BIRD SIGHTINGS FOR APRIL 2003

April 28th: 6 Commic Terns were watched fly over the Amble Marshes today by Colin Selway.

April 25th: Colin Selway observed a Purple Heron today on the Amble Marshes noted feeding 1020 to 1210 inclusive.

April 24th: A Red-rumped Swallow was noted at 0945 hawking insects with Barn Swallows and Sand Martins over the Amble Marshes today, (Colin Selway).

April 16th: 4 Eurasian Spoonbills and 4 Little Egret together with hot sunshine gave this evening a Mediterranean feel and a pair of Garganey was the icing on the cake. 2 Barn Swallow were hawking insects over the marsh, also present were 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Northern Lapwing, both Grey and Red-legged Partridge, a male Tufted Duck, 22 Eurasian Teal and singing Common Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers. The Black Swan is still present in the Mute Swan herd.

April 11th: An quick evening visit to the Amble Marshes produced my first House Martin of the year, in a group of 16 Barn Swallow and 6 Sand Martin. 7 Black-tailed Godwits were still in residence as were 3 Northern Lapwings. Wildfowl included 14 Canada Geese, 12 Mallard, 22 Eurasian Teal and a female Gadwall. 2 Red-legged Partridge and 5 Common Pheasant were also present. On Dinham Flats 25 Mute Swan and the single Black Swan was still present.

April 6th: Highlights of the day included the 4 Eurasian Spoonbills once again on Dinham Flats before roosting on the Amble Marshes. 3 Green Sandpipers were present on the marshes as were 3 Northern Lapwing, a Gadwall, a male Tufted Duck, 6 Black-tailed Godwits and 4 Red-legged Partridge. On the estuary 5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were present off Porthilly Point, 82 Eurasian Wigeon were also observed. The Black Swan still resides with the Mute Swan herd and a Great Crested Grebe was seen in the Amble Channel. Unusual was a Green Woodpecker at Dunveth Road at Wadebridge this morning.

April 5th: Another evening visit to the Amble Marshes produced the 4 Eurasian Spoonbills other species present included 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Northern Lapwing, 32 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 2 Red-legged Partridge and a singing Willow Warbler at Trewornan Bridge. On the estuary a total of 53 Mute Swan were observed together with the Black Swan. 20 Little Egret were also noted.

April 4th: A morning walk through Coronation Park in Wadebridge yielded 6 singing male Blackcap and 5 singing male Common Chiffchaff, most of the common woodland birds were present and in song including 2 Eurasian Treecreepers and a Tawny Owl. 2 Speckled Woods were watched engaged in a dogfight for a patch of sun. The Eurasian Spoonbills were present on Dinham Flats today as were 7 Little Egret, other birds in this area included 128 Common Shelduck, 85 Eurasian Wigeon, 15 Bar-tailed Godwits, 40 Mute Swan and the Black Swan. At the Amble Marshes 24 Eurasian Teal were present as were 14 Mallard, 12 Canada Geese and a Gadwall. Waders included 6 Black-tailed Godwits, a Northern Lapwing and a single Common Snipe. Up to 10 Sand Martins were watched hawking insects. At the mouth of the estuary 2 Sandwich Terns were watched fishing, 18 Kittiwake were also present. 2 Common Guillemots fished close inshore as did a Atlantic Grey Seal. At Wadebridge in the evening a Common Sandpiper was noted.

April 3rd:An evening visit to the Amble Marshes produced 4 Eurasian Spoonbill, 1 Little Egret and 4 Grey heron. Ducks included a Gadwall, a Northern Shoveler, 31 Mallard, 24 Eurasian Teal and a male Tufted Duck. 22 Canada Geese were also present as were 30 Common Shelduck. The only waders present were 8 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Northern Lapwing. Nearby on the estuary at, Trewornan, 66 Eurasian Wigeon were feeding on the saltmarsh. 7 Little Egrets roosted as did 80 Eurasian Curlew. The Mute Swan herd totalled 42 and the Black Swan was still present.

April 2nd:A visit to the Amble Marshes this evening produced 29 Canada Geese, 1 Northern Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 18 Eurasian Teal and 19 Mallard. The only waders present were 8 Black-tailed Godwits and a single Northern Lapwing. A Peregrine Falcon was watched mobbing a Common Buzzard and 50 Sand Martins flew about the area. On estuary the 4 Eurasian Spoonbills roosted at Trewornan as did 10 Little Egrets, wader numbers included 40 Oystercatchers 13 Bar-tailed Godwits and 32 Eurasian Curlew. 34 Mute Swans were present as was the Black Swan.