Home President's message Reserves & hides Membership Contact us Field meetings Reports for Sale Submitting records Cornish Choughs County list Bird Atlas Forum For Sale Articles News Links Photo Gallery Members Area

                                                

Welcome to the home page of the

Cornwall Bird-Watching and Preservation Society

dedicated to the study and conservation of birds in the county of Cornwall, in the far south-west of England.

The Society, which celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2006:

owns or manages six nature reserves

runs weekly field meetings

publishes a comprehensive annual report

issues four annual newsletters, Palores

supports conservation-led initiatives in Cornwall

For details of how to join, see the Membership page.

Banner photo by Adrian Langdon

 

County Bird News
Click here

 

 

Please e-mail pictures, news, articles and comments to the webmaster  

 

Members' Pictures

 

Further pictures can be found on the Gallery pages

 

DISCLAIMER

firecrest 040210.jpg (63743 bytes)

Firecrest 04/02/10
Bethel, St.Austell  (Angela Tonry)

 

Fieldfare100110.jpg (58016 bytes)

Fieldfare 10/01/10
South Petherwin  (Adrian Davey)

 

Whooper 100110.jpg (56887 bytes)

 Whooper Swan 10/01/10
Drift Reservoir  (Adrian Davey)

 

Black Redstart 260110.jpg (70592 bytes)

Black Redstart 26/01/10
Gwelva Landing  (Dave Parker)

 

spoonbill 250110.jpg (78235 bytes)

Spoonbill 25/01/10
Walmesley Reserve  (Vincent Chambers)

 

 Kestrel 250110.jpg (76496 bytes)

Kestrel 25/01/2010
Walmsley Sanctuary (Colin Selway)

 

Cattle Egret 190110.jpg (67875 bytes)

Cattle Egret 19/01/10
Brew Farm  (Sam Williams)

 

Whooper Swan 180110.jpg (52818 bytes)

Whooper Swan 1/01/10
Drift Reservoir  (Dave Parker)

 

barnacle geese 170110.jpg (81098 bytes)

Barnacle Geese 17/01/10
Drift Reservoir  (Sam Williams)

 

 Firecrest090110.jpg (68763 bytes)

Firecrest 09/01/10
Loe Pool  (Andy Pay)

 

 Bittern 130110.jpg (81585 bytes)

Bittern 13/01/10
Marazion  (Alex McKechnie)

 

snipe 110110.jpg (71587 bytes)

Common Snipe 11/01/10
Private Garden, Calstock  (Ollie Richings)

 

Bittern 110110.jpg (59164 bytes)

Bittern 11/01/10
Marazion  (Bob Sharples)

 

 PH 2 100110.jpg (57715 bytes)

Probable Pallid Harrier 10/01/10
Sennen  (Brian Field)
2 more images on Gallery 2010 page

 

Glaucous Gull 100110.jpg (49295 bytes)

Glaucous Gull 10/01/10
Tregeseal,St. Just  (Sam Williams)

 

Bar Headed Goose 100110.jpg (79927 bytes)

Bar Headed Goose 10/01/10
Par Beach Pool (Nigel Climpson)

 

Red-crested Pochard 090110.jpg (63842 bytes) 

Red Crested Pochard 09/01/10
Loe Pool  (Dave Parker)

 

Gadwall 090110.jpg (69309 bytes)

Gadwall 09/01/10
Par Beach Pool (Mark Whittaker)

 

Redwing 090110.jpg (143312 bytes)

Redwing 09/01/2010
Millbrook  (Tony Jones)

 

Bittern Marazion 080110.jpg (113067 bytes)

Bittern 08/01/10
Marazion  (Dave Parker)

 

field fare 070109.jpg (59773 bytes)

Fieldfare 07/01/10
St. Just  (Lisa Williams)

 

buzzard 060110.jpg (69421 bytes)

Buzzard 06/01/10
 (Vincent Chambers)

 

Richard's Pipit 020110.jpg (105132 bytes)

Richard's Pipit 02/01/10
Crows An Wra  (Alex McKechnie)

 

canada goose 040110.jpg (117884 bytes)

Canada Goose 04/01/10
St. Andrews Road, Par  (Derek Dennis)

 

Goldeneye 040110.jpg (109690 bytes)

Goldeneye 04/01/10
Par River (Nigel Climpson)

 

pied wagtail 040110.jpg (65619 bytes)

Pied Wagtail 04/01/10
Malpas (Derek Julian)

 

Black swan 020110.jpg (69779 bytes)

Black Swan 02/01/10
Walmsley (Bob & Lesley Mitchell)

 

Water Rail 020110.jpg (87821 bytes)

Water Rail 02/01/10
Walmsley (Bob & Lesley Mitchell)

 

Golden Plover 020110.jpg (75291 bytes)

Golden Plover 02/01/10
Crows An Wra (Sam Williams)

 

redwing 010110.jpg (56644 bytes)

Redwing 01/01/10
Par  (Nigel Climpson)

 

 Ring necked duck 301209.jpg (66440 bytes)

Ring necked Duck 30/12/2009
Porth Reservoir (Colin Selway)

 

 jay2 201209.jpg (45295 bytes)

Jay 20/12/09
Marazion (Anthony Miners)

 

dunlin1 221209.jpg (61297 bytes)

Dunlin 22/12/09
Par Harbour (Nigel Climpson)

 

Black Cap 18/12/09
St.Just (Sam Williams)

 

Black Redstart 16/12/09
Polkerris (Mark Whittaker)

 

med gull 131209.jpg (42223 bytes)

Mediterranean Gull 13/12/09
Hayle  (Sam Williams)

 

GN Diver 101209.jpg (70367 bytes)

Great Northern Diver 10/12/09
Par Harbour (Mark Whittaker)

 

common scoter 031209.jpg (59941 bytes)

Common Scoter 03/12/2009
Rumps Point (Colin Selway)

 

 

 

 

Pictures that have fallen off the bottom can be seen on the Gallery  pages

 

      _____________

 

Birding Top 500 Counter

 

**Reminder**    Field Meeting         Info
Sunday 14th Feb.               Swanpool                     Mike Garland 
**Reminder**    Field Meeting         Info
Sunday 14th Feb.               Tamar Cruise

 

07/02/10

Nightjars of the World by Nigel Cleere is about to be printed. It will cost £45 plus £6 carriage. With 464 pages and 587 stunning photographs, all Nightjars, Potoos, Frogmouths (and Oilbird) are comprehensively covered. Text includes identification, similar species, voice, habitat, breeding range distribution maps and status.There is a special pre-publication offer to Society members of £39.95 carriage free
WILDGuides Publishing is a not-for-profit organisation raising funds for conservation through the proceeds of its titles (www.wildguides.co.uk).

This exciting new book will raise funds for the BirdLife International Preventing Extinction Programme (http://www.birdlife.org/extinction/index.html)  

The offer will be open until the end of April 2010. 

Brian Clews, WildGuides UK, PO Box 680, Maidenhead, Berks, SL6 9ST, 01628-529297

 

31/01/2010

A trawl through the back copies of Birds in Cornwall has revealed some interesting articles.On occasions they will  be reproduced here. The first is an intruiging poem found on the flyleaf of one volume from 1948. The author is unknown but perhaps someone out there can enlighten us.    Click HERE for the poem

 

29/01/10

Conservation efforts in Europe and Africa will be in vain if the migratory flyways over Malta are not protected from illegal hunting. If you  visit the Birdlife Malta you can read about it and sign a petition to demand that Malta respects the EU law and stop the killing of protected birds. 

 

25/01/10

More volunteers are needed to help protect the nests this season. Don't let egg thieves get their hands on our chough eggs!

See the Chough page for the latest update and details for volunteering

 

 

15/01/10

The January WeBS count for the Colliford/Dozmary area is HERE  and for the Walmsley area HERE

 

 

13/01/10

It might be worth keeping your eyes peeled for this possible white morph Gyr Falcon photographed at Foxhole point (SS 185005) just south of Bude. The photograph was taken on 7th Jan. If the record is accepted it would be the 18th  for Cornwall

Gyr 070110.jpg (69724 bytes)

Photo by Maurice Pankhurst

 

09/01/2010

The freeze goes on. Walmsley Sanctuary is completely frozen over in contrast to last January when at least some open water remained. A visitor reported not a single, duck, goose or wader on the reserve.

Graham Sutton the warden at Maer sends this report and for a photograph of winter sunshine at Maer. Click Here and for a grey winter's day Click Here

 

'Just about managing to keep some open water around the sluice for the remaining wigeon etc. The stream is still running, despite recording -7 degrees on Thursday night. Around 60 Lapwing still present, but the Golden Plover have gone south. Dead Redwing and Fieldfare today in Bude, but on a positive note Chiffchaff on Tamarisk at Summerleaze and female Blackcap in local garden.'

 

05/01/2010

A simplified Interim Statement of Income & Expenditure and End of Year Balances together with the Society’s Financial Guidelines has been placed in the Members Area

 

 

01/01/2010

A New Year and a new facility for Society members. 
Clicking HERE or on the banner above on this page will take you  to a page listing  birds seen around the County by our members. If you would like to contribute please email to bird-news@cbwps.org.uk

       

 

18/12/09

Helene Jessop of the RSPB is looking to recruit two people to work on the Chough project for 3 months in the next breeding season. Further details can be found at the link below.

 
 

 

15/12/09

The winter Tamar cruises are underway and producing good results.

In November the highlights were c100 Avocets and 5 Spoonbill

In December c150 Avocets,5 Spoonbill, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Pintail, a Common Sandpiper and a Marsh Harrier.

 

One of the Spoonbills observed on Dec.13th was ringed and information has been received about its history. You can find this on the NEWS page 
For a compilation of the occurrences of Spoonbills on the Tamar see HERE 

 

For more details see the Tamar Cruises page


Trudy Russell is working as a biodiversity mentor for the Open University providing support with a new website that aims to get more people involved with their local wildlife . She has given us this statement.

'iSpot is a new website designed to help people share their passion for our wildlife. Users of the site can upload photos of any wildlife they have seen and help others identify their photos. As a keen birdwatcher you can upload any images you want to share and help others learn about the birds you love. You are also able to publicize any wildlife events that you think might be of interest to the other site users.'
Further information can be found at www.ispot.org.uk 

 

The Biking Birder. 

             In 2010 Gary Prescott from Warwickshire intends to visit every RSPB and WWT reserve in a bicycle trip that will circumnavigate the country. Visit his website at www.bikingbirder.co.uk to see his objectives and follow his progress.

 

The fight goes on! The application for planning permission for the wind turbines at Davidstow has not been approved, and the likelihood is that it will be sent for determination by the Secretary of State. People can write in support of such a decision to tara.dickenson@gosw.gsi.gov.uk

The link to the organisation in North Cornwall fighting the application is www.stinc.org.uk

The chairman, Arthur Boyt, is a member of the CBWPS and a letter of objection that he has written can be viewed HERE 

 

 

What do you know about the CBWPS Loveny  reserve? Did you know there was a hide there? Find out all about it HERE. 

 

 

 

See all of the colour back issues of Palores in the Members Area

 

John Chapple has supplied a video of the Pacific Diver at Hayle.

See the Videos Page

 

 

For the latest news on the CBWPS Stithians reserve see     http://cbwpsstithiansreserve.blogspot.com/

 

 

Latest news on the Choughs can be found on the Choughs page

 

 A new item has been added to the FOR SALE page

 

The British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC) are asking for details of two birds seen earlier in the year. The first is a drake King Eider seen at Polkerris on 18th Jan 2009, and the second is a Great Spotted Cuckoo at Carn Brea, Nanquidno, Cot and Bartinney Downs between 22nd March and 6th April.

  If anyone saw these birds could you please send a description ASAP to the recorder recorder@cbwps.org.uk Rarity description forms can be downloaded from the BBRC website bbrc.org.uk

 

Cirl Bunting  Revival

Cirl buntings are breeding again in Cornwall thanks to the RSPB’s cirl bunting reintroduction project in partnership with Paignton Zoo, Natural England and the National Trust.  Read more about the project on the Articles Page and learn how you can help with monitoring the birds' progress.

 2009 Update 

from Nick Tomalin RSPB Reintroduction Project Officer

 

 

Cornish artist Daniel Cole wins a major national award. 

Read more about it here

 

 

A new season of Tamar Cruises has been announced

For further information click the picture above

 

 

The RSPB Wildlife Guide for the South West for July to September is available here.

 

 

Urgent descriptions required!

Did you see the Pacific Diver reported from Porthpean from 10th December 2007 – 29th March 2008?

The BBRC are still waiting for a description for this bird. If you saw it and can provide an account please send one to the county recorder ASAP  (recorder@cbwps.org.uk)

  

If you want the password to the members area please mail webmaster@cbwps.org.uk  giving your full name. Your name will be checked against the members list and the password mailed back to you. Entry to this area is through one of the buttons on the banner at the top of the page. 20/07/09

 

 

 Why not try the CBWPS Forum? This is the place for members to share bird sightings and  other relevant information. You will also find more photographs and files relating to the society's activities. Guidelines and access are to be found on the Forum Page or through the Forum button on the Banner heading. You will need to be a member of the forum group for access to some areas. Start by finding the 'Join this Group' button when you have entered the Forum  

 

Colin Selway has started a photo album in the Forum relating to birds with identifiable prey. Many photographers have pictures which  are 'binned' as of not being of suitable quality but still contain interesting information.  The album is open for anybody to add pictures on this theme. 05/04/09

 

'Where to Watch Birds in Devon and Cornwall' by Dave Norman and Vic Tucker.

The 5th. edition of this invaluable book has just been published. One of the authors is a current CBWPS member and ex committee member, the other, although once a society member now does most of his birding in Devon. I suppose somebody has to.
To read the scope of this book click Here

 

 

The 2006 edition of Birds in Cornwall has now been published. Distribution by post to the members has been completed 

Congratulations to Derek Julian and his team in  overcoming a number of difficulties to produce this edition.

 

 

For Sale page has been established  for members to advertise their unwanted Natural History related items as well as  items they are seeking. Try it Here

  


Articles from Palores by Derek Julian on history of various rare/scarce species in the county now available online here

  

 

 ______________________

 

 

Field Meetings - Volunteers needed

 

 We run regular field meetings, often in conjunction with the RSPB Cornwall Group.  We are looking for a few extra volunteers to lead an occasional meeting in their area.  You don't need to be an expert, just reasonably competent at identifying common birds.  If you would like to help, please e-mail here.

______________________________________    

Contacts (click to e-mail):

secretary chairman vice-chairman treasurer conservation palores membership webmaster recorder