Tuesday 15th July 2025

It is with great sadness to let you know that our dear friend Mark Worden passed away late last night.

Mark gave his time to Cornwall Birds in many ways and was warden at Maer Lake for six years. Welcoming visitors with his enthusiasm and love for birds, whilst making sure the reserve was a haven for wildlife with his practical and ecological knowledge.

A well known and extremely popular person in the birding scene (no doubt because of his friendly and generous manner). Mark was a very skilled birder and found many fantastic rarities at his favourite patches at Davidstow Airfield and Bude, including Sociable Lapwing and Bonaparte’s Gull. He also loved to travel the country in persuit of rare and scarce birds , whilst closer to home he contributed to the science of birds as a passionate member of the BTO bird ringing scheme.

Our thoughts go out to Mark’s family and friends at this sad time, he will be sorely missed.

Bob Bosisto, County Recorder

Goldsithney: 1 singing Serin reported. (RBA)

St Ives islands 05.56-10.15: 1 Wilson’s Petrel (flew west in the Manx line at 07.04), 4 European Storm Petrel, 2 Cory’s Shearwater, 15,000 Manx Shearwater, 30 Fulmar, 48 Razorbill, 32 Guillemot, 320 Gannet, 13 Kittiwake, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher. (L. Langley, B. Nason, R. Taylor).

Pendeen: 1 Wilson’s Petrel at 0815, 3 Cory’s Shearwater, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Storm Petrel, 1 Great Skua. Also, 1 Greenshank over in the afternoon. (P Combridge, DK Parker)

Penlee Point, Rame Head, 06.00-10.30 SW 25mph: 1 Cory’s Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 2 dark phase Arctic Skua, 1 Fulmar, 6 Kittiwake, 2 Sandwich Tern, 340+ Gannet & 769+ Manx Shearwater. Also, 6+ Common Dolphin. (P Kemp)

Lizard Point (07.00 – 11.45): 17 Storm Petrel, 4 Cory’s Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 4 Puffin. (J Jones et al). Also, 1 Long-tailed Skua past at 14.45. (S Votier)

Porthgwarra: 1 Great Shearwater, 42 Cory’s Shearwater, 4 Sooty Shearwater, 32 Storm Petrel. (S Rogers et al). Also, 2 Long-tailed Skua (near adult and 1st summer), 4 Cory’s Shearwaters, 1 Puffin (1500-1700). (N R Rogers)

Mousehole (7 – 9am): 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Arctic Skua and 3 Storm Petrel. (P St Pierre)

Camel Trail: 7 Little Egret, 2 Canada Goose, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Grey Wagtail, 7 Long-tailed Tit, at least 150 Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martins feeding, 4 Swift plus other small birds. (D Dennis)

Hayle Estuary B3301 Causeway: 1 Bar-headed Goose, 1 leucistic Greylag Goose, 100+ Canada Goose, 1 m Shelduck, 7 Curlew, 4 (2 ad 2 juv) Oystercatcher, 2 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret, 200+ Gull flock. Ryan’s Field: 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher, 1juv Grey Heron, 27 Black-headed Gull 14.45 – 15.50. (M Webb)

Par Beach Pool: 1 Mediterranean Gull. (G Treadwell)

St Mawes Castle: 1 Raven. (S Ashby)

St Minver: 1 Sparrowhawk being mobbed by House Martins. (S Grose)

Porth Reservoir: 279 Herring Gull, 7 Lesser Black backed Gull, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Grey Wagtail, 1 Marsh Tit. (S Grose)

Lanivet. Afternoon: 2 Buzzard, 1 Starling, 2 Herring Gull, 5 Goldfinch (2ad 3 juv), 6 House Martin, many House Sparrow (good numbers of young), large numbers of Jackdaw, 10+Woodpigeon, 4 Magpie, 2 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Rook, 1 Collared Dove, 4 Carrion Crow (1ad 3juv), 1 juv Green Woodpecker and 8 Blackbird (7m 1f). All Blackbird seem alert and lively so, hopefully, no virus. (B Crowle)

TJW