No 42 - Winter 2012

CONTENTS Editorial - p2 Chairman’s chat - p3 Bird report - p3-6 Common Cranes - p7 Reserves report - p8 BTO/CBWPS Confer-ence report - p12 Field Meetings - p14

This issue of Palores has almost four pages dedicated to the Bird Report (starting on page 3). And deservedly so, since the last few months of 2011 produced an eye-watering crop of rarities, many from North America such as the Semi-palmated Sandpi-per and Pectoral Sandpiper. Common Cranes also made a dramatic appearance (see page 7) as well as the two warblers pictured either side of the top of this page. A classic autumn.

Have you ever wondered who the BTO are and what they do or what the Cornwall Bat Group do? Well, A Day for Nature will answer these questions and many more as well. A Day for Nature is a joint CBWPS / SW Lakes Trust event to be held at the Stithians Watersports Centre and Stithians Lake on Sunday 6th May, to coincide with International Dawn Chorus Day. The event is sponsored by the SW Lakes Trust, who will provide the venue for the day. The event will see displays and infor-mation from CBWPS, BTO, RSPB, SW Lakes Trust, Cornwall Mammal Group, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Cornwall Butterfly

A bumper autumn for birds in Cornwall

‘A Day for Nature’

The Special General Meeting on 25th Octo-ber duly passed the necessary resolutions giving effect to the changes outlined in the previous edition of Palores. The new company ‘Cornwall Bird Watching & Preservation Society’, limited by guarantee, is now fully operational and all the assets of the old association were transferred to the company with effect from 31st December. The company has been registered with the Charity Commission (Number 1144724). The new constitution is available to members in the members’ section of the website.

Stoat at Walmsley by Colin Selway

Email addresses please! It would improve our records and our ability to communicate with members if we held email addresses on our membership data-base. Please let Angie our Membership Sec-retary have your email address if you have one. Rest assured, this information will be strictly for CBWPS use only. Contact Angie by email at: membership @cbwps.org.uk

Conservation Group and Cornwall Bat Group. Subject to weather, there will also be several guided walks around the lake for both birds and butterflies, a bird ringing demonstration, small mammal trapping, a raffle and an evening talk on the 100-year history of bird ringing. The Stuart Hutchings hide at the south-ern end of the lake will also be manned by CBWPS volunteers with binoculars and telescopes to use to point out the birds on the reservoir and offer advice on identification for beginners and experts alike. Refreshments will be available at the Watersports Cafe within the complex. Further details of the event will be an-nounced in the April edition of Palores.

Pallas’s Warbler photographed at Porthgwarra in late October by Brian Field.

Yellow-browed Warbler photographed in the Cot Valley in mid October by Sam Williams.

The new ‘Cornwall Bird Watching & Preservation Society’ now operational

The Society’s Hon. Secretary Tony Berten-shaw has decided to step down from his post at the 2012 AGM. Tony has contributed immensely to the running of the CBWPS, including most recently, leading the success-ful modernisation of the Society’s constitu-tion. Our sincere thanks go to Tony together with our best wishes for the future.

Bertenshaw to step down

Little Gull, photographed at Par beach pool by Steve Rogers on 18th December 2011. Below, Wryneck by Adrian Davey The Editor is always pleased to hear con-

structive ideas and suggestions from mem-bers about how to improve Palores. Please email him at palores@cbwps.org.uk.

Feedback welcome!

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Registered Charity No 255899

The CBWPS was founded in 1931 to encourage the study and pres-ervation of birds in Cornwall. The Society has over 750 members. It owns 3 reserves and manages jointly several others. The Society organises weekly bird watching field trips (some jointly with the RSPB local members group). Palores (its colour newsletter for mem-bers) is published quarterly.

2012 Subscriptions: Adult £17 Family £21 Senior Citizen £14 Senior Family £16 Subscriptions are due by 31st January. Cheques made out to ‘CBWPS’ please. Please pay by Gift Aid if you can - it saves the Soci-ety £1500 a year. For all payments, membership applications and enquiries please contact: Angela Tonry, Membership Secretary, 20 The Copse, Boscoppa, St Austell PL25 3EU Email: membership @cbwps.org.uk

The Cornwall Bird Watching & Preservation Society

Palores is published in January, April, July & October. Design and typesetting by the Editor. To advertise contact the editor. Full page £100. Half page £50. Small ads and notices free to members. Printed by R. Booth Ltd, Penryn. Distribution by Envelope Supplies.

Committee and Officers

President: Steve Madge Seawinds, Lower Trerive, Downderry, Torpoint,

PL11 3LZ (01503 250432)

Chairman: Derek Julian 12, Dunveth Road, Wadebridge,PL27 7XD. (01208 816779) chairman@cbwps.org.uk

Vice Chairman: Bruce Taggart

Primrose Bank, Radford Lane, Millbrook, PL10 1AH (01752 829163) vice-chairman@cbwps.org.uk

Honorary Secretary: Tony Bertenshaw Hantergantick, St. Breward, PL30 4NH

(01208 850419) secretary@cbwps.org.uk

Conservation Officer: Tony Blunden Pencairn, Penmenner Road, The Lizard, Helston,

TR12 7NR. (01326 291064) conservation@cbwps.org.uk

Membership Secretary: Angela Tonry

20 The Copse, Boscoppa, St Austell PL25 3EU (07944 988599) membership@cbwps.org.uk

County Recorder: Darrell Clegg

55 Lower Fore Street, Saltash, PL12 6JQ (01752 844775) recorder@cbwps.org.uk

Editor, Birds in Cornwall: Derek Julian

(details as above)

Field Meetings Officer: Gordon Mills 11 Commercial Street, Cambourne, TR14 8JZ (01209 718144) grsd.mills@btconnect.com

Publicity Officer: Peter Crispin

5 Church lea, Launceston, PL15 8QZ (01566 773455) publicity@cbwps.org.uk

Committee members:

Stephen Jackson, Dave Parker, Rosemary Parslow

Financial Controller: John Stanlake

Editor, Palores: Simon Marquis St Breock Place, Wadebridge, PL27 7JS (07711 883876) palores@cbwps.org.uk

Website administrator: Nigel Climpson

webmaster@cbwps.org.uk

Reserve Wardens: walmsley_warden@cbwps.org.uk Adrian Langdon

maer_warden@cbwps.org.uk Graham Sutton windmill_warden@cbwps.org.uk Andy Pay drift_warden@cbwps.org.uk Dave Parker

Loveny - Dave Conway Stithians - Simon Taylor

Honorary Solicitor: Greg Adams

2 Wendron Street, Helston TR13 8PS

Independent Examiner: Mr S.G. Hawkey ACA Whitakers, Bryndon House, 5 Berry Road, Newquay

TR7 1AD (01637-873838)

H appy New Year to all members of CBWPS! I hope you will enjoy this first issue of Palores in 2012, crammed as you find, with amazing bird news in

Cornwall. Not all members live in Cornwall, but those of us lucky enough to spend our time west of the Tamar are truly blessed with the birdlife the county attracts. Darrell Clegg’s excellent Bird Report chronicles all the main sightings from the last quarter of 2011, and - as ever - I am grateful to the many brilliant photogra-phers who share their images with Palores and with our website www.cbwps.org.uk. If you haven’t yet got into the habit of checking the daily up-date of bird sightings in the county, I urge you to give it a go. It is truly amazing what turns up and gets seen by birders the length and breadth of Cornwall. I now have the page added to my online favourites list.

When you turn to page 14 of this issue you will see another programme of fantastic field meet-ings, both indoors and out, for the coming season. I can’t recall this list ever spilling on to three pages before, but this time it has, and there are morning and afternoon walks to suit every level of interest and in all parts of the county. Like a lot of members, I find I cannot get to as many of these expert-led field meetings as I would like and have to grab my bird watching mo-ments when I can. Four bird feeders outside my window at home provide a never-ending interest - as long, that is, that I remember to keep them topped up with food at this important time of year. I regu-larly get 15 species at the feeders - four species of tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Nuthatch,

House Sparrow, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Starling, Great-spotted Woodpecker and the occasional over-wintering Blackcap. Wherever and whenever you do your birdwatching (even if it’s from your armchair with a copy of Palores), have a great 2012. Simon Marquis

Palores – January 2012

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ary looks brilliant and has already enticed a number of species including a Great White Egret. Our thanks must go to James Burke and the Environment Agency for all his/their hard work on this project and others in the Camel valley. ‘Plovergate’ was a very testing time for a number of com-mittee members. The suppression of a Semipalmated Plover at Davidstow Airfield angered a number of members as well as a large number of very vocal ‘birders’. As it was not in any way the Society’s fault, I issued a statement distancing the Society from the whole incident, (this can be read on the website). The commit-tee will be formalising the Society’s position on all this in the coming weeks. Unfortunately, both Bob Bosisto and Peter Roseveare decided to resign from the committee because of the whole sorry affair and I would like to publicly thank them for all their hard work and the extra drive they brought to the committee. Tony Bertenshaw, our Hon Secretary, has decided to step down at the next AGM, but effectively he will be leaving the com-mittee in February to take a well earned holiday. I wish to thank him for all his support and the guidance he has given me in the last three years and wish him well in the future. I am sure this is ech-oed by all of you. We now have a number of positions vacant on the commit-tee and would welcome anyone who can spare a few hours, (or more) to help. Please telephone me for more details. Hopefully the next few months will not be so fraught and we can all enjoy the early spring arrival of Sand Martins, Swallows and Wheatears, (or something rarer), at one of our reserves.

I ts been a very challenging few months for the Society, with a number of projects all culmi-

nating together and the fallout of what is now been named ‘Plovergate’. Since I last wrote we have had an EGM at which the motion to incorporate was carried and so a firm of Solicitors was engaged to see the whole process through. Everything will be in place for the smooth change over from the Soci-

ety to the new Company on January 1st. I would like to thank eve-ryone for their support. The joint BTO/ CBWPS conference and dinner was a great success with everyone who attended having a great time. Almost everyone learnt something about the projects that are running throughout the county, (many people also volunteering to help out with future surveys etc). It was very interesting to see some of the results especially the plight of the critically endangered Balearic Shearwater off our shores. Nick Baker was very entertaining as the after dinner speaker with many a bird or insect story told with great enthusiasm. I managed to once again visit every reserve in the last three or four months and the great work of our wardens was once again evident, the low water levels encouraging a number of species to make protracted visits. The new river layout at Walmsley Sanctu-

Chairman’s Chat

Derek Julian

These are all unchecked and unauthenticated records. Publication here does not constitute acceptance. If you were lucky enough to find or see any of these birds please submit a description to the county recorder. recorder@cbwps.org.uk National rarity descrip-tion forms can be downloaded from www.bbrc.org.uk Ring-necked Duck A drake was found on the main pool at St Gothian Sands NR on November 18th where it remained until the end of the period. If this is the returning bird from earlier in the year let’s hope for a similarly extended stay. Bufflehead An extremely welcome addition to the county list. A female/first winter type was discovered on a small pool to the rear of the Hou-sel Bay Hotel on the Lizard on October 26th. The bird was flighty and disappeared overnight on 27th only to relocate to Helston Loe Pool where it remained, albeit sometimes distantly until the end of the period. The provenance of some of these rare wildfowl is often difficult, but the weather conditions, time of year and place of arrival give this bird excellent credentials. Surf Scoter A juvenile was seen by a lucky birder as it flew past Pendeen on 2nd November. Cory’s Shearwater Only small numbers were recorded, all from Porthgwarra/Gwennap Head or on the Scillonian. This reflects the usual early passage of this species which brought in the large numbers in July this year.

Great Shearwater This is a species which seems to top many birders ‘bogey bird ‘ list i.e. a fairly regular visitor which they have never seen. If any of these people had been present at Porthgwarra on September 3rd, they may have felt that all their birthdays had come at once. A huge passage of 2003 (two thousand and three!) passed the watch point on that date. The 173 at the same site the next day pales into insignificance by contrast. At other sites 16 were seen at Pendeen on September 6th and 12 were there on September 12th. At St Ives, three were recorded on September 12th and another three were seen on October 6th. At Rumps Point two were seen on September 14th . Wilson’s Petrel Although still undoubtedly rare, this species is now regularly re-corded by seawatchers at prime headlands. All the records for this period came from Pendeen with singles seen on September 7th, 12th and 18th. Three birds were seen on September 13th with at least one bird lingering around the rocks for a time. Madeiran Petrel Another fantastic seabird record. One was seen twice at Pendeen on September 6th. Cattle Egret A single bird was wandering in the Wadebridge area from October 28th – November 8th. Great White Egret An excellent autumn with records from all areas of the county. It is difficult to work out how many birds were involved as no records overlapped. Was there just one well-travelled bird or were there multiple individuals? A bird was seen at Marazion on September 30th and again on November 5th-6th. On the Camel estuary a single

bird report

September-November 2011

By Darrell Clegg

Kingfisher, above, at Newquay by S. Jull

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bird was seen around Walmsley Sanctuary and Amble marshes from October 10th – 13th and again on November 8th. A bird was photographed flying over Land’s End on October 15th and in the north of county one flew over the A39 at Otterham Station on November 1st. In the south, one was seen on Castle beach Fal-mouth on November 12th. White Stork A single was recorded flying over Plain-an-Gwarry (Redruth) on November 5th Glossy Ibis A 1st winter bird was at Stithians reservoir from October 6th – 18th. What may have been the same bird frustrated local birders around Torpoint by putting in erratic performances at St John’s Ford from November 10th -13th. This bird was present on the Tamar since at least November 5th and roosted on Drake’s Island in Plymouth Sound, but was only ever seen on the Devon side until its appear-ance at St John’s. Black Kite The bird present on the Lizard continued to be seen until Septem-ber 3rd and in the west of the county the wandering bird was also recorded daily between Drift and Polgigga up to September 15th. Whether the Lizard bird joined up with the Drift bird is uncertain, but what is clear is that three birds were present in the far west of the county from September 15th – October 16th being seen any-where from Drift to Polgigga. On the last date all three made it over to Scilly where they remained until the next day before at least one made the return crossing where it was last seen at Land’s End on October 19th. Pallid Harrier In an exceptional year nationally for this species Cornwall was not left out of the picture, with at least one, and most likely two juve-nile birds. On the Lizard, one was seen on Goonhilly Downs on October 25th and at Trethvas Farm, just outside Lizard Village on November 15th. In west Cornwall a bird was at Polgigga on No-vember 6th and again at Sennen on November 13th.

Rough-legged Buzzard Always welcome in the county, one was seen and photographed as it spent some time in the Polgigga/Porthgwarra area on October 16th-17th. It was also reported from Sennen on October 18th. Else-where, one was reported from Boconnoc in the east of the county on October 29th and another was photographed in the Wadebridge area at Clapper marshes on November 30th. Lesser Kestrel A male was photographed by non-birding walkers (who thought it was a Kestrel) at Zennor on November 1st Osprey An update on Tore, the Loch Garten Osprey which had taken up temporary residence on the River Lynher in August. Tore enjoyed Cornish hospitality until September 18th when she decided it was time to resume her migration. By the next day she had travelled half-way down France, and a day later was in mid Spain. As of writing this (mid-December) she is on her wintering grounds on the Senegal/Guinea Bissau border where she will probably stay until she is ready to return to breed, hopefully in 2013. http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/tracking/lochgartenospreys Common Crane This is another species which enjoyed a good autumn nationally, and once again Cornwall received its share of the spoils. This is a less than annual visitor to the county so one at Rosecliston near Newquay on November 8th followed by another at Polgigga on November 10th was extremely welcome. A county record total of 24 were seen flying over Winnard’s Perch on November 12th and these were quickly relocated in a stubble field at St Issey where they remained until the next day. On November 17th the group had grown to 27 birds and had moved to St Mabyn, but sadly they didn’t linger and were next reported in Devon. Elsewhere, two birds paid a brief visit to Madron, and on the Liz-ard 6 birds took up temporary residence just outside Lizard Village from November 14th – 19th.

Ring-necked Duck (Adam Hartley) Bufflehead (Steve Rogers)

Glossy Ibis (Steve Rogers) Black Kite (B. Field)

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Dotterel This lovely wader is always a joy to see, and one was present at Skewjack on September 30th. Up to two birds were intermittently seen nearby at Polgigga and Porthgwarra from October 2nd – 16th. In North Cornwall two birds were briefly at Davidstow on October 5th. American Golden Plover It is perhaps surprising that only one bird was reported when this is usually one of the most likely American vagrants to occur in the county. One was seen flying over the valley at St Levan on Octo-ber 26th. Semi-palmated Sandpiper In a spectacular autumn for American waders this species was just one of a number of highlights. At Drift a juvenile was seen from September 12th – 18th and another was present at Davidstow from October 2nd – 6th

Temminck’s Stint One was reported at Davidstow on the evening of September 19th but was unfortunately not relocated the next day. White-rumped Sandpiper Continuing with the run of American waders, one gave excellent views as it roosted on the saltmarsh at Devoran from September 17th-19th. A second bird at Davidstow from September 18th- 19th was also appreciated, if a little harder to find! A third bird was seen briefly at Polgigga on 23rd September. Baird’s Sandpiper A lovely juvenile was seen on the Hayle estuary from September 1st – 11th. Pectoral Sandpiper This is the most likely American wader to reach Cornwall, but even so, the minimum 18 birds present this autumn is phenomenal. The highest count was four together at Drift from September 7th – 10th. Two were seen together at Stithians on September 12th-13th; at Treraven meadows on September 17th, and at Windmill Farm on

October 4th. Singles were reported throughout September and Oc-tober from Marazion, Davidstow, Nanquidno and Hayle. Buff-breasted Sandpiper Like the previous species, this enjoyed a spectacular autumn. One was present on the Hayle Estuary from September 8th – 10th and two were seen in the Porthgwarra/Nanjizal area on September 8th – 9th. A well watched bird put in an extended stay at Davidstow from September 11th-23rd and two were seen briefly at Drift on Septem-ber 12th. Also on 12th some lucky seawatchers at Pendeen had the good fortune to see a bird circle the rocks offshore a number of times before heading inland. The largest group to be recorded was an amazing seven birds near Windmill Farm on September 11th and the five birds briefly at Stithians on September 14th could eas-ily have been part of this group, though one bird remained until the next day. A single was seen atTrevorian Pool on September 23rd with two birds there on 27th. Elsewhere singles were seen at Mara-zion on September 22nd-23rd; St Just airfield, September 23; Din-ham Flats, September 23rd; Sennen Cove, September 24th and fi-nally at Predannack head October 4th-5th. Long-billed Dowitcher A juvenile at Stithians from September 14th – 28th ensured that many people were able to add this species to their year lists. As if this was not enough another (or perhaps the same?) young bird was found at Davidstow on October 7th where it remained until the next day. There was a final report of two birds on the Hayle estu-ary on November 6th. Spotted Sandpiper A single bird was seen at Drift on September 15th. Lesser Yellowlegs Drift reservoir scored yet another American wader with the dis-covery of this species. A juvenile was found on September 14th where it remained until 27th. Another was found near Truro at Tresemple pool on September 21st and it frequented the area until October 20th.

Long-billed Dowitcher (Adrian Davey) Desert Wheatear (Steve Rogers)

Semi-palmated Sandpiper (Steve Rogers) Pectoral Sandpiper (Adam Hartley)

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Greater Yellowlegs One of the star birds of the autumn, if not the year, and a much needed county tick for all. A bird was identified at Treraven mead-ows on September 12th where it showed well for all those quick off the mark to see it. It was relocated further up the river Camel the next day where viewing was somewhat more distant. Unfortu-nately it decided to leave mid-afternoon leaving many (including me) disappointed. Ring-billed Gull Yet another record from St John’s Lake, this time of a short-staying bird on September 12th. This site seems to becoming the most regular place in the county to see this species, but unfortu-nately most of the records are of birds which don’t linger. Caspian Gull At least two birds were seen during the period. A first winter bird was seen at Hayle on November 4th and the same, or another, was at Sennen Cove on November 14th. Also at Sennen Cove, a near adult bird was seen from November 16th – 18th. Oriental Turtle Dove A first year bird was seen at Nanjizal on November 6th. If ac-cepted, this will be the first record for Cornwall. Red-backed Shrike A welcome return to form for this species a fairly poor autumn in 2010. A juvenile was at Sennen on September 28th and another was at nearby Land’s End on the next day. At Porthgwarra a bird was present on October 4th and remained until 8th. The final bird of the period was on the Lizard peninsula at Caerthillian Cove from October 22nd – 28th. Pallas’s Warbler Surely one of the most exciting autumn phyloscs, only two were found this year. The first stayed for three days at Porthgwarra from October 25th – 26th, and the second was seen at Cadgwith on No-vember 4th. Dusky Warbler A minimum of two birds, and possibly up to four were seen during the period. A bird at Lizard Village on November 14th- 15th may have been the bird seen at nearby Housel Bay on November 21st-22nd, but equally could have been a second bird. A bird found at Kennack Sands on 20th November was likely a different bird to the one at Cadgwith from November 21st-22nd, but again the possibil-ity exists that it may be the same bird relocating. Are you confused yet? Melodious Warbler Only two this autumn. Both were seen in Nanquidno, with the first being a one day bird on September 24th. The second stayed a little longer and was present from October 5th-7th. Rose-coloured Starling Yet another good autumn with a number of nice long staying birds. A bird at Land’s End is now an expected autumn treat and right on cue a juvenile was seen around the complex on September 23rd-24th. At nearby Polgigga a bird was seen on September 29th. In October another juvenile remained from October 6th-11th and in St

Ives a bird frequented the Island from October 18th -22nd. Away from Penwith a bird at Lizard village was seen on October 14th. At Davidstow one roamed around the area from October 14th – 22nd and in Newquay a bird was seen from October 21st-23rd. The final bird during the period was at St Columb Minor which was first seen on October 31st and was last seen on November 17th. Black-throated Thrush A bird flew over two lucky observers, Porthgwarra, November 8th. Siberian Thrush A female was reported from Polgigga on17th November Nightingale This is a less than annual visitor to Cornwall so one at Gunwalloe on September 30th was a nice surprise for one lucky ringer as he extracted it from his net. Pied Wheatear A possible 1st winter bird was photographed at Davidstow on Oc-tober 5th. Desert Wheatear Porthgwarra hit the jackpot this year with two records. A male was found on November 6th which moved a little way to nearby Nanji-zal where it remained until 10th. The second bird, a female, was seen on November 21st – 22nd. Red-breasted Flycatcher A typical autumn showing with three sightings, at Polgigga Sep-tember 24th; Porthgwarra, October 16th-21st; and at Kenidjack, October 20th-21st. Richard’s Pipit Six birds were recorded, mostly in the west, but with one welcome record from east Cornwall. Birds were seen at Polgigga on Sep-tember 16th; Porthcurno, September 29th; Rame Head, October 22nd; Land’s End, October 26th; Porthgwarra, November 7th and Goonhilly, November 19th. Tawny Pipit Just two records this autumn, which probably relate to the same bird. One was seen at Nanjizal on October 1st, and at nearby Pol-gigga the next day. Red-throated Pipit Three birds were reported from Porthgwarra on September 16th and again on October 4th, and from Bass Point Lizard on October 15th. Black-headed Wagtail. An adult male was seen briefly, and photographed at Drift reser-voir on September 16th. Common Rosefinch Just one record this year. A juvenile was found at Rame Head on October 28th. Scarlet Tanager This must be a contender for bird of the year. Any American pas-serine is special, but Scarlet Tanager must be one of the most wished for birds on this side of the Atlantic. What appeared to be a 1st winter female was found at St Levan on 20th October and re-mained until the next day.

Dusky Warbler (S. Bury) Scarlet Tanager (Steve Rogers)

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C ommon Crane (Grus grus) breed across the Palearctic from central Europe to eastern Siberia, with approximately 40,000

pairs breeding in Europe. In eastern Europe numbers are declining due to wetland reclamation but numbers are increasing in the west of their range and since 1960 larger numbers are being seen along the western migration route, with increased numbers wintering in France (as far north as Paris) and Iberia. In Britain this species was much commoner in the distant past with many places named after the species. It became extinct as a breeding species over 400 years ago, returning to the Norfolk Broads in 1981. With the exception of the small but increasing resident population in East Anglia, Common Cranes remain very scarce in Britain with only 40 a year being noted mainly on the east coast. A reintroduction scheme has seen birds released onto the Somerset Levels in 2010. In Cornwall this species appears to have been very scarce with the first authenticated record being of a single bird frequent-ing the Tamar Estuary in the autumn of 1826, it was later shot near Buckland Abbey in Devon. (Many references are made to ‘crane’ in old literature but as this name was also used for both Heron and Shag it is unclear which species they refer to). The next for the Duchy was also seen and shot in the east of the county with an-other single at Menheniot on Match 17th 1845. In 1939, one took up residence at Walmsley Sanctuary April 23rd to 25th, but there was then no sighting again until 1961 when four were located at Trelonk on November 15th with two remaining until the 23rd. (A heron-like bird, thought to be of this species was noted high over Penrose, Helston on September 4th 1949 but the observer was not certain). The next record was of eight at St Buryan on November 6th 1963, these formed part of an unprecedented invasion into southern Britain with over 500 noted along the south coast from Cornwall to Essex. Five, in the Porthgwarra area, December 21st to 29th 1976 were the next with four remaining until Jan 8th. In 1983, a single bird was first seen at St Just on October 25th, it was then tracked almost daily as it moved slowly through the county, east to the Camel Estuary by December 23rd before turning back west to RAF St Mawgan where it was last seen on January 15th 1984. Its corpse was found on January 19th 1984. Also

in 1984 a single flew north over Rame Head on April 28th. In 1985 another single flew in from the south-w e s t a t Porthgwarra on May 11th, cir-cled and was seen the next day at Perranwell. Early on the morning of January 8th one was watched leav-ing its roost at Pinkson Creek, Camel estuary and was then found later that day at Newton–in–St Martin where it remained until March 13th, although it did make occasional trips around the Liz-ard and even travelled as far as Marazion Marsh on Jan 13th. Dur-ing the 1990’s singles were noted at Crowdy Reservoir, Redmoor, Sennen Cove, St Levan and St Just in 1992, 1996, 1997, 1997 and 1999. This century the first was one at Predannick Airfield on Oct 8th 2002 followed by three at Goldsithney on December 13th. One took up residence at Hayle Estuary Oct 9th to 14th 2004 and singles flew over Porthgwarra and the Lizard on April 18th 2007 and October 22nd respectively. Up until the end of 2010 the county total was 37 individu-als. The table above shows the monthly breakdown. Top sites are all in the west of Penwith with St Buryan, Porthgwarra and Nanji-zal all holding up to eight birds. 2011 saw a large scale movement in the west of the British Isles, although not as large as the 1963 arrival, a minimum of 31 individuals were logged in Cornwall during the first two weeks of November, with a county record flock of 24, first noted over Egloshayle on November 10th, with this flock remaining in the area to at least the 15th. (Up to 80 were also being noted in Eire during the same time). References: British Birds Journal Brown A & Grice P: Birds in England 2005 T & AD Poyser Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society Annual Reports Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society Daily Reports website, (www.cbwps.org.uk) Penhallurick RD: Birds of the Cornish Coast 1969 D Bradford Barton Rare Bird Alert: Daily website reports, (www.rarebirdalert.co.uk)

Common Crane Cornish rarities by Derek Julian

Common Cranes at St Issey (Adrian Langdon)

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A s the water levels continued to drop, waders again dominated the

headlines as the reserve entered a pur-ple patch. The first Pectoral Sandpiper arrived on 4/9 and numbers had in-

creased to 4 by 7/9, 2 of which remained until 13/9. Another was found on 29/9; it or another stayed from 3-6/10 and yet another from 16-25/10 giving a minimum of 6 birds. Next to turn up were 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers and a Semipalmated Sandpiper on the 12/9. Sadly the Buff-breasted Sandpipers only stayed the day but the Semipalmated remained until 18/9 although it could be elusive at times. On 14/9 a Lesser Yellowlegs was found and remained until 27/9 and on 15/9 a Spot-ted Sandpiper put in a brief appearance and caused confusion as it mingled with the Common Sandpipers present. In total a further 16 different species of waders were seen throughout the period in-cluding a long staying Spotted Redshank, a species which is be-coming increasingly rare in the county. Throughout the period wildfowl slowly built up in num-bers with the following peak counts: Mute Swan 23, Canada Geese 139, Greylag 54, hybrid geese 17, Mallard 131, Call Duck 5, Wigeon 7, Teal 53, Tufted Duck 32, Pochard 1 and Long-tailed Duck 1.

A Spoonbill was seen on 4 and 5/10 and Black Kites were seen intermittently until 2/10 no doubt wandering birds from the trio at Catchall. The first Mediterranean Gull was reported on 10/10 and an impressive 9 were seen on 2/11. A Great Skua was a surprise find on 7/10 as was a Pomarine Skua on 31/10; both were typically just fly throughs. Not to be outdone passerines also put in a good appearance, the pick of the bunch being a smart Black-headed Wagtail on 16/9, a scattering of Firecrests from 1/10 and a Water Pipit from 1/11 which is still present. The last summer migrants reported were 7 Swallows on 19/10. The work extending the small reed bed at the end of the North West has now been completed with a digger on site for over a week. The project was completed by volunteers from South West Lakes Trust and in particular Wild Penwith which is part of CWT. Grateful thanks to all those who helped. All that remains is to wait and hope that the new sluice and bunds hold back the water and that the vegetation will re-colonise to transform what looks like a building site into something more natural. Apart from that, the usual strimming of footpaths and vegetation in front of the hide has been the only management work necessary this year apart from minor repairs to the boardwalks.

E arly September saw a flurry of migrants passing through the

farm, with best counts of 6 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Whinchats and 20 Wheatears, but the month was then unusually quiet until 30th when a Redstart called in. Things picked up nicely after that, starting with a Hobby hawking insects on a beautiful, warm day on Octo-ber 1st, a Tree Pipit on 2nd and two Pectoral Sandpipers on 4th – at last we joined in the American wader feast! By Oct 11th, the Linnet flock in the arable fields had built up to 300+. Three Ring Ouzels were part of an obvious influx of thrushes on a misty 15th, and on 17th both Yellow-browed Warbler and Firecrest were present. Further single Yellow-browed and Ring Ouzel were seen on 19th. Two Merlins were hunting the

finch flock in tandem on 21st. The first Wigeon (12) arrived on 28th along with two Woodcock, a Water Rail and the last six Swallows of the year. November provided some very good birding around the reserve. 500+ Golden Plover, 350 Lapwings, 120 Redwings, 40 Fieldfares and a Black Redstart were seen on 12th but the best bird of the day was a 1st winter Little Gull on Ruan Pool - our third new species of the year (following Bewick’s Swan and Spotted Red-shank). The pool attracts many more gulls than it used to and two different Mediterranean Gulls were seen during the month. The following day over 1000 Golden Plover were in the area and 35 Teal had dropped in. On 27th an immature male Marsh Harrier was hunting over the farm and three Pintail had arrived. The first half of December produced no noteworthy re-cords – the early winter period is usually pretty quiet and the weather was hardly conducive to regular visits. At least all the ponds, including the nine new ones (the “Biffa ponds”) are full to the brim!

By Dave Parker

Drift

Windmill Farm

By Andy Pay

reserves report

October - December 2011

Kestrel by Paul Gillard

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W almsley has been fairly quiet this autumn in

terms of both rarities and of numbers of our more usual visitors. Only now as we get

into winter and the water levels have risen considerably have there been good numbers of waders and wildfowl. There are about 70 Black-tailed Godwit whilst this time last year we were peaking at 160, a dozen or so Greenshank where it was about 40 in 2010 and the same for most of the waders. It may be due to the low water levels on the reservoirs providing alternative sites for these birds but we’ve taken a long time to build up our quantity of birds this winter. Wigeon and Teal are here in good numbers along with some super Pintails and Shov-

Walmsley

By Adrian Langdon

eler, Gadwall and an immaculate drake Goldeneye which has been showing well. A Great White Egret has paid a few visits to the reserve and it may be the same bird that has been seen at Par and Marazion. We were also fortunate to see the 24 Common Cranes that were at St. Issey fly over the reserve whilst an open afternoon was being held by the Environment Agency. We continue to have occasional problems with dogs from a local farm causing trouble and chasing swans and geese near the hides. The society has contacted the farmer but his dogs still get off the farm and into the sanctuary. It is proving difficult to stop this and very frustrating when both birds and birders are being caused upset and distress. Photos of Great White Egret, Goldeneye, Pintails and Common Cranes by Adrian Langdon; Lesser Redpoll by Bob Mitchell

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E arly December and the re-serve is looking at its best

with thousands of Golden Plover and Lapwing wheeling and turn-ing in the sky over the reserve - a truly spectacular sight. A Little Stint and a Swallow present together made for an interesting December record. This set me reminiscing again... I have seen these two species together before in Norfolk, but more expectedly in May. This is certainly going back so far in time that it is even before RSPB Titchwell! It certainly ages me, but I con-tinue to have such fond memories of bird watching every week-end in Norfolk. The county always seemed to be so alive with birds, and, on every visit, to see Bittern, Bearded Tit and Shore Lark was a sheer joy that lives with me to this day. I also feel that what I learned there has stood me in good stead over the years. The management work began on the 6th October and was completed on the 10th October. Michael Vanstone Plant Hire have always carried out the major work for us at Maer since we pur-chased the reserve in 1993, and in fact the same Swing Shovel driver has also skilfully carried out the work programme since that time. He takes extreme care and knows exactly what we are trying to achieve. I value this expertise and continuity enormously. Peter Kent and his Cornwall Wildlife Team then usually do three or four

days of brush cutting, fence repairing etc. This work from our valued partner is very much appreciated by the Society. The work is usually completed within a week with little disturbance caused. I estimate that the annual average cost of the work to each organisa-tion is in the region of £900. I do hope members will find the time to visit Maer this winter to see just how your money is spent and the benefit it brings to thousands of wintering birds. After last year’s exceptionally severe winter (what a differ-ence a year makes), so far this winter it has been exceptionally mild with the birds experiencing no problems in finding food or unfrozen water. Song Thrush was badly affected last year and has struggled to recover; it is still very scarce on the reserve and in surrounding gardens. At the other end of the scale Canada Goose numbers increase dramatically year on year and have reached re-cord levels. It is quite likely that I will be reporting in the not too distant future that numbers have exceeded 1000! It does cause the reserve problems as neighbours are not happy to have the large flocks on their land, because of the mess they make of both pasture land and arable crops. There is no easy solution. I was standing on a hedge bank towards the cliffs at Maer. On my left I could see the reserve, on my right a Snow Bunting... now, can I add this new bird to the reserve list? Oh well, maybe not. I have seen two of my favourite ducks already this winter - Gadwall and Pintail - both scarce in North Cornwall, and an ex-tremely late Wood Sandpiper on October 28th. With all the dire economic news it is a relief to be outside enjoying my bird watch-ing in this beautiful area. With 2012 fast approaching, I joyfully anticipate whatever unexpected, exciting birds we may see this coming year.

Maer Lake

By Graham Sutton

Black Redstart at Par, Christmas Eve, by Nigel Climpson

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thrown up a few interesting observations. The sheer number of birds passing through is the most interesting with 3 sessions total-ling 8 hours of ringing giving approx 112 different birds. Of these, only three or four of the Blue Tits ringed (18 in total) have origi-nated from the nest box scheme. None of the Great Tit chicks from the boxes have been seen. 2 female Great Spotted Woodpeckers were trapped and ringed within minutes of each other. It is hoped that ringing will gave a good insight into what’s happening with the nest box scheme for both adults and chicks and of course the open nesters. Species ringed with numbers in brackets are as fol-lows: Wren (1), Blue Tit (18), Great Tit (13), Coal Tit (2), GS Woodpecker (2), Goldfinch (16), Chaffinch (32), Robin (2), House Sparrow (9), Greenfinch (13), Blackbird (1), Reed Bunting (2), Dunnock (1). Notable species that have been reported are – LB Dowitcher 14th Sept Snow Bunting 4th Nov Jack Snipe 6th Nov Spotted Sandpiper 29th Sept Golden Plover (23) 15th Nov Glossy Ibis 4th Oct Little Gull 19th Nov Pintail 19th Oct Brambling (feeders) 20th Nov Lapland Bunting 22nd Oct A monthly update about reserve items can be found at www.cbwpsstithians@blogspot.com/ or you can join us on Face-b o o k a t w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / p a g e s / S t i t h i a n s -Reservoir/158879534212149?sk=wall.

I n my last report I com-mented about the low water

levels allowing ramblers, dog walkers etc to stray onto the designated reserve on the reser-

voir. After making these comments it was rather disappointing to see “birders” behaving in a similar manner to improve their views of the Long-billed Dowitcher found by our Conservation Officer Tony Blunden. One Saturday, whilst working on nest boxes I witnessed a constant but steady flow of people encroaching the designated reserve area to get “better” views. This prompted me to ask the news services to place messages to stay on the path or causeway which they duly did and which I am grateful for. It is very difficult to beat the drum about dog walkers when we make the same mis-takes ourselves, be they deliberate or accidental. On the management side of things, myself, Mark Gran-tham, Tony Blunden and Dave Parker have surveyed the Southern Cut Off in respect of submitting a plan of redevelopment. A fur-ther meeting between myself, Mark and Tony completed the plans ready for submission. Images of where we would like to create extra pools, channels to feed the pools and an area of willow to be excavated have now been submitted to SW Lakes for approval. Ringing of the feeding station has started and has already

Stithians

By Simon Taylor

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I t was appropriate that a conference to celebrate the 80th anni-versary of the Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Soci-

ety should have been held at the Bedruthan Steps Hotel for it was in this part of Cornwall that Lt Col B H Ryves, the founder of CBWPS, did much of his bird watching. Where he carried out his studies of Corn Buntings, Choughs and Peregrine Falcons and wrote of his observations in such publications as British Birds, The Field, and the Western Morning News, and in his delightful book, Bird Life in Cornwall (Collins, 1948). Entitled ‘Cornwall Birds, Past, Present and Future’, the conference was organised jointly by the CBWPS and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). It fell to Greg Conway, a BTO staff member who grew up in Cornwall, to explain the role of Britain’s premier bird research organisation. With a staff of 100, the BTO harnesses the help of thousands of amateur bird watchers through-out Britain to carry out a wide range of surveys. These range from a Breeding Bird Survey and Garden Birdwatch to a Heronries Census and a Ringing Scheme, whereby individually numbered metal rings placed on the legs of birds by qualified ringers make it possible to follow many aspects of the life of a bird. Those attending a workshop on bird ringing, led by Mike Grantham and Bruce Taggart, heard many fascinating results from the Ringing Scheme. A Kestrel ringed as a nestling at Stalbo in Sweden on 24 June 2010 was found freshly dead (killed by a train) on 14 October of the same year at Trerulefoot, while a first-year Green Sandpiper ringed at Nanjizal, near Land’s End on 27 July 2005 was found dead at Suomela in Finland on 21 May 2010.

A range of topics were covered by other speakers. Nick Tomalin of the RSPB spoke about the reintroduction of the Cirl Bunting to Cornwall, a project he had been overseeing for the last five years. He said the scheme is proving successful because, by working with local farmers, the RSPB has ensured that the essen-tial requirements of winter food, summer food and nest site (the ‘Big Three’ he called them) are available for the released Cirl Bun-tings. The importance of involving the local community in bird study and conservation was stressed by Chris Sperring of the Hawk and Owl Trust, who talked of his work with Long-eared Owls. Pacing up and down in front of the audience, he dispensed fascinating facts about this little observed species. Also bubbling with enthusiam was CBWPS member John Chapple, who pursues the birds of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with his trusty camcorder. As his contribution to the confer-ence, he selected footage from his last 10 years of filming, includ-ing superb shots of White-throated Sparrow. A North American species, this individual had been blown off course in May of 2010 and conveniently spent some time in the Boscastle garden of bird watcher John Fanshawe where John Chapple caught up with it. The use of cameras and other technology was a theme taken up by Mark Grantham in a talk on birding in the 21st cen-tury. He told of advances in optical equipment, digital cameras, mobile phones, Twitter, of geolocators being attached to birds to track their movements and much more. What was clear at the end of the day was that the CBWPS is alive and well and continuing to play an important role in bird study and conservation in the county. I left feeling that Lt Col Ryves and his little group of founders would have been pleased.

Conference celebrates 80 years of bird watching and conservation in Cornwall

By Tony Langford (reproduced by kind permission of the Western Morning News)

From left: Darrell Clegg and CBWPS chairman Derek Julian (by Dave Thomas); Nick Tomalin on Cirl Buntings; attendees at coffee; facing: Nick Baker, after dinner speaker; an exhibitor; Chris Sperring on Long-eared Owls. Photos by Tony Blunden and Simon Marquis

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T his Winter and early Spring field meetings and walks pro-gramme offers opportunities to join with experts and others to

observe resident, winter visitor and migrant bird species in a range of habitats around the county. I have also included details of work-ing parties for those interested in volunteering to carry out habitat management at RSPB Hayle Estuary and Marazion Marsh and CWT at Breney Common. Joint meetings with Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the Camel trail weekly look at the broader aspects of wildlife natural history and ecology as well as birds. With the darker evenings still with us I have included in-formation of some indoor meetings and events organised by Corn-wall Wildlife Trust and RSPB Cornwall local group which may also be of interest alongside the walks and field meetings. Sunday 1st January 10am to 1pm Contact: Dave Thomas (01726-861093) after 7pm New Years Day Bird watch on the River Camel. Begin the New Year with a morning’s walk along the Camel trail looking for win-tering 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 begin-ners but no dogs thank you. Meet at Old Town car park. Please drive slowly down the narrow track. Map ref: SW839 739 Sunday 8th January 1:30pm Leader: Andy Bond (0840 212639) Crowdy reservoir. 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 Saturday 14th January 10am to 3pm Contact: Dave Thomas 01726 861093 after 7pm Joint CBWPS/CWT Work Party. Breney Common Nature Re-serve. 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 vil-lage. 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 Sunday 29th January 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 Sunday 29th January 10am to 1pm Contact: Sid Cole (01726-871471) Winter bird watch. 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, tele-s c o p e a n d b i n o c u l a r s . N o d o g s p l e a s e . Meet at Old Tram Rd. Point. Map ref: SW810 386 Wednesday 8th February Contact: Dave Thomas after 7pm on 01726-861093. Peter King talk: “Shetland through the lens”. An illustrated talk by Peter King. Peter and his wife Brenda have travelled through-out Scotland on their wildlife trips. This year they spent a month on the remote Shetland Isles photographing the spectacular wild-life here. Meet at St Blazey Football Club, Station Rd, St Blazey near St Austell SX071 546. Collection taken. Full bar and parking facilities. Wheel chair access. All are welcome. Saturday 11th February 10am to 3pm. Contact: Dave Thomas after 7pm on 01726-861093. Work Party: 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. Grid 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 19th February 9am Leader: Viv Stratton (01736 796487) Marazion beach and reserve. A morning walk looking for waders gulls and wintering birds. Meet at Folly’s Field car park (1st on right by phone box) approaching from Long Rock. Map ref: SW5113 309

field meetings

January-March 2012

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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 mi-grants, seabirds and Chough. Bring refreshments. Meet at Lizard Green car park. Map ref: SW703 125 Thursday 29th March Contact: Dave Thomas 01726 861093 after 7pm Cornwall Dragonfly Group meeting. CWT Headquarters Allet, Nr Truro TR4 9DJ. SW794 486. Steve Jones, Cornwall Dragon-fly recorder, will be talking and showing maps of Cornwall’s drag-onflies. 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. Sunday 1st April. 9.00am Leader: Roger Hooper 01209 820610 Loe Pool and Carminowe A morning walk looking for early spring migrants and lingering winter visitors. Meet at the Amenity Area car park, Helston (opposite the boating lake on the Porth-leven road). Wear stout footwear as some paths can be muddy after wet weather. Camel Trail Nature Walks. Duration approximately 4 hours. These walks cover Flora and Fauna as well as birds and take place every Wednesday through January, February and March 2012 Walks start at 10am and will be led by Bernard Ide, Paul Whit-

tick and Jack Humphrey. Meet outside Countrywise, Eddystone Road, Wadebridge. Phone Countrywise on 01208 812423 to check that walk is on. Map ref: SW989725

Tuesday January 3rd to Tuesday April 24th. 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).

Thursday 23rd February 7.30pm Contact: Dave Thomas 01726 861093 after 7pm Cornwall Dragonfly Group meeting. Steve Jones, Cornwall Drag-onfly recorder, will be talking about and showing maps of Corn-wall’s dragonfly breeding sites. For those who are interested in dragonflies and recording in Cornwall please come along. Parking and wheelchair access. Collection taken. All welcome. CWT Headquarters Allet, Nr Truro TR4 9DJ. 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 4th March. 9:30am 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 Porth-leven Road. Map ref: SW639 258 Wednesday 7th March. 7.30pm Contact: Dave Thomas 01726 861093 After 6pm Members’ Evening. Griffin Inn, 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. Wednesday 7th March. 7.30pm Contact: Roger Hooper 01209 820610 Chacewater Village Hall. ‘Rare Birds in Cornwall' and 'Cornwall's Butterflies' by local film cameraman John Chapple. These are films, not a slide show. John somehow gets to nearly all the rarities and produces the yearly 'Birds in Cornwall' DVDs. His butterfly knowledge and films are just as good! This is an RSPB Cornwall Local Group event. Admission £2. Wednesday 14th March. 7.30pm. Contact: Dave Thomas after 7pm on 01726-861093. “The Grouse Leks of Colorado”. 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 perform-ances, 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. Col-lection taken. Full Bar and parking facilities. Wheelchair access. All are welcome. Meet at St Blazey Football Club, Station Rd. St Blazey near St Austell. Map Ref: SX071 546 Sunday 18th March. 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 Crowdy Reservoir (S. Marquis)

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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 infor-mation 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 South-erly Point. The Chough watch point is open daily 10 am to 5 pm from Sunday 1 April until the young fledge in early June. Free access. 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, in-cluding 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 wild-life. 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.

PLEASE NOTE Walk leaders have given their telephone numbers with each walk. However before contacting them, would you please check the relevent websites: PB (www.rspb.org.uk/groups/cornwall) and

CBWPS (www.cbwps.org.uk) CWT (WWW.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk) for the latest informa-tion. Every effort will be made to keep the websites updated with cancellations, changes in venue or route or any access problems.

field meetings (contd)

Black-headed Gull at Swanpool (Steve Rogers)