The Newsletter of Birds (CBWPS) No 33 - Autumn 2009 Stop press: latest early autumn bird sightings... The west of Cornwall at the time of going to press is witness- ing some good bird sightings as summer turns to autumn. The Little Stint at (top left) was photographed by Sam Williams. Other species noted in various locations in the west of the county include the much watched Baird’s Sandpiper (top right, photo Steve Rogers), Buff-breasted Sandpiper, a Barred Warbler at Polgigga and Woodchat Shrike. Also recorded are Wryneck, both Tawny and Rich- ard’s Pipits, Rose-coloured Starling, Red Kite and Osprey (middle right, photo Nigel Climpson). The Lapland Bunting (bottom left, photo Paul Freestone) was showing well. An Ortolan Bunting was present at Rame during September too. Black-browed Albatross (bottom right) was one of the top finds of the early autumn, with 14 lucky people seeing one at close range off Porthgwarra. A new report in late September came from the Scillies, where one was seen following a fish- ing boat all day. This has proved to be a different bird to the Porthgwarra one. Happy autumn birding! New CBWPS field meet- Palores - in digital form From now on every issue of Palores will be ings coordinator is needed available in PDF format on the society’s Colin Selway has decided to step down from website www.cbwps.org.uk. the role of coordinator of our field meetings, If any members would prefer to meaning we need someone to take over this access Palores in this way and not receive a important but not especially onerous role. printed copy, would they please let Angela The role involves talking to potential Tonry, membership secretary, know. By bird walk leaders and coordinating the four stopping your print copy you will be helping seasonal timetables with the local RSPB to save us print and postage costs, though group and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. you are perfectly entitled to continue to There are some 80 field meetings receive your printed version if you prefer. every year and they are an excellent and Whinchat by Steve Rogers enjoyable way for beginners and more ex- perienced birders alike to get out and about CONTENTS in Cornwall to watch birds. Your views on the future Chairman’s Anyone interested in helping out of CBWPS are requested Chat - p 3 with this should contact Cornwall Birds Chairman Derek Julian or Secretary Tony Every four years your committee and IMPORTANT Bertenshaw for more information. Their reserve wardens meet to consider and information contact details can be found on page 2 of this agree a development plan for the next - p 3 issue of Palores. four years. Our current plan is now coming to Bird Report: an end and the committee and wardens Peggy Visick (93) has died will spend a whole day in November re- Summer Peggy Visick, one of the Society’s longest- viewing our policies and possible future - p 4 and 5 standing members, died peacefully at home Jay (Brian McGeough) activities, and considering strategic issues Dipper (Adrian Langdon on 5th September at the age of 93. An obitu- in more depth than is possible at our bi- Reserve news ary will appear in the next edition of Palores. monthly committee meetings. - p 6 and 7 Peggy joined Cornwall Birds in As part of that process, the com- 1948, was elected to the committee in 1953 mittee believes it is important to seek the Kingfishers and was Chair for 14 years from 1972 to views of our members on any aspect of - p 8 and 9 1986. She worked tirelessly for the Society the Society's activities and future strategy, and will be sadly missed. and so your input would be most wel- Field meet- Cornwall Birds members will all come. If you would like to make your wish to send their heartfelt condolences to views known, please contact the Secretary ings: Autumn Peggy’s family. whose details appear on page 2. - p 10 and 11

Committee and Officers Palores - October 2009 indful of the society’s all too finite finances, this issue of Palores is 12 pages President: Steve Madge Seawinds, Lower Trerive, Downderry, , rather than the usual (and preferable) 16. The smaller issue saves us quite a M PL11 3LZ (01503 250432) bit on print and postage. More savings can be made if members with internet access elect to access their copies of Palores via our website in pdf format. That won’t be Chairman: Derek Julian for everyone of course and there is no pressure to give up your printed copy. 12, Dunveth Road, , It is a pity not to have more space - principally so that we can showcase the PL27 7XD. (01208 816779) many wonderful photographs taken by some of our [email protected] members. Please remember to enter the photographic competition before the end of the year if you have good Vice Chairman: Bruce Taggart enough pictures. Primrose Bank, Radford Lane, Millbrook, PL10 1AH I make no apology for showing again the King- (01752 829163) [email protected] fisher photograph on page 8. It deserves more space than it got last time and I think you’ll agree that all of Honorary Secretary: Tony Bertenshaw Adrian Langdon’s pictures of these mesmerising birds Hantergantick, St. Breward, PL30 4NH Wheatear by Andy Pay are worth showing in all their glory. (01208 850419) [email protected] The Greenshank story on page 5 is thrilling too. We all know birds travel great distances but it’s still amazing to be confronted by Hon Treasurer: Tony Jones the proof, the photographic evidence, that these wild creatures cover such immense “Lansdowne”, Southdown Road, Millbrook mileages. Torpoint PL10 1EJ (01752 822694) Finally, and at the risk of overstating the point, please heed the request to [email protected] fill in the forms that you should find in this copy of the newsletter. The rather con- spicuous article on the page opposite explains all. It really will help our hard- Membership Secretary: Angela Tonry working Treasurer get a firm grip on our finances and membership details. So 20 The Copse, Boscoppa, PL25 3EU thanks in advance for completing this very necessary bit of homework. [email protected]

County Recorder: Darrell Clegg Cornwall Birds 55 Lower Fore Street, , PL12 6JQ (01752 844775) [email protected] The Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society Editor, Birds in Cornwall: Derek Julian 12, Dunveth Road, Wadebridge, PL27 7XD. (01208 816779) [email protected]

Website administrator: Nigel Climpson [email protected]

Registered Charity No 255899 Editor, Palores: Simon Marquis St Breock Place, Wadebridge, PL27 7JS Cornwall Birds (as the CBWPS) was founded in 1931 to encourage the study (07711 883876) [email protected] and preservation of birds in Cornwall. The Society has over 750 members. It owns 3 reserves and manages jointly several others. The Society organises Field Meetings Officer: vacant weekly bird-watching field trips (some jointly with the RSPB local members group). Palores (its colour newsletter for members) is published quarterly. Conservation Officer: Tony Blunden Every year the Society also publishes its authoritative annual record - Birds [email protected] in Cornwall - sent to all members. Committee members: 2010 Subscriptions: Adult £14 Rosemary Parslow, Colin Selway Family £18 Kester Wilson Senior Citizen £11

Senior Family £13 Reserve Wardens: Life member £200 [email protected] Adrian Langdon [email protected] Graham Sutton Subscriptions for 2010 are due by 1st January 2010 . [email protected] Andy Pay [email protected] Dave Conway Gift Aid saves the Society £1,500 a year. Please pay - if you can - by Gift Aid. [email protected] Dave Parker [email protected] Simon Taylor Membership: to join Cornwall Birds, please call, email or write to Sara McMahon, Membership Secretary, 72 Underwood Road, Plympton, PL7 1SZ,