Cornwall Birding (1 Viewer)

[thenorthernmonkey]

Hi there,

I'm trying to find out which Counties still use the Watsonian Vice County system to record birds in and which go by whatever the political boundary may change to (and why).

The Watsonian Vice County system was set to accurately record and compare historical and modern data and it seems that there can be/is confusion when some counties no longer use this system whilst others do. Does anyone in your county have a view on this ? Discussion here if anyone has a comment:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=142074

ps this is not about getting more or less county ticks, more a question about uniformity in recording.

Johnny Allan

That's killed this thread -

 

[Ash1456]

I'll get it started again... don't you worry.
Anyone seen any good birds lately?
Come on....

 

[henerz1]

Not seen much myself Ash bar a Hobby through Penryn recently, but a mate of mine had Osprey and Black Kite over near Argal the other day, both seen within an hour! I couldn't quite believe it so pegged it down to the Reservoirs but after a couple of hours I'd decided that there was no sign and no hope. That would have made my spring but birding can often come in bad and then better runs.
Dipped a Melodious Warbler and Red-rumped Swallow on the Lizard to add to my poor spell of birding!
Cheers. Henry.

 

[The Kerreran]

Came down to Colliford yesterday for the drake Black Duck that's been hanging about with the Mallard there. He showed well if a bit distantly, upending on the far side in the light rain, but then the light improved and he obligingly came closer, and then out of the water and had a preen. Lovely :t:
Then I went up and had a look at Pentire - somewhere I've been meaning to go for a long time. The Puffins were their fabulous selves, and a westerly Manxie passage of ~1000/hr followed a very close line for the weather conditions. Something I've been wondering - is there a particular 'seawatching point' on The Rumps / Pentire Point? I found a nice-looking spot on the eastern Rump, but time didn't allow me to really have a good check around. Thanks.

 

[GiG]

Fowey birding

Hi,

I'm probably holidaying with family in Fowey this coming summer. Could anyone recommend local birding sites, I will be using public transport? Will seawatching from Gribben Head be any good for sea birds?

Have seen that Fowey Marine Adventures do a boat trip to Looe Island, so will be doing that.

Many thanks,

Gi

 

[Gastronaut]

Hi there,

I'm trying to find out which Counties still use the Watsonian Vice County system to record birds in and which go by whatever the political boundary may change to (and why).

There seems to be a political boundary between those that still record birds in Cornwall and the rest.
:t:

 

[davercox]

Choughs

Saw a couple (prob pair) at Boscregan Cliff (just north of Nanquidno) yesterday. One certainly was colour-ringed, with at least a yellow ring on the right leg and blue on the left, but could well have had another ring on each leg that I couldn't see. Anyone any idea whether these might have been ex the Paradise Park releases ?

 

[J.D]

Dave,These are two males that have been in the area for a couple of years or so.There are not currently any introduced Choughs in West Cornwall.Both of these birds were born in Cornwall.
J.D

 

[davercox]

Thank you J.D, super-quick answer !

 

[Conorbirda2]

Anyone know any more about the possible Wheatear Sp at the Lizard on monday? Who found it? any photos etc?

 

[sylvia staffs]

We were all hoping you would fill us in with the info Paul!!!!!!

8-P

Sylvia

 

[Dave Parker]

Anyone know any more about the possible Wheatear Sp at the Lizard on monday? Who found it? any photos etc?

Paul, as the self proclaimed fount of knowledge of all things birding in Cornwall I'm surprised you don't know any more. Haven't you phoned round all your contacts to find out?
I received a telephone call late yesterday morning to say that a competent and well respected birder had been told by his boss that his wife had seen a strange bird on the Lizard this Monday. The "description" apparently sounded good White-crowned Black and could I go and check it out? I must admit I wasn't too impressed with the rather tenous details but as I was due at work in the afternoon there was no way I could go myself anyhow. I dutifully phoned a few people to alert them to the news to see if they could get down there, warning them that I suspected it was the usual wild goose chase.
On getting home from work last night I found the rumour mill had been in overdrive and have heard third or fourth hand that there there has been a Blackbird with white in the tail in the area! There were certainly a couple of broods of immature (dark/dingy) Northern Wheatears in the same area and these could also be the source of the story. I have no idea, mainly because I have not heard details of the original description. For all we know it could well have been a mega that has slipped through our fingers or it may even still be out there.....
Hope this helps
Dave Parker

 

[Conorbirda2]

Paul, as the self proclaimed fount of knowledge of all things birding in Cornwall I'm surprised you don't know any more. Haven't you phoned round all your contacts to find out?
I received a telephone call late yesterday morning to say that a competent and well respected birder had been told by his boss that his wife had seen a strange bird on the Lizard this Monday. The "description" apparently sounded good White-crowned Black and could I go and check it out? I must admit I wasn't too impressed with the rather tenous details but as I was due at work in the afternoon there was no way I could go myself anyhow. I dutifully phoned a few people to alert them to the news to see if they could get down there, warning them that I suspected it was the usual wild goose chase.
On getting home from work last night I found the rumour mill had been in overdrive and have heard third or fourth hand that there there has been a Blackbird with white in the tail in the area! There were certainly a couple of broods of immature (dark/dingy) Northern Wheatears in the same area and these could also be the source of the story. I have no idea, mainly because I have not heard details of the original description. For all we know it could well have been a mega that has slipped through our fingers or it may even still be out there.....
Hope this helps
Dave Parker

Thanks for filling us in Dave. Although your dig at the beginning was again quite tedious and un-called for. I have friends and contacts throughout the country, none of which live on the Lizard. And as it was a third hand report i wouldn't have found out about it anyway. Especially as the news went to you and you 'dutifully phoned a few people'. Im sure we can guess who they were. Can i suggest that you stop showing yourself up by posting what i can only presume are comments brought about by some form of jealousy? (i cant think of any other reason seeing you are such an apparently Godly person) I rose above the previous comments and hoped you would do the same, but it appears you can't. Reply to this should you so wish. I won't be drawn into any further juvenile converstation with you. And my apologies to other BF members who are also tired of Daves snipes. (and no thats not another new species!)

 

[Conorbirda2]

We were all hoping you would fill us in with the info Paul!!!!!!

8-P

Sylvia

Hi mate. Apologies for Daves comments below. Dont know what his problem is? Didnt know anything about this bird. Third hand report. Give me a ring in future or e-mail me direct. You still coming down soon?

 

[camelbirder]

Mediterranean Gulls have started to return back on the Camel Estuary with the first juvenile of the summer today. A total of 4 were noted. See the Camel Estuary thread for details.

 

[camelbirder]

Mediterranean Gulls continue to increase on the Camel Estuary with 10 present this morning. (see Camel Estuary Thread)

 

[Conorbirda2]

Few waders back on the estuary at Hayle today, including a cracking Black-tailed Godwit.

 

[thenorthernmonkey]

3 Black Tailed Godwit at Stiths last wednesday as you know, 4 Common Sand there on Saturday. Whimbrel and Curlew also showed. Wont be long now...

 

[Ilya Maclean]

Edit: Nice views of a storm petrel fluttering past Lizard Point today

Conditions towards the end of the week predicted to be similar to those that produced the massive Cory's Shear movement at the end of July last year.

Probably a bit early for big numbers, but worth a seawatch?

 

[Conorbirda2]

Did you get my PM, Ilya?