The Newsletter of Cornwall Birds (CBWPS) No 32 - Summer 2009 Golden Eagle seen at Stithians is Cornwall’s first record since 1810 What is certain is that the huge bird seen by Angela Tonry at Stithians in April this year was a Golden Eagle (see her picture, left). What is less certain at this stage is whether or 30 bedroom ‘eco-lodge’ at not it was a wild bird. Hayle may open late 2010 Although private collections of birds of prey have said they know of no escapees, The computer-generated picture (above) some doubt remains as to whether this young shows what a planned eco-lodge overlook- bird was indeed a wild eagle a long way from ing the Hayle estuary could look like. home. The building will have stunning Angela takes up her story: “I noticed views across the estuary and each room will a soaring bird of prey above to the right of be equipped with binoculars and scope. The The Buzzard mobbing the Golden Eagle me. I then noticed a smaller bird of prey - a lodge will feature a café and restaurant and shows their relative sizes. (Angela Tonry) Buzzard - heading towards it. I watched for a visitor centre for birdwatchers. moment or two and noticed more Buzzards, a Work to clear the site has, ironically, total of five, all mobbing the bigger bird. The bird was considerably larger in size than the had to be halted because of the disturbance Buzzards, and I remember thinking how long the fingers were on the wing tips, especially caused to nesting Swallows! It is hoped to in comparison to the Buzzards.” Let’s hope the record is finally authenticated. recommence after the breeding season. Cornwall Wildlife Trust Tony Jones is new CBWPS New committee members summer events schedule Honorary Treasurer On page 3 you will see the new faces help- ing Cornwall Birds by taking on new roles Apart from the bird-oriented field meetings Tony introduces himself to members in his on the committee. organised by Cornwall Birds and the local own words: Our Society cannot function without RSPB group, our “I am told that my grey hair and a group of committed volunteers doing their friends at the florid complexion are quite distinctive, and bit - and we need more. We are looking for CWT also have a I suspect that I am known to many of you, several new committee members, so contact great programme by sight at least, either by meeting on one Tony Bertenshaw if you are interested and of wildlife events of Bruce’s river trips, at the AGM or gener- would like to know what it entails. through the sum- ally rambling about the Rame Peninsula. It is not very burdensome, but is mer months. I have always had an interest in interesting and fulfilling. Please consider it. These wildlife and, before running away to sea at include butterfly 16, had always wanted to be a game- Dormouse walks, boat trips keeper. Although a bit long in the tooth to CONTENTS to see marine rekindle the ambition for the latter, I have Chairman’s wildlife, bat meetings, close encounters with been able to revive my interest in nature, Chat - p 3 dormice, rockpool rambles for children and and birds in particular, on my retirement wildlife in churchyards. from the RN and a subsequent job working Bird Report: For more detail on what’s on offer on behalf of Spring from the CWT see their excellent website the MoD for - p 4 and 5 www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk. the Sea Ca- det Corps, a Reserve news little over £20,000 Maer Lake gift two years - p 6 and 7 A very generous member has donated the ago. handsome sum of £20,000 towards the Maer I have been a Peregrine at Rame Head Bird records Lake appeal. member of by Tony Jones. Below: made easy The donor wishes to remain anony- the National Trust and the RSPB for many Grey seal enjoying a fish - p 8 mous but the society will be forever grateful years, and I joined CBWPS, Cornwall supper at Padstow by to them for their wonderful contribution. It Wildlife Trust and the Caradon Field and Andy and Shirley Park Field meet- effectively means that our appeal target is Natural History Club soon after moving ings: Summer reached in one go. Nevertheless, other kind back to Cornwall from Scotland in 2007, - p 10 and 11 members have topped that figure up by well when I settled in Millbrook. In addition to over £3,000. my passion for nature, I serve as under- As Graham Sutton reports on p 7, the gardener to my wife Diana and have started Robin story acquisition is still not done...fingers crossed! to get into photography.” - p 12 Committee and Officers Palores - July 2009 President: Steve Madge ne of my absolute favourite birds nests every year in the creeper on the wall of Seawinds, Lower Trerive, Downderry, Torpoint, O our house. I love to see it when it returns, later than many summer visitors, PL11 3LZ (01503 250432) and perches on the telephone wires prior to rebuilding in more or less the same spot as last year. Its quiet comings and goings and its watchful presence are fascinating Chairman: Derek Julian to me, but not once did I ever think of submitting the bird as a record. 12, Dunveth Road, Wadebridge, My Spotted Flycatchers, I now realise, are one of Corn- PL27 7XD. (01208 816779) wall’s rather less common birds and certainly one of its [email protected] least well-recorded as a breeding bird. I really should submit them as a record… Vice Chairman: Bruce Taggart But how? Like many bird enthusiasts, I just Primrose Bank, Radford Lane, Millbrook, PL10 1AH didn’t know whether it was important, how to do it, (01752 829163) [email protected] when to do it. I was, if I’m honest, a bit scared about sending in any records. So I asked Darrell Clegg, our Honorary Secretary: Tony Bertenshaw Spotted Flycatcher knowledgeable county recorder, and he told me he’d Hantergantick, St. Breward, PL30 4NH (01208 850419) [email protected] love to have records of familiar as well as rare birds - the object of compiling records being to build a picture of all the birdlife of Corn- Hon Treasurer: Tony Jones wall each and every year. “Lansdowne”, Southdown Road, Millbrook So, I’m going to record all the birds in my garden and immediate locality Torpoint PL10 1EJ and submit them to Darrell so that even my humble observations can become part (01752 822694) of the jigsaw that is as complete a picture of our county’s birdlife as we can man- [email protected] age. On page 8 of this Palores, Darrell explains how easy it is to record the birds Membership Secretary: Angela Tonry you see. Please read how to do it - and then give it a go. It really is very satisfying 20 The Copse, Boscoppa, St Austell PL25 3EU to help and it increases the pleasure of one’s interest in birds. Simon Marquis [email protected] County Recorder: Darrell Clegg Cornwall Birds 55 Lower Fore Street, Saltash, 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: Colin Selway 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: 2009 Subscriptions: Adult £14 Rosemary Parslow, Kester Wilson Family £18 Senior Citizen £11 Reserve Wardens: Senior Family £13 [email protected] Adrian Langdon Life member £200 [email protected] Graham Sutton [email protected] Andy Pay Subscriptions for 2010 are due by 1st January 2010 . [email protected] Dave Conway [email protected] Dave Parker Gift Aid saves the Society £1,500 a year. Please pay - if you can - by Gift Aid. [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, Honorary Solicitor: Greg Adams (01752-242823), e-mail: [email protected]. 2 Wendron Street, Helston TR13 8PS Palores is published four times a year - January, April, July and October. Independent Examiner: Mrs J E Cox FCA Advertising rates: Full colour page £100, Half page £50. Whitakers (Chartered Accountants) Small ads and notices are free to members: contact the Editor. Bryndon House, 5 Berry Road, Newquay TR7 1AD Design and typesetting by the Editor. (01637-873838) Printed by R. Booth Ltd, The Praze, Commercial Road, Penryn, TR10 8AA Distribution by Envelope Supplies, Holsworthy, Devon. 2 So in my first communication I implore you to stand up and be Chairman’s Chat counted. We need a minimum of three new members to join the ranks of the committee and help in making our small society would like to start my first article as Chair- stronger.