: A 1w Nov 27th - Dec 19th DP Drift Res: A 1w Dec 3rd- 7th CM RI Mousehole: A 1w Dec 20th MG

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GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus Very scarce winter visitor.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

Camel Est: One 2s/3w Nov 11th SMC Godrevy Point: A 1w Jan 22nd, (possibly the Hayle bird), SMC Gwithian: A 1w Jan 19th, (possibly the Hayle bird), LPW HannaforePoint, Looe: Two 1w Feb 15th, with one until the 18th MB DC LACT Hayle Est : A 2w Jan 7th, 26th and Feb 22nd. A 1w Jan 7th and Apr 30th PC LPW et al Perranporth: A 1w Jan 18th. Sancreed : A 1w flew NW Nov 25th DF Sennen Cove: An ad Feb 19th followed by a 2w on 21st and 24th.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus Scarce breeding resident. Common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Only nest reported was one on The Mouls.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB 400 INT 4,700) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Hayle Est 135 166 78 17 - - - - 37 75 - - Gannel Est 2 24 ------19 23 Camel Est 780 219 120 178 62 79 19 31 107 45 230 226 Crowdy Res - 2 3 - - 35 26 18 12 6 - - Colliford Res 2 2 3 - 1 16 4 14 3 - 1 - Siblyback Res 1 3 - - 1 2 1 5 1 2 - 1 Drift Res - 2 ------2 6 - -

Loe Pool: 26 Jan 25th. Pentire Point / : 39 Jan 18th. Trevose Head: 65 moving west in one hour Jan 28th. Newlyn: 13 Feb 1st. Hannafore Point: 19 Feb 16th. Looe Estuary: 19 Feb 16th and 400 Dec 3rd. Gwithian: 75 Sep 14th. Ruan Lanihorne: 72 Nov 15th.

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla Very common breeding resident and passage migrant.

All reports of over a hundred birds are given. In addition there were many reports of smaller numbers. Carbis Bay; 180 Jan 6th and 600 Jan 17th. Pentire Point / The Rumps; 120 Jan 18th, 300 May 20th, 500 Dec 8th and 250 Dec 9th. Towan Head; 320 Mar 18th, 175 May 20th and 136 May 22nd. Rame Head; 500 Apr 21st. Camel Est; 102 May 2nd. Porthgwarra; 182 Oct 27th, 1004 Oct 28th and 383 Oct 29th. Killigerran Head; 1454 Nov 15th, 4290 Nov 24th, 197 Nov 27th and 271 Nov 30th. Falmouth ; 782 Nov 24th

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Trevose Head ; During 2006 SMC undertook 216 hours of sea watching recording in excess of 100 birds on 38 occasions.

Monthly Totals and Daily maximums at Trevose Head SMC. Monthly max (date) No of hrs Monthly total No of hrs Jan 4068 (20th) 3 5009 8 Feb No count - - - Mar 404 (28th) 2 781 8 Apr 107 (18th) 1 362 8 May 285 (20th) 4 1092 8 Jun 33 (11th) 1 146 6 Jul 53 (30th) 2 421 27 Aug 65 (8th) 2 377 43 Sep 12 (14th) 2 77 24 Oct 2271 (31st) 3 4329 30 Nov 2222 (11th) 3 5943 23 Dec 1120 (6th) 2 4511 31

SOOTY TERN Onychoprion fuscata (0) (0) Very rare vagrant. After a review of all 1950-57 British rarities by BBRC, it was found that the 1951 record of one at Porthkidney Beach on 31st July was no longer acceptable. As this was the only county record, Sooty Tern has been deleted from the county list.

LITTLE TERN Sternula albifrons Very scarce passage migrant.

A very poor year with only one spring and four autumn records. Trevose Head: One on May 1st and Oct 21st. Camel Est: Two on Aug 1st and 15th. Pendeen: One on Oct 1st

GULL-BILLED TERN Gelochelidon nilotica (9) (1) Very rare vagrant. (2002)

An adult which frequented Walmsley Sanctuary and Camel Est from July 1st – 3rd HK, CS et al was seen hawking dragonflies on 1st.

Approximate Monthly Total (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - 2 - - 1 4 2 1 - -

This is the first record for the Camel Estuary, the top sites are Nanjizal and Widemouth Bay with two records each, (Widemouth Bay had two together in 1968).

BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger Very scarce passage migrant.

There were no spring records and only 20 birds reported in the autumn, between Aug 9th and Oct 14th with the majority seen in the second half of September.

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Dinham Flats: One Aug 9th. Porthgwarra: Three Aug 22nd. Drift Res: Single birds Aug 27th and Sep 22nd and 23rd. Crooklets Beach: One Sep 10th College Res: One Oct 14th. Lower Tamar Lake: One Sep 23rd. Trevose Head: Three Sep 12th, 2 on Sep 14th, one Sep 17th and 2 Oct 2nd. Hayle Est: Singles Sep 13th and 24th. Upper Tamar Lake: One Sep 27th and 28th.

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis Common passage migrant. Very rare winter visitor.

The wintering bird from 2005 at St John‟s Lake was seen on Jan 1st and 2nd, and two were in Mounts Bay on Jan 9th, 22nd and 23rd.

Earliest spring record was at Padstow on Mar 14th and the latest was one at Downderry on Dec 20th.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB ? INT 1,700) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est - - 10 25 9 5 30 88 30 10 - - Hannafore - - 2 2 8 - 1 - 2 - - - Hayle Est - - 23 2 3 - 1 25 30 18 - - Mounts Bay 2 - - 33 22 - - - - 5 1 - St John‟s Lake 1 ------13 6 3 - - Towan Head - - - 8 13 - - 8 - 8 - - Trevose Head - - 6 16 28 2 2 44 183 22 - - Trevose Head - - 8 31 32 2 3 154 370 182 - - monthly totals

Additional reports of ten or more birds came from; Porthpean: 15 Mar 28th. Porth Kidney Beach : 20 Mar 28th and 10 Sep 13th. Sennen Cove: 10 Mar 28th and 12 Sep 25th Coverack : 13 Apr 4th. Gorran Haven: 13 Apr 20th Par Beach: 18 May 10th Crooklets Beach: 22 Sep 10th Fort Picklecombe: 15 Sep 7th Pendeen: 11 Oct 7th

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo Scarce passage migrant. A poor year with less than 100 sightings reported, mostly of 1 – 3 birds.

First record was one at the Camel Est on Apr 19th and the last was one past Trevose Head on Oct 31st.

Maximum numbers and WeBs counts at main sites (GB ? INT 1,900) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Camel Est - - - 1 - - 1 3 1 1 - - Hayle Est ------8 - - - Mounts Bay - - - - 20 - - - - 1 - - Towan Head - - - 4 1 - - - - 4 - -

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Trevose Head - - - 3 1 - 7 83 27 19 - - Trevose Head - - - 3 1 - 9 100 42 29 - - monthly total

Other counts of five or more birds were Par Beach: six May 8th Porthgwarra: 36 Aug 22nd St Germans: five Sep 28th. Pendeen: ten Oct 2nd.

ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougallii (835) (6) Rare passage migrant. (2003) There were four spring records and two autumn records.

The first was one off the pier at Penzance on Apr 6th BD, followed by 3 off Rame Head on Apr 21st LACT and one in nearby Polhawn Cove on Apr 22nd RMB. One was off Marazion Beach and in Mounts Bay from May 5th-7th CS DE DP. An adult flew past Trevose Head on Aug 26th SMC

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea Very scarce passage migrant. The first sighting of the year was one off Rame Head on Apr 21st and the last was one at St John‟s Lake on Oct 30th.

There were only 35 records this year. In spring , one was at Rame Head on Apr 21st, two passed Trevose Head May 1st and a single was at Gorran Haven on May 3rd..

Autumn passage is summarised as follows; Trevose Head: Regular seawatching by SMC et al recorded one Jul 31st, followed by 3 Aug 1st and 2 Aug 26th. In Sep there were 2 on 14th, one on 18th, and 5 on 28th. The peak numbers in October were 14 on 2nd, 4 on 7th, 2 on 12th and one on 24th. Drift Res. : A juv Aug 19th-21st with 2 Aug 20th. Porthgwarra: Three Aug 22nd Marsh: Two ads and 3 juv Aug 24th. Camel Est: One Sep 7th and 9th. Chynalls Point: One Sep 20th. Marazion : Two Sep 21st Hayle Est: One Sept 24th. Killigerran Head: Six flew west Sep 22nd. Penzance : One Oct 1st. Argal Res: Single noted Oct 4th, 9th, 15th, 25th and 29th. St John‟s Lake: One Oct 22nd and 30th.

COMMON GUILLEMOT Uria aalge Common breeding resident and passage migrant.

No breeding records were received.

All reports of >100 birds are given below;

Pentire/ Rumps Point: 120 west Jan 18th. Porthgwarra: 137 Mar 14th, 390 May 6th, 106 Oct 28th, all west.

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Sennen Cove: 1200 passed west in one hour Mar 28th. Rame Head: 500 off shore Apor 21st. Trevose Head: During the year SMC noted 3178 birds in 96 hours, a monthly breakdown is below;

Monthly Totals and Daily maximums at Trevose Head SMC Monthly max (date) No of hrs Monthly total No of hrs Jan No count - No count - Feb No count - No count - Mar 1071 (2nd) 2 1478 5 Apr 356 (1st) 1 1114 2 May 165 (19th) 4 388 18 Jun 23 (1st) 1 52 6 Jul 20 (15th) 2 90 27 Aug 10 (1st) 5 13 9 Sep 4 (26th) 1 22 15 Oct 18 (2nd) 2 21 8 Nov No count - No count - Dec No count - No count -

RAZORBILL Alca torda Common breeding resident and passage migrant.

As with the previous species no breeding records were received this year.

All reports of >100 birds are listed below; Carbis Bay: 400 Jan 6th & 17th. Porthgwarra: 1970 passed in 2 hours Mar 14th. Trevose Head: During the year SMC noted 4785 birds in 116 hours, a monthly breakdown is below;

Monthly Totals and daily maximums at Trevose Head SMC Monthly max (date) No of hrs Monthly total No of hrs Jan No count - No count - Feb No count - No count - Mar 2150 (28th) 2 2825 5 Apr 234 (3rd) 1 1197 8 May 177 (19th) 4 366 19 Jun 17 (12th) 1 43 6 Jul 21 (10th) 1 115 27 Aug 13 (1st) 5 19 15 Sep 34 (14th) 2 140 27 Oct 65 (2nd) 2 80 9 Nov No count - No count - Dec No count - No count -

BLACK GUILLEMOT Cepphus grylle (83) (2) Rare passage migrant and winter visitor.

Newlyn: first winter from 2005 was last seen May 27th. St Ives: one passed Dec 13th. Chapel Point: one passed Dec 31st.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical)

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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 19 8 4 7 6 2 - - 4 11 10 14

The top site is St Ives with 13 records.

LITTLE AUK Alle alle (1464) (41) Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 - 2 ------14 8 15

St Ives: One Jan 1st, two Nov 20th, one Dec 6th, two Dec 8th, one Dec 10th. Trevose Head: One Jan 20th, three Oct 2nd, four Oct 7th, six Oct 31st, one Nov 11th, two Dec 12th, two Dec 6th, one Dec 10th, two Dec 11th. : One Mar 21st. Sennen Cove: One Mar 28th, one Oct 26th, two Dec 6th, one Dec 7th. Killigerran Head: One Nov 15th, three Nov 24th. Carbis Bay: One Nov 29th. Porthpean: One Dec 6th.

ATLANTIC PUFFIN Fratercula arctica Rare breeding summer visitor and scarce passage migrant.

No breeding was reported or suspected this year although birds were noted at known colonies. A high count of 72 birds were noted flying west, in two hours, off Porthgwarra Mar 14th RRB, SMC. This is the largest single day count since 130 were noted at the same site on Apr 4th 1983. At Trevose Head, SMC, noted 66 birds flying west during the year between Mar 29th and Nov 25th.

ROCK PIGEON Columba livia Breeding resident/ feral release. The true Rock Dove has now almost certainly gone from the county. This species is more numerous than the records suggest with only 34 reports being received as compared with 270 records received ten years ago when it was considered under recorded.

Breeding: The mixed flocks reported throughout the year from Saltash and West Looe were the only positive breeding records; however numbers in other areas such as Newquay and Penzance suggest breeding had occurred.

Non Breeding: Small groups of birds were regularly seen around the Camel Estuary, Polgigga Hayle and Bude on various dates during the year. The only flocks reported from were: Trenance Pool: Where 88 were noted on Feb 2nd DIJ Saltash Bridge: Up to 60 throughout 2006.DC The Platt, Wadebridge: 30 on Mar 12th. DIJ West Looe: Up to 30 throughout 2006. DC

STOCK PIGEON Columba oenas Very scarce breeding resident. Scarce passage migrant. Present in every month of the year in the county with records from 37 separate sites. The largest

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wintering flocks noted were at Harlyn Bay on Dec 2nd when 17 were present SCM and Rame Head where 11 were present on Jan 14th DRC.

Breeding: No actual breeding records were reported but birds present around the Camel Estuary throughout the year would indicate that breeding had occurred.

Migrants: As with previous years large flocks of migrant birds were noted during the first week of November with nearly 3,000 birds entering the county via Porthgwarra alone. The maximum number in a day was on Nov 2nd when 864 were counted at Porthgwarra. SMC and RAFOS.

COMMON WOOD PIGEON Columba palumbus Common breeding resident. Very common passage migrant and winter visitor. Although this species breeds year round and is obviously thriving in the county there were no definite breeding records received.

Another species reported as present in every month of the year in the county; from Jan to Mar there were several large flocks reported these included: Porth Mear: Jan 7th when 600 birds were noted and Jan 17th when around 850 were present. SMC and RRB Dinham Shoreline: Feb 27th around 160 birds. DIJ Harlyn Bay: Mar 22nd about 140 birds. SMC

Migrants: Possible spring migrant birds included: Trevose Head: Apr 3rd 41 birds. SMC Pentire Farm: Apr 26th 35 birds. DJ

Summer flocks of birds were reported from the Amble Marshes, Jul 4th when around 143 birds were seen DIJ; Porthgwarra, Jul 20th when 45 birds were present SMC and again from the Amble Marshes, Aug 3rd when 60 birds were recorded DIJ.

Autumn migrants included; almost 6000 birds over Porthgwarra Nov 1st, RAFOS, SMC, RRB; followed by another 3000 birds on the following day at the same site RAFOS, SMC. During Dec only small flocks were reported from around the county, with the maximum being 70 reported from Portholland on Dec 24th SMC.

EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Common breeding resident. Scarce passage migrant. Records were received from around 40 sites county-wide and covered every month of the year; although no actual breeding records were received. The species appears to be present in low numbers across the county and only a few migrant birds were noted, these included: Porth Joke: May 13th when 13 birds were present. SGR Porthgwarra: Nov 4th when 30 birds were noted. SMC and RAFOS Polgigga: Nov 3rd 26 birds were present. RAFOS

EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur Scarce passage migrant. Former breeder. Nationally this species has declined by over 50% since the 1960s and is on the Red List for protection. Most of the decline has been due to the intensification of farming and it is hoped that future sympathetic land management will restore the bird to many former breeding grounds; although this is unlikely to occur in Cornwall until the breeding population has increased elsewhere in the UK.

An early migrant was at Arden-sawah Farm, Polgigga from Mar 2nd to 30th DP, DIJ et al. This was followed by a run of 14 more spring records mainly of single birds at regular migration sites such as

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Nanjizal and Porthgwarra where five birds were present on Apr 27th CS

The only Jul record came from Truro when a single bird was noted. DE and DJs.

Of the six Sep records received the best came from Penmillard on Sep 25th when three birds were present. DC.

Five birds were noted during Oct: Widemouth Bay: Oct 1st. Birdguides Porthgwarra: Oct 1st. Birdguides Nanjizal: Oct 13th. KW Military Road, Penlee: Oct 14th. SJC, WJW. Military Road, Penlee: (Possibly the bird from the 14th) Oct 29th. DCg

COMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus Scarce breeding summer visitor. Recently moved to the Amber List the data from the UK now suggests the species is still in rapid decline and almost on the Red List; this is in part due to the decline in Pipit and Dunnock populations that are key hosts for this parasitic species.

The first birds of the year were recorded on Apr 15th when singles were seen at Nanjizal and Ludgevan. By the end of Apr, 22 birds had been noted from around the county and by the end of May another 51 birds had been recorded including six adult birds at Carn Galver CS. Although no confirmed breeding records were returned birds were present at suitable sites including Goonhilly Downs, Crowdy, Siblyback and Colliford throughout Jun. There was a single Jul record on the 2nd for a bird at Gillhouse Downs SMC and the last record of the year was a bird at Wimalford Farm on Aug 6th J & CD.

BARN OWL Tyto alba Scarce breeding resident. This stunning ghostly owl was recorded at over 40 sites countywide and in every month of the year; of these at least fifteen sites had birds in pairs present during the breeding season. Ten years ago there were 6 breeding records but the population varies with the number of small rodents available for food which in turn are weather dependant. It is well documented that the largest Barn Owl chick – usually the first hatched – will eat it‟s siblings in years when few rodents are available in order to maintain a viable population of birds.

Corpses: Road casualties were recorded at: : Jan 23rd. RH Summercourt: Jan 28th. RH : Jan 29th. RH Polyphant: Apr 6th. RH

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Rare breeding resident. The decline of this species continues with reports from only four sites and all from outside the breeding season; although one report at Wadebridge was of a juv. Nationally the species is thought to be on the decline but this is partly because they are secretive and birds are hard to detect in their large territories. Sticker: One on Feb 23rd. SMC Freathy: One on Sep 15th. DRC Wadebridge Sewage Works: One juv on Nov 14th. CS Guineaport: One adult on Nov 17th. CS

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The two records from the Wadebridge area are interesting, are birds breeding here and going undetected.

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco Scarce breeding resident. Undoubtedly under recorded, being more frequently heard than seen. There were reports from 31 sites this year.

Breeding: There were breeding season records from Talland, Penlee Reserve, Goldsithney, Newlyn Coombe, Crowdy Reservoir, Treraven Woods, Penmillard, Newlyn East, and Tresaddern.

Non Breeding: Non breeding season records were received from a number of sites indicating the widespread distribution of this species; however no small parties or groups were recorded this year.

Corpses: Road casualties were recorded at: Lanhydrock: Jan 14th. SMC Giggs Roundabout: Feb 1st. DIJ : Sep 16th. SMC

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus Rare passage migrant and winter visitor. Former breeder. A welcome winter record plus a typical autumn showing from a favoured site. Marazion Marsh: One on Jan 18th. RSPB per DSF Land‟s End: One on Oct 20th. RKT et al, and one on Oct 29th. Birdguides

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus Very scarce passage migrant and winter visitor. Former breeder. Around 18 birds were recorded from seven sites, mostly during spring and autumn. Jan – Feb: There were no winter records from the first part of the year. Mar - May: Men-an-Tol, one on Mar 19th; Hayle Kimbro, one on Apr 22nd and a late record of a single bird at Men-an-Tol on May 7th. Sept – Nov: The first autumn birds reported were two at Trevose Head on Oct 10th; these were followed by singles on Oct 14th, Oct 31st and Nov 2nd. Single birds were also seen at Men-an-Tol on Oct 19th, Rosecliston on Oct 31st and Land‟s End on Nov 3rd. The largest group noted during the year was a group of three at Porthgwarra on Nov 3rd.

EUROPEAN NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus Very scarce breeding summer visitor and passage migrant. Having suffered a national decline in numbers during the 1980s these birds seem to be on the increase again, but this may just be due to more surveys and hence more birds being reported. Eight records from five sites this year all during the breeding season although breeding not proven.

Carn Galver: May 6th. SJC Wilsey Down Plantation: Three males on May 11th, CS and four on Jun 14th DAC Bosigran: Two birds May 30th, DP and three males on Jun 7th. BD Hallworthy: One on Jun 17th. FHCK Croft Pascoe: A male on Jul 7th SMC and two birds on Aug 6th. DE

COMMON SWIFT Apus apus Scarce breeding resident and common passage migrant. Apr – May: The first report was of two at Trevose Head on Apr 21st RRB, followed by one at Long Rock Pool on Apr 23rd and two at Walmsley Sanctuary on Apr 26th. The first significant numbers were

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84 at Newlyn Coombe on May 2nd, followed by 42 at Walmsley Sanctuary on May 3rd and 4th. The main arrival of birds came in from May 10th, and numbers built steadily through the month with counts including 20 at Siblyback Reservoir on May 13th; 55 at Amble Marshes on May 15th, and 40 at Marazion Marsh on May 16th, rising to 100 by May 23rd and 120 on May 30th Jun – Jul: Numbers steadied at Marazion with 30 – 60 birds during the early part of Jun. Elsewhere, good numbers frequented the Amble Marshes with a peak count of 110 on Jul 8th. The moorland reservoirs also attracted sizeable groups with 47 at Siblyback Reservoir on Jun 13th and 35 at Colliford on the same date. 84 were over Wadebridge town centre on Jul 19th. Aug – Sep: Unusually no significant migration was noted this year and birds seemed to slip quietly away. The only decent August group concerned 20 at Siblyback Reservoir on Aug 28th. A total of 5 birds were seen in September with the last at Goldsithney on 24th Sep. PD

Breeding: Breeding season records were received from throughout the county, but no specific breeding success was noted.

Approximate monthly totals

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - 87 1447 406 568 157 5 - - -

ALPINE SWIFT Apus melba (25) (3) Very rare vagrant. (2004) An excellent year for this species with three records:

Cosawes Caravan Park: Mar 30th. TCh Talland Bay: Apr 16th. SV Wheal Rose: Jul 7th. KEW

Approximate Monthly Total (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - 4 10 3 2 3 1 2 2 - -

Marazion and The Lizard are the top sites for this species with three records each.

Other reports received but insufficient or no description

COMMON KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis Rare breeding resident. Very scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Reported from around 45 locations around the county and in every month of the year; however looking at past reports there are either fewer birds around or they are not being reported as frequently as before. Eight years ago they were present at almost 90 locations and breeding was evident at many sites. The BTO suggests the UK population is unstable and effected by habitat destruction, but where improvements to waterways have occurred rapid recovery has been evident.

Breeding: Birds were present at the following sites during the breeding season, hopefully indicating breeding had occurred: Dunmere: May 10th. RRB Trebrownbridge: May 29th. DC Ninestones: Jun 5th. SMC Drift Reservoir: Aug 24th. CM

Non Breeding: As with previous years birds were present on the lower reaches of many waterways

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from Jan to early Apr and then again from late Oct to Dec. These included birds at: Hayle Estuary: Jan 1st. Marazion Marsh: Jan 9th. St John‟s Ford: Jan 14th. Talland Bay: Feb 2nd. Par Beach Pool: Feb 4th. Wadebridge: Oct 31st. Hayle Estuary: Nov 4th. West Looe River: Nov 23rd. Millbrook: Dec 26th.

EUROPEAN BEE-EATER Merops apiaster (84) (2) Rare vagrant. (2003) There were five reports of this stunning beauty this year, but unfortunately only one record of two birds came with descriptions.

Sancreed: Jun 4th when two ad birds were present. DSF, CS.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - - 44 33 7 - 1 - 1 -

HOOPOE Upupa epops (561) (2) Very scarce vagrant. As with the previous species, many more records were received than descriptions. Only two records this year.

Redmoor: Apr 7th. GH Kilminorth Woods: Apr 17th. DC

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - 10 118 236 77 16 7 18 37 26 12 -

Approximate yearly maximums

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35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

1944 1962 1977 1992 1947 1950 1953 1956 1959 1965 1968 1971 1974 1980 1983 1986 1989 1995 1998 2001 2004

EURASIAN WRYNECK Jynx torquilla Very scarce vagrant. Records from 15 sites involving around 22 different birds from Sep 1st to Oct 31st. As usual well over half of the birds were found in Sep the best month for finding the species in Cornwall. Records included: Nanjizal: Sep 1st – 4th. KEW Nanquidno: Sep 4th. CM Drift Reservoir: Sep 6th. BD, RRB, SMC Sennen Cove: Sep 24th when four birds were noted. Birdguides Predannack Downs: Sep 24th two birds. SFE Land‟s End: Sep 25th when four birds were present. KEW Penzance: Sep 27th. Birguides Porthgwarra: Sep 24th to Oct 24th. RI Treen: Oct 14th. Birdguides Sennen Cove: Oct 31st possibly one of the earlier birds that lingered, however it was the last report of the species in Cornwall for the year. Birdguides

GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis Scarce breeding resident. Reported from almost 50 sites around the county in every month of the year apart from Dec. Ten years ago the species was present at more than 60 sites but breeding was only proven at a handful of these. The records would indicate that the species is slowly declining in the county; however the UK population is rising so perhaps the bird is under recorded in Cornwall.

Breeding: The only confirmed records were: Sancreed: Three birds of mixed ages during 2006. DSF St Kew: Jul 25th when one juv was noted. CS

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GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major Scarce breeding resident and very scarce passage migrant. Present in every month of the year with records from almost 70 sites and again, reported at fewer sites than ten years ago when birds were present at around 100 different sites. Probably under reported again as UK trends indicate the species is on the increase due to Dutch Elm disease providing plenty of timber for nesting and the decline in the Starling population allowing the bird to move into more gardens.

Breeding: The only confirmed records were: Sancreed: Three birds of mixed ages during 2006. DSF Polgreen Farm: Six birds recorded during 2006. REW

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos minor Very rare breeding resident. The decline in general of these birds in the UK is thought to be due partly to predation by Great Spotted Woodpeckers and the loss of suitable habitat for breeding. No confirmed breeding records this year, but the species continues to hang on by a thread in the county with a pair being noted at Egloskerry 7th Jul NK and singles being noted at: Draynes: Jan 14th. GDL Tregunna: 16th Apr. DIJ Trewinnow Vean: 14th Jun. DP

WOOD LARK Lullula arborea Rare winter visitor and very scarce passage migrant. Former breeder.

Jan-Mar: Wintering groups were mostly centred around the Helford with 12 at Mawgan Jan 1st with 11 remaining to Feb 11th. At Smith up to nine birds were recorded between Jan 22nd and Feb 2nd with seven birds at nearby Trebah on Jan 14th.

Outside this area the only records were of two at the Military Road Penlee Feb 3rd, which were possibly the same two birds present in late 2005.

Oct – Dec: Passage birds included two at Marazion Oct 23rd followed by eight at Porthgwarra Nov 2nd with one at Nanjizal on the 3rd.

Wintering birds returned to the Helford area with four at Mawnan Smith on Nov 29th and five at Mawgan on Dec 23rd

SKY LARK Alauda arvensis Common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Jan –Mar There were 25 counts of >50 birds recorded with the highest being an impressive 600 at Dodman Point Jan 8th. Other significant groups included 250 at Porth Mear Jan 7th , 350 at Pentire Point Jan 18th; 250 at Reskajeage Downs Jan 28th and 300 at Watergate Bay Feb 23rd.

Apr – Aug Breeding season records were received from 27 sites but no numbers or breeding successes were noted.

Sept – Oct

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The first noted passage birds were 35 at Trevose Head Aug 30th Aug with other counts at this site including 52 Sep 24th, 90 Oct 2nd , 150 Oct 10th , 170 Oct 14th ,320 Oct 24th. Elsewhere the largest numbers came from the east of the county with 700 passing through the Military Road at Penlee 29th October.

Nov – Dec Passage continued into November with 755 at Porthgwarra on 1st, 300 at Wiggle on 5th, 344 at Trevose Head on 7th and 350 there on 9th. Winter flocks at Trevose Head peaked at 370 Dec 19th and away from here the only sizable groups were 150 at Tregantle Nov 21st , 120 at Penlee Dec 19th and nearby 300 at Rame Head Dec 21st.

Autumn & winter Counts > 50 Counts Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec > 50 13 5 7 - - - - - 1 19 12 6 Maximum 600 310 110 45 - - - 35 52 700 755 370

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia Scarce breeding summer visitor. Common passage migrant.

Spring: Sand Martin is traditionally one of the earliest migrants to arrive and the first of the year were 10 at Marazion on 3rd March. Small numbers were reported from Marazion, Clapper Marshes and Walmsley Sanctuary until 27th Mar when the first significant count of up to 100 birds was at Walmsley Sanctuary. Other significant counts from traditional sites included: Amble Marshes/Walmsley Sanctuary: 210, 28th March, rising to 300 on Apr 3rd and 700 on 5th. Numbers remained high during early/mid April with 300 on Apr 8th; 200 on 13th; 160, on 15th; 220 on 18th; 135 on 22nd. Numbers declined steadily during late April and into May with counts including 35 Apr 27th; 70, on 28th; 85 May 1st; 60, on 3rd. One‟s and Two‟s were seen intermittently until the last spring bird – a single, May 30th. Clapper Marshes: 100 Mar 27th; 80 Mar 30th; 120, Apr 2nd; 60 Apr 5th; 70 Apr 13th; 30 Apr 18th Marazion: The first noteworthy numbers were 100 on Apr 4th. These were followed by 300 on 5th; 150 on 6th – 8th, 250 on 10th. Numbers tailed off fairly quickly after this with the exception of 100 Apr 20th. May records were exceptionally scarce with one on 22nd, three on 26th and four on 29th the only reports. Trevose Head: Passage counts included: 156 Apr 3rd April; 172 Apr 15th; 95 Apr 19th; 76 Apr 20th; 25 Apr 28th. Other counts of >50 birds were recorded on passage from the following areas: Rame: 120 Apr 15th. Loe Pool: 60 Apr 15th. Nanjizal: 50 Apr 16th. What is interesting about the spring passage, compared to previous years, is the number of birds which arrived in April, and the lack of May records, indicating that passage was early this year.

Breeding: Breeding was confirmed at Trewint, Park Clay Pit and Stannon Clay Pit, with an estimated county breeding total of 154 pairs.

Autumn: Return passage is considerably lighter than in spring, and large gatherings are difficult to come by. Amble Marshes/Walmsley Sanctuary: 12 Aug13th; 20 Aug 19th; 15 Aug 23rd; 15 Sep 9th. The last bird at this site was a single on Sep 25th. Colliford: 20 Aug 10th had risen to 200 Aug 11th, the highest count of the autumn. Marazion: The only count was of 50, Sep 7th.

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Other counts >10 birds: Bude: 50 July 2nd Drift Reservoir: 40 Sep 2nd. Kit Hill: 50 Aug 29th. Maer Lake: 25 July 9th. Wadebridge: 12 Aug 15th. The final bird of the year was a single at Tregantle on 30th September. The Bude and Maer Lake records are interesting. Were these non- breeding birds or part of an unknown breeding colony?

Approximate Monthly Totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - 2612 10458 234 66 96 410 127 - - -

BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Common breeding summer visitor. Very common passage migrant. As is often the way with common summer visitors many reports are received of early migrants but once the main body of birds arrive records begin to tail off. This species breeds in good numbers in the county but only two breeding records were received. Numbers were down on previous years partly due to the lack of significant groups at traditional sites such as Marazion

Spring: The first record was a single bird at Clapper Marshes on Mar 20th. More birds arrived over the next few days with small numbers reported from well scattered sites across the county. The first significant movement involved 91 birds at Trevose Head Apr 3rd, but the largest numbers arrived between Apr 12th and 22nd when the following counts were made: Trevose Head; 105 Apr12th, 309 Apr 15th, 331 Apr 19th, 383 Apr 20th, 160 Apr 22nd Bude; 100 Apr 14th Rame Head; 400+ Apr 15th Nanjizal; 150, Apr 16th Park Head; 277 Apr 19th Some large counts continued to be made in May including: Trevose Head; 150 May 8th Marazion; 300 May 23rd – 24th

Breeding: Just two breeding records were received of a species which presumably breeds in all suitable habitat. Rame; Pair in the porch of Rame Church Sancreed; Pair raised 5 young

Autumn: Larger gatherings began to appear from mid July with up to 300 birds at Marazion Marsh and 120 at Walmsley Sanctuary, with somewhat smaller numbers at nearby Clapper Marshes. Trevose Head hosted regular counts of up to 90 birds throughout July and August and the moorland reservoirs at Crowdy and Colliford held up to 150 during the same period. In September birds were seen in considerably larger numbers at most headlands, estuaries and reservoirs. Some of the larger counts included: Clapper Marshes; 200+ Sep1st. Trevose Head; 150, Sep 8th, 290 Sep 10th, 180, Sep11th Rame; 200+ Sep 23rd, 200+ Sep 24th Maker Heights; 535 Sep 25th Numbers declined sharply after Sep 25th with the only significant counts being of 40 at Rospannel Oct

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3rd and 45 at Rame Church Oct 7th October. Odd singles were recorded throughout the county until Nov 7th.

A very late bird,(possibly overwintering), was recorded at Helston Sewage Works from Dec 24th – 26th.

Approximate Monthly Totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - 203 5223 2157 300 1338 1399 4582 140 14 1

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicum Common breeding resident and passage migrant.

Spring: An exceptionally poor spring with less than 50% of the expected numbers during April and May, based on previous years. The first record of the year was of two birds at Clapper Marsh Mar 21st–rather late by recent standards. Small numbers trickled in throughout the county until the first significant count of 23 at Trevose Head Apr 15th. Numbers remained low through the remainder of April with the largest group being 50 at Amble Marshes Apr 29th. Numbers improved in May, albeit from a very low base, but numbers were still low compared to previous years. The largest gatherings included: Amble Marshes/Walmsley Sanctuary: 30 May 2nd; 115 May 8th; 80 May10th; 90 May13th; 30 May16th, 23rd and 30th. Trevose Head: 30 May 4th; 49 May 13th; 25 May16th; 16 May 25th; 10 May 28th. Porth Joke: 30 May 6th. Marazion: 20 May10th; 40 May16th. Sancreed: 20 May 28th. Maenporth: 20 May 29th.

Breeding: For such a conspicuous bird, which has a close relationship with humans, there were surprisingly few breeding records. Perhaps this was because of the poor spring passage. Wadebridge Town Quay: 8 nests, May 14th. Other records from June and July were received from various sites throughout the county including: Amble Marshes/Walmsley Sanctuary: 55 Jun 3rd; 25 July 10th. Marazion: 10 Jun 6th – 9th. Plain-an-Gwarry: 50 Jun 5th. Trevose Head: 18, Jun 7th; 35 Jun 12th; 25 Jun 14th; 11 July 21st; 27 July 22nd; 17 July 23rd; 20 July 31st.

Autumn: Somewhat of a return to form in autumn with numbers comparable to previous years, although migration tailed off quickly at the end of September leaving only a rump of birds to pass through in October and November. Reports include: Amble Marshes/Walmsley Sanctuary: 95 Aug11th; 70 Aug 23rd; 80 Sep 9th, 30 Sep 15th. Trevose Head: 65 Aug 27th; 650 Sep 8th; 120 Sep 9th; 420 Sep 10th; 165 Sep11th; 90 Sep16th. Clapper Marsh: 100 Sep 1st; 35 Sep 5th. Grogley Halt: 200 Sep 1st. Drift Reservoir: 100 Sep 2nd; 50 Sep 3rd. Porthgwarra; 55 Sep 6th. Marazion: 600 Sep 7th.

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Rame Head: 60 Sep 7th; 12 Oct 9th. Land‟s End: 250 Sep17th. Rospannel; 15 Oct 4th The final birds were all singles seen at Porthgwarra on Nov3rd; Nanjizal, Nov 4th, and at Trevose Head Nov 7th.

Approximate Monthly Totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - 16 329 1090 248 203 1203 4126 29 3 -

RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Cecropis daurica (35) (2) Rare vagrant. (2004) This species has become an almost expected spring vagrant in recent years and the trend has continued in 2006 with two records. Kenidjack: One 2nd – 11th April usually seen hawking insects over the sewage works DIJ CS et al Maenporth: One 24th – 28th May DE et al

RICHARD’S PIPIT Anthus richardii (361) (6) Very scarce vagrant. (2004) Slightly fewer acceptable reports received than in recent years

Porthgwarra: One Apr 22nd April RH, Two Nov 2nd SMC RAFOS Land‟s End: One Sep 25th -28th KW RI Nanjizal: One Nov 4th – 5th KW Stepper Point: One Nov 9th RS

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 - 2 10 1 - - - 67 201 70 14

TAWNY PIPIT Anthus campestris (117) (2) Very rare vagrant. (2004) Despite its European distribution, this species is far less likely to be encountered in Cornwall than the previous species. 2006 was an average year by recent standards with two acceptable records, including a welcome spring bird.

Porthgwarra: One May 5th May DP CS Nanjizal: One Oct 8th KW

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - 4 7 - 3 6 65 32 2 -

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis Rare breeding resident. Very scarce passage migrant. A seemingly average year for this species which included our latest ever record.

Spring: There were very few spring migrant records but the first birds appeared on Apr 15th with singles at

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Land‟s End; Predannack and Trevose and four in off the sea at Rame Head. Further birds were seen at Trevose with two on 20th and five on 21st. Other spring records were of singing birds and so are assumed to be breeding birds rather than passage migrants.

Breeding: Breeding season records were received from: Wilsey Down Plantation; Cadsonbury; Boconnoc; Garrow Tor; Smallacombe Plantation; Halvana Plantation; Treskilling; Hallworthy; Cabilla Woods. Though breeding can be assumed to have taken place no breeding success was noted.

Autumn: Singles were seen – or more often heard at most of the major headlands between Aug 23rd and Sep 30th. The largest counts included; Trewellard; Five Aug 30th Nanjizal; 30, Aug 30th; eight Sep 8th Rame Head; Five Sep 7th. A very late record involved one at Dinham Flats on Nov 7th, beating the previous latest record of a bird at Loe Pool on 1st November 1996.

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis Very common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

January – April: The maximum winter count was 150 along the Military Road, Penlee on Feb 3rd. Elsewhere small groups were noted throughout the county in a variety of habitats ranging from farmland to saltmarsh and seashore. Some of the larger counts (>25) include: Boswinger: 40 Jan 8th. Trevose Head: 30 Jan 21st; 85 Mar 4th; 50 Mar 14th; 28 Mar 19th; 65 Mar 20th. Trevescan: 80 Mar 6th. Windmill Farm: 70 Mar 6th. Clapper Marsh: 35 Mar 21st. Predannack Downs: 121 Apr 15th.

Breeding: Widely reported throughout the breeding season, though with few confirmed instances of breeding. An exceptional count of 89 at Colliford on 19th July raises questions as to where these birds originated. Were they local birds gathering post breeding or were they the first arriving birds of the autumn?

September – December. Autumn passage was first noted at Trevose Head with 55 on Sep 8th. Fairly large numbers were recorded from this site to the years end thanks to constant site monitoring. Small and medium sized groups were again noted from all areas of the county, though the largest flocks were all seen in the southeast, around the . Groups >25 were recorded at the following sites: Maker Heights: 590 Oct 3rd. Marazion: 50 Oct 4th; 30 Oct 10th; 25 Oct 24th. Military Road Penlee: 200 Oct 9th; 40 Oct 14th Porth Joke: 30 Oct 14th. Porthgwarra: 30 Oct 27th, 26 Nov 1st; 35 Nov 3rd. Rame Head: 200 Sep 23rd; 400 Sep 24th; 50 Oct 3rd; 40 Oct 14th Rospannel: 30 Oct 12th. Sancreed: 30 Oct 21st.

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Trevose Head: 50 Sep 9th; 60 Sep 10th; 55 Sep 11th; 120 Oct 2nd; 115 Oct 7th October, 110 Oct 14th; 45 Oct 26th; 28 Nov 9th; 40 Dec 20th. Windmill Farm: 60 Oct 9th; 50 Nov 26th.

Of interest was a leucistic bird at Trevose Head on Sep 5th.

Regular reports and maximum numbers: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Marazion 4 2 ------50 6 7 Porthgwarra - - 6 ------30 35 - Rame Head 20 150 ------400 590 - - Trevose Head 30 - 85 18 - - - 19 60 120 28 40 Windmill Farm - - 70 ------60 50 -

ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus Scarce breeding resident. Common winter visitor. This species is almost exclusively coastal and small parties were seen at suitable locations in both first and second winter periods. Separation of the resident form A. p. petrosus from the Scandinavian littoralis is extremely difficult outside breeding plumage and many records could refer to both races. Birds seen away from the coast should be scrutinised carefully to see if any identification features are consistent with littoralis.

January – April. Reports received include: Hannafore: Six Jan 1st, Seven Feb 5th, 15 Feb 25th, 12 Mar 5th Marazion Beach: Six Jan 1st; Five Jan 29th, Eight Feb 1st Copperhouse Creek: Two Feb1st Trevose Head: 14 Mar 15th. St Ives: Two Apr 15th.

No breeding season records received.

September – December. Numbers include: Gannel Estuary: 8 Nov 1st. Hannafore: Seven Oct 11th; Six Nov 25th; Five Dec 3rd. Porthgwarra: Four, 27th October; Three, 3rd November. Trevose Head: Six Sep 5th; 19 Oct 14th;

A leucistic bird was present at Trevose Head on Nov 7th.

Birds showing characteristics of A.p. littoralis were noted as follows: Maenporth: One Jan 5th RRB Hannafore: Seven Mar 15th; Two Mar 25th; One Nov 25th– Dec 31st December DC GL The birds at Hannafore included a bird ringed in Sweden in 2003 and seen at this site every winter since.

WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta Very scarce winter visitor. Water Pipit is unusual in that it heads north from its breeding range in Central Europe to winter in small numbers in the county, usually around marshy fresh water, but occasionally at coastal sites. Numbers are augmented in March and April by passage migrants, when care must be taken to differentiate this species from the very similar Scandinavian Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus littoralis)

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2006 was slightly below average for recent years with 17 birds Clapper Marshes; One Mar 9th -27th, One Nov 26th DIJ CS Gwithian; Two Jan 14th with one remaining to Mar 24th DE et al Hannafore; One Feb 25th– Mar 25th DC Harlyn Bay; One Mar 22nd. One Nov 28th November RRB SMC Marazion; One frequenting the beach and marsh Jan 20th– Apr 1st ,Two Mar 22nd,, One Dec 18th -22nd DSF RI et al Nanjizal; One Mar 22nd KW Poldhu Cove; One Jan 28th– Mar 18th SE Stithians Res.One Feb 23rd – 25th DE Walmsley Sanc; Two Jan 3rd with one remaining until Apr 18th, Two Nov14th with one remaining to Dec 28th RRB SMC CS et al

Regular reports and maximum numbers Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Clapper Marsh - - 1 ------1 - Gwithian 2 1 1 ------Hannafore - 1 1 ------Harlyn Bay - - 1 ------1 - Marazion 1 1 2 1 ------1 Poldhu Cove 1 1 1 ------Walmsley 2 1 1 1 ------2 1

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava Scarce passage migrant. Former Breeder. A total of seven races of this species have been recorded in Cornwall.

BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flava (215) (9) Rare passage migrant. Has bred. The nominate form of Yellow Wagtail breeding in continental Europe. This species occurs as a regular overshooting migrant both in spring and autumn and bred in 2003. Breeding plumage males are unmistakable, though more care must be taken over first winter birds in autumn as wagtail plumage variation is notoriously difficult. A good year with eight spring birds and one autumn bird from a scattering of sites throughout the county. Marazion: One, male, April 18th; One, May 3rd DSF et al Trevose Head: One, male, April 19th; One, female, Sept 9th - 11th RRB SMC Windmill Farm: One, male, Apr 29th with a pair displaying May 24th per ARP Nanjizal: One, male, May 12th KW Amble Marshes: One, female, May 15th SMC

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima Scarce passage migrant. Bred in Cornwall from 1956 to 1965 but not since. Both spring and autumn passage was poor when compared to previous years. Most records were made up of single birds or small groups. Approximately 40% of the years total came from just three small parties.

Spring: Passage got underway on Apr 15th with three at Rame Head, and one at Walmsley Sanctuary. These were followed by just eleven individuals ,most moved through by the end of April. The last bird of the spring was a single bird at Maer Lake on June 11th.

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Autumn: The first autumn record was one at Beach on Aug 5th, followed by one in the unusual setting of a Saltash car park on 16th August. A steady trickle of birds was then noted until the last, which was one at Marazion on Oct 31st. Most coastal sites attracted a few birds but large flocks were contained to the the Lizard area. 16 were at Predannick Airfield Aug 27th, with eight Sept 3rd. Windmill Farm hosted seven on Sept 10th and 29 on the 13th. The only other large flock was ten at nanjizal Sept 8th.

YELLOW WAGTAIL – Motacilla flava sp. A bird at Helston Sewage Works from 5th – 23rd March was possibly one of the eastern races Motacilla flava tschutschensis (DE DP et al) The grey tones to the head and back was suggestive of this race which breeds in central and eastern Asia, as well as in Alaska, and is treated as a separate species – Eastern Yellow Wagtail, by some authorities. Separation of Yellow Wagtail races is extremely difficult as shown by the fact that BBRC say that they will “not assess claims formally at present unless these are supported by photographs, biometrics and/or DNA Kehoe, C. Racial identification and assessment in Britain: a report from the RIACT subcommittee. British Birds, 99, December 2006, p619-645

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea Scarce breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Present on suitable sites throughout the county, but there are normally only small numbers at any one site, and the species is under-recorded as a result. Numbers recorded were the lowest since 2000 and involved a maximum of only 242 birds from 61 sites.

Breeding was reported from one site at Tuckingmill, when a pair with young was seen on 8th June.

Most records were of single birds but small parties were seen at the following sites: Penrose, Loe Pool: Five Mar 11th. Clapper Pools: Three Apr 5th, three Sep 1st. Siblyback Reservoir: Three Jul 13th. Porthgwarra: Five Sep 6th; three Nov 1st. Walmsley Sanctuary: Three Sep 6th. Marazion: Seven Sep 7th. Rospannel: Four Oct 13th. Porth Mear: Three Oct 19th October. Land‟s End: Three Oct 27th. Kenidjack: Four Nov 2nd. Polgigga: Three Nov 3rd.

Approximate monthly totals: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 19 11 19 7 3 5 7 10 64 63 30 4

WHITE/ PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba Common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Two subspecies are regularly found in Cornwall, M. a. yarrellii, is the British breeding species and make up the majority of the birds seen. The continental race M. a. alba is seen mainly on migration, although some studies in Devon are seeing more and more wintering birds

WHITE WAGTAIL – Motacilla alba alba

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Passage migrant. This is the nominate form of Pied Wagtail which breeds throughout continental Europe. In Cornwall it is a regular drift migrant in both spring and autumn. Separating alba from yarrellii can be difficult, especially in early autumn when many flocks likely are to contain first year birds of both forms.

Spring passage: The first birds of the year were recorded at Clapper marshes and Helston Sewage works on Mar 20th. Small numbers were seen at suitable sites countywide until 17th May when the last birds of the spring were recorded at Trevose Head. Birds were recorded in small numbers at any one site but the following reports of >5 were noted. Marazion: 14, Apr 6th DSF Nanquidno: Six, Apr 20th CM Park Head: Seven, Apr 23rd RRB Maer Lake: Six, Apr 29th IRS

Autumn passage: Autumn passage began with a single bird at Trevose Head on Aug 9th. The pattern was similar to spring with small numbers of birds at any one site. The last birds of the year were two at Hayle Kimbro on Oct 1st. Passage was exceptionally poor compared to previous years and groups of > 5 birds were restricted to the following records: Nanjizal: 70, Sept 8th KW Colliford: Six, Sep 10th DC Davidstow: Five, Sep 10th DIJ Stithians: 10, Sep 16th DE

Approximate Monthly Totals M. a. alba Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - 3 52 7 - - 9 125 2 - -

PIED WAGTAIL – Motacilla alba yarrellii Common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Forms roosts in winter. This is a widespread species in Cornwall, found in all habitats, including urban, farmland, marsh, moorland and seashore. It is well known for forming large winter roosts at traditional sites such as Marazion and Helston. Reported numbers vary according to the size of the roosts, and in 2006 numbers were appreciably smaller than in previous years.

Roosts: Drift Reservoir: 30, Jan 1st; 22 Feb 1st. Marazion: 45, Jan 1st St Austell Sewage Works: 50, Jan 1st. Saltash Fore Street: 43, Jan 21st. Degibna: 35, Jan 25th. Helston Sewage works: 19, Mar 21st; 18, Dec 25th.

Autumn passage was first noted at Marazion with 51 birds on Aug 4th and continued until earlyNovember. Maximum numbers included: Crowdy Reservoir: 10, Sep 6th. Davidstow: 14, Aug 27th. Loe Pool: 30; Oct 30th. Marazion: 50, Aug 8th; 30, Sept 10th; 43, Nov 1st. Porthgwarra; 20, Nov 1st. Siblyback Reservoir: 34, Oct 29th. Stithians Reservoir: 20, Aug 11th.

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Trevose Head: 45, Sept 8th; 95, Sept 9th; 40, Sept 11th; 68, Sept 12th; 54, Sept 14th; 62, Sept 16th.

WHITE-THROATED DIPPER Cinclus cinclus Very scarce breeding resident. Only the British race C. c. gularis has been recorded in Cornwall.

Pairs are present on most suitable stretches of the Rivers Camel and Fowey, with the majority of breeding pairs centred on the extremities of Moor. There are also small breeding populations on the Lynher, Neet and Inny, and this species is spreading to new areas in the middle and west of the county. Records were received from 19 sites this year, including many in the breeding season. Some of the more unusual sightings include: : One, Jan 22nd; one July 7th. Penberth: One, Feb 11th; one, Mar 25th. Penzance: One, Oct 10th– near the Tesco roundabout! Respryn: Six, Nov 8th. Truro: One, Mar 26th; one Aug 29th, both near the city centre.

WINTER WREN Troglodytes troglodytes Abundant breeding resident.

With a breeding population of about 100 000 pairs. Making it one of the most widespread species throughout the year, but occurring at low densities on .BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 11.8; the mean count for 2006 was 10.1.

HEDGE ACCENTOR Prunella modularis Very common breeding resident. Rare passage migrant.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 3.6; the mean count for 2006 was 4.3. There was a record of the continental race at Marazion Marsh on Sep 18th and one was recorded as flying in off the sea at Trevose Head on Oct 7th

EUROPEAN ROBIN Erithacus rubecula Very common resident, very scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 7.4; the mean count for 2006 was 6.4. There were a number of autumn counts from well-watched coastal sites which might refer to migrants: 28, Land‟s End, Oct 27th; 14, Penlee Point, Oct 14th; 22, Polgigga, Nov 3rd; 20, Porth Joke, Oct 14th; 16, Predannack Downs, Oct 24th; and 17, St Levan, Oct 29th.

COMMON NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos (53) (2) Very rare passage migrant. Former breeder.

Trevose Head; singing male Apr 15th was seen briefly Penlee Reserve; singing male Apr 28th.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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- - - 9 18 5 - 8 12 3 - -

BLUETHROAT Luscinia svecica (23) (2) Very rare vagrant. (1998)

Amble Marshes; one Sep 17th; Porthgwarra; one Oct 19th-20th.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - - 3 - - 2 13 6 - -

BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros Scarce passage migrant and very scarce winter visitor.

Found at a number of sites in the first winter period with maxima of 3 at Penzance on Jan 9th and Penzance Station on Feb 13th. There was a small, but clear spring passage in the period of Mar 11th – 22nd with a peak of 3 at Rame Barton on Mar 15th. There were two later records: 2, Predannack Downs, Apr 23rd and one, Windmill Farm, May 12th. In the autumn the first records were of single birds recorded on Oct 14th, but the main autumn passage occurred in the period of Oct 23rd – Nov 4th. The highest counts were: 3, Fort Picklecombe, Oct 23rd and 3, Polgigga, Nov 3rd. There seemed to be a slow build-up from the middle of December onwards with maxima of: 3, St Ives, Dec 13th; 3, Seaton, Dec 16th and up to 4 at Downderry from Dec 26th-28th

COMMON REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus Very scarce breeding summer visitor and passage migrant.

Passage started with 2 males at Rame Head, Apr 5th. The main passage came in the period of Apr 15th-22nd with 9 birds on the first date. There were 3 singles in the first half of May There were a small number of records for the breeding season, all of which came from Bodmin Moor. Only 5 single birds were recorded in the autumn: Kelynack, Aug 30th; Trevose Head, Sep 11th; Windmill Farm, Sep 16th; Penlee Battery, Sep 26th; and Rame Head, Oct 26th.

WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra Very scarce breeding summer visitor and scarce passage migrant.

A male at Marazion Marsh on Apr 23rd was the only spring migrant. There were a small number of records for the breeding season, all but one of which were for Bodmin Moor, that being a female at Clapper Marshes on Jun 18th. There was a prolonged and moderate autumn passage beginning with one at Caerthillian on Aug 17th. The main passage was in mid-September with peak counts of: 4, Porthgwarra, 10 Sep 19th; 6, Porth Joke, Sep 9th; and 7, Predannack Downs, Sep 16th and 8 there on Sep 24th. There were 8 single birds in October which finished with one at Porthgwarra on Oct 29th, and there was a very late bird at the Lizard on Nov 20th.

STONECHAT Saxicola torquatus Common breeding resident and scarce passage migrant.

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There were 123 records, all of which reflected the normal recent patterns of population and distribution for the species. The maximum counts were: Porthgwarra; 14 Oct 29th Predannack Downs; 30 Oct 7th Trevose Head; 17 Oct 10th.

NORTHERN WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe Scarce breeding summer visitor and common passage migrant.

The first spring migrant was at Trevose Head on Mar 14th. Numbers built from Mar 17th to give 16 at both Gwenver on Mar 19th and at Marazion on Mar 21st with a peak of 23 at Porthgwarra on Mar 22nd. There continued to be a moderate passage in April with 30 at Trevose Head on 5 Apr 5th. This was overshadowed by a significant fall along part of the north coast on Apr 21st when there were 128 at Trevose Head, 44 at Porth Joke and 25 at Park Head. Passage continued in lesser numbers and was essentially over by the middle of May. The rather few breeding season records reflect the known distribution which is centred on Bodmin Moor. Autumn migration began at the end of August, but the main period of passage was in the period of Sep 6th-15th. Peak numbers were: 25, Penlee Point, Sep 7th; 20, Nanquidno, Sep 9th;26, Davidstow Airfield, Sep 10th; 30, Trevose Head, Sep 12th; and 22, Windmill Farm, Sep 14th. Passage continued in decreasing numbers until the final birds at Porthgwarra and Head on Nov 4th.

DESERT WHEATEAR Oenanthe deserti (6) (0) Very rare vagrant. (1997)

After a review of all 1950-57 British rarities by BBRC, the record of a female at Marazion 29th August 1950 was deemed to be no longer acceptable. The county total is now five and are detailed below; 1984 – One male at Porthgwarra 17th to 20th November. 1988 – One female near Sennen Cove on 5th November. 1994 – A first winter female at Torpoint from 28th November until 16th December. It was then relocated near Hayle on 21st to 24th December. 1995 – The first winter female near Hayle from 1994 remained in the area until 20th March. 1997 – A female at Loe Bar 28th November until 3rd December. 1997 – One at Hannafore 3rd to 12th December.

RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus Very scarce passage migrant. Former breeder.

Spring passage lasted from Mar 14th, when there was one at Tregenna, until one at Nanjulian on Apr 28th. The three main periods of passage were Mar 21st-26th with a maximum of 4 at Gwenver on Mar 23rd; Apr 6th-11th with a maximum of 3 at both Trencrom and at Holman‟s Moors; and Apr 23rd-26th with a maximum of 3 Predannack Downs on Apr 23rd. Autumn passage lasted from Oct 14th, when there was one at both Polhawn Fort and Polhawn Cove, until one at Kenidjack on Nov 5th. The main passage was in the period Oct 16th-26th with a large fall on the 18th. The largest counts were: 6, Predannack Downs, Oct 16th; and 10 at Rame Church, 6 at Caerthillian and 15 at Dodman Point on the 18th. There were a further flock of 5 at Colliford Reservoir on Nov 28th.

COMMON BLACKBIRD Turdus merula Very common breeding resident. Common passage migrant and winter visitor.

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BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 8.0; the mean count for 2006 was 8.9. There were no obvious signs of any movements in the first winter period or spring, while the autumn counts were also rather low. The main time of autumn migration appears to have been in early November when there were counts of 19 at Polgigga on Nov 3rd followed by 26 at Porthgwarra and 20 at Sancreed on Nov 4th. The well-recorded site of Trevose Head showed no particular passage at this time and the largest count was of 32 on Sep 17th. Those birds were probably of a relatively local origin.

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris Common winter visitor and passage migrant.

The largest counts came in January: 150, Cooksland, Jan 31st; 270, Goss Moor, Jan 11th; 350, St Eval, Jan 17th; and 200, Stithians Reservoir, Jan 2nd. In February, 150 at Castle-an-Dinas was the only count of over one hundred. The largest counts in March were 47 at Tremore Manor, Mar 21st and 30 at Whitecross on Mar 23rd, which was the latest record. First Autumn record was on Nov 1st when there were 7 at Polgigga and 4 at Porthgwarra There were already 130 at Mawgan Porth on the 2nd and 250 at Amble Marshes on the 3rd. Other large counts in November include: 145, Amble Marshes, Nov 14th; 120, Goss Moor, Nov 5th; 170, Polgreen, Nov 20th; and 120, Siblyback Reservoir, Nov 25th. In December, the only count of more than 100 was 150 at Mutton‟s Downs on Dec 9th.

SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos Common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 2.5; the mean count for 2006 was 2.4. In the first winter period and early spring, regular recording at Trevose Head indicated that there were peaks of 20 on Jan 31st and 12 on Mar 18th. This is typical of the species which routinely moves in response to local weather conditions. There were, however, no other indications of movement. In the autumn, there were counts of 15 at Land‟s End on Oct 27th, 13 at Porthgwarra on Nov 2nd and 20 at Amble Marshes on Nov 3rd. These counts probably reflected both the arrival of winter visitors and the passage of autumn migrants.

REDWING Turdus iliacus Common winter visitor and passage migrant.

In the first winter period the largest flocks were: 300, Bogee Farm, Jan 26th; 350, Higher Tregawne Farm (Gwennymoor), Feb 13th; and 400, St Eval, Jan 17th. There were 13 other sites with counts of at least 100 up to the middle of March. Numbers fell away quickly in the second half of March and the last bird was at Trevose Head on Apr 3rd. The first birds for the autumn were 3 at Trevose Head on Oct 16th. There were no significant early morning movements that are evident in some years and the main autumn movement appeared to take place between Oct 27th and Nov 4th when there were several counts of 50 or more, the maximum of 100 being at Sancreed on Nov 4th. The only significant count in December was of 100 at Mutton‟s Down on Dec 9th.

MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus Scarce breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

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Numbers counted in the BBS are always small with this species, but there has been no good indication of decline in the last decade when numbers may have stabilised. There were a number of breeding season records, but insufficient to give any insight into the species‟ status In the first winter period, the largest counts were of 3 at both Kelynack and at St Breock Downs.

In the autumn there were 5 at Crowdy on Sep 28 and 4 at Amble Marshes and the Walmesley Sanctuary in August and September. There may have been a small movement at Porthgwarra in the late autumn when birds were recorded from one on Oct 29th to 5 on Nov 3rd. A maximum of only five is now typical, but is much down on the numbers that could be seen in the past

CETTI’S WARBLER Cettia cetti Very scarce breeding resident and passage migrant.

Recorded at 12 localities throughout the year, the majority of which are likely to have been resident. The sites are listed below with some indication of when they were recorded and the maximum counts. Bude Marshes (Mar); Harlyn Bay (Jan, Jun & Nov); Hayle River (Jun); Loe Pool (Jan & Dec); Marazion Marsh, up to three; Mawgan Porth (Jun); Nanjizal (Sep & Nov (4)); Par Beach Pool, (Jan to Mar); Poldhu (May); Porthgwarra (Oct 29); Porth Mear, Park Head (Apr, May & Oct); and Porthmeor, Zennor (Apr).

COMMON GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia Scarce breeding summer visitor and passage migrant.

Recorded from 18 typical sites during the breeding season, seven of which were on Bodmin Moor. The first records in Spring was of five at Trevose Head, and singles at Marazion Marsh, Nanjizal, Rame Head, all on Apr 15th. The main spring passage was in the period Apr 21st-24th with a maximum of five at Trevose Head on Apr 22nd. Very few recorded after the end of June with only four records in August and September. The last bird was at Windmill Farm on Sep 30.

AQUATIC WARBLER Acrocephalus paludicola (238) (1) Rare vagrant. (2004)

Marazion Marsh; one Aug 23rd. DSF

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ------139 83 16 - -

SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Scarce breeding summer visitor and passage migrant.

The earliest report since 1932 was on Feb 14th 1998 at Bude Marshes, and the latest at Coverack on Nov 22nd 1996. This year the earliest was on Amble Marshes Apr 6th, and the latest was at Porthgwarra Oct 19th.

In the breeding season the largest counts were: Harlyn Bay; six Jun 15th.

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Marazion Marsh; ten May 31st. Polgreen; ten Jun 2nd.

There were large counts in May that may have included local breeding birdsincluded 22 at Porth Joke, May 6th; and 14 at Coverack, May 14th.

Late summer birds merged with early autumn passage. Nanjizal; 18 Jul 25th . Marazion Marsh: 23 Aug 4th; 33 Aug 8th; 49 Aug 26th, ten Sep 10th.

EURASIAN REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus Scarce breeding summer visitor and passage migrant.

The earliest report since 1959 was on Mar 8th 1998 at Marazion, and the latest at Porthcurno Dec 3rd 1998. This year the earliest was at Long Rock Pool Apr 9th, and the latest was at Rame Barton Nov 1st.

Few breeding sites were visited, but those that were held good numbers. The largest counts were: Marazion Marsh; ten May 31st. Mawgan Porth; ten Jun 4th. Bude Marshes; ten Jun 11th. Porthcothan; four Jun 11th. Harlyn Bay; 15 Jun 15th.

Numbers at Marazion, showed the decline in breeding numbers but rised sharply with the onset of autumn with 22 Aug 4th; 23 Aug 18th; five Sep 5th and three Sep 10th. The last were two on Oct 9th.

There were few other autumn migrants: Trevose Head; singles Sep 11th and 23rd. St Levan; one Oct 29th; Nanquidno; one Oct 29th , five Oct 30th. Rame Barton; one Nov 1st.

MELODIOUS WARBLER Hippolais polyglotta (131) (6) Rare vagrant. (2004)

There were six autumn records: Nanjizal; One immature Sept 5th, One immature Sept 24th, One Oct 1st. Land‟s End; One immature Sept 10th. Porthgwarra; One Sept 22nd – Oct 4th, one Oct 13th – 26th.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - - 3 - 1 37 74 21 1 -

Top site is Porthgwarra with 53, followed by Nanquidno (13), Nanjizal (11) and Land‟s End (9).

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla Common breeding summer visitor. Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 1.3; the mean count for 2006 was 1.5.

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In the first winter period records were submitted from 15 sites in January and February with no more than 2 at any one place.

The first spring record from a coastal site was at Trevose Head on Apr 4th

In the autumn there were records from numerous sites in moderate numbers, regular sites are listed below; Nanjizal; Ten were recorded on Aug 30th, Sept 15th, Oct 3rd and Oct 10th. Porthgwarra; Six Nov 1st, seven Nov 4th. Porth Joke; Seven Sept 17th and Nov 4th. Rospannel; Ten Oct 4th.

In the second winter period in December there were records from 13 sites with a maximum of 4 at Pentewan on Dec 24th.

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin Scarce breeding summer visitor and passage migrant.

The first record was of two at Tregoss Moor on Apr 25th. Most of the spring birds appeared directly on their breeding sites. The only clear migrants were one at Nanquidno on May 3rd and 3 at Nanjizal on May 11th.

In the breeding season there were about 30 records, all of which were from within the normal breeding range.

Autumn passage was small. An early bird at Nanquidno on Aug 6th was probaly of local origin. Later, there were four clear autumn passage records: one, Trevose Head, Sep 9th; one, Penmillard, Sep 15th; one, Trevose Head Oct 14th and the last record of one at Porth Joke on Oct 19th.

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca Rare breeding summer visitor and very scarce passage migrant.

In Spring there was only a single record away from breeding sites of one at Rame Head on Apr 25th. Of the 21 records received for the period from Apr 25th until Jun 16th, eight came from Rame Head and adjacent areas. Of the remaining 13, no less than 9 came from , Goss Moor & Tregoss Moor, and Helman Tor. The other 4 records came from Windmill Farm, Watergate Bay. There were also 2 at Crowdy Reservoir on Aug 8th

Only one autumn record of two at Caerthillian Cove on Sep 24th.

COMMON WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis Common breeding summer visitor and scarce passage migrant.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 1.0; the mean count for 2006 was 1.8.

The first record was of one at Trevose Head on Apr 5th. The main arrival was in the last ten days of the month with peaks of: Trevose Head; 12 Apr 22nd. Caerthillian; 11 Apr 24th. Hayle Kimbro; Ten Apr 29th.

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Passage continued into the first half of May and then become indistinguishable from local birds. Maximum counts included; Penlee Reserve; Ten May 1st. Porth Joke; 12 May 6th. Trevose Head; 16 May 7th. Beagles Point; 20 May 14th.

The main autumn movement lay in the period Sep 5th-15th with peaks of: Porthgwarra; Ten Sept 6th. Penlee Point; Five Sept 7th. Rame Head; Five Sept 7th. Trevose Head; Four Sept 9th. Stepper Point; Five Sept 12th.

There were then lesser numbers until one at Rospannel on Oct 4th and an exceptionally late bird at St Levan on Oct 29th.

The St Levan bird is the third latest ever in the county beaten only by one which was at Gwennap Sewage Works on Nov 12th 2004 and one on the Lizard, Nov 9th 1996.

DARTFORD WARBLER Sylvia undata Rare breeding resident. Breeding was noted or suspected from the following coastal sites; ; A pair, Foage, Jul 11th

The Lizard From Caerthillian Cove to Soapy Cove there were 6 records in the period Jul 28th to Oct 24th with a maximum of 5 at Soapy Cove on Sep 23rd. There were up to 2 at Windmill farm, Aug 18th-22nd. Present at Croft Pascoe Plantation in early June with 4 of various ages on Jun 7th. One, Kennack Sands, 26 Jun 26th. Four records from Treleaver Cliff/Beagles Point: up to 2, Apr 30th-Aug 26th At Chynalls Point there were 2, Apr 9th and one, May 28th. And 3 were recorded at on Jul 3rd.

North Cornwall One, Portreath, Apr 16th

Caradon One at the end of February at Talland was probably resident In the area of Hendersick Farm/Hore Stone there were up to 2, Feb27th-Aug 30th. One, Tregantle Fort, Jan 20th and Feb 10th, possibly resident. One, Rame Head, Apr 15th. Up to 2, Wiggle, Apr 9th-22nd.

Away from these sites the following non-breeding birds were reported; In the first winter period there was one at Reskajeague Downs on Feb 11th, a site not normally considered to be within the breeding range At Porthgwarra there were the following records of migrants: One male, Apr 6th; one Oct 20th; then one from Oct 27th-Nov 8th with 2 from Nov 3rd–7th.

SUBALPINE WARBLER Sylvia cantillans (33) (1)

Birds in Cornwall 105

Rare vagrant.

Chapel Porth; one, Oct 16th

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - 3 11 16 - - - 1 3 - -

Top sites are Porthgwarra 6 and Nanjizal 5.

PALLAS’S LEAF WARBLER Phylloscopus proregulus (60) (1) Rare vagrant.

Nanjizal; One Oct 18th KAW

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ------44 14 3

YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus (492) (34) Very scarce vagrant. Has over wintered.

There were four records of single birds in the winter period: Newlyn: Jan 2nd – 14th Bridge: Jan 10th Grogley: Jan 29th Lower Nansloe: Feb 25th

In the autumn it was almost impossible to count the number of indiviuals, all of single birds: In Penwith: Porthgwarra: Sep 24th, 26th, 28th-Oct 2nd, 15th, 22nd, 24th and Nov 4th Nanjizal: Oct 10th, 13th, 18th, 20th, 27th, 30th-Nov 1st Nanquidno: Oct 12th, 13th, 14th, 18th-20th Sennen and Sennen Cove: Oct 12th, 13th, 16th, 28th, 29th Cot Valley: Oct 14th, 15th, 20th, 30th, Nov 2nd-4th Land‟s End: Oct 16th, 20th and Nov 2nd-4th Kenidjack: Oct 17th, Nov 2nd-4th Polgigga: Oct 18th, 19th, 29th Porthcurno: Oct 20th, 21st St Levan: Oct 22nd-26th Sancreed: Oct 29th-31st Marazion Marsh: Nov 21st-23rd, 25th-27th and Dec 1st, 2nd, 6th & 9th

Rest of Cornwall Porth Joke, Oct 14th Trevose Head, Oct 14th Amble (Walmesley Sanctuary): Oct 26th - Nov 3rd Forder, Saltash, Nov 5th Falmouth (Swanpool), Nov 9th

Birds in Cornwall 106

Falmouth, Nov 16th Hatt, Nov 18th

There were several records in the second winter period, all of single birds: Ponsanooth, Dec 22nd Nanjizal, Dec 31st Helston., Loe Pool, Dec 17th Helston Sewage Works, Dec 25th-30th

The best year since the record year of 2003 when 49 individuals visited the county.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 8 2 1 1 1 - - - 23 422 54 15

RADDE’S WARBLER Phylloscopus schwarzi (9) (1) Very rare vagrant. (2003)

Dodman Point; one Oct 18th – 19th RRB, SMC

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ------10 - -

Top sites are Porthgwarra, Nanjizal and St Levan all with two each.

DUSKY WARBLER Phylloscopus fuscatus (17) (1) Very rare vagrant. Has over wintered.

Sladesbridge; one Nov 18th CS DIJ

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 - - - - 1 - - - 7 7 1

Top site are Nanjizal (3) and Kednidjack (2). A further 13 sites has hosted this species.

WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix Very rare breeding summer visitor and rare passage migrant.

Breeding was last proven in 2000 and since then has only been suspected at one site in 2005.

Nanjizal; Male Apr 23rd. Penlee Reserve; one May 5th.

These two take the mainland total since 2000 to 15.

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita Very common breeding summer visitor and passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.

Birds in Cornwall 107

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 3.7; the mean count for 2006 was 2.8.

In the first winter period records came from a wide range of sites. Maximum counts of: Carnon Downs SW: six Jan 18th. Marazion Marsh: 15 Feb 22nd & 23rd. Lower Nansloe: 30 Feb 25th. St Austell SW: 12 Jan 2nd.

Numbers remained high in March and were reinforced by early migrants. Maximum counts: Helston: 30 Mar 5th. Helston SW: 31 Mar 21st. Marazion Marsh: 25 Mar 21st. Nanjizal: 25 Mar 22nd.

Only rather small numbers were noted from April with a small fall on the 15th bringing the only notable counts including 43 at Penlee Pt, 20 at Rame Head and 11 at Trevose Head.

Autumn Passage commenced with a few records in Sep from coastal sites with maxima of five at Porthgwarra on the 6th and at Trevose Head on the 17th. The same pattern continued in Oct with rather small numbers, the maximum at Porthgwarra being six on the 13th until eight on the 27th. Numbers there then rose to a peak of 17 on Nov 3rd before quickly falling. The pattern appears to have been similar elsewher with five at Trevose Head on Oct 14th & 26th with four on Nov 9th.

There were 14 at Porthgwarra on the late date of Dec 3rd.

Apart from Porthgwarra the maximum counts in the second winter period were: Harlyn Bay: Six, Dec 2nd. Helston SW: eight Dec 25th. Loe Pool: ten Dec 25th. Marazion Marsh: ten in December.

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus Very common breeding summer visitor and passage migrant

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 3.8; the mean count for 2006 was 2.9.

The first in spring was at Amble Marshes on Mar 28th and spring passage at the well-watched coastal migration sites was evident in significant numbers from Apr 4th-22nd. The largest falls were 150 at Porthgwarra on Apr 4th and at a number of sites on Apr 15th with 255 at Trevose Head, 70 at Porth Joke, 30 at Rame Head and 25 at Nanjizal, being the largest.

As is usual with this species, migration was less obvious in the autumn, passage at coastal sites being evident from early Aug until one at Nanquidno on Oct 1st. The largest numbers were 35 at Trevose Head on Aug 8th, 15 at Rame Head on Sep 7th and 12 at Nanjizal on Sep 24th.

There was one late October record at Porthgwarra on Oct 27th.

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus Very common breeding resident. Common passage migrant.

Birds in Cornwall 108

While counts in the breeding season are always small, BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. In the first winter period the maximum count was only eight at St Austell SW on Jan 2nd.

In the autumn ther were a few records at coastal sites in Sept, but the main passage was in Oct and early Nov. Numbers were always rather small with 14 at Porthgwarra on Nov 1st and 14 at Polgigga on Nov 3rd being the maximum.

FIRECREST Regulus ignicapilla Very scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

Recorded at 21 localities between January and March 18th. Four sites held two birds, while Lower Nansloe hosted three.

One late spring migrant at Portholland on May 29th.

In the autumn, the first bird was at Ludgvan on Sep 18th with passage seemingly ending on Nov 21st at Marazion. There were no more than two at any one location with only moderate numbers between early October and early November.

In the second winter period firecrests were recorded from Dec 7th onwards at eight localities, the peak number being three at Ponsanooth on Dec 22nd.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata Scarce breeding summer visitor and passage migrant.

During the breeding season recorded from a wide range of localities throughout the county, although numbers are much lower than five years ago.

The first birds were three, Chapel Point on May 8th and one, St Levan on the same day. The maximum count was of 4 at Windmill Farm on May 11th.

As always it ws difficult to know when autumn passage began, but the first coastal record was at Penlee Reserve on Aug 30th. Following that there were regular reports until Oct 1st. The largest numbers were: Rame Head: six Sept 7th; Trevose Head: seven Sept 10th; Penlee Reserve: 11 Sept 15th; and 12 Sept 24th.

The only later records were one at Rame Barton on Oct 9th and one at Kenidjack on Nov 2nd.

RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva (134) (3) Rare vagrant.

There were three records, all singles: Sennen Cove: Sep 29th Nanjizal: Oct 27th Porthgwarra: Nov 9th

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Birds in Cornwall 109

- - - 1 - - - 2 34 92 8 -

Top site is Porthgwarra which has hosted 36 individuals.

PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca Rare breeding summer visitor. Very scarce passage migrant.

The only suspected breeding bird was a male prospecting at a park in on May 20th.

There were three records of single birds in spring: Trevose Head: a male Apr 15th. Nanjizal: Apr 15th. Windmill Farm: Apr 22nd.

There was one at Nanquidno on Aug 25th and then none until five singles between Sep 7th and 11th. Once again there were none until the main passage began on Sep 21st. The largest numbers were 2, Ludgvan, Sep 22nd; 3, Rame Church and at Goldsithney with 2 at Penlee Reserve on Sep 23rd; 3, Nanquidno, Sep 24th; 2, Rame Church, Sep 24th and 28th; 2, Church Cove, Lizard, Sep 30th. There were 5 singles in October ending with one at St Levan on Oct 21st.

LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus Common breeding resident.

There were 73 records scattered throughout the year across Cornwall, although no proven breeding records were received. In the first winter period flocks of 6 to 8 were recorded in several places with the largest flock of 10 on Goonhilly Downs on Feb 12th. Numbers were very small from April until early July when 28 were recorded at Helston on Jul 15th, this being the largest count of the year. From early August until the end of the year, counts of 10 or more were recorded regularly from several widely separated sites in the county. The largest flocks in this period were 18 at Loe Pool on Oct 19th and 22 at Porth Res on Oct 28th

BLUE TIT Cyanistes caeruleus Abundant breeding resident.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 5.9; the mean count for 2006 was 5.8. There was no clear evidence of irruptive movements this year and 15 at Rospannel on Oct 3rd and 12 at Porthgwarra on Oct 27th may simply have been relatively local birds

GREAT TIT Parus major Very common breeding resident.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 2.9; the mean count for 2006 was 3.4. There was no clear evidence of irruptive movements this year.

COAL TIT Periparus ater Common breeding resident and scarce passage migrant. There are occasional autumn movements, which may be irruptive. Some of those birds are of the continental race P. a. ater.

Birds in Cornwall 110

There were 23 records from 17 sites, but this in no way reflects the status of this species. There was no evidence of migration this year.

WILLOW TIT Poecile montanus Rare breeding resident with a small population.

They are found in the mid-Cornwall Moors and the St Austell china clay district, in the southern valleys of Bodmin Moor and across the Culm grasslands and associated mires of the north of the county.

This species was recorded from six localities in three main areas: The Upper and Lower Tamar Lakes, the southern part of Bodmin Moor (Park Clay Pit and Ninestones Bridge), and Goss Moor and Breney Moor. No more than 2 were seen at any one time.

This can be a difficult bird to find, even in where it is known to occur and the few records that were submitted reflect that fact.

MARSH TIT Poecile palustris Common breeding resident.

There are virtually none south and west of Helston though elsewhere they are found throughout the mature broad-leaved deciduous woodlands, albeit at low density. There were only 29 records for the whole year.

Those that were outside or on the limits of the normal range were: Bridge (Portreath): one Jan 10th; Porkellis Moor (west): one Jul 19th. Sancreed: one Oct 31st.

Records for West Penwith are most unusual.

WOOD NUTHATCH Sitta europaea Common breeding resident.

Only recorded from 20 sites with no more than two birds noted at a time. The bird is actually rather widespread in low densities and this lack of recording does not reflect the bird‟s true status

EURASIAN TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris Common breeding resident.

There were only 8 records from 7 sites, six being of single birds, one of two and there were 4 at Dunmere on May 10. All of them were from the Bodmin area or further east. This is not to say that the species is not found further west, but there are several pieces of anecdotal evidence that indicates that the bird has declined in the west of the county in recent decades. It is certainly a species where every record should be submitted.

EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE Oriolus oriolus (220) (5) Rare vagrant.

Nanquidno: One, May 14th Ponsanooth: One, May 17th St Agnes Head: One, May 17th Polgigga: One, Jun 2th

Birds in Cornwall 111

Tregonebris: One, Aug 21st.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - 1 30 157 21 4 4 4 3 - -

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio (126) (5) Rare vagrant. Former Breeder.

Land‟s End: adult male, May 4th Lizard Village: juvenile, Oct 9th Kynance Cove: juvenile, Oct 10th Porthgwarra: juvenile, Oct 20th-23rd Duckpool: juvenile, Oct 21st-26th.

Approximate monthly totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - 1 29 154 20 4 3 4 3 - -

The top site is Porthgwarra with 24.

WOODCHAT SHRIKE Lanius senator (94) (3) Rare vagrant.

Porthgwarra: male Apr 22nd – 28th, one May 7th – 11th. Sennen Cove: juvenile Sep 10th. The second Porthgwarra bird was thought by some to be of the Mediterranean Island race badius.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - 1 16 34 11 2 14 12 5 1 -

The total site is Porthgwarra with 20 records.

EURASIAN JAY Garrulus glandarius Common breeding resident. Birds were noted throughout the county in suitable habitat although under recorded because of the secretive nature. Counts included: Lostwithiel: five, Apr 10th; Nanjizal: five, Sep 4th were probably migrants. Penlee Battery: eight, Sep 18th and Oct 14th were probably migrants. Treworder Wood: five, Sep 18th.

BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE Pica pica Very common breeding resident.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 4.1; the mean count for 2006 was 3.6.

Birds in Cornwall 112

There were no significant counts this year and no roosts were reported.

The largest counts were: Marazion Marsh: 20, Jan 30th. Windmill Farm: 14, Oct 19th. Porthgwarra: 16, Oct 27th. Loe Pool: 16, Dec 25th.

RED-BILLED CHOUGH Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Rare breeding resident. Very rare vagrant.

A total of eight chicks were raised this year from two nests. Birds were noted throughout the year on both the Penwith and Lizard Peninsulas. The largest flock size noted were seven at Loe Pool on Nov 8th.

EURASIAN JACKDAW Corvus monedula Very common breeding resident.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 9.9; the mean count for 2006 was 7.9.

There were few counts received this year; Sancreed: a peak of 1220 Jan 2nd in the first part of the year and 1100, Oct 21st in the second. Treraven Wood; 600 Nov 17th.

ROOK Corvus frugilegus Very common breeding resident.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 17.6; the mean count for 2005 was 16.2. There were only counts from five rookeries.

The following counts of large flocks were received: Goonhilly Downs: 509, Jun 15th. Predannack Downs: 248, Aug 18th. Antony: 430, Oct 15th.

CARRION CROW Corvus corone Very common breeding resident.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 12.6; the mean count for 2006 was 7.9. While this might indicate a decline, atlas survey fieldwork has not indicated any change in the period 2000-2006.

There were some very large counts from a few sites: Wilsey Downs Plantation: 200 adults, May 11th and 180 Jun 18th. Dinham Flats, Camel Estuary; 116 Jun 11th. Trevose Head: 110 Oct 10th. Treraven Woods: 450 Nov 17th.

COMMON RAVEN Corvus corax Scarce breeding resident.

Birds in Cornwall 113

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 2.9; the mean count for 2006 was 0.3. This species is so localised that variations in the BBS squares that are counted means that the count can fluctuate markedly. Regular counts from the Colliford Reservoir/Park Clay Pit area revealed there were 40 birds on both 19th and 26th Jan, with 39 Mar 2nd . In the second half of the year, there were 22, Sep 29th, 33, Oct 7th, 59, Nov 5th and 45, Dec 16th. Other high counts included; Killigrew Head, 24, Sep 30th. Rame Head, 19, Sep 24th.

COMMON STARLING Sturnus vulgaris Very common breeding resident and abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. The breeding population is widespread, but localised: certain areas hold strong populations, while others hold none at all

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 3.7; the mean count for 2006 was 0.4. The low count is not in itself significant, because counting such a local species will inevitably throw up considerable variations when fieldwork changes location from year to year

There were 179 records for the year. Within those records there appear to be only two sets of records relating to roosts, one in the area of Crowdy Reservoir and the other at Marazion Marsh. Highest counts at each were as follows:

Crowdy/Davidstow: In the first winter period1 million, Jan 7th; in the second winter period 500 000, Dec 31st. Marazion Marsh: peak count of 50 000 on Nov 29th.

ROSY STARLING Sturnus roseus (88) (2) Very rare vagrant.

Bude Golf Course: one juvenile Sep 10th. RRB Paul: one Nov 9th. GH

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 - - - 2 22 7 4 24 22 6 1

HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus Abundant breeding resident. The highest densities are generally found in , but few of the records of the largest flocks come from there.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 5.8; the mean count for 2006 was 10.1.

There were 148 records, the largest counts being: Trevose Head: 55, Aug 16th. Sancreed: 42, during Sep

Birds in Cornwall 114

Drift Res: 40, Sep 30th. Hannafore: 40, Nov 25th.

EURASIAN TREE SPARROW Passer montanus (236) (4) Very rare breeder. Rare passage migrant and winter visitor.

Churchtown Farm Reserve: one, Jan 6th. Lands End: Two with a brood in April, one Jun 6th, two adults Jun 25th and one Jul 12th. Porthgwarra: one Nov 2nd.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical)*: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 6 6 6 9 85 8 14 8 5 47 20 16  *Nine undated

RED-EYED VIREO Vireo olivaceus (24) (1) Rare vagrant. (2001)

Nanquidno; one Oct 2nd – 4th.

Approximate monthly totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec ------9 15 1 -

Top sites are Porthgwarra 7, Cot Valley 4, Nanquidno 3.

Red-eyed Vireo Occurance in Cornwall

4 3 2 1

0

1982 1994 2006 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Very common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Birds in Cornwall 115

BBS fieldwork has indicated a population increase in the county which parallels one that is occurring nationally. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 8.4; the mean count for 2006 was 10.4.

In the first winter period there were significant counts from; Trevose Head: 410 Jan7th, 440 Feb 17th, 270 Mar 4th, 260 Mar 18th, 160 Mar 19th, 30 Mar 20th Porth Mear: 250 Jan 7th. Churchtown Farm: 500 Jan 8th. St Eval: 220 Jan 17th. Portholland: 500 Jan 24th. Tretheake: 400 Feb 4th. Notter Bridge: 350 Feb 4th and Mar 5th.

The only spring migrants noted were 100 at Windmill Farm Apr 20th.

In the autumn, small flocks began to appear at coastal sites at the end of Sep. In the first half of October there were 66 at Trevose Head on 8 Oct and 81 at Porthgwarra on 13 Oct. By the second half of Oct there were large flocks: Sancreed: 400 Oct 22nd. Marazion Marsh: 200 Oct 24th. Porthgwarra: 196 Oct 27th, 274 Oct 29th, 2362 Nov 1st, 676 Nov 2nd, 369 Nov 3rd, 237 Nov 4th. Trevose Head: 243 Nov 7th, 275 Nov 9th. The autumn passage merged into winter residents with very few significant counts in the second half of November.

In Dec largest counts included: Portholland: 600 Dec 24th. Trevose Head: 150 Dec 11th - 20th. Millbrook Lake: 150 Dec 12th.

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla Common passage migrant and scarce winter visitor.

In the first half of the year there were two major flocks. The first was at Notter Bridge, 150, Feb 4-5 and at Landrake, 35, Feb 10. The second was at Portholland, 5 Jan 5; 25, Jan 24; Tretheake, 200, Feb 4 and Veryan, 15 Feb 6. Elsewhere there were no more than three at ten locations.

Up to three at Trevose Head Mar 13th – 19th, may have been spring migrants. The last record was of one at Par beach Pool on Apr 13.

In the autumn there were records from Oct 14 until Nov 10. The maximum counts were five at Porthgwarra from Nov 1–4.

There was no records in December.

EUROPEAN SERIN Serinus serinus (133) (5) Rare passage migrant. (2004)

No spring records.

Recorded on autumn passage at two sites: Porthgwarra; one Oct 23rd, one Nov 1st, four Nov 3rd, two Nov 4th, one Nov 5th RRB DSF SMC Trevose Head; one Nov 7th SMC

Birds in Cornwall 116

Many more records were received without descriptions etc.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 9 8 22 20 1 - - 9 32 30 5

The top sites are Pothgwearra with 35 and Nanjizal with 11

EUROPEAN GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris Very common breeding resident.

BBS fieldwork has indicated a population increase in the county which parallels one that is occurring nationally. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 4.4; the mean count for 2006 was 5.1. In the first winter period there were no significant flocks. Regular counts at Trevose Head showed a maximum of 38 on Mar 19th, which was the largest count anywhere in the county.

In the autumn and second winter period, the first significant count was of 60 at Trevose Head on Sep 26th ; there followed similar counts there on Oct 12th and 14th . At Porthgwarra the largest counts came between Oct 27th (69) until Nov 4th (54) with a peak of 80 on Nov 1st. Elsewhere there were 120 at Antony on Oct 15th and 90 at Dodman on Oct 18th.

EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis Very common breeding resident.

BBS fieldwork has indicated a population increase in the county which parallels one that is occurring nationally. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 3.5; the mean count for 2006 was 3.9.

Recorded in very small numbers in the first three months of the year, with 16 at Arden-Sawah Farm on Mar 6th, being the largest count. Neither was the spring passage at all notable with 17 at Trevose Head on 19 Apr being the maximum count.

In the late summer, flocks began to increase in size, (counts below): Amble Marshes; 70 Aug 10th. Uppe Tamar Lake; 51 Aug 11th. Trewidden; 80 Sep 1st. Penlee Point; 70 Sep 7th. Windmill Farm; 100 Sep 23rd. Penlee Battery; 60 Sep 26th.

In Oct, probable autmn migrants included; Trevose Head; 40 Oct 4th – 8th. Military Road, Penlee; 70 Oct 10th. Penmillard; 50 Oct 10th. Loe Pool; 60 Oct 30th.

There was no flock pf over 20 during November or December..

EURASIAN SISKIN Carduelis spinus Very scarce breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Birds in Cornwall 117

Reports from the known breeding range included; Boconnoc: one May 30th. Halvana Plantation: 15 Jun 9th. Ninestones: 14 Jun 15th. Breney Common: one Jun 16th. Crowdy Reservoir: ten Jun 18th.

One at Goldsithney on Jun 22nd and Jul 28th was unusual.

Widespread in the first three months of the year: Peak counts of: Trengwainton: 30 Jan 2nd. Polbrock: 40 Jan 10th. Bishop‟s Wood: 14 Jan 14th. Wadebridge: 16 Jan 25th, 12 Mar 13th, 12 Apr 2nd. St Andrew‟s Pool: 30 Jan 29th. Polgreen Farm: 25 Feb 8th. Marazion Marsh: 11 Feb 26th.

A few spring migrants: Trevose Head: two Apr 21st. Nanquidno: one May 7th.

Autumn passage started with one at Trevose Head on Oct 2nd. Porthgwarra witnessed the main movement from Oct 27th, (three), until Nov 4th, (26), with peaks of 37 Nov 2nd and 42 the next day. The only other double figure counts were 20 at Nanjizal Oct 10th and 12 at Rame Head Nov 14th.

In December the only record received was of two at Crowdy Res. Dec 16th.

COMMON LINNET Carduelis cannabina Abundant breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

BBS fieldwork has indicated a population increase in the county which differs from the continuing national decline. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 4.0; the mean count for 2006 was slightly lower at 2.5, but is not a significant difference for this species where counts may vary widely according to where and when they are surveyed

In the first winter period there were significant counts at: Penare; 200 Jan 8th. Pentire Point/The Rumps; 200 Jan 18th and Mar 17th. Tretheake; 500 Feb 4th. Colliford Res; 360 Feb 8th. Trevose Head; 110 Feb 25th, 80 Mar 13th – 29th. Windmill Farm; 100 Mar 14th.

The only spring movement detected was 110 at West Pentire May 4th.

In the autumn, maximum numbers included; Trevose Head; 170 Aug 30th, 240 Sep 26th, 320 Oct 10th – 14th. Colliford Res; 256 Sep 17th. Penlee Battery; 130 Sep 7th. Rame Head; 130 Oct 14th.

Birds in Cornwall 118

Large flocks in the second winter period included; Wiggle; 500 Nov 5th. Tregantle; Nov 21st. Harlyn Bay; 300 Nov 21st. Trevose Head; 150 Dec 2nd, 190 Dec 19th. Penlee/ Rame Head; 500 Dec 16th, 200 Dec 21st.

LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret Very scarce breeding resident, scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding season records for the known areas of Bodmin Moor and Wilsey Down include peak counts of 16 at Smallacombe Plantation Jun 5th; nine at Halvana Jun 9th and four at Wilsey Downs May 11th.

Away from the breeding areas birds were noted in the first winter period at five sites; Newlyn (sandy Cove); two Jan 2nd, five Jan 3rd, one Jan 6th. Walmesley Sanc.;singles Jan 3rd and Feb 1st. Polgreen Farm; three Jan 3rd. Harlyn Bay; one Jan 7th. Churchtown Farm; four Jan 22nd.

Spring passage was noted at the following sites; : two Apr 13th. Bridge: one Apr 16th. Mawgan Porth: one Apr 21st. Trevose Head: singles Apr 23rd, May 4th, May 11th and 16th. One, Walmesley Sanc: one May 4th. St Germans: two Apr 28th.

Three at Cooksland Apr 22nd may have been locally breeding birds as that two were present again on Jun 8th.

No birds were noted during the autumn period away from know breeding sites.

COMMON CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra Very rare breeding resident. Scarce passage migrant. Numbers of this irruptive species vary substantially from year to year.

There were no breeding records this year.

The only a handful of records received; Hustyn: two Jan 12th and 21st. Kestle Wood: two Feb 18th. Grogley Halt: two Sep 1st. Trezibbet Farm: two Dec 21st.

COMMON ROSEFINCH Carpodacus erythrinus (36) (3) Rare vagrant. (2004)

Nanjizal: one Jun 8th. KW Dodman Pt: one Oct 18th. SMC Lizard Village: one, juvenile, Oct 18th. ARP

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Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - 1 - - 2 3 2 - 12 15 1 -

Top sites are Porthgwarra wit seven and Nanjizal with six.

COMMON BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula Scarce breeding resident.

BBS fieldwork has not indicated any long-term population trend in the county and this year was similar. The mean count per square for 1994-2004 was 2.4; the mean count for 2005 was 3.2. Counts included; Goonhilly Downs: six Jan 2nd. Upper Tamar Lake: six Jan 11th. Porth Mear: 11 Apr 23rd. Goss Moor: seven May 14th. Breney Common: five Jun 16th. Marazion Marsh: six Nov 21st.

HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes (124) (1) Rare passage migrant and winter visitor.

Tresemple Pool, Tresillian: one, Jan 3rd -5th.

Approximate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 9 4 9 9 6 6 7 - 5 50 7 7

COMMON YELLOWTHROAT Geothlypis trichas (0) (1) Very rare vagrant. Penryn; a first winter male, Oct 23rd. RSJ AR Unfortunately this first for Cornwall flew into a window at the University of Exeter‟s Cornwall Campus and died. This individual was only the 12th record of this American warbler in the Western Palearctic and the ninth for Britain.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR Calcarius lapponicus Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.

A very poor year with numbers well below the average.

Approxiate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 4 - - - - - 1 6 9 1

Trevose Head: one Jan 7th, two Mar 12th with up to four until 18th. Up to three Oct 10th to 16th with a single on the 26th. Two Nov 7th, one Nov 9th and another single Dec 23rd.

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Watergate Bay: two Feb 11th. Porth Joke: one Sep 17th. Church Cove: one Oct 1st. Land‟s End; singles Oct 15th and 29th. Porthgwarra; singles Oct 27 – Nov 4th with two Nov 1st. Sennen Cove, singles Nov 3rd – 6th. Treen; two Nov 5th. Sancreed; two Nov 9th.

SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis Rare winter visitor and passage migrant. A poor year with numbers below average.

Approximate Monthly Totals Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 1 1 1 - - - - - 7 5 1

Marazion Beach: Two Jan 1st – 9th with one until Feb 22nd. Nanjizal: one Mar 18th. Tintagel: a single male Apr 4th – 10th. St Ives: one Oct 2nd. Kelsey Point: one Oct 7th. Trevose Head: Singles Oct 7th – 12th, 22nd – 24th, Nov 9th – 10th and 23rd. Lizard Point: one Oct 10th. Common: one Oct 16th, two Nov 11th. Polgigga: one Oct 27th. Porthgwarra: one Nov 2nd. Land‟s End: one Dec 2nd.

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella Scarce breeding resident and winter visitor.

BBS fieldwork has indicated a population decline in the county which parallels a national decline. While the figure for this year was similar to that for the last 11 years, there is no clear indication yet that the population has stabilised. The mean count per square for 1994-2005 was 1.3; the mean count for 2006 was 1.7.

In the first winter period there were several significant flocks: Porth Mear: ten, Jan 4th. Dodman Point: five, Jan 8th. St Eval: 20, Jan 17th. Tollgate, Wadebridge: 13, Jan 22nd. Bay: seven, Feb 12th. Watergate Bay: eight, Feb 23rd. Tremore Manor: 12, Mar 4th.

In the autumn, 20 at Rame Head on Sep 7th Sep were followed by: Dodman Point: 25 Oct 18th. Rame Head: 15 Oct 23rd. Trevose Head: six Oct 26th and eight Nov 7th.

The only flocks noted in the second winter period were:

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Gerrans: eight Nov 12th. Portholland: five Dec 24th.

CIRL BUNTING Emberiza cirlus Very rare breeding resident and passage migrant.

Because of the fragile foothold this species has in this county, (has a breeding bird), and that the RSPB are reintroducing „Cirls‟ into the county, it has been decided not to publish any information this year. A full report will be published in the future.

Please continue to submit records of this species.

ORTOLAN BUNTING Emberiza hortulana (189) (4) Rare vagrant.

Nanjizal: one immature, Aug 29th. KW Rame Head: one Sep 17th, with two Sep 18th – 23rd. EW DC LACT Land‟s End: one Sep 22nd. CM ME

The Rame Head birds were the first there since 1984.

Approxiate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec - - - 2 3 - - 19 144 24 1 - Top site; Land‟s End 29, Porthgwarra 28, Trevose Head 22, Lizard 14, Nanjizal 14.

LITTLE BUNTING Emberiza pusilla (19) (2) Rare vagrant.

Lelant Downs: one Jan 1st. VS Camel Trail near Wadebridge: one roosting with Reed Bunting, Nov 9th - 20th. CS

Approxiate Monthly Totals (Historical) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 1 - 6 2 - - - - 7 3 - Top site Porthgwarra 6.

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus Very scarce breeding resident. Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

In the breeding season there were 35 records for Apr to Jul, nearly all of birds within the known breeding areas such as Bodmin Moor. In the first winter period there were records from 11 sites with peak counts of 12 at Porth Mear, Park Head on Jan 4th and ten at Trevose Head from Jan 21st -31st . While there were few records in February, there were renewed numbers in March: with five or more at Trevose Head from 4th -20th , with a peak count of 20 on 14th and 12 at Porth Mear on Mar 24th.

Evidence of autumn movements most notable at Porthgwarra starting with nine, Oct 27th , peaking at 35 on Nov 1st and falling to three by Nov 5th.

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Later in Nov there were 12 at the Amble Confluence on the 13th and in Dec the only notable count was of four at Trevose Head 19th -23rd.

CORN BUNTING Emberiza calandra Very scarce breeding resident. The majority of the population is found in the coastal fringe between the Gannel Estuary and Rumps Point.

The only records of breeding birds came from an area between Trevone Bay and Stepper Point with Trevose Head holding at least six pairs.

About 90% of the records outside the breeding season came from Trevose Head.

In the first winter period there was an exceptional maximum of 112 on Jan 25th followed by 53 on Jan 31st and 50 on Feb 1st. There were no more than 25 recorded until 40 on Mar 14th, which was followed by 40 on Mar 29th, 45 on Apr 4th, 47 on Apr 12th leading to a maximum of 48 on April 20th. There followed a sharp drop in numbers to 28 on Apr 27th and 8 on May 1st.

Following the breeding season there were 15 on Aug 30th, 18 on both Sep 8th and 10th, 31 on Oct 7th, 26 on Nov 2nd and 23 on Dec 16th.

There were few counts that matched this from elsewhere. In the first winter period there were 11 at Porthcothan on Jan 17th and in the second winter period there were 12 at Rumps Point on Dec 6th. Smaller numbers were also recorded at Harlyn Bay, Watergate Bay and Porth Mear, Park Head.

The only record that came away from the core area was a single bird at Portreath on Jan 29th.

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Contributors R. C. S. Abbott (RCSA) J. Chapple (JC) P. A. Gainey (PAG) D. Adkin (DA) J. Chesher (JCr) S. Gantley (SG) H. Adkins (HA) D. J. Chown (DJC) J. Gask (JG) P. G. Akers (PGA) M. P. Christophers (MPC) G. S. Gay (GSG) M. K. Ahmad (MKA) S. M. Christophers (SMC) T. George (TG) P. H. Aley (PHA) B. Chugg (BC) G. Giles (GGi) D. M. Allen (DMA) J. & D. Chun (J&DC) K. B. Gillam (KBG) R. E. Allen (REA) S. Clark (SCl) J. J. Gilroy (JJG) A. Andreae (AA) P. Clarke (PC) R. W. Gould (RWG) A. E. C. Aston (AECA) D. Clegg (DC) N. L. Grace (NLG) A. Atkinson (AAt) G. Cockill (GC) G. Grant (GG) B. Baker (BBa) D.A. Conway (DAC) P. Green (PG) C. C. Baker (CCB) G. J. Conway (GJC) M. Greenwood (MG) D. E. Balmer (DEB) E. J. Cook (EJC) R. Greenwood (RG) R. Barlow (RB) C. Coombes (CC) E. Griffiths (EG) C. Bartlett (CBt) F. M. Couch (FMC) G. Gruitt (GGr) Mr. Basset (MrB) D. R. Courtnell (DRC) M. Guillisord (MGu) M. Battern (MBa) S. Cox (SC) E.G. Gynn (EGG) N. Bayley (NBa) S. J. Cox (SJC) M. C. Hall (MCH) N. Beasley (NB) B .T. Craven (BTC) Y. Sherlock-Hall (YS-H) P. J. Bedford (PJB) P. S. Crockett (PSC) N. J. Hallam (NJH) M. Beer (MB) S. Croft (SCr) A. P. Hancock (APH) C. Beesley (CB) D. J. Curtis (DJCu) B. Hannaford (BHan) R. M. Belringer (RMB) M. Dando (MD) J. Hannaford (JHan) L. Bergis (LB) J. & M. Dando (J&MD) R. Hannaford (RHan) I. Berry (IB) A. M. J. Davey (AMJD) R. Harper (RHa) R. Berryford (RBe) M. Davis (MDa) R. E. Harbird (REH) G. S. Bilbao (GSB) R. & H. Dawson (R&HD) A. Harding (AHar) C. L. Bingham (CLB) D. G. Dennis (DGD) A. Harris (AHs) A. Birch (AB) R. Dennis (RD) J. Harris (JH) Birding South West (BSW) B. Dodd (BD) R. Harris (RH) J. Birkett (JB) C. & J. Duffy (C&JD) T. Hasdell (TH) W. E. Birkett (WEB) P.A. Dukes (PAD) J. Hawkey (JHy) R. Bishop (RBp) I. & E. Dunn (I&ED) M. J. Healan (MJH) A. & P. B. Blonden (A&PB) S. R. Eddy (SRE) C. D. R. Heard (CDRH) T. Blonden (TB) P. Edmonds (PE) S.J.M. Heather (SJMH) A. J. Bond (AJB) S. B. Edwards (SBE) A. Herbert (AH) B. Bowler (BB) M. T. Elliot (MTE) R. J. Herbert (RJH) C. Boyd (CBo) S.F. Elton (SFE) D. Herdson (DH) A. Boyt (ABo) D. Eva (DE) C. Hewes (CH) K. W. Brewster (KWB) I. Evans (IE) Mrs. Hewes (MrsH) D. Brown (DBn) L. G. R. Evans (LGRE) R. Hibbert (RHi) J. D. Bryden (JDB) C. Eyre (CE) N. Hilton (NH) D. Buckingham (DBu) G. Fabbram (GF) G. Hobin (GH) P. Bulfield (PBu) I. Faichnie (IF) R. Hoddinott (RHo) S. Bury (SB) Mr. Fitturn (MrF) J. Holmes (JHo) C. Butters (CBu) Ms. Fitturn (MsF) R. Hooper (RHoo) B. Byrne (BBy) L. & D. Fletcher (L&DF) P. Howland (PH) C. Byrne (CBy) D.S. Flumm (DSF) F. J. Hull (FJH) K. Cairns (KC) T. D. Folland (TDF) G. Husband (GHu) Bird Call (BCa) P.A. Fraser (PAF) S. C. Hutchings (SCH) F. R. Cannings (FRC) R. P. Fray (RPF) R. Irvine (RI) T. M. Carne (TMC) P Freestone (PF) S. Jackson (SJ) F. E. Carter (FEC) M. P. Frost (MPF) S. F. Jackson (SFJ) N. Chambers (NC) R. M. Frost (RMF) E. C. James (ECJ) R.F. & M. Champion R. Fuller (RF) J. W. James (JWJ) (RF&MC) G. D. Fullery (GDF) R. M. James (RMJ)

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D. Jenkins (DJe) J. C. Nicholls (JCN) P. Sanpier (PSa) D. Jennings (DJen) P. Norris (PN) A. Saunders (ASu) D. V. Johns (DVJ) W. C. Northcott (WCN) B. Saunders (BS) D. Johnson (DJ) A Northey (AN) G. Sayner (GSa) R. Johnson (RJn) D. Northey (DN) C. Selway (CS) R. A. Jones (RAJ) M. Northey (MN) P. Semmens (PS) M. C. Jordan (MCJ) B. & S. Ofield (B&SO) P. T. Sillifant (PTS) D. I. Julian (DIJ) R. J. Olliver (RJO) V. Simpson (VS) D. Kelsall (DK) M. Orchard (MO) V. Slee (FS) P. O. Kemp (POK) H. Orford (HO) R. Smaldon (RSm) I. C. H. Kendall (IK) P. O‟Shea (PO‟S) R. L. Smith (RLS) F. H. C. Kendall (FHCK) A. J. & S. A. Park G. R. Sparshott (GRS) H. Kendall (HK) (AJ&SAP) D. Spers (DS) R. Kerslake (RK) D. Parker (DP) D. J. Spooner (DJS) J. Kersley (JK) D. Parslow (DP) B. A. Staley (BAS) R. W. Key (RWK) R. Parslow (RP) G. Stevenson (GS) J. Kirk (JKi) J. Pask (JP) A. B. Stewart (ABS) B. Kirkpatrick (BK) E. Paterson (EP) I. R. Stewart (IRS) S. Kolodziejski (SK) P. N. Paul (PNP) W. Stewart (WS) R. Lane (RL) A. R. Pay (ARP) J. & R. Stockhausen A. A. Langford (AAL) A. Payne (AP) (J&RS) B. Langley (BL) D. H. Payne (DHP) B. Stone (BSt) J. Lawman (JL) S. J. Pearman (SJP) I Stone (IS) M. Lawson (MLw) A. Pearson (APr) G. P. Sutton (GPS) M. Leggatt (MLe) A. R. Pease (ARPe) J. D. Swann (JDS) J. D. Leslie (JDL) K. Pellow (KP) A. Swash (AS) G. D. Lewis (GDL) R.D. Penhallurick (RDP) D. Swash (DS) S. M. Lister (SML) J.C. Pett (JCP) R. & J. Symons (R&JS) T. Lister (TL) Mr. Phillips (MrP) B. Taggart (BT) R. C. Loader (RCL) B. M. Phillips (BMP) G. J. Tamlyn (GJTa) L. Lock (LL) J. Phillips (JPh) A. & A. Tate (A&AT) A. Lord (AL) N. R. Phillips (NRP) J. F. Tetley (JFT) J. Lord (JLo) R. M. Phillips (RMP) C. Thomas (CT) M. Lord (ML) T. F. Phillips (TFP) G. H. Thomas (GHT) P. J. Luxford (PJL) A. S. Pilbeam (ASP) G. Thompson (GT) B. M. Lye (BML) T. K. Plummer (TKP) J. M. Thomas (JMT) A. J. Mackay (AJM) J. Poynton (JPo) T. Thompson (TT) A. G. Mackonochie (AGM) S. Preddy (SP) G. Thorburn (GT) P. S. Madge (PSM) P. Priske (PP) R. K. Treeby (RKT) S.C. Madge (SCM) T. Pritchard (TP) L. A. C. Truscott (LACT) S. Mahood (SM) L. J. Proctor (LJP) S. Tucker (ST) J. Makeham (JMm) P. Rainsden (PR) V. R. Tucker (VRT) J. Manners (JM) J. M. Randall (JMR) G. J. Tuckett (GJT) S. F. Marshall (SFM) M. Rashley (MR) M. Tunmore (MT) L. Marshall-Ball (LM-B) N. Renwick (NR) M. Tyler (MTy) A. Mason (AM) Report (CRe) R. E. Wake (REW) C. Mason (CMa) C. Richards (CR) P.A. Wakelin (PAW) R. McCarthey (PMcCa) T. Riddle (TR) J. Waldon (JW) P. McCartney (PMcC) K. Rigby (KR) M. D. Wallace (MDW) P. M. McGenity (PMM) A. Riley (AR) P. Walsh (PWa) I. M. McKerchar (IMcK) R.D. Riley (RDR) M. Warren (MWa) P. McKerchar (PMcK) G. P. Rowe (GPR) R. S. Warren (RSW) S. McMahon (SMcM) S. G. Rowe (SGR) J. C. Wasse (JCW) C. J. Meaney (CJM) M. J. Rule (MJR) B. L. Webb (BLW) B. Mellow (BM) D. Russell (DR) D. Webb (DW) J. Middleness (JMi) D. & V. Russell (D&VR) L. Webb (LW) A. Mitchell (AMi) P.A. Rutter (PAR) P. Weberhard (PWe) C. Moore (CMo) J. F. Ryan (JFP) Birding South West (BSW) R. Moors (RM) P. St. Pierre (PStP) C. W. Westwood (CWW) B. C. Morris (BCM) K. Safa (KS) S. C. Wicks (SCW) R. Nelson (RN) B. Samber (BSr) C. White (CW)

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R. White (RW) E. H. Williams (EHW) K. Wood (KW) W. J. White (WJW) L.P. Williams (LPW) P. Wood (PW) M. K. Wightman (MKw) E. J. Wilson (EJW) J Worth (JWo) L. Wilkins (LWi) I. M. Wilson (IMW) J. Wright (JWt) R. Wilkins (RWi) J. M. Wilson (JMW) D. M. Yelland (DMY) H. Wilkinson (HW) K. A. Wilson (KAW) E. Willey (EW) P. M. Wilson (PMW)

Gazetteer

This list contains most of the place names mentioned in the Systematic List. Grid references refer to the four-figure square in which the site (or the majority of it) lies. All sites are marked on the 1:25 000 or 1:50 000 Ordnance Survey maps (Landranger series), sheets 190, 200, 201, 203 and 204.

Acton Castle SW5528 Bedruthan Steps SW8469 Bolatherick SX1176 Adams Hill SW4025 Beeny Cliff SX1092 Bolgigga SX2754 Alex Tor SX1178 Berry Down SX3755 Bolingey Marsh SW7653 Allen Valley SX0476 Bethel SX0352 Bolventor SX1876 Allet SW7948 Bilton Wood SX3169 Bone Valley SW4632 SX2281 Biscovey SX0653 Bonython SW6920 Alverton SW4630 Bishops Quay SW7225 Booby's Bay SW8575 Amble Confluence SW9774 Bishops Wood SX0070 Boquio Downs SW6633 Amble Marshes SW9874 Bissoe SW7741 Borlase Wood SW8540 Amy Down SX3666 Black Head, Coverack SW7716 Bosanketh SW3826 Anderton SX4352 Black Head, St. Austell SX0447 Boscadjack SW6631 Angarrack SW5838 Black Rock SW6634 Boscarne SX 0367 Antony SX3954 Blackacre SW9461 SX0990 Antony Estate SX4156 Blackcombe Wood SX2874 Boscawen Park, Truro SW8343 Antony Passage SX4157 Blackcross By-pass SW9060 Boscathnoe Reservoir SW4531 Arallas SW8544 Blackpool Clay Pit SW9854 Boscawen Park SW8343 Arden-Sawah SW2722 Blacktor Downs SX1573 Boscawen Pond SW8245 Argal Reservoir SW7632 Blerrick SX3853 Boscawen Rose SW4323 Ashill SW6142 Blindwell SX4252 Boscoppa SX0253 Ashton SW6028 Blisland SX0973 Boscundle SX0453 Badger’s Cross SW4833 Blue Hills, St Agnes SW7252 Bosigran SW4236 Bake SX3258 Boat (Trenow) Cove SW5329 Bosistow SW3623 Baldhu SW7742 Bocaddon SX1758 Bosjewans Valley SW4227 Ball Roundabout SX0073 Bochym SW6820 Boskenna SW4125 Barn Pool, Cremyll SX4552 Bodelva Moor Ponds SX0555 Boskenwyn SW6927 Barras Nose SX0589 Bodgara SX2686 Bosloe SW7727 Barriper SW3863 SW9973 Boslowick SW7931 Bartinney Downs SW3929 Bodigga Cliff SX2754 Boslymon SX0761 Basset’s Cove SW6344 Bodinnick SX1352 Bosorne SW3630 SW7111 Bodmin SX0666 Bosoughan SW8760 Bastreet SX2476 Bodmin Moor SX1876 Bosporthennis SW4336 Battery Rocks SW4729 Bodmin Parkway Stn SX1164 Bossiney SX0689 Baulk Head SW6522 Bodmin Sewage Works SX0566 Bosullow Common SW4133 Bawden Rocks SW6545 Bodrugan SX0143 Boswarthen SW3433 Beacon Cove SW8466 Bofarnel Downs SX1163 Boswarva SW4332 Beagles Point SW7616 Bogee Farm SW9069 Boswarva Carn SW4233 Bear Wood SX1164 Bohetherick SX4167 Boswednack SW4437 Bear's Downs SW8968 Bois House SX1774 Boswens Common SW4032 Bearah Tor SX2574 Bojewyan SW3934 Boswin SW6934

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Boswinger SW9941 Carbis Bay SW5239 Cheesewring SX2572 Botallack SW2632 Carbis Moor SX0255 China Fleet Club SX4258 Botallack Head SW3634 Cardinham SX1268 Chiverton Cross SW7446 Botherick SX4167 Cardinham Woods SX1067 Chiverton Farm SW5429 Botus Fleming SX4061 Carfury SW4434 Churchbridge SX2158 Bowithick SX1882 Cargenwen/Crowan Res. SW6535 Church Cove, Gunwalloe SW6620 Boxheater SW8253 Cargloth SX3354 Church Cove, Lizard SW7112 Boyton SX3292 Cargreen SX4362 Chybucca SW7848 Bradford SX1175 Carkeel SX4160 Chyenhal SW4528 SS3213 Carland Cross SW8453 Chyauster SW4734 Brane SW4028 Carlean Wood SW6042 Chynhalls Point SW7817 Bray's Cot Pool SW7218 Carloggas Downs SX0256 Chy Pond SX1772 Brea SW6640 Carluddon SX0155 Chyuerton SW7951 Breage SW6228 Carluddon Mica Dam SX0054 Clapper Bridge SX3565 SW9277 Carlyon Bay SX0551 Clarrick Wood SX4351 Breney Common SX0561 Carminow Cross SX0865 Cleave Camp SS2012 Brew, Sennen SW3625 Carminowe Creek SW6524 Clift SX4055 Brickmoor Plant’n SW7951 Carn Bosavern SW3730 Clifton SX4264 Brill SW7229 Carn Brea, SW6840 Cligga Head SW7353 Brockabarrow Common SX1574 Carn Brea, St. Just SW3828 Clitters SX3772 Brocton SX0168 Carn Galver SW4236 Clodgy Point SW5041 Browngelly Downs SX1972 Carn Gloose, Gurnards Head Coads Green SX2976 Bruggan Farm SW7114 SW4338 Cober Valley, Wendron SW6731 Bucklawren SX2655 Carn Gloose, St Just SW3531 Colan SW8661 Bude SS2106 Carn Kenidjack SW3832 Coldrose Farm, Truro SW8248 Bude Bay SS1607 Carnanton SW8764 Coldvreath SW9858 Bude Breakwater SS2005 Carne Creek SW7725 College Reservoir SW7633 Bude Canal SS2005 Carnevas SW8672 Colliford Dam SX1771 Bude Marshes SS2005 Carn-les-Boel SW3523 Colliford Downs SX1871 Bugle SX0159 Carnmenellis SW6936 Colliford Lake Park SX1773 Bunning's Park SX1872 Carnon Bridge SW7839 Colliford Reservoir SX1772 SW9873 Carnon Downs SW8040 Colquite SX0570 Burniere Point SW9874 Carnpalla SW9754 Com Head SW9480 Burnt House SX2166 Carnsew Pool SW5537 Common Moor SX2469 Burras SW6734 Carnweather Point SW9580 Congdon’s Shop SX2878 Buryas Bridge SW4429 Carnworthy Water SX 2291 Constantine SW7329 Bury Down SX1959 Carnyorth SW3733 Constantine Bay SW8574 Bush SS2307 Carracawn Cross SX3257 Coobe Farm, Maker SX4251 Bussavean Farm SW8047 Carrick Luz SW7516 Cooksland SX0867 Bussow Reservoir SW5039 Carricknath Point SW8432 Coombe SS2111 Butterstor Plantation SW1577 Carrick Roads SW8335 Coombe, Feock SW8340 Butter's Tor Marsh SX1678 Carrine Common SW7943 Coombe, Fowey SX1151 Butterwell, Nanstallon SW0267 Carthew Farm, SW9571 Coombe, Lynher River SX3662 Cabilla Woods SX1365 Carnvannel Downs SW6444 Coombe, St Austell SW9552 Cadgwith SW7214 Carworgie SW9060 Coombe, Tehidy SW6242 Cadsonbury SX3467 Casehill Downs SX1278 Copperhouse Creek SW5637 SW4029 Castle Beach SW8131 Cornwall College, Camb SW6641 Caerhays SW9741 Castle-an-Dinas (East) SW9462 Coronation Park, Wadeb SW9871 Caerloggas SW9557 Castle Gate SW4934 Coswarth SW8659 Caerthillian Cove SW6913 Castle Horneck SW4530 Cot Valley SW3630 Calenick Creek SW8343 Cataclews Point SW8776 Cotehele SX4268 SX3669 Cat's Cove SW8576 Cotehele Woods SX4268 SX4368 Catchall SW4327 Cotton Wood SX0167 Camborne SW6540 Catchfrench SX3059 Coverack SW7818 Camel Estuary SW9374 Cawsand SX4350 Cowlands Creek SW8340 Camel Quarry SW9537 Cawsand Bay SX4450 Crafthole SX3654 Camel River SX0267 Chapel Amble SW9975 Crankan SW4633 Camelford SX1083 Chapel Point SX0243 SW7860 Candra SX1179 Chapel Porth SW6949 Crean SW3824 Canonstown SW5235 Charlestown SX0351 Cremyll SX4553 Cape Cornwall SW3531 Chasewater SW7444 Creney Farm SX0761

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Crinnis SX0551 Drift Reservoir SW4329 Gerrans SW8735 Croft Pascoe SW7220 Droskyn Point SW7554 Gerrans Bay SW9037 Croft Pascoe Pltn SW7219 Duckpool SS2011 Gerrans Point SX0348 Croft Pascoe Pool SW7319 Duloe SX2358 Gillan SW7824 Crooklets Beach SS2007 Dunmere SX0467 Gillan Creek SW7725 Cross Lanes, Cury SW6921 Dunmere Wood SX0468 Gillan Harbour SW7825 Crousa Downs SW7618 Dunveth Farm, St BreockSW9872 Gillhill Wood SX2257 Crowan SW6434 Duporth SX0351 Gillhouse SX1873 Crowan Reservoir SW6535 Durgan SW7727 Glebe Cliff SX0488 Crowan Beacon SW6635 East Colliford SX1870 Glendurgan SW7727 Crowdy Reservoir SX1483 East Coombe SX7509 Glynn Valley Woods SW7727 Crowlas SW5133 East Looe SX2553 Godolphin Cross SW6131 Crows-an-Wra SW3927 East Looe River SX2554 Godolphin Wood SW6032 SW9076 East Moor SX2177 Godrevy Island SW5743 Cubert SW7857 SX1863 Godrevy Point SW5743 Cubert Common SW7859 Eastern Green Beach SW4830 Godrevy Towans SW5842 Cudden Point SW5427 Edmonton SW9672 Golant SX1254 Culdrose SW6626 Efflins SW8570 Goldsithney SW5430 Culdrose Airfield SW6725 Efford SS2004 Golitha/Draynes Wood SX2268 Curgurrell Beach SW8837 Egloshayle SX0072 Golitha Falls SX2268 Cury SW6721 Emblance Downs SX1277 Goonbell SW6951 Cutcrew Mill SX3386 Empacombe SX4452 Goonhavern SW7853 Cutmere Bridge SX3260 Enniscaven SW9659 Goonhilly Downs SW7219 Dairyland SW9658 Ennisworgey SW9361 Goon Husband SW6625 Danescombe Valley SX4269 Epphaven Cove SW9679 Goonzion Downs SX1767 Dannonchapel SX0382 Escalls SW3626 Gorran Haven SX0141 Daubuz Moor, Truro SW8245 Fairy Cross SX1262 Goss Moor SW9459 Davidstow Airfield SX1485 Falmouth SW8032 Grampound SW9348 Davidstow Woods SX1484 Falmouth Bay SW8130 Great Bosullow SW4133 Daymer Bay SW9277 Falmouth Docks SW8132 Great Grogley Downs SX0167 Deadman’s Cove SW6143 Fenteroon Bridge SX1082 Great Hogus SW5130 Degibna Wood SW6525 Feock SW8238 Great Keiro Moor SW9675 SX0683 Ferry Farm, Calstock SX4569 Great Wood, SX1256 De Lank Water Works SX1376 Fiddlers Green SW8254 Greeb Point, Veryan BaySW9740 Demain Farm SW9042 Fishing Cove SW5942 Greeb Point, Portscatho SW8733 Dennis Cove SW9274 Fistral Bay SW7961 Greenaway SW9278 Dennis Head SW7825 Flexbury SS2107 Greensplat SW9955 Dennis Hill SW9274 Flushing SW7825 Greystone Wood SX3679 Denzill Mill SW8956 Flushing Beach SW8033 Gribbin Head SX0949 Deveral Common Sw4031 Foage SW4637 Grochall SW6914 Devoran SW7939 Forder, Kingsand SX4250 Grogley Halt SX0168 Deweymeads SX1772 Forder, Saltash SX4158 Grumbla SW4029 Diggory’s Island SW8467 Four Lanes SW6838 Guineaport SW9971 Dinas Head SW8476 Fowey SX1251 Gull Rock, Boscastle SX1193 Dinham Woods SW9774 Fowey Estuary SX1254 Gull Rock, Nare Head SW9236 Ding Dong SW4334 Foxhole SW9654 Gull Rock, Portreath SW6445 Dinham Bridge SX0373 Fraddon SX9158 Gull Rocks, Penhale Pt SW7559 Dinnaboad SX0481 Freathy SX3952 Gulland Rock SW8778 Dobwalls SX2164 Friendship Wood SW5431 SW4831 Dodman Point SX0039 Froe SW8633 Gunnislake SX4371 Dollar Cove SW3425 Froe Creek SW8633 Gun Point SW9176 Doublebois SX1965 Frogpool SW7640 Gunver Head SW8977 Downas Valley SW7617 Gannel Estuary SW7961 Gunwalloe SW6522 Downderry SX3253 Garras SW7023 Gunwalloe Marsh SW6621 Doyden Point SW9680 Garrow Tor SX1478 Gurnard's Head SW4338 Dozmary Pool SX1974 Garvinack Farm SW7748 Gwallon SW5231 Draynes SX2169 Gear Common SW4436 Gwavas SW7113 Draynes Bridge SX2268 Gear Sands SW7555 Gweek SW7026 Draynes Common SX2170 Geevor Mine SW3734 Gweek Woods SW7025 Draynes/Golitha Wood SW2268 Geonamarth Farm SW9855 Gwendreath SW7316 Drift SW4328 Germoe SW5929 Gwennap Head SW3621

Birds in Cornwall 128

Gwenter SW7417 Henna Cliff SS1915 Killivose Wood SW3864 Gwenver SW3627 Hensbarrow Downs SW9957 Kilmarth SX0952 Gwinear SW5937 Hepwell SX3064 Kilmar Tor SX2574 Gwithian SW5841 Herodsfoot SX2160 Kilminorth Woods SX2354 Gwithian Towans SW5841 Hessenford, Looe SX3057 Kings Wood SX0048 Gwynver SW3627 Hewas Water SW9649 Kingsand SX4350 Gyllyngvase Beach SW8031 Highburrow SW6325 Kingsmill Creek SX4260 Halamanning SW5530 High Cliff SX1294 Kingsmill Lake SX4261 Halfway House, St Jidgey Higher Bostraze SW3931 Kit Hill SX3771 SW9469 Higher Crill Farm SW7783 Kuggar SW7216 Halloon SW9159 Higher SW5628 Kynance Cliff SW6713 Hallworthy SX1887 Higher Kerrowe SW4536 Kynance Cove, Godrevy SW5843 Hals Grave SW9571 Higher Lampetho Farm SX1052 Kynance Cove, Lizard SW6813 Halsetown SW5038 Higher Tregiffian SW3627 Kynance Downs SW6814 Halton Quay SX4165 Highgate SW9259 Kynance Farm SW6714 Halvana Plantation SX2077 HMS Raleigh SX4254 Labour-in-Vain SW6744 Halwyn SW9374 Hoe Point SW5727 Ladock SW8951 Halzephron Cove SW6521 Holestrow SW6912 Ladock Wood SW8851 Hannafore SX2552 Holman's Moors SW4839 Lady Downs, Penwith SW4736 Hannafore Point SX2552 Holmbush SX0352 Lakeview Country Park SX0163 Hannibal's Carn SW4336 Holywell Bay SW7659 Lamanva SW7631 Harbour Cove, Padstow SW9177 Hooper’s Bridge SX0365 Lamb Creek SW8442 Harewood SX4469 Hore Stone SX2350 Lamelgate SX2170 Harlyn SW8775 Housel Bay SW7011 Lamledra SX0141 Harlyn Bay SW8775 Hudder Down SW6042 Lamorna SW4424 Harlyn Pools SW8775 Hustyn Downs SX0067 Lamorna Cove SW4524 Harpur’s Downs SX1179 Hustyn Wood SX0069 Lanarth SW7621 Harrowbarrow SX4070 Idless SW8247 Landrake SX3860 Harrowbridge SX2074 Illogan SW6744 Land's End SW3425 Hatt SX3961 Illogan Wood SW6643 Landrake SX3760 Hawker's Cove SW9177 Indian Queens SW9158 Landulph SX4361 Hawk's Tor, Temple SX1475 Industry SX2377 Landulph Marsh SX4261 Hawkstor Clay Pit SX1474 Innis Downs SX0262 SX2283 Haye SX4166 Innis Fish Farm SX0357 Laneast Downs SX2384 Hayle SW5637 Inny Vale SX1586 Lanescot SX0855 Hayle Bay, Camel Est. SW9379 Jamaica Inn SX1876 Langdon SX2092 Hayle Estuary SW5537 Jericho Farm SW3931 Langore SX2986 Hayle Kimbro Pool SW6916 Jericho Valley SW6951 Lanhainsworth SW9264 Hayle Mill Pond SW5536 Jolly's Bottom SW7544 Lanhoose SW8637 Hayle River SW5436 Jubilee Pool, Penzance SW4729 Lanhydrock SX0863 Hayle Towans SW5638 Jupiter Point SX4156 Lanivet SX0364 Heamoor SW4631 Kea Wood SW8442 SX0758 Helford SW7526 Kehelland SW6241 Lanner SW7139 Helford Passage SW7626 Kelly Bray SX3671 SX1856 SW7726 SW7660 SX1751 Heligan SW9946 Kelynack SW3730 Lanteglose SX0882 Helland SX0770 Kemyll SW4625 Lantundle SX2158 Hellandbridge SX0671 Kenidjack SW3632 Lanyon Farm, Madron SW4234 Hellesveor SW5040 Kenidjack Castle SW3532 Lanyon Quoit SW4233 Helligan Wood SX0872 Kennack Sands SW7316 Larrick XS3078 Hell's Mouth SW6042 Kennal Vale SW7437 Larrigan Rocks SW4629 Helman Tor SX0661 Kennards House SX2883 Latchbrook SX4059 Helston SW6627 Kenneggy Downs SW5629 Latchley SX4073 Helston Amenity Area SW6526 Kensey Valley SX3285 Launcells SS2606 Helston Boating Lake SW6527 Kenwyn SW8145 Launceston SX3384 Helston Sewage Works SW6526 Kerley Downs SW7643 Leedstown SW 6034 Helstone SX0881 Kerney Bridge SX3270 Lelant SW5437 Hemmick Beach SW9940 Kernick Wood SX0871 Lelant Saltings SW5436 Hendersick Farm SX2352 Keveral Wood SX2955 Lellizzick SW9077 Hendra, Manhay SW6931 SS2511 Lerryn SX1357 Hendra, Nanquidno SW3629 Killigerran Head SW8732 Leswidden Farm SW3930

Birds in Cornwall 129

Letcha Farm SW3630 Maen Valley, Falmouth SW8032 Mory Island SW8263 Levant SW3734 Maer Lake SS2007 Mother Ivey's Bay SW8676 SX2780 Maker Heights SX4351 Mount, Cubert SW7756 SX3378 Malpas SW8442 Mount Araret SX4064 Ligger Point SW7558 Manaccan SW7625 Mount Charles SX0252 Liskeard SX2564 Manare Point SW9338 Mount Edgcumbe CP SX4552 Little Busullow SW4234 Marazanvose SW8050 Mount Hawke SW7147 Little Comfort SX3580 Marazion Beach SW5031 Mountjoy SW8760 Little Gribbib SX0950 Marazion Marsh SW5031 Mount Pleasant SX0062 Little London SW5230 Marble Cliffs SW8976 Mount's Bay SW4930 Little Petherick SW9172 Marshgate SX1591 Mounts Pond, Penhale SW5678 Little Petherick Creek SW9273 Maudlin, Liskeard SX2664 Mousehole SW4726 Lizard Downs SW6913 Mawgan SW7024 Mullion SW6718 Lizard Point SW6911 Mawgan Creek SW7125 Mullion Cliffs SW6617 Lizard Village SW7012 Mawgan Porth SW8467 Mullion Cove SW6617 Lobb Shop SX0249 Mawnan SW7827 Mullion Golf Course SW6620 Loe Bar SW6424 Mawnan Smith SW7728 Mullion Island SW6617 Loe Beach SW8238 Mayan Green SW3626 Murrayton SX2854 Loe Pool SW6424 Mayon Cliff SW3425 Music Water SW9068 Loe Valley SW6526 Mayon Pit, Sennen SW3625 Mutton’s Downs SX1969 SW5739 Meachard SX0991 SW8036 London Apprentice SX0050 Melinsey Neal SW9039 Mylor Churchtown SW8235 Long Island SX0790 Menabilly SX1050 SW8035 Long Rock SW4931 Men-An-Tol SW4234 Nancegollan SW6332 Long Rock Beach SW4931 Menabilly SX1051 Nancledra SW4935 Long Rock Pool SW5031 Menabilly Barton SX0951 Nancothan SW4429 Longdowns SW7434 Menadarva SW6141 Nanjizal SW3523 Longstone SX0673 Menadue Marsh SX0358 Nanjulian Farm SW3629 Looe SX2553 Menheniot SX2962 Nanquidno SW3629 Looe Bay SX2652 Mennavean Quay SW7724 Nansavallan Wood SW8143 Looe Estuary SX2553 Merope Rocks SW8676 Nansloe SW6526 Looe Island SX2551 Merry Maidens SW4324 Nansmellyn Marsh SW7654 Looe Mill Pool SX2553 Merrymeet SX2766 Nanstallon SX0366 Lostwithiel SX1059 Merry Meeting SX0874 Nanswhyden SW8762 Loveny SX1868 Messack Point SW8435 Nare Head SW9137 Loveney Reserve SX1873 Meudon SW7828 Nare Point SW8025 Lower Boscaswell SW3734 Mevagissey SX0144 Narkurs SX3256 Lower Brynn SW9862 Mevagissey Bay SX0245 Navax Point SW5943 Lower Clubworthy SX2792 SX1763 Neal Point SX4361 T'ment Wk SX1283 Military Road, Penlee SX4349 Nether Bridge SX3486 Lower Predannack Down SW6814 Milladon Pond SX3315 New Mill SW4534 Lower Tamar Lake SS2911 Mill Bay, Nanjizal SW3523 Newbridge, Callington SX3467 Lower Tregantle Ponds SX3953 Millbrook SX4252 Newbridge, Penzance SW4231 Lowerton SW6529 Millbrook Lake SX4352 New Downs, St Just SW3631 Lowland Point SW8020 Millbrook Pond SX4252 Newland SW9181 Luckett Woods SX3972 Millendreath SX2653 Newlyn SW4628 Ludgvan SW5033 Millpool SW5730 Newlyn Beach SW4629 Lundy Bay SW9579 Millpool, Cardinham SX1170 Newlyn Coombe SW4529 Lundynant Caravan Park SW9479 Milltown SX1057 SW8354 Lusty Glaze SW8262 Milltown, St Neot SX1867 Newlyn East SW8256 SX0558 Minions SX2671 Newlyn Harbour SW4628 Luxulyan Quarry SX0559 Minnows Islands SW8572 Newlyn River SW4628 Luxulyan Valley SX0557 Mirrose Well SW6344 New Polzeath SW9379 Lwrkemyll SW4625 Mitchell SW8654 New Pool, Polmorla SW9871 Lye Rock SX0689 Mithian SW7470 Newquay SW8161 Lynher Estuary SX3955 Moditonham Quay SX4161 Newquay Bay SW8162 Madderley Moor SX1059 Molenick SX3361 Newquay Golf Course SW8062 Mabe SW7634 Moresk SW8245 Newton Moor SW6738 Madron SW4531 SW4035 Newtown SW5728 Maenease Point SX0141 Morval SX2556 Nine Maidens (near Madron) Maenporth SW7829 Morwenstow SS2115 SW4335

Birds in Cornwall 130

Nine Maidens, St Columb Penhalt SS1900 SX 3663 SW9367 Penhellick Farm SW8245 Pill Creek SW8339 Ninestones SX2174 Penhole Farm SX1861 Pilsamoor SX2785 Ninestones Bridge SX2373 Penjerrick SW7730 Pinkson Creek SW9473 Ninestones Farm SX2174 Penlee Battery SX4349 Pinnockshill SX1874 No Mans Land, Looe SX2756 Penlee Point, Mousehole SW4726 Pipers Pool SX2684 North Bowda SX2477 Penlee Point, Rame Hd. SX4448 Pityme SW9576 North Cliffs SW6243 Penlee Quarry, Newlyn SW4627 Place Manor, SW8532 North Country SW6943 Penlee Reserve SX4349 Place Wood SW8633 Northcott Mouth SS2008 Penlee Woods SX4449 Plaidy SX2653 Notter Bridge SX3860 Penmarth SW7035 Plain-an-Gwarry SW6952 Okeltor SX4468 Penmillard, Rame SX4249 SX2580 Old Dane SW8162 Pen Olver, Lizard SW7111 Polbathic SX3456 Old Kea Church SW8441 Penpol Creek, Devoran SW8138 Polbathic Creek SX3557 Old Town Cove SW9373 Penpoll Creek, Fowey SX1354 Polbrock SX0169 Otterham SX1690 Penponds SW6439 Polcrebo Downs SW6433 Otterham Down SX1590 Penrice SX0249 Poldhu SW6620 Outer Retallick SW9266 Penrose, Loe Pool SW6425 Poldhu Cove SW6619 Padstow SW9274 Penryn SW7834 Poldhu Marsh SW6720 Par SX0753 Penryn River SW7934 Polgigga SW3723 Par Bay SX0852 Pensilva SX2969 Polgreen Farm/Lake SW8666 Par Beach SX0853 Penstraze Moor SW7545 Polhawn Cove SX4149 Par Beach Pool SX0853 Pentargon SX1091 Polhawn Fort SX4249 Par Docks SX0752 Pentewan SX0147 Polkerris SX0952 Par Moor SX0552 Pentewan Beach SX0247 Polly Joke SW7760 Par Pools SX0854 Pentire, Newquay SW7961 Polmarkyn SX3335 Par River SX0753 Pentire Farm SW9380 Polmassick SW9745 Park Clay Pit SX1970 Pentire Point, Padstow Bay Polmear SX0853 Park Head SW8470 SW9280 Polmorla SW9871 Park Hoskyn SW7549 Pentire Point East, Newquay Polperro SX2050 Paul SW4627 SW7861 Polquick SW8246 Pawton SW9570 Pentire Point West, Newquay Polridmouth Cove SX1050 Paynter’s Cross SX3964 SW7761 Polruan SX1250 Pednvadan SW8835 Pentireglaze SW9380 Polscoe SX1160 Pedn Vounder Beach SW2239 Pentreath Beach SW6912 Polson SX3584 SX2054 Penventon SW6941 Polsue Farm SW9943 Pemboa SW6826 Penweathers SW7944 Poltesco SW7215 Penair SW8545 Penwithick SX0256 Polurrian Cove SW6618 Penally SX0991 Penzance SW4730 Polwheveral Creek SW7328 Penare SX0040 Penzance Heliport SW4831 Polzeath SW9378 Penarrow Point SW8234 Penzance Railway Stn. SW4730 Polzeath Bay SW9739 Penberth SW3923 Perbargus Point SW9541 Ponsanooth SW7537 Pencalenick SW8545 Percuil River SW8534 Pont SX1452 Pencarrow, Bodmin SX0471 Perran-an-Worthal SW7778 Ponts Mill SX0756 Pencarrow Head SX1550 Perran Bay SW7555 Porcupine SX0755 Pendarves SW6437 Perran Downs SW5530 Popesmill SX2763 Pendavey SX0071 Perran Sands SW5429 Pordenack Point SW3424 Pen Enys Point SW4841 Perranporth SW7554 Porkellis SW6933 Pendarces Woods SW6438 Perranporth Airfield SW7352 Porkellis Moor SW6832 Pendeen SW3834 Perranporth SW7554 Porteath SW9679 Pendeen Watch SW3735 Perranuthnoe SW5329 Portgaverne SX0080 Pendennis Point/Castle SW8231 Perranuthnoe Cliffs SW5428 Porthallow SW7923 Pendoggett SX0279 Perranwell SW7752 Porth-cadjack Cove SW6444 Pendower Beach SW8938 Perranarworthal SW7738 Porthcothan SW8571 Pengirt SW9480 Petherwin SX2889 Porthcurnick Beach SW8735 Penhale, Mullion SW6918 Phillack SW5638 Porthcurno SW3822 Penhale, St John SX4153 SW8739 Porthguarnon SW4123 Penhale Camp SW7658 Picklecombe SX4550 Porthgwarra SW3621 Penhale Creek SX4254 Piece SW6739 Porthgwidden SW8237 SW7756 Pier Cellars SX4449 Porthilly SW9375 Penhallow SW7651 Pigshill SX4351 Porth Joke SW7760

Birds in Cornwall 131

Porthkerris SW8022 Rescassa SX0842 Sandplace SX2456 Porth Kidney Beach SW5438 Reskadinnick SW6341 Sandy Mouth SS2009 SW6225 Reskajeage Downs SW6343 Scarce Water Bridge SW8247 Porthleven Sands SW6324 Respryn SX0963 Sconner Creek SX3656 Porthluney Cove SW9741 Castle SX1061 Scorrier SW7244 Porth Mear, Park Head SW8471 Restronguet Creek SW8038 Scribble Downs SX1477 Porthmellin Head SW8632 Resugga SW9452 Sea Mills SW9273 Porthmeor Beach SW5140 Retallack SW9366 Seaton SX3054 Porthmeor, Zennor SW4337 Rialton Barton SW8461 Seaton Valley SX3055 Porthminster Point SW5239 Rilla Mill SX2973 Sennen SW3626 Porthmissen SW8976 Head SW5826 Sennen Cove SW3526 Porth Nanven SW3530 River Allen SX0476 Sharp Tor SX2673 Porth, Newquay SW8362 SW8440 Sharrow Point SX3952 Portholland SW9541 River Kenwyn SW8046 Sheffield, Mousehole SW4526 Porthoustock SW8021 River Neet SS2208 Shell Woods SX0872 Porthpean SX0350 Roche SW9860 Shepherds SX8154 Porth Reservoir SW8662 Rock SW9375 Sheviock SX3655 Porthtowan SW6948 Rocksea Farm SX0274 Sheviock Wood SX3656 Port Isaac SW9980 Rocky Valley SX0789 Shillingham Creek SX4057 Portloe SW9339 Ropehaven SX0349 Short Island SX0790 Portmellon SX0143 Rosecliston SW8159 Shortlanesend SW8047 Portnadler Bay SX2451 Roscroggan SW6442 Siblyback Farm SX2372 Portquin SW9780 Rosecraddock SX2667 Siblyback Moor SX2373 Portreath SW6545 Rosedale SX3357 Siblyback Reservoir SX2371 Portscatho SW8735 Rosehill SW4530 SW7548 SX3553 Roseland Peninsula SW8637 SW6328 Poughill SS2208 Rosemelling Pool SX0457 Skewjack SW3624 SX2099 Rosemergy SW4136 Skinham Pond SX4260 SW5828 Rosemullion Head SW7927 Skinham Point SX4360 Predannack SW6816 Rosenannon SW9566 Sladesbridge SX0171 Predannack Airfield SW6816 SW9567 Slaughterbridge SX1085 Predannack Downs SW6915 Roseny Valley Wood SX0559 Smallacombe Pltn SX2275 Predannack Head SW6616 Rose Valley SW3935 Soap Cove SW6714 Predannack Wollas SW6616 Rosewarne SW6441 South Boderwennack SW6830 Prideaux Place SW9175 Rosewastis SW9161 Southdown SX4352 Prideaux Wood SX0655 Roseworthy SW6139 Southground Point SX1050 Priory Park Bodmin SX0766 Roskear Croft SW6541 Southithdown SX4252 Probus SW8947 Rosken Farm SW8972 South Petherwin SX3081 SW5527 Roskestal SW3722 Spit Beach SX0752 Pulla Cross SW7439 Rospannel SW3926 Spit Point SX0752 Queener Point SX4148 Rospeath SW5132 St Agnes SW7250 Quintrell Downs SW8559 Rosudgeon SW5529 St Agnes Head SW6951 Quoit Farm SW9261 Rough Tor SX1481 St Allen SW8250 Racecourse Downs SX0969 Rough Tor Farm SX1382 St Andrew's Pool SX0754 RAF Portreath SW6746 Roughtor Moors SX1480 St. Anthony, Helford SW7825 RAF St. Mawgan SW8664 Roundwood Quay SW8339 St Anthony, St. Mawes SW8532 Raftra Farm SW2722 SW9039 SW8431 Ralph's Cupboard SW6445 Ruan Lanihorne SW8841 St Austell SX0252 Rame Barton SX4249 Ruan Major SW7016 St Austell Bay SX0651 Rame Church SX4249 Ruan Minor SW7215 St Austell Golf Course SX0050 Rame Head SX4148 Rumford SW8970 St Austell Sew. Works SX0150 Rame, Rame Head SX4249 Rumps Point SW9381 St. Bellarmin’s Tor SX1370 Rame, Stithians SW7233 Runnel Stone Buoy SW3620 St Blazey SX0654 Redgate SX2268 Rushyford Gate SX2267 St Blazey Lakes SX0555 Redhill Downs SX1671 Ryan's Field SW5436 St Breock SW9771 Redmoor SX0762 Sally’s Bottom SW6746 St Breock Downs SW9668 Red Post SS2604 Saltash SX4258 St Breward SX0976 Redruth SW6942 Salter Mill SX4363 St Buryan SW4025 Rejerrah SW7955 Saltmill Creek SX4259 St Cadoc Farm, Harlyn SW8875 Releath SW6633 Samphire Island SW6344 SX2468 Relubbus SW5631 Sancreed SW4129 St Cleer Downs SX2467

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St Clement SW8543 Stable Hobba SW4529 Trebah SX7627 St Clement Woods SW8248 Stanbury Mouth SS1913 Trebarber SW8662 St Clements Isle SW4726 Stannon Clay Pit SX1280 Trebartha Woodlands SX2577 St Clether SX2083 Stem Pioint SW8467 Trebarwith Strand SX0596 SW9163 Stenalees SX0157 Trebehor SW3724 St Columb Minor SW8462 Stepper Point SW9178 Trebellan SW7856 St Columb Porth SW8362 Sticker SW9750 Trebelsue SW8463 St Columb Road SW9159 Stithians SW7336 Trebetherick SW9278 St Columb Sewage Works Stithians Reservoir SW7136 Trebetherick Point SW9277 SW9063 Stoke Climsland SX3674 Trebownbridge SX2959 St Dennis SW9557 Stonaford SX2577 Trebudannon SW8961 St Dominick SX4067 Stone SW3930 Treburgey SX2263 St Dominick Church SX3967 Stratton SS2206 Treburley SX3477 St Elvin SW6427 Summercourt SW8856 Treburrick SW8670 St Enodoc SW9377 Summerleaze Beach SS2006 Tredavoe SW4528 St Enodoc Golf Course SW9376 Sunny Corner SW3626 Tredinney Common SW3298 St Erme SW8449 Swanpool SW8031 Tredinnick SX3659 St Erth SW5535 Swanpool Beach SW8031 Tredrossel SX3555 St Erth Pools SW5435 Swanvale SW7931 Treen, Boswednack SW4337 St Erth Praze SW5735 Talland SX2251 Treen, Porthcurno SW3922 St Eval SW8868 Talland Bay SX2251 Treesmill SX0855 St Eval Airfield SW8768 Tamar Estuary SX4359 Trefusis Point SW8133 St Ewe SW9746 Tamar Lakes SS2811 Tregadillet SX2983 St Germans SX3657 Tater-du SW4423 Tregaller SX3182 St Gluvias, Penryn SW7834 Tehidy Country Park SW6443 Tregamere SW9264 St Hilary SW5531 Temple SX1473 Tregaminion, Porthallow SW7922 St Issey SW9271 Temple New Bridge SX1574 Tregaminion, Restormel SX0951 SX3067 Temple Tor Pools SX1373 Tregantle SX3852 St Ives SW5140 Terras SW9353 Tregantle Fort SX3853 St Ives Bay SW5439 Terras Bridge SX2455 Tregare Barton Wood SW8636 St Ives Island/Head SW5241 Thanckes Lake SX4355 Tregassick SW8634 St Jidgey SW9469 The SW3431 Tregaswith SW8962 St John SX4153 The Chick SW7661 Tregathenan Reservoir SW6530 St John Ford SX4153 The Goose SW7861 Tregavarrah SW4429 St John's Lake SX4254 The Kelsey’s SW7769 Tregavarras SX0841 St Just SW3631 The Lizard SW7020 Tregembo SW5731 St Just Airfield SW3728 The Mouls SW9381 Tregenna SW9440 St Just Pool SW8435 The Sisters SX0689 Tregeseal SW3732 St Just in Roseland SW8535 Three Holes Cross SX0173 Tregiller SW9249 St Keverne SW7821 Threemilestone SW7844 Treginegar SX2263 St Kew SX0276 Tideford SX3459 Tregirls SW9176 St Kew Highway SX0375 Tintagel SX0588 Tregonce SW9273 SX2361 Toad Hole SW9659 Tregonebris SW4128 St Levan SW3722 Tolcarne Arms SW5236 Tregonetha SW9563 St Loy SW4223 Tolcarne Beach, Newquay Tregonetha Downs SW9562 St Mabyn SX0373 SW8162 Tregonhawke SX 4051 St Martin SX2455 Tolgus SW6944 Tregony SW9244 St Mawes SW8433 Tollgate, Wadebridge SW9772 Tregoodwell SX1183 St Mawgan SW8765 Toll Point SW7826 Tregoss SW9660 SX3865 Tolpetherwin SX2782 Tregoss Moor SW9760 St Merryn SW8873 Tolvaddon SW6040 Tregotha Farm SW5936 St Merryn Airfield SW8871 Torfrey SX1154 Tregowris SW7722 St Michael's Mount SW5129 Torpoint SX4354 Tregrehan SX0553 St. Michael Penkevil SW8542 Towan Beach SW8732 Tregrehan Mills SX0453 SW9677 Towan Head SW7962 Tregunna SW9673 St Nectan’s Glen SX0888 Towednack SW4838 Trehemborne SW8773 St Neot SX1867 Townshend SW5932 Trekelvesteps SX2269 SW8256 Trago Mills SX1864 Trekennick Tor SX2181 St Stephen, Foxhole SW9453 Trannock Downs SW6630 Trekenning SW9062 St Stephens, Launceston SX3285 Trannack Farm SW5633 Trelay Farm SX2054 St Winnow SX1157 Treago Farm SW7760 Treleaver Cliff SW7616

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Treleaver Farm SW7716 Trevarno SW6430 Trispen SW8450 Trelew SW8135 Trevarrian SW8566 Trobus Farm SW8850 Trelights SW9979 Trevarren SW9060 Troon SW6638 Trelion SW9352 Trevassack SW7122 Truro SW8245 Treliske Hospital, Truro SW7945 Trevaunance Point SW7252 Truro River SW8342 Trelissick SW8339 Trevaylor Woods SW4632 Truthwall SW5272 Treliver SW9865 Treveal SW4740 Trye Farm SW4535 Treloquithack SW6929 Trevean Cove SW5428 Trythall SW4433 Trelow Downs SW9268 Trevean Farm SW5428 Tuckingmill SX0977 Trelowarren SW7124 Trevear SW4740 Turnaware Point SW8338 Tremail SX 1686 Treve Common SW3425 Twelveheads SW7642 Tremar SX2567 Treveddo SW8061 Two Bridges, St Columb SW9163 Trematon SX4057 Trevedra Farm SW3727 Tywardreath Marsh SX0854 Tremayne Quay SW7225 Trevegean Farm SW3629 United Downs SW7441 Trembath SW4528 Trevelga SX0890 Upper Fowey Valley SX2173 Tremethick Cross SW4430 Trevelgue SW8463 Upper Tamar Lake SS2812 Trenadlyn SX0955 Trevella Pond SW8059 Upton Cross SX2872 Trenance Lake SW8160 SW7352 Upton Towans SW5739 Trenance Point SW8468 Trevellas Airfield SW7451 Valency Valley SX1291 Trenant, New Polzeath SW9479 Trevelver Farm SW9574 Valley Truckle SX0982 Trenant, St Neot SX2168 Trevenen SW6829 Varfell SW5032 Trenant Park SX2455 Treveor Farm SW9841 Vault Bay/Beach SX0140 Trenant Point SX2553 SX2067 Vellandreath SW3626 Trenant Wood SX2454 Treverbyn Bridge SW8849 Ventongimps SW7851 Trenarren SX0348 Treverva SW7531 Ventonleague SW5738 Trendrine SW4739 Treverven SW4023 Veryan SW9139 Trengwainton SW4431 Trevescan SW3524 Veryan Bay SW9638 Trenouth SW9070 Trevia SX0983 Victoria SW9861 Trenow (Boat) Cove SW5329 Trevilley, Sennen SW3524 Wacker Quay SX3855 Trenowin Downs SW4835 Trevilvas Wood SW9247 Wadebridge SW9872 Treraven Woods SW0070 Trevisquite Manor SX0474 Wadebridge Sew. Wks SW9817 Trereife SW4529 Trevissome SW7547 Wainhouse Corner SX1895 Trerethern Farm SW9173 Trevithick SW8862 Walmsley Sanctuary SW9974 Trerew Wood SW8158 Trevol SX4155 SX2090 Trerulefoot SX3358 Trevone SW8975 Washaway SX0369 Tresamble SW7539 Trevone Bay SW8876 Watch Croft SW4235 Tresarett SX0973 Trevorian Pool SW3726 Watergate, Looe SX2354 Tresemple Pool SW8544 Trevose Farm SW8675 Watergate Bay SW8364 Tresillian SW8646 Trevose Head SW8576 Watts Nature Reserve SW8047 Tresillian River SW8444 Trewardale SX1071 Wearde Quay SX4257 Treskilling SX0357 Trewassick SW8561 Week St. Mary SX2396 Treskilling Clay Pit SX0357 Treweatha SX2267 Weir Point SW8136 Treskilling Downs SX0357 Treween SW9777 Wendron SW6731 Treskinnick Cross SX2198 Trewellard SW3733 Werrington SX3287 Treslea Downs SX1368 Trewennack SW6728 West Looe SX2553 Tresmeer SX2327 Trewey Common SW4636 West Looe River SX2454 Tresvannack SW4528 Trewey Downs SW4537 West Pentire, Newquay SW7760 Treswigga SX1274 Trewhiddle SX0051 West Penwith Moors SW3929 Trethern SW8536 Trewidden SW4429 West Taphouse SX1563 Trethewell SW8535 Trewint SX2180 Westcott SW3768 Trethewey SW3823 Trewithen SW9147 Westerlake Farm SX2171 Trethias Island SW8573 Trewithian SW8837 Western Cove SW6445 Trethill SX3754 Trewonnard SX1989 Wheal Eliza SX0353 Trethurgy SX0355 Treworga SW8940 Wheal Kitty SW7251 Trevalga SX0890 Trewornan Bridge SW9874 Wherry Down SW4729 Trevail SW4740 Treworthal Tor SW8839 Wherry Town SW4729 Trevalgan SW4940 Trewortha Tor SX2475 Whitebarrow Downs SX1970 Trevanger SW9577 Treyarnon SW8673 White Cross, Indian Queens Trevanson SW9772 Treyarnon Bay SW8574 SW8959 Trevanson Farm SW9773 Trezibbett Farm SX2075 Whitecross, Ludgvan SW5234 Trevanson Woods SW9773 Triffle SX3354 Whitecross, Wadebridge SW9672

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Whitesand Bay, Sennen SW3527 Whitsand Bay SX3851 Wicca SW4739 SX2857 Widemouth Bay SS2002 Wiggle SX4250 Wilcove SX4356 Wilsey Down Plant’n SX1987 Wimalford Farm SX2173 Windmill Farm SW6915 Winnard's Perch SW9266 Witheybrook Marsh SX2572 Withiel SW9965 Wolf Rock SW2611 Wolsdon SX4054 Woodford SS2213 Woon Gumpus Common SW3933 Yeale Farm, Fowey SX1352 Zacry's Island SW8363 Zawn Kellys SW3522 Zelah SW8151 Zennor SW4538 SX27

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THE SOCIETY‟S RULES

Rule 1. (Name) The Society shall be called "The Cornwall Bird-Watching and Preservation Society".

Rule 2 (Objects) The objects of the Society shall be: a) to further the study of birds in the field; and b) to assist in their preservation and conservation Rule 3 (Membership) Membership shall be open to anyone who supports the objects of the Society. Classes of membership shall be as follows: Ordinary members - any person over the age of 18 yrs Life members - any ordinary member who has paid the prescribed life membership subscription. Junior members - any person under the age of 18 yrs. Honorary members - any person, whether otherwise a member or not, who is elected an Honorary member by a General meeting on a recommendation of the Executive Committee in recognition of outstanding service to the objects of the Society. Group members - School or similar groups.

All members shall be entitled to participate in all activities of the Society (except that Junior members shall not be eligible to serve as Honorary officers or as members of the Executive Committee) and shall be entitled to vote at General meetings (Group members shall be entitled to one vote only on behalf of that body). The Executive Committee shall have the authority to exclude from membership, or cancel the membership of, any person if it considers that person to have contravened any requirements contained in these rules or any legislation relating to bird protection or the countryside, or for any other matter which the Executive Committee considers offends the well-being, aims or objectives of the Society.

Rule 4 (Subscriptions) Subscription rates shall be approved from time to time by the Society in General meeting on a recommendation from the Executive Committee. Subscriptions shall be payable on joining and on the 1st of January thereafter, but any member paying a first subscription after the 30th of September in any year shall not be liable to pay a further subscription until after the close of the following year. A member whose subscription is three months in arrears shall, after being reminded, cease to receive the Society's publications, and when six months in arrears shall cease to be a member.

Rule 5 (Officers) The following Honorary Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and shall be eligible for re-election: President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, General Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Field Meetings Officer, Honorary Solicitor, Conservation Officer, Assistant Conservation Officer, Newsletter Editor, Public Relations Officer, County Recorder, Editor of “Birds in Cornwall”. Any member, with the exception of junior members, shall be eligible for election as an Honorary Officer. In the event of a vacancy arising at any time of the year, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to appoint a member to fill that vacancy and such appointment shall be reported to the next General meeting for approval or election as appropriate.

Rule 6 (Meetings) An annual general meeting shall be held in each year. The quorum shall be 20. A Special General Meeting may be called by the Executive Committee, or at the request of 20 members by

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application to the Chairman and the General Secretary, such applications to be accompanied by details of the motion or motions to be moved.

Rule 7 (Management) The Annual General Meeting shall elect an Executive Committee to deal with all business of the Society, and any obligation undertaken by the Executive Committee shall be an obligation of the Society. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Honorary Officers and nine other members. The Chairman, General Secretary and Treasurer shall serve for a maximum of four consecutive years. At the end of that period, at least one year must elapse before that person shall be eligible for re- election to the same office. Non-officer members shall be elected for a period of three years and shall not on the expiry of that period be eligible for re-election until a year after the termination of that period of three years. Nominations for posts as Honorary Officers and for vacancies on the Executive Committee shall be made in writing to the General Secretary over the signatures of the proposer and seconder and must reach the General Secretary at least ten days before the date of the Annual General Meeting. The Executive Committee shall meet as often as is necessary and shall be convened by the General Secretary in consultation with the Chairman. The quorum for the Executive Committee shall be an attendance of at least fifty per cent of the elected members. The Executive Committee shall have the powers to appoint such sub-committees as it considers desirable and shall determine the membership and powers of such sub-committees, whose proceedings will be reported to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall not delegate to any sub-committee the power to commit the Society to any expenditure. The Executive Committee shall delegate to the Management Team (comprising Chairman, Vice- Chairman, General Secretary, Treasurer and Conservation Officer) power to take decisions on urgent matters which cannot await the next meeting of the Committee. Decisions of the Management Team must be unanimous and shall be reported to the next meeting of the Executive Committee.

Rule 8 (Accounts) The annual accounts of the Society shall be checked independently.

Rule 9 (Trustees) Land of the Society shall vest in the Official Custodian of Charities.

Rule 10 (Dissolution etc.) This Society shall neither be dissolved, nor amalgamated with, nor subordinated to any other body without the consent of two-thirds of the members, at a General Meeting where the business is transacted, and in respect of which dissolution, amalgamation or subordination, prior notice must be given under rule 11. For the purpose of this Rule, Members may vote by post.

Rule 11 (Alteration of rules) An alteration of the Rules of the Society may be made at any General Meeting, provided that the precise alteration has been set out in full on the agenda sent to members and that the proposed alteration is passed by at least two-thirds of those members present and voting at the meeting. No alteration of the rules that would result in a benefit being received by a member of the Executive Committee will be effective until it has been approved in writing by the Charity Commission.

Rule 12 (Executive Committee Members not to be personally interested) (1) Subject to the provisions of sub-clause 2 of this rule no member of the Executive Committee shall acquire any interest in property belonging to the Society (otherwise than as a Trustee of the Society) or receive remuneration or be interested (otherwise than as a member of the Executive Committee) in any contract entered into by the Executive Committee. 137

(2) Any member of the Executive Committee who is for the time being acting as Recorder and Editor for the Society may receive such reasonable remuneration in connection with the work of the Recorder and Editor in collecting and compiling records of bird sightings in Cornwall and their assembly in a form for publication as shall from time to time be determined to be appropriate by the members of the Executive Committee: Provided that any member of the Executive Committee who is remunerated under this provision shall withdraw from any meeting at which his or her own instruction or remuneration is under discussion.

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