UPDATE 8THÂ DECEMBER 2018
The next Field Trip will be on Wednesday 19th December to Roughtor. Details as follows:-
TITLEOF EVENT .Murmurations at Roughtor area
LOCATIONÂ Fields near Roughtor, we will walk or drive to key viewing points.
CARPARKINGÂ Car park at at Roughtor PL32 9QJ
TIMEOF START AND FINISHÂ Starttime3.30p.m
Noexact finish time as you can stay as long as you want
MEETINGPOINTÂ Incar park
MAINPOINTS OF INTEREST :Murmuration of starlings…..plus the buzzards
REFRESHMENTSÂ : None available...but it is usually quite windy and cold so suggestyou bring warm drink
EQUIPMENT(suggested)Â Binoculars,monoculars and torch. We have spare binoculars.
NAMEOF LEADER(S)Â Alanand Marion May, Jasmina Goodair.Â
Pleasecontact Marion by 14thDec, if you would like to join us on this trip. Also if you need alift or can offer a lift
DISABLEDACCESSÂ Yes,we will be on minor roads or tracks
Field Trip Instructions in pdf format my be downloaded via this link.
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UPDATE 28THÂ NOVEMBER 2018
REPORT ON BIRDWATCHING GROUP FIELD TRIP ALONG CAMEL TRAIL
FROM WADEBRIDGE TO BODMINÂ (21st Nov 2018)
A hardy group of keen amateur birdwatchers met at Guineaport Road in Wadebridge at start of Camel trail leading towards Bodmin. The weather was bright but very cold with a significant frost that lasted most of the morning. A lot of the shallow wetlands were all but frozen over. We stopped in the bird hide which is found shortly after the start of the walk and continued as far as the iron bridge.
There were 30 species observed both on the river banks and in the woods:
Species observed were Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Starlings, Little Egrets, Blackbirds, Lapwing, Plover, Herring Gull, Crow, Teal, Blutits, Wood Pigeons, Red legged partridge, Snipe, Blackheaded gull, Coal tit, Robin, Magpie, Mistle Thrush, Dunnock, Grey wagtail, Kingfisher, Buzzard, Gold Crest, Wren, Long tailed tit, Oyster catcher, Curlew, Red Shank and common sandpiper.
Photographs and report by Jasmina Goodair.  More photos available on our flick page.
UPDATE 25TH OCTOBER 2018
Birdwatching Group - Trip to Hayle October 24th2018
Eight members of U3A came on the trip to Hayle, we visited 4 sites startingin the bird hide at Ryan’s field, then the estuary of Lelant water,followed by Camsew pool and last of all Copperhouse Pool, all RSPBsites. We also had an excellent lunch at the Birdies bistro.
Fromthe 4 sites we saw approximately 35 different species ofbirds...including:Â
  Lapwings
  Heron
  Curlews
  Black tailed and bar tailed godwits
  Golden Plovers
  Canada Geese
  Greylag Geese
  Barnacle Geese
  Teal
  Widgeon
  Egrets
  Tawny Pipit
Thehighlights of our sightings were
Kingfisher, diving and posing
Great white egret
Spoonbill, spotted by Gillian
Click on above images for larger view.
All photos by Lynda
Ournext trip is on Wednesday 21stNovember to the new hide at Chapel Amble. Details will be announced here on website nearer the date.
If you are interested injoining the group please contact either Marion May or Jasmine Goodair -Â Detail at top of this page.
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Wednesday24thOctober
TITLEOF EVENT Birdwatching onHayle Estuary
LOCATION Startingplace is the RSPB hide (EricGrace memorial hide)at Ryan’s Field, Hayle (off B3301)
CARPARKINGÂ Carpark at hide
TIMEOF START AND FINISH :Â Starttime 10.30
Noexact finish time as you can stay as long as you want, wewill also be visiting Copperhouse Pool
MEETINGPOINT :Â Â Â Car park at RSPB hide
MAINPOINTS OF INTERESTÂ :wehope to see widgeon, teal, tufted ducks, waders, heron,redshank, curlew, egret,
REFRESHMENTSÂ Refreshmentsare available in Hayle.
Wewill be having a lunch break at Birdies Bistro TR27 6JG
EQUIPMENT(suggested) Binoculars,monoculars, telescopes. We have spare binoculars and will bring along
identificatonbooks
NAMEOF LEADER(S)Â Alanand Marion May, Jasmina Goodair.Â
Pleasecontact Marion by20thOct  marionmay24@gmail.com if you would like to join this outing
DISABLEDACCESSÂ Yes, sites are level.
Report of visit on Wednesday 19th September
8 members of U3A came on the visit, for one couple it was their first event with U3a Lostwithiel.
We walked from the Wadebridge end of the Camel trail to the RSPB bird hide approximately 1.75miles from our starting point. The trip lasted about 3 hours
Along the way we saw approximately 20 species of birds, waders and some ducks...including:
- Mute swans
- Egrets
- Bar tailed Godwits
- Blue, coal and longtailed tits
- Curlews
- Oyster catchers
- Mallards
- Canada geese ( in an impressive flying formation)
- Gulls : black backed, herring,Â
- Red shanks
- Carrion crows
- Jackdaws
- Sand martins
- Wood pigeons
- Dunlins
- Peregrine falcon
Our next trip is on Wednesday 24th October to Hayle estuary to Ryan's field (RSPB ) and Copperhouse Pool.
Wednesday19th September
TITLEOF EVENT Birdwatching along the CamelTrail ,from Wadebridge
LOCATIONÂ WadebridgePL27 7AL
CARPARKINGÂ Suggestedparking in Piggy Lane Pay and Display (2-3hours) Carpark , behindLidl.
TIMEOF START AND FINISHÂ Starttime 10.30
Noexact finish time as you can stay as long as you want
MEETINGPOINTÂ Onbenches outside toilet at start of Camel trail
MAINPOINTS OF INTERESTÂ Birdsseen this week include :
Heron,redshank, curlew, egret, godwit, whimbrel, cormorants and severalothers.
REFRESHMENTSÂ Refreshmentsare available in Wadebridge, but there are none on the trail.
Thereare plenty of places to have picnic on the trail, we intend to stopfor a picnic lunch on the trail
EQUIPMENT(suggested)Â Binoculars,monoculars. We have spare binoculars and also will bring along
identficatonbooks
NAMEOF LEADER(S)Â Alanand Marion May, Jasmina Goodair.Â
Pleasecontact Marion marionmay24@gmail.com if you would like to join thisouting
DISABLEDACCESS Yes,trail is level.Wednesday 19th September.
Calendar from Sept 2018LostwithielU3A Birdwatching
September2018-June 2019
Date | Location | Organisers |
Wednesday 19th September | Camel Trail | Jasmina Goodair and Marion May |
Wednesday 24th October
| Hayle | Alan and Marion May |
Wednesday 21st November | Walmsley hide (ChapelAmble) | Jasmina Goodair and Marion May |
Wednesday 19th December | Murmurations and Crowdy Reservoir | Alan and Marion May |
Wednesday 16th January | Murmurations at Rough Tor | Jasmina Goodair and Marion May |
Wednesday20th February | Avocet trip Exmouth www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk | Jasmina Goodair |
Wednesday 20th March | Kilminorth/ Looe estuary | Jasmina Goodair and Marion May |
Wednesday 17th April | Burniere and Walmsley hides | Alan and Marion May |
Wednesday 15th May | Windmill farm and Choughs ( The Lizard) | Alan and Marion May |
Mid June | Looe Island (date to be confirmed) | Jasmina Goodair |
Monday 23rd April 2018Report of visit to Walmsley Reserve
On arriving at Trewornan bridge we decided to visit Berniere hide overlooking the Camel estuary as the tide was coming in and we were hoping to see the birds moving onto the higher sandbanks and closer to the hide.
We spent a couple of hours in the small and cosy hide and saw the following birds and ducks:
- Shelduck
- Greenshanks
- Egrets
- Cormorants
- Gulls
- Crows annoying the ducks and birds
- Swans
- Pigeons
- Dunlins
- Plovers
At the end of the morning we were cold and windswept and decided to make a visit to Walmsley at another time.Marion and Jasmina
UPDATE 18TH April 2018
The Walmsley Bird Sanctuary. Photo Credit: Adrian Langdon
Birdwatching trip on Monday 23rd April to Warmsley Reserve. Full details below. Please let me know if you would like to join us on this trip and if you need a lift.
Many thanks
Alan May
FIELD TRIP:- Warmsley Hides
DAY AND DATE | Monday 23rd April 2018
|
LOCATION | Walmsley Reserve Chapel Amble |
ADMISSION CHARGES | None |
TIME OF START AND FINISH | 10.30 at Trewornan Bridge |
MEETING POINT | Lay-by at Trewornan Bridge
If you need a lift contact
Alan May 01208 873411 |
INFORMATION ON MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST | Use of 3 Hides over salt marsh and tidal creeks |
EQUIPMENT TO BRING | Wellington boots.
Binoculars,Telescopes,Warm drink,Pack lunch |
NAME OF LEADER(S) | Marion & Alan May |
DISABLED ACCESS (Y/N) | No |
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Wednesday March 14th 2018
A field trip to Hayle RSPB hide, estuary and Copperhouse creek/pond. (You do not need to be an RSPB member to use the hide)
Meet at Community Centre, Lostwithiel at 10.00a.m, to arrange sharing lifts
We intend to return about 4p.m.
We can expect to see waders, ducks, divers and a variety of gulls.Â
We intend to take a short lunch break at the Birdies Bistro, situated on the banks of the estuary.
More information on the RSPB website.
To view the Field Trip sheet for the trip please click on this link. The document may also be downloaded and printed via this link or by clicking the blue download link at bottom of this page.
Warmsley trip 7th March 2017
The trip to Warmsley reserve was attended by a select group of U3A  members,who spent a couple of hours watching over 25 species of bird including Spoonbill,Ruff and Black- tailed Godwits.
After a small problem with the door lock (wrong key),we got into the hide to find two very experienced
 bird-watchers who were only too willing to point out many of the species on the reserve.
lLostwithiel Area U3A Birdwatching Group
 FIELD TRIP to Warmsley Res
Â
LOCATION | Warmsley Reserve Chapel Amble |
ADMISSION CHARGES | None |
TIME OF START AND FINISH | Â 11.30Â onwards |
MEETING POINT | Car park at Trewornan bridge NGR:106, SW 987743 |
INFORMATION ON MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST | Use of large hide over salt marsh |
EQUIPMENT TO BRING | Binoculars,Telescopes boots |
NAME OF LEADER(S) | Alan & Marion May |
DISABLED ACCESS (Y/N) | No. Access across muddy field and stiles. |
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From Gillie Hind a member of the bird watching group
The Wadebridge birdwatching group meets on Wednesdays promptly at 10, on the river behind the Countrywise shop.  You can just turn up - you don't need to let anyone know.
You can park in the carpark behind Lidl for £1 for the whole day in winter.  If you miss them at the start, they walk slowly along the river and it is easy to catch up with them there.  There are several very knowledgeable birdwatchers, who have telescopes and are happy to share their scopes and their knowledge.
It is £2 per person to join them for the day.  They get back after lunch - so take a packed lunch.  When I was there we got back about 2.30. Obviously, at any point you can turn round and head back yourself.
On the first Wednesday of the month they walk all the way to Padstow and then take a bus back - but again, you could always turn back at any point that suited you.
Hope that is useful for someone. Â I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to go again when I'm free.
All the best, Â Gillie
Field Trip 1st Feb 2017
A few members of the Bird watching group braved the weather and travelled to the Moors to see the starlings and were rewarded with a spectacular display of several thousand birds flying into roost, small groups flew up to perform for us. Everyone enjoyed the display especially the flocks flying in over our heads.Â
 (Click on image for larger view)
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FIELD TRIP -:Roughtor Murmuration 1st Feb
 The next trip is to see the starling murmuration at Roughtor. The details are on the sheet below for any other details please give me a call.
Â
DAY AND DATE | 1st February 2017 |
LOCATION | Roughtor car park NGR-: SX 138819 on sheet 109 |
ADMISSION CHARGES | None |
TIME OF START AND FINISH | Â 16.00Â -Â Sunset 17.10 |
MEETING POINT | Roughtor Carpark |
INFORMATION ON MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST | Lots of starlings, buzzards and sometimes peregrines |
EQUIPMENT TO BRING | Binoculars, warm clothing,    hot drink |
NAME OF LEADER(S) | Alan & Marion May |
DISABLED ACCESS (Y/N) | Yes, on metaled road |
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Field Trip 22nd November 2016.
The group are going to Roughtor on Bodmin Moor to hopefully see the murmuration of starlings.We are meeting in the car park at the end of the road from Camelford at 15.30.
Contact me if you want any more details.
UPDATE 21ST JUNE 2016
The bird watching group is having a break through the summer and will start up again in the autumn where I hope to set a regular walk to Shire Hall Moor to count species and support its application for nature reserve status.
Alan
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Field Meeting 30th March 2016. - Report
A mixed group of six Bird Watchers and Photographers met in great sunshine at Trewornan bridge and them tramped across a very muddy field to the first of the three hides we visited that day. We had good views of over 25 species,including, Herons and Egrets,Sand Martins & swallows,shelduck,bullfinch,and a pair of wood warblers right in front of the hide. At the other site we added Curlew,Bar Tailed Godwits,Widgeon & a Greylag goose. Help and assistance was given by Mr Adrian Langden the warden for the Warmsley Reserve.
Alan.
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FIELD TRIP30/03/16Â
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DAY AND DATE | Wednesday 30th March 10.00am |
LOCATION | Walmsley Reserve ,Wadebridge |
ADMISSION CHARGES | None |
TIME OF START AND FINISH | 09.30 – 12.00 |
MEETING POINT | Trewornan Bridge NGR :sheet 106 ,SW987743 |
INFORMATION ON MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST | Hide overlooking pools and saltmarsh |
EQUIPMENT TO BRING | Wellingtons or stout boots Binoculars or telescope |
NAME OF LEADER(S) | Alan & Marion May |
DISABLED ACCESS (Y/N) | Across field & steps up to hide |
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Field Meeting on 24th February.
Five members met at the entrance to Coulson Park and walked for a couple of hours towards Shire Hall Moor and back.
We recorded 30 species including Bullfinchs, A small flock of Redwing, Siskins and a couple of Ravens overhead. we also heard a woodpecker on several occasions. the weather was very kind to us and stayed dry.
The next meeting will be on March 30th and we hope to go to Roughtor to see the starlings murmurating if they are still there.
If not we will choose another location I will send more details to group members soon and post details on this site.
If you would like to come could you please let me know
Alan.
FIELD TRIP 24th February 2016
DAY AND DATE: Wednesday 24th February 2016
LOCATION:  Coulson Park and Nature Reserve. Expect paths to be muddy
TIME OF START AND FINISH:Â 9.00-11.00 a.m
MEETING POINT: By railway bridge at entrance to Coulson Park
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)Â Alan and Marion May 01208 873411
DISABLED ACCESSÂ Level paths, but uneven in places
