In my blog last month I raised our concerns about helicopter disturbance over the reedbeds here (see my Hayle Estuary blog for more on this). Well I'm very happy to say that following a meeting yesterday with the local Air Station, RNAS Culdrose, we have reached an agreement. They are to instruct their squadrons not to continue to fly over the two nature reserves in future. Whilst this may be too late this year for the nesting Grey Herons (only 2 of the 7 pairs are still present on nests), this is a major step forwards and I am extremely grateful to RNAS Culdrose for their cooperation.
The continued cold weather is really bad news for our birds at the moment, whether on or off the reserve. I've had Chiffchaffs hopping on the ground around my feet (one lady told me last week one had died right in front of her) and many of the Sand Martins have been sitting on the grass after presumably finding no flying insects over the reserve. Swallows too have been struggling although they have been relatively few in number. Wheatears and White Wagtails continue to arrive and appear to be faring better - no doubt helped by their habit of foraging for flies in the seaweed on the beach opposite. We still have two Bitterns and the pair of Gadwall I mentioned in my last blog. A drake Garganey flew in for a day on 2nd April. With the cold north-easters, we've also had three Adders sunbathing on the south-facing banks of our Cornish hedge which runs parallel to the seafront pavement. So watch where you put your hands if you are leaning against the wall next time you visit!
Site Manager, Cornwall reserves