17 birdwatchers enjoyed a festive and final outing of 2024 organised by members of the Plymouth Branch taking in views over St John’s Lake, Torpoint and a walk along the bank of the River Lynher starting from Wacker Quay.
On the twelfth day of December, as opposed to the twelfth day of Christmas, there were views not of 12 drummers drumming but 2 fine Great Spotted Woodpecker which could be heard tapping on tree branches. The pipers piping were the distinctive calls of Oystercatcher on the foreshore at Torpoint. Instead of 10 lords-a-leaping a Little Egret was strutting its stuff and stalking regally in shallow water for its prey. What about 9 ladies dancing? Numerous Great Crested Grebe were seen and perhaps in about 3 months’ time we might be looking forward to them pairing up and performing their elaborate weed dance.
The challenge of identifying the 8 species of wader as ‘maids’ or males was made more complex with them bedecked in winter plumage. The Billy-no-mates solitary Mute Swan needed 6 companions to go for a swim. Two groups of about 6 Brent Geese were seen on the opposite shore at St John’s Lake; at such a distance it was impossible to tell if they were dark or pale bellied. Charming onlookers with their rich colours were small flocks of Goldfinch high up among the oak tree twigs. There were plenty of calling birds, but only a Jay didn’t reveal itself to the group unlike the Robins which were lying in wait at every convenient perch serenading us with their melancholic song. Three Bar-tailed Godwit were ousted from the spit they were snoozing on by the rising tide. Two Black-necked Grebe and two Great Northern Diver were a welcome sight, as was a single Scoter seeking shelter mid channel.
It was a great day’s birding to round off an excellent year of events. Merry Christmas to one and all. We look forward to many more adventures in 2025.
A total of 49 bird species were seen or heard (H):
Great Northern Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Common Scoter, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Redwing, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jay (H), Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch
Report by Mary Johnson
