 Contact Marion May  Page listing - "Subpage Listing" marionmay24(at)gmail(dot)com Contact Jasmina Goodair jas.goodair(at)talk21(dot)com Jasmina Goodair and Marion May have taken over as leaders for the Birdwatching group. Programme from Sept 2019
If you have an particular sites you would recommend please let either Jasmina or Marion know. We have an outline plan from September until July 2020, this will be posted on the U3A website. Details of exact meeting places and times will be sent out a couple of weeks before the outing. Many thanks Marion and Jasmina. December 2019 trip Details of our last trip in 2019  Wednesday4thDecember 2019 TITLEOF EVENT Birdwatching along the CamelTrail ,fromWadebridge to Bodmin LOCATION WadebridgePL27 7JN (far end of Guineaport road) CARPARKING Parkingspaces at end of road or on street parking TIMEOF START AND FINISH Starttime 9.30 Noexact finish time as you can stay as long as you want MEETINGPOINT Atentrance to Camel trail MAINPOINTS OF INTEREST Heron,egret, various ducks and on a previous visit red Partridge andkingfisher REFRESHMENTS Refreshmentsare available in Wadebridge, but there are none on the trail. TOILETS: Thereare no toilet facilities at this part of Camel trail EQUIPMENT(suggested) Binoculars,monoculars. We have spare binoculars and also will bring along identificationbooks NAMEOF LEADER(S) Alanand Marion May, Jasmina Goodair. Pleasecontact Marion marionmay24@gmail.com if you would like to join thisouting. If you need a lift or can offer a lift please contact eitherJasmina or Marion.(07805286687). DISABLEDACCESS Yes,trail is level and a hard surface. HIDE:There is a covered hide about 300 yards down the trail. CANCELLATION: Ifthe trip is cancelled due to bad weather an email will be sent outthe evening before UPDATE 11TH NOVEMBER 2019 U3A Bird group report from 6th November 19 – Walmsley Bird Hide nr Wadebridge  A group of 8 of us met at Trewornan bridge and made our way across a couple of muddy fields to the two hides at Walmsley Nature Sanctuary.  Winter waders and bird visitors were very much in evidence as well as various small birds taking advantage of the feeders to the side of the main hide.  The first older hide overlooks at ground level reed beds and shallow water where a pair of Little Grebes were busily feeding.  The tall main hide overlooks a wide floodplain area and there we saw 31 different species.  There were Mute swans, Canada Geese, Heron, Crows, Mallard, Moorhen, Shovelers, Shelduck, Pochard, Egrets both Little and Cattle, Gadwall, Godwit, Teal, Widgeon, Lapwing, Buzzard, Coot, Herring gull, and Curlew.  Of the smaller birds at the feeders we saw Blue tits, Green finch, Great tits, Gold finch and Chaffinch. Generally around there were also siting of Skylark, Fieldfare and Wood Pigeons. Jasmina Goodair  Images by Jasmina Goodair & Marion May ****************************** UPDATE 29TH OCTOBER 2019 Hayle Estuary 16.10.2019 U3A Bird Group The bird group met at Ryan’s field in Hayle and moved around to the river and Estuary . Following lunch, they moved Carnsew Pool area to where a young migrating Osprey had been reported in recent days. Despite a couple of hours there no luck with a siting however throughout the day 29 species in total were observed, largely waders, ducks and geese on the estuary including, Godwits, Lapwings, Red and Greenshank, Widgeon, Teal, Dunlin, Plover, Shelduck, Curlew Sandpiper, Curlew and amongst the usual gulls was a Mediterranean one. Thankyou to Adrian Langdon for joining us and helping with ID’s. Some of the group went onto Marazion but saw nothing extra there. Report and Photos by Jasmina Goodair 
 Redshank ******************** UPDATE 25TH SEPTEMBER 2019 U3A Bird Watching Group Report 18th September 2019 The group met on a bright sunny afternoon at the start of the Camel Trail at Wadebridge and headed towards Padstow as far as the hide. The tide had turned and was on its way in which enabled us to observe the birds feeding nearer the shore.  The number of species observed was 18. On the riverbanks we saw Red Shank, Cormorant, Common Sandpiper, Little Egrets, Oyster catchers, Curlew, Black tailed Godwits as well as Lesser black backed, black headed and Herring gulls. There were the usual Crows and Jackdaws and a flock of Canada Geese feeding. A general lack of smaller hedgerow birds only seeing magpie, wood pigeons, pied wagtail, house sparrows and a few late house martins. Looking forward to next months trip to Hayle as the number of passage migrants and over wintering birds make their way over and to the British Isles. Jasmina Goodair **************** UPDATE 17TH JULY 2019 LostwithielU3A Bird group Report for 26th June 2019  TheBird watching group had to abandon their trip to Looe Island in Junedue to unseasonably high easterly winds which grounded boats in theharbour for several days. We re booked for July and despite wonderfulweather the easterlies threatened our trip again – fortunately Davethe boatman got 11 of us over there for a few hours before returningus to dry land to enjoy our picnic at Hannafore rather than on theisland. Thegroup managed to get right around the Island and see the variousareas where Herring gulls, Black backed gulls, Cormorants, Fulmarsand Oyster Catchers nest. They were treated to close encounters ofthe young of the Gulls and Oyster Catchers though the Fulmars werewell hidden, and the Cormorants had all fledged. There was also aninformative information sheet to follow pointing out the history ofthe island and points of interest as we went around. Inall the group noted some 18 species including all the above plusShags, Whimbrel, Rock pipits, Little Egrets, Mallards and a wholerange of small resident birds such as Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Wrens, Chaffinch and Blackbirds as well as Carrion Crow and Pheasants. The group also watched threeseals in the water behind the island. The Island has a residentpopulation of seals which regularly haul out on the Ranneys behindthe island at low tide. Atrip we hope to repeat next year and have more then two hours on theisland! JasminaGoodair ******************* UPDATE 20TH APRIL 2019 Report by Lynda on Outing 16th April After the windy, freezing conditions of the previous days, the ten bird watchers who ventured to Wadebridge were rewarded with warm sunny weather. Time was spent in three hides, the Burniere hide on the banks of the Camel and the large hide at the Walmsley reserve which could accommodate all ten people and the smaller corner hide on the reserve. We were lucky to meet Adrian Langdon, the Warden for Walmsley and  were able to benefit from his expert knowledge and bird identification skills, as well as the use his telescope.  Walmsley Reserve belongs to the Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society and can usually only be  accessed by members. As can be seen by the list below there was plenty of bird species to see.
  Birds seen near Wadebridge on 16th April 2019 Wednesday 16th April 2019 TITLE OF EVENT . Burniere and Walmsley hides Near Wadebridge LOCATION PL27 6EX by Trewornan bridge CAR PARKING In lay by on Wadebridge side of bridge. There is limited parking available so please share lifts if possible. TIME OF START AND FINISH start at 2p.m finishing about 4.30p.m MEETING POINT . Meet at 2p.m by cars MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST : http://www.cbwps.org.uk/Walmsley%20Sanctuary.htm REFRESHMENTS : There are no refreshments or toilet facilities. EQUIPMENT(suggested) Binoculars, monoculars. We have spare binoculars. The paths are generally firm but in places a bit muddy, suggest walking shoes or similar NAME OF LEADER(S) Alan and Marion May DISABLED ACCESS : Access is across fields and in places are quite rutted. March 20th 2019 Report on visit to Kilminorth woods and Looe estuary 4 members of the group joined Alan and I on this outing.  The weather had been quite misty en route to Looe, but it was clear on the estuary, however the birds had decided not to venture into the open. However we saw 18 species and heard another 2, namely woodpecker and long tailed tits. On the water or waters edge we saw several species of gull, also egrets, shelducks, heron, mallard, redshank and swans.    In the woodland we saw blue tits, chaffinch, lovebirds cuddled in a hammock, and heron nests. We also went to Hannafore and saw pied wagtails, cormorants, oyster catchers, rock pipit. We had a enjoyable afternoon, it was good to have a new member in the group and at the end of our bird watching we enjoyed tea and cake in the local hotel.
Lostwithiel U3A Bird Group Report – 20.2.19 7 members of the group spent the day on the Exe Estuary. It was rather cold with a fresh breeze but remained dry. We first met at the Bowling Green Marsh RSPB Reserve where we sent a couple of hours at the hide and viewing platform. In total we observed 29 species. On the marsh itself were a range of waders and ducks including Pintails, Widgeon, Teal, Mallards, Snipe, Shellduck, Redshanks, Greenshanks and Greylag Geese. There were also a range of smaller birds in the surrounding trees including long tailed Tits, Dunnock and blackbirds, as well as familiar, Carrion Crows, Gulls, Heron and a Buzzard overseeing the marsh form a vantage point in a high tree. We enjoyed a lunch on the marina in Exmouth just by where we boarded the Stuart Line Cruiser at 1.45pm. The cruise lasted till 5.15pm during which time we sailed up the Exe to Topsham passing Powderham Castle and back. The boat had good facilities with plenty of seating as well as a warm below deck serving hot drinks and snacks. The guide on board was very knowledgeable and kept us fully informed on the species we saw and where to look and the boat frequently sailed near the shore for a better view. We saw at least 33 species, quite a few of the morning ones plus Avocets, Cormorants, Shags, Godwit, Eider Ducks, Dunlins, Knot, Red breasted Merganser, Great crested Grebe, Plovers, Goldeneye and a Slavonian Goose. We were also treated to several seal sightings near the boat plus a close up of a large male grey seal hauled up on a low platform in the river.
More photos from the Field Trip available in our flickr Album Report & Photographs by Jasmina Goodair *************************** February update  In May we will be visiting Looe Island, this is a change of month from that stated in our calendar. UPDATE 31st JANUARY 2019 10 members of the birdwatching group braved the wind and cold to see a spectacular display of starlings, estimates put it at nearly a million birds. The interesting event saw the starlings landing/hovering in a field near the farm and then swooping up towards the line of conifers. The photos speak for themselves    (Click on above image for enlarged view) *********************** UPDATE 10th JANUARY 2019 Avocet trip on River Exe - Wednesday 20th February 2019  LOCATION From Exmouth by boat CAR PARKING In Exmouth TIME OF START AND FINISH Boat trip leaves at 1345 for a 3 hour circular trip. Cost £12.50. Please buy your ticket in advance from the website https://www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk/bird-watching/ When we know who is coming on this trip we can plan to share lifts, meeting place and time. No exact finish time as you can stay as long as you want MEETING POINT . At Exmouth Stuartline terminal: https://www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk/bird-watching/ MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST : Avocets and other river birds and ducks REFRESHMENTS : There are on board facilities. EQUIPMENT(suggested) Binoculars, monoculars. We have spare binoculars. NAME OF LEADER(S) Jasmina Goodair. Marion May Please contact Jasmina by 25th Jan if you would like to join us on this trip. Also if you need a lift or can offer a lift.
DISABLED ACCESS Yes, please see website  https://www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk/bird-watching/
******************************* UPDATE 2ND JANUARY 2019 As we were unable to go to see the murmurations in December Jasmina and I have decided to replace the original planned outing in January with one to go to see the murmurations Rough Tor Do hope you can join us Marion and Jasmina Wednesday 16th January 2019 TITLE OF EVENT . Murmurations at Roughtor area LOCATION  Fields near Roughtor, we will walk or drive to key viewing points. CAR PARKING  Car park at at Roughtor PL32 9QJ TIME OF START AND FINISH Start time3.30p.m No exact finish time as you can stay as long as you want MEETING POINT In car park MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST  : Murmuration of starlings…..plus the buzzards REFRESHMENTS  : None available...but it is usually quite windy and cold so suggest you bring warm drink EQUIPMENT(suggested) Binoculars, monoculars and torch. We have spare binoculars. NAME OF LEADER(S) Alan and Marion May, Jasmina Goodair. Please contact Marion by 10th Dec, if you would like to join us on this trip. Also if you need a lift or can offer a lift DISABLED ACCESS Yes, we will be on minor roads or tracks  UPDATE 8TH DECEMBER 2018 The next Field Trip will be on Wednesday 19th December to Roughtor. Details as follows:- TITLE OF EVENT . Murmurations at Roughtor area LOCATION Fields near Roughtor, we will walk or drive to key viewing points. CAR PARKING Car park at at Roughtor PL32 9QJ TIME OF START AND FINISH Start time3.30p.m No exact finish time as you can stay as long as you want MEETING POINT In car park MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST : Murmuration of starlings…..plus the buzzards REFRESHMENTS : None available...but it is usually quite windy and cold so suggest you bring warm drink EQUIPMENT(suggested) Binoculars, monoculars and torch. We have spare binoculars. NAME OF LEADER(S) Alan and Marion May, Jasmina Goodair. Please contact Marion by 14th Dec, if you would like to join us on this trip. Also if you need a lift or can offer a lift DISABLED ACCESS Yes, we will be on minor roads or tracks Field Trip Instructions in pdf format my be downloaded via this link. ******************************* INFORMATION ON MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST : Riverside and nature reserve walk. Egrets, mallards, swans, cormorants, kingfisher, bullfinches etc EQUIPMENT TO BRING: Binoculars etc. NAME OF LEADER(S) Alan and Marion May 01208 873411 DISABLED ACCESS Level paths, but uneven in places |
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