As we are not running any boat trips this winter we thought you might like some information on where to watch birds on the River Tamar and River Lynher. The page http://www.tamarwildlife.co.uk/where-to-watch-birds/ will give you some ideas

This evening Chris and I took Tilley for her usual walk around Millbrook Lake, a bit later than usual about 7pm. As it was late I didn’t bother taking binoculars – I should know better! We parked at the dam and a Little Egret was fishing by the outflow grid, where often a Grey Heron sits. Our walk around the lake and surrounding area was uneventful apart from spotting a Song Thrush carrying food to its chicks in a nest […]

With the wind blowing south easterly I thought it good for a Hoopoe this morning. I started at Maker, just a couple of Chiffs and a Blackcap. Then onto Rame Head, picking up a Wheatear and a few more Chiffchaff, a Kestrel and several Cormorant and Shag on the rocks. Finally on to Penlee where there were a couple more Chiffs near the car park. The place where I’ve always thought would be good for a Hoopoe is the north […]

Derek Julian saw an adult Mediterranean Gull at Wilcove, Tamar Estuary, Cornwall,  on 8th January 2014. It was wearing a white darvic ring with a black legend reading 3K55.   A photograph can be viewed at https://www.flickr.com/photos/camelbirder/11906319715/   This turns out to be  the oldest Med Gull recorded in Cornwall, first ringed near Antwerp, Belgium in 1999, re ringed in 2006 and one that I first saw back in 2009 Summary of rings for individual:                                                                                 10953 Colour          Code of ring         […]

I was recently sent this link of a pair of hobbies hunting a swift – most spectacular! Watch the whole clip because the second part is a slow motion replay and the third section is magnified slow motion. You can clearly see that the swift has several near misses and is only caught when the larger female hobby appears and probably distracted it. Also note the food pass after the catch indicating that the pair were probably feeding chicks. Click […]

The dates and Saltash departure times for this winters cruises are 17th November 2013 11.00am 15th December 2013 10.30am 29th January 2014 10.00am 15th February 2014 12.00 mid-day For details and how to book click on the Birdwatching Cruise page in the banner above.

After a quiet summer we’re now finalising the winter 2013/14 birdwatching cruises. The first will be on Sunday 17th November, leaving Saltash at 11am. Phone 01752 829163 to reserve your places. There are more trips planned for December, January and February. Details to follow shortly.

Tamar Wildlife is able to supply a range of nestboxes and now is the time to think about the coming breeding season. Valentine’s Day 2013 is the start of the 16th annual National Nest Box Week (NNBW), organised by the British Trust for Ornithology, which encourages people across the UK to put up nest boxes for birds. Last year, the wet weather in April and June led to the worst breeding season on record for many species. Caterpillars were in short supply […]

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 […]

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.