Wintering Bittern at Loe Pool

Bittern flying. 

We've been lucky enough to have another good winter for Bittern at Loe pool. This year we first saw them in November and then two on the 21st December.







On the afternoon of the 24th December there were three very active birds at the north end of Loe Pool.

Enjoyed by passing joggers, walkers and birders, this opportunity to see these secretive birds was probably due to the cold weather conditions. The best chance to see Bittern is early morning or late afternoon looking from the Degibna side of the Pool.
This area of Loe Pool provides a good habitat for wintering Bittern with reeds, willow carr and open shallow water giving cover and food.

Spot the Bittern...

We will continue to post sightings of these rare and secretive birds, if you catch one please let us know.

                                                                     




                                  


Steve

Festive Yule Logs and Christmas Choughs

15 kids joined us just before Christmas for our annual fun festive workshop at Poltesco. Yule logs were decorated with holly and ivy, and candles rolled by hand from beeswax sheets. The glitter was out in force when it came to making Christmas cards and gift bags.

Cat and Danielle from the RSPB joined us to make festive Santa hat wearing chough peg badges. Move over Robins, we've a new favourite Christmas bird!

Everyone had great fun, and went home with lots of gifts and decorations. Unlike most of the country, we had to resort to fake snow to add the finishing touches to our Yule logs!

Rachel and Justin

THE FUTURE OF TREGULLAS FARM

The National Trust is opening a dialogue with the local community, visitors and anyone with a love of and an interest in Britain’s most southerly point to see how we can work together on the future of Tregullas Farm at the Lizard. This is a new departure for us and one that I am really excited about, it's going to be really interesting to hear what people think about the farm on their doorstep, whether they want to get involved in its future, buy food from it or find a new use for some of the old buildings.

Throughout 2011 we will be holding a series of events, meetings and discussions to hear what the local community and others think and anyone can join in the debate on www.tregullasfarm.org.uk where comments can be posted or our online survey filled in..

We want to hear what is special about this land, what you would like to see grown here, whether you want to get involved in some way, and whether the Lizard community needs extra space, land or buildings to help it thrive. This might mean more space for wildlife or recreation, allotments or a community farm, or even a community renewable energy scheme. Read about the work we have already done about Tregullas Farm.


Opportunities like this don’t happen often – maybe just once in a generation – so this is your chance to get involved and shape the future of the farm.

Alastair

MORE THAN ONE CLOUD IN THE SKY

Here at Loe Pool Helston and Gunwalloe is one of natures spectacles, just before dusk thousands of Starlings that arrive from Eastert Europe will form large clouds before coming into roost. This spectacular sight will continue until early February.

These rolling clouds of Starlings perform just before disappearing into thier roost

Clear calm days at dusk are the best time to see this incredible sight.

For more information

Contact

Steve 07876546401

LOCAL WORKING PARTY

Back in November a group of volunteers gave up thier sunday to help the wardens on the Penrose Estate in the removal of invasive species to encourage the recovery of Bluebells of which Penrose is renowned.

Working on the the woodland slope above Penrose creek it was one of those glorious Autumn days.

The next Woodland work party is on Sunday 16th January 10am-2pm

For more information contact

Dave 07879430703

Steve 07876545401

Ken's Winter Work-outs!

Check out our events section on the right for information about "Ken's Winter Work-Outs", a great way to burn off the calories and give something back to the places you love. We've got everything from coppicing to bird box making, either way there is plenty to enjoy and get stuck into. All "Work-outs" start at 10am and go on until 3:30pm, you can come as go as you please though. Transport to all sites can be arranged if needed and Ken will provide tea, coffee, hot chocolate and soft drinks as well as mulled wine and mince pies around Christmas!


For more info, contact Ken on the details provided in each event summary. 

Spotters Spot

This rare albino Dunnock was seen on the south side of Loe Pool yesterday and this morning. This photograph was taken by our warden Dave while out looking for a recent reporting of a flock of Lapland Buntings, another rarity. We want to keep an eye on the Dunnock over the winter so if you see it while you're out in the area, let us know where and when.