CAMELBIRDERS DIARY 2006

January 6th 2007.

Once again I was unable to do any proper birding although a quick look for the Black Redstart at Town Quay, Wadebridge did produce a Common Sandpiper on the river together with three Little Grebe.

January 5th 2007.

Unfortunately once again no proper birding again today, but a trip to Truro Hospital did produce a Goldcrest, (year tick). A Tawny Owl ,(also a year tick), was also heard calling from Coronation Park.

Colin Selway had a good day on the estuary, finding a first winter Ring-billed Gull and a third year Iceland Gull, he also located a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the Polmorla Valley, to see what else was noted click here.

All lists increase today standing at Year list and Cornwall list 91, Camel Estuary list 68.

January 4th 2007.

Due to a mixture of having to work and my ill-health I did not manage to do any birding today.

January 3rd 2007.

While visiting Clapper Marshes, this morning, I came across the first winter American Wigeon which had been wintering on the Amble Marshes. It showed very well, viewing from the road, as it fed with the Eurasian Wigeon. A Green Sandpiper put in an appearance, as did 43 Snipe all standing around the base of the right hand island.

At Dinham Flats Golden Plover and Lapwing numbers were down on the previous week with only 1500 and 1300 respectively. Five Knot were probably new in, but the Dunlin flock remains at about the 500 make. 88 Redshank outside the Tregunna Hide is a good total.

My year list increased to 87 and my Camel Estuary list increase to 65.

January 2nd 2007.

Visited Clapper Marshes at midday were 72 Wigeon were feeding away, as were five Shoveler. A Chiffchaff was located in a hedgerow.

After lunch went down to Harlyn Pool were the wind was biting, with it coming in straight in off the sea. A splendid male Goldeneye made the shivering stop for a short while. Although I thought it was cold and windy at Harlyn Pools, this did not prepare me of the Harlyn Bay, standing at St Cadoc's Point was almost impossible but after a lot of perseverance a minimum of five Red-throated Diver were spied as well as over 200 Kittiwake and a few Guillemots and Razorbills.

A short car journey, (and a warm up), to Padstow was next and standing at the quay side watching the gulls come into roost. The bird of the day was a Black-throated Diver which flew down from the quarry area and landed just off Padstow and then preceded to feed as it swam towards the estuary mouth. The Dark-bellied Brent Geese have increased by 50% with a grand total of six now present.

Gull numbers were disappointing with only 1500 Black-headed Gull, 100 Common Gull and six, (three adult, one second winter and two first winter), Mediterranean Gull present.

My year list increased to 83 today, while my Camel Estuary list got started at 51.

January 1st 2007.

After the excesses of New Years eve, the annual pilgrimage to West Cornwall got off to a slow start, not arriving at Drift Reservoir until 11.00am.

The Pink-footed Goose and, (reportedly), wild Barnacle Goose were located feeding beside the lake soon after arrival, Tufted Duck, Mute Swans and gulls were all in abundance but the Great Scaup was nowhere to be seen, a female Blackcap was observed feeding in the garden of the house at the top of the lake.

The weather turn nasty as I drove down to Penzance with hale, sleet and torrential rain all putting in an appearance. Off the seafront a Great Northern Diver, two Black-throated Divers, three Great Scaup, an Atlantic Grey Seal and an odd looking Common Scoter were all observed, but the rain got the better of me and I decided not to look for the Purple Sandpipers.

After a quick and uneventful look at Marazion, I made my way along to Hayle Estuary and Copperhouse Creek. The harbour at Hayle held three Great Northern Divers giving very close views, a further two were in the Carnsew Basin and another was on the main estuary. (A very good day for this species). As the tide came in at the estuary all the birds were pushed on to the Lelant Saltings were the SPOTTED SANDPIPER was eventually seen. Other species included; four Pintail, an adult Little Gull, three Mediterranean Gulls, two Kittiwakes, a Spotted Redshank, and a myriad of wildfowl and waders.

The last site of the day, Carbis Bay where a quick scan produced  passing Great Skua and Balearic Shearwater. Nearly a thousand Kittiwakes were offshore, as were numerous Gannets, Razorbills and gulls.

My year list stands at 74.

Great Northern Diver at Hayle Harbour 1-1-7.