Tony has sent me some more pictures from the last birdwatching cruise.

 On Sat 22nd February there will be a one day conference at the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus near Falmouth. The programme includes talks from local speakers, staff from the BTO and from other conservation organisations and the event represents an excellent opportunity to meet other birdwatchers. I’ll be giving a presentation on the Great Black backed Gull project on Looe Island. Tickets for the conference are £20 per person (£10 student rate) and include tea/coffee and a buffet lunch. […]

   The first trip of 2014 did not disappoint. Firstly we had a 3 hour window when the sun shone, the wind was virtually nil at times with the river flat calm like a millpond. Ok it was a bit cold but the birds made up for it. Highlights were over 300 Avocet, those on the Lynher were very close and brilliantly lit by the low sun and 2 Kingfisher, both of which sat in the open for all to see […]

On Wednesday morning, 22nd January, I led a guided walk and finished the tree planting with help from children from Millbrook and Fourlanes End Schools. The day was organised to view the works that have been undertaken this winter and to celebrate their completion. Attended by 58 children from the schools and 30 adults, some staying for a buffet lunch afterwards. The event was a successful celebration of the many hours of work put in by volunteers of the Millbrook Lake […]

Tomorrow I am leading a guided walk around Millbrook Lake to explain the thinking behind the recent works instigated by Millbrook Lake Conservation Group and Millbrook Parish Council. The walk starts at 11am and will last about an hour and will be followed by tree planting by children from Millbrook School and Fourlanesend School. There is a buffet lunch in the Scout Hall afterwards. To give an idea of numbers please confirm your attendence by email to K4office@aol.com or telephoning […]

Due to the overwhelming demand this year we’ve added an extra date to the Birdwatching Cruise calender. The new date is SUNDAY 16TH FEBRUARY, leaving from Saltash at 1pm and 12.30pm from Cremyll. This trip is already booking up quickly by people who were on the waiting lists from other cruises. Reserve your place now by emailing us  – tamarwildlife@btinternet.com or phoning 01752 829163.

Happy New year everyone! One of the Great Black-backed Gull chicks ringed on Looe Island on 24/06/13 has been sighted in Spain. L:BB9 was reported on 29/12/13 at Nemiña beach, Muxía, A Coruña NW Spain (43.00N – 9.16W). This is a movement of 893km and is only the 2nd bird from the Looe project recorded in Spain. With all this horrible weather many gulls are seeking sanctuary in sheltered bays, estuaries and harbours. There have been many recent sightings in Looe […]

Adult in winter plumage with two Black headed gulls. Photographed today opposite the doctors surgery. There was a second winter bird also present but too distant to photograph. These are not unusual and yesterday 7 were present, 4 adults, 2 second winters and a first winter. Mediterranean Gull has not bred in Cornwall but does so in south east England and East Anglia. The population is expanding to inland sites where they nest amongst colonies of Black-headed Gulls. The recently […]

Two weeks since the work was completed on the island and the lake has been filling slowly from the freshwater inflow since the sluice was closed. It is now almost full as the images show. The bank is already beginning to grass over. I’ve been tree planting over the past week, ably assisted by Tony Jones. Over a 100 plants, of a selection of native species that will provide a wildlife corridor and screen the football club to create a […]

  Well it had to happen one day – the weather was somewhat grey and damp to say the least. Still 50 or so people braved the elements and while waiting at Saltash several of the party watched a Peregrine on the bridge. We began our usual  route up the River Tamar. As we were on neap tides the birds were rather distant in the lower reaches of the river and the large mussel banks normally exposed at low tide remained […]