Sunday 21 March 2010

Things are hotting up at last!

Hopefully the sign of things to come, local birder Sam Williams found a Red-rumped Swallow at my local patch of St Gothian Sands NR yesterday afternoon. I was in St Ives when Tim phoned to tell me about it and despite a mad dash over to Gwithian I managed to miss it. Barn Swallow was a year tick though!! On our walk back to the car, Tim took another phonecall to say that the bird (or another?) was now at Marazion. We were soon watching the stunning bird hawking over the reed beds with Barn Swallows and Sand Martins. Sams record shot of the bird at Gwithian can be found HERE on the Cornwall Birding website.

Sunday 14 March 2010

First signs of spring....

Managed a good mornings birding with Mark, Monty and Ash, adding ten yearticks! The Bittern showed well on Long Rock Pool and was joined by a Water Pipit and numerous singing Cetti's Warblers. A Green Sandpiper was on the pools opposite Long Rock Pool and offshore, two Slav grebes, GN Diver and Common Scoter were all on the sea. Next brief stop was Sandy Cove where a Black-necked Grebe showed distantly. The one at Drift was slightly more obliging and the Whooper Swan was still with the Mute flock. Finally, a tour around the moors was unsuccessful in locating the elusive Pallid Harrier.
This afternoon was spent with my eldest daughter enjoying the sunshine at Gwithian. Finally caught up with the two Black Redstart which performed well between the main pool and Sandsifter and three Wheatear were in the fenced off area. Nice to get out again.

Friday 12 March 2010

Ive been out of the House!!

Just the once mind! Managed an hours walk at Gwithian with the girls in the beautiful sunshine yesterday. Still a very cold wind though. The main pond was busy with Gulls and wildfowl. 27 tufted ducks were notable with 7 Teal, 2 Little Grebe and half a dozen Canada Geese on the water. Four Shelduck and two Redshank were also on the reserve. Highlight of the walk were the two Wheatear in the open part of the fenced off area closest the road. I missed the Black Redstarts that were reported later! Nice to be out in the fresh air.
The year list is up to an impressive 92 species!!! Not!!! Recently added Fulmar at St Ives and Common Sandpiper and Ringed Plover at Copperhouse. The garden is fairing slightly better with 47 species and Ive got the net up again, which caught a superb male Starling yesterday. Will add some photos over the next few days and looking forward to Sunday morning with Mark and Monty.