I usually do a January 100 list every year, a perfect antidote to the post Christmas blues when all the tinsel and lights get put away and you realise you're fatter and poorer, the weathers shite and it seems a long way off until the next pay day. It is fairly easy to reach 100 species in January with a bit of planning, a bit of luck and visiting a variety of habitats but it has been a lot more difficult this January due to the lock down and the subsequent restrictions on travelling. With my year list standing at 94 on January 28th, just 6 short of the target of 100, and with 3 days off work but with a dreadful weather forecast I wasn't sure I would reach the magic 100.
Friday 29th January was grey and windy but with clear skies and calmer winds forecasted for the afternoon and so I headed out for my usual River Plym and Saltram walk. I had an interesting walk as usual and I managed to find 3 species for my year list - Barnacle Goose, Red-crested Pochard and Stock Dove.
I found the Barnacle Goose amongst the large Canada Geese flock feeding in the fields, it has been reported for a while now but I've failed to find it on my recent visits until now. Later on it was out on the mudflats on the incoming tide having a wash and brush up.
The Red-crested Pochard was on the duck pond and giving great views as it dived for weed, presumably it is the regular bird that has frequented the River Plym and the Saltram House duck pond on and off for the past few years.
The Stock Doves were flying around the Park as usual, firstly 2 together overhead and then 2 singles perched up in the trees and finally 2 together, presumably a pair, flying around and perched in a tree.
Along the River were 3 male and 6 female Goosander, 2 Little Grebe, 8 male and 9 female Wigeon, 2 Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper along with the usuals. Amongst the Gulls roosting out on the mudflats were a few Common Gulls along with a noticeable increase in adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Around the Park were Meadow Pipits, a Grey Wagtail (at The Dell), a pair of Stonechat, a Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard) and the usual squawking Ring-necked Parakeets.
Saturday 30th January and the forecast was for heavy rain but with a bit of a lull for a few hours in the morning and so I headed across the River Tamar to Mount Edgecumbe for a walk. There wasn't much of a lull in the rain and so I got completely soaked but I had a very enjoyable walk.
Things started off well with 13 Cattle Egret feeding in the fields just uphill from the ferry slipway along with Little Egrets, Grey Herons, Oystercatchers, Herring Gulls and Canada Geese. They looked a bit peed off in the rain although they always look a bit hunchy.
Onwards to Millbrook and Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Redwing, 2 Greenshank, a surprise Whimbrel, 3 Great Crested Grebe, Teal, Curlew, Redshank and Shelduck were all seen along the way.
At Millbrook Lake I quickly found the reported male Scaup out on the water busily diving for food in the rain. A Little Grebe was also seen and amongst the Herring Gulls and Black-headed Gulls were a few Common Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 4 Mediterranean Gulls.
Back to Cremyll and the Cattle Egrets were still present in the fields as I walked down the hill towards the ferry slipway. I carried on into the park towards the duck pond where a Little Grebe and 2 male Gadwall were present amongst the Mallards.
By this time I was pretty soaked through and so I headed back home having added 4 new birds to my year list and ending January on 101 species - not bad at all considering the lock down and again I am amazed at what wildlife is right on my doorstep.
