Archived Helford VMCA events
HMCG Seashore Safari at Helford Passage, 4th April 2008
Taking advantage of the extremely low tide and with dry, mild and slightly breci conditions, 40 persons, about half of them young children, assembled at Helford Passage to take part in the Seashore Safari run by Joana Doyle with two helpers from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. All were enthusiastic, searching the shallow waters on the shore and carefully turning over small rocks to look beneath (and replacing them afterwards). Many creatures were found, to the delight and interest of all, enhanced by the keenness of Joana and her helpers in identifying the wildlife and explaining its habits. Goby and butterfish, sea slug and sea urchin, tube worms, sea-squirt, starfish, various sorts and sizes of crab, the list seemed endless. Mussels, barnacles and limpets festooned the rocky parts. Intriguing structures were produced by mounds of slipper limpets, by mussels attaching small stones and shell fragments to themselves as camouflage and by clusters of whelk eggs. A range of seaweeds and wracks added to the story. Many thanks are due to Joana and her assistants for giving freely of their time, knowledge and enthusiasm, ensuring the success of a very satisfying and informative outing.
Paul Garrard
Variegated scallop photograph by Dr Pam Tompsett
HMCG Dawn Chorus beside the Helford River, Sunday 20th April 2008
At 6am, in the half light of a slightly misty hut dry morning. 15 persons converged on Goongillings Farm near Constantine to ioin Martin Rule and listen to the dawn chorus. Some of the birds were already in full voice. A wren interrupted its song to tick annoyance at the group and a chaffinch, likewise, gave vent to “spink-spink”. A wood pigeon cooed in the distance, more melodious than the pheasant’s harsh welcome to the new day. We walked slowly along the track and over the fields leading to Scott’s Quay, pausing at intervals for Martin to identify the sounds coming from the hedges and distant woods. At the barn, half-way. where Charlie Pugh the owner of the land told us that a barn owl was occasionally seen, the only occupant was a feral black cat which had just caught a baby rabbit. We turned down through Scott’s Wood and along the edge of Polwheveral Creek, accompanied by the sound of a greater spotted woodpecker drumming noisily on a tree but keeping tantalisingly out of sight. Two mute swans whooshed by on the wing and a chiff-chafi sang loudly from the Calamansack side. Unfortunately, with the tide at high. shoreline birds were not to be seen or heard, but two ravens performed acrobatics above us, croaking the while, and a dunnock sang from the hedge. Martin also identified great tit, goldcrest, blackcap and egret. Oddly, there was no blackbird, but in compensation a song thrush gave a serenade as we enjoyed coffee, buns and strawberry jam kindly provided by Barbara Pugh at the end of the excursion. Sincere thanks are due to Martin. Charlie and Barbara for making this such a pleasant and rewarding trip.
Paul Garrard
19th January 2008 - Mud, mud, glorious mud!
The hidden world of our Helford creeks was revealed to a large gathering by the well-known marine broadcaster and retired lecturer of the University of Exeter, Dr Tegwyn Harris.
We were reminded that bacteria, slimy green weed, worms and numerous shrimp-like creatures are the basis of the whole chain of life within the Helford River environment but are so easily forgotten as we wade through the slippery mud.
Birds and fish are more familiar as they are easily seen, but Tegwyn pictured the smaller organisms in a fast moving presentation accompanied by his particular brand of amusing stories.
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