tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3124832342106119842024-03-12T23:36:16.234-07:00St Gothian Sands NRPaul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-38629513131177362042010-09-06T09:11:00.000-07:002010-09-06T09:11:22.382-07:00Finally, 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.<br />
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Photos to followPaul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-28742052965362808582010-05-05T10:09:00.000-07:002010-05-05T10:09:53.224-07:00tuesday 4th May 2010 - Todays Sightings<strong>Gadwall </strong>1 male on main pool plus<strong> Canada Goose</strong> 2 (with 2 goslings), <strong>Northern Wheatear</strong> 1 male in fence area to left of main track, <strong>Reed Warbler</strong> 1 male singing in Red River ditch by Sandsifter and a <strong>Merlin </strong>female flew north at 6.40pm and returned south at 7.10pm when it made a sustained attempt to catch the <strong>Wheatear</strong> (unsuccessfully) and then continued south. (Tim Twiggs)Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-15447337742259638052010-05-04T11:21:00.000-07:002010-05-04T11:21:00.745-07:00Monday 26th April 2010 - Evening VisitAn evening visit to the reverve produced the following observations by Tim Twiggs:<br />
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<strong>Reed Bunting</strong> in bushes on bank of Red River ditch by Sandsifter and 2<strong> Reed Warbler</strong> there. A <strong>Peregrine </strong>flew over main pool and 3 <strong>Northern Wheatear</strong> (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+ <strong>Swallow</strong> - only had single birds recently so a small influx? <strong>Moorhen</strong> - an adult with a single very young chick and <strong>Gadwall</strong> - male still on main pool.Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-67818629695299505212010-04-26T02:16:00.000-07:002010-04-26T02:16:40.928-07:00Sunday 25th April 2010 - Todays sightingsTim Twiggs reports a male <strong>Whitethroat </strong> on nearby Gwithian Green and the male <strong>Gadwall </strong>still on main pool on the reserve and 2 (1 male) <strong>Northern Wheatear</strong>. Best bird was a male <strong>Marsh Harrier</strong> that flew north to the east of the reserve at 4.05-4.10pm.Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-89900345690163835662010-04-23T03:05:00.000-07:002010-04-23T03:05:06.343-07:00Friday 23rd April 2010 - Todays SightingsA superb sunny day on the reseve with endless blue skies tempting at least four <strong>Buzzards</strong> and two <strong>Kestrels</strong> into soaring around. <strong>Dunlins</strong> had increased to six birds on the unfenced Pool with a<strong> Ringed Plover</strong> in tow. It wasn't long before an inconsiderate dog walker had flushed them all onto the gated pools. Thank God for fencing!!<br />
Hirundine numbers were lower today but this was compensated for by the first <strong>Swift</strong> of the year, which flew south. A drake <strong>Gadwall </strong>was on the main pool and five 'singing' <strong>Whimbrel </strong>alighted there briefly before flying off towards the beach. Six <strong>House Sparrows</strong> were in bushes around the main pool opposite Sandsifter and a <strong>Sedge Warbler</strong> was singing from the Red River ditch. Suprisingly, not a single Wheatear was seen. Other birds included <strong>Chiffchaff</strong> (3), <strong>Song Thrush</strong> (2), <strong>BH Gull</strong> (2),<strong> Magpie</strong> (2), <strong>Shelduck </strong>(10+), <strong>Canada Goose </strong>(3), <strong>Mute Swan</strong> (1), <strong>Moorhen</strong>, <strong>Mallard </strong>(8), <strong>Skylark</strong> (4),<strong> Linnet</strong> (6+) and <strong>Pied Wagtail</strong>.Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-54300261905478770912010-04-23T02:51:00.000-07:002010-04-23T02:51:58.197-07:00Wednesday 21st April 2010 Todays SightingsLoads of <strong>Wheatears</strong> 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 <strong>Dunlin </strong>was on the gated pools as were a pair of <strong>Reed Bunting</strong>. The <strong>Common Sandpiper</strong> was still present. A single <strong>House Martin</strong> was with the hirundines. Tim Twiggs had a <strong>Whitethroat</strong> and a <strong>Whimbrel</strong> on the reserve in the evening.Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-35424072062483383932010-04-15T11:43:00.000-07:002010-04-15T11:43:01.470-07:00Thurs 15 April 2010 - Todays SightingsDerek Jenkins reports three <strong>White Wagtail</strong> beside main pool and also a <strong>Common Sandpiper</strong> today. The <strong>Canada Geese</strong> appear to be nesting on the main island and there were two <strong>Whimbrel</strong> on the beach below the lifeguards hut.Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-42722119010328191802010-03-21T05:22:00.000-07:002010-03-21T05:22:27.271-07:00First rarity arrivesOur first real rarity of the year was found yesterday by Sam Williams. A superb <strong>Red-rumped Swallow</strong> 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!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zpPm71ofD57oU7E7bjEftCxSZGYYI4Kh6jVrM47jmu8VlxfOnFKLUGuyyicfgcZiNRO4TXwPCbaBJPjB_OPMnKAsaa6crFz9JGT1JaXf5uJoIYOYETR23XGbp_KnknJIw5gymlqq8X8/s1600-h/DSCN0783+CB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zpPm71ofD57oU7E7bjEftCxSZGYYI4Kh6jVrM47jmu8VlxfOnFKLUGuyyicfgcZiNRO4TXwPCbaBJPjB_OPMnKAsaa6crFz9JGT1JaXf5uJoIYOYETR23XGbp_KnknJIw5gymlqq8X8/s640/DSCN0783+CB.jpg" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Red Rumped Swallow over the main pool (Photo:S.Williams)</em></div>Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-41513878235835128602010-03-17T06:51:00.000-07:002010-03-17T06:51:18.746-07:00Recent SightingsTwo 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.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2731/4408676041_760851dfa9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2731/4408676041_760851dfa9_b.jpg" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Wheatear (A.Hugo)</em></div>Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-19833036398383967642010-01-24T11:37:00.000-08:002010-01-24T11:37:40.642-08:00Reserve sightingsHadnt 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.Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-23782685338297136282010-01-05T11:56:00.000-08:002010-01-05T11:56:48.163-08:00Happy New Year.<div style="text-align: justify;">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. <br />
</div>Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-39305831803749394882009-11-18T02:44:00.000-08:002009-11-18T02:44:33.289-08:00Recent ('ish!) SightingsThe 18th September saw three Dunlin, a Snipe, six Wheatear, Reed Bunting, ten Swallow and nine Wigeon on the reserve. <br />
On the 10th October Tim Twiggs found a male <strong>LAPLAND BUNTING</strong> on the reserve, It proved very elusive and mobile, favouring the island in the middle of the main pool. There was also a smart 2nd winter Med Gull on the main pool at the same time. <br />
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Derek Jenkins had two adult <strong>WHOOPER SWANS</strong> on the main pool on the 9th November and they were present the following day.Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-77037598163045124252009-10-05T02:05:00.000-07:002009-10-05T02:13:10.184-07:00<div align="justify">Apologies for the lack of recent updates, and thanks for those who have sent in sightings. Anything of real interest is on the <a href="http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk/">Cornwall Birding </a>website. Derek Jenkins, Tim Twiggs, John Johns and i have all been on the reserve but not recorded a great deal other than the odd <strong>Dunlin</strong>, <strong>Greenshank </strong>and <strong>Wheatear</strong>. Tim had a juv<strong> Little Stint</strong> on Sunday 4th October feeding on floating weed on the main pool.</div><div align="justify">Will hopefully have some photos to add!</div>Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-10175403457085940142009-08-30T11:47:00.000-07:002009-08-30T11:51:30.498-07:00Still on the quiet side..............Still quiet on the reserve at the moment with nothing but the odd <strong>Dunlin</strong> and <strong>Green</strong> and <strong>Common Sandpipers</strong>. Simon Taylor saw six <strong>Wheatears</strong> there today.Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-50946456151556019992009-07-09T11:00:00.000-07:002009-07-09T11:02:00.967-07:00WadersTerry Hasdell reports three <strong>Dunlin</strong> on the reserve this morning. Good to see the waders are starting to come back.Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-29655405892222369242009-06-28T10:52:00.000-07:002009-06-28T11:11:27.945-07:00Recent Stuff<div align="justify"> Here are a few photos taken over the last week on the reserve. There seems to have been a bit of a baby boom on the ponds with new broods of Moorhen, Mallard and Shelduck. Rock Pipits were catching insects on the reedy pond and taking them off towards Godrevy to feed young and there were plenty of young Sand Martins on the wire fences.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352440142791189986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiYkxiNx6cUyhfix4VpDMx1xYO5tR16bZ8EGCK8GykjZynf5K7ykXXPqxTJdYbXLyIOt1uWFDyCTt0i12H5Xo0rRln0f8ArpeR7y5a9oYdo-F4WNBOwmrYmtM1wKRe0zvLEezkd3nYng/s320/IMG_1545.JPG" border="0" />Linnet<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLW0V5B4YCPd90fPYYyVTtKMn1FpmNZG97LBZ2zfpqobkEs7r4alYd3xRZdyoxOY2Gt6KJ99XgNp-C1VGsn8C5_aMlUNbSYDHGh6XJBSAjV9hyphenhyphenc87ZYTWJ914tDizMHxHR5MNgH4ciyms/s1600-h/IMG_1552.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352440137127962002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLW0V5B4YCPd90fPYYyVTtKMn1FpmNZG97LBZ2zfpqobkEs7r4alYd3xRZdyoxOY2Gt6KJ99XgNp-C1VGsn8C5_aMlUNbSYDHGh6XJBSAjV9hyphenhyphenc87ZYTWJ914tDizMHxHR5MNgH4ciyms/s320/IMG_1552.JPG" border="0" /></a> Rock Pipit (above and below)<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352440132592823394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeIUkTMIflq26IIgLzHmsKWFCDllw0uX6UlK9WYh3TqBo5vhn-8sF30Zmv9Ehx72hmKfpKVxSsPb7cu68rJJM_okvD4u3BB1ccLL6xr8Fj-DrZT46mTEiuevZpgxUtNwXhxpYKrtVa_Y/s320/IMG_1537.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusWyiKlQqi_fT1JnAhYyQ3_iAqtacsYom_MphLQDb34ccczsmXA78xeS4joAxj6RIx_DHrp7W8cMebzOaVPEWGRUqoXtGxRpp5xcZwtxQCEAqXODQw9f-QeaK0MYupR4xAsJjWcb20pg/s1600-h/IMG_1510.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352440131092474706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusWyiKlQqi_fT1JnAhYyQ3_iAqtacsYom_MphLQDb34ccczsmXA78xeS4joAxj6RIx_DHrp7W8cMebzOaVPEWGRUqoXtGxRpp5xcZwtxQCEAqXODQw9f-QeaK0MYupR4xAsJjWcb20pg/s320/IMG_1510.JPG" border="0" /></a>Rock Pipit</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggxhyNJvYngl2uREUVu2laLPaXOrflt4lcDasqUo4gFDDXwRT13QLN1sivmkCztBf40bCgjNmzoEj12pXphqcXMffv6sgo0OJR_8ppSyg5LoRbcB8yf5WS46l6GqSmsya9VGu2IS8h4E/s1600-h/IMG_1489.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352440120543912786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggxhyNJvYngl2uREUVu2laLPaXOrflt4lcDasqUo4gFDDXwRT13QLN1sivmkCztBf40bCgjNmzoEj12pXphqcXMffv6sgo0OJR_8ppSyg5LoRbcB8yf5WS46l6GqSmsya9VGu2IS8h4E/s320/IMG_1489.JPG" border="0" /></a>Sand Martin<br /><div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-32887506555060944312009-06-03T03:24:00.000-07:002009-06-03T03:29:25.352-07:001st June 2009A quick hour round the reserve this morning in the glorious sunshine. Plenty of breeding activity with a brood of seven<strong> Shelduck</strong> on the main pool and a single <strong>Moorhen</strong> chick on the small pool with the now healthy looking reed bed. The female <strong>mallard</strong> seems to have had another brood too. The morning was complete when a <strong>Marsh Harrier</strong> scattered the gulls from the main pool and flew off high to east.Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-21203927632411652032009-05-13T11:41:00.000-07:002009-05-13T11:50:11.787-07:00Wednesday 13th May 2009<div align="justify">An hour on the reserve with Mark Halliday proved dividends this morning when a <strong>RED KITE</strong> flew over headed south along the Red River valley. The main pool was alive with hirundines with over 100 each of <strong>House and Sand Martins</strong>, 30+ <strong>Swallows</strong> and c100 Swifts. The<strong> Dunlin</strong> did a loop of the main pool and there seemed to be a few more <strong>Linnets</strong> around. Two <strong>Rock Pipits</strong> were on the small pool but there was no sign of yesterdays Garganey. Could be good for Terns this weekend.</div>Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-64598389151837606032009-05-12T11:39:00.000-07:002009-05-12T11:55:07.262-07:00Tuesday 12th May 2009<div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/3526233354_0a1dabf08f.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 383px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/3526233354_0a1dabf08f.jpg" border="0" /></a>Finally reached the 100 mark with a superb male<strong> Garganey</strong> on the reserve this evening. It was reported on the pager earlier in the day and was still there at 1715hrs, on the north-eastern pool, initially showing well but then elusive amongst the sedge. Species 101 was <strong>House Martin</strong> over the main pool (3 birds). Only other birds of note were two <strong>Whimbrel </strong>flying around and a <strong>Dunlin</strong> on the main pool. The <strong>Whitethroat</strong> was still looking for a mate near the entrance gate! <div align="justify"> </div></div><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3526242320_25e4b294c1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-35417648335666427672009-05-11T13:28:00.000-07:002009-05-11T13:49:27.360-07:00Recent Sightings<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3508316688_1071d3c1e3.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 329px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3508316688_1071d3c1e3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">Apologies for lack of recent updates. My new arrival came earlier than predicted!! Thanks to those who sent in reports. Tim Twiggs and Sam Williams report six <strong>Dunlin</strong> and five <strong>Whimbrel</strong> on 6th May and Sam was ready with his camera, capturing the image above. Tim was back again on the 6th and saw 5 <strong>Common Swift</strong> mainly over cattle fields east of road, 3 <strong>House Martin</strong>, 25+ <strong>Feral Pigeon</strong> over fields to north-east, 1 <strong>Sparrowhawk</strong> low over road, 1 <strong>Dunlin</strong> flying around main pool, 1 <strong>Common Sandpiper</strong> in small bay in NW corner of main pool, 2 <strong>Sedge Warbler</strong> in Red River ditch and 1 <strong>Common Whitethroat</strong>. </div>Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-40510539360035382442009-05-01T05:26:00.000-07:002009-05-01T12:19:21.925-07:00May is here.....<div align="justify"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3490525823_7d7cfabb70.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3490525823_7d7cfabb70.jpg" border="0" /></a>.....so why does it feel like bloody November! More rain and cold winds on the reserve this morning and not much different on the avian front. <strong>Razorbill</strong> (at sea) and <strong>Swift</strong> (2) were the only additions to my Reserve Yearlist bringing the total so far to 98 species for 2009. The Swifts came from the east and after a quick circuit of the reserve, headed west. Much of the standing water at the north end has now gone (Where does it go??) and i only saw one <strong>Whimbrel</strong> flying over as i left at 11.30am. Two <strong>Reed and a Sedge Warbler</strong> were again in reeds at the Red River and the main pool held six <strong>Shelduck</strong> and three <strong>Canada Geese</strong>. A walk along the western edge of the reserve produced single male <strong>House Sparrow</strong> and a <strong>Stonechat</strong>. The only birds of prey were two <strong>Buzzards</strong> and a male <strong>Kestrel</strong>. Still plenty of<strong> Sklark</strong> and<strong> Linnet</strong> singing.</div><div align="justify">Tim Twiggs had a couple of hours on the reserve this afternoon and had more success with the <strong>Whimbrel</strong>, counting thirteen birds.<strong> Swallow</strong> numbers had risen to over eighty birds on the main pool and had a single<strong> House Martin</strong> amongst them. A look at the sea from the embankment produced over eighteen <strong>Kittiwake</strong> and as many <strong>Manx Shearwater</strong>. Also four <strong>Turnstone</strong> flew past. Tim has also added up his Reserve Yearlist for 2009 and is currently on 84 species, including the <strong>Collared Dove</strong> seen from the western boundary today.</div>Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-62854972478885361302009-04-30T06:04:00.000-07:002009-04-30T06:24:50.836-07:00Thursday 30th April 09 sightings<div align="justify"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3488809282_57c46d1e3e.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 386px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3488809282_57c46d1e3e.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3488814494_c21552e18e_m.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3488814494_c21552e18e_m.jpg" border="0" /></a>What a difference a day makes! Dry, sunny and warm late morning on the reserve and plenty of birds singing. At least 6 <strong>Skylarks</strong> singing and finally got brief glimpses of <strong>Reed and Sedge Warblers</strong> singing in the Red River Ditch (95 and 96 respectively on the SGS Yearlist). The reserve has a lot of water on it at the moment with a large open area at the northern end. This held ten <strong>Whimbrel</strong> today. The <strong>Whitethroat</strong> was again singing from brambles near the entrance and just three male and a female <strong>Wheatear</strong> were evident.<br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div></div>Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-58295400940380301482009-04-29T13:47:00.000-07:002009-04-29T13:58:27.125-07:00Reserve Year list.......With the new addition to my family due in the next 13 days aswell as other commitments i decided to do my birding more local to home this year and challenged myself with a St Gothian Sands NR Yearlist. Im counting species that are seen inside <strong>and from within</strong> the boundary of the Reserve, that being the road to the south, The Red River to the east, the sand bank to the north and the caravan park fence boundary to the west. Ive managed to miss some good birds this year already, not least the<strong> Snowy Owl</strong>! Didn't catch up with the <strong>snow buntings</strong> either but having totted up the years total so far i was surprised to find i'd seen 94 species on or from the reserve. <strong>Common Whitethroat</strong> and <strong>Whimbrel</strong> were new additions over the last few days.Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-7359487701452220372009-04-29T05:13:00.000-07:002009-04-29T13:25:37.180-07:00Wednesday 29th April 2009<div align="justify">David King had a walk round the reserve this morning and saw <strong>Whitethroat</strong>, <strong>Bar-tailed Godwit</strong>, <strong>Whimbrel</strong>, <strong>Peregrine </strong>and two <strong>Sedge Warblers</strong> (along Red River near Sandsifter). I had a walk in the rain (again) this evening. There were certainly less <strong>Wheatears</strong> than my previous visit with only two males and a female noted. Six <strong>Whimbrel </strong>were still on the reserve tho mobile and a <strong>Common Sandpiper</strong> was on the Red river side of the main Pool. Finally caught up with the <strong>Whitethroat</strong> singing near the entrance gate as i left.</div>Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312483234210611984.post-60394988101767702872009-04-27T13:41:00.000-07:002009-04-27T13:44:39.125-07:00Snowy Owl VideoHeres a link to video footage taken by John Chapple of the Snowy Owl recently on the Reserve.<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pPZedp2Hhk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pPZedp2Hhk</a>Paul Freestonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449012535611733435noreply@blogger.com1