Either side of a Scilly trip had some great birds on the mainland in Cornwall. On the Thursday spent most of the afternoon at Hayle Estuary looking for the regular juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper, with no luck, but as we decided to call it a day local birders reported refinding both a Franklin's Gull and the sandpiper at a different location. We managed to see the gull, a species that we dipped painfully at Swillington Ings, so that was superb, but we didn't see the Semi P. We did manage to pin down some fish and chips which we ate in Tempests Car Park, if anyone knows where I mean, it is an evocative place to eat your dinner, with the sun dropping and the gulls screeching in the background.
On the Monday we were still basking in the experience of the pelagics but an adult Semi P was reported at Marazion as we were queueing for the ferry. We managed to get off the boat in Penzance and speed over there with a bit of light left and see the bird, a fantastic little species. These were my first proper views having seen a bird back in 2013 at Hoylake that I barely registered at the time and then getting fleeting glimpses of another more recently. This one was an adult transitioning into winter plumage.
On the Tuesday morning we went to Hayle again and managed to connect with the juvenile Semi P so that was a cracking little double in the space of 24 hours! A Grey Phalarope was also there and showed well, and I found a pristine juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, that moment you drop on a 'different' wader is always enjoyable.
-- Edited by Simon Gough on Saturday 31st of August 2024 08:54:42 AM
Rob Creek said
Mon Sep 25 5:27 PM, 2023
Sat 23rd Sept
Scillonian III day trip. Booked it at the start of the week but some trips were cancelled due to the storms so I had to wait until Saturday. Local birder Mark Halliday was on board with friends so I stuck with them.
Outgoing. - 20+ Corys Shearwater (Lifer) - 6 Great Shearwater (Lifer) - 4 Sooty Shearwater - 8 Manx Shearwater - 1 Arctic Skua (pale) - c10 Common Scoter - c4-500 Shag in St.Marys harbour approach - also a small greyish brown bird flew across the deck and was trailing the boat for a minute or so, nobody those of us that saw it didnt know what it was.
News of a Northern Parula on St.Martins came through and we jumped on a boat to try for that but there was no sign since originally found. Nice to see Scott Reid, who incidentally was the finder.
Lots more large Shearwaters were visible distantly whilst watching the obvious ones but the weather was closing in, the sea was very choppy we were rocking all over the deck and it was getting misty too so unable to put proper numbers on them.
One last thing, I photographed a dark bird that looked like a small Skua but Im not entirely sure if it is a Skua, needs checking.
I contacted Mark Wallace, one of West Cornwalls finest, to see if anything new was knocking around but he sent a message back saying nothing new so far and mentioned the birds still in situ at Marazion.
Sennen Cove. - 5 Chough including 2 on a bird feeder - 1 Grey Phalarope self found in the bay - 1 Rock Pipit
Pendeen. - 23 Balearic Shearwaters through near The Wra - Phalarope sp. which I have down as a Grey. A Red-necked was reported earlier in the day - 4 Chough
Marazion. - Woodchat Shrike and Hoopoe still there late on
Fri 22nd Sept. Early morning visit to nearby Hayle.
Lelant Saltings. - 6 Mediterranean Gull of various ages - 8 Curlew Sandpiper (mobile - didnt come close) - 1 Bar-tailed Godwit - 3 Greenshank
Ryans Field. - 1 Osprey Over here and Lelant and put everything up. Showed really well for a while and eventually caught a fish near the Causeway and eventually flew off. - 1 Peregrine - 1 Sparrowhawk - 2 Raven - 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (different bird) - 1 Greenshank - 2 Kingfisher
Rob Creek said
Sun Sep 24 11:34 PM, 2023
A few days in Cornwall with my best pal Stephen Ellison, shouldve been more going but for various reasons just the 2 of us went. It was arranged a few months ago before all the Seabird madness so it wasnt a birding trip but it was obvious what was going to happen.
Arrived Thursday teatime and within the hour we were out.
Marazion. - 1st winter Woodchat Shrike on the marsh - Hoopoe in farm field round the corner - 2 singing Cettis Warbler - Purple Heron was a no show
Visit to Newlyn yesterday and managed to see the long staying 1st Winter American Herring Gull. Looking very dapper around the harbour. Took a lot of finding initially, and anyone going it's best seen at a higher tide to the South of the harbour. Also 4 Rock Pipit.
Spent an hour after with a bit of a seawatch from Land's End:
Nice sea watch this morning during the blow, coastguard station in St Ives, ninety minutes from 8am.
6 Arctic Skua 9 Great Skua 1 Little Gull 1 Leachs Petrel 3 Balearic Shearwater 200+ Manx Shearwater 40 Common Scoter 30+ Kittiwake 150+ Guillemot 4 Puffin 5 Common Tern 50+ Sandwich Tern 50+ Gannet
By the time I arrived, I had missed Sabines Gull and Grey Phalarope. Not bad for only 90 mins.
pete berry said
Sat Oct 5 5:49 PM, 2019
Just back from my annual trip down there,it was a bit quiet the first week,but as weather was superb I wasn't complaning. With Drift Reservoir being fairly low and only a couple of miles from where I was staying I did a few visits,unfortunately no rare waders,but several Greenshank, Green Sandpipers,Dunlin,Ringed Plover etc were nice to see.Up to 3 Ospreys were around for most of our visit,and a very obliging Wryneck was present one day. Elsewhere plenty of common migrants still about,with a few Whinchat most days,odd Spotted Flycatchers etc,only one Firecrest seen,but they were in short supply.A White Stork from the recently released scheme was seen most days between St.Levan and Porthgwarra,and although not a genuine wild bird was still nice to watch as it patrolled the fields feeding on Daddy Longlegs.An adult American Golden Plover turned up in the same field that the Stork was feeding in!!Probably the best bird of the trip was the Red Eyed Vireo that turned up on The Lizard on the day we had already decided to pop down there a bit elusive at times,but showed really well several times.Also a Rosy Starling knocking about nearby. Main purpose of the trip was hopefully a good bit of seawatching and although it wasn't a "classic" year,the seawatching was still quite good.In a few sessions I saw over 200 Balearic Shearwaters inc. 103 birds in 3 hours.Also seen were 3 Pomarine Skuas,29 Arctic Skuas,48 Great Skuas 17 Sooty Shearwaters,1 Great Shearwater(latest one I've seen),2 Storm Petrels,a single Grey Phalarope and an enormous Sunfish which must have been between 5 and 6ft long!!! A juvenile Sabines Gull was at Marazion for an afternoon and showed well feeding along the timeline.Already looking forward to next year!!
Brown Booby at Kynance Cove, Lizard, Cornwall. 6/9/2019
With the ongoing saga of the Brown Booby(s) continuing in Cornwall, we decided to get a team together and see if we could manage to see it. So at 11-30pm with Kevin C driving, myself, Andy M, Dave W & Tony W (a Lancashire & Yorkshire team) we headed south. We planned to get there at first light around 6-30am but with a few road closures, firstly through the never sleeping town of Smethwick, then through the quaint English town of Dursley we pressed on. Calling for a comfort break near Bristol and finally leaving our lovely motorway system at Exeter. Traffic had been fairly light up to now and the A30 was practically abandoned as Kevin C pressed on and we finally arrived at 6-30am, excellent effort Kevin.
I have only visited The Lizard once before to connect with a Little Bustard in 1996 and it was a very misty day, this time it was clear with a nice coastal breeze. My comment There wont be many here today was soon laughed at as the National trust car park was quite busy, luckily we had a couple of members so the £8 parking fee didnt apply. Grab our gear and off along a twisty, rocky path into the cove and then climbing (literally) up to view the magnificent rock formations of Kynance Cove, one birder fell but we helped him up, he seemed okay. We joined the other expectant birders and enjoyed an hours seawatch with Gannet, Manx Shearwater being the main sightings. At 8am myself and a couple of other birders picked the Brown Booby up as it flew in and perched on its favoured rock, then disappeared out of view. Another climb up the coastal path to get a better sighting of the bird, which was difficult to pick up at first but once you knew where it was became easy! We all enjoyed over an hour watching the Booby as it preened and generally digested its food until it flew. The bird was easy to pick up in flight, not at all like it is bigger cousin the Gannet in appearance. It headed east back to its favoured fishing bay and out of sight for us. We had all managed to see a first for Britain (Kent, St Ives, and Kynance etc) and any feelings of tiredness had evaporated, the mandatory team photo was taken and a return to the car park for sustenance. The journey down the cliffs into the cove was just as hazardous being made worse by a little downpour. Successfully making it back to the car and within 10 minutes lots of birders descended onto the cliffs near the car park. The Brown Booby could be seen from down the cliffs fishing in the shallower surf area, still distant but eventually coming much closer down to about 60 yards and finally landing on its favourite rock. Great views!
The day of our journey home and guess what, the Brown Booby decides to show itself again, so with the car all packed we decided to give it a quick try at Gwithian where it was showing, but as we reached Hayle it was reported moving towards St.Ives so we stopped at Harvey?s Towans beach to view the bay (Gwithian is a bit further). This turned out to be a great decision!
- Brown Booby (Lifer) This time there was no mistaking it. Out in the bay towards St.Ives, again stood out with the Gannets, it was diving, flying round, then I even had it on the sea briefly (there was an earlier report of it being on the sea too). I got another guy onto it and he was amazed I?d picked it out for him. We watched it for a few minutes and it got a bit more distant towards The Island before eventually flying out of sight round the far side of the headland. Within seconds he got a report saying the bird has just flown west around the Island headland towards Clodgey Point, so we were more than happy that my sighting was corroborated.
No images I?m afraid, and Im a bit gutted we couldn?t go to St.Ives to look for it as we are now on our way home but it has been re-found showing in all its glory on the rocks near The Island. Liam Langley was in touch on Twitter trying to find the bird so I was keeping him informed of any info and when the report came though of it being seen on the rocks, I sent the tweet to him and it wasn?t king before he connected and sent a belting image over.
This morning rounds off an eventful week, with 2 Lifers!
Rob Creek said
Sat Aug 31 1:06 PM, 2019
Friday 30th August.
Mexico Towans (near Gwithian). Plans were made Thursday evening to meet other birders today and try for the Brown Booby. Groups of birders were at various different watch points along the Gwithian coast, we chose Mexico Towans, and after a while one guy received a phone call to say the bird was heading towards us. Many of us picked up on a bird that stood out with Gannets towards Godrevy doing shallow dives, and we were giving step by step directions and actions of the bird that all seemed to corroborate. It looked to be an excellent shout for tor the Brown Booby and you could see everyone looked happy with it. But within a minute, a report came through saying the observer had retracted his sighting and it had been reidentified as an immature Gannet. We were shocked and some of Cornwalls finest were bemused as to the report. But it remained a Gannet and we were gutted.
I was speaking to another group of local birders a bit later and they told me that they were more than happy with the sighting earlier on and they had no idea as to why the report was changed.
I had a Great Skua a bit later so it wasnt all lost.
Rob Creek said
Thu Aug 29 9:12 PM, 2019
Thursday 29th August.
Gwithian, Godrevy and Hells Mouth. The Brown Booby was seen this morning fishing near Gwithian, as soon as I saw the report off I went, but unfortunately the timing coincided with heavy traffic between Penzance and Hayle so it took me a while. Updates came through as still there, quickly followed by - flown towards Godrevy. I passed straight through Gwithian to Godrevy but some birders were leaving saying its flown east, so I got back in the car and drove to the next vantage point which was Hells Mouth. I walked up to the cliff top and myself and another guy (who I now know to be Paul Freestone) picked up on a good shout for the bird but we just werent 100%, it definitely looked different to the Gannet it was with anyway. He quickly phoned his mate and relayed the news. He had to go and I went back to Godrevy. Within 30 mins the bird was reported again from Hells Mouth along with a Great Shearwater, so maybe it was the Brown Booby we saw. I want to say I saw it but Im reluctant to coz it wasnt 100% conclusive and I think Id be cheating myself.
No other sightings of it were made again today. I will try again in the morning!
Pendeen Watchpoint. An afternoon visit here this afternoon proved fruitless as the only birds seen of note were... - Manx Shearwaters - Fulmars - 1 Rock Pipit
Rob Creek said
Thu Aug 29 12:54 AM, 2019
Wednesday 28th August.
Scillonian III Scillies day trip. Nice to see Alex Lees on the ferry today. Not long into the journey, 4 miles off Lands End, the engines failed and we broke down. The captain announced that Falmouth Coastguard were made aware of our situation but we didnt need them so he didnt anchor but instead let it float on the hope engineers could rectify the problem. But after approx an 1.5hrs we were told a Sennen Lifeboat was on its way to assess our situation, then as it arrived ... one engine was suddenly up and running and they escorted us back in as we made it back on the single engine.
Birds seen... - 1 Phalarope Sp flushed off the sea - 1 Sooty Shearwater (and 1 distant probable) - 2 possible Balearic Shearwater (Seen on the way back in near Porthgwarra but distant?)
It was noted later that seawatchers at Porthcurno had a few Balearic Shearwaters passed so maybe what I saw couldve been Balearics.
St.Ives. The unexpected early return from the Scillies trip meant we could try again for the Brown Booby. I set up scope on Smeatons Pier and Steve was up at the Island. We gave it a couple of hours and after talking to a few locals it emerged that 2 sightings today were of dubious credibility. The first sighting was of a bird of OK plumage seen from Hayle flying towards Carbis Bay. The second sighting was of another ok looking bird that was seen from St.Ives railway station flying out towards the Island, both deemed to be a juv Gannet sighting so we decided to call it a day.
St.Ives. Report of a Brown Booby came through again this morning and we headed over there ASAP. We didnt go yesterday as after talking to some of the locals it emerged the bird was viewed without optics so it wasnt confidently identified. We arrived at 9am but the bird hadnt been seen since approx 8.25am, we scoured the main areas and theres a few bays and beaches to go at as well as The Island but after 2 hours we decided to call it quits. Apparently it did fly passed once this afternoon but no sign since, so as we are doing the Scillonian day trip tomorrow, we will wait to see if it turns up again and try on Thursday morning.
Also usual suspects including... - Gannets - 1 Wheatear - 1 Rock Pipit
Porthgwarra. - 1 Sooty Shearwater passed the coastguard lookout - 1 Pied Flycatcher in a pine tree at 60ft cover - 2 Blackcap - 1 Chiffchaff - 2 Chough Also had some Fins here and Im waiting to see what they were so will try update as and when.
Hayle. - 1 White Stork A released juvenile was on pylon outside the hide at Ryans Field Ring number was GB2E
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 27th of August 2019 10:50:22 PM
Drift Reservoir. Early morning visit. - 2 Ospreys still, putting on a show swooping around. - 22 White Storks, most still roosting in a tree but were soon flushed by 2 photographers that followed the path right round to near the tree they were in. They all flew off, virtually right over me and in the direction of Porthgwarra. It wasnt long before a certain Mark Wallace had them there. Shortly after I had 2 flying north over Drift and continuing, and it looks like only 20 individuals have come back in to roost at Drift tonight. - 1 Wood Sandpiper (distant) - 1 Common Sandpiper - 1 Greenshank
Trevescan (near Sennen). - Western Bonellis Warbler (Lifer) The report came in and off we went and it wasnt long before we were stood in a locals back garden with the owners watching the bird, showed well a few times albeit briefly. A beautiful looking Warbler. - 1 Pied Flycatcher (female) - 1 Chiffchaff
Tregilliowe Farm Ponds - St.Hilary A report came in of an Aquatic Warbler so off I went. I found the place, private farm land, and as I parked up I bumped into a familiar face who Ive seen at various locations and it turned out to be @lancsbirder who happened to find the Bonellis Warbler today. He said the ponds were totally obscured and unviewable so it was a wasted journey, so I had a last minute brainwave to go to Marazion, just incase... well after all it was the hotspot for Aquatic Warblers in years gone by!
Marazion Marsh Nice to meet Dave Parker here who works on the CWBPS and who I saw at the Warbler twitch but didnt know who it was. - 1 Hobby chasing Hirundines - 2 Cettis Warbler - 1 Reed Warbler - 1 probable Willow Warbler with Long-tailed Tits - 3 Sandwich Tern (fishing offshore) - 14 Curlew over with 1 Whimbrel
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 27th of August 2019 04:37:15 AM
Pendeen Lighthouse. Interesting visit, I found a feeding frenzy well beyond the Brisons (thats the 3 rocks off the Lighthouse). Plenty of activity with Gannets and also Manx Shearwater probably c2000 most of them forming a floating raft that extended a long way.
Also - 1 Wheatear (very pale I thought) - 1 Rock Pipit - 2 Fulmar - lots of Raven
Drift Reservoir Bit of a mad development on way back home, a report of 2 Ospreys at Drift came in and then 20+ White Storks at Lizard (likely to be the released birds at West Sussex) so I said to Steve lets call at Drift then drive over to Lizard or at least keep a eye on where they go next. We pulled up along side some birders on the lane at Drift thinking they were on the Ospreys. Well yes they were, but they were also on 22 White Storks on the res edge. Brilliant! Some had satellite tags on so it was all pointing towards being those released birds. So we were stood with the locals and more reports were coming in of 20+ Storks still in a field at Lizard, then some circling at Mousehole, and then one guy received a phone call to say they were watching 4 at Marazion whilst we were watching 22 of the 24 released birds (so thats 26?) and other reports were flooding in so work it out for yourselves.
Arrived early hours Saturday morning with best pal Stephen Ellison for a week. 3 hours kip then out first light to set the week off.
Hayle (Lelant). So Im setting my scope up in the Old Quayhouse car park, I start scanning and talking to the birder next to me and it turns out to be Phil Rhodes.
- No sign of the reported Solitary Sandpiper from Friday. - 2 Common Sandpiper - 1 Greenshank - 1 Whimbrel - c30 Mediterranean Gulls - 1 Kingfisher
Penzance - Osprey over the harbour being mobbed by Gulls (Was seen shortly after at nearby Drift Reservoir)
Nanjizal - no sign of the Tawny Pipit for us - 5 Chough - 2 Stonechat families - 2 Willow Warbler
Roger Baker 3 said
Sun Oct 28 5:41 PM, 2018
Think this was taken during a lull in the hail John .... Mr Filby has managed to squeeze me into the extreme R/hand side of frame on the video ... obviously having a whale of a time ?? I can't wait to show my daughter ... she will be well impressed ??
Roger.
John Rayner said
Sun Oct 28 4:43 PM, 2018
Plans were laid and a team of myself, Ian Lyth, Paul Greenall and Roger Baker met in Mellor at 22.30 on Friday 26th in preparation for the long overnight drive to Lands End for a Grey Catbird that had been present for almost two weeks. I had some history in attempting to see a Grey Catbird having been a day too late for the Anglesey bird on a controversial day when many birders seemed to be desperately ticking Dunnock, Blackbird or Song Thrush. That was up to them but I knew I didn't see it. After something of an Indian Summer the weather forecast for the morning was appalling. Brisk, cold northerlies, driving hail showers and day temperatures of only 5 degrees - without factoring in any wind chill. Arriving at Lands End well before dawn we joined a couple of other cars in the designated car park and when sufficiently light we walked to the bottom of the field to the spot where the bird was known to roost. The crowd swelled to about a dozen then it became obvious that another smaller group about 75m away were watching the Catbird but it was out of sight from our vantage point. A difficult stick-or-twist dilemma and most eventually walked the 5-10 minutes to the alternative viewing area but by then it had gone to ground. The high winds were keeping it low. After a wait of about 40 minutes we eventually got acceptable views as it sat up for a few seconds, gave its peculiar cat-like call, then flew. The promised hail duly arrived and the group of birders, now about 50 strong, bowed their heads and huddled in a very good impression of an Emperor Penguin colony. But persistence paid off. The shower passed, the sun even came out for a while and so did the bird, showing exceptionally well as it worked through a small clump of Sallows. Also present was a supporting cast comprising a single late Swallow and a hunting Merlin with a Chough heard. The Catbird then showed on and off until we had our fill and turned for home in the early afternoon, taking a short detour to the picturesque Devoran Quay. Thwarted here by the low tide that exposed lots of muddy creeks in which that morning's Lesser Yellowlegs was no doubt hiding, we left empty handed but nicely warmed by sun. A Red Admiral also enjoyed the temporary warmth and was possibly our last butterfly of the year. And with that we set out for home in a very happy frame of mind. A long journey suffering the usual motorway closures/detours and arrived home around midnight. Our thanks go to Ian for an epic drive.
Cheers John
I am sure Dick Filby will not mind me sharing his tweet commemorating the occasion (and that was taken before the hail got heavy)
-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 28th of October 2018 07:31:42 PM
Rob Creek said
Thu Oct 25 3:08 PM, 2018
Had a very quick reply from Camille Duponcheel regarding the ringed Mediterranean Gull at Hayle yesterday.
Summary of rings for individual: 37246 Colour Code of ring Leg Ringing scheme Metal ring Age of bird Ringing date Ringing location Ringer White 3YER right Bruxelles E943808 >3CY 14/05/2017 Total, Antwerpen, Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,15N 4,19E Rooselaer, Edwin Sightings for individual: 37246 White 3YER v 17/07/2017 Marizion, Cornwall, GB 50,07N 5,28W Turner, Steven White 3YER v 26/09/2017 Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, GB 50,1N 5,26W Taylor, Simon White 3YER v 05/10/2018 Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, GB 50,1N 5,26W de Vries, Jacob White 3YER v 06/10/2018 Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, GB 50,1N 5,26W Greenstreet, Peter White 3YER v 22/10/2018 Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, GB 50,1N 5,26W de Vries, Jacob White 3YER p 24/10/2018 Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, GB 50,1N 5,26W Creek, Rob Total number of sightings : 6
Rob Creek said
Wed Oct 24 7:58 PM, 2018
Wednesday 24th October 2018.
Just got back and managed it in under 6hrs. The decision was made, stop over just incase something special comes in overnight, I needn't have bothered but there you go.
- 2 Chiffchaff with Tit flock at railway bridge near Long Rock Pool incl a palish coloured one??? - 4 Cetti's Warbler (2 Long Rock Pool / 2 railway bridge) - 3 Common Scoter incl 1 drake (just off Marazion car park) - 2 Rock Pipit (Marazion Beach) - 1 Great Egret (Ryan's Field - Hayle) - 1 Mediterranean Gull (Leland)...ring no : 3YER
...and I see Bosistow Lane of all places claimed a Siberian Chiffchaff this afternoon, just my luck! Oh well, main thing is target bird was seen.
Couldn't resist a 2nd shot at the Grey Catbird and I was there before light. Nice to see Austin Morley there today. We were told by a local fella that it showed really well when it leaves the roost at first light before going about its business. But as it dawned and got lighter, I realised that myself and the 10 or so birders had missed it and infact it had somehow managed to fly passed us in the corner of the field and sit on top of a thicket showing well. I said for those of you who haven't seen it... it's showing well over there, and we all walked round to where I saw it yesterday, and that was to kick off a series of excellent sightings until around 9.05am when it wasn't seen again for well over an hour. A cracking bird!
In fact it was pitch black when I drove over to Treeve Moor, and as I approached Sennon on the A30 country lane I had to go for the brakes as a Tawny Owl landed in the road, grabbed something and flew off. I turned round and parked up in a layby, and within a minute the Owl was back in the road again a bit further along. It caught a small Rodent and no sooner had it flown off, another small Rodent ran across the lane. Cracking way to start the day!
- 1 Short-eared Owl (mobbed by Jackdaws at Treeve Moor) - 3 Chough again (Treeve Moor) - 3 Raven (Treeve Moor) - 2 Blackcap f/1st cy m? (Treeve Moor) - 4 Stonechat (Treeve Moor) - 1 Ring-necked Duck (Drift Reservoir) - 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (near Drift dam / car park) - 1 Eurasian Spoonbill (Hayle / Ryan's Field) - 1 Cattle Egret with 3 Little Egrets (circled over Ryan's Field /A30) - Skylarks / Meadow Pipits / Redwings over thru the day
Also visited Porthgwarra in hope of the Dusky Warbler reported at 60ft Cover late morning. It was actually seen a lot earlier and when myself and another birder arrived, although we heard a good candidate for the call (tuk tuk tuk), we didn't actually see it, and it was made more difficult by other birds in 60ft cover making that noise, such as Robin, Blackbird etc. Some conflicting info was then banded around as more people came after lunch, not realising the original sighting was quite early on. Bosistow Lane at nearby Polgigga was bereft of birds, normally the hedges and trees here are full of migrants but absolutely nothing. Now then....decision time!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 24th of October 2018 12:42:17 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 24th of October 2018 12:43:22 AM
Drove down early hours Monday and arrived at Trevescan / Treeve Moor 8.45am. Nice to see Paul Baker down there.
- Grey Catbird (Lifer) 2 main viewpoints, the corner of the parking field and the scrub at the base of the moors. If anyone decides to come for it, don't be fooled thinking it's easy viewing as there are wide channels in between the fields with overgrown vegetation where it rests so it's not all plain sailing. Couple of split second views were had of a partially obscured grey flash disappearing into the willows and the brambles over the next hour or so and that was it for 6+half hours!!! It was thought the cold windy conditions kept it down. People weren't happy with the views and a lot of us braved it out. Some good birds were seen elsewhere but nobody left. Mid-afternoon we couldn't feel our hands and feet at one point and then you could see people one by one starting to leave, and those that stayed took short walks to keep the blood flowing. More people departed and the group got even smaller when some started waiting in the field near its roosting point (the tyres) as a last ditch effort to see it. Eventually at 4.38pm I could see a likely candidate nearing the top of the vegetation, then suddenly up it came in full view. Thank God for that! I beckoned Paul and the remaining few over and pointed it out, the sighs of relief were brilliant. Certainly a memorable day, most people were saying earlier on that they had plans of going to other places in Cornwall today but those plans were scuppered.
- 4 Chough (Treeve Moor) - 1 Peregrine (Treeve Moor) - 1 Chiffchaff (Treeve Moor) - 3 Common Snipe (flushed from heath at Lands End car park) - 1 Barn Owl (hunting over Marazion marsh) - 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail over A30 moors near Polstrong at first light) - lots of Skylark over
Last full day in Cornwall so tried a bit more seawatching seeing as how land migrants were thin on the ground. Went to Pendeen Watch where we recorded 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Razorbill, 2 Guillemots, 2 Chough, 30 Kittiwakes, c.1000 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Rock Pipits and 5 Common Scoters. Not a bad end to our holiday!
Doc Brewster said
Wed Sep 5 6:57 PM, 2018
Took two folk to Windmill Farm NR, The Lizard, today and found 3 Whinchats and 2 Common Whitethroats. Otherwise quiet. On a dog walk later with the same friends we had 5 Wheatears on the clifftop fields near Loe Bar, Helston. So several chats on the move today, still quieter than expected.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Sep 4 6:29 PM, 2018
With 14mph onshore winds Pendeen Watch looked a good bet for a productive seawatch, and soon before we arrived a Red-breasted Flycatcher was reported from there. However, it proved to be a poor seawatch and the RbFlycatcher was a single observer sighting too, which caused some others to doubt it. All we had, in scope-buffeting winds was a Storm Petrel and 3 Balearic Shearwaters amongst 800+ Manx Shearwaters. Not a great return for a mornings watch. Also the birds were incredibly far out, and no one knew why in good conditions it never paid off. Oh the unpredictability of seawatching!!
Doc Brewster said
Mon Sep 3 10:57 PM, 2018
Had a day out on the Roseland Peninsula today. Found a Whinchat, a Willow Warbler and two Coal Tits. Later we called in at Stithians Reservoir where we found a Golden Plover, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 20 Dunlin, 15 Snipe, 10 Ringed Plovers, 13 Curlew and 3 White Wagtails.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Sep 2 11:40 PM, 2018
Stayed local today around Lizard and Bass Points. At the former, first, we had 2 Yellow Wagtails fly past, up to 4 Rock Pipits around the cliffs and numerous Gannets and Manx Shearwaters offshore. Also several Shags. A 2.5hr seawatch at Bass Point struck gold with a juvenile Pom Skua and a Sooty Shearwater. Also seen was one Balearic Shearwater amongst 350 Manx Shearwaters. At least 10 Wheatears were in the coastal fields.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Sep 1 10:53 PM, 2018
Spent the day at Hayle Estuary today as it was drizzling and there's a hide there! Highlight was a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper out on the main estuary amongst a big flock of Dunlin, Ringed Plover and at least 30 Sanderlings. On Ryan's Field from the Hide we counted 36 Mediterranean Gulls, of all ages, plus a lone Sandwich Tern.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Aug 31 8:21 PM, 2018
On pet-sitting duty today so limited wildlife watching opportunities. We did pop down to Windmill Farm NR late am for a quick circuit. Best birds were 4 Whinchats and a Wheatear on the private Predannack Airfield side. On a day when quite a fall happened on The Lizard there may have been lots more birds in areas that we couldn't see.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Aug 30 11:09 PM, 2018
First day of a holiday/visit to friends down here in Cornwall, near Helston. Only a couple of hours out at Helston Boating Lake area. Saw a drake Ferruginous Duck (of unknown origin) on the lake, unringed, fully-winged & very wary. Also 10 Grey Wagtails at Helston Sewage Works. Otherwise quiet but hopefully more to come!
Rob Creek said
Sat Jun 9 5:48 PM, 2018
Friday 8th June.
Penzance - Marine Discovery. A 3 hour trip on the Shearwater II. Locally considered to be the best one to use, £35pp and well worth it.
- Sightings included... - Puffin 6 seen well, others distantly (Locals are reporting more seen than in recent years) - Common Scoter 1 flock of at least 26 birds (A good sighting for down here) - Sandwich Tern 2 - Kittiwake 20 minimum - Manx Shearwater not counted but a fair number around - usual Guillemot, Razorbill, Shag, Great Black-backed Gulls - "Eddie" the Eider Drake in Penzance Harbour
Land's End. Usual seabirds around including a huge Guillemot colony, with Razorbills.
Pendeen Lighthouse. Again usual Seabirds seen, Guillemots and Kittiwakes in good numbers.
***See other wildlife for Mammals etc***
Rob Creek said
Thu Jun 7 10:44 PM, 2018
Thursday 7th June.
ZennorHead. We took the scenic route up here as we usually see a Cuckoo or two up over the moor but unfortunately it seems they could be thin on the ground down here too. Porthgwarra is usually a favourite place to see them but we didn't see them there either.
- Chough 1 - Raven 4 - Fulmar 4 - Common Whitethroat 1 - few Linnets around
Porthgwarra - Roskestal Farm. News broke of a Rosy Starling just south of the farm, found by local birder Mark Wallace so we headed over there. We found the main Starling flock but they were in a clump of trees beyond the farm so most were out of view and as a result we dipped on this one.
Porthgwarra - Ardensawah Farm. These farms are next to each other in farming terms so a 5 minute walk had us checking for the Turtle Dove again. Just incase anyone got the wrong idea about yesterday's post, I was in no way doubting the Turtle Dove sighting by putting ??? at the end (incidentally found by Mark Wallace again I believe, and nice to meet him too), I was merely pointing out my frustration at not finding it. On the contrary, I know there are Turtle Doves seen in this area of Cornwall including here, Polgigga, Raftra Farm, etc. so I've got no reason to doubt it. I always dip on them though!
- 1 Turtle Dove ...a bit of patience paid off and the Dove briefly appeared on the tyre stack at the roadside near the barn, but then flew into the bushes opposite where it quickly disappeared.
Marazion. - Great Egret 1 briefly on the marsh but disappeared into cover - Grey Heron 12 (9 in the Pines roost)
A significant reduction in the flock this evening. - Sanderling 11 - Dunlin 6 - Ringed Plover 4 - Manx Shearwater 2 just beyond St.Michael's Mount
Longrock Pool. - Sand Martin 2 over Pool / 6 through - Common Swift 2 - Swallow 1 - Cetti's Warbler 1 seen, 3 more heard in different areas - Sedge Warbler 2 - Reed Warbler 1 heard only
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 7th of June 2018 10:47:15 PM
Rob Creek said
Thu Jun 7 10:20 AM, 2018
Wednesday 6th June.
Marazion. - Baird's Sandpiper 1 (Lifer) Early morning visit, I've been checking the beach as much as I can during the week incase this one turned up again and it finally did. Surprisingly it stood out in amongst the Sanderling and Dunlin flock, appearing slightly smaller with it being more squat and lower to the floor, its body was long and pointed at the rear end, and the pale eye stripe all clinched it for me. However they were very flighty and mobile due to the Gulls that were annoyingly swooping low over them, so I ended up walking 500yds every few minutes back and forth along the beach to where they'd landed. In the end I was knackered so I gave up trying to get a record shot. I was there virtually on my own at first but when a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins turned up in the bay, people appeared from nowhere the beach was full as crowds gathered within minutes. The 'Sanderling' flock flew off towards Penzance, taking the Baird's Sandpiper with them, the Dolphins moved on from Mounts Bay also towards Penzance, the beach emptied, and I left to get some brekky!
Porthgwarra. A hot and still day up here but unfortunately wrong time of year, that said we normally see something of interest. - Chough 6 together (all 6 in the image attached) - Manx Shearwater a resting raft of around 300 birds out to sea - Rock Pipit 1 - Meadow Pipit 3 - Stonechat 1 - Common Whitethroat 1
Ardenswah Farm. We walked round Porthgwarra, round passed The Pool, and up to Ardenswah Farm but the Turtle Dove (true to form when I'm down here) went AWOL again! We scanned the Collared Dove gathering and managed to locate an individual with a brownish back and it did stand out from the others but it was definitely a Collared Dove. Unbelievably the Turtle Dove was reported again from here after we'd left???
Helston Boating Lake. News of a drake Ferruginous Duck had us driving over to Helston and we soon caught up with it. Although I want this to be a Lifer, for now it isn't, as the bird appeared to be clipped and is thought to have been released. Whatever the outcome, it was a smart looking individual.
Marazion. After our curry in Penzance, I made the most of the last hour or so of light on the beach to scan for the Baird's Sandpiper, and although I picked up on an individual that appeared decidedly different, but after careful consideration, I'm pretty sure it was just a Sanderling. The Sanderlings here are in every different plumage you could imagine, from various shades and hues of summer plumage to all winter white so you gotta be careful.
Scillonian III crossing. A mix up in plans with the Cubert 5k Run (Newquay) ended up with me going to St.Mary's by myself, not good weather with mist and drizzle.
Of note... - 4 European Storm Petrel (3 together following a fishing boat) - 14 Puffin (3, 4, 3, 3, 1) - 350-400 Manx Shearwater - 1 Kittiwake - 1 Ocean Sunfish - 2 Rock Pipit at Penzance harbour - 1 empty fence post on St.Mary's behind the Star Castle hotel that used to have a Wryneck on it
Marazion. - 2 Whimbrel - c50+ Sanderling (With Dunlin and Ringed Plover) - 2 Sand Martin over reserve
Marazion. Early morning visit to here and Longrock. - Baird's Sandpiper no sign - Great Black-backed Gull on Seal carcass - Grey Heron 4 (1 with an Eel) - Little Egret 2 - Linnet 1 male in car park
Longrock Pool. - Reed Bunting 1 male - Cetti's Warbler 2 - Common Swift 6 - Sand Martin 4 - Sparrowhawk 1 female through at speed
Ludgvan (near Penzance) to St.Ives (through Nancledra, Cripplesease, and Halsetown)
A 3 hour, 6.7 mile walk, over mostly rough terrain, from nettle ridden overgrown public footpaths sometimes through livestock fields and woods, to overgrown bracken and gorse covered hills, in hot weather.
- Garden Warbler 2 - Blackcap 7 minimum more heard - Chiffchaff 1 seen lots heard - Willow Warbler heard only - Whitethroat 2 - Linnet 2 - Cuckoo 2 heard only - Green Woodpecker 1 heard only - Common Buzzards seen throughout the day
...and something a bit special near Nancledra, probable Golden Oriole heard only. It just sounded like a quick burst of song and the tone was perfect for it. We both heard it and both agreed instantly what we thought it was. It wasn't in the immediate vicinity though and would've been a needle in a haystack job as we didn't hear it again.
Rob Creek said
Sun Jun 3 10:16 AM, 2018
"...Yellow-legged Gull 1 candidate on Lelant Saltings but by no means a certainty (I'm probably wrong)..."
I'm overruling myself, it's a Lesser Black-backed. I think the light had just caught the mantle as it was stood at a slightly different angle to some of the other Gulls around it.
Rob Creek said
Sat Jun 2 11:25 PM, 2018
Saturday 2nd June.
Arrived around 3.30am (after a 6hr journey due to an accident on the M6 and roadworks on the M5) for a week's holiday with best pal Stephen Ellison. Usual outings and trips planned and a bit of birding when poss, there's some good lingering rarities around and some possible Lifers on offer if we cop lucky!
Drift Reservoir. - Early news of a European Bee-eater on wires had us making the 10 minute journey to Drift but it had gone when we arrived. An online photo confirmed it though so we stuck around and gave the local area a good search anyway but to no avail.
- Great Egret (present but out of view) - Common Whitethroat 2 - Common Swift 1 - Swallow 10+ - Common Buzzard 10+
Polgigga (Bosistow Lane). - no sight nor sound of the Iberian Chiffchaff - Blackcap 2 singing - Sparrowhawk 1 circling
Hayle (Millpond Park) - Iberian Chiffchaff 1 singing and showing briefly intermittently. - Common Chiffchaff 1 - Garden Warbler 1 in full song (I was too slow for a photo) - Blackcap 2 - Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 - Jay 1 - Little Egret 2 (Lelant) - Yellow-legged Gull 1 candidate on Lelant Saltings but by no means a certainty (I'm probably wrong)
Marazion. - no sign of the Baird's Sandpiper for me - Cetti's Warbler 1 at Long Rock Pool - Reed Warbler 1 at Long Rock Pool
Ludgvan. - Green Woodpecker 1 flew overhead into a tree whilst en-route for some much needed ale!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 3rd of June 2018 08:09:45 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 3rd of June 2018 10:03:04 AM
Rob Creek said
Sun Oct 1 2:07 PM, 2017
Saturday 30th.
Polgigga (Bosistow Lane area). - Turtle Dove went AWOL again - Firecrest 1 - Spotted Flycatcher 2 - Blackcap 1 female type - Chiffchaff 1 - Willow Warbler 1 - Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 - Sparrowhawk 1 - lots of Goldcrest
Hayle. - Cattle Egret 1 on Ryan's Field - Kingfisher 2 - Ruff 6 - Knot 2 - Plus usual Godwits etc Nice to speak to the family in the hide with their 2 little daughters, 1 of whom ID'd the Cattle Egret immediately when we pointed it out that there was a rare one present.
Porth Chapel (St.Agnes) Seawatch. - Great Skua 1 - Manx Shearwater 3 - Rock Pipit 2 ...infact Rock Pipit we saw almost everywhere including Hayle, Marazion, Pendeen, Penzance, Porthgwarra, and St.Marys.
An enjoyable visit to Cornwall as always for me, and I hope the lads enjoyed it, I hope they got the essence of birding down there and picked up on a little bit of what I know from my visits year after year. Nice to see Paul Semmens on the Scillonian III again, and also Mark Halliday, local Hayle birder and Guller.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 1st of October 2017 04:19:34 PM
Pendeen Watch. Only Seabirds seen here were Gannets. - Chough 2 - Raven 1 - Firecrest 1 heard and possibly seen flitting around in roadside hedge on the road down to the Lighthouse.
Sennon. - American Golden plover 1 - Dotterel 1 together in ploughed field - Mediterranean Gull 1
Hayle. - Grey Plover 1 - Mediterranean Gull 5 - Sandwich Tern 1 juv - Kingfisher 1 - Grey Wagtail 1 - Usual Little Egrets and much the same Waders as always
Marazion. - Wheatear 1 really orange individual on the beach - Cetti's Warbler 2 (1 on Longrock Pool, 1 on reserve, more heard) - Stonechat 3 - Chiffchaff 1 - Common Buzzard 3 circling
Polgigga (Bosistow Lane area). - No sign of the Turtle Dove
Porthgwarra (late on) - European Storm Petrel 1 danced right across the Cove from the cafe - Balearic Shearwater 1 - Manx Shearwater 1 - Chough 2 ...and a small Warbler heard calling and chattering softly in the bushes just passed the toilet block towards 50ft cover but didn't get a good view of the bird.
Mousehole / St.Clements Isle. - Great Skua 1 flew passed, didn't bother the Gulls - Whimbrel 7
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 1st of October 2017 04:17:13 PM
Madron (nr Penzance). - Firecrest 3 minimum A nice surprise as we were leaving the accommodation on the farm en-route to Penzance dock for our Scillies trip. Firstly 2 birds together in the hedges and then a 3rd bird was calling which we connected with.
St.Marys (Isles of Scilly) - Wryneck 1 close up - American Golden Plover 1 - Dunlin 1 with the Plover - Greenshank 5 - Stonechat 2 ...and 4 or 5 interesting Wheatear on the Airfield ???
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 30th of September 2017 09:40:22 PM
RSPB Hayle. - Curlew Sandpiper 2 - Little Stint 4 (Also a 5th dubious one that will probably remain a Little Stint see images) - Bar-tailed Godwit 20+ - Ruff 10 - Knot 5 - Sparrowhawk 2 - plus usuals
The holiday is now coming towards its proper end, my penultimate full day, Tuesday, was spent within a few miles of the B&B, but hot and sunny didn't really bode well for interesting birds. First port of call was Stithians Reservoir just 5 miles away as the crow flies, and crows were just about all I saw. Actually a Green Sandpiper was new in and a distant long-billed small wader that I picked up caused a little excitement but when we got closer it was a Dunlin! A Common Snipe & a Little Egret were the only other birds I noted. The rest of the day was spent down the Lizard at Windmill Farm & Kynance Cove but a Stonechat was the highlight so it shows how quiet it was! Warm & sunny was nice for the tourists but not birdy, so I just enjoyed it and relaxed by the beach!!
Doc Brewster said
Tue Sep 19 9:25 PM, 2017
The last post should have said Sunday 17th not Saturday of course, I can't edit posts on this phone though! The next day, Monday 18th started off at Pendeen Watch for another seawatch seeing as how the day before's had gone so well. Most birds were a long way out but the highlight was an adult pale morph Pomerine Skua. Even at a distance I could see that this was a large Skua, especially as it was harassing a Gannet!! Other sightings included a Grey Phalarope, 2 Little Gulls, 2 Common Scoter, 3 Razorbill, 5 Puffin, 150+Manx Shearwater, 100+Kittiwake, Rock Pipit, 5 Raven and a Chough. Again I did a three hour watch as yesterday. The rest of the day was spent at Hayle Estuary RSPB. A juvenile Med Gull and 50+Bar-tailed Godwits were nice to see. As were 3 Greenshank, 4 Sandwich Tern, a Dunlin, 10 Black-tailed Godwit and the now run of the mill double-figure count of Little Egrets.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Sep 18 10:12 PM, 2017
My next day, yesterday, Saturday 17th, was spent at 2 locations.
First of all I met up with mate & warden of Windmill Farm NE, Dougy, to have a scoot around his reserve. It was very quiet with 2 Golden Plovers & 6 Wheatears being the highlights. A couple of Wheatears were of the Greenland race & were stunning though. Lots of Chiffchaffs were present as well as a Goldcrest.
Next I did a 3 hour seawatch off Lizard Point. This proved to be very productive despite winds being light. The two undoubted highlights were a Leach's Petrel and a juvenile Sabine's Gull, the latter picked up as a feeding raft of Gulls were attracted to fish driven to the surface by a small pod of Bottlenose Dolphins. 3 Puffins and a Guillemot were seen as well as 50 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Kittiwakes & 100 Gannets. A flyover Yellow Wagtail was another bird of note. This just goes to show not to give up on a seawatch if conditions look less than ideal. In Cornwall at the moment the birds are still out there and not going to disappear overnight!
Doc Brewster said
Mon Sep 18 12:12 AM, 2017
Well! My holiday got a reprieve, I was sent back to Cornwall to finish the hol on my own by Carys who stayed in Cardiff to look after her mum & dad.
So on Saturday 16th I restarted in Cornwall at the B&B near Helston, our regular place. Where else to start but Helston Boating Lake where a Grey Phalarope had dropped in and was showing really well on he smallest partition of the lake. With only half a day & a bad back I only did this one site, but it was still a nice start to my unexpected holiday reprieve!
Mark Burgess said
Sat Aug 12 9:51 PM, 2017
Highlights of a weeks holiday in Cornwall, Not a Birding holiday just a few stolen moments away from the family.
Newquay - Watergate Bay Area, Aug 6th Fulmar 10+ Stonechat 15+ Corn Bunting Linnet several big feeding flock Wheatear Peregrine
Pendeen - Aug 9th, 12.00 - 16.00 Cory's Shearwater 2 Manx Shearwater 300+ Arctic Skua (Dark morph) Fulmar 20+ Gannet 50+ Shag 11 Auk Sp 2 Rock Pipit 3
Porthgwarra - Gwennap Head, Aug 10th 7.00 - 10.00 Great Shearwater 1 Cory's Shearwater 3 Sooty Shearwater 4 Balearic Shearwater 1 Manx Shearwater 100's Fulmar Gannet Whimbrel over calling Rock Pipit 2 Wheatear
Penzance - Mini Pelargic on board Mermaid 2, Aug 10th 17.00 - 21.00 Great Shearwater 9 Sooty Shearwater 12 Balearic Shearwater 5 Manx Shearwater 100's European Storm Petrel 18, feeding flocks of 10 & 8 Great Skua 2 Gannet 100+ Fulmar 30+
Dolphin 20+ Minke Whale
Well worth £25.00 of anyone's money, If the opportunity presents I'd highly recommend going on one of these pelargic trips, These birds are not being observed at usual seawatching range but very close range 15 to 50 meters, If your really fortunate Wilson's Storm Petrels are being seen on a regular basis.
Rob Creek said
Wed Jun 21 7:20 PM, 2017
Didn't get chance to review my week in Cornwall as we spent most of the day travelling after being stuck in Bodmin roadworks and the fact I was on a plane to Cyprus on the Sunday with the Gf. A brilliant week, weather better than was forecast, 3 hot sunny days, 2 warm / mixed days, 2 atrocious windy and rainy days. The wind however was present most of the week and put paid to our annual Scillies trip, locals had been correct with the advice to forget the Scillonian crossing for that week, apparently the deck was 'Green' everyday as the poor boat was tossed from pillar to post each day.
That said, I did get a cracking Seabird Lifer, 18 of them to be correct, in the European Storm Petrels. Manx Shearwaters were seen in crazy numbers and nice to get fairly good views (albeit a bit distant) of Balearic's too, only having seen 1 before at Flamborough last year. Nice to get the traditional Green Woodpecker on my mates Ludgvan lawn, and I was also a bit peeved that the small Falcon at Predannack Airfield area was probably a Red-footed Falcon as one was reported the day I was there and subsequently many times since. Always the way! One last thing, nice to be back in touch with the guys from Sennon Cove Birding and CWBPS who used some of my sightings info and photos on their site, non-rarities I might add otherwise they would've been on here first. Cheers
Either side of a Scilly trip had some great birds on the mainland in Cornwall. On the Thursday spent most of the afternoon at Hayle Estuary looking for the regular juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper, with no luck, but as we decided to call it a day local birders reported refinding both a Franklin's Gull and the sandpiper at a different location. We managed to see the gull, a species that we dipped painfully at Swillington Ings, so that was superb, but we didn't see the Semi P. We did manage to pin down some fish and chips which we ate in Tempests Car Park, if anyone knows where I mean, it is an evocative place to eat your dinner, with the sun dropping and the gulls screeching in the background.
On the Monday we were still basking in the experience of the pelagics but an adult Semi P was reported at Marazion as we were queueing for the ferry. We managed to get off the boat in Penzance and speed over there with a bit of light left and see the bird, a fantastic little species. These were my first proper views having seen a bird back in 2013 at Hoylake that I barely registered at the time and then getting fleeting glimpses of another more recently. This one was an adult transitioning into winter plumage.
On the Tuesday morning we went to Hayle again and managed to connect with the juvenile Semi P so that was a cracking little double in the space of 24 hours! A Grey Phalarope was also there and showed well, and I found a pristine juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, that moment you drop on a 'different' wader is always enjoyable.
-- Edited by Simon Gough on Saturday 31st of August 2024 08:54:42 AM
Sat 23rd Sept
Scillonian III day trip.
Booked it at the start of the week but some trips were cancelled due to the storms so I had to wait until Saturday. Local birder Mark Halliday was on board with friends so I stuck with them.
Outgoing.
- 20+ Corys Shearwater (Lifer)
- 6 Great Shearwater (Lifer)
- 4 Sooty Shearwater
- 8 Manx Shearwater
- 1 Arctic Skua (pale)
- c10 Common Scoter
- c4-500 Shag in St.Marys harbour approach
- also a small greyish brown bird flew across the deck and was trailing the boat for a minute or so, nobody those of us that saw it didnt know what it was.
News of a Northern Parula on St.Martins came through and we jumped on a boat to try for that but there was no sign since originally found. Nice to see Scott Reid, who incidentally was the finder.
Return to Penzance.
- 60+ Corys Shearwater
- 25+ Great Shearwater
- 4 Sooty Shearwater
- 6 Grey Phalarope (3, 2, & 1)
- 2 Arctic Skua (1 light, 1 dark)
- 1 Pomarine Skua
Lots more large Shearwaters were visible distantly whilst watching the obvious ones but the weather was closing in, the sea was very choppy we were rocking all over the deck and it was getting misty too so unable to put proper numbers on them.
One last thing, I photographed a dark bird that looked like a small Skua but Im not entirely sure if it is a Skua, needs checking.
Also on Friday
I contacted Mark Wallace, one of West Cornwalls finest, to see if anything new was knocking around but he sent a message back saying nothing new so far and mentioned the birds still in situ at Marazion.
Sennen Cove.
- 5 Chough including 2 on a bird feeder
- 1 Grey Phalarope self found in the bay
- 1 Rock Pipit
Pendeen.
- 23 Balearic Shearwaters through near The Wra
- Phalarope sp. which I have down as a Grey. A Red-necked was reported earlier in the day
- 4 Chough
Marazion.
- Woodchat Shrike and Hoopoe still there late on
Fri 22nd Sept.
Early morning visit to nearby Hayle.
Lelant Saltings.
- 6 Mediterranean Gull of various ages
- 8 Curlew Sandpiper (mobile - didnt come close)
- 1 Bar-tailed Godwit
- 3 Greenshank
Ryans Field.
- 1 Osprey
Over here and Lelant and put everything up. Showed really well for a while and eventually caught a fish near the
Causeway and eventually flew off.
- 1 Peregrine
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 2 Raven
- 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (different bird)
- 1 Greenshank
- 2 Kingfisher
Arrived Thursday teatime and within the hour we were out.
Marazion.
- 1st winter Woodchat Shrike on the marsh
- Hoopoe in farm field round the corner
- 2 singing Cettis Warbler
- Purple Heron was a no show
Visit to Newlyn yesterday and managed to see the long staying 1st Winter American Herring Gull. Looking very dapper around the harbour. Took a lot of finding initially, and anyone going it's best seen at a higher tide to the South of the harbour. Also 4 Rock Pipit.
Spent an hour after with a bit of a seawatch from Land's End:
15 Manx Shearwater, 35 Guillemot, 28 Gannet, 12 Shag, 5 Fulmar.
6 Arctic Skua
9 Great Skua
1 Little Gull
1 Leachs Petrel
3 Balearic Shearwater
200+ Manx Shearwater
40 Common Scoter
30+ Kittiwake
150+ Guillemot
4 Puffin
5 Common Tern
50+ Sandwich Tern
50+ Gannet
By the time I arrived, I had missed Sabines Gull and Grey Phalarope. Not bad for only 90 mins.
Just back from my annual trip down there,it was a bit quiet the first week,but as weather was superb I wasn't complaning.
With Drift Reservoir being fairly low and only a couple of miles from where I was staying I did a few visits,unfortunately no rare waders,but several Greenshank, Green Sandpipers,Dunlin,Ringed Plover etc were nice to see.Up to 3 Ospreys were around for most of our visit,and a very obliging Wryneck was present one day.
Elsewhere plenty of common migrants still about,with a few Whinchat most days,odd Spotted Flycatchers etc,only one Firecrest seen,but they were in short supply.A White Stork from the recently released scheme was seen most days between St.Levan and Porthgwarra,and although not a genuine wild bird was still nice to watch as it patrolled the fields feeding on Daddy Longlegs.An adult American Golden Plover turned up in the same field that the Stork was feeding in!!Probably the best bird of the trip was the Red Eyed Vireo that turned up on The Lizard on the day we had already decided to pop down there a bit elusive at times,but showed really well several times.Also a Rosy Starling knocking about nearby.
Main purpose of the trip was hopefully a good bit of seawatching and although it wasn't a "classic" year,the seawatching was still quite good.In a few sessions I saw over 200 Balearic Shearwaters inc. 103 birds in 3 hours.Also seen were 3 Pomarine Skuas,29 Arctic Skuas,48 Great Skuas 17 Sooty Shearwaters,1 Great Shearwater(latest one I've seen),2 Storm Petrels,a single Grey Phalarope and an enormous Sunfish which must have been between 5 and 6ft long!!!
A juvenile Sabines Gull was at Marazion for an afternoon and showed well feeding along the timeline.Already looking forward to next year!!
Brown Booby at Kynance Cove, Lizard, Cornwall. 6/9/2019
With the ongoing saga of the Brown Booby(s) continuing in Cornwall, we decided to get a team together and see if we could manage to see it. So at 11-30pm with Kevin C driving, myself, Andy M, Dave W & Tony W (a Lancashire & Yorkshire team) we headed south. We planned to get there at first light around 6-30am but with a few road closures, firstly through the never sleeping town of Smethwick, then through the quaint English town of Dursley we pressed on. Calling for a comfort break near Bristol and finally leaving our lovely motorway system at Exeter. Traffic had been fairly light up to now and the A30 was practically abandoned as Kevin C pressed on and we finally arrived at 6-30am, excellent effort Kevin.
I have only visited The Lizard once before to connect with a Little Bustard in 1996 and it was a very misty day, this time it was clear with a nice coastal breeze. My comment There wont be many here today was soon laughed at as the National trust car park was quite busy, luckily we had a couple of members so the £8 parking fee didnt apply. Grab our gear and off along a twisty, rocky path into the cove and then climbing (literally) up to view the magnificent rock formations of Kynance Cove, one birder fell but we helped him up, he seemed okay. We joined the other expectant birders and enjoyed an hours seawatch with Gannet, Manx Shearwater being the main sightings. At 8am myself and a couple of other birders picked the Brown Booby up as it flew in and perched on its favoured rock, then disappeared out of view. Another climb up the coastal path to get a better sighting of the bird, which was difficult to pick up at first but once you knew where it was became easy! We all enjoyed over an hour watching the Booby as it preened and generally digested its food until it flew. The bird was easy to pick up in flight, not at all like it is bigger cousin the Gannet in appearance. It headed east back to its favoured fishing bay and out of sight for us. We had all managed to see a first for Britain (Kent, St Ives, and Kynance etc) and any feelings of tiredness had evaporated, the mandatory team photo was taken and a return to the car park for sustenance. The journey down the cliffs into the cove was just as hazardous being made worse by a little downpour. Successfully making it back to the car and within 10 minutes lots of birders descended onto the cliffs near the car park. The Brown Booby could be seen from down the cliffs fishing in the shallower surf area, still distant but eventually coming much closer down to about 60 yards and finally landing on its favourite rock. Great views!
Dave O.
The day of our journey home and guess what, the Brown Booby decides to show itself again, so with the car all packed we decided to give it a quick try at Gwithian where it was showing, but as we reached Hayle it was reported moving towards St.Ives so we stopped at Harvey?s Towans beach to view the bay (Gwithian is a bit further).
This turned out to be a great decision!
- Brown Booby (Lifer)
This time there was no mistaking it. Out in the bay towards St.Ives, again stood out with the Gannets, it was diving, flying round, then I even had it on the sea briefly (there was an earlier report of it being on the sea too).
I got another guy onto it and he was amazed I?d picked it out for him. We watched it for a few minutes and it got a bit more distant towards The Island before eventually flying out of sight round the far side of the headland.
Within seconds he got a report saying the bird has just flown west around the Island headland towards Clodgey Point, so we were more than happy that my sighting was corroborated.
No images I?m afraid, and Im a bit gutted we couldn?t go to St.Ives to look for it as we are now on our way home but it has been re-found showing in all its glory on the rocks near The Island.
Liam Langley was in touch on Twitter trying to find the bird so I was keeping him informed of any info and when the report came though of it being seen on the rocks, I sent the tweet to him and it wasn?t king before he connected and sent a belting image over.
This morning rounds off an eventful week, with 2 Lifers!
Mexico Towans (near Gwithian).
Plans were made Thursday evening to meet other birders today and try for the Brown Booby.
Groups of birders were at various different watch points along the Gwithian coast, we chose Mexico Towans, and after a while one guy received a phone call to say the bird was heading towards us.
Many of us picked up on a bird that stood out with Gannets towards Godrevy doing shallow dives, and we were giving step by step directions and actions of the bird that all seemed to corroborate. It looked to be an excellent shout for tor the Brown Booby and you could see everyone looked happy with it.
But within a minute, a report came through saying the observer had retracted his sighting and it had been reidentified as an immature Gannet. We were shocked and some of Cornwalls finest were bemused as to the report. But it remained a Gannet and we were gutted.
I was speaking to another group of local birders a bit later and they told me that they were more than happy with the sighting earlier on and they had no idea as to why the report was changed.
I had a Great Skua a bit later so it wasnt all lost.
Gwithian, Godrevy and Hells Mouth.
The Brown Booby was seen this morning fishing near Gwithian, as soon as I saw the report off I went, but unfortunately the timing coincided with heavy traffic between Penzance and Hayle so it took me a while.
Updates came through as still there, quickly followed by - flown towards Godrevy. I passed straight through Gwithian to Godrevy but some birders were leaving saying its flown east, so I got back in the car and drove to the next vantage point which was Hells Mouth.
I walked up to the cliff top and myself and another guy (who I now know to be Paul Freestone) picked up on a good shout for the bird but we just werent 100%, it definitely looked different to the Gannet it was with anyway. He quickly phoned his mate and relayed the news. He had to go and I went back to Godrevy.
Within 30 mins the bird was reported again from Hells Mouth along with a Great Shearwater, so maybe it was the Brown Booby we saw.
I want to say I saw it but Im reluctant to coz it wasnt 100% conclusive and I think Id be cheating myself.
No other sightings of it were made again today.
I will try again in the morning!
Pendeen Watchpoint.
An afternoon visit here this afternoon proved fruitless as the only birds seen of note were...
- Manx Shearwaters
- Fulmars
- 1 Rock Pipit
Wednesday 28th August.
Scillonian III Scillies day trip.
Nice to see Alex Lees on the ferry today.
Not long into the journey, 4 miles off Lands End, the engines failed and we broke down. The captain announced that Falmouth Coastguard were made aware of our situation but we didnt need them so he didnt anchor but instead let it float on the hope engineers could rectify the problem.
But after approx an 1.5hrs we were told a Sennen Lifeboat was on its way to assess our situation, then as it arrived ... one engine was suddenly up and running and they escorted us back in as we made it back on the single engine.
Birds seen...
- 1 Phalarope Sp flushed off the sea
- 1 Sooty Shearwater (and 1 distant probable)
- 2 possible Balearic Shearwater
(Seen on the way back in near Porthgwarra but distant?)
It was noted later that seawatchers at Porthcurno had a few Balearic Shearwaters passed so maybe what I saw couldve been Balearics.
St.Ives.
The unexpected early return from the Scillies trip meant we could try again for the Brown Booby.
I set up scope on Smeatons Pier and Steve was up at the Island. We gave it a couple of hours and after talking to a few locals it emerged that 2 sightings today were of dubious credibility.
The first sighting was of a bird of OK plumage seen from Hayle flying towards Carbis Bay. The second sighting was of another ok looking bird that was seen from St.Ives railway station flying out towards the Island, both deemed to be a juv Gannet sighting so we decided to call it a day.
Hayle.
- 50+ Mediterranean Gulls
- 1 Greenshank
- 1 Common Sandpiper
St.Ives.
Report of a Brown Booby came through again this morning and we headed over there ASAP. We didnt go yesterday as after talking to some of the locals it emerged the bird was viewed without optics so it wasnt confidently identified.
We arrived at 9am but the bird hadnt been seen since approx 8.25am, we scoured the main areas and theres a few bays and beaches to go at as well as The Island but after 2 hours we decided to call it quits.
Apparently it did fly passed once this afternoon but no sign since, so as we are doing the Scillonian day trip tomorrow, we will wait to see if it turns up again and try on Thursday morning.
Also usual suspects including...
- Gannets
- 1 Wheatear
- 1 Rock Pipit
Porthgwarra.
- 1 Sooty Shearwater passed the coastguard lookout
- 1 Pied Flycatcher in a pine tree at 60ft cover
- 2 Blackcap
- 1 Chiffchaff
- 2 Chough
Also had some Fins here and Im waiting to see what they were so will try update as and when.
Hayle.
- 1 White Stork
A released juvenile was on pylon outside the hide at Ryans Field
Ring number was GB2E
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 27th of August 2019 10:50:22 PM
Drift Reservoir.
Early morning visit.
- 2 Ospreys still, putting on a show swooping around.
- 22 White Storks, most still roosting in a tree but were soon flushed by 2 photographers that followed the path right round to near the tree they were in.
They all flew off, virtually right over me and in the direction of Porthgwarra. It wasnt long before a certain Mark Wallace had them there. Shortly after I had 2 flying north over Drift and continuing, and it looks like only 20 individuals have come back in to roost at Drift tonight.
- 1 Wood Sandpiper (distant)
- 1 Common Sandpiper
- 1 Greenshank
Trevescan (near Sennen).
- Western Bonellis Warbler (Lifer)
The report came in and off we went and it wasnt long before we were stood in a locals back garden with the owners watching the bird, showed well a few times albeit briefly. A beautiful looking Warbler.
- 1 Pied Flycatcher (female)
- 1 Chiffchaff
Tregilliowe Farm Ponds - St.Hilary
A report came in of an Aquatic Warbler so off I went. I found the place, private farm land, and as I parked up I bumped into a familiar face who Ive seen at various locations and it turned out to be @lancsbirder who happened to find the Bonellis Warbler today.
He said the ponds were totally obscured and unviewable so it was a wasted journey, so I had a last minute brainwave to go to Marazion, just incase... well after all it was the hotspot for Aquatic Warblers in years gone by!
Marazion Marsh
Nice to meet Dave Parker here who works on the CWBPS and who I saw at the Warbler twitch but didnt know who it was.
- 1 Hobby chasing Hirundines
- 2 Cettis Warbler
- 1 Reed Warbler
- 1 probable Willow Warbler with Long-tailed Tits
- 3 Sandwich Tern (fishing offshore)
- 14 Curlew over with 1 Whimbrel
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 27th of August 2019 04:37:15 AM
Sunday 26th August
Hayle - Ryans Field.
- 3 Sanderling
- 2 Common Sandpiper
- 1 Kingfisher
Hayle - Lelant
- 1 Greenshank
- 4 Redshank
Pendeen Lighthouse.
Interesting visit, I found a feeding frenzy well beyond the Brisons (thats the 3 rocks off the Lighthouse).
Plenty of activity with Gannets and also Manx Shearwater probably c2000 most of them forming a floating raft that extended a long way.
Also
- 1 Wheatear (very pale I thought)
- 1 Rock Pipit
- 2 Fulmar
- lots of Raven
Drift Reservoir
Bit of a mad development on way back home, a report of 2 Ospreys at Drift came in and then 20+ White Storks at Lizard (likely to be the released birds at West Sussex) so I said to Steve lets call at Drift then drive over to Lizard or at least keep a eye on where they go next.
We pulled up along side some birders on the lane at Drift thinking they were on the Ospreys. Well yes they were, but they were also on 22 White Storks on the res edge. Brilliant! Some had satellite tags on so it was all pointing towards being those released birds.
So we were stood with the locals and more reports were coming in of 20+ Storks still in a field at Lizard, then some circling at Mousehole, and then one guy received a phone call to say they were watching 4 at Marazion whilst we were watching 22 of the 24 released birds (so thats 26?) and other reports were flooding in so work it out for yourselves.
3 hours kip then out first light to set the week off.
Hayle (Lelant).
So Im setting my scope up in the Old Quayhouse car park, I start scanning and talking to the birder next to me and it turns out to be Phil Rhodes.
- No sign of the reported Solitary Sandpiper from Friday.
- 2 Common Sandpiper
- 1 Greenshank
- 1 Whimbrel
- c30 Mediterranean Gulls
- 1 Kingfisher
Penzance
- Osprey over the harbour being mobbed by Gulls
(Was seen shortly after at nearby Drift Reservoir)
Nanjizal
- no sign of the Tawny Pipit for us
- 5 Chough
- 2 Stonechat families
- 2 Willow Warbler
I can't wait to show my daughter ... she will be well impressed ??
Roger.
I had some history in attempting to see a Grey Catbird having been a day too late for the Anglesey bird on a controversial day when many birders seemed to be desperately ticking Dunnock, Blackbird or Song Thrush. That was up to them but I knew I didn't see it.
After something of an Indian Summer the weather forecast for the morning was appalling. Brisk, cold northerlies, driving hail showers and day temperatures of only 5 degrees - without factoring in any wind chill.
Arriving at Lands End well before dawn we joined a couple of other cars in the designated car park and when sufficiently light we walked to the bottom of the field to the spot where the bird was known to roost. The crowd swelled to about a dozen then it became obvious that another smaller group about 75m away were watching the Catbird but it was out of sight from our vantage point. A difficult stick-or-twist dilemma and most eventually walked the 5-10 minutes to the alternative viewing area but by then it had gone to ground. The high winds were keeping it low.
After a wait of about 40 minutes we eventually got acceptable views as it sat up for a few seconds, gave its peculiar cat-like call, then flew. The promised hail duly arrived and the group of birders, now about 50 strong, bowed their heads and huddled in a very good impression of an Emperor Penguin colony.
But persistence paid off. The shower passed, the sun even came out for a while and so did the bird, showing exceptionally well as it worked through a small clump of Sallows. Also present was a supporting cast comprising a single late Swallow and a hunting Merlin with a Chough heard.
The Catbird then showed on and off until we had our fill and turned for home in the early afternoon, taking a short detour to the picturesque Devoran Quay. Thwarted here by the low tide that exposed lots of muddy creeks in which that morning's Lesser Yellowlegs was no doubt hiding, we left empty handed but nicely warmed by sun. A Red Admiral also enjoyed the temporary warmth and was possibly our last butterfly of the year.
And with that we set out for home in a very happy frame of mind. A long journey suffering the usual motorway closures/detours and arrived home around midnight. Our thanks go to Ian for an epic drive.
Cheers John
I am sure Dick Filby will not mind me sharing his tweet commemorating the occasion (and that was taken before the hail got heavy)
https://twitter.com/dickfilby/status/1056308821130244097?s=12
-- Edited by John Rayner on Sunday 28th of October 2018 07:31:42 PM
Summary of rings for individual: 37246
Colour Code of ring Leg Ringing scheme Metal ring Age of bird Ringing date Ringing location Ringer
White 3YER right Bruxelles E943808 >3CY 14/05/2017 Total, Antwerpen, Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,15N 4,19E Rooselaer, Edwin
Sightings for individual: 37246
White 3YER v 17/07/2017 Marizion, Cornwall, GB 50,07N 5,28W Turner, Steven
White 3YER v 26/09/2017 Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, GB 50,1N 5,26W Taylor, Simon
White 3YER v 05/10/2018 Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, GB 50,1N 5,26W de Vries, Jacob
White 3YER v 06/10/2018 Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, GB 50,1N 5,26W Greenstreet, Peter
White 3YER v 22/10/2018 Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, GB 50,1N 5,26W de Vries, Jacob
White 3YER p 24/10/2018 Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, GB 50,1N 5,26W Creek, Rob
Total number of sightings : 6
Just got back and managed it in under 6hrs.
The decision was made, stop over just incase something special comes in overnight, I needn't have bothered but there you go.
- 2 Chiffchaff with Tit flock at railway bridge near Long Rock Pool incl a palish coloured one???
- 4 Cetti's Warbler (2 Long Rock Pool / 2 railway bridge)
- 3 Common Scoter incl 1 drake (just off Marazion car park)
- 2 Rock Pipit (Marazion Beach)
- 1 Great Egret (Ryan's Field - Hayle)
- 1 Mediterranean Gull (Leland)...ring no : 3YER
...and I see Bosistow Lane of all places claimed a Siberian Chiffchaff this afternoon, just my luck! Oh well, main thing is target bird was seen.
Couldn't resist a 2nd shot at the Grey Catbird and I was there before light. Nice to see Austin Morley there today.
We were told by a local fella that it showed really well when it leaves the roost at first light before going about its business. But as it dawned and got lighter, I realised that myself and the 10 or so birders had missed it and infact it had somehow managed to fly passed us in the corner of the field and sit on top of a thicket showing well.
I said for those of you who haven't seen it... it's showing well over there, and we all walked round to where I saw it yesterday, and that was to kick off a series of excellent sightings until around 9.05am when it wasn't seen again for well over an hour.
A cracking bird!
In fact it was pitch black when I drove over to Treeve Moor, and as I approached Sennon on the A30 country lane I had to go for the brakes as a Tawny Owl landed in the road, grabbed something and flew off. I turned round and parked up in a layby, and within a minute the Owl was back in the road again a bit further along. It caught a small Rodent and no sooner had it flown off, another small Rodent ran across the lane. Cracking way to start the day!
- 1 Short-eared Owl (mobbed by Jackdaws at Treeve Moor)
- 3 Chough again (Treeve Moor)
- 3 Raven (Treeve Moor)
- 2 Blackcap f/1st cy m? (Treeve Moor)
- 4 Stonechat (Treeve Moor)
- 1 Ring-necked Duck (Drift Reservoir)
- 1 Yellow-browed Warbler (near Drift dam / car park)
- 1 Eurasian Spoonbill (Hayle / Ryan's Field)
- 1 Cattle Egret with 3 Little Egrets (circled over Ryan's Field /A30)
- Skylarks / Meadow Pipits / Redwings over thru the day
Also visited Porthgwarra in hope of the Dusky Warbler reported at 60ft Cover late morning. It was actually seen a lot earlier and when myself and another birder arrived, although we heard a good candidate for the call (tuk tuk tuk), we didn't actually see it, and it was made more difficult by other birds in 60ft cover making that noise, such as Robin, Blackbird etc.
Some conflicting info was then banded around as more people came after lunch, not realising the original sighting was quite early on. Bosistow Lane at nearby Polgigga was bereft of birds, normally the hedges and trees here are full of migrants but absolutely nothing.
Now then....decision time!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 24th of October 2018 12:42:17 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 24th of October 2018 12:43:22 AM
Drove down early hours Monday and arrived at Trevescan / Treeve Moor 8.45am. Nice to see Paul Baker down there.
- Grey Catbird (Lifer)
2 main viewpoints, the corner of the parking field and the scrub at the base of the moors. If anyone decides to come for it, don't be fooled thinking it's easy viewing as there are wide channels in between the fields with overgrown vegetation where it rests so it's not all plain sailing.
Couple of split second views were had of a partially obscured grey flash disappearing into the willows and the brambles over the next hour or so and that was it for 6+half hours!!! It was thought the cold windy conditions kept it down. People weren't happy with the views and a lot of us braved it out. Some good birds were seen elsewhere but nobody left. Mid-afternoon we couldn't feel our hands and feet at one point and then you could see people one by one starting to leave, and those that stayed took short walks to keep the blood flowing. More people departed and the group got even smaller when some started waiting in the field near its roosting point (the tyres) as a last ditch effort to see it.
Eventually at 4.38pm I could see a likely candidate nearing the top of the vegetation, then suddenly up it came in full view. Thank God for that! I beckoned Paul and the remaining few over and pointed it out, the sighs of relief were brilliant.
Certainly a memorable day, most people were saying earlier on that they had plans of going to other places in Cornwall today but those plans were scuppered.
- 4 Chough (Treeve Moor)
- 1 Peregrine (Treeve Moor)
- 1 Chiffchaff (Treeve Moor)
- 3 Common Snipe (flushed from heath at Lands End car park)
- 1 Barn Owl (hunting over Marazion marsh)
- 1 Hen Harrier (ringtail over A30 moors near Polstrong at first light)
- lots of Skylark over
Friday 8th June.
Penzance - Marine Discovery.
A 3 hour trip on the Shearwater II. Locally considered to be the best one to use, £35pp and well worth it.
- Sightings included...
- Puffin 6 seen well, others distantly
(Locals are reporting more seen than in recent years)
- Common Scoter 1 flock of at least 26 birds
(A good sighting for down here)
- Sandwich Tern 2
- Kittiwake 20 minimum
- Manx Shearwater not counted but a fair number around
- usual Guillemot, Razorbill, Shag, Great Black-backed Gulls
- "Eddie" the Eider Drake in Penzance Harbour
Land's End.
Usual seabirds around including a huge Guillemot colony, with Razorbills.
Pendeen Lighthouse.
Again usual Seabirds seen, Guillemots and Kittiwakes in good numbers.
***See other wildlife for Mammals etc***
Zennor Head.
We took the scenic route up here as we usually see a Cuckoo or two up over the moor but unfortunately it seems they could be thin on the ground down here too. Porthgwarra is usually a favourite place to see them but we didn't see them there either.
- Chough 1
- Raven 4
- Fulmar 4
- Common Whitethroat 1
- few Linnets around
Porthgwarra - Roskestal Farm.
News broke of a Rosy Starling just south of the farm, found by local birder Mark Wallace so we headed over there. We found the main Starling flock but they were in a clump of trees beyond the farm so most were out of view and as a result we dipped on this one.
Porthgwarra - Ardensawah Farm.
These farms are next to each other in farming terms so a 5 minute walk had us checking for the Turtle Dove again. Just incase anyone got the wrong idea about yesterday's post, I was in no way doubting the Turtle Dove sighting by putting ??? at the end (incidentally found by Mark Wallace again I believe, and nice to meet him too), I was merely pointing out my frustration at not finding it. On the contrary, I know there are Turtle Doves seen in this area of Cornwall including here, Polgigga, Raftra Farm, etc. so I've got no reason to doubt it. I always dip on them though!
- 1 Turtle Dove ...a bit of patience paid off and the Dove briefly appeared on the tyre stack at the roadside near the barn, but then flew into the bushes opposite where it quickly disappeared.
Marazion.
- Great Egret 1 briefly on the marsh but disappeared into cover
- Grey Heron 12 (9 in the Pines roost)
A significant reduction in the flock this evening.
- Sanderling 11
- Dunlin 6
- Ringed Plover 4
- Manx Shearwater 2 just beyond St.Michael's Mount
Longrock Pool.
- Sand Martin 2 over Pool / 6 through
- Common Swift 2
- Swallow 1
- Cetti's Warbler 1 seen, 3 more heard in different areas
- Sedge Warbler 2
- Reed Warbler 1 heard only
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Thursday 7th of June 2018 10:47:15 PM
Wednesday 6th June.
Marazion.
- Baird's Sandpiper 1 (Lifer)
Early morning visit, I've been checking the beach as much as I can during the week incase this one turned up again and it finally did. Surprisingly it stood out in amongst the Sanderling and Dunlin flock, appearing slightly smaller with it being more squat and lower to the floor, its body was long and pointed at the rear end, and the pale eye stripe all clinched it for me.
However they were very flighty and mobile due to the Gulls that were annoyingly swooping low over them, so I ended up walking 500yds every few minutes back and forth along the beach to where they'd landed. In the end I was knackered so I gave up trying to get a record shot.
I was there virtually on my own at first but when a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins turned up in the bay, people appeared from nowhere the beach was full as crowds gathered within minutes. The 'Sanderling' flock flew off towards Penzance, taking the Baird's Sandpiper with them, the Dolphins moved on from Mounts Bay also towards Penzance, the beach emptied, and I left to get some brekky!
Porthgwarra.
A hot and still day up here but unfortunately wrong time of year, that said we normally see something of interest.
- Chough 6 together (all 6 in the image attached)
- Manx Shearwater a resting raft of around 300 birds out to sea
- Rock Pipit 1
- Meadow Pipit 3
- Stonechat 1
- Common Whitethroat 1
Ardenswah Farm.
We walked round Porthgwarra, round passed The Pool, and up to Ardenswah Farm but the Turtle Dove (true to form when I'm down here) went AWOL again!
We scanned the Collared Dove gathering and managed to locate an individual with a brownish back and it did stand out from the others but it was definitely a Collared Dove.
Unbelievably the Turtle Dove was reported again from here after we'd left???
Helston Boating Lake.
News of a drake Ferruginous Duck had us driving over to Helston and we soon caught up with it. Although I want this to be a Lifer, for now it isn't, as the bird appeared to be clipped and is thought to have been released. Whatever the outcome, it was a smart looking individual.
Marazion.
After our curry in Penzance, I made the most of the last hour or so of light on the beach to scan for the Baird's Sandpiper, and although I picked up on an individual that appeared decidedly different, but after careful consideration, I'm pretty sure it was just a Sanderling.
The Sanderlings here are in every different plumage you could imagine, from various shades and hues of summer plumage to all winter white so you gotta be careful.
Scillonian III crossing.
A mix up in plans with the Cubert 5k Run (Newquay) ended up with me going to St.Mary's by myself, not good weather with mist and drizzle.
Of note...
- 4 European Storm Petrel (3 together following a fishing boat)
- 14 Puffin (3, 4, 3, 3, 1)
- 350-400 Manx Shearwater
- 1 Kittiwake
- 1 Ocean Sunfish
- 2 Rock Pipit at Penzance harbour
- 1 empty fence post on St.Mary's behind the Star Castle hotel that used to have a Wryneck on it
Marazion.
- 2 Whimbrel
- c50+ Sanderling
(With Dunlin and Ringed Plover)
- 2 Sand Martin over reserve
Hayle - Ryan's Field.
- 7 Mediterranean Gulls
- 2 Whimbrel
- 6 Curlew
- 2 Sedge Warbler
- Ludgvan.
- Raven circling over the village
Lizard - Kynance Cove.
- Common Whitethroat 10+
- Chiffchaff 1
- Stonechat 5
- Linnets in abundance
- Meadow Pipit 4
- Skylark 3
- Cuckoo 3 heard only
Marazion and Longrock Pool.
- Sanderling c50 in various plumages
- Whimbrel 4
- Sand Martin 4
- Cetti's Warbler 2
Marazion. Early morning visit to here and Longrock.
- Baird's Sandpiper no sign
- Great Black-backed Gull on Seal carcass
- Grey Heron 4 (1 with an Eel)
- Little Egret 2
- Linnet 1 male in car park
Longrock Pool.
- Reed Bunting 1 male
- Cetti's Warbler 2
- Common Swift 6
- Sand Martin 4
- Sparrowhawk 1 female through at speed
Ludgvan (near Penzance) to St.Ives (through Nancledra, Cripplesease, and Halsetown)
A 3 hour, 6.7 mile walk, over mostly rough terrain, from nettle ridden overgrown public footpaths sometimes through livestock fields and woods, to overgrown bracken and gorse covered hills, in hot weather.
- Garden Warbler 2
- Blackcap 7 minimum more heard
- Chiffchaff 1 seen lots heard
- Willow Warbler heard only
- Whitethroat 2
- Linnet 2
- Cuckoo 2 heard only
- Green Woodpecker 1 heard only
- Common Buzzards seen throughout the day
St.Ives Rock.
- Manx Shearwater 12+ together
- Kittiwake 20+
- Gannet 5
- Guillemot 3
- Fulmar 2
- Rock Pipit 1
...and something a bit special near Nancledra, probable Golden Oriole heard only. It just sounded like a quick burst of song and the tone was perfect for it. We both heard it and both agreed instantly what we thought it was. It wasn't in the immediate vicinity though and would've been a needle in a haystack job as we didn't hear it again.
I'm overruling myself, it's a Lesser Black-backed. I think the light had just caught the mantle as it was stood at a slightly different angle to some of the other Gulls around it.
Arrived around 3.30am (after a 6hr journey due to an accident on the M6 and roadworks on the M5) for a week's holiday with best pal Stephen Ellison.
Usual outings and trips planned and a bit of birding when poss, there's some good lingering rarities around and some possible Lifers on offer if we cop lucky!
Drift Reservoir.
- Early news of a European Bee-eater on wires had us making the 10 minute journey to Drift but it had gone when we arrived. An online photo confirmed it though so we stuck around and gave the local area a good search anyway but to no avail.
- Great Egret (present but out of view)
- Common Whitethroat 2
- Common Swift 1
- Swallow 10+
- Common Buzzard 10+
Polgigga (Bosistow Lane).
- no sight nor sound of the Iberian Chiffchaff
- Blackcap 2 singing
- Sparrowhawk 1 circling
Hayle (Millpond Park)
- Iberian Chiffchaff 1 singing and showing briefly intermittently.
- Common Chiffchaff 1
- Garden Warbler 1 in full song (I was too slow for a photo)
- Blackcap 2
- Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
- Jay 1
- Little Egret 2 (Lelant)
- Yellow-legged Gull 1 candidate on Lelant Saltings but by no means a certainty (I'm probably wrong)
Marazion.
- no sign of the Baird's Sandpiper for me
- Cetti's Warbler 1 at Long Rock Pool
- Reed Warbler 1 at Long Rock Pool
Ludgvan.
- Green Woodpecker 1 flew overhead into a tree whilst en-route for some much needed ale!
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 3rd of June 2018 08:09:45 AM
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 3rd of June 2018 10:03:04 AM
Polgigga (Bosistow Lane area).
- Turtle Dove went AWOL again
- Firecrest 1
- Spotted Flycatcher 2
- Blackcap 1 female type
- Chiffchaff 1
- Willow Warbler 1
- Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
- Sparrowhawk 1
- lots of Goldcrest
Hayle.
- Cattle Egret 1 on Ryan's Field
- Kingfisher 2
- Ruff 6
- Knot 2
- Plus usual Godwits etc
Nice to speak to the family in the hide with their 2 little daughters, 1 of whom ID'd the Cattle Egret immediately when we pointed it out that there was a rare one present.
Porth Chapel (St.Agnes) Seawatch.
- Great Skua 1
- Manx Shearwater 3
- Rock Pipit 2
...infact Rock Pipit we saw almost everywhere including Hayle, Marazion, Pendeen, Penzance, Porthgwarra, and St.Marys.
An enjoyable visit to Cornwall as always for me, and I hope the lads enjoyed it, I hope they got the essence of birding down there and picked up on a little bit of what I know from my visits year after year.
Nice to see Paul Semmens on the Scillonian III again, and also Mark Halliday, local Hayle birder and Guller.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 1st of October 2017 04:19:34 PM
Pendeen Watch.
Only Seabirds seen here were Gannets.
- Chough 2
- Raven 1
- Firecrest 1 heard and possibly seen flitting around in roadside hedge on the road down to the Lighthouse.
Sennon.
- American Golden plover 1
- Dotterel 1 together in ploughed field
- Mediterranean Gull 1
Hayle.
- Grey Plover 1
- Mediterranean Gull 5
- Sandwich Tern 1 juv
- Kingfisher 1
- Grey Wagtail 1
- Usual Little Egrets and much the same Waders as always
Marazion.
- Wheatear 1 really orange individual on the beach
- Cetti's Warbler 2 (1 on Longrock Pool, 1 on reserve, more heard)
- Stonechat 3
- Chiffchaff 1
- Common Buzzard 3 circling
Polgigga (Bosistow Lane area).
- No sign of the Turtle Dove
Porthgwarra (late on)
- European Storm Petrel 1 danced right across the Cove from the cafe
- Balearic Shearwater 1
- Manx Shearwater 1
- Chough 2
...and a small Warbler heard calling and chattering softly in the bushes just passed the toilet block towards 50ft cover but didn't get a good view of the bird.
Mousehole / St.Clements Isle.
- Great Skua 1 flew passed, didn't bother the Gulls
- Whimbrel 7
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 1st of October 2017 04:17:13 PM
Thursday 28th.
Madron (nr Penzance).
- Firecrest 3 minimum
A nice surprise as we were leaving the accommodation on the farm en-route to Penzance dock for our Scillies trip. Firstly 2 birds together in the hedges and then a 3rd bird was calling which we connected with.
Scillonian III (both Journeys)
- Great Skua 3
- Sabines Gull 1 juv
- Balearic Shearwater 2
- Manx Shearwater 2
- Sooty Shearwater 1
- Black Tern 1
- Arctic Tern 1 juv
- Eider Drake 1
- Yellow-legged Gull 1 juv (possible)
St.Marys (Isles of Scilly)
- Wryneck 1 close up
- American Golden Plover 1
- Dunlin 1 with the Plover
- Greenshank 5
- Stonechat 2
...and 4 or 5 interesting Wheatear on the Airfield ???
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 30th of September 2017 09:40:22 PM
A total washout but it didn't stop us.
Porthgwarra.
- Sooty Shearwater 1
- Manx Shearwater 1
- Chough 2
- Rock Pipit 2
- Stonechat 1
RSPB Hayle.
- Curlew Sandpiper 2
- Little Stint 4
(Also a 5th dubious one that will probably remain a Little Stint see images)
- Bar-tailed Godwit 20+
- Ruff 10
- Knot 5
- Sparrowhawk 2
- plus usuals
Early morning dash and we spent the day birding before going to our accommodation.
Tuesday 26th Sept.
Davidstowe Airfield.
- Buff-breasted Sandpiper 2
- Dunlin 2
- Ringed Plover 2
- Wheatear 1
- Raven 1
Crowdy Reservoir
- Spotted Sandpiper 1
- Common Sandpiper 1
- Hobby 1
- Peregrine 1
- Sparrowhawk 1
- Common Buzzard 1
- Kestrel 1
RSPB Hayle
- Great Egret 1
- Mediterranean Gulls incl 2 ringed birds
- Bar-tailed Godwits plenty
- Black-tailed Godwits 5
- Whimbrels & Curlews
- Ruff 3
- Kingfisher 1
- Plus the usual array of birds associated with Hayle
The last post should have said Sunday 17th not Saturday of course, I can't edit posts on this phone though! The next day, Monday 18th started off at Pendeen Watch for another seawatch seeing as how the day before's had gone so well. Most birds were a long way out but the highlight was an adult pale morph Pomerine Skua. Even at a distance I could see that this was a large Skua, especially as it was harassing a Gannet!! Other sightings included a Grey Phalarope, 2 Little Gulls, 2 Common Scoter, 3 Razorbill, 5 Puffin, 150+Manx Shearwater, 100+Kittiwake, Rock Pipit, 5 Raven and a Chough. Again I did a three hour watch as yesterday. The rest of the day was spent at Hayle Estuary RSPB. A juvenile Med Gull and 50+Bar-tailed Godwits were nice to see. As were 3 Greenshank, 4 Sandwich Tern, a Dunlin, 10 Black-tailed Godwit and the now run of the mill double-figure count of Little Egrets.
Newquay - Watergate Bay Area, Aug 6th
Fulmar 10+
Stonechat 15+
Corn Bunting
Linnet several big feeding flock
Wheatear
Peregrine
Pendeen - Aug 9th, 12.00 - 16.00
Cory's Shearwater 2
Manx Shearwater 300+
Arctic Skua (Dark morph)
Fulmar 20+
Gannet 50+
Shag 11
Auk Sp 2
Rock Pipit 3
Porthgwarra - Gwennap Head, Aug 10th 7.00 - 10.00
Great Shearwater 1
Cory's Shearwater 3
Sooty Shearwater 4
Balearic Shearwater 1
Manx Shearwater 100's
Fulmar
Gannet
Whimbrel over calling
Rock Pipit 2
Wheatear
Penzance - Mini Pelargic on board Mermaid 2, Aug 10th 17.00 - 21.00
Great Shearwater 9
Sooty Shearwater 12
Balearic Shearwater 5
Manx Shearwater 100's
European Storm Petrel 18, feeding flocks of 10 & 8
Great Skua 2
Gannet 100+
Fulmar 30+
Dolphin 20+
Minke Whale
Well worth £25.00 of anyone's money, If the opportunity presents I'd highly recommend going on one of these pelargic trips, These birds are not being observed at usual seawatching range but very close range 15 to 50 meters, If your really fortunate Wilson's Storm Petrels are being seen on a regular basis.
A brilliant week, weather better than was forecast, 3 hot sunny days, 2 warm / mixed days, 2 atrocious windy and rainy days. The wind however was present most of the week and put paid to our annual Scillies trip, locals had been correct with the advice to forget the Scillonian crossing for that week, apparently the deck was 'Green' everyday as the poor boat was tossed from pillar to post each day.
That said, I did get a cracking Seabird Lifer, 18 of them to be correct, in the European Storm Petrels.
Manx Shearwaters were seen in crazy numbers and nice to get fairly good views (albeit a bit distant) of Balearic's too, only having seen 1 before at Flamborough last year.
Nice to get the traditional Green Woodpecker on my mates Ludgvan lawn, and I was also a bit peeved that the small Falcon at Predannack Airfield area was probably a Red-footed Falcon as one was reported the day I was there and subsequently many times since. Always the way!
One last thing, nice to be back in touch with the guys from Sennon Cove Birding and CWBPS who used some of my sightings info and photos on their site, non-rarities I might add otherwise they would've been on here first.
Cheers