Cornwall Birding (5 Viewers)

[Conorbirda2]

Hi Henerz,
Which one of my posts do you find argumentative? (apart from perhaps this one.) All I have done is reluctantly respond to Paul's escalations with what I think are considered replies. Everything I have said is to the best of my knowledge, factual and true. You may not like hearing what I have said about one of your friends but it's the truth there's no argument about that. I also notice that you have not included Paul in your accusations of being argumentative and yet he is the one who has escalated my innocent question, challenged me to respond and seems intent on making it personal. If you read my posts carefully you will see that I have mostly tried to defuse the situation and avoid a public slanging match. It has been Paul who has consistantly dug himself deeper into a hole of his own making.
Dave

Dave, all you have done is have a go at the website, your posts are more sniping than argumentative, it almost sounds like jealousy?. Apart from the Goosander episode, none of what you have said relates to me personally, so what are you refering to when you say " you might not like hearing what i have said about one of your friends"?? Henerz has spent a damn sight longer in the field with me than you have and can no doubt judge for himself about me personally. And your facts about the Goosander/RB Merg numbers were neither factual or true. Much like the BH Wagtail story. You do not know me well enough personally to know if anything you have said is true? And where's the hole Im digging? Everything you have refered to was pointed out to me a long time ago and rectified. You are just raking over old ground. You also stated that "(my website) despite having very few photographs" ??? There are over three hundred in the Galleries alone. Add to that all the ones added to the Daily Bird Reports and you will find that there are probably 700+ photographs on the site. Which i dont think is bad for a website that has been running for less than two years. There are also some photos and discussion/comments about the Hume's at Tehidy. From others, not me, who also doubted Hume's. As i said, I don't claim to be an expert in Hume's.

http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk/i...ssible-humes-leaf-warbler-at-tehidy/#comments

What i asked you to do in the first place was to point out any mistakes or oversights on the website. So far all you have done is point out mistakes that have already been pointed out and rectified, i.e. Azorean YL Gull, BH Wagtail and RB/ Common Gull. And as for sweeping statements:

"If you can’t even age a gull properly, you will have no hope of identifying it correctly."

What??!! Really? So if you can't age a Little Gull, for example, you cant identify it?

And you really shouldnt be flattered. I haven't been changing any mistakes on the website. Certainly nothing you have mentioned. Im quite happy to take constructive critisism about the website especially mistakes being pointed out but can you make them relevant, not ones that have already been rectified. Anyway, i won't be responding to anything further you have to say, as Henerz said earlier, lets get this thread back on track. Plans are in motion to make Cornwall Birding subscription only, still free but i will be able to regulate who uses it. So those who regularly use it, do not contribute but feel fit to critisize can be excluded from using the facility.

And for your info Dave, the photos of the wagtail were sent to me on the 7th may. The bird was there on the 5th May. So if they had been sent elsewhere, it wouldnt have mattered, the bird had already gone. But then there was nothing stopping you, having realized that it was not Blue-headed, going down on the 8th to look for it.
The "When did i have trouble with them in the past" comment was somewhat tongue in cheek, for you to bring up the Helston Goosander. Which you did.
As i said before, it was Mush who brought the BH Wagtail to my attention. Not you. So i havent got that wrong at all.
And i still dont know where you got the impression that I changed anything to do with the Tehidy Hume's reports?? Probably a good job you aren't a proof reader.

THE END....................................and my apologies to everyone else who uses this thread for hijacking it with this rant!!B B B B B B

 

[Conorbirda2]

Quite so Dave. Henerz even dragged me into it too. He's failed to apologise or withdraw his completely unfounded accusation, so don't hold your breath. He doesn't seem to appreciate the difference between argumentative and assertive.

You just can't resist can you Andy. ;-) I think Henerz may have been refering to older posts. Not this one. I wouldn't say its unfounded! And what is assertive about any of this anyway? I don't see anyone else apologizing for anything on BF. I love to see how 'assertive' everyone is when they meet face to face after a rant on BF. Its the faceless world of birding. Im sure it entertains all those who aren't cornwall birders (note i said Cornwall and not Cornish). You should read the Yorkshire thread. Everyone friends, no (or very little) bitching, backstabbing or supressing. They come on to the Cornwall thread for a laugh.

 

[Ilya Maclean]

Hi all

I'm currently a Norfolk-based birder, but I'm moving down to Falmouth in about a month. I don't know a soul down there at the moment, but hoping to get to know one or two of the local birders who can fill me in on the "local scene". I'm a keen patch worker and prefer finding my own stuff to twitching. Just thought I'd introduce myself and encourage folks to drop me a pm if you happen to be from round there.

Cheers

Ilya

 

[henerz1]

Hey chaps, I didn't intend to add fire to the the slanging matches. If it's what it takes for this thread to resume original function as a great resource for hearing about bird news and a place to get more birding info then I withdraw my comments Andy and Dave.

Ilya, if you source out a decent local patch i'm sure it will reap reward. Not as high density of birders down here so good finds can happen on a regular basis. It is more like how many rather than when!

Penryn River sightings yesterday: 4 Greenshanks, 43 Curlews, c25 Redshanks, 3 Shelducks, 2 Bullfinches, 1 Blackcap.

Henerz.

 

[Cuckoo-shrike]

You should read the Yorkshire thread. Everyone friends, no (or very little) bitching, backstabbing or supressing. They come on to the Cornwall thread for a laugh.

And who are we to disappoint them? :-O

 

[Conorbirda2]

Hi all

I'm currently a Norfolk-based birder, but I'm moving down to Falmouth in about a month. I don't know a soul down there at the moment, but hoping to get to know one or two of the local birders who can fill me in on the "local scene". I'm a keen patch worker and prefer finding my own stuff to twitching. Just thought I'd introduce myself and encourage folks to drop me a pm if you happen to be from round there.

Cheers

Ilya

Hi Ilya, and welcome to Cornwall. Im sure if you get in touch with Henerz he can point you in the right direction. Have a look at his Falmouth blog for some ideas. Good to have another birder in the County.

 

[Conorbirda2]

Does anyone know anything about the Snowy Owl at Falmouth on the 7th!!!

 

[Cuckoo-shrike]

A new local forum exists:

http://www.cbwps.org.uk/Contact us.htm

 

[Conorbirda2]

A new local forum exists:

http://www.cbwps.org.uk/Contact us.htm

Hmmm. Cant see it challenging BF, can you! Don't see the point of using it to post sightings either Andy. Not very friendly either, especially if you dont want every man and his dog seeing your private e-mail address.

 

[Cuckoo-shrike]

Hmmm. Cant see it challenging BF, can you! Don't see the point of using it to post sightings either Andy. Not very friendly either, especially if you dont want every man and his dog seeing your private e-mail address.

Well I think it's good to support our local society, don't you Paul? Especially if you're a committee member. Aren't you a committee member? No doubt you'll correct me if I'm wrong.

It's not challenging BF, just as your own site doesn't challenge Birdguides or RBA. It's just a local version, ok?

I personally think it's unfortunate that you don't push CBWPS more on your own site. There's a big fat link to you on their home page. I may have missed it but I can't find a reciprocal link on yours, except on a tiny links bar right at the bottom.

There's no obligation to reveal your e-mail address on the CBWPS forum if you don't want to.

 

[Qingcol]

Maer Lake NR this morning, small numbers of Shoveler, teal and Wigeon the same for Gulls, Black-headed, Herring and 9 adult Lesser Black-backed. One Jack Snipe feeding in ditch near the road with 12 Common Snipe and 4 Redwing. What looked like a Green Winged Macaw! flying around the north end.
Upper Tamar Lakes, just one pair of Goosander on the Lower Lake.
Bude Marshes, 800+ Golden Plover and 400+ Northern Lapwing.

 

[Conorbirda2]

Well I think it's good to support our local society, don't you Paul? Especially if you're a committee member. Aren't you a committee member? No doubt you'll correct me if I'm wrong.

It's not challenging BF, just as your own site doesn't challenge Birdguides or RBA. It's just a local version, ok?

I personally think it's unfortunate that you don't push CBWPS more on your own site. There's a big fat link to you on their home page. I may have missed it but I can't find a reciprocal link on yours, except on a tiny links bar right at the bottom.

There's no obligation to reveal your e-mail address on the CBWPS forum if you don't want to.

Oh here we go Andy, you sharing a wagon with Mr Parker are you?! I didnt say i wouldnt support it and the BF comment was of course said tongue in cheek. I think you will find that ive been doing CWBPS updates while their site has been down. I also advertise their monthly walks etc. I shouldnt have to push the society on Cornwall Birding, thats what they have thier website for. I also report sightings from their reserves, even Windmill Farm when i get them. I think there was a note of thanks to me from Peter for doing the updates for CWBPS whilst their website was down in the last Palores. Its unfortunate you didnt read it properly before spouting off! Apart from the link at the top, where else does the CWBPS website support the Cornwall Birding website? Not that i ask it to.

Cornwall Birding also doesnt challenge RBA or Birdguides as they are both run by teams of full time paid persons and claim to provide a up to the minute news service. Cornwall Birding has never claimed to do that. Although both get information fro Cornwall Birding from time to time.

The reason theres a big fat link on their website to Cornwall Birding is because you put it thier in the first place as a link to local sightings! Personally i think its a shame more news doesnt come out of the societies reserves (with the exception of Stithians). There is a 'my reserve' mentality with the wardens that has been noted across a wide section of the membership. I think that wardens should be on a three or four year tender myself, in fact, being on the committee, i might put that idea on the next minutes!
And yes, at the moment i am a committee member.

 

[Conorbirda2]

Anyway, on a much more interesting note, It seems there may well be two Snowy Owls in Cornwall!

 

[henerz1]

On the 7th a Snowy Owl was photographed on the sea wall at Gyllyngvase just south of Falmouth at 4pm. It wasn't present for long being pushed off by gulls. I don't have permission to post the photo from the photographer but since the news got out I can elaborate on the sighting. It appears to be a 1st winter from the plumage detail in the photo although I don't know what would make it a male?

On the same day I was up at Zennor Moor and couldn't find the bird. This was more than sods law, it turning up just a few miles from home whilst I travelled for 3 hours the wrong direction and sadly the news wasn't put out of the Falmouth sighting at the time.

For it to fly to this spot and return back to Amalveor a few days later seems very strange but the plumage similar from what I could tell. 2 birds or 1?

Cheers. Henerz.

 

[Cuckoo-shrike]

I didnt say i wouldnt support it and the BF comment was of course said tongue in cheek. I think you will find that ive been doing CWBPS updates while their site has been down. I also advertise their monthly walks etc. I shouldnt have to push the society on Cornwall Birding, thats what they have thier website for. I also report sightings from their reserves, even Windmill Farm when i get them. I think there was a note of thanks to me from Peter for doing the updates for CWBPS whilst their website was down in the last Palores. Its unfortunate you didnt read it properly before spouting off! Apart from the link at the top, where else does the CWBPS website support the Cornwall Birding website? Not that i ask it to.

Cornwall Birding also doesnt challenge RBA or Birdguides as they are both run by teams of full time paid persons and claim to provide a up to the minute news service. Cornwall Birding has never claimed to do that. Although both get information fro Cornwall Birding from time to time.

The reason theres a big fat link on their website to Cornwall Birding is because you put it thier in the first place as a link to local sightings! Personally i think its a shame more news doesnt come out of the societies reserves (with the exception of Stithians). There is a 'my reserve' mentality with the wardens that has been noted across a wide section of the membership. I think that wardens should be on a three or four year tender myself, in fact, being on the committee, i might put that idea on the next minutes!
And yes, at the moment i am a committee member.

Paul, your tongue seems to be permanently stuck in your cheek, except when you're sticking it out at other people.
I apologise (yes Paul, there is such a word) for not acknowledging your CBWPS updates.
Nevertheless I still think that to publicly denigrate the efforts of another committee member (the webmaster), tongue in cheek or not, is pretty churlish and disloyal.
Yes I put the link to your site on as a favour and an acknowledgment of your hard work.
And oh yes, people are queueing up for be reserve wardens haha.

 

[Cuckoo-shrike]

Personally i think its a shame more news doesnt come out of the societies reserves (with the exception of Stithians). There is a 'my reserve' mentality with the wardens that has been noted across a wide section of the membership. I think that wardens should be on a three or four year tender myself, in fact, being on the committee, i might put that idea on the next minutes!

Have a read through this thread for an insight into the realities of being voluntary warden of a reserve:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=41330&highlight=windmill+farm

It's very easy to say all news should be immediately publicised. That is the policy UNLESS there is a risk of undue disturbance of the bird or our neighbours, or habitat damage. The number of birders who disregarded a simple request not to approach last April's Black-winged Stilts too closely amazed me. They just HAD to get those photos (which I, as the finder, had forgone as I didn't want to disturb them).

 

[Conorbirda2]

Paul, your tongue seems to be permanently stuck in your cheek, except when you're sticking it out at other people.
I apologise (yes Paul, there is such a word) for not acknowledging your CBWPS updates.
Nevertheless I still think that to publicly denigrate the efforts of another committee member (the webmaster), tongue in cheek or not, is pretty churlish and disloyal.
Yes I put the link to your site on as a favour and an acknowledgment of your hard work.
And oh yes, people are queueing up for be reserve wardens haha.

Firstly, I'm not aware that the webmaster is on the committee and it certainly wasn't a personal attack on his efforts with the website. I have e-mailed Nigel to say what an improvement it is. Not that you would know that.
Im also not aware that i've 'stuck my tongue out' at anyone nor have i said anything that i wish to retract or apologize for. You put the link on to Cornwall Birding site because "you couldnt compete with the daily updates" (your words not mine!), not as any favour, if i recall it was initially a reciprocal link. Anyway, its not a competition.
As for the link to volunteer wardening thread, thanks but i didnt read it. Ive been a volunteer warden, a field officer for EN in the Lower Derwent Valley NNR and an assistant warden at an Obs, so know what it entails.

 

[Conorbirda2]

Have a read through this thread for an insight into the realities of being voluntary warden of a reserve:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=41330&highlight=windmill+farm

It's very easy to say all news should be immediately publicised. That is the policy UNLESS there is a risk of undue disturbance of the bird or our neighbours, or habitat damage. The number of birders who disregarded a simple request not to approach last April's Black-winged Stilts too closely amazed me. They just HAD to get those photos (which I, as the finder, had forgone as I didn't want to disturb them).

I didnt say anything about the news being immediately publicised? Read the post properly. Don't forget who started off the S.W.I.F.T website. Im sure that helped the CWBPS cause no end!

We've had our little altercations on BF before Andy and I'm not entirely sure why you think you need to blow something up out of all preportion? If it is simply to get a rise out of me then i'm afraid it wont work little man.

Feel free to respond. This is my last word on the subject.

 

[Conorbirda2]

On the 7th a Snowy Owl was photographed on the sea wall at Gyllyngvase just south of Falmouth at 4pm. It wasn't present for long being pushed off by gulls. I don't have permission to post the photo from the photographer but since the news got out I can elaborate on the sighting. It appears to be a 1st winter from the plumage detail in the photo although I don't know what would make it a male?

On the same day I was up at Zennor Moor and couldn't find the bird. This was more than sods law, it turning up just a few miles from home whilst I travelled for 3 hours the wrong direction and sadly the news wasn't put out of the Falmouth sighting at the time.

For it to fly to this spot and return back to Amalveor a few days later seems very strange but the plumage similar from what I could tell. 2 birds or 1?

Cheers. Henerz.

Henerz, I have the photo and permission to use them but just waiting to see if it actually the same bird or not. The St Ives bird wasn't reported from 7th - 15th Feb, but Im informed that it was there during that time. There was a report of a Snowy on the Lizard too? Could it be two birds?

 

[Paul Penzance]

Re Premission to use photographs. I noticed on the Cornwall Birding site a picture of the Yellow-throated Vireo at Kenidjack captioned 'photographer unknown'. I'm sure most birders in Cornwall will know its by Ren Hathway. It was in the Bird Report for that year!! Then there are a lot of hypocrites down here. A previous County Recorder is always travelling here from the other end of the county though he is anti-twitchers! Then I think he is also anti-conservation having suppressed many birds, particulary an American Bittern on a reserve that would have raised thousands for conservation. At least Cornwall birding is better than it has been since the lows of the 80's but there are still a few c***s about!
Paul