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Falmouth Birding (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter dantheman
- Start date
dantheman
Bah humbug
Out and about for a couple of hours from 10ish ...
Pendennis - 3 Wheatear on the point, 8 Sandwich Terns and a Med Gull in the Carrick Roads, distant Gannets out to sea.
Another 3 Sandwich Terns Castle Beach, Little Egret, Raven over
Swanpool - no sign of the Common Scoter, but Little Grebe, singing Blackcap, 6+ Chiffchaff in the waterside vegetation, Willow Warbler 1, with another on the cliffs towards Gylly beach, 12 Fulmar on their cliffs, and a distant flock of ducks which landed on the sea which were, unfortunately, 10 Mallard. 2 dead Guillemot, 1 very fresh winter and 1 summer plumage birds amongst the seaweed washed up on the beach.
Pendennis - 3 Wheatear on the point, 8 Sandwich Terns and a Med Gull in the Carrick Roads, distant Gannets out to sea.
Another 3 Sandwich Terns Castle Beach, Little Egret, Raven over
Swanpool - no sign of the Common Scoter, but Little Grebe, singing Blackcap, 6+ Chiffchaff in the waterside vegetation, Willow Warbler 1, with another on the cliffs towards Gylly beach, 12 Fulmar on their cliffs, and a distant flock of ducks which landed on the sea which were, unfortunately, 10 Mallard. 2 dead Guillemot, 1 very fresh winter and 1 summer plumage birds amongst the seaweed washed up on the beach.
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dantheman
Bah humbug
Spent the morning with AndyK down from up north. Highlights -
Pendennis - Med Gull (2nd sum), 6 Red-breasted Mergansers and 4 Sandwich Terns in the Carrick Roads. 2 Fulmars flypast and 2 Rock Pipits on the point and 20+ Gannets distantly in the bay.
1 smart sum plum Slavonian Grebe close in between Castle and Gyllyngvase Beach, actively diving, with another 4+ Sandwich Terns in Falmouth Bay.
Swanpool - Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, 3 Water Rail, 2+ Little Grebe
Gorrangorras, Penryn River - 7 Turnstone, 6+ Redshank, 2 Greenshank, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, 5 Little Egret, 6+ Teal, Little Grebe
Devoran - 2 Shelduck, 10+ Curlew, 10+ Redshank, visit curtailed by a heavy shower, plus the tide was out.
Stithians - 5+ Willow Warbler, 4+ Chiffchaff (singing and sight records) around the 2 hides at the southern end. Feeding ended so no Reed Bunting or Chaffinch flock etc. Water Rail heard, 1 Swallow. On the Reservoir - 4 Goldeneye, 4 GCGrebe, 8 Tufted Duck etc
Argal Res - 3+ GCG, windy and not much out there as viewed from the dam end.
College Res - GCG, 6 Canada Goose, Grey Heron, 3 Tufted Duck, Teal, 2+ Willow Warblers singing, Chiffchaffs, 1 Swallow etc
63 species for the morning.
Pendennis - Med Gull (2nd sum), 6 Red-breasted Mergansers and 4 Sandwich Terns in the Carrick Roads. 2 Fulmars flypast and 2 Rock Pipits on the point and 20+ Gannets distantly in the bay.
1 smart sum plum Slavonian Grebe close in between Castle and Gyllyngvase Beach, actively diving, with another 4+ Sandwich Terns in Falmouth Bay.
Swanpool - Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, 3 Water Rail, 2+ Little Grebe
Gorrangorras, Penryn River - 7 Turnstone, 6+ Redshank, 2 Greenshank, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, 5 Little Egret, 6+ Teal, Little Grebe
Devoran - 2 Shelduck, 10+ Curlew, 10+ Redshank, visit curtailed by a heavy shower, plus the tide was out.
Stithians - 5+ Willow Warbler, 4+ Chiffchaff (singing and sight records) around the 2 hides at the southern end. Feeding ended so no Reed Bunting or Chaffinch flock etc. Water Rail heard, 1 Swallow. On the Reservoir - 4 Goldeneye, 4 GCGrebe, 8 Tufted Duck etc
Argal Res - 3+ GCG, windy and not much out there as viewed from the dam end.
College Res - GCG, 6 Canada Goose, Grey Heron, 3 Tufted Duck, Teal, 2+ Willow Warblers singing, Chiffchaffs, 1 Swallow etc
63 species for the morning.
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dantheman
Bah humbug
Managed to fit in a seawatching session this morning from Pendennis -
9.30 - 10.40, sw winds, visibility 2-3 miles, all west unless stated otherwise
Gannet 80+
Fulmar 30+
Kitiwake 7,5,8,5 = 25
Auk sp. 500+ (mostly in tight flocks 50+)
Razorbill 5
Guillemot 4
Sandwich Tern 14,5,7,8,7 = 41
Black-throated Diver 1
Diver sp. 8 in a single flock, probably BT and at least 1 RT Diver
Oystercatcher 3
Eider 5 with c.20 Auk sp
Common Scoter 3 (2m 1f)
Swallow 1 in off
Also 1+ GN Diver off the point
A quick look at Gorrangorras on the falling tide only revealed 4 Redshank, 3 Little Egret, 3 Mute Swan and a Snipe, although there had been a Sandwich Tern there earlier.
9.30 - 10.40, sw winds, visibility 2-3 miles, all west unless stated otherwise
Gannet 80+
Fulmar 30+
Kitiwake 7,5,8,5 = 25
Auk sp. 500+ (mostly in tight flocks 50+)
Razorbill 5
Guillemot 4
Sandwich Tern 14,5,7,8,7 = 41
Black-throated Diver 1
Diver sp. 8 in a single flock, probably BT and at least 1 RT Diver
Oystercatcher 3
Eider 5 with c.20 Auk sp
Common Scoter 3 (2m 1f)
Swallow 1 in off
Also 1+ GN Diver off the point
A quick look at Gorrangorras on the falling tide only revealed 4 Redshank, 3 Little Egret, 3 Mute Swan and a Snipe, although there had been a Sandwich Tern there earlier.
dantheman
Bah humbug
Popped out very early this morning - no hoped for warblers etc at Swanpool, although GCG still, but Pendennis still had a Wheatear and at least 4 Purple Sandpipers. A very brief seawatch showed stuff moving - 2 imm Kittiwakes west just offshore (all yesterday's birds were adults), a Sandwich Tern and 2 Common Scoter west. A male Kestrel hunting the point looked much like a Hobby - went for a Rock Pipit and all the birds froze for a minute or so.
Gorrangorras had 4 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 1 Snipe, 9 Little Egret and 4 Turnstone.
Argal had 10+ Swallow, and 3 Siskin, but no sign of the Sarnie Tern, whilst College had c.30 each Swallow and Sand Martin
Further afield, the Whooper Swan still at Helston Boating Lake, the female Common Scoter on Helston Loe Pool, with 50+ Sand Martin and 150+ Swallow total moving through (c.40 each at the north end with 2 House Martin). 7 Sandwich Terns flew from Carminowe Creek towards Loe Bar and presumably out to sea, and a Common Sandpiper in Carminowe Creek.
The Mallard on the boating lake down to only 4 ducklings now, with 8 Shoveler. Chiffchaffs singing everywhere, the odd Willow Warbler, pair of Pintail at a site on the Lizard.
Gorrangorras had 4 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 1 Snipe, 9 Little Egret and 4 Turnstone.
Argal had 10+ Swallow, and 3 Siskin, but no sign of the Sarnie Tern, whilst College had c.30 each Swallow and Sand Martin
Further afield, the Whooper Swan still at Helston Boating Lake, the female Common Scoter on Helston Loe Pool, with 50+ Sand Martin and 150+ Swallow total moving through (c.40 each at the north end with 2 House Martin). 7 Sandwich Terns flew from Carminowe Creek towards Loe Bar and presumably out to sea, and a Common Sandpiper in Carminowe Creek.
The Mallard on the boating lake down to only 4 ducklings now, with 8 Shoveler. Chiffchaffs singing everywhere, the odd Willow Warbler, pair of Pintail at a site on the Lizard.
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dantheman
Bah humbug
Beached Pilot Whale on Castle Beach this afternoon apparently -
http://news.sky.com/story/1078445/beached-whale-rescuers-in-race-against-time
:eek!:
http://news.sky.com/story/1078445/beached-whale-rescuers-in-race-against-time
:eek!:
dantheman
Bah humbug
Great Northern Diver off Pendennis Point this morning, although fairly far out. Distant Gannets and the odd auk, the winds much lighter. 6 Sandwich Terns west, with another and a Swallow in the Carrick Roads.
Swanpool - 10+ Swallow and 3 Sand Martin moving through, with a Whimbrel inland over the golf course. Water Rail, Chiffs singing, female Blackcap and Green Woodpecker, GSW, Nuthatch and 3 Bullfinch etc
Swanpool - 10+ Swallow and 3 Sand Martin moving through, with a Whimbrel inland over the golf course. Water Rail, Chiffs singing, female Blackcap and Green Woodpecker, GSW, Nuthatch and 3 Bullfinch etc
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Samuel Perfect
Well-known member
report of 15 Whimbrel at Gylly/Swanpool area. Just thought I'd relay the news
dantheman
Bah humbug
Absolutely. From that facebook page?
There's also been an Iceland Gull reported from Longdowns (possibly the Llama fields?), and a White Stork the other day ... bit of a mega! Seen over the town and other sites around and about over 2 days (going out of the area). Arctic and Great Skuas seen from Coverack yesterday on the Lizard - would've crossed Falmouth Bay and quite possibly viewable from Pendennis, although possibly were further out.
Went to look for the Pilot Whale on Castle Beach as soon as the gf told me when she got in from work t'other day - unfortunately all that was to be seen was a blue tarpaulin in the shape of a Pilot Whale. My neighbour even saw it earlier in the day, was telling me on the news it was quite badly cut by boat propellers.
dantheman
Bah humbug
Was hoping to get an early session in today (SW winds, fog = ideal fall conditions, hypothetically), but various things transpired to work against this, partly relating to the fact that we're moving within the week, and partly because I ran out of petrol ... both main Falmouth petrol stations closed for refitting!!!
Did eventually get a seawatch in at Pendennis though -
12:00 - 13:00, SSW reasonably fresh, visibilty around the 2 -3 mile mark. All west unless stated otherwise.
Gannet 50+
Fulmar 12+
Manx Shearwater 50, 40, 5, 15, 5, 12, 10, 5, 25 = 157
Great Skua flock of 3
Auk sp. 400+
Razorbill 100, 30, 3 = 133
Guillemot 2
Sandwich Tern 9
Curlew 1 flew into the roads
Cormorant and Shag probably local birds.
There were also 6 Great Northern Divers offshore, two close in together, 2 mid-range together, 2 separate birds more distant, and 2 Guillemots on the sea. 2 Wheatear on the point.
A further 3 Sarnies at Gylly Beach, Little Egret Castle Beach, Swanpool had GCG and Water Rail, Chiffchaffs singing but no WW's
Did eventually get a seawatch in at Pendennis though -
12:00 - 13:00, SSW reasonably fresh, visibilty around the 2 -3 mile mark. All west unless stated otherwise.
Gannet 50+
Fulmar 12+
Manx Shearwater 50, 40, 5, 15, 5, 12, 10, 5, 25 = 157
Great Skua flock of 3
Auk sp. 400+
Razorbill 100, 30, 3 = 133
Guillemot 2
Sandwich Tern 9
Curlew 1 flew into the roads
Cormorant and Shag probably local birds.
There were also 6 Great Northern Divers offshore, two close in together, 2 mid-range together, 2 separate birds more distant, and 2 Guillemots on the sea. 2 Wheatear on the point.
A further 3 Sarnies at Gylly Beach, Little Egret Castle Beach, Swanpool had GCG and Water Rail, Chiffchaffs singing but no WW's
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Jon Turner
Well-known member
My friend Tim saw an Iceland Gull off the Ferryboat Inn today - his first for the river!
dantheman
Bah humbug
Paid a brief visit to the reservoirs this evening. A shame spring has finally arrived, but hey.
Argal Res
Swallow 40
Sand Martin 10
Common Swift 1
GCGrebe 2
College Res
Swallow 80+
Sand Martin 40+
Tufted Duck 5 etc
The Swift looked momentarily big and interesting in the half light, probably the earliest I've seen ... ? So still quite interesting.
Argal Res
Swallow 40
Sand Martin 10
Common Swift 1
GCGrebe 2
College Res
Swallow 80+
Sand Martin 40+
Tufted Duck 5 etc
The Swift looked momentarily big and interesting in the half light, probably the earliest I've seen ... ? So still quite interesting.
dantheman
Bah humbug
A brief seawatch this morning from Pendennis, definitely quality over quantity... 8:40 - 9:20
Visibility a lot better, but as the sun was out that quarter unavailable so didn't scan for GND's. A few Gannets moving west, Fulmars and the odd auk (total c.10), including Guillemot and Razorbills. However, a mid-range small gull was interesting - huge white wing panels top and underside of wings, thick black primary wedge and grey mantle in a certain distinct pattern, dark grey head and a white tail - an adult Sabine's Gull!! Couldn't make out the bill colour, but otherwise a cracking bird and totally unexpected :eek!:
Slightly more expected and further out was a pale-phase Pomarine Skua heading purposefully west, but that would be enough on a normal day, with 2 Sandwich Terns the only other birds of note. 1 Wheatear on the point, 3 Oystercatchers at Castle Beach.
Driving towards Gyllyngvase, a flock of waders over the beach resolved into c.50 Whimbrel - landed on Swanpool Point, but flushed by persons using the clifftop footpath, they moved as far over as Pendennis, and back again, probably still in the area somewhere ...
Visibility a lot better, but as the sun was out that quarter unavailable so didn't scan for GND's. A few Gannets moving west, Fulmars and the odd auk (total c.10), including Guillemot and Razorbills. However, a mid-range small gull was interesting - huge white wing panels top and underside of wings, thick black primary wedge and grey mantle in a certain distinct pattern, dark grey head and a white tail - an adult Sabine's Gull!! Couldn't make out the bill colour, but otherwise a cracking bird and totally unexpected :eek!:
Slightly more expected and further out was a pale-phase Pomarine Skua heading purposefully west, but that would be enough on a normal day, with 2 Sandwich Terns the only other birds of note. 1 Wheatear on the point, 3 Oystercatchers at Castle Beach.
Driving towards Gyllyngvase, a flock of waders over the beach resolved into c.50 Whimbrel - landed on Swanpool Point, but flushed by persons using the clifftop footpath, they moved as far over as Pendennis, and back again, probably still in the area somewhere ...
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ruanite
Well-known member
Common Gull and ?
With the high tides last week took a few pictures. I'm pretty sure the first one is a common gull even though the photo isn't the best but I did have a good look at it through the digiscope.
The second photo I thought I had taken a picture of a redwing but when I loaded it up on the laptop, I don't think it is. Any ideas as I can't id it in my book.
With the high tides last week took a few pictures. I'm pretty sure the first one is a common gull even though the photo isn't the best but I did have a good look at it through the digiscope.
The second photo I thought I had taken a picture of a redwing but when I loaded it up on the laptop, I don't think it is. Any ideas as I can't id it in my book.
Attachments
Samuel Perfect
Well-known member
WOW! Congrats on the good sea-watch at Pendennis :t: I'll be down there as soon as I get back.
Samuel Perfect
Well-known member
You're right, the gull is indeed a Common Gull, there was a small influx of birds over the late winter period so I expect a couple are still hanging around.
Your second bird is a Linnet (either 1st winter male or a female)
ruanite
Well-known member
Chiffchafs
Thanks Sam for the id on the linnet, there were four others that I had ided as linnets but wasn't 100% on that one.
I'm still having trouble with the ids of chiffchaffs as they seem to vary quite a bit but today I took the attached photo of one but it had a different voice to what I've heard with all the others. It was calling weeeeeeep. Is it still a chiffchaff?
Thanks Sam for the id on the linnet, there were four others that I had ided as linnets but wasn't 100% on that one.
I'm still having trouble with the ids of chiffchaffs as they seem to vary quite a bit but today I took the attached photo of one but it had a different voice to what I've heard with all the others. It was calling weeeeeeep. Is it still a chiffchaff?
Attachments
Samuel Perfect
Well-known member
Looks like Chiffchaff to me although I can't be 100% certain in ruling out Willow Warbler as a possibility. Chiffchaff call is as you described it a ascending monosyllabic "weeEEP" although Willow Warbler is similar too.
Xeno-canto is a great site for finding a variety of calls and songs and will definitely have the call you heard on there for comparison.
Samuel Perfect
Well-known member
just relaying the news of a female Marsh Harrier over Swanpool flying high towards the rugby club today at 17:30
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