Rough day for a count

I knew I should have undertaken the WeBS counts yesterday. A strong easterly today killed most action with a lot of things hiding away in the sallows. Wigeon were non existent, Teal numbered one, the Long-tailed Duck was re-found and the Brambling were still present on the feeders prompting me to buy another sack of seed. The light Southerlies of the two previous days did bring me eight Sand Martin though, my earliest record so quite chuffed with that.

The more sheltered location of Pendarves Lake was up next and the two Mute Swan have returned. There's always a pair here during breeding season, I wonder where they overwinter. 

At last.....

Cormorant activity, but first -

With limited time tomorrow for WeBS i decided to undertake one count today. Pendarves Lake is a small lake set in woodland and managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Visitors are few and far between thankfully. The lake usually holds 4-5 Little Grebe, 4-5 Moorhen, a couple of Mallard and that's about it however - a pair of Mute Swan arrive in spring to breed and the lake is sheltered so when others are frozen in hard winters it can hold Teal, Wigeon, Pintail, Gadwall, Scaup, Goldeneye, the occasional Sandpiper sp and once i found a Garganey (not on a WeBS count). It really is one of those lakes that is underwatched in general and undervalued where WeBS is concerned. It's the type of habitat the BTO would love to see more of counted but unfortunately because these types of areas are small people tend to think they are not important.

Today re-iterated this. Once again it's thrown up a nice surprise in a pair of Shoveller and 5 Gadwall. Hiding behind a bush to avoid disturbance a quiet seep seep was coming from up above - Goldcrest. Not one but three and then - wow that's green - FIRECREST. I just love Firecrest and it excites me every time i find one. What made this one even better was that it was the first one i have seen in this area. Just afterwards a Blue Tit prospected the nest box above me prompting me that i really must get mine finished next weekend.

It was over to Hells Mouth afterwards and at long last a Cormorant was seen flying onto the islet with nesting material.  This is such a relief as i was beginning to think it was'nt going to happen. 4 pairs, 3 nests between them, none of them at N1 stage so i would say all have starting building today. No change with the Shag, 120 Guillemot present, 78 Fulmar and 25 Razorbill

WeBS

Carried out my WeBS survey today of Stithians reservoir. With a light NNE blowing, good sunshine and a noticeable drop in temperature i was hoping a Goosander or two may have dropped in - they hadn't.

The Wigeon numbers this season have been abysmal with only 42 today compared with January 2012 (63), 2011 (69), 2010 (104). Everything is down apart from Water Rail who's numbers have exploded due to the high levels of water leading into the sallows where they can skulk out of sight.

The Long-tailed Duck was still present. The bird has been around on the reservoir for 5 weeks now and I've only caught up with it twice - ironically both on WeBS counts. A reasonable count of Goldeneye (6) included one drake on what turned out to be a lovely walk but quiet for birds. My gut feeling is that it's only going to get worse.

Away from the water and the Chaffinch numbers have soared with over 50 noted at the feeding station during a quick visit. Nice male Bullfinch plonked in the middle of them as well. No Brambling though.

I really cant be bothered to wait until next weekend to go out again so i think a lunchtime trip to Swanpool Lake nr where i work could be had this week. At least my immersion heater works now......   

WeBS

Difficult decision this weekend - when to do the WeBS count at Stithians Reservoir. I say this because the weather forecast was a bit grim for both days and neither one looked better than the other. I decided on Saturday morning to leave it until Sunday, the proper core count date. Wigeon numbers are still poor (36) and with the water levels being high enough for the Teal to hide away, 53 was a gross undercount. 11 Gadwall flying in to join four others was quite nice, eight Pochard, 60 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 36 Coot but only two Water Rail were picked up. Sitting in the hide, the skies darkened again, no waterproof leggings, it was time to walk back to the car ahead of the rain. Perfect timing as just before arriving back and still dry - a Long-tailed Duck flew past.

Nice last bird to finish with.....

WeBS and Starlings

I was looking forward to the WeBS count this morning at Stithians especially getting to grips with  the Water Rail. Hoping to record at least six but unfortunately only managed four. Good numbers of Little  Grebe (15) and Black-headed Gull (212) though. Unfortunately with the water levels being as high as they are there is no opportunity to spot colour rings on the Gulls.

A WeBS count of Pendarves Lake didnt give much so -

It was down to Marazion for the Starling roost. Approx 30,000 last weekend, 50,000-60,000 mid week, 220,000 reported last night. Too good to miss. Whilst the sheer volume of birds was great, the wind pretty much killed it with the birds flying straight into the bushes after gathering in the fields with very little chattering being heard.

Will try again next weekend hopefully.  

Clowance

Today i decided to carry out a WeBS count at Clowance House nr Camborne. Although core count date is tomorow i have two sites to count tomorow. Clowance does not currently have a counter. Very little on the lake although the bushes and trees on the way were an absolute delight.

Goldcrests a plenty with their high pitched calls, my first sightings of Redwing and Fieldfare for the season, 2 Nuthatch, and approx 60 Chaffinch feeding together.

Tomorow i will be counting my main site of Stithians where i will be looking and listening for Water Rail as i'm convinced there is at least six on the reserve three times the usual amount. After that it'll be Pendarves Wood for WeBS and then onto Marazion where Starling numbers for the roost are now in excess of 50,000