Bird Sightings for June 2003

June 29th: Six Mediterranean Gulls, ( three 1st summers, one first winter and two second summers), observed today together with three Common Greenshank, three Whimbrel and a Common Kingfisher.

June 27th: Five Mediterranean Gulls, (three first winter and two second summers), were noted today, but the biggest surprise was a first winter Little Gull noted on the saltmarsh at Burniere Point. Other species noted included two Northern Lapwing, 284 Eurasian Curlew, ten Little Egret, one Black Swan, 41 Common Shelduck, (and two broods of 13 and seven) and four Common Buzzard.

June 24th: A minimum of four, 1st summer, Mediterranean Gulls were observed today. Over 200 Eurasian Curlew were counted. Other species noted included two Common Redshank, single Common Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwits and Lesser Whitethroat. A Common Quail was noted from the Camel Trail calling in a field opposite the Amble Confluence.

June 23rd: Three Mediterranean Gulls, (a 2nd summer and two 1st winters), were noted today also present 110 Eurasian Curlew, single Ringed Plover, Common Greenshank and Dunlin. (CS)

June 20th: Two Adult Mediterranean Gulls are present today at Wadebridge Sewage Works and Old Town Cove. Waders today included four Common Redshank, single Black-tailed Godwit, one Red Knot, 61 Oystercatcher and 62 Eurasian Curlew. Other species noted were 13 Great Cormorant, 14 Little Egret, a male Peregrine Falcon, a female Eurasian Sparrowhawk, a Black Swan, four Canada Geese with a brood of five goslings, 39 Common Shelduck with two broods totaling 16 young, 55 Mute Swan and five cygnets.

June 16th: In the outer estuary today a total of 12 Razorbills were present also noted were six Great Cormorants. (Mike Lawson)

June 15th: First summer Mediterranean Gull still present today, the Greylag Goose put in another visit also. Two Dunlin and 25 Eurasian Curlew were the only waders of note. (CS)

June 14th: Red-legged Partridge were evident about the estuary today with records from the Tollgate and Gutt Bridge areas. A Barn Owl was present near Burniere Farm this evening and a Tawny Owl was heard at Gutt Bridge.

June 13th: A first summer Mediterranean Gull was present today and an adult Kittiwake was present today at Pinkson Creek. A single brood of seven Shelducklings were observed. At Old Town Cove a Lesser Whitethroat was present, (CS). Mike Lawson also reported 57 Mute Swan, one Black Swan, 69 Oystercatcher, 7 Little Egret, five Eurasian Curlew, 11 Grey Heron, 75 Common Shelduck, four Canada Goose and two Dunlin. Two Moorhen were noted at Dennis Cove.

June 12th: Mike Lawson reported today from Little Petherick Creek, five Little Egret, one Great Cormorant, four Common Shelduck, three Eurasian Curlew, two Grey Heron and three Mallard.

June 4th: A Common Cuckoo on the Amble Marshes was watched eating large hairy caterpillars on the slate wall. A single Northern Lapwing was present, as was six Sand Martins and a brood of four Mute Swan cygnets. On the estuary off Burniere Point the Black Swan was still in residence. A brood of two Canada Goose goslings and two broods of Common Shelducklings, (two and 15), were evident. Only small numbers of other common species noted.

June 2nd: This evening a minimum of 74 Common Shelduck were counted together with three broods of one, three and 15. 71 Oystercatchers were noted roosting at Tregenna Creek and 35 Eurasian Curlew were at Dinham Saltmarsh. Three Little Egret and three Grey Heron were observed as were 4 Common Buzzards, three Canada Geese, a single Black Swan and 42 Mute Swans. At the NRA Pools Reed Buntings and Sedge Warblers were noted.

June 1st: A visit to the outer estuary yield very little due to disturbance from water sports etc. Two Little Egrets and three Grey Heron were noted off Padstow as were six Great Cormorant and a single Eurasian Shag. On Dennis Pool two Moorhen were present with the usual collection of Mallards and hybrids.