Camel Estuary, Cornwall (1 Viewer)

[camelbirder]

Yesterday during a complete estuary count the following were noted;
Little Grebe - 4
Cormorant - 19
Shag - 8
Little Egret - 19
Grey Heron - 5
Mute Swan - 36
Whooper Swan - 1
Shelduck - 126
Wigeon - 42
Mallard - 27
Moorhen - 1
Oystercatcher - 262
Ringed Plover - 15
Golden Plover - 45
Grey Plover - 13
Knot - 1
Dunlin - 271
Snipe - 1
Bar-tailed Godwit - 10
Curlew - 141
Redshank - 132
Greenshank - 8
Common Sandpiper - 1
Buzzard - 3
Kestrel - 1
Black-headed Gull - 280
Common Gull - 37
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 101
Herring Gull - 525
Great Black-backed Gull - 131

 

[camelbirder]

At Treraven Meadows this afternoon 3 Water Pipits were present, also noted were 2 Green sandpiper, an immature male Gadwall, 29 Pied Wagtail and a Greenshank.

At Clapper Marsh, a brownhead Goldeneye and a single Green Sandpiper were noted.

 

[camelbirder]

The Wednesday Bird Walk Group noted 57 Species between Wadebridge and Tregunna along the Camel trail yesterday. Highlights included the Avocet, Black Redstart and Turnstone.

 

[Qingcol]

Walmsley Sanctuary this afternoon, good numbers of Golden Plover still 1,500+, plus 400 Lapwing, 8 Northern Pintail, 28 Northern Shoveler, 120 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 2 Common Pochard (male & female) 2 Tufted Duck (male & female) 2 Water Rail and 60+ Common Snipe.

 

[camelbirder]

This evening off Padstow the gull roost was disappointing with only 217 Black-headed Gulls, 1 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull, 35 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 22 Common Gulls present at dusk. Over 600 large gulls, (mainly Herring), were watching flying out to roost on the coast.
Other species noted included 39 Turnstone, 25 Oystercatcher, 103 Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plover, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Grey Plover and a single Bar-tailed Godwit. A Grey Seal was also present.

The male Black Redstart was once again in Glen Road, Wadebridge this afternoon.

 

[Qingcol]

2 Cattle Egret back at Hay Farm near Wadebridge this afternoon, please view from Treneague.

 

[camelbirder]

At the Amble Marshes this morning over 500 Golden Plover were again present with 110 Lapwing, 35 Dunlin, 65 Curlew, 22 Black-tailed Godwit, 24 Snipe and a single Jack Snipe. Wildfowl included 3 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 34 Mallard, 67 Teal, 85 Wigeon, 17 Shoveler and 12 Shelduck. 3 Water rail put in an appearance as did a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Peregrine.

At Treraven Meadows, 3 Water Pipits, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Gadwall, 26 Teal, 58 Wigeon and 13 Mallard were all noted.

At nearby Clapper Marshes 82 Wigeon, 24 Teal and 2 Siskin were on show.

This afternoons visit to the estuary produced my first Iceland Gull, a first winter, of the year in a flock of 1100 Herring Gulls. Also present was the first winter Ring-billed Gull and a first winter Mediterranean Gull. 20 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits were counted. Were the Black-tails the Amble Marshes birds? The adult Whooper Swan was with the Mute herd.

 

[camelbirder]

2 Cattle Egret back at Hay Farm near Wadebridge this afternoon, please view from Treneague.

Unfortunately none were present this afternoon.

 

[camelbirder]

Birdguides reports a Sand Martin on the Amble Marshes this afternoon at 3pm.

 

[camelbirder]

This morning at the wader roost at Trebetherick Point the following were noted;

Grey Plover - 30
Knot - 8
Turnstone - 9
Dunlin - 107
Sanderling - 2
Oystercatcher - 38

40 Oystercatchers were also noted at Porthilly Point.

At Rock a Firecrest was noted near the Mariners Pub.

At Wadebridge the female Black Redstart was present early this afternoon.

 

[camelbirder]

A early morning visit to the Amble Marshes this morning produced;
Pintail - 5 (2 males)
Gadwall - 2 (1 male)
Tufted Duck - 2 (1 male)
Pochard - 2 (1 male)
Shoveler - 18
Wigeon - 64
Teal - 91
Mallard - 24
Black-tailed Godwit - 28
Lapwing - 94
GoldenPlover - 47
Snipe - 4
Little Egret - 4
Chiffchaff - 1 singing
Reed Bunting - 3 singing males

Not a bad morning before the rain.

 

[Qingcol]

A early morning visit to the Amble Marshes this morning produced;
Pintail - 5 (2 males)
Gadwall - 2 (1 male)
Tufted Duck - 2 (1 male)
Pochard - 2 (1 male)
Shoveler - 18
Wigeon - 64
Teal - 91
Mallard - 24
Black-tailed Godwit - 28
Lapwing - 94
GoldenPlover - 47
Snipe - 4
Little Egret - 4
Chiffchaff - 1 singing
Reed Bunting - 3 singing males

Not a bad morning before the rain.

A little later on, 7 Northern Pintail (3 males) 25 Northern Shoveler, 12 Common Snipe, 41 Curlew and 4 Chiffchaff, one spring bird back and singing (photo below)
Male Black Redstart still at Glen Road yesterday afternoon.

 

[camelbirder]

Hi Colin,
I like the second egret photo, were is the trampoline.

On a more sensible note is one of the birds going a bit pink around the bill.

 

[Qingcol]

Hi Colin,
I like the second egret photo, were is the trampoline.

On a more sensible note is one of the birds going a bit pink around the bill.

Yes one individual has more courtship period, reddish pink than I have noticed before on the lower mandible. But that striking red gape must play a role in their courtship!

 

[Qingcol]

Exposed mud just right for Pipits at Treraven Meadow this morning, with 7 Water Pipit (photo),3 Rock Pipit and 30+ Meadow, other birds included 2 Ruff, 2 Common Redshank, 1 Greenshank (catching and swallowing Stickleback photo below) 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper (photo), 14 Teal, 1 male Gadwall, 24 Pied Wagtail and 2 pale Chiffchaff.

 

[Qingcol]

Whooper Swan with Mute Swans still at Dinham Flats this morning, 7 Northern Pintail and 2 Water Rail at Walmsley. Male Black Redstart at Glen Road Still.

 

[Qingcol]

Walmsley Sanctuary this morning, birds included 1 female Hen Harrier, 8+ Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 80+ Common Snipe, (1 Jack Snipe in Juncus, look just in the field right of the tower hide) 4 Northern Pintail, 20 Northern Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 30+ Teal, 10 Lapwing, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Little Grebe, 4 Little Egret, 2 Red-legged Partridge.

 

[Qingcol]

Treraven Meadows this afternoon, still 4 Water Pipit, some showing fresh colour below. 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and 12 Common Snipe.

 

[camelbirder]

Does anyone know about the reported Gyr Falcon reported at Porthcothan today. The report states that the bird has been present awhile.
It maybe a good idea for someone to check the last Gyr Falcon roost site at Stepper Point.

 

[Qingcol]

Walmsley Sanctuary yesterday afternoon, 1 adult male Merlin and 1 Barn Owl reported.
Treraven Meadows this morning, birds included 2 Water Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 30+ Meadow Pipit, 22 Teal, 6 Mute Swan, 8 Common Snipe, 1 Ruff, 1 Greenshank and 1 Woodcock.
Male Black Redstart still at Glen Road.