FIELD TRIPS.
These take place all over Cornwall all the year round at weekends and some weekdays.
Beginners are particularly welcome and, in the company of more experienced members, these trips can provide a great opportunity to improve bird identification by sight and sound.
Newcomers to birdwatching are very welcome on any field trip. Participants are reminded that they are responsible for their own safety. Please be sure that you are appropriately dressed and with suitable footwear for walks that can be over rough, muddy and steep terrain. Walks are largely jointly organised by the RSPB Cornwall Local Group and Cornwall Birdwatching and Preservation Society. For general queries please contact Gordon Mills (RSPB) on 01209 718 144 (evenings) or the individual leaders.
AUGUST
Sunday 3rd August 9.00am. Porthgwarra. Leader Viv Stratton. (01736 796487). An all day walk looking for migrant birds and maybe some sea watching. Bring a packed lunch. Meet in the car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 371 218
Wednesday 6th August 6.15pm. St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. Leader Gordon Mills. (01209 718144 evenings). An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422
Sunday 10th August 9.15am. Godrevy Headland. Leader Gordon Mills. (01209 718144 evenings). A morning walk around the headland looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422
Sunday 17th August 10.00am. Goss Moor. Cornwall Wildlife Trust. A morning walk around this Natural England reserve, by CWT, to look for dragonflies, butterflies and birds. Meet at lay-by on the old A30 Indian Queens to Bodmin road. Map ref: SW 934 599
Wednesday 20th August 6.15pm. St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. Leader Gordon Mills. (01209 718144 evenings). An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422
Sunday 24th August 9.00am. Stithians Reservoir. Leader Simon Taylor. (01209 614857). A walk around the reservoir looking for resident birds and waterfowl along with summer migrants and, hopefully, a rarity or two. This is a new walk which may extend into the afternoon so packed lunch advisable. Meet at the eastern dam car park (not the Golden Lion). Take the only turning between Goonlaze and Hendra, this takes you to the car park. Map ref: SW 714 364 . SORRY THIS HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Wednesday 27th August 6.15pm. St Gothian Sands Godrevy. Leader Gordon Mills. (01209 718 144 evenings). An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422. SORRY THIS HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
Thursday 28th August 2.00pm. St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. Cornwall C.C. (01872 323468). A history and nature walk around the reserve, led by Cornwall County Council, looking for birds and other wild life. Map ref: SW 586 415
SEPTEMBER.
Wednesday 3rd September 6.15pm. St Gothian Sands, Godrevy. Leader Gordon Mills, (01209 718144 evenings)An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422
Wednesday 10th September 6.15pm. St Gothian Sands, Godrevy.Leader Gordon Mills. (01209 718144 evenings). An evening walk around the area looking for resident and migrant birds. Meet at the first NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 584 422
Saturday 13th September 9.30am. Windmill Farm, Lizard. Leader Andy Pay. (01326 565371). A morning walk around the reserve, paths can be wet so wellingtons recommended. Meet at the Farm car park. Map ref: SW 277 292
Sunday 14th September 9.15am. Loe Pool and Helston Boating Lake. Leader Gordon Mills. (01209 718144 evenings). A morning walk to the National Trust hide looking for woodland birds, gulls and wildfowl. Meet at Helston Amenity Area car park. Map ref: SW 654 269
Thursday 18th September 1.00pm. Tresillian/St Clements. Leader Eric James (01326 573225) An afternoon walk along the river bank looking for waders, ducks and gulls. Path can be muddy so strong footware recommended. High tide approximately 8.00pm. Meet at St Clements car park (can be restricted). Map ref: SW 852 439
Saturday 20th September 9.00am. Porth Joke. Leader Steve Rowe. (01637 875 788). A morning walk around the area looking for migrant and resident birds. Turn off A3075 (Newquay road) to Crantock. Take first left between Crantock and West Pentire past Treago Farm and meet in NT car park (fee payable). Map ref: SW 776 599
Sunday 21st September 9.00am. Stithians Reservoir. Leader Simon Taylor. (01209 614857). A walk around the reservoir looking for resident birds and waterfowl along with summer migrants and, hopefully, a rarity or two. This is a new walk which may extend into the afternoon so packed lunch advisable. Meet at the eastern dam car park (not the Golden Lion). Take the only turning between Goonlaze and Hendra, this takes you to the car park. Map ref: SW 714 364
Saturday 27th September 9.30am. The Lizard. Leader Mike Lord. (01326 290981) A morning walk around the Lizard looking for resident and migrant birds including, hopefully, Choughs. Meet at Lizard Green car park (voluntary contribution). Map ref: SW 704 125
Sunday 28th September 9.30am. Bude Marshes and Maer Lake. Leader Gordon Mills. (01209 718144 evenings)An all day walk, the Marshes in the morning and the Lake in the afternoon. Meet at the main town car park by the canal, bring a picnic lunch. Map ref: SS 206 065
Sunday 28th September 10.00am. Levant and Kenidjack. Leader Roy Phillips. (01736 351 793). An all day coastal walk from the Levant car park to Kenidjack to look for resident birds and sea or land migrants depending on weather (126 species have been recorded here). Please bring packed lunch. This walk is not considered suitable for dogs. Turn off St Ives to St Just road (B3306) at Trewellard onto Levant Road, park on the road. Map ref: SW 368 342
Camel Trail Wildlife Walks. Every Wednesday during January, February, March, and April. Meet outside Countrywise, Eddystone Road, Wadebridge. Start 10am. Walks will last approximately 4 hours. Leaders Bernard Ide and Martin Cutland.
Rumps and Pentire Head Walks. Wednesdays during summer months. Leaders Bernard Ide and Martin Cutland. (Note the weekday on page 10 of Cornish Chat Issue 3 is incorrect). We meet at 10.00am at Pentire Farm Map ref: SW 936 803 Walks last for about four hours. Contact Bernard Ide (01208 815621).