20/01/2026
The standout for me in the Winter is the numbers of Teal that have chosen to over winter here. There have always been Teal in the Upper Tamar Estuary. They are our smallest duck. They breed in the summer in Northern Europe and then start arriving in late August, numbers growing through the winter peaking in January. Last January we counted over 500. I love the cheerful whistle the males make trying to impress the females, it is now the sound of our winter landscape. The male plumage is at it’s most striking at this time of year, it reminds me of a certain New Romance pop star of the 80’s. They are generally very shy but become more confident as the season goes on. I like to see if I can walk past them without setting them off as they forage close to the footpath. The secret is to walk quietly and steadily without stopping and not stare at them!
A population of Canada Geese have settled in the Upper Tamar and commute up and down the river between their feeding ground and their roost. They appear to fly up and down the river at any time of day or night, sometimes in quite large squadrons, an impressive sight as they glide into the wetlands in their V formations.
Of the smaller birds that over winter here, we have a few Reed Bunting, the occasional Cetti’s Warbler and several Water Rail. The male Reed Bunting is a striking little bird with his black head and white collar. He can be seen perching on the tops of reeds swinging in the wind.
The Cetti’s Warbler will more likely be heard and not seen. It has a distinctive loud warble quite surprising for a small bird. I have rarely seen one and never been able to photograph one, despite hearing it deep in the reeds just feet away. I have been frequently hearing one in Town Farm Field next door to the wetlands lately.
Equally shy is the Water Rail, you are more likely to hear its pig like squeal or loud chirping than see one. They have always been in the estuary, and breed in the extensive reed beds up-river. A few have chosen to hang out in the reed beds along the river walk, and you may see one if you are lucky if you walk quietly. It is smaller than the Moorhens that also live here, and does not have the white tail flashes, it is a reddish brown in colour with a longer curved beak.
You never know what might blow in on these cold North or Easterly winds we have been getting lately. If you see anything unusual, do report it on the BTO bird track App or the Calstock Wetlands Facebook page.
Calstock Wetlands Birdwatchers Group
Photographs and account supplied by Pete Thompson, Trustee, Tamar Community Trust.
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