Field meetings

Field meetings... Reports on Field meetings

Field meetings are largely organised jointly by the RSPB Cornwall Local Group and Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society.

Walk leaders have kindly given their telephone numbers with each walk.
However before contacting them would you first please check the Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society website www.cbwps.org.uk or the RSPB local group website www.rspbcornwall.org.uk for the latest information. Every effort will be made to keep the websites updated with cancellations, changes in venue or route, additional walks or any access problems.

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:

Camel Trail Nature Walks. Duration approximately 4 hours. These walks cover Flora and Fauna as well as birds and take place every Wednesday through October, November and December 2011 Walks start at 10am and will be led by Bernard Ide, Paul Whittick and Jack Humphrey. Meet outside Countrywise, Eddystone Road, Wadebridge. Phone Countrywise on 01208 812423 to check that walk is on. Map ref: SW989725

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Sunday 1st. January 10am to 1pm. Contact: Dave Thomas (01726-861093) after 7pm
New Years Day Birdwatch. River Camel. Begin the New Year with a mornings walk along the Camel trail looking for wintering Waders, Ducks, Geese and Divers. Bring warm clothing, telescope and binoculars.
A joint meeting with CBWPS and CWT Restormel and Camel branch. All are welcome and ideal for beginners but no dogs thank you.
Meet at Old Town car park. Please drive slowly down the narrow track.
Map ref: SW 939 739

Sunday 8th January 1:30pm Leader Andy Bond (0840 212639)
Crowdy resevoir an afternoon walk to find Wildfowl Raptors especially roosting Hen Harriers and possibly Short Eared Owl. Meet at Crowdy reservoir car park.
Map ref: SX138 834

January 14th 10am to 3pm. Contact: Dave Thomas 01726 861093 after 7pm
Joint CBWPS/CWT Work Party. Breney Common Nature Reserve.
Come along and help with our shrub and vegetation clearance. Please bring protective clothes, gloves, cutting tools, picnic and your friends. Meet at Gunwen Chapel car park at Lowertown village.
Map Ref: SX053 613.

Sunday 15th January 9:30am Leader: Gordon Mills (01209 718144)
Tehidy woods and Basset Cove. A morning walk along the coast and the woods looking for local bird life. Good footwear essential. Meet Tehidy, North cliffs car park, on the Portreath to Hayle coast road.
Map Ref: SW642 436

Thursday 19th January 1pm Leader: Pat Farmer (01209 718648)
Tresillian River St.Clements. An Afternoon walk along the river looking for Waders Ducks and Gulls. Path can be muddy so good footwear recommended. Particularly good for newcomers to bird watching. Meet at St.Clements car park.
Map Ref: SW852 439

Saturday 28th. January 2012, 10am - 3.45pm CORNWALL BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING/CONFERENCE
Will be held at St Erme Community Centre, situated at Castle Field, Trispen, Truro, TR4 9BD near the A39 about halfway between the A30 and Truro (take the Trispen turn off). This newly built venue will seat 150 people, has full disabled access and ample free parking.

Pasties, tea and coffee will be available at reasonable rates. Alternatively, you are welcome to bring a packed lunch if you prefer. There will be a raffle, sales & information stands and a full day of interesting speakers:

Don't miss ‘The Ramblings of an Old Entomologist’ a talk by Barry Ofield,
Or ‘The Need for Reserves’ a talk by John Davis, Head of Reserves, Butterfly Conservation
Or perhaps ‘The Rare Moths of Cornwall - The Need for Conservation’ a talk by Adrian Spalding
And last of all ‘The Butterflies of Spain ‘ a talk by Paul Browning

Non-members will be made very welcome and there is NO ENTRY CHARGE.

For further details please ring Keith Wilson on 01209 860298 or membership@cornwall-butterfly-conservation.org.uk

Sunday January 29th 9am Leader Viv Stratton (01736 796487)
Hayle Estuary. A morning walk around the area looking for gulls waders and migrant birds. Meet at Ryan’s field car park.
Map ref: SW549362

January 29th 10am to 1pm. Leader Contact Sid Cole (01726 871471) CWT
Winter Birdwatch. Point near Feock
A morning walk along Restronguet Creek with local bird expert Sid Cole looking for wintering waders, ducks and geese. Bring warm clothing, telescope and binoculars. No dogs thank you.
Meet at Old Tram Rd. Point.
Map Ref: SW810 386

February 8th Contact Dave Thomas after 7pm on 01726-861093 CWT
Talk. SHETLAND THROUGH THE LENS. by Peter King St Blazey Football Club, Station Rd. St Blazey near St Austell
An illustrated talk by Peter King. Peter and his wife Brenda have travelled throughout Scotland on their wildlife trips. This year they spent a month on the remote Shetland Isles photographing the spectacular wildlife here. Collection taken. Full Bar and parking facilities. Wheelchair access. All are welcome. .
Map Ref: SX071 546.

February 11th 10am to 3pm. Work Party. Contact Dave Thomas after 7pm on 01726-861093. CWT
Breney Common Nature Reserve. Once again we need your help for shrub and vegetation clearance. Please bring protective clothes, gloves, cutting tools, picnic and your friends. Meet at Gunwen Chapel car park at Lowertown village.
Map Ref: SX053 613.

Thursday 16th February 1pm Leader: Pat Farmer (01209 718648)
Tresillian River, St.Clements. An Afternoon walk along the river looking for, Waders Ducks and Gulls. Path can be muddy so good footwear recommended. Particularly good for newcomers to bird watching. Meet at St.Clements car park.
Map Ref: SW852 439

Sunday February 19th 9am Leader: Viv Stratton (01736 796487)
Marazion beach and reserve. A morning walk looking for waders gulls and wintering birds. Meet atFollys field car park (1st on right by phone box) approaching from Long Rock Map ref: SW5113 309

February 23rd. Contact Dave Thomas 01726 861093 After 7pm. CWT
Cornwall Dragonfly Group meeting. CWT Headquarters Allet, Nr Truro TR4 9DJ. Steve Jones, Cornwall Dragonfly recorder, will be talking about and showing maps of Cornwall’s dragonfly breeding sites. For those who are interested in dragonflies and recording in Cornwall please come along. Free parking and wheelchair access. Collection taken. All welcome.
Map Ref: SW794 486.

Sunday February 26th 9:30am Leader: Gordon Mills (01209 718144)
St Erth to Hayle estuary. A morning walk along the river towards the estuary. Meet in the car park opposite the Church. Map ref: SW549 351

Sunday March 4th 9:30 Leader: Gordon Mills (01209 718144)
Loe pool, coastal and woodland walk. A morning walk to the coast and back through Penrose woods. Bring refreshments. Meet in Penrose walks NT car park just off the B3304 Helston to Porthleven Road. Map ref: SW639 258

March 7th 7.30pm Contact Dave Thomas 01726 861093 After 6pm CWT
MEMBERS EVENING. Griffin Hotel, Cliff Rd, Newquay.
An informal evening for all our members and friends to come along and show your photographs and slides of the wildlife you have seen at home and abroad. We have a digital projector to show your digital photos so bring then on a memory stick or CD.
Griffin Hotel, Cliff Rd, Newquay. Meet downstairs, Wheelchair access. Full bar and parking facilities available. All welcome.

March 14th 7.30pm. Contact Dave Thomas after 7pm on 01726-861093. CWT
THE GROUSE LEKS OF COLORADO. St Blazey Football Club, Station Rd. St Blazey near St Austell
An illustrated talk by Steve Bulford. From the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains, grouse leks (mating grounds) are spellbinding, yet at times amusing. The grouse leks are some of the most incredible display rituals in the bird world; each species has its own unique and bizarre performances, which involve ritualised dancing, curious vocalisations and extraordinary postures. Join us for a wildlife photographic (and some video) talk about Steve’s trip to view these diverse mating displays - with lots of other birds and wildlife along the way.
Collection taken. Full Bar and parking facilities. Wheelchair access. All are welcome.
Map Ref: SX071 546

Sunday March 18th 9am Leader: Viv Stratton (01736 796487)
St Erth River. A morning walk along the river to look for resident and any early migrant birds. Meet in car park opposite Church
Map Ref: SW549 351

Thursday 22nd March 1pm Leader: Pat Farmer (01209 718648)
Tresillian River, St.Clements. An Afternoon walk along the river looking for Waders Ducks and Gulls. Path can be muddy so good footwear recommended. Particularly good for newcomers to bird watching. Meet at St.Clements car park.
Map Ref: SW852 439

Sunday March 25th 9:30 Leader: Gordon Mills (01209 718144)
Lizard headland. A morning walk around the headland to include Heathland, Valleys and cliff paths looking for residents, early migrants, seabirds and Chough. Bring refreshments. Meet at Lizard Green car park.
Map ref: SW703 125

March 29th Contact Dave Thomas 01726 861093 After 7pm CWT
Cornwall Dragonfly Group meeting. CWT Headquarters Allet, Nr Truro TR4 9DJ. . Steve Jones, Cornwall Dragonfly recorder, will be talking and showing maps of Cornwall’s dragonflies. For those who are interested in dragonflies and recording in Cornwall please come along we have a digital projector so bring 5 of your photos on a USB memory stick or on a CD. Free parking and wheelchair access. Collection taken.
All welcome.
Map Ref: SW794 486

Camel Trail Nature Walks. Duration approximately 4 hours. These walks cover Flora and Faunas well as birds and take place every Wednesday through October, November and December 2011 Walks start at 10am and will be led by Bernard Ide, Paul Whittick and Jack Humphrey. Meet outside .Countrywise, Eddystone Road, Wadebridge. Phone Countrywise on 01208 812423 to check that walk is on. Map ref: SW989725

PLEASE NOTE
Walk leaders have given their telephone numbers with each walk. However before
contacting them, would you please check the relevent websites.
RSPB (www.rspb.org.uk/groups/cornwall) and CBWPS (www.cbwps.org.uk)
CWT (WWW.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk) for the latest information. Every effort will be made to keep the websites updated with cancellations, changes in venue or route or any access problems.

Tuesday 3rd January to Tuesday 24th April. 10 am-5 pm.
Tuesday Work Parties on RSPB Marazion Marsh nature reserve
Every Tuesday 10 am-5 pm at Marazion Marsh
* cutting reeds and willow in the winter months
* maintaining the site in summer
Physically fit? Here is your chance to help us carry out habitat management, vital for wildlife. Price: Free.
Marazion Marsh protects the largest reed bed in Cornwall, together with other wetland features, willow scrub and grassland. It is an important wintering site for bitterns and a regular stopover for the globally threatened aquatic warbler. Other wetland birds include grey herons, waterfowl and warblers.
The RSPB is managing the reserve for its wildlife, and to produce a more mature wetland ecosystem. We are also developing the reserve for visitors and to benefit the local economy.
Directions: Marazion Marsh is 3.2 km/2 miles east of Penzance and is on the outskirts of Marazion town. ***BY ROAD: Take the A30. Marazion turn-offs well signed. ***BY BUS: First Group buses to/from Penzance bus terminus (beside Penzance Railway Station). ***BY TRAIN: Penzance Station is the nearest (First Great Western and Virgin Cross Country services).

Sunday 8th January to Sunday 8th April. 10 am-1 pm.
RSPB Hayle Estuary nature reserve. Sunday Litter-picking Work Party

All welcome! Second Sunday of each month, 10 am to 1 pm - we remove rubbish from two key areas of our Hayle Estuary nature reserve (contact reserve for exact location).
Up to 18,000 migrant and wintering waterfowl flock to the Hayle estuary – especially during severe weather, when conditions here may be milder than elsewhere in the UK. But the reserve is under severe pressure from urban development and recreational activities. The RSPB is helping to safeguard the site as a refuge for birds and for its wider biodiversity.
Not only is litter unsightly but it can do a great deal of harm. Large number of birds and other wildlife die around the UK each year as a result of entanglement in rubbish, including plastics or from plastic ingestion.
These regular volunteer clean up events certainly help to reduce the amount of litter on the estuary. Price: Free
Directions
RSPB Hayle Estuary nature reserve (contact reserve office for exact work party meeting point)
Further information and full details visit www.rspb.org.uk/events/hands on activities

Sunday 1 April to Sunday 3 June 10 am-5 pm
Nesting choughs on The Lizard
Come to the Chough Watch point and see wild choughs nesting at Britain’s most southerly point.
2011 was a record year for the Cornish choughs, with 4 pairs successfully raising 15 young, making a total of 70 young raised in Cornwall since their historic and natural return in 2001. This year will be the 11th year the choughs have nested at Southerly Point.
The Chough Watch point is open daily 10 am to 5 pm from Sunday 1 April until the young fledge in early June. Price: Free
Our binoculars and telescope allow great close-up views of these Cornish crows as they fly to and from their nesting cave. Our friendly wardens can show you other wildlife in the area too, including seabirds and grey seals.
It may be necessary to close the Watch point in bad weather and during periods of low tide if wardens need to protect the nest from disturbance.
If the watch point is closed, a notice board will detail the latest chough information.
The Cornwall Chough Project, a partnership between the RSPB, the National Trust and Natural England, works with local farmers, communities and volunteers to:
• secure more suitable habitat in the county where choughs can thrive,
• protect nests from disturbance and monitor the growing chough population,
• promote awareness of the importance of managed coastal habitats for wildlife.
The Cornwall Chough Project will be holding a series of events in Cornwall throughout 2012. For more information please visit our website: www.cornishchoughs.org

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Join Bruce Taggart for a series of three hour cruises on the beautiful Rivers Tamar and Lynher, commencing November and running right through until March.   It is hoped to see Little Egret, Shelduck, Wigeon and other wintering wildfowl, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit and of course the stunning Avocets and maybe even a Spoonbill. Click here for full details.

                                        Cremyll Quay          Saltash Town Quay

Thursday 10^th November 10.45am                11.15am

Saturday 10^th December   10.45am                11.15am

Sunday 19^th February         09.30am                10.00am

Adults £15.00 Children £7.00

Tickets from       Bruce Taggart     ( 01752 829163

email   tamarwildlife@btinternet.com

www. tamarwildlife.co.uk

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Hen Harrier Meeting at Men-an-Tol 20th Feb 2011

19 hardy (or should that be foolhardy) birdwatchers turned out from as far afield as Essex for the CBWPS field meeting at Men-an-Tol on the afternoon of 20th February 2011, despite the strong wind and driving rain. However fortune favours the brave as against all the odds a ring-tail Hen Harrier was seen well by all, as it sailed past at close quarters in a brief respite in the weather. Eventually the visibility closed in to such an extent that it was decided to call it a day earlier than scheduled. The only other birds seen were Pheasant, Herring Gull, Meadow Pipit, Fieldfare, Starling and Carrion Crow. Many thanks to J Swann (the other core observer for the BTO hen harrier roost survey) for helping out in such appalling conditions.

D Parker

This website would like to publish any reports from other field meetings. So get your thinking caps on and mail them to the webmaster

    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)