The last couple of days has seen an increase in gulls using  the millpond (lake) in Millbrook with 6 species regularly seen. Yesterday I counted a record 15 Mediterranean Gulls and over 50 Common Gulls but John Nicholls counted 24 Meds. Amongst them was a french ringed bird – green ring white code 4V7 which has been seen already this winter in Looe. Both 1st winter, second winter and adult birds were present enabling good comparisons to be made. At […]

Another good turn out. Over 50 people on board and we took our normal route up the River Tamar. Colin, our skipper took a leisurely course that enabled us to have some good views of the Avocets and usual species. The Black tailed Godwit were feeding opposite Saltash, much further downstream than usual. It is interesting how the whole estuary is used at different times and what exactly dictates where the birds feed. The 3 Spoonbills that had been reported […]

Another lucky window between the rain! The night before had seen floods across Cornwall and Devon so we were pleased that almost everyone got to Saltash for the 9.30am start. The 80 strong contingent from the Devon Wildlife Trust had come from as far afield as Oakhampton and Exeter. With all the rain from the previous two days the river was in full flow. Even at low tide much of the mud was covered and the debris being washed downstream […]

Today I led a group of three clients on a birding trip in the lower Tamar valley. Meeting them from the Cremyll Ferry we immediately started with an adult Mediterranean Gull, firstly sitting on the river and then in flight. Our first stop was Millbrook Lake. As it was high tide the waders, all Redshank, were roosting on the island together with several Little Egret and 4 Cormorant. Plenty of Black-headed and Herring Gulls and a single Little Grebe. We […]

The OspreyWatch cruise on 2nd September is now full. Phone or email to be put on the waiting list and if we get enough people we may be able to arrange another trip. There have been no local reports of Ospreys so far but it’s still early days. There has been one at Tamar Lakes last weekend and another at Drift Reservoir and at Frogmore Creek on the Kingsbridge Estuary in Devon yesterday and Monday.  

We have now confirmed a new ‘OspreyWatch’ cruise in September and this winters birdwatching cruise dates. Go to the Birdwatching Cruises page for all the new information.

Todays bird watching walk along the new footpath from Wacker Quay made a pleasant afternoon. From the quay we enjoyed good views of Curlew and Little Egret, with large numbers of Shelduck feeding along the waters edge on the rising tide. A Great crested Grebe offshore was already sporting full breeding plumage. The footpath running east along the shore, follows the old MOD railway line to Anthony and has recently been opened up by a dedicated team of volunteers working […]

Tony Jones noticed that one of the Avocets photographed on 10th December last year was ringed. Its the 9th bird from the left and although not  clear, appears to have orange rings on both legs and also a yellow ring on the left with either a 6 or 0 inscription. I’ll try and find out more information.

Today’s birdwatching cruise must rank amongst one of the best. Not only were we once again blessed with good weather but there were also plenty of birds to see and two new species were added to the total list. The first of these a Guillemot was seen as we left Cremyll and after the pick up at Saltash we headed up stream. Good numbers of waders and duck were evident, especially Mallard, Wigeon and Teal and Curlew and Oystercatcher. Ten […]

The recent sighting in Spain of a Great Black-backed Gull with its tongue poking through a hole in its throat [ hence the title!] prompted me to investigate further. It appears that this is not a one off. Antonio Gutierrez sent me a selection of photos of different species with a similar condition. On Flicker theres a photo of a Glaucous Gull with the same thing. Paul Veron in Guernsey has also witnessed it. So what is going on? Is […]