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.

Recent ('ish!) Sightings

The 18th September saw three Dunlin, a Snipe, six Wheatear, Reed Bunting, ten Swallow and nine Wigeon on the reserve.
On the 10th October Tim Twiggs found a male LAPLAND BUNTING 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.

Derek Jenkins had two adult WHOOPER SWANS on the main pool on the 9th November and they were present the following day.

Apologies for the lack of recent updates, and thanks for those who have sent in sightings. Anything of real interest is on the Cornwall Birding 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 Dunlin, Greenshank and Wheatear. Tim had a juv Little Stint on Sunday 4th October feeding on floating weed on the main pool.

Will hopefully have some photos to add!

Still on the quiet side..............

Still quiet on the reserve at the moment with nothing but the odd Dunlin and Green and Common Sandpipers. Simon Taylor saw six Wheatears there today.

Waders

Terry Hasdell reports three Dunlin on the reserve this morning. Good to see the waders are starting to come back.