Field meetings

Field meetings...

Field meetings are largely organised jointly by the RSPB Cornwall Local Group and Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society. For general queries, please phone either Mike Lord (RSPB CLG) (01326-290981) or the individual leaders for specific walks.

They are organised most weekends and are deservedly popular with members. Beginners to bird-watching are always most welcome.

There are important responsibilities laid upon us to ensure your safety whilst at events organised by the CBWPS.

Sea-watching at Zennor Head

Please take a little time to read the following points before joining your favourite meeting:

• Wear stout footwear and appropriate to the terrain.
• Wear appropriate clothing ‑ protect yourself in particular against wind, sun, rain and thorns.
• Consider precautions against bites, ticks and plants i.e. nettles.
• Bring sun cream and suitable clothing to protect against sunburn.
• Dogs must be kept on a lead, and seek permission to bring a dog.
• Listen to instructions given by the trip leader.
• Beware of swing back or whip lashing branches and rabbit holes.
• Carry drink/fluid if away from car for several hours.
• Inform the leader if you leave early.
• Observe the Countryside Code at all times.

Site specific hazards will be outlined by the leader of the field meeting prior to the trip starting.

Field meeting at Windmill Farm

Peregrine and Little Egret - two species often seen on CBWPS field meetings.

A schedule of forthcoming meetings appears below:

Pentire and Rumps Walks will continue this year on every Tuesday in July and August. We meet at 10.00am at Pentire Farm Map ref: SW 936 803 Walks last for about four hours. Contact Bernard Ide (01208 815621).

Sunday 25th May 0930am                                                                Leader Eric James (01326 573225)

Hell's Mouth A morning walk on the cliffs looking for breeding auks, etc. Meet in the layby at Hells Mouth. Map Ref SW 604 428

Saturday 31st May 0930am                                                                     Leader Mike Lord (01326 290981)

The Lizard A morning walk around the cliffs and valleys looking for birds in land and sea, including the Choughs.   Meet at the village green. Map Ref SW 703 125

Saturday 14th June 0900am                                                Leader Viv Stratton (01736 796487)                   St. Erth A walk around the valley looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the St. Erth Church car-park. Map Ref: SW 549 351

Wednesday 9^th July 6.15pm                                                    Leader Gordon Mills   (01209 718144 evenings)

St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable).Map ref: SW 584 422

Saturday 12^th July 9.30am                                                              Leader Mike Lord (01326 290981)Goonhilly Downs. A morning walk on the downs looking for moorland birds. Meet at the Earth Station car park.Map ref: SW 736 206

Wednesday 16^th July 6.15pm                                                Leader Gordon Mills   (01209 718144 evenings) St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable).Map ref: SW 584 422

Sunday 20^th July 9.15am                                                       Leader Gordon Mills   (01209 718144 evenings) Drift Reservoir. A morning walk around the reserve looking for gulls, waders and ducks. Meet at the reservoir car park.Map ref: SW 436 288

Sunday 20^th July 9.00am                                                            Leader Simon Taylor (01209 614857)Stithians Reservoir. A walk around the reservoir looking for resident birds and waterfowl along with summer migrants and, hopefully, a rarity or two. This is a new walk which may extend into the afternoon so packed lunch advisable. Meet at the eastern dam car park (not the Golden Lion). Take the only turning between Goonlaze and Hendra, this takes you to the car park. Map ref: SW 714 364

                                                                Report on the above meeting:

Upon arrival at the Dam at 08.45 I was greeted by a totally empty car park. Thinking that becoming a Walk Leader may not have been such a good idea after all, i scanned the rocky foreshore. Grey Wagtail bobbing about on the waters edge was a good start, followed by 6+ Swallow's and a Buzzard. People started to arrive and by the 9am start time numbers had swelled to 11. Among the participants was Simon Marquis making his first ever visit to Stithians. We set off from the dam heading for the Golden Lion cut off and the creeks further round. It wasn't long before a couple of cormorant flew in, with Buzzard putting an appearance in again. Little Egret was seen on the shoreline until it was flushed by a dogwalker. As the walk continued very quick views of 2 House Martin were had, with the white rump being a giveaway in this briefest of views. A few minutes later Simon located one of the Black Swans that have been present for a few weeks and as people were observing the Swan  two eagle eyed birders saw something fly onto the far bank. A quick scan with the scopes found 7 Common Sandpiper which just happened to be my first of that species for Stithians. Sedge Warbler and Little Grebe were encountered soon after. As the group stood and watched a flock of feeding Swallow i pointed out the first Swift of the day. As we were watching this fine bird Simon Marquis came up trumps again by finding not only the first Peregrine of the day, but the first reported one for the year. It was high up, very high up, with sight being lost as it crossed the sun. It was re-located and shortly afterwards angled its wings back and plummeted down at a tremendous speed. Once again it was lost to view this time behind the trees possibly going for the feeding Swallow's. Once again it was re-located as it started to gain height  and this time it passed overhead giving fantastic views for everyone. It was down the lane by the houses that we had our first Willow Warbler. Very little on the Golden Lion cut off so it was off through the Watersports centre and off to the creeks. A very young Song Thrush came out of the scrub and crossed the path quickly and frightened. Totally unexpected it made jump out of my skin  and was nearly trod on by one lady who also nearly had a heart-attack with me. As we were on the boardwalk area a pair of Bullfinch flew past with the first Whitethroat being seen singing on top of some gorse. The second creek gave us good birds with an adult GC Grebe with chick and the Scaup that's been present for around a month. In all it was a very enjoyable walk with 42 species being counted. Unfortunatly AUG 9TH walk has had to be cancelled due to work commitments but the September walk is likely to be a full day and full circuit subject to weather. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the participants for making the walk an enjoyable success.

Simon Taylor..

Wednesday 23^rd July 6.15pm                                                 Leader Gordon Mills (01209 718144 evenings)

St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422

Saturday 26^th July 4.00pm                                                                          Leader Steve Madge

St John's Lake, Torpoint. A meeting along the Torpoint foreshore of St John's Lake to count the moult gathering of Mediterranean gulls that assemble there in late summer. Also to check for terns and early passage waders. Meet towards the central part of Chapeldown Road. Map ref: SX 434 546

Sunday 27^th July 9.00am                                                                Leader Viv Stratton (01736 796487)

Hayle Estuary. A morning walk looking for early passage waders and terns. Meet at the Eric Grace Hide, Ryan's Field. Map ref: SW 549 362

Sunday 3^rd August 9.00am                                                              Leader Viv Stratton (01736 796487)

Porthgwarra. An all day walk looking for migrant birds and maybe some sea watching. Bring a packed lunch. Meet in the car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 371 218

Wednesday 6^th August 6.15pm                                             Leader Gordon Mills (01209 718144 evenings)St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422

Saturday 9th August 9.00am (NB was Sunday 24th)  CANCELLED    Leader Simon Taylor (01209 614857)

Stithians Reservoir. A walk around the reservoir looking for resident birds and waterfowl along with summer migrants and, hopefully, a rarity or two. This is a new walk which may extend into the afternoon so packed lunch advisable. Meet at the eastern dam car park (not the Golden Lion). Take the only turning between Goonlaze and Hendra, this takes you to the car park. Map ref: SW 714 364

Sunday 10^th August 9.15am                                                  Leader Gordon Mills (01209 718144 evenings)Godrevy Headland. A morning walk around the headland looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable) Map ref: SW 584 422

Sunday 17^th August 10.00am                                                          Cornwall Wildlife Trust

Goss Moor. A morning walk around this Natural England reserve, by CWT, to look for dragonflies, butterflies and birds. Meet at Lay-by on the old A30 Indian Queens to Bodmin road. Map ref: SW 934 599

Wednesday 20^th August 6.15pm                                           Leader Gordon Mills (01209 718144 evenings)St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422

Wednesday 27^th August 6.15pm                                            Leader Gordon Mills (01209 718144 evenings)St Gothian Sands Godrevy. An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422

Thursday 28^th August 2.00pm                                                         Cornwall C.C. (01872 323468)

St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. A history and nature walk around the reserve, led by Cornwall County Council, looking for birds and other wild life. Map ref: SW 586 415

Wednesday 3^rd September 6.15pm                                       Leader Gordon Mills (01209 718144 evenings)St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable) Map ref: SW 584 422

Wednesday 10th September 6.15pm                                     Leader Gordon Mills (01209 718144 evenings)

St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable) Map ref: SW 584 422

Saturday 13^th September 9.30am                                                    Leader Andy Pay (07971 815554)Windmill Farm, Lizard. A morning walk around the reserve, paths can be wet so wellingtons recommended. Meet at the Farm car park. Map ref: SW 694 152

Sunday 14^th September 9.15am                                            Leader Gordon Mills (01209 718144 evenings)

Loe Pool and Helston Boating Lake. A morning walk to the National Trust hide looking for woodland birds, gulls and wildfoul. Meet at Helston Amenity Area car park. Map ref: SW 654 269

Thursday 18^th September 1.00pm                                                   Leader Eric James (01326 573225)Tresillian/St Clements. An afternoon walk along the river bank looking for waders, ducks and gulls. Path can be muddy so strong footware recommended. High tide approximately 8.00pm. Meet at St Clements car park (can be restricted). Map ref: SW 852 439

Saturday 20^th September 9.00am                                                    Leader Steve Rowe (01637 875 788)Porth Joke. A morning walk around the area looking for migrant and resident birds. Turn off A3075 (Newquay road) to Crantock. Take first left between Crantock and West Pentire past Treago Farm and meet in NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 776 599

Sunday 21^st September 9.00am                                                      Leader Simon Taylor (01209 614857)Stithians Reservoir. A walk around the reservoir looking for resident birds and waterfowl along with summer migrants and, hopefully, a rarity or two. This is a new walk which may extend into the afternoon so packed lunch advisable. Meet at the eastern dam car park (not the Golden Lion). Take the only turning between Goonlaze and Hendra, this takes you to the car park. Map ref: SW 714 364

Saturday 27^th September 9.30am                                                    Leader Mike Lord (01326 290981)

The Lizard. A morning walk around the Lizard looking for resident and migrant birds including, hopefully, Choughs. Meet at Lizard Green car park (voluntary contribution). Map ref: SW 704 125

Sunday 28^th September 9.30am                                            Leader Gordon Mills (01209 718144 evenings)

Bude Marshes and Maer Lake. An all day walk, the Marshes in the morning and the Lake in the afternoon. Meet at the main town car park by the canal, bring a picnic lunch. Map ref: SS 206 065

Sunday 28^th September 10.00am                                                        Leader Roy Phillip (01736 351 793)Levant and Kenidjack. An all day coastal walk from the Levant car park to Kenidjack to look for resident birds and sea or land migrants depending on weather (126 species have been recorded here). Please bring packed lunch. This walk is not considered suitable for dogs. Turn off St Ives to St Just road (B3306) at Trewellard onto Levant Road, on road parking at the end on the road. Map ref: SW 368 342

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    We would like to increase the range of locations of meetings that we run. Do you have a bird-watching walk that you would like to share with others? If so, let us know. If you are hesitant about your identification skills we can usually arrange support. Please e-mail (click):

secretary

(Photos courtesy of Terry Hasdell and www.richardbedford.co.uk)

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