2016 February | Cornwall Bird Watching & Preservation Society

Monday 29th February 2016

Posted on 29/02/2016 by Tony Mills

Late news, 27/2, Trevilla: 2 Firecrest. (K Dalziel)

Late news, 27/2, Tresillian: 1 Peregrine over village. (A Nicholson)

Late news, 28/2, Feock: 1 Blackcap singing in garden. (K Dalziel)

Godrevy: 1 pale-bellied Brent Goose seen grazing on cliff near Godrevy lighthouse. (J.Baker)

Tresillian River on marsh between Tresemple and St Clement: 1 Yellow Browed Warbler, 2 Firecrest, 1 possible Siberian Chiffchaff (noticeably paler and greyer) amongst 20+ Chiffchaff, several Goldcrest, flock of Long Tailed Tit and 2 Raven over. Also on River: 1 Greenshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, plus Kingfisher at Tresemple Pool and 1 female Blackcap in Polsue Way, Tresillian. (A Nicholson)

Cleave Camp: 1 Black Redstart still and 2 Barn Owl. (N Bastin)

Black Redstart, Nigel Bastin

Barn Owls, Nigel Bastin

Rumps Head: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Gannet, 1 juv Mediterranean Gull, large numbers of Guillemot and Razorbill and 3 Harbour Porpoises. (W Delacour)

Treraven Meadow: 1 Kingfisher. (N.Greaves)

Bartinney Down: 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Canada Goose and c180 Golden Plover. (MJ Spicer)

Cape Cornwall: 1 White-billed Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver, 4 Red-throated Diver and c70 Common Dolphin. (N Wheatley)

Porthgwarra: 3 Black Redstart. (M Wallace)

St Ives: 1 m Black Redstart, 1 m Stonechat at NCI Lookout. 2 Great Northern Diver offshore.

Hayle Estuary RSPB Reserve, Ryan’s Field: 1 Spoonbill, f Goosander and 4 Snipe. Copperhouse Creek: 1 Water Pipit.

Helston, boating lake: 1 ad Whooper Swan.

Dozmary Pool: 1 ad m Lesser Scaup again.

Old Lizard Head: 1 White Wagtail.

Penzance: 1 ad Pacific Diver distantly. (R Wilkins, M Ahmad)

Saltash: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler still at start of China Fleet Club nature trail.

Falmouth, Florence Place: 2 Black Redstart, 2 Firecrest and 1 Blackcap. Town centre: 1 colour- ringed Herring Gull W 078, white letters on blue ring. (D Chaney)

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Sunday 28th February 2016

Posted on 28/02/2016 by Tony Mills

Guidelines for submissions, Bird news: We welcome submission of all bird news from anyone, CBWPS member or not. To make it easier to collate submissions we would ask you to follow the Guidelines for Submissions which can be found HERE

Late news, 27/2, St Ives, Porthmeor beach: 1 Red-throated Diver and 3 Great Northern Diver. (P St Pierre)

Cape Cornwall: 1 White-billed Diver again. (P Gay, N Wheatley) Also 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver and 25 Common Scoter flew south. (D. Eva, P St Pierre)

Charlestown: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. ( D Hastilow)

Trenow: 1 Black-throated Diver and 2 Chough. (R. Menari).

Lizard Village: 1 ad Rose-coloured Starling still in Cross Common area. (P&H Taylor)

Caerthillian: 40 Meadow Pipit and 4 Skylark. (P&H Taylor)

Windmill Farm: 60 Redwing, 1 Snipe, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 f Adder. (P&H Taylor)

Marazion Marsh RSPB Reserve: 1 Bittern and 2 Cetti’s Warbler singing (D.Eva) Also 4 Little Grebe, 50 Teal and c40 Curlew. (R Veal)

Bartinney Down: 2 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl and 3 Snipe. (I Webster, R Menari, T Mills) Also 1 Woodcock (I Webster, R Menari) and 1 Reed Bunting. (T Mills)

Short-eared Owl, Tony Mills

Short-eared Owl, Tony Mills

Saltash,China Fleet Club: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest and Goldcrests. (C Buckland)

Towan Head: 1 Black Redstart. (M Hall)

Newlyn harbour: 1 juv Glaucous Gull. (D Flumm)

Glaucous Gull, Dave Flumm

Glaucous Gull, Dave Flumm

Hayle Estuary RSPB Reserve, Lelant Saltings, high tide: 10 Grey Plover, 120 Dunlin, 2 ad Common Gull and c500 Lesser Black-backed Gull. (R Veal) Ryan’s Field: 1 immature Spoonbill, 6 Lapwing and 2f 1m Goosander. (R Veal) Carnsew Basin: 2 Shag (1ad 1juv), 4 Greenshank, 120 Dunlin (same birds as at high tide), 5 Rock Pipit, 3 Little Grebe and 4 Mediterranean Gull. (R Veal)

Land’s End: 1 Kestrel, 50 Fulmar and 100+ Gannet. (R Veal)

Marazion beach: 5 Meadow Pipit, 10 Rock Pipit, 30 Pied Wagtail, 1 2w Common Gull and 2 (1ad and 1 2w) Mediterranean Gull. (R Veal) Also 3 Great Northern Diver and 10+ Mediterranean Gull. (P St Pierre) Folly Fields CP: 1 Scandinavian Rock Pipit in sum plum. (P St Pierre)

Drift Reservoir (members only): 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 (m+f) Tufted Duck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Stonechat, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Greylag Goose, c200 Canada Geese and 2 mixed parentage geese. (T Mills)

Chiffchaff, Tony Mills

Goose, ‘Heinz 57’, Tony Mills

Perranuthnoe, Perran Sands: 1 Hudsonian Whimbrel reported again today.

St Ives: 1 m Black Redstart at the NCI Lookout and 2 Great Northern Diver offshore

Helston: 1 Whooper Swan again on the boating lake.

Siblyback Reservoir: 1 m Lesser Scaup and 1 redhead Smew.

Falmouth: 14 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Great Northern Diver and 1 Sandwich Tern from boat in Fal Estuary. (B Porter)

Tresemple Pool: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler still.

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Saturday 27th February 2016

Posted on 27/02/2016 by Tony Mills

Late news, 26/2, St Ives: 1 Firecrest in private garden. (M Rouncefield)

Cape Cornwall: 1 White-billed Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver and 1 Great Skua. (N Wheatley, D Parker, M Spicer, I Webster, T Mills)


White-billed Diver, Mike Spicer	White-billed Diver, Mike Spicer

Mousehole, Clement’s Isle: 1 1w American Herring Gull and 1 juv Kumlien’s Gull.

St Ives: 2 Siskin in private garden. (M Rouncefield)

Launceston, Egloskerry: 1 kite sp flying above the quarry. (C Harvey)

Feock: 3 pairs of Blackcap in garden on feeders and apples. (K Dalziel)

Truro: 1 m Siskin feeding on nyjer seed in my garden this morning. (D Jenkins)

Porthgwarra: c500 Gannet fishing offshore, 120 Golden Plover on moor, 3 Stonechat. (P&H Taylor)

St Gothian Sands LNR: 2 Shelduck, c60 Teal, 2m Pochard, 2 Coot and 2 Oystercatcher (MJ Spicer)

St Blazey: 1 f Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Dunnock, 2 Robins 2 Blackbird, 3 Long-tailed Tit. (B. Smith)

Blue Tit, Barry Smith

Blackcap, Barry Smith

Cardinham Woods: 2 Goldcrest, 1 Jay, c30 Long-tailed Tit (3 flocks) and 1 Kingfisher. (R Veal)

Men-an-Tol: c350 Golden Plover, 3 Stonechat, 2 Dartford Warbler. (P&H Taylor)

Marazion Marsh RSPB Reserve: 1 Marsh Harrier. (R Farnes) Also 2 singing Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Little Egret, 5 Mute Swan, 4 Canada Geese, Snipe, Teal and Heron. (T Mills)

Bartinney Down: 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 Barn Owl. (A James)

Barn Owl, Alan James

Barn Owl, Alan James

Short-eared Owl, Alan James

Towan Head: 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black Redstart and 7 Purple Sandpiper. (S Rowe)

Newlyn: 1 juv Glaucous Gull again in the harbour.

Hayle Estuary RSPB Reserve, Ryan’s Field: 1 imm Spoonbill and 1 f Goosander.

Colliford Lake: 1 Great Northern Diver. (D Britton)

Saltash: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 1 Firecrest at start of China Fleet Club nature trail.

Ponsanooth Sewage Works: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler.

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Friday 26th February 2016

Posted on 26/02/2016 by Tony Mills

Late news, 17/2, Helston: 1 Dipper just beyond the far wooden footbridge past the sewage works. (J Evans)

Newlyn, Sandy Cove: 1 juv Glaucous Gull. (P Smale)

Glaucous Gull, Perry Smale

Hayle Estuary RSPB Reserve, Ryan’s Field: 1 imm Spoonbill, 1 f Goosander, 1 Snipe and 1 m Bullfinch.

Breage: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler in private garden.

Mousehole, St Clement’s Isle: 1 Glaucous Gull at roost again this evening.

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Thursday 25th February 2016

Posted on 25/02/2016 by Tony Mills

Cape Cornwall: 1 White-billed Diver, 09:45-11:15, (N Wheatley), also 8 Red-throated Diver and 2 Great Northern Diver. (N Wheatley, C Moore, P Fraser, B Dodd, T Mills)

Looe rivers (estuary) high tide WeBS count: c120 Black-headed Gull, 1 Buzzard, 8 Canada Goose, 5 Common Sandpiper, 2 Cormorant, 10 Curlew, 20 Great Black-backed Gull, 9 Grey Heron (with at least 7 active nests), 1 Grey Wagtail, c70 Herring Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 11 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe, 22 Mallard, 1 Moorhen, 6 Mute Swan, 13 Oystercatcher, 5 Redshank and 6 Shelduck. (D Spooner) Also 2 Slavonian Grebe offshore with a large pod of dolphin, presumed Common Dolphin. (C Buckland)

Bude: 15 Oystercatcher, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 2 Goldfinches (H Wilkins)

St Gothian Sands LNR: 1 juv Iceland Gull. (T Mcgowan) Also 1 juv Glaucous Gull reported.

Marazion Marsh RSPB Reserve: 8 Canada Goose, 2 Greylag Goose and 19 Curlew. (A James)

Canada Geese, Alan James

Curlew, Alan James

Helston, Loe Pool: 5 Goosander. Loe Bar (offshore): 1 Balearic Shearwater, 36 Diver spp. (most too distant to ID, but at least 5 Red-throated and 8 Black-throated). (I Maclean)

Charlestown: 1 f Blackcap. ( D Hastilow)

Millbrook Lake: 3 Red-breasted Merganser. (R Napp)

Red-breasted Merganser, Rick Napp.

College Reservoir: 2 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 4 Mallard, 11 Tufted Duck, 1 f Goldeneye, 2 Great Crested Grebe (displaying), 2 Grey Heron, 12 Coot, 1 Woodcock, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Tit, c7 Chiffchaff (1 singing) and 2 Jay. (DK Parker)

Helston: 1 ad Whooper Swan on the boating pool, also 2w Mediterranean Gull and 21 Tufted Duck. (DK Parker)

Botallack: 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Chough and numerous Porpoise. (DK Parker, T Mills, B Dodd)

Bartinney: 3 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail, 1 Snipe, 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Stonechat and 7+ Reed Bunting. (DK Parker)

Penzance: 1 Pacific Diver and 1 Slavonian Grebe off Jubilee Pool. (C Lamsdell) Also 1 Firecrest in Morrab gardens. (T Mills)

Saltash: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 1 Firecrest at start of China Fleet Club nature trail.

St Clements, near Tresemple Pool: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler still and 2 Firecrest.

Hayle Estuary RSPB Reserve, Copperhouse Creek: 1 Water Pipit again. Estuary: 1 Spoonbill still.

Nanquidno Valley, Boscregan Farm: 10 Woodlark again.

Newlyn harbour: 1 juv Glaucous Gull.

Stithians Reservoir: 1 Slavonian Grebe.

Carrick Roads from Loe Beach: 4 Black-necked Grebe still.

Lizard village: 1 ad Rose-coloured Starling still.

Pensilva: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler in private garden. (D Julian)

Falmouth: 1 Firecrest at Golden Bank in holly tree on bottom path of Swans Reach.

Ponsanooth Sewage Works: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler still.

Marazion, Trenow Cove: 1 juv Glaucous Gull.

Crowlas: 1 Tawny Owl calling at 10 pm. (R Veal)

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Wednesday 24th February 2016

Posted on 24/02/2016 by Tony Mills

Late news, 23/2, Gannel Estuary: 3 Greenshank, 8 Redshank, 116 Curlew,1 Whimbrel and 6 Oystercatcher. (S Rowe)

Bodmin, Clerkenwater: 1 Woodcock flew over house early morning. (A Wagstaff)

Truro, St Clements: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Firecrest and 1 Spotted Redshank. (S Rogers) Also 1 m Kingfisher, 3 Curlew, 12 Teal, 1 Redshank, 1 Greenshank and 4 Shelduck. (B Smith)

Kingfisher regurgitating a pellet, Barry Smith

Camel Trail from Wadebridge to Tregunna: 1 Little Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 5 Grey Heron, 7 Little Egret, 35 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 24 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 48 Wigeon, 4 Goosander, 6 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Pheasant, 70 Oystercatcher, 7 Ringed Plover, c.2000 Golden Plover, c.500 Lapwing, 120 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 80 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 70 Black-tailed Godwit, 80 Black-headed Gull, 60 Curlew, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Common Gull, 16 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 25 Great Black-backed Gull, 120 Herring Gull, 9 Wood Pigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 7 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Magpie, 15 Jackdaw, 5 Rook, 40 Carrion Crow, 2 Raven, 15 Starling, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Goldfinch, 20 Linnet and 2 Bullfinch. (M Scawen)

Lower Tamar Lake: 1 Treecreeper, Marsh Tits and Willow Tits. (R Farnes, B Dodd)

Marsh Tit, Rod Farnes

Malpas: 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 4 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Oystercatcher. (B Smith)

Black-tailed Godwit, Barry Smith

Marazion Marsh RSPB Reserve: 1 juv Marsh Harrier and 1 Bittern. (A James)

Marsh Harrier, Alan James

Bittern, Alan James

Towan Head: 1 Red-throated Diver and 1 Whimbrel. (S Rowe)

Trewavas Head, between Rinsey and Porthleven: 1 Peregrine and 4 Raven. (J Evans)

Nanquidno: 10 Woodlark still at Boscregan Farm. (N Wheatley)

Cot Valley: 1 Firecrest. (N Wheatley)

Newlyn: 1 juv Glaucous Gull still in the harbour.

Helston: 1 ad Whooper Swan on the boating lake.

Hayle Estuary RSPB Reserve, Ryan’s Field: 1 Spoonbill and 2 f Goosander. Estuary: 1 Water Pipit and 2m Goosander.

Dozmary Pool: 1 Lesser Scaup.

Carrick Roads, Loe Beach: 4 Black-necked Grebe.

Stithians Reservoir: 1 Slavonian Grebe.

Saltash: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler at start of China Fleet Club nature trail.

Rosenannon Downs: 1 m Hen Harrier. (D Julian)

St Erth: 1 Glossy Ibis reported.

Penzance: 1 Pacific Diver and 1 Slavonian Grebe, also 30+ Purple Sandpiper at Jubilee Pool.

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Tuesday 23rd February 2016

Posted on 23/02/2016 by Mike Spicer

Late news, 21/2, Lower Tamar Lakes: 24 Goosander (split equally male female), 3 Snipe. On hide feeders: 2 Marsh Tit, 1 Willow Tit, 1 Reed Bunting (m), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper + Chaffinches, Dunnocks, Wren. (S Cox)

Late news, 22/2, St. Clements: Spotted Redshank, Yellow-browed Warbler, Firecrest, Goldcrest, many Chiffchaff. (S Cox)

Mawgan in Meneage: 3 Brambling (2m, 1f) on garden feeder again. (R McDonald)

Eden Project: 6-8 Siskin around site plus 1 Firecrest and 1 Peregrine. (A Wagstaff)

Seaton: 22 Red throated Diver, 3 Great Northern Diver, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Black Redstart and 1 Water Pipit. (G Berti)

St Ives Island: 1 Chiffchaff on left hand side of path to Coastwatch hut and 1 Kittiwake and 1 ad Med Gull over the sea. (D Jenkins)

Siblyback Reservoir: 1 red-head Smew on NW side. (DA Conway)

Marazion Marsh: 1 juv Marsh Harrier. (P Sharp – photo 1, A James – photos 2&3)

Devoran: 125 Teal, 14 Wigeon, 95 Curlew (including regular Durch-ringed bird), 105 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank and 1 Black-tailed Godwit at high-tide roost. (M Grantham)

Copperhouse Creek: 1 Water Pipit still. (R. Menari, B Dodd, A Mackechnie, R Farnes – photos)

Water Pipit Copperhouse Cornwall 23215 R Farnes

Water Pipit Copperhouse Cornwall 230215 R Farnes

Water Pipit Copperhouse Cornwall 2322015 R Farnes

St Erth: 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Barn Owl. (MJ Spicer)

St Clement: 6-8 Siskin around feeder. (R Farnes – photo)

Trewey Common: 5 Yellowhammer (3m,2f), Grey Heron, Buzzard, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits. (B Toms, M Curtis)

Lelant: 4+ Little Egret in big conifer tree north of village. (R Veal)

Bartinney: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier and 2 Reed Bunting. (P&H Taylor, C Moore)

Bude: 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cormorant and 4 Coal Tit (H Wilkins)

Tresillian River: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Firecrest and 1 Spotted Redshank.

Sennen Cove: 1 Red-throated Diver. (DK Parker)

Trevilley: 1 Firecrest. (DK Parker)

Newlyn: 1 juv Glaucous Gull. (DK Parker)

Helston Boating Lake: 1 ad Whooper Swan. (C Lamsdell)

Lizard Village: Adult Rose Coloured Starling still. (C Lamsdell)

Stithians Reservoir: 1 Slavonian Grebe still. (C Lamsdell)

Saltash: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 1 Firecrest at China Fleet Club. (M Beer, J Cole)

Perranuthnoe: Hudsonian Whimbrel still on rocks by Perran Sands, also probable Pacific Diver but very distant SW536292. (B Hibbert)

Sancreed: 1w Ring-billed Gull still at Trannack Farm. (M Ahmad)

Kenidjack Valley: 4 Choughs. (R Butts)

St Ives: 2 Great Northern Diver and 1 Black Redstart.

Hayle Estuary RSPB: Common Sandpiper and m Goosander on Ryan’s Field.

MJS & DKP