Bird Cruise List
6th December 2014
per Derek Spooner

Great Northern Diver 1,
Great Crested Grebe 7,
Cormorant 70+,
Little Egret 18,
Grey Heron 15,
Spoonbill 3,
Mute Swan 7,
Shelduck 250+,
Wigeon 100+,
Teal 60,
Mallard 40,
Red-breasted Merganser 8,
Sparrowhawk 1,
Buzzard 1,
Kestrel 1,
Pheasant 10,
Oystercatcher 60+,
Avocet 120,
Lapwing 170,
Dunlin 14,
Black-tailed Godwit 20,
Curlew 50,
Redshank 85,
Greenshank 2,
Common Sandpiper 2,
Black-headed Gull 50+,
Herring Gull 30,
Great Black-backed Gull 10,
Feral Pigeon 8,
Woodpigeon 60,
Kingfisher 1,
Pied Wagtail 1,
Blackbird 1,
Jay 1,
Carrion Crow 70+,
Starling 3.
36 species

Dereks full list was :-

Great Crested Grebe 6,Cormorant 60,Little Egret 20, Grey Heron 15, Spoonbill 2, Mute Swan 8, Canada Goose 3, Shelduck 180+, Wigeon 280+, Teal 10, Mallard 50, Buzzard 2, Pheasant 5, Oystercatcher 80+, Avocet 41, Lapwing 60, Dunlin 6, Black-tailed Godwit 10, Bar-tailed Godwit 2, Redshank 8, Greenshank 5, Common Sandpiper 2, Black-headed Gull 100+, Herring Gull 50+, Great Black-backed Gull 10, Feral Pigeon 10, Woodpigeon 10, Kingfisher 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Blackbird 2, Redwing 10, Magpie 2, Carrion Crow 100+, Starling 50.

‘Three billed Spoonbill!!’

Drakes Island is the only nesting site of Little Egret in the Tamar Valley. It also supports a winter and high tide roost of almost all the egrets that use the Tamar Valley ie 70-80 birds. Little Egret is one of only two species listed (the other being Avocet) in the Tamar Valley Special Protection Area designation. This  falls within the European Birds Directive 1979 (79/409/EEC) which is the oldest nature conservation legislation in Europe and establishes a comprehensive scheme of protection for all wild birds. Spoonbills also use the roost on occasions and there are several other species of breeding seabirds.

The directive bans activities that directly threaten birds, such as the deliberate killing or capture of birds, the destruction of their nests and taking of their eggs, and associated activities such as trading in live or dead birds.

Whilst the developers have submitted mitigation measures, conservation bodies considered these were insufficient to prevent disturbance to the roost and nesting colony. The latest planning application is listed here :

http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/planningdoc-2?appno%3D14%2F00001%2FFUL

They have added further information (listed under ‘Covering email’ in the Application section) but the bird report is weak to say the least. In my opinion, Plymouth City council must therefore refuse the application or risk contravening the Birds Directive. We have until 6th May 2014 to comment on the application.

If you enjoy watching Little Egrets in the Tamar Valley please support the conservation organisations and object to this application. This link will take you to the comments page: http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/planningapplicationsv4/comment.asp?AltRef=14/00001/FUL

Well it had to happen one day – the weather was somewhat grey and damp to say the least. Still 50 or so people braved the elements and while waiting at Saltash several of the party watched a Peregrine on the bridge. We began our usual  route up the River Tamar. As we were on neap tides the birds were rather distant in the lower reaches of the river and the large mussel banks normally exposed at low tide remained covered. However this was compensated by the fact we were able get further upstream than normal and we had great views of Avocets, some feeding on the mudbanks and some in the water, upwards of 150 in total. Other highlights were good numbers of Shelduck and a large flock of Lapwing. On the River Lynher, three Spoonbill were on the north shore near to where we saw them on the last trip. However on this occasion they chose not to fly down to roost on Rat island preferring to fly onto the saltmarsh. As they were 2 adults and a juvenile it is probable that they were the same birds as those seen in November. The dull weather limited the opportunities for photography so no images on this occasion. Thanks to all involved – lets hope for better weather next January.

Notable counts recorded on 15^th December 2013 by Derek Julian