The Cornwall Willow Tit Task Force – Training Day

Willow Tits, since 1970, have seen a population decline of 94% in Britain and have earned the unenviable title of Britain’s fastest declining resident bird. A collaborative project led…

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Tamar Estuary Bird and Wildlife Cruise

Bird & Wildlife Cruise Join Plymouth Boat Trips and Vice-Chair, Pete Roseveare on a new Bird Watching Cruise to see and learn about the many birds that migrate to…

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Northern Harrier on the Lizard Peninsular

You may have heard that a rare species of raptor has graced Cornwall since 28th September, a juvenile Northern Harrier! This sublime looking bird of prey has delighted many…

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British Wildlife & Conservation Day at the Screech Owl Sanctuary

On the 30th of September Screech Owl Sanctuary will be hosting their annual Wildlife day and will be joined by a range of local wildlife groups for a unique…

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Middle Amble Closure

The access track to Middle Amble will be closed week commencing 4th September 2023. This is to enable essential maintenance work. A drainage pipe will be laid alongside the…

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Access to Middle Amble Reserve

There is no access into the reserve. However, there is a hide overlooking the site enabling good views. It is a marsh and can be very wet and muddy…

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Bird Books for sale

Mike Spicer and Pete Clement are in the process of disposing of the late Bob Hibbett’s book collection on behalf of his widow, Ros. Books are mainly in excellent…

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Marsh Harriers successfully breed at Walmsley Reserve

Cornwall Birds (CBWPS) are delighted to announce that a pair of Marsh Harriers have successfully bred on our Walmsley Sanctuary reserve; raising three young which fledged this weekend. There…

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Record-breaking year for Cornish Choughs

Alongside many partners, we are thrilled to announce that Cornwall’s Chough population has had a record-breaking year, with 39 breeding pairs fledging over 100 young. This is a 60%…

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Date for your Diary – Operation Seabird Marine Day

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Date for your diary – Annual General Meeting followed by a fascinating presentation on Peregrine Falcons!

The eleventh AGM of the company limited by guarantee will be held at St Erme Community Centre, on Saturday 17th June at 5 pm. This will be followed by…

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Publicity Officer Vacancy

A vacancy has arisen for the post of Publicity Officer for the Society. This is a key officer role and a great opportunity to become involved with the running…

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Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code

Following the recent news item on seabird disturbance we’ve received yet another report of a wildlife safari boat scattering a raft of auks off the north Cornwall coast. It’s…

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Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code of Conduct

With the breeding season now in full swing we sadly still receive reports of disturbance to nesting seabirds. All boat owners, coasteerers and climbers are reminded that disturbance of…

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Confirmation of Bob Hibbett’s Funeral Arrangement

Bob Hibbett’s funeral will be held on Monday 22nd May at 12 midday at Treswithian Downs Crematorium, Camborne, TR14 0BL. Anyone wishing to send flowers should direct them to…

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Squacco Heron at Lethytep Donations Update

Cornwall Birds (CBWPS) were very pleased to receive the following message from Philip and Faith Hambly: “Philip and Faith wish to thank all visiting members for their respect, generosity,…

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Bob Hibbett 14th September 1946 – 27th April 2023 – Age 76

It is with great sadness that Bob Hibbett passed away on the 27th April. Bob had been unwell since Boxing Day and in hospital since early February. The Cornwall…

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Social Media Policy and Actions for Breeding and Sensitive Birds in Cornwall

During the breeding season Cornwall Birds (CBWPS) may opt to withdraw public posts from our social media channels concerning some protected and vulnerable breeding species within the county. Ultimately…

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Interested in undertaking bird surveys near Coverack or Boscastle?

Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group SouthWest (FWAG SouthWest), are one year into a project working with 15 farms in Cornwall to survey birds and create habitats for their conservation….

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Back a ban and save our seabirds!

Our threatened seabirds need your help. The UK Government could make the game-changing decision to ban industrial sandeel fishing in English waters.  Please take action today to help make it…

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IMPORTANT: Changes to Defra Avian Flu Reporting

Defra have changed the thresholds for reporting avian flu in wild birds in England, Scotland and Wales: The new guidance is to use the online reporting system or call the Defra…

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Chough Breeding Season Update

It’s been great to see so many Chough sightings coming into CBWPS, both on the bird news and the choughs@cbwps emails. This shows that our birds are still doing…

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Volunteer Opportunity with National Trust in West Cornwall

National Trust are looking for volunteers to help us survey birds in West Cornwall (St Ives to Mounts Bay). If you love wildlife, spending time outside and are able…

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Have you ever wanted to rehabilitate Bats but didn’t know how?

‘Online Bat Care Training’, developed and delivered by Maggie Brown from West Yorkshire Bat Hospital, is a 6-session course that will be held on Zoom. The course will be…

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Add your support to the designation of Penwith Moors as a SSSI!

If you can spare 5 mins BEFORE 7 Feb it would be great if you could add your support to the designation of Penwith Moors as an SSSI. It…

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Cornish Gull Identification Field Classes with local leading expert Martin Elliott!

Have you ever looked at a flock of Gulls and felt completely out of your depth trying to identify them? Do you find it difficult understanding the perplexing terminology…

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Don’t forget this weekend is the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch!

There’s still time to sign-up and take part. Just spend one hour between Friday 27th and Sunday 29th of January counting the birds, and help monitor how birds are…

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Fancy brushing up on your raptor identification with experts from the BTO?

The BTO frequently runs on line training workshops to help you with identifying closely related species and several raptor ID sessions are available at the end of January. SESSION…

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Thrush anvil photographs and locations needed throughout Cornwall!

Do you have a thrush anvil in your garden or at a local patch? If so a simple it could be of real use to researchers at the University…

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Ever wondered what has happened to the Ospreys you may have seen in Cornwall last autumn?

Well you may be in luck as we received the following update from Rupert Kirkwood recently: “Exciting news about the two Scottish Ospreys that were in Fowey estuary Sept/Oct…

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Food for Thought – The latest film from the Cornwall Climate Story producers

A new film called ‘Food for Thought’ focuses on climate change and livestock farming in Cornwall and has been produced by the Cornwall Climate Story Group. It will be…

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Welcome to our new Field Meetings Officer, Jennifer

Cornwall Birds is pleased to welcome Jennifer Carter as our new Field Meetings Officer who will be responsible for organising a programme of events for the membership. Over the…

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New online service to report dead wild birds

From today you can now report dead wild birds by using an online service. It’s quick & easy to do. See http://GOV.UK to access this service here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds…

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A Cornish Chough Conservation Network Video is ready for your viewing!

This year, the Cornish Chough Conservation Network have been celebrating 20 years of Choughs breeding in Cornwall, the rebuilding of their population. A short film has been produced to…

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Cornwall Bird Conference – 19th Nov 2022

On the 19th of November, Cornwall Birds (CBWPS), British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the University of Exeter ECOSOC will be hosting a joint conference talking all things birds!…

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We are angry!!

The UK Government has launched an unprecedented attack on nature. They are threatening to tear up the laws that protect our best wildlife sites, weakening protections for nature in…

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Outstanding County Rarity List 2021

If you saw any of the county rarities below ,the county recorder would be grateful if you could contact him on re[email protected] so that we can save the records…

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Bird Flu in Cornwall – What you need to know!

It has become very apparent that Bird Flu has sadly hit Cornwall over the past couple of weeks and many seabirds have been found either deceased or very poorly…

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A plea to help limit the number of Woodcock shot in the UK!

Chris Packham, on behalf of Wild Justice, is asking the Defra Secretary of State, George Eustice, to limit the shooting season of Woodcock. We’re asking that the shooting season starts on…

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TWENTY YEARS OF CORNISH CHOUGHS AND ANOTHER BUMPER YEAR

A cause for celebration! This year marks 20 years since the first Cornish born choughs were seen once again out on the cliffs. Conservationists are celebrating the milestone with…

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Did you see the article about CBWPS in the recent Birdwatching Magazine?

A piece on Cornwall Birds history, our reserves and some surprising finds was published in this months edition and well worth a read. To get yourself a copy please…

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Sand Martins on a golf course? Whatever next!

In May this year, we were contact by a member of the public with concerns about a colony of Sand Martins which in previous years had suffered disturbance leading…

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Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation society AGM 2022 Annual General Meeting

This year’s Cornwall Birds AGM will take place on Saturday 23rd July. This will be held as a live event and the start of hosting our AGM’s in the…

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Walmsley Sanctuary Access – May 2022 (UPDATE)

***UPDATE – Swift work by Council contractors has seen the bridge now opened to traffic and pedestrains again, so access to the reserve is now possible.*** The bridge at…

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CBWPS Membership Secretary Role

Sadly Carol Hughes, Cornwall Birds Membership Secretary, has decided to step down as Membership Secretary for personal reasons. Carol has in three years vastly improved a system that was…

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Military Exercise Cancelled at Colliford Reservoir

Swift action by Cornwall Birds and the South West Lakes Trust has led to the Ministry of Defense deferring a proposed full blown military exercises at Colliford Lake on…

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Can you help the West Country’s Cirl Buntings this spring?

The RSPB are appealing for volunteers to help carry out this year’s Cirl Bunting Survey across Devon and Cornwall between April-August Last year volunteers recorded Cirl Buntings in almost…

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January 2021 News

Honorary Treasurer Position Update: Following the Chairmans appeal for a new Treasurer, and the publicity on the website and social media we are pleased to say that we had…

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December 2020 News

  Honorary Treasurer Position: Would you like an exciting role within Cornwall Birds (CBWPS)? We are looking for someone with financial experience, who is confident and forward-thinking to help…

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November 2020 News

Mermaid Wildlife Pelagic: Penzance, Wednesday 2nd December, 1pm – 4pm, £25 adults, £15 children. Phone to book, 07901 731201. List of links from main Recent Sightings page sidebar for…

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October 2020 News

Cornwall Birds Student Award 2020/21: This year we will again be offering an award to the student judged to have produced the best ornithological dissertation based on research conducted…

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September 2020 News

Walks and Events: Regrettably due to rising cases and the latest Covid-19 restrictions on meeting in public and group sizes the walks and events program has had to be…

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August 2020 News

Walks and Events program: We’re pleased to be able to say that the board has decided that this can now been resumed (24th August 2020). If you are able…

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July 2020 News

Steve Madge: It is with great sadness that we have to inform our members that our society president for many years, Steve Madge, passed away yesterday after a long…

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May 2020 News

West Penwith Virtual Garden Bioblitz today: The Penwith Landscape Partnership is organising a ‘virtual garden BioBlitz’ across West Penwith, from St Ives to Marazion westwards. This is running from…

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April 2020 News

Nocmigging Article by Tony Blunden: Relevant in these current times, a useful introduction to the practice of recording birds calling at night, migrants, regulars and some unexpected local birds….

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March 2020 News

Save Our Swifts Update: Please note that there is a degree of uncertainty on what we will be able to achieve with the project this year. It is possible…

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February 2020 News

Cornwall County List 2020: As we come up to the end of February the county list currently stands at around 185, after a relatively quiet month birding-wise, and plenty…

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January 2020 News

Cornwall County List 2020: The number of species seen in the County so far this year now stands at over 180, with a good number of county and national…

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December 2019 News

Bird recording volunteers:  The National Trust in West Cornwall are looking for bird enthusiasts to help carry out bird surveys at some of our countryside sites, to measure the…

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December 2019 News

Paddyfield Pipit colour A4 prints by renowned wildlife artist Martin Elliott, from a limited-edition of 30, signed and numbered at £20 each (plus £5 p&p). People can contact Martin…

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November 2019 News

St Agnes Marine Conservation Group talk: Thurs 28th, 7:30pm. Alice Trevail and Beth Clarke from Exeter Uni talk to us about their fascinating research into the lives of our…

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October 2019 News

Lower Tamar Lake feeders: due to problems with cats it is requested that photographers/birders do not put up bird feeders in the car park area itself. See Here for the bird…

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June 2019 News

Updating Membership Records: Could all members please ensure that the email addresses as held by the membership secretary are correct, especially if you have changed your email address in…

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May 2019 News

Middle Amble Marsh Update May 2019: An update on access issues to this joint CBWPS/CWT reserve can be found on the website HERE Cornish Choughs: The Society is now…

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April 2019 News

CCAF: Recruitment of new members to the Cornwall Countryside Access Forum (CCAF) is currently underway. This aims to represent all interested parties in the County in areas such as…

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March 2019 News

BTO Rookery Survey: The BTO in Cornwall are running a local Rookery Survey and are looking for counters. If you are interested in counting a Rookery or have records…

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February 2019 News

CWT Breney Common Nature Reserve – Work Party: Sunday 17th February, 10am – 3pm. A day of Practical Conservation Work: come along and help remove some of the Gorse, Willow…

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January 2019 News

New items will be added to the top of the monthly news page as they come in. Last update:16/01/19 CBWPS Cornwall Birds ‘Pic of the Year’ Results are now in,…

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December 2018 News

Kuzma Minin Update:  The Kuzma Minin has now been moved to a buoy within the Carrick Roads for further inspections and to organise salvage operations. There have been no…

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November 2018 News

November 2018 Amur Falcon prints: Martin Elliot has produced an atmospheric picture of the falcon. It is available as a limited edition, signed archival giclée print. The size is…

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October 2018 News

2017 records requiring further information: There are a number of county and BBRC rares still requiring description or submission to the county recorder. Without the birds being submitted they will…

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September 2018 News

Two free films about birds by artist Andy Holden will be screened at CAST, 3 Penrose Road, Helston TR13 8TP from Sunday 2nd until Sunday 23rd September. Andy Holden is…

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August 2018 News

**Trindade Petrel** – New species for Cornwall, UK and Europe. First hand observer accounts of the 29th July Porthgwarra bird by Reuben Veal and Martin Elliot, along with sketches by…

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July 2018 News

“Hungary for Birds” at this year’s AGM? Don’t miss this year’s Cornwall Birds Annual General Meeting, which will be held at Lanhydrock Memorial Hall on Wednesday 15th August. The…

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June 2018 News

For Sale: Bird Watching Magazines Nov 1989 – May 2008.  In Bespoke Binders from 1990 – 2007.  Offers. Buyer collects from Hayle. Please contact Ann at [email protected] Seabirds Count’ survey…

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May 2018 News

Personal Privacy Data Regulations – in line with new laws brought into effect midnight May 24th 2018. “The personal data of Society members is held on the CBWPS Database…

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April 2018 News

Guidelines for submissions of bird news: We welcome submission of all bird news from anyone, CBWPS member or not. To make it easier to collate submissions we would ask you…

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January 2018 News

Palores deadline: The deadline for article submissions for the next Palores magazine is midnight Saturday 6th January. Reserve reports, articles, news and snippets – send them in! January 1st…

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December 2017 News

Palores Magazine: The next edition of Palores will be out in the New Year. If you have any contributions, news or ideas for articles please contact the Palores Editor…

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November 2017 News

BTO Blackcap colour-ringed survey: The winter Blackcap project is studying migration and movements of our wintering Blackcaps. Please look out for colour-ringed Blackcaps in Cornwall this winter, especially in the Falmouth/Penryn…

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October 2017 News

Summer seawatching in Cornwall – Where to go, When to go, and an Introduction to the Basics – article Here Seawatching – Summer 2017 – Dave Flumm looks at the extraordinary Great Shearwater…

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September 2017 News

Summer seawatching in Cornwall – Where to go, When to go, and an Introduction to the Basics – article Here Seawatching – Summer 2017 – Dave Flumm looks at the extraordinary Great Shearwater…

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August 2017 News

Save Europe’s Vultures from Poisoning with Veterinary Diclofenac Cait Hutchings Young Scientist of the Year 2017 Seawatching in Cornwall – Part 1) Late Summer Bird Dialect Names Survey…

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July 2017 News

*Seabirds Count – survey 2017* A census of breeding seabirds has been organised in the UK and Ireland approximately every 15 years since 1969-70. Together with the JNCC and partners…

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March 2017 News Page

Cornwall Cattle Egret Survey Sunday 19th March – The results are in and the article including the results of this survey on the Cattle Egret influx 2016/2017 can be…

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Save Europe’s Vultures from Poisoning with Veterinary Diclofenac

From Mark Avery’s blog we encourage you to read the below and sign the petition.  https://markavery.info/2017/ 09/01/guest-blog- international-vulture- awareness-day-ian-parsons/ Dear Swift Friends, You may be aware of the sad…

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Cait Hutchings

Cait Hutchings Funeral Arrangements It is with great sadness that we learn of the sudden passing of Cait Hutchings, former CBWPS Board Member, a popular figure and well-known to…

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Young Scientist of the Year 2017

Dear CBWPS members Ed Thurlow and I won the “GSK UK Young Scientist of the Year Award 2017” at the BigBang Fair in March with a project investigating garden…

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Seawatching in Cornwall – Part 1) Late Summer

Seawatching in Cornwall – Part 1) Late Summer Where to go When to go Seawatching – the basics It is at this time of year that many birdwatchers around…

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Bird Dialect Names Survey

Please allow me to introduce myself: my name is Kerstin Richter; I am a PhD student of the University of Regensburg in Bavaria. My dissertation project in English linguistics focuses…

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Kestrel nestbox scheme

Kestrel nestbox scheme: West Cornwall Ringing Group is interested in starting a new nestbox scheme for Kestrels and are appealing for any sites that may be suitable for siting a…

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Bird books for sale

Bird books for sale – A member has advised us that c100 bird books will be selling at the Truro Auction Centre on Friday 17 March. Example: 4 boxes…

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RSPB Heron Watch

Title:    RSPB Heron Watch Date:   Wednesday 1 March 2017 Description:  Join the RSPB Warden for a lovely morning of Grey Heron spotting. Herons are gearing up for the nesting…

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Kestrel nestbox scheme

West Cornwall Ringing Group is interested in starting a new nestbox scheme for Kestrels and are appealing for any sites that may be suitable for siting a box. Farm…

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CBWPS on Twitter

Just in case you hadn’t noticed … cbwps now has an active twitter account! Accessible from the main sidebars on the website homepage and other pages, or by searching…

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Vote for Cirl Buntings in Cornwall!

… From the RSPB Cirl Bunting Project team – Recent publicity about the Cirl Bunting project in Devon and Cornwall has resulted in cirls being nominated as Wildlife Success…

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Cornwall Willow Tit Survey

The CBWPS will be carrying out a survey of previously known sites of this much declined and vulnerable species over the next two winters to establish its population size, with…

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Cornwall Seabirds Conference 2017

Joint CBWPS/BTO/UniveristyofExeter Conference Following on from the hugely successfully 2013 Cornwall Seabirds Conference, announcing the joint CBWPS/BTO/UoE Conference “Above and beyond the Cornish coast“ at UoE, Penryn on Saturday 25 February 2017….

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Spanish Nature Photographer illustrated talks.

Spanish Nature Photographer illustrated talks. Jose B. Ruiz is one of Spain’s most world renowned nature photographers and has received a number of international awards, including the BBC’s Wildlife…

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