The Newsletter of The Bird Watching and Preservation Society No 39 - Spring 2011

the society’s reserve at Walmsley Sanctu- Ian Wallace to speak at ary at 3pm. Ian has said he would like to join the field excursions too. It promises to be a fantastic day Member Day and AGM and all members are as usual welcome to attend all or part of the day. The renowned ornithologist and author Ian Wallace (pictured on one Details of the AGM can be found of his books, right) has kindly agreed to give a talk after this year’s on the back page of this issue of Palores, AGM on Saturday 7th May. This will be the high point of a Mem- including the names of nominees for hon- bers’ Day that starts at 10am with a seawatch at (meet at orary membership of the society. Pentire farm) on the north coast near , followed by a visit to See also www.cbwps.org.uk. Birdsong on new CD Thrush survey update

The British Library has just published a new When you read this all of the Redwings and CD of the best of British birdsong (see Fieldfares in Cornwall will have travelled right). The BL has already produced a vari- north to breed and the Winter Thrush Survey ety of quality CDs cataloguing birdsong. To will have ended. Although as I write (19th order the new CD and see the rest of the March) there are still Redwings and Field- range, see the website. fares being recorded. In fact since the To win a free copy of the new CD, weather warmed up in February sightings of please email or SMS the editor (details p 2) both species have increased markedly, so the with one word that in your view best de- survey is still very much up and running! scribes the song of the Blackbird. The edi- So has the survey been a success? A tor’s decision as to the winning entry will be great number of people contributed and final. The winner’s name will appear in the some really interesting counts and behaviour summer Palores. Go on—have a go! were noted for both species. Furthermore an efficient system has been set in place that New CBWPS logo coming can be used for other CBWPS surveys in the BTO ringing report future. The submission of records via the Our Chough logo is being refurbished! CBWPS website has been a revelation and A new look will be unveiled at the AGM... The 2010 online ringing report has recently been released by the BTO, which includes a will definitely be used again. A review of the breakdown by county. The national total whole Winter Thrush Survey will be pub- Learn how to write topped 1m birds for the first time ever, and lished at a later date. the Cornish total of 7,231 is also possibly the Finally I would like to thank every- reports for CBWPS highest ever. one who contributed to the survey and I Cornwall ringed more Green Sandpi- really hope you enjoyed taking part in it too. Bob Bosisto Have you ever thought that you could help pers than any other county, and was in the the Society and speed up the production of top five counties for Peregrine, Great Black- our annual “Birds in Cornwall” reports, if backed Gull, Yellow-browed Warbler and New Hon Treasurer needed only you knew how to? Helping to write the Firecrest. The online report also lists plenty Tony Jones is stepping down and so the reports may be easier than you thought. of interesting recoveries, and the most nota- society needs a new Treasurer. Could you do After the success of the recent Map- ble Cornish ones include: it? You do not need to be an accountant nor mate Training Day, we are planning to hold *Swedish-ringed Kestrel killed by a train in is it overly onerous - thanks to Tony’s great a Report Writing Day. in October improvements to our systems. For a no- This will take place on Saturday 14th *Robin ringed in Cumbria (in July) found strings chat, call Tony or Derek Julian. May 2011, at 10.30am at The Victoria Inn, dead in a building in Gwithian in December near Roche. *Finnish-ringed Redwing found long dead in CONTENTS in March If you are interested please contact Chairman’s chat - p3 *Blackcap from Nanjizal found dead in Derek Julian (01208 816779) to book as Bird Report - p4-5 France in May places will be limited. Reserves - p6-8 *Firecrest ringed on Lundy (Sept 2009) White-winged Tern found long dead in December Goosander (Sam Williams); plus - *Swedish-ringed Chaffinch found dead in Diary dates for our Red-breasted Merganser What to see - p9 (Matt Sallis) anniversary year in February Where to go - p10 *Chaffinch ringed in Shrewsbury (Jan) hit Urban Gulls - p11 glass (but survived) near Townsend in Oct. Members’ Day & AGM - Sat 7th May Shearwaters - p12 http://blx1.bto.org/ring/countyrec/ Art Exhibition - 24th Jul - 6th Aug Field Meetings - p14 CBWPS/BTO Conference - Sat 29th Oct results2010/recGBCO2010.htm AGM notice - p16

Palores - April 2011 Committee and Officers

pity people who live in cities most at this time of year. They don’t really feel the President: Steve Madge Seawinds, Lower Trerive, Downderry, , arrival of spring. I PL11 3LZ (01503 250432) In Cornwall, every day in March and April brings a new sign of the reawak- ening of life. The sun finally reminds us it has some heat in it, and the days start to Chairman: Derek Julian stretch quickly: quite suddenly we have light evenings again. This year the spring 12, Dunveth Road, ,PL27 7XD. flowers are late, thanks to the perishing cold of December, so primroses, daffodils, (01208 816779) [email protected] and violets are only just out. For bird lovers, spring is a season of excitement as familiar Vice Chairman: Bruce Taggart friends begin to reappear: Sand Martins are the first hirundi- Primrose Bank, Radford Lane, Millbrook, PL10 1AH nes to return, and the Chiffchaff one of the earliest warblers (01752 829163) [email protected] to grace our county with summer song. The Wheatear, pass- ing through, is seen - dapper and alert - around our coasts. Honorary Secretary: Tony Bertenshaw Even the commonest birds remind us of the change in sea- Hantergantick, St. Breward, PL30 4NH son as the Blackbird heralds us once more with his majestic (01208 850419) [email protected] voice. Even if you aren’t a fanatical birder, why not sample Hon Treasurer: Tony Jones one of the headlands mentioned by Pete Roseveare on page “Lansdowne”, Southdown Road, Millbrook, Torpoint 10? Anything can and quite possibly will turn up at this time PL10 1EJ (01752 822694) [email protected] of year and they are wonderful places to walk on a good Conservation Officer: Tony Blunden day. Or you may be lucky and spot one of the occasional Red Kites that Bob Bo- Pencairn, Penmenner Road, , , sisto talks about on page 9. TR12 7NR. (01326 291064) Don’t for a second assume that our Field Meetings are full of experts mak- [email protected] ing you feel ignorant! Try one of the excellent bird walks on pages 14/15 and you cannot fail to feel welcome, whether it’s your first or hundredth outing. SM Membership Secretary: Angela Tonry 20 The Copse, Boscoppa, PL25 3EU (07944 988599) [email protected] The Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society County Recorder: Darrell Clegg 55 Lower Fore Street, Saltash, PL12 6JQ (01752 844775) [email protected]

Editor, Birds in Cornwall: Derek Julian (details as above)

Editor, Palores: Simon Marquis St Breock Place, Wadebridge, PL27 7JS Registered Charity No 255899 (07711 883876) [email protected]

The CBWPS was founded in 1931 to encourage the study and preservation of Field Meetings Officer: Gordon Mills birds in Cornwall. The Society has over 750 members. It owns 3 reserves and 11 Commercial Street, Cambourne, TR14 8JZ manages jointly several others. The Society organises weekly bird watching (01209 718144) [email protected] field trips (some jointly with the RSPB local members group). Palores (its colour newsletter for members) is published quarterly. Every year the Society Publicity Officer: Peter Crispin also publishes its authoritative annual record - Birds in Cornwall - sent to all 5 Church lea, Launceston, PL15 8QZ members. (01566 773455) [email protected]

2011 Subscriptions: Adult £17 Committee members: Family £21 Bob Bosisto, Stephen Jackson, Dave Parker, Senior Citizen £14 Rosemary Parslow, Peter Roseveare Senior Family £16

Subscriptions for 2011 are due by 1st January 2011. Cheques made out to Website administrator: Nigel Climpson “CBWPS”. For all subscription payments, membership applications and en- [email protected] quiries please contact: Reserve Wardens: [email protected] Adrian Langdon Angela Tonry, Membership Secretary CBWPS, 20 The Copse, Boscoppa, St [email protected] Graham Sutton Austell PL25 3EU or email: [email protected] [email protected] Andy Pay [email protected] Dave Parker Gift Aid saves the Society £1,500 a year. Please pay - if you can - by Gift Aid. Loveny - Dave Conway Stithians - Simon Taylor

Palores is published four times a year - January, April, July and October. Honorary Solicitor: Greg Adams Advertising rates: Full colour page £100, Half page £50. 2 Wendron Street, Helston TR13 8PS Small ads and notices are free to members: contact the Editor. Design and typesetting by the Editor. Independent Examiner: Mr S.G. Hawkey ACA Printed by R. Booth Ltd, The Praze, Commercial Road, Penryn, TR10 8AA Whitakers, Bryndon House, 5 Berry Road, Distribution by Envelope Supplies, Holsworthy, Devon. TR7 1AD (01637-873838)

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I have to report that the Society’s Hon. Treasurer has de- Chairman’s Chat cided to step down at the AGM because of ill health. Tony Jones has done a fantastic job since taking office two years ago, with a pring is here. I am writing this in the middle large number of new procedures put in place. The next incumbent S of March and we have already had more will have a hard act to follow but at least the new procedures will sunny days during the month than we have had allow them to hit the ground running. If you are interested in help- in the last six. Sand Martins and Swallows have ing to fill this position please call me. both been spotted hawking insects over my After the success of the Mapmate training day, we have house in the last few days and the dawn chorus decided to hold a Report writing training day, (see p1 for details). is already loud enough to wake me. Unfortunately, as you all know, we are still behind with Birds in Derek Julian Recent visits to some of our reserves Cornwall and it is felt that if a small dedicated team could be have also shown the first signs of spring with found then it could implement a timed action plan which would birds aplenty, some feeding up before their long flights to their see all outstanding reports finalised. breeding grounds, whilst others are actively looking for a mate and As always, the committee are looking for people to help defending territories. The reserves as usual are in good shape and with a number of tasks, so if you think you can help please just are all well used by both people and wildlife. give me a ring for an informal chat. I would be very pleased to Many rare or scarce species have been noted (see the Bird hear from you. Report on p4). Whilst thinking about bird news, our sightings page Stop Press: The Society has just been given a grant by on the website has now been running for over 12 months and is OPAL to encourage people to look at birds and other wildlife at now one of our most used pages. Thanks must go to all who con- our reserves and hopefully to grow our membership. Thanks to all tribute their sightings and to Dave Parker for his nightly uploads. those behind the successful application. More on this soon.

At the 1st January 2011, the Society held cash assets totalling £85,721 comprising: Treasurer’s report Investment Account £80,800 he Financial Statements of the Society for the year ended 31st Current Account £4,833 T December 2010 are currently with the Independent Examiner Cash Account £88 at Whittaker’s, Chartered Accountants, Newquay, for examination in accordance with the Charities Act 1993 and associated legisla- However, this balance reduces to £28,777 once projected liabilities tion. Hopefully, he will be satisfied that we have continued to for the printing and distribution of outstanding issues of BIC and maintain proper accounting records in accordance with Section 41 the Restricted and Designated Fund reserves are taken into ac- of the Act; and that the accounts presented agree with the support- count. Although this is slightly under the preferred minimum fi- ing records and documentation and comply with the required ac- nancial reserve agreed at the AGM in May, the Trustees feel that counting requirements. this falls within agreed policies to maintain sufficient funds to A copy of the examiners report will be placed in the Mem- meet all known liabilities with regard to “Birds in Cornwall”, as bers’ Section of the Society’s website together with the relevant well as maintaining reserves to meet planned conservation costs at Statements of Finance once it has been received back and accepted Maer and Walmsley. by the Trustees. Although the purchase of the additional land at Maer Lake In summary, despite the wider financial difficulties of was unsuccessful, the generosity of the original donors to the Maer 2010, the Society continued to support all key activities finan- Appeal in allowing the Society to retain their donations (and to cially. Specifically: claim Gift Aid) has provided a substantial reserve for the support of wider conservation projects in the county. A contributory factor a. The annual Publication of “Birds in Cornwall”; to the small increase in the financial reserves held at the beginning b. The publication of the quarterly newsletter “Palores”; of the year is attributable to the forethought of a number of mem- c. Treasurer’s Enhancement of the Society’s website;report and bers who sadly died in 2010, but generously left legacies to the d. The continued management of our nature reserves. Society in their wills. Tony Jones

Bar-tailed Godwit, by Steve Rogers 3

it's struggles ceased and it was drowned. It seemed the attacking bird's actions were deliberately aimed at drowning the other. The bird attacker then released the by now corpse and swam to the island disappearing into the reeds. I have not had a lot of opportunity to consult the literature on ag- report gressive behaviour between Bitterns but BWP Vol. 1 says under "Antagonistic Behaviour" "...males highly aggressive in defence of territory; sometimes found mortally wounded or dead from stab Dec ’10 - Feb ’11 wounds. Reported interlocked in ground conflict. Will engage in aerial combats... trying to stab each other". No reference to drown- ing of one by another. However BWP published 1977 and so These records are unchecked and unau- probably much behaviour observation since. If anyone has any By Darrell Clegg thenticated. Publication here does not additional information I would welcome it. I can only assume this constitute acceptance. If you found or saw any of these birds and was a feeding territory dispute which had a tragic end for one bird can supply a description please send it to the county recorder and that the victor was the older more dominant bird and that pos- [email protected]. National rarity description forms can be sibly both birds were male. downloaded from the submissions tab at www.bbrc.org.uk Cattle Egret The large influxes of previous winters seem to have disappeared. Pacific Diver A single bird was present in a muddy field at St Winnow from Our old friend returned to Mount’s Bay where it remained February 5 to February 19. throughout the period. It could be seen anywhere from Marazion Spoonbill to . The regular wintering group on the peaked at 5 this Sooty Shearwater winter, spending time anywhere between Beggars (Rat) Island and The January winter gales brought 2 sightings of this species both Sconner corner. Elsewhere, three first winter birds found that from on the 16th and 17th of January. Walmsley Sanctuary and the nearby Camel estuary made an ex- Balearic Shearwater cellent place to spend the winter. Small numbers were observed in December and January in Carbis Bewick’s Swan (photo above by Steve Rogers) Bay, peaking at 15 on December 12. Elsewhere odd birds were This rather lovely swan is now only an occasional visitor to the seen at Pendeen and St Ives but the maximum count came from county so it was nice to have at least one small group visiting our Gwennap Head Porthgwarra with 13 on January 15 and 29 on pools and reservoirs. A group of up to eight birds, four adults and January 16. four juveniles paid almost daily visits to Stithians Reservoir be- Gannet tween January 5 and January 23. Seven of these birds also visited This is not a species which would normally appear in these reports, Windmill Farm on January 29-30, but where they were in the however mention must be made of the larger numbers appearing meantime remains a mystery. Four birds were recorded at Doz- off our coasts this winter. The North coast in particular held large mary Pool on January 8 and a single bird delighted visitors to Par numbers with reports of feeding flocks from Newquay and in par- Beach Pool between February 2-7. ticular Carbis Bay where at least 1500 were feeding on February 9. Whooper Swan Great Bittern A single bird was present in the Walmsley area between January 7 The cold weather throughout the country brought good numbers of and February 6. The only other record during the period was of this shy and secretive species into the county. Up to 4 were present one bird (the same?) at Drift reservoir on 13th February. at Marazion, and at nearby Helston Loe pool 3 birds were re- Tundra Bean Goose corded. Par beach pool and Porth reservoir held up to 2 birds and A Bean Goose (of unknown race) was reported from Colliford singles were recorded from Stithians, College reservoir, St Wenn, Lake on January 8. At Walmsley and surrounding areas a bird of Walmsley sanctuary, , and . the race rossicus also known as Tundra Bean Goose was present Some amazing behaviour was observed on December 11 at Mara- from February 5 into March. zion by Chris Barnard, as this account, taken from the Society Pink-footed Goose website attests: A single bird was present in the Walmsley area from January 1 – At approx. 14:00 today I noticed 2 Bitterns at the edge of the reed January 29. This was joined by two other birds to form a small bed in the Sanctuary area at . One of the birds group, which, along with the Tundra Bean Goose graced the area was high in the reeds with wings half spread, head extended for- throughout the rest of the period. A single bird was also reported ward, neck feathers fluffed out, crown feathers raised, glaring from Colliford Lake on January 1 and January 8, and from Doz- down at the other which was standing in the water looking up also mary Pool on January 15. neck extended upwards and with neck and crown feathers raised. Greenland White-fronted Goose The upper bird stretched forward making stabbing movements A first winter bird entertained birders at Drift Reservoir from Janu- with its bill toward the other. This went on for several minutes and ary 1 – March. Two were seen at Colliford Lake on January 8. then the lower bird seemed to submit to the upper and moved away Ring-necked Duck to its left seeming to swim toward a small island. Coming out of A splendid drake toured various sites providing some excellent the water its left wing appeared to droop as if injured possibly in views along the way. He turned up first at Stithians Reservoir on some confrontation with the other before I first noticed them. The January 7, staying until January 16. He then relocated to St aggressive bird then flew to the island pursuing it. The pursued Gothian Sands NR on January 26, remaining there until February bird then tried to flee across open water to the reeds but was pur- 16. His next home was a brief stop on the small private lake at sued by the other which landed on its back pushing it down into Penhalvean on February 26 before heading back to Stithians in the water. The attacked bird tried to struggle out from under the March. attacking bird but failed to do so pinned down presumably by the Lesser Scaup large feet of a bittern and the others weight. The attacker then A drake was found at on January 9 where he re- started to continuously stab with its bill at the head of the other mained into March, save for a brief visit to Colliford lake on Janu- seeming to aim at its eyes. The attacked bird's struggles grew ary 30. Could this be the same drake present during the early part weaker and I was amazed to see the aggressor grab it by the throat of 2010? in it's bill and push its head under the water holding it there until 4

Long-tailed Duck Glaucous Gull Few were reported during the period, but two of those were long Slightly more records than the previous species, but again numbers staying birds allowing ample opportunity to view one of the loveli- were well down on previous winters, and perhaps very few indi- est of our wintering ducks. At Helston Loe Pool a female was viduals were involved. One was seen at Newlyn and Penzance on present from December 29 to at least February 17, and a male was January 1-2. Also on January 2 a bird was reported flying past at Sennen Cove from January 1 – February 2. Elsewhere single Island at Hannafore. A bird frequented the St Ives, birds were reported from Newlyn on January 15, Gwennap Head, estuary St Gothian Sands area from January 15 – February 18 and January 16, and from Marazion beach on January 28. a further bird was seen at Sennen Cove on January 25. An interest- Velvet Scoter ing bird at Hayle on February 18, photographed by Steve Rodgers Only three records were received during the period. One was seen turned out to be a Herring Gull x Glaucous Gull hybrid, often in Par Bay on January 2; two flew past Gwennap Head on January called “Nelson’s Gull” Check out Steve’s excellent blog site 18. A first winter drake was present in Cove from Feb- http://www.swopticsphoto.com/ to see the photos. ruary 25 into March. Sandwich Tern Smew A rare wintering bird was recorded at St Ives on January 8. A Boxing Day treat for one observer who found a bird at Marazion Black Guillemot on December 26. Elsewhere, the reservoirs provided One was seen off on February 25. the only records with one at Colliford on January 2 and another (or Barn Swallow the same?) at Siblyback Lake on February 8-9 A wintering bird was seen at Probus on January 10 and one has to Goosander wonder how it survived the exceptional December weather. What Another species which doesn’t feature often in these reports. This was probably the first migrant of the spring was seen at winter has seen phenomenal numbers move into the county, and on February 16. reports from elsewhere indicate similar increased numbers have Bohemian Waxwing been recorded from other parts of the country. Carbis Bay pro- The country as a whole has experienced “Waxwing” years before vided some of the highest numbers with regular counts of 20 birds when food sources in Scandinavia have failed forcing birds over to and a high of 26 on January 15. Helston Loe Pool held the highest Britain, but Cornwall has always missed out as birds have never individual count with a maximum of 30 on December 29. Porth had the need to head this far west. The extremely cold weather this Reservoir had 22 birds on January 1 and Stithians Reservoir held a winter however seems to have forced unprecedented numbers into maximum of 12 on January 23. In Mid Cornwall a group of up to the county allowing many people their first views of this loveliest 13 birds toured the St Andrews/Par Beach Pool area and at Hayle of birds. The first two were seen in Saltash on December 7, fol- 11 birds were seen on February 22. Other, smaller numbers were lowed by one in the car park of Cornwall Farmers at Wadebridge seen at many other sites, including Marazion, Walmsley, Colliford, from December 10 – 12. Also on December 12 one lucky observer Dozmary Pool and Treraven Meadow. saw twohe Yellow-browed from a bus at St Warbler Blazey (PhylloscopusGate. A group inornatus)of seven flew really over is Goshawk TBurraton, an amazing Saltash creature, on December weighing 19. Twoonly wereabout seen 7 grams at Marazion and barely on A juvenile female was seen and photographed at Sancreed on De- December10cm long. 15They and somehow at Treneer, manage Penzance to fly thousandson January of 2.miles One from re- cember 19 mainedNorth and at thisCentral site Asiauntil toJanuary land on9, andour isshores possibly in seemingly the same everbird Black Kite wasincreasing seen again numbers. in March. Cornwall Two isbirds a relatively were photographed good county in for a gar-this An intriguing record concerned a bird reported from Hewas Water denspecies at Illogan and with by somea lucky forward householder planning on Januaryand a bit 4.Further of luck theresingles is and later from nearby London Apprentice on February 3 wereno reason seen whyat Long you Lock,can’t findJanuary your 3; own Falmouth, Yellow-browed January 14this – Au-16; Hen Harrier Easttumn. Looe, January 18 and Helston, February 1-17. A bird showing characteristics of the North American race hud- Northern Identifying Wheatear Yellow-browed Warbler in the field is pretty sonius “Northern Harrier” was present from at least January 8 – Thestraightforward. first bird of Theirspring striking (and the yellowish first recorded double anywhere wing bars in andthe February 10. country)long supercilium was perhaps together surprisingly with a ‘clean’ a female looking seen nearappearance really on Peregrine Februarystand out 15.amongst other crests and warblers. The problem is that Another raptor showing characteristics of a distinct race – this time Ringthey are Ouzel very active and will often feed in dense foliage or high up tundrius “Tundra Peregrine” This bird was present in the Ain winteringthe canopy bird of trees.was seenProlonged at Camperdown views are alwaysFarm, Bodmindifficult Moorand a Walmsley area from at least January 4 into March. It was also seen ongreat January deal of3. patience is needed to obtain them. This is why their at Davidstow and is probably the same bird seen in the Lizard area Greatcall is soGrey useful Shrike and important to learn: ‘Tswooeet’, a loud disylla- in October 2010. Abic bird call seen sounding at Colliford almost Downslike a Coal on January Tit but 24slightly and at higher nearby pitched Nine- Grey Phalarope stonesand usually the next repeated day was at a afaster very rate.welcome record, and could refer to Mount’s Bay provided a refuge from the winter storms for this a bird first Most seen birds at Siblyback will usually in late move 2007 through and reported Cornwall sporadically in a six lovely little wader. Up to two birds were seen between Long Rock inweek each period, subsequent starting winter. in the last week of September and continuing and Newlyn from December 27 – January 5 Rose-colouredon into early November. Starling This is when it is important to keep an Ring-billed Gull Yeteye onanother the weather bird finds charts, Penzance especially to its wind liking! direction A first and winter air pres-bird Not so long ago Ring-billed Gulls, even finding your own, were a firstsure. reportedAny easterly on January airflow 28 coinciding remained with in the high area pressure around further Weethes to regular part of winter birding in Cornwall. Times have changed cottagesthe east atinto this March. time will almost always throw up a Yellow-browed however and these two records are the only ones this winter. A Commonor two. A Redpoll good idea is to keep checking national bird sightings bird was present at Par Beach Pool between January 30 – February Despitewebsites the such name, as Bird Common Guides Redpoll as it gives is anything a picture but of –how especially many are in 4. An adult was photographed at St John’s Lake on February 24. thearriving far South-West. nationally and Five whether were reported or not there from has Kenneggy been an Downsinflux. Ason Azorian Gull Decembera general rule1 and early a single birds bird tend at theto turnsame up site on on the December East Coast 18. and A second winter bird was seen occasionally in the Sennen/St Just LaplandScilly, whilst Bunting in Cornwall the first few tend to turn up a few days area between January 26 and February 9. What was possibly the Thelater bumperusually inwinter the west for ofthis the species county. continues, with at least two same bird was seen on the sea at Pendeen Watch on February 25. large flocks The bestin the place county. to start At lookingChyvarloe as withas many most asmigrants 40 were is re-on American Herring Gull cordedthe coast. on Willows,January 31sycamores – February and 1,mature though tamarisk between will six still and hold 12 A second winter bird was seen in Sennen Cove on February 7. wasenough a more insects normal to attract number warblers at this site.and Onflycatchers the North including coast a spec-Yel- Iceland Gull tacularlow-browed. group Keepof 80-100 checking birds through was present mixed on flocks the coast of warblers,path be- Yet another winter period with few records. Only four were re- tweencrests andPort tits Isaac (especially and Port Long-tailedQuinn. Elsewhere, Tits) as 13 Yellow-browed were seen at Sen-will corded, which may refer to 1 or 2 individual birds. Birds were seen nenoften on join December up and 13feed and alongside singles werethem. seen From at myBrew own on experienceDecember at January 18; Drift Reservoir, January 26; St Levan, 5;an RAFearly , morning startDecember is vital 12; . Not Keggeggy only as Downs,this seems December to be when 20. February 6; Sennen Cove, February 9. the birds are at their most active but also if there isn’t much ground cover they can move through very quickly. 5

reserves report

Slow Worm warming up January - March 2011 in the spring sunshine at Windmill Farm. Photo by Andy Pay

s I write this, territoriality has than seven dropped in. The normally clear and calm weather that Stithians A begun. The Great Crested Grebes Stithians is famous for broke the next day when the reserve was are displaying - always a treat to watch. shrouded in mist from dawn till dusk denying the many visitors the By Simon Taylor A Song Thrush sings repeatedly every opportunity to add them to their County List. morning from just behind the Stuart The day after brought no further sightings nor the day after Hutchings hide, Tawny Owls have that. New Years Eve brought the next sighting which wasn’t actu- started calling from various areas ally picked up until 3rd January when the news for New Years Eve nearby and Mallard are swimming was released. The birds then put an appearance in later that day around in pairs. and on the 5th seven Bewicks had become eight. From this day to The breeding season is here and as you around the 12th saw the eight Bewicks dropping in almost daily. read this the first Sand Martins will After this, eight once again became seven and the seven continued have arrived from their migration out of Africa. This year coin- to drop in for a few days until they relocated to the Lizard. A cides with the last year of the BTO Atlas, my first proper year as a Ring-necked Duck made two brief appearances, one before arrival nest recorder. As we say goodbye to the winter and hello to the at Gothian Sands and again a couple of weeks later. Water Levels lighter evenings of spring we also say goodbye to those fantastic are high at the moment destroying any chance of a good count of sightings of Fieldfare, Redwing and Starling in the fields, Pochard, Teal and Wigeon. Goldeneye and Goosander on the water. In December, Farleigh Over the past few weeks there have been repeated occa- Rice turned up his second great find of the year at Stithians. Not sions when gates, doors and flaps have been left open. Please con- content with his Purple Heron earlier in the year, Farleigh turned sider others when leaving the area and close everything up espe- up the first twitchable Bewick Swans for many a year when no less cially when it's raining. Thank you. (photo Simon Taylor)

s usual, wildfowl and gulls have Goldeneye two and Goosander three. Two Great Crested Grebes Drift A dominated the winter months, appeared in February and are still present. Cormorants peaked at although given the cold weather this just three and Coots at 51. By Dave Parker year there were disappointingly low Waders have been represented by the occasional Green numbers. Sandpiper, Lapwing, Snipe, Woodcock and Curlew. Unusual gulls The Mute Swan flock rose to a were represented by up to three different Mediterranean Gulls, peak of 41 and a Whooper Swan plus a second winter Little Gull which visited the site on a number joined them on 13/12. Geese numbers of occasions in February along with an Iceland Gull on a single hit new highs with 131 Canada, 52 date in January. Greylag and 14 hybrids. The first Single Firecrests have been winter Greenland White-fronted reported on a number of dates and Goose remained throughout the pe- flocks of winter thrushes and Wood riod. Also present was the collar- Pigeons built up just before Christ- ringed Greylag which arrived earlier in the autumn. It was last mas before dissipating in the New seen on 30/12 and was relocated on Hayle Estuary on 3/1 and was Year. later reported in Dorset. The clearance of willow in A party of five Shelduck on 23/12 and two on 30/1 were the reedbed is now nearing comple- unusual records, as was a Red-breasted Merganser on 24/12. Apart tion thanks to Greg Humphries who Firecrest by Mark Whittaker from that, peak numbers were Wigeon 280, Gadwall 20, Teal 136, is using the whips for making traditional crab pots. Fingers crossed Mallard 105, Pintail 2, Shoveler 10, Pochard 18, Tufted Duck 101, for a dry summer as water continues to pour over the dam.

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ost of the plovers Windmill Farm M which arrived in the hard weather from late By Andy Pay November remained on the reserve for several weeks, favouring the slightly sloping pastures where the daily frosts were the first to thaw. Around 260 Golden Plovers remained, although some of the Lapwings moved on. Ten Dunlin and 55 Snipe were regularly feeding in the same fields, along with 50 Redwings. There was an influx of 200+ Fieldfares in mid January. Five species of duck were present throughout the winter, highest counts being 51 Wigeon, 13 Shoveler, 22 Teal, 28 Mallard and five Gadwall. The party of four adult and three juvenile Be- wick’s Swans which had been present at Stithians earlier in the winter put in an appearance on Jan 30th. A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen regularly. Other visitors included a Greenshank on 9th Jan and an adult Mediterranean Gull Bewick’s Swans, and the new Stuart Hutchings bench at the farm... on 14th Jan. The first Chiffchaffs were back on territory on 17th March, but early indications are that numbers of resident Dun- nocks, Robins and Wrens are way down after another hard winter. We’ve had a straggly hedge “laid” by Martin Rule and Richard Sharp and it’s already full of new buds. Our partners from the Wildlife Trust carried out a couple of controlled burns on the heathland. There will be lots more going on over the next few months. Planning permission has been secured for some new ponds and scrapes, which will be going in when the site has dried out. Three students from the University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, are carrying out studies on the farm into the effects of conservation grazing on populations of small mammals, a survey for Water Shrews and a census of some of our rare plants. Let’s hope for a few scarce migrants this Spring and a good breeding season. Photos by Andy Pay

he last few days in have with the Wigeon Flock. The bulk of Snipe also left the Reserve Maer Lake T been sunny with some real with just a few remaining in the feeder ditches and local gardens. warmth in the sun. Local gardens also attracted Water Rail which unfortunately By Graham Sutton Sand Martins have arrived makes them an easy target for the local cat population. Sadly, I right on schedule on their traditional also found two dead song thrushes – feather light in weight – date of 7th March, and Wheatears are which presumably had simply starved to death. also now appearing on the cliffs. It is A Cattle Egret was reported from nearby Maer Down feed- very easy to forget the periods of ex- ing in with the sheep flock, this was a few days before one long treme winter weather that we experi- staying individual appeared further down the county. A single enced during the winter of 2010/11, Whooper Swan was present on farmland at Poundstock and late and maybe it is a good thing that we night dog walkers at Bude Marshes told me that a lone swan was are able to move forward and onward present there at night. I went to check it out just before dawn, and so quickly. All problems come into perspective when you view the it was indeed the Whooper Swan which then flew back towards unprecedented images of devastation coming from Japan after the Poundstock just after first light. This interesting pattern of behav- earthquake and tsunami, and the consequences and manner in iour lasted for over ten days. which the Japanese people are trying to deal with them. After two harsh and difficult winters we will all be hoping The severe weather in December with a temperature of -6 for a very successful breeding season. Hopefully - Wren, Gold- degrees recorded at Maer (on drives to Exeter I was recording crest, Stonechat and Song Thrush etc numbers will then have a temperatures of -10 degrees in the Okehampton area) forced many chance to recover. birds south to look for better conditions and indeed survival. I am now also really looking forward to flocks of Whim- The usual large flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing were brel coming through on spring passage, and also to seeing birds in forced away from the Reserve and never returned, with only the summer plumage. I am sure that I will be seeing that wonderful occasional sightings of smaller flocks of 200 plus birds. It will be blood red bill of an adult Mediterranean Gull, but not so sure that I interesting to see from members’ records if numbers built up on will be seeing past sightings like Grey Plover and Knot in spec- the south coast, or if birds in fact were forced to fly even further tacular summer plumage. The excitement of bird watching is that, south to the Continent. The Golden Plover is such a fascinating speculate as we might, we simply do not know what we might species, and I have certainly missed hearing them from my house discover. The important thing is to be out there birding, especially this winter as they move in and out of the Reserve at night. Con- as we have we have such superb and varied habitats for bird sidering all the concern and effort that is put into Golden Plover watching. conservation nationally it is so disappointing that this bird is still It would be nice to celebrate the Society’s 80th birthday legally shot. year with a stunning find, preferably on a CBWPS Reserve. By One of the most interesting sights I recorded during the rights it should be at Walmsley which has had such a great run of severest of the weather, when the lake was frozen, was of a male interesting birds lately. However, do not rule out Maer Lake - I Shoveler feeding with a strange rolling gait on the field at Maer certainly won’t!

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fter the excitement of our hosting of the American Bittern it was a pleasant sur- Walmsley A prise to give refuge during a hard winter to the more traditional European Bittern (B.stellaris). How many Bitterns have been present in the Camel area this winter is uncertain as reports have come to me from various sources of birds showing in several wet areas in the locality. Another highlight has been the possible tundra Peregrine that has been a regu- lar visitor to the reserve. I was particularly fortunate to be there when it landed in the marsh after a bit of a spat with a gull. It then proceeded to fly directly toward the tower hide which allowed me to get some good shots as it veered off above the hide at the last moment. The jury is still out on the true identification of this bird but my pho- tographs have been passed to a top raptor expert in Finland for aid in the ID. Other good birds that have been long stayers have been the three Pink footed Geese and their “hanger-on” a Bean goose. These geese have spent several weeks in By Adrian Langdon the valley and have shown very well to birders. We have also held three Spoonbills for the whole winter with them roosting virtually every night in the reserve and often staying during the day if undisturbed. Today (13th March) they were seen to be displaying and doing a mock courtship/ copulation routine along with breaking off twigs and flying around with them. They don’t appear to be full adults but it is an exciting thought to think that they may well follow the Little Egrets and become a Cornish breeding species in the future. As I write this in the 2nd week of March I had my first Sand Martins passing through Walmsley which is always a great sign that the spring migration is now under way.

Photographs at Walmsley Sanctuary by Adrian Lang- don, anti-clockwise from top: Canada, Bean, Pink- footed and Barnacle Geese; European Bittern; three young Spoonbills and the possible tundra Peregrine

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White-winged Tern Rarities by Derek Julian he White-winged Tern, (Chlidonias leucopterus), is a small “marsh tern” T which breeds in the eastern parts of the Western Palearctic from Latvia to Kazakhstan, (occasionally as far west as Italy), but winters on inland water bodies of the Afro-tropical region. In Cornwall a total of 23 individuals have been recorded, all in the period April 21st to October 20th. The first was a juvenile which was shot at Sennen in 1887. In more recent times the first was a splendid adult in breeding plumage at Melancoose (Porth) Reservoir on 4th-5th May 1964. Hayle Estuary hosted the next bird, also an adult in breeding plumage, which arrived on 3rd August 1965 and then 2 proceeded to tour Penwith visiting Drift Reservoir and Marazion Marsh dur- 1 ing the next three days. Ten years passed before the next arrived at Siblyback Reservoir on S S S st 12th September 1975, staying until 21 , and was surprisingly joined by an- 9 other on the 17th. Then for the next seven years, (up to 1982), this species 8 became almost annual with sightings around the county in all but 1978. All records were of singles except two adults where watched together at Crowdy 7 Reservoir on 13th May 1979. 6 There were then no records until a juvenile arrived at Bude on 10th 5 August 1988, moving to Upper Tamar Lake the next day. During the 1990’s single birds visited the county in all but 1992 and 1998. The last bird of the 4 century was a juvenile at Marazion Marsh on 17th October which then moved 3 th to Cot Valley the next day and stayed until the 20 . Interestingly there have 2 been no accepted records in the 21st Century. These birds are known to move 1 around the country after making landfall in Britain and this is best illustrated S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 S 1 2 3 4 5 by a juvenile at Hayle Estuary on 18th October 1995 which was seen the pre- Top sites are: Hayle Estuary 5; Marazion Marsh 4; vious day on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly and was relocated at Greater Westhay Tamar Estuary 3. Moor, Somerset on 23rd to 27th October. References: BBRC: Report on rare birds in Great Britain in British Birds 1964 to date; CBWPS: Annual Reports; Cramp et al.: The Birds of the Western Palearctic Volume IV; Penhallurick: Birds of the Cornish Coast: Snow and Perrins: The Birds of the Western Palearctic Concise Edition.

What to look out for this Spring… by Bob Bosisto Red Kite hroughout Great Britain my experience finding one in the first place is the hard part! T the success story of this Whilst you have a slim chance of seeing a Red Kite at iconic raptor has given the almost any time of the year, this is by far the best time to spot one Red Kite an almost celebrity- in Cornwall. For the last ten years or so there has been a small like status. Indeed it was influx of Red Kites at some point every spring. This seems to al- named ‘Bird of the Century’ ways coincide with a settled spell of weather with high pressure in 1999 by the BTO thanks and winds from an easterly or south-easterly direction. Where to its remarkable fight back exactly they come from is unknown to me. I imagine that they are from the brink of extinction. a mixture of British birds looking for new territory and migrant Andy Pay After being declared vermin birds from Europe. They can turn up anywhere so you always have in the 16th century, wide- a chance of seeing one no matter where you live. However when spread persecution ensued and by the late 18th century Red Kites they move through they don’t seem to hang around for long and had bred for the last time in . A small community battled the main passage often only lasts a few days. It really pays to keep on in mid Wales, probably reaching an all time low in 1977 when a close eye on bird sightings websites such as the Society’s ‘Daily it was thought that the entire population emanated from just a sin- County Bird News’ page to help you learn of any movements. gle female bird. Thankfully, due to a dedicated conservation effort When you’re out looking for kites get up on some high backed by many individuals and organizations, the Red Kite now ground with a good vantage point. If you see gulls spiraling up on has a healthy ever-expanding population. From the famous feeding a thermal or hear them making a fuss over something concentrate station at Gigrin Farm in Wales to the busy motorways in southern on that particular area. You will often find a ploughed field under- England, many people have been reacquainted with this elegant neath them which is a classic Kite scenario. The best times of day raptor. In Cornwall however it remains a relatively scarce visitor to look for them seem to be late morning and later on in the after- and is still very much a prized find. Hopefully by reading this noon. In the middle of the day if it is very warm many raptors will article you will stand a better chance of seeing one whilst out bird- soar up out of sight. Breezy days are also better than still days as ing this spring. the birds seem to fly lower and are more active. So you’re looking at a bird of prey that is way off in the Remember also to look out for the many other birds of distance... With its rather narrow wings that are held down from prey that could be migrating through Cornwall at this time of year. the carpel joint it almost looks like a heron. As it gets closer, glid- Marsh Harriers, Osprey and Hobby are seen with increasing regu- ing effortlessly and buoyantly, you notice this large raptor has a larity each spring. If you are very lucky you could even come long, deeply forked, constantly twisting rufous tail with prominent across a Montagu’s Harrier or a Black Kite. I really hope you see a light ‘windows’ on the under-wing and a pale head. Bingo it’s a Red Kite in Cornwall this spring as they are such impressive crea- Red Kite! Whilst identifying Red Kites isn’t all that difficult, in tures - just remember to keep scanning those skies!

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birders will miss good birds due to rushing! If you have the chance, try and go with somebody who is experienced. You can Birdwatching: learn so much from somebody who is familiar with migrating birds. Just watching an experienced birder in action is fantastic education, and you soon learn some important hints and tips. There where to go…(2) are a number of field meetings throughout the county, at a variety of headland sites. Take a look at the Field Meetings section in this newsletter for more information. If this has whetted your appetite Peter Roseveare provides more useful ideas and you want to get out there now, here are a few places to go. about where and how to find birds... • Lizard Point and Kynance Cove Both spots are fantastic for watching migration in progress. They do hope that you have had some success getting to know the can both turn up rarities. Parking is cheap and easy, and you have I birds which have visited your garden this winter and that you the added advantage of possibly seeing two resident speciality have tried to get to know them a little better. My own winter gar- birds as Dartford warblers are resident at Kynance and Choughs den highlight came in the form of a pair of Bullfinches - they were breed at Lizard Point! stunning! Visiting reservoirs has also paid off with a Lesser Scaup • Land’s End, Nanjizel and Porthgwarra deciding to spend the winter on Bodmin Moor. They are often A real Mecca for the rarity hunter! Being our most westerly point found on Colliford in the Loveny arm. hundreds of birds can pass through these valleys and very often So, where are we going to have luck at this time of year? will bring some of their less numerous cousins with them! Every Well, spring is well and truly underway, year these westerly valleys with their dense vegetation and nooks which means many species of birds are flock- and crannies turn up rarities. These valleys can make the heart ing in. If you want to witness this amazing pound with excitement, but can also be very frustrating. My advice avian ritual then my first port of call would would be to go with someone who knows the area and has knowl- be one of Cornwall’s headlands. There is a edge of some of the avian wonders you may encounter. good reason for this. Imagine you have just • flapped your wings for several hours, fighting Stepper, Pentire and Rumps Point against winds and all manner of obstacles and The North coast can also hold its own. It has its fair share of pas- dangers. You can’t land as all there is beneath sage birds. There too you can often turn up rarities, although is mile upon mile of ocean. You are ex- probably not in the numbers our westerly headlands can. There is hausted, hungry and in need of an urgent pit never a bad day to be had at these sites, as they are in their own stop. Then, in the distance you notice land jutting out into the sea, right, beautiful. and on this land you have the chance to stop and refuel before the • next leg of your long and arduous journey. This really is how pas- This is an under watched headland which attracts a lot of our more serines, (small to medium size birds which perch, and to a lesser common migrants. It also throws out the occasional rarity, such as extent, sing) see our headlands. They are fuel stops where they can Cornwall's first Red-flanked Bluetail. eat, drink and then get on with the rest of their journeys. However, a note of warning! Be careful if you do decide to If you wish to watch birds at a headland then there are a visit any of the aforementioned areas as all have cliffs and turbu- few key points to remember. First, try and get to know the layout lent seas below them. If you find a site next to the sea with a little of the foliage and paths before the birds start arriving. If you be- cover and some insect life I can guarantee you a migrant passing come familiar with an area you are much more likely to pick out by soon. Keep your field guide handy as they really come into something new and different. Second, take your time! Often pass- their own at this time of year! Enjoy the spectacle of migration and ing migrants can be shy and elusive. Let them ease out of likely make sure you have fun. In the next issue I hope to introduce you looking cover. You will be surprised how often even experienced to farm and woodland watching.

Stepper Point and , N. Cornwall by S Marquis

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body colour approaching that of northern. The important distinc- tion is that on northern the body streaking is generally limited to Northern Harrier flanks and upper breast. This bird meets colouration criteria particularly as another ...or not? photo enabled colours of two birds together to be compared. Un- able to say whether it meets streaking criteria in view of distance of photo. Colin Moore tries to unravel the identification 2. Colouration of upperparts. Upperparts should be dark challenge of the harriers on his watch... sepia brown, darker than a Hen Harrier. This is difficult to deter- mine without pictures of two birds together. or a few years I have conducted the wintering Hen Harrier 3. Head and neck pattern. Northern has a more hooded F survey for the BTO at Bartinney Downs. This was prompted look than hen created by solid dark brown head and dark neck boa by having a roost site near where I live and also by the Hen Harrier contrasting with upper breast. being one of my favorite birds. I used to live in West Yorkshire Photos indicate a darker head than the normal hen, al- and frequently watched wintering harriers in the Yorkshire dales. though I have seen a couple of hens at Bartinney with quite dark Occasional sightings of an ‘orangey’ bird had been re- hoods but not a clear cut contrast between dark neck and upper ported from last October onwards from Men an Tol and Bartinney breast colour. which raised my interest. Could this be a Northern Harrier (Circus 4. Baring on primaries. Hen normally has four bars on its hudsonius), the American form of Hen Harrier, previously known longest primaries, but occasionally can have up to six ( count ex- as Marsh Hawk. cludes the dark tip ). It also usually has three bars on the tenth In early January I decided to do a daily watch at roost time. primary, the outer primary. Therefore when a bird shows more On the first two nights I saw three ringtails but unfortunately it bars than the norm it can be an additional indication that it may be was too dark for photographs. On the third I witnessed two ring- worthy of consideration as a northern. tails “play fighting” near the summit. I photographed these to- On blowing up my photo there appear to be five bars on gether until the smaller bird, presumably a male, broke off to mob the longest primaries and four on the tenth primary – or at least the a Buzzard (see Fig 1). I managed to take some further photos and space for a fourth bar. So rather inconclusive on this evidence. on examining them found that although both birds were rusty one The Hen Harrier photograph included for comparison pur- was considerably more so than the other and this was the bird that poses gives an indication of how difficult an exercise this is as it is broke off. One of these photos taken at a distance of over half a clearly quite a rusty bird. But it seems to fail the above tests as it mile, which is my excuse for the poor quality, is shown below. I does not have a contrasting boa and only has four bars on P7. It also include for comparison purposes a photo of a hen harrier (Fig also appears to be quite streaked on the belly. 2 below). Therefore, I believe the only clear way for a conclusion to So what are the key ID features supporting a first winter be reached is to have really good photographic evidence – which northern harrier and how far does this particular bird match them?: unfortunately I don’t! I do believe that the fact that four probable 1. Colouration of Northern Harriers

underparts and arrived in the Brit- 1 extent of streak- 2 ish Isles in the ing. Colour of autumn is good body of northern supporting evi- should be apricot/ dence that one (or cinnamon buff even more!) could extending to lower be in the far south belly and undertail west in view of the coverts. But it wintering harrier should be noted numbers we regu- some juvenile larly achieve here . hens can have a

CBWPS Seabird Campaign Urban Gull Breeding Survey 2011 By Pete Roseveare ou’ve just got to love the Herring Gull! Sure they can be noisy, will pinch your pasty or Y chips and are guaranteed to ‘aim’ for the person wearing the smartest or most expensive DATE: clothing! However, no-one can deny that Gulls are an emblem of our busy harbour-side towns OBSERVER: and their presence inland is ever increasing. They pay their dues by mopping up unwanted LOCATION GRID REF: scraps of food and adding to the hustle and bustle that make our shoreline villages such a treat. The CBWPS would like to find out just how many Gulls are nesting in our towns and SPECIES: villages to get some sort of prospectus and gauge for future reference. With pressure growing on natural breeding locations we predict that more and more will opt to nest in the urban envi- ROOF TYPE: ronment. This is probably due to easy food opportunities as well as lots of adequate nesting NUMBER OF NESTS: sites. If you locate any Gulls breeding in an ‘urban’ environment please fill out the form NUMBER OF YOUNG: (right) as this information could be very useful. Either e-mail the completed details back to me on [email protected], fill in the form on www.cbwps.org.uk, or by post to: COMMENTS: Peter Roseveare, Cornerstones, 4 Meadow Way, , Wadebridge, PL27 7QR. Thank you.

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CBWPS the Balearic is often seen racing past Manx, seeming to power Seabird Campaign through at twice the speed. • 2011 Feeding habits are also very much the same as the Manx Shearwater. • They are under severe threat from the development of holiday resorts near its breeding sites, and also from animals such Shearwaters as cats and rats. They are considered critically endangered with extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It differs from the Manx in that it has a browner, less dark, back. Peter Roseveare helps sort out our Manx from Its underside is described as dirty white, there is usually still con- our Balearics... trast between upper and lower body whilst “shearing”, however it is not as striking as in the Manx. It also lacks the white patch n the last issue we looked at the Divers that grace our shores, the Manx has on the rump, and the crescent that the Manx shows I and right on cue good numbers of them wintered right around behind the ear coverts are also missing. the county. There was also the added pleasure of a Pacific Diver Sooty Shearwater wintering off Marazion and Penzance! Incredible as they are, Di- • The Sooty Shearwater is a vers are not the only interesting species that use our coast. The spectacular long-distance migrant, Shearwater family truly are amazing, spending almost all their life following a route travelling north, at sea. The only time they come ashore is to breed where they are up the western side of the Pacific almost useless on their legs, finding it very difficult to walk. They and Atlantic Oceans at the end of mainly come ashore at night to feed and tend young, which are the nesting season, reaching sub often hatched in disused rabbit burrows and other similar excava- Arctic waters where they cross from tions. So, here are three Shearwaters that pass our shores, and by west to east, then returning south Steve Rogers joining us on one of the arranged sea-watches, you will have a down the eastern side of the oceans back to their good chance of seeing any or all of them. breeding colonies in November. Manx Shearwater • They are 40–51 cm in length with a 94–110 cm wingspan. • This is our most common Noticeably bigger than the Manx and Balearic. Shearwater, and in peak migration, • Although typical in its flight style, i.e. “shearing”, the you can see literally thousands pass flight is powerful and direct, with wings held stiff and straight, by some of our headlands. giving the impression of a very small albatross. • It is 30–38 cm long, with a • The Sooty Shearwater feeds on small fish and squid, and 76–89 cm wingspan. Often appearing will dive up to 68m deep for food, however, surface feeding is smaller than imagined, it is often preferred. This shearwater will also follow boats for free offerings described as a flying ‘plus sign’ due of offal and scraps. to the right angle of the wings whilst shearing. Steve Rogers • Like so many bird species its numbers have been declining • It has the typically "shearing" flight of the in recent decades, and it is presently classified as Near Threatened family group, changing from side to side on stiff wings with few by the IUCN. wing beats, the wingtips almost touching the water. It is called Sooty for a reason, it appears dark all over, including • The Manx Shearwater feeds on small fish, especially her- the under wing. In good light you may notice a silvery patch on rings and sardines, but will also consume crustaceans, cephalopods the under wing. It also appears larger than the Manx and Bale- and surface offal. aric .The bird gives a long-winged impression and comes across • They are extraordinarily long-lived. A Manx Shearwater as very aerodynamic. breeding on Copeland Island, Northern Ireland, was as of There are two other species that pass through our waters here in 2003/2004 the oldest known living wild bird in the world: ringed Cornwall. They are the Great and Cory’s Shearwater. These are as an adult (at least 5 years old) in July 1953, it was re-trapped in the type of bird that regular sea-watchers crave! Although, not at July 2003, at least 55 years old! all common, there are normally a small number of recorded sight- Remember, the back is black and the belly and under wing are ings each year. white. This makes for a sharp contrast when the bird is “shearing” Great Shearwater from side to side. The white on the rump sides extend up behind This shearwater is 43–51 cm in the wing and give the impression of a patch. There is also a white length with a 105–122 cm wingspan. crescent found behind the ear coverts. These are good distinguish- It is recognizable by its large size. It ing features from Balearic and Sooty shearwater. has brown upper parts. It’s under Balearic Shearwater parts are white except for a brown • Probably our most interesting species, as it breeds on is- belly patch and dark shoulder mark- lands and coastal cliffs in the Bale- ings. It has a black cap, black bill, Steve Rogers aric Islands. Most winter in that sea, and a white horseshoe on the base of the tail. The but some enter the Atlantic in late stiff flight, like a large Manx Shearwater, is also distinctive. summer, reaching north to Great Cory’s Shearwater Britain and Ireland. This is another large shearwater at • This bird is approximately 45-56 cm in length and a 112-126 35–40 cm long, with an 85–90 cm cm wingspan. It has brownish-grey wingspan. Very similar in appear- upperparts, white under parts and ance to the Manx, however, it usually Steve Rogers yellowish bill. It lacks the brown appears to be slightly bigger with an almost domi- belly patch, dark shoulder markings neering feeling when the two are compared. and black cap of the Great Shear- Tony Blunden • Like the Manx it has the typically "shearing" flight of the water. This bird flies with long glides, and al- family group, changing from side to side on stiff wings. However, ways has wings bowed and angled slightly back, unlike the stiff, straight-winged flight of the similarly-sized Great Shearwater.

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House Sparrows Rex Harper writes with his usual warmth about a likeable and familiar bird which was once so common we barely paid it any attention... How times have changed. Painting by Dick Twinney

ouse Sparrow numbers have dropped dramatically in recent Our Sparrows, like those on the island of Tresco in the H years. Farming methods have changed. Many of the grain Scilly Isles have learnt to exploit certain exotic plants for nectar silos that provided small birds with plentiful food from the spilt and seeds. Some species of Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) are in corn are no longer in existence, plus the fact that modern farm bloom throughout the year and the Sparrows have learnt to hang buildings provide very little in the way of nooks and crannies in on the flower stems and extract nectar from the blooms. The tall which the Sparrows can build their nests. plumes of the New Zealand “Toe Toe” , a type of Pampas In spring, our resident flock of Sparrows usually totals Grass ,are full of seeds ,which ,once ripened are enjoyed by the about twenty to thirty birds. This particular flock, or its descen- birds who perch en mass on the plumes busily pecking away as the dents, have been with us for the last thirty years and have had to stems wave up and down in the wind, the whole thing looking like adapt as farm buildings have been given change of use, and the a giant mobile! cattle and horses have gone. The colony live mainly in and around Occasionally panic sets in when a Sparrowhawk arrives a small barn, nesting either in spaces under the roof or in the thick with the speed of light, having reviewed the situation from the tall ivy which covers most of the roof and one wall. There is however ash trees behind the house, whizzing around the barn hoping to always a shortage of nesting space and pairs often will comman- catch the unwary Sparrow that is a bit slow to take off. Tawny deer last years Swallows’ nests, building their untidy structures on Owls also take any Sparrows that are roosting in easy to get at top of them, creating a war when the Swallows arrive after their places after dark. The Sparrow flock are very much part of life on journey from Africa in the spring and try to regain their property. the farm. Their social cheeping joining in with the morning chorus. Many fights result, and sadly, the Sparrows win the day, the unfor- Early vegetable plants suffer from the sparrows beaks as tunate Swallows having to look elsewhere to set up home. do polyanthus flowers, which for some reason the birds like to The overflow from the Sparrow colony have also built in a shred, and my wife complains bitterly when bits of twig, feathers, thick privet hedge using an old Blackbird’s nest as a base and, for or worse, fall into the milking bucket from above, in the barn when only the second time that I can remember, others have woven a the goats are being milked but for all that we enjoy having our nest in a hawthorn tree which, while not comparing favorably with cheeky, feathered tenants, life would not be the same without nests by their weaver bird cousins, will doubtless suffice! them!

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Friday 15th April. Indoor meeting at Chacewater Village Hall 7:30pm Contact: Roger Hooper (01209 820610) Falklands wildlife and RSPB local group AGM. A presentation by Cornwall’s Dave Thomas on the Wildlife of the Falklands. Pen- guins, Albatross, Seals and windy weather. Admission £2 on the door. field meetings Sunday 17th April 9 am Leader: Colin Moore (01736 788787) Nanquidno Valley. A morning walk looking for resident and mi- grant birds. Actual walk may vary according to local information. April-June 2011 Meet in the large lay-by on the east side of the B3306 opposite Lands End aerodrome. Map ref: SW377292

Sunday 1st May 4:30am Leader: Derek Julian (01208 816779) Respryn / Lanhydrock. An early morning walk to listen to the dawn chorus. (A part of national Dawn Chorus day). Meet at Re- spryn car park.

Wednesday 4th May 6 pm Leader: Gordon Mills (01209 718144) A new season at Gothian Sands. An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds, butterflies and wild flow- ers. Meet in the first NT car park. Map ref: SW584422 his season’s programme has a wide range of walks and field T meetings which will give both newcomers to bird watching Saturday 7th May 9 am Leader: Steve Rowe and experienced birdwatchers the opportunity to join with others (01637 875788) to learn more about bird identification, habitat and bird behaviour, as well as share knowledge and information. Porth Joke. A morning walk around the area looking for migrant and resident birds. Turn off A305 Newquay to road, take If your interest in our local seabirds has grown and you st would like to know more about the diverse species that can be 1 left between Crantock and West Pentire past Treago Farm and frequently seen around the Cornish coast, then please join us on meet in NT car park map ref: SW776599 one of our organised field meets. These will also continue into the summer programme. Saturday 7th May - Members’ Day Leader: Derek Julian Camel Trail Nature Walks (see end of programme for de- (01208 816779) tails) are a great way for families, visitors to Cornwall and local Rumps Point A sea-watch at 10am (meet at Pentire Farm, Map ref bird watchers to visit these areas with leaders with knowledge of SW936803), followed by a visit to Walmsley Sanctuary at 3pm. butterflies and flowers as well as birds. Gordon Mills The AGM will follow at 6pm at Wadebridge Town Hall, after which there will be a presentation by renowned ornithologist and

Sunday 3rd April 7am - 9 am Leader: Tony Blunden author Ian Wallace.

The Lizard Point. The meet will take place from the point just Wednesday 11th May 6 pm Leader: Gordon Mills below the Café. Parking is available at the N.T. car park (fee pay- (01209 718144) able), at the Point or on the Lizard Green. Species that should be St Erth. An evening walk along the river looking for residents and seen include Auks, Divers, Gannets and Kittiwakes. Meeting will early summer migrants. Also the chance to study bird song. Meet continue after 9 am if conditions are good in the car park opposite the church. Map ref: SW549351

th Wednesday 6 April 6 pm Leader: Gordon Mills Sunday 22nd May 6:30 am Leader: Roger Hooper (01209 718144 evenings) (01209 820610) St Erth. An evening walk along the river looking for residents and Tehidy Park. Dawn chorus walk. Meet South Drive car park for early summer migrants. Also an opportunity to study bird song. early morning walk to listen to the dawn chorus in Tehidy Woods. Meet in the car park opposite the church. Map ref: SW549351 Sunday 29th May 9am Leader: Viv Stratton Saturday 9th April 9 am Leader: Viv Stratton (01736 796487) (01736 796487) Porthgwarra. An all day walk looking for migrant and resident Towednack. A morning walk around the moors looking for resi- birds with hopefully some sea watching. Bring packed lunch; meet dent and early summer migrants. Also chance of Ring Ouzel. Meet in car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW371218 at Towednack Church. Map ref: SW498388 Sunday 5th June 7 am-midday Leader: Bob Bosisto Thursday 14th April 1pm Leader: Pat Farmer (01209 718648) . Bob will be heading out to Trevose Head, plenty of Tresillian River, St Clements. An afternoon walk along the river parking is available in the top car park (fee payable £3). Possible looking for waders, ducks, gulls and spring migrants. Particularly species include Manx Shearwater, Puffin, Storm Petrel, Kittiwake suitable for newcomers to bird watching. Path can be muddy so and Gannet. There is also the chance of Dolphin and Basking strong footwear recommended. Meet at St Clements car park. Sharks. (Parking can be limited), Map ref: SW852439

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Wednesday June 8th 8:30 pm Leader: Roger Hooper Camel Trail Nature Walks. Duration approx 4 hours. The walks, (01209 820610) covering Flora and Fauna as well as birds, take place every Croft Pascoe, The Lizard. Nightjar watch. An evening walk to see Wednesday throughout April 2011. Walks start at 10.00am and these stunning birds. Bring warm clothing, insect repellent and will be led by Bernard Ide, Paul Whittick and Jack Humphrey. stout footwear. Meet at the lay-by near wooden gate on the Kuggar Meet outside Countrywise, Eddystone Road, Wadebridge. to Ruan Minor road, first right after Goonhilly. Phone 01208 812423 to check walk is on. Map ref: SW989 725

Sunday June 12th 9am Leader: Viv Stratton (01736 796487) St Erth River. A morning walk along the river to look for resident and migrant birds meet in the car park opposite the Church. Map ref: SW549351

Wednesday 15th June 8:30 pm Leader: Roger Hooper (01209 820610) Croft Pascoe, The Lizard. Nightjar watch. An evening walk to see Pentire Head these stunning birds. Bring warm clothing, insect repellent and stout footwear. Meet at the lay-by near wooden gate on the Kuggar Pentire and Rumps Nature Walks. Duration approximately 4 to Ruan Minor road, first right after Goonhilly. hours, the walks take place every Wednesday during May, June, July and August and cover Flora and Fauna as well as birds. Walks Sunday 19th June 9am Leader: Gordon Mills start at 10.00am and will be led by Bernard Ide, Paul Whittick and (01209 7198144) Jack Humphrey. Meet at Pentire Farm. Map ref SW936803 Phone The Lizard. A morning walk around The Lizard headland to in- Countrywise on 01208 812423 to check that walk is on. Map ref: clude heathland, valleys and cliff paths looking for residents, sum- SW989 725 mer visitors, sea birds and hopefully Chough. Stout footwear ad- visable. Meet at the Lizard Green Car park (voluntary contribu- tion) ref: SW 703125 PLEASE NOTE Walk leaders have given their telephone numbers with each walk. Wednesday 22nd June 6 pm Leader: Gordon Mills However before contacting them would you please check the (01209 7198144) RSPB (www.rspb.org.uk/groups/cornwall) and CBWPS Gothian Sands. An evening walk around the area looking for resi- (www.cbwps.org.uk) websites for the latest information. Every dent and migrant birds, butterflies and wild flowers. Meet in the effort will be made to keep the websites updated with cancella- first NT car park. Map ref: SW584422 tions, changes in venue or route or any access problems.

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The Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society

Annual General Meeting 2011

The Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held at Wadebridge Town Hall on Saturday 7th May at 6pm. A Members’ Day is planned to start at Rumps Point (meet at Pentire Farm, map ref SW936803) at 10am for a sea-watch, followed by a visit to Walmsley Sanctuary at 3pm.

The business part of the AGM will be followed by a presentation by renowned ornithologist and author Ian Wallace. Non-members are welcome at all these events.

Agenda 1. Apologies 2. Confirmation of the Annual General Meeting minutes from 15th May 2010, and matters arising. 3. The Chairman’s report. 4. The Treasurer’s report. 5. Election of members of the Executive Committee. 6. Election of Honorary Members on the recommendation of the Executive Committee as set out below in recognition of outstanding service to the objects of the Society: 7. Any other business.

Nomination form for election of Honorary Officers and other members of the Executive Committee in accordance with the Society's Rules.

I nominate ...... (who has agreed to serve if elected) of (address) ...... for the post of * ...... *please state which Honorary Officer or it will be taken as a nomination for a general committee member.

Proposed by (name and address) ......

Seconded by (name and address) ......

Nominations must be in writing and reach the General Secretary, Tony Bertenshaw, Hantergantick, St Breward, PL30 4NH or by email: [email protected] no later than 30th April 2011. You do not need to use this form to make nominations but make sure you include all the information requested in it in your letter or email.

Proposed Honorary Members:

Stan Christophers Nigel Climpson Steve Madge Paul McCartney Andy Pay Roy Phillips Graham Sutton

23rd March 2011

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