September on the Rivers Tamar and Lynher can be an exciting time. Whist there may not be the variety or  number of birds present, there’s the added bonus that something unusual may turn up. This year was no exception.

Highlight was a Common Crane, found by Derek Julian on 24th at Wacker Quay. The first Spoonbill returned on the 26th and was seen again on 30th

Wildfowl numbers do not start building until early winter but a female Ruddy Shelduck at St Johns Lake on the 14th was unexpected. This bird relocated to the River Plym where it associated with Canada Geese so its origin may be questionable. There were 35 Wigeon at Wacker Quay on 24th rising to 40 by the end of the month.

On the Raptor front, up to 3 Ospreys frequented the Tamar Lakes from 8th but it was not until 16th that one was seen at Wacker Quay and the River Lynher,  regular autumn haunts. Then 2 were seen from 22nd, one perching on the artificial nest platform! May be eyeing it up for the future. One was still present on 28th and 30th. A Marsh Harrier was at Sconner on 17th, and a Peregrine at Wacker on 16th.

Wader passage included several sightings of Spotted Redshank at Saltash and Kingsmill Lake where also there were 4 Bar tailed Godwit, 5 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Knot, 2 Common Sandpiper, 10 Dunlin, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 10 Dunlin and at least 20 Greenshank on the 11th. A Ruff was at Kingsmill on 4th and at Wacker Quay on 16th there were 100+ Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Greenshank and 2 Ringed Plover. A Little Stint and Common Sandpiper were at Wacker on 24th.

September is also a good time for Tern passage and started with 3 Black Terns at St Johns Lake on the 4th, one still there the following day. Common and Sandwich Tern were regularly present with a maximum of 22 Sandwich Tern at Wacker Quay on the 16th, falling to 5 by 30th. Also at Wacker were 2 Arctic Tern on 24th.