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.

Recent Sightings

Though the weather has been superb over the last few days with light winds from the south and clear skies, there hasn't been much in the way of birds. Derek Jenkins had four Male and a female Wheatear on the 18th with a few Sand Martins along the Red River and Chris Yates had two male Wheatear around the mian pool on the morning of the 19th.

Six Shelduck were doing the springtime chasing and fighting thing this morning (21st) on the main pool and two Male Wheatears were on the open grass between the main pool and the road. The Phal killing Buzzard was walking up and down the bank of the island in aniticipation of another easy snack and there are still plenty of Skylark singing. Photo right; M.Sallis.

Recent Sightings

16th February 2009 - 3 Scaup and Pintail still there plus 3 Med Gulls (2 ad, 1-1stW), Raven, Snipe etc. The Phalarope-eating Buzzard was watching the ducks with intent!! Flock of at least 200 Wood Pigeons in fields on opposite side of road from reserve. (John.H. Johns)

A belated Happy New year!

Firstly an apology that i've not updated this blog for ages! Been busy with Cornwall Birding and the new Isles of Scilly Bird Group website. Fortunately it is a relatively quiet time of year at St Gothian but there have been a few good birds worthy of going to look at. Your probably sick of seeing the photos of the Buzzard killing the Grey Phalarope on the main pool on the 11th January, so if you want another look, click HERE.

The Water Pipit has been around since the beginning of the year but can prove elusive. It was seen most recently on the 12th February, the same day as a cracking male Ring Ouzel (right) snapped by Steve Sargeant. This was probably the same bird seen by Tim Twiggs on 7th January.

Three Scaup are on the main pool at the moment and other wildfowl of note this year include Shoveler and Pintail. A Jack Snipe was also seen on 7th January.

Hope spring brings some more goodies and i will endeavour to keep the blog updated with your sightings!

Wednesday 12th November 2008

A morning visit to the reserve produced the following species: Grey wagtail, Black Headed Gull, Herring Gull, Meadow Pipit, Blue tit, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Mute Swan, Starling, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw and Buzzard (from Chris Yates)