January on 3BLNR

Siskin in trees

An Occasional Bird Report by Rob and Friends

2012 BLOG

22 January 2012

A bit windier today but still plenty of birds around.  A trip round Savages Wood showed Great Tits in abundance with Blue Tits, Chaffinches, Blackbirds and Magpies not far behind.  There was quite a disturbed atmosphere and it soon became obvious why.  The wood contained a Kestrel and the Magpies were not happy.  There was also a Buzzard looking for somewhere to roost for the night.

Several Jays and a small number of Redwings were also present and Herring, Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls were all seen flying over.  Others seen were: Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, House Sparrow, Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin.

Total Three Brooks birds for the year - 36

15 January 2012

A clear, calm, but chilly day today and a slightly late start this morning meant I missed a Raven flying over the reserve (thank you Peter for the report).  Good numbers of birds around for the time of year with most common species seen or heard at some point.  I only managed to cover from the orchard to the lake today, so didn't get round any of the woods.

Best spot of the day (for me) was a Blackcap, foraging along the bushes round the back of the orchard.  The lake was busy with families trying to feed the ducks, but managing to mainly feed the horde of Black-headed Gulls.  All in all there were close to 170 gulls there - the most I think I've seen at once.  Also at the lake were the family of Mute Swans, a couple of Little Grebe and a Grey Heron - surprising for the middle of the day.  A Jay rounded off the day of 31 species.

Other birds seen today - Wren, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Jackdaw, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Moorhen, Mallard, Lesser Black-backed Gull

Total Three Brooks birds for the year - 33

7/8 January 2012

My first trip onto the reserve this year so the start of the 2012 reserve list.  It was also the 3 Brooks Nature Conservation Group (3BNCG) annual hedgelaying weekend so the actual birding was limited to free moments when not knelt head down hacking at a tee stump!

All birds seen in the Northern Plantation beyond Bowsland Meadow, where the hedgelaying was being done: Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Magpie, Blue Tit, Woodpigeon, Long-tailed Tit, Collared Dove and Mistle Thrush.  A Great Spotted Woodpecker was added on the Sunday.  Also seen flying over were: Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Cormorant and Carrion Crow.

Hopefully this weekend will allow a better opportunity to get out on the whole reserve.

1 January 2012

Being in Cornwall for the new year, my first birding trip wasn't on the 3 Brooks Reserve, but round some of the best birding spots in West Cornwall.  I started at dawn in Newlyn with notable birds being Raven up the cliffs and Gannet, Razorbill, Kitiwake and Eider on the sea.  Penzance yielded Rock Pipit, Shag, Common Scoter and Kestrel, but no Purple Sandpiper on the rocks (very high tide).  Crossing to the north coast, the RSPB's Hayle Estuary reserve added Little Egret, the first waders of the year included Bar-tailed Godwit and ducks included Goosander.  Copperhouse Creek was unusually quiet, but has major works at one end.  Several Little Grebe in the harbour entrance though.  A quick visit to Carnsew Basin produced great views of a Great Northern Diver.  The afternoon took in Helston boating lake and the sewage works, producing a flock of Goldcrest and a couple of Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works and several varieties of duck at the lake.  Stithians Lake had nothing out of the ordinary on the way back to Redruth though.  A good day out and a good start to the year list with 66 species seen.  Surprisingly I had to wait until the 2nd for my first Magpie!

All photos copyright R Williams, or as credited    Blogmaster - threebrooksbirdingblog'at'blueyonder.co.uk    Last updated 23 January 2012