As often happens at this time of year, the huge numbers of Starlings that we enjoy in November start to disappear; we are never sure why but it may be something to do with the fact that the weight of so many individuals per reedstem and the consequent flattening and finally breaking of so much of the reedbed area, coupled with the rising water levels may be connected! We suspect they have found somewhere higher and dryer than our reserve which, in spite of our efforts to keep the water levels stable, has almost disappeared under water recently - in common with the rest of the county. There are still a few thousand birds but nothing approaching the 200,000 we estimated one evening recently. That's approximately 16 tonnes of Starlings!
We still have a Bittern about the place and a few Little Egrets. Snipe numbers are starting to increase as one would expect with the colder weather. On 30th November, three Goldeneye popped in briefly to settle on Longrock Pool.
In spite of all the rain, our school days have been very well attended and our RSPB Education Officer, Catherine Lee has taken several local primary schools out over the last two months with 34 pupils in October and 106 in November. We have a further 47 booked for December.
If you are planning a visit, don't forget to have a look at the sea opposite the reserve. In the last week, Mount's Bay has held up to 9 Great Northern Divers, 40 Common and 2 Velvet Scoter and, nearer Penzance, a drake Eider.
Site Manager, Cornwall reserves