Finally, something of note from the reserve....

After a bit of a dry period for birds on the reserve, things seem to be finally 'hotting up'. A group of birders from Doncaster, S.Yorks, turned up a superb juvenile Black Tern on the main pool on 30th August. The bird remained for most of the day and was extremely obliging. It was constantly harrased by Swallows throughout its stay. Also that day there was a Spotted Redshank on the reserve and Wheatear, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin (2), Ringed Plover (4) and Whimbrel.

Photos to follow

tuesday 4th May 2010 - Todays Sightings

Gadwall 1 male on main pool plus Canada Goose 2 (with 2 goslings), Northern Wheatear 1 male in fence area to left of main track, Reed Warbler 1 male singing in Red River ditch by Sandsifter and a Merlin female flew north at 6.40pm and returned south at 7.10pm when it made a sustained attempt to catch the Wheatear (unsuccessfully) and then continued south. (Tim Twiggs)

Monday 26th April 2010 - Evening Visit

An evening visit to the reverve produced the following observations by Tim Twiggs:


Reed Bunting in bushes on bank of Red River ditch by Sandsifter and 2 Reed Warbler there. A Peregrine flew over main pool  and 3 Northern Wheatear (1 male) - pair(?) to left of main track before fenced area by concrete blocks and second female in area between main pool and road. 8+ Swallow - only had single birds recently so a small influx? Moorhen - an adult with a single very young chick and Gadwall - male still on main pool.

Sunday 25th April 2010 - Todays sightings

Tim Twiggs reports a male Whitethroat  on nearby Gwithian Green and the male Gadwall still on main pool on the reserve and 2 (1 male) Northern Wheatear. Best bird was a male Marsh Harrier that flew north to the east of the reserve at 4.05-4.10pm.

Friday 23rd April 2010 - Todays Sightings

A superb sunny day on the reseve with endless blue skies tempting at least four Buzzards and two Kestrels into soaring around. Dunlins had increased to six birds on the unfenced Pool with a Ringed Plover in tow. It wasn't long before an inconsiderate dog walker had flushed them all onto the gated pools. Thank God for fencing!!
Hirundine numbers were lower today but this was compensated for by the first Swift of the year, which flew south. A drake Gadwall was on the main pool and five 'singing' Whimbrel alighted there briefly before flying off towards the beach. Six House Sparrows were in bushes around the main pool opposite Sandsifter and a Sedge Warbler was singing from the Red River ditch. Suprisingly, not a single Wheatear was seen. Other birds included Chiffchaff (3), Song Thrush (2), BH Gull (2), Magpie (2), Shelduck (10+), Canada Goose (3), Mute Swan (1), Moorhen, Mallard (8), Skylark (4), Linnet (6+) and Pied Wagtail.

Wednesday 21st April 2010 Todays Sightings

Loads of Wheatears on the reserve today with at least 16 different birds counted. The total was probably higher as birds were still moving onto the reserve from out of the dunes as i left. A summer plumaged Dunlin was on the gated pools as were a pair of Reed Bunting. The Common Sandpiper was still present. A single House Martin was with the hirundines. Tim Twiggs had a Whitethroat and a Whimbrel on the reserve in the evening.

Thurs 15 April 2010 - Todays Sightings

Derek Jenkins reports three White Wagtail beside main pool and also a Common Sandpiper today. The Canada Geese appear to be nesting on the main island and there were two Whimbrel on the beach below the lifeguards hut.

First rarity arrives

Our first real rarity of the year was found yesterday by Sam Williams. A superb Red-rumped Swallow was with Barn Swallows over the main pool at 3.30pm. It didnt hang around, much to the dissappontment of the birders who made the effort to see it. Sam managed a record hot of the bird and luckily it was relocated a short time later at Marazion. It was also a new species for the reserve. Well Done Sam!

Red Rumped Swallow over the main pool (Photo:S.Williams)

Recent Sightings

Two Black Redstarts have been on the reserve for some time now, favouring the bank of the main pool nearest to Sandsifter. Spring has sprung in the shape of two or three early migrant Wheatears and the first Sand Martin went through last night (Thanks Tim Twiggs). Tufted Duck numbers have been good with up to 27 birds on the main pool. The pool has also attracted Little Grebe, shoveler, gadwall and Canada Goose recently. A pair of Redshank have been present for a few days now and Shelduck numbers should soon be increasing. Thanks for those who have submitted sightings recently.

Wheatear (A.Hugo)

Reserve sightings

Hadnt realized that there had been no updates on here since the beginning of the new year! Sorry! Theres been a few ducks on the main pond, Tufted, Gadwall and Shoveler in the past week. The reserve saw its share of the thrushes during the recent cold snap with plenty of Redwings and Fieldfares. The fields opposite the main road (not specifically on the reserve but of note) have held good numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover and a Water Rail was in the sewage works opposite the reserve entrance. The 24th (today) saw six pale-bellied brent geese on the reserve. These birds appear to have navigated the entire west cornwall coast having been seen earlier flying past Marazion, Penzance, Pendeen and then at St Gothian! Thanks to Derek and Tim for recent sightings.

Happy New Year.

The start of a new decade! Where does the time go? Anyway there hasn't been a great deal to blog about on the reserve at the end of 2009. Just the usual. So a possible Glaucous Gull flying east past nearby Godrevy Head was a promising start to 2010. A Black Redstart and Med Gull were on the reserve on the 1st (Thanks A.George). The former seen on the fence between the reserve and the road.