Good numbers of ducks and waders are now returning to Hayle Estuary, for a rest bite from their long southward journeys or to spend their winter holidays here with us. You can see curlew, bar-tailed godwit, dunlin, ringed plover, oystercatcher, redshank, teal and wigeon all back on the mudflats. Grey herons and their white cousins the little egrets are easy to see as they feed along the water’s edge on fish that live in Copperhouse and Carnsew pools and in the Hayle River. Also on the estuary are a number of greylag and Canada geese, which many local people hear honking as they fly between the fields and the estuary. This time of year is always an exciting time to watch birds on the estuary as you never know what might turn up so happy bird watching.
The Environment Agency (EA) have informed the RSPB that they have now issued a verbal warning to Atlantic Motors following the repeated disposal of car tyres into the estuary. We will be monitoring the situation and if during our next clean up of the flood alleviation channel at Copperhouse we come across car tyres in the creek we will report it to EA.
A visitor to Copperhouse Creek reported 3 dead gulls believed to have been shot. If anyone witnesses this sort of action please report it immediately to the police as it is a criminal offence under the wildlife and countryside act to harm wild birds in this way. Police telephone number 08452 777 444
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