A day out in Cornwall

Yesterday, Calum, Liam and I spent the whole day birding around Cornwall. We started at Hayle estuary, and although there was no report of the Franklin's Gull yesterday, Liam soon picked it up roosting just off the causeway with Black-headed Gulls and 9 Med Gulls. It was there for a few minutes before flying towards the A30 and making a turn north, seemingly heading towards Gwithian. It was reported back on the estuary later in the day. A new bird for Calum and a Cornish tick (but not even a year tick!) for Liam. Scanning over the estuary, Liam picked up the immature Spoonbill and I counted 148 Lapwing, 62 Golden Plover, 3 Grey Plover, a Greenshank and 7 Bar-tailed Godwit amongst the mass of Wigeon and Teal.
Next, we headed south to Polgigga to look for the possible Eastern Yellow Wagtail reported yesterday evening. We couldn't find the wagtail, and it wasn't reported by others today, but there was clearly lots of birds around. To start, a flock of larks and finches flew over us. Liam and Calum picked out a call which sound unusual, I must have missed it because all I could hear was Skylark. Liam played back a few calls and reckoned it was a Short-toed Lark. It was difficult to be sure because the call was only brief and we never saw or heard it again. We walked on a bit further to check ploughed fields between Lower & Higher Bosistow Farm. Scanning the fields was hard work, birds would constantly fly up and settle elsewhere and others would disappear from view behind large clumps of earth. Lots of Linnets, Skylarks, Mipits and Pied Wagtails were in the field and after much searching we got a reward. I picked up an interesting pipit feeding with a few Mipits about 100m away. It kept disappearing behind the clumps of earth but eventually came out so I had a good view. It was Rock Pipit like in size and shape with very white underparts, lacking any dark smudging on the flanks and also the streaking was notably finer down the flanks than on the breast. Features included fairly streaked grey-brown upperparts, 2 white wing bars, a white eye ring and although a supercilium was visible it did not stand out. Another key feature was the malar patch on the side of the breast, which was quite large and really stood out. I showed the bird to Liam who suggested a Water Pipit. Calum had a look and after a look in the book and the features noted we were happy to call it a *Water Pipit*, a lifer for me. After about 15 minutes it flew and was lost, probably still in the field though. Other highlights here was c12 House Martins (very late), a immature Merlin zooming past and about 150+ Skylarks.
We decided to have a quick look around Porthgwarra because we were nearby. Apart from a Great Spotted Woodpecker there was completely nothing until Calum found a immature Black Redstart on the Doctor's House. We had a short seawatch, very little apart from 20+ Razorbills and several Gannets.

Black Redstart

It was lunchtime by the time we got to Penzance so we called into McDonalds for some food, then went back to Hayle. We looked at Carnsew Pool where 2 Goosanders reported. The Spoonbill was present and was really quite close. Liam picked up two ducks and I got my scope on them. They were very distant but we were all pretty sure they weren't Goosanders. We walked around the pool to get closer and confirmed they were actually Red-breasted Mergansers... still nice birds nonetheless.
Our final stop was Gerrans Bay. It's a fair drive from Hayle, about an hour so it was gone 4.30pm when we arrived. The sea was a bit choppy but this didn't stop us picking out an impressive 10 Great Northen Divers, most of which still had a lot of their summer plumage. Calum picked out the smart *Red-necked Grebe* also in the bay, another new bird for him and only the second I've seen!

Carrick Roads and Devoran

This afternoon, Calum and I went up to Carrick Roads with the hope of seeing one of my bogey birds...Black-necked Grebe. For Calum too, it would be a new bird, so surely, we had to find them! The problem is that Carrick Roads is large and with few access points, viewing is difficult. We first tried Mylor Harbour as our view point. A few Shags were offshore and a group of 9 Turnstones were roosting on a small boat. We walked further along the shingle until we reached a spot where we could scan from. Another 10 Turnstone were feeding here. After a good look very distantly I across a small raft of birds, Calum got onto them and we both confirmed they were *Black-necked Grebes,* 14 in total! Finally we'd seen them but they were distant and seemed closer to Foeck, so we headed up there to get some better views.
On our way we called in to Devoran to check the wader roost. A smaller number of birds were present than on previous visits but the Spotted Redshank was still present with about 100 Redshank, 1 Knot, 36 Blackwit, 30 Dunlin, 5 Barwit and 60+ Curlew.
The light was just beginning to fade by the time we got to Feock, so we quickly set up the scopes and started looking for the grebes. I noticed a large gull roost that stretched right down the east side of Carrick Roads, mostly Black-heads but there was also a lot of Med Gulls, with more birds arriving all the time. I was curious to see how many Meds were there, so slowly, I worked my way through the roost and by the end, the tally was an impressive 115+ Med Gulls! By now Calum had re-found the raft of grebes and although still distant, they were closer than before and finally some good views of these smart grebes were had.

Curlew Sandpiper at Devoran on the 14th

Pectoral Sandpiper revisited

Last week I went back to College Lake to spend some time photographing the juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper. Here's some of the best...

Franklin's Gull!

On Wednesday evening I went down to Hayle estuary hoping to see a certain Nearctic gull  that had been in the area. The light was fading when I arrived so I wasn't hopeful. From the causeway a scan of the gulls revealed nothing. A birder nearby said he was watching it and he put me onto the bird. It was very distant, roosting on the sand with lots of Black-heads and about 20 Med Gulls. I managed a quick photo just before the whole flock took off and flew south presumably going to roost in nearby Carbis Bay. Feeling a bit underwhelmed from such a brief view, I carried on looking across the estuary. I soon picked up the immature *Spoonbill* feeding in the river and had nice views of Bar-tailed Godwit and about 200 Wigeon on the mudflats. Back towards the car, 2 Water Rail were squabbling in the reeds and a few Redwings flew overhead.

I was eager to try for better views of the gull so yesterday morning I went back to Hayle. Upon arrival a large group of gulls on the waters edge was obvious, but looking through them showed very little of interest. A few more birders joined the search and after forty minutes of no luck I was needed to get back home. Eventually a birder picked it out on the shingle about thirty metres from the causeway...we all missed it fly in! The views of the superb adult winter Franklin's Gull were excellent as it sat with a few Black-heads. It stayed put for a while allowing me to get some much better pictures. It then flew back over our heads and into the fields around the village.

Franklin's Gull

Izzy Wheatear @ Godrevy Point

News broke of an Isabelline Wheatear at Godrevy Point, so Calum and I had to go up there to take a look. Although not a new bird for me, having seen the bird in Pembrokeshire in 2013, I was still very keen to see this one. The last report before we left said "showing well," surely we couldn't fail! We arrived at Godrevy shortly after 4pm and from the car park, a group of birders were immediately visible watching something...hopefully the Wheatear. We quickly walked up to join them and were soon onto the fantastic ISABELLINE WHEATEAR. It showed very well and reasonably close throughout, allowing us to see the plumage details that distinguish it from Northern Wheatear. The black alula wasn't always visible seemingly covered by the covert feather at times. The upperparts were sandy brown throughout with little contrast with the underparts. The buffish supercilium was prominent at all angles, the lores appeared dark and the ear coverts were the same as the rest of the plumage In flight, the black tail band was obvious and clearly broader than the length of the protruding black on centre tail feathers. The stance was very upright  with the long legs almost vertical. Its movements were a series of  jerking runs then pauses and it would frequently pump its tail, particularly upon landing.

ISABELLINE WHEATEAR

Comparison between Northern Wheatear (left) and Isabelline Wheatear (right)

After watching the Wheatear for about an hour we decided to have a look for the *Snow Buntings* that had also been seen on the point for the last few days. We soon found a few birders watching the four birds feeding on the heather seeds. Just as I got my scope out they took off and flew to the other side of the headland. I followed them and eventually stumble across them near to where they were before. I had the stunning birds to myself and got very close at times, almost a metre away! Here's some pictures...

Snow Buntings

Dusky dreams come true...

I sometimes go through phases of birds I want to see. A couple of weeks ago it was Citrine Wagtail, not sure why, but I just really want to see one. However, for some reason, this week I've been very interested in Dusky/Radde's Warblers. Although not the most colourful of birds their origins are truly amazing. Both Dusky and Radde's are highly migratory breeding in the very east of Asia, with there entire populations moving south to winter in South East Asia. In other words, a very faraway from Britain! To my surprise and delight, a Dusky Warbler was found at Chapel Porth near St Agnes on Saturday. Being my current target bird I had to try and see it. So early yesterday morning, I headed up to Chapel Porth. After a short walk up the valley, I got to the site where it had been reported. Apart from a few Chiffchaffs there wasn't much around, no sign of that aforementioned warbler. After about half an hour of looking I heard a sharp "tcek" coming from the willows, it was the DUSKY WARBLER! It then flew out of the willows over my head and into some bracken on the other side of the path. There it continued to call but it was out of view. Over the time, I managed some good but brief views of it as it poked out of the cover. It would disappear quite a lot but would always give its presence away with its call. As the day went on it became more and more elusive and seeing it became really quite difficult. Unfortunately, its elusive nature made viewing difficult, and photographing it, almost impossible. Whilst watching the Dusky, I found a Firecrest in the same willows, which provided a bit of entertainment when the Dusky went missing.

Lizard- Red-breasted Flycatcher and more!

My friend Calum and I decided to get up early and head down the Lizard. We arrived shortly after sunrise, but things started slow with very unsuccessful look around Kynance Cove. Driving back along Kynance Road a Merlin shot pass, a little better perhaps? We parked in the village, watched a Wheatear on the village green, then proceeded on foot. First a short walk up the Kynance Road bridleway. From here a Peregrine flew over the village, 5 Siskin flew south west and also a Great Spotted Woodpecker on the telegraph pole, with the latter being quite difficult to catch up with, this south on the Lizard. We then carried on and got to Church Cove. Covering the Churchyard I couldn't see a lot, apart from the odd Chiffchaff, so we tried the lane to Bass Point. Shortly after walking through the farmyard, Calum got onto a warbler in the brambles. He was pretty sure it was a garden but views were brief. Oddly, whilst Calum was following his Garden Warbler, I looked into another bramble bush and out popped another Garden Warbler, 2 together on quite a late date! Elsewhere things went quite again with a Goldcrest and a few Chiffchaffs in the tamarisks around the youth hostel being the only birds of note. Back in the village we bumped into George and Ilya. We stopped for a while in the café for a slice of cake whilst all manner of thunder, hail and heavy rain raged on outside. Luckily a break in the clouds soon came and we were able to get out again. Ilya and George went off the have a look at Church Cove, whilst Calum and I tried the Old Lizard head and Caerthillian Cove. For us things were really quite with only a few Meadow Pipits and about 10 Skylarks moving overhead. To make matters worse another heavy shower came storming through and soaked us to the skin! We walked back to the car to get some shelter and we were ready to call it a day, but I couldn't resist another look at Church Cove, just in case Ilya and George had found something good. Not wanting to walk, I drove down instead. Pulling up in the car park I saw George watching something. Hoping it was a Yellow-browed, which would be a new for Calum, we made our way over. However, I had a feeling what ever they were looking at was little better than just a Yellow-browed. Whilst discussing the possibilities with Calum, Ilya met us and said he found a Red-breasted Flycatcher!! We ran over to meet George and soon got the fantastic RB Flycatcher in view. Having just got signal and I could see a text from George saying, "RB Fly in Church Cove". It was purely luck that we decided to go back to Church Cove, and I'm so glad we did. A new bird for both me and Calum. Back to the bird. the pale fringes to the tertials, a faint wingbar and a buffish breast point to it being a 1st winter. It showed really well in the plantation and would sit happily on a bare branch for up to 30 seconds at a time, offering great views. It called a few times too, a repeated ticking, similar to that of a Wren. As the day went on it became more mobile, seemingly doing circuits of the plantation and would go missing for quite a while. Spurred on by the flycatcher, we had another look around the village, but with little success, just a female Blackcap. A frustrating short view of what looked like a Yellow-browed in Church Cove marked the end of another fantastic day on the Lizard.

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Short-toed Lark

I had to put university work on hold this afternoon after hearing news of a Short-toed Lark at St Agnes Head. Luckily, finding the bird was really easy. I drove up to the headland, pulled up in the car park, looked down in front of the car... and there was the lark! It showed extremely well, offering amazing views down to a few metres. It was on its own apart from a very bold Rock Pipit walking in between us as we watched the lark. I stayed until the light began to fade and left the bird exactly where I found it.

Short-toed Lark

Lizard on the weekend and Pectoral Sandpiper today

I was on the Lizard both Saturday and Sunday. Despite missing a Pallas's Warbler and a Red-throated Pipit on Saturday, which were both found when I was there, I had an enjoyable time. I started at Kynance where the 2 1st winter male *Ring Ouzels* were still present in the valley. Next on to Church Cove and after a thorough such of the cover, 3 Firecrests together were a nice reward. Walking through the village towards Lizard Point, I heard the familiar "sooeet" call coming from a private garden. Unfortunantely I didn't see the bird, but it was no doubt another *Yellow-browed Warbler*. Elsewhere, Skylarks, Pipits and Chaffinches were moving overhead, another Ring Ouzel (1st winter female) was in Housel Bay and a Whinchat was in the field south of the village.
 Most notable on the Sunday was the number of birds migrating overhead. 4 Tree Pipits, 3 Siskins, 10+ Skylarks and 10 Redwings flew south west in half an hour with Chaffinches almost continously. I brief check of Church Cove revealed nothing much apart from a few Chiffchaffs. At Housel Bay, the Ring Ouzel was still present and a smart juvenile Merlin flew through.

1st winter female Ring Ouzel

This morning I popped down to College Lake to see if yesterdays Pectoral Sandpiper was still present. It wasn't long before the smart juvenile was visible feeding on the north of the island. Views were good but a little distant and it would move to the other side of the bank regularly and disappearing from view.  I went down again this evening, to see it was still there, it was and offered fantastic views until the light began to fade. 

Pectoral Sandpiper

Lizard- Kynance area and a Spotshank

On the evening of the 4th I went up to Devoran to look at the wader roost. A nice selection was on offer, including 27 Blackwit, 18 Barwit, a Knot and a smart *Spotted Redshank,* my first since 2014!

The Lizard
Having not visited the Lizard last weekend I was keen to make the most of a scheduled fieldtrip to Kynance Cove yesterday morning. I drove down meaning I had time to have a quick look around the area before everyone arrived. Scanning from the car park, there was little to see apart from a Golden Plover that flew over east into the wind. The first valley at Kynance Cove was nice and sheltered with lots of common birds present and an adult Dartford Warbler that showed well in the gorse by the footpath. Later on, whilst sampling heather on the valley side as part of the fieldtrip a look at the other side of the valley revealed a smart immature Black Redstart on the footpath with a couple of Mipits. I watched it for five minutes as it gradually made its way up the valley and eventually out of view. After the sampling, we had a break at the café in the cove. Ilya Maclean (our lecturer) said he heard a Yellow-browed Warbler in the trees by the café.  I walked over to take a look and was soon onto the little sprite; showing well in the late morning sun. Further up the second valley a Redstart gave good views.
I stayed down on the Lizard after the fieldtrip and had a look up to Soapy Cove. On the walk there I passed a Whinchat, flushed a Snipe and saw 5 Teal on a small pool. Soapy Cove itself was pretty quite, but on the coast path back 7 Wheatear were added. Down to the café at Kynance again, the Yellow-browed was still present and was joined by a Firecrest. Lizard Point etc. was very blown out due to the south easterly wind that picked up as the day went on, so despite trying, I could find anything of note.

Yellow-browed Warbler in Kynance Cove

Could resist another visit this morning and once again Kynance Cove seemed to be the place to be. I walked down to the café and saw that the Yellow-browed was still present in the tress but there was no sign of yesterday's Firecrest. Whilst in the valley I watched one bird fly in from the east and into the valley, shortly followed by a second. They soon came out of the cover and I was very pleased to see that they were 2 *Ring Ouzels*! Absolutely cracking birds. They stayed put for ten minutes or so but then became more mobile, doing circuits of the valley before dropping down again, I left with at least 1 still in the valley and saw a Wheatear on the walk back to the car. I attempted a look at Church Cove but it was clearly too blow out so I headed back to the village green. The bridleway from here to Kynance road looked a bit more sheltered so I had a look. A small bird called and flew into the hedge, it sounded like a Yellow-browed, it came out into the open and I quickly got on it to see it was one, my second of the day and my first self-found. It didn't stay in the hedge long and soon flew into the trees in someone's garden and was lost to view. The wind was starting to pick up so I thought I'd take a look in Caerthillian Cove before heading home. It was sheltered but quite apart from a immature Redstart that came out of the cover then flew west and out of the valley. Another fantastic morning in a truly amazing place!

Ring Ouzels

West Penwith

A day off from lectures on Thursday allowed me to head west to catch up with some birds around West Penwith. Firstly I went to Gwithian ( actually just out of the area known as West Penwith) hoping to connect with the juvenile Rose-coloured Starling. It didn't take long, once at Towan Chalets, to find a group of 30 Starlings and the Rosy, only the second I've seen.
Next to Sennen, where a Richard's Pipit was apparently present in fields south of the school. After walking the fields for about an hour I was beginning to lose hope. I only managed a few Skylark, lots of Meadow Pipits and a Snipe. Just before giving up I tried the far west of the field which had the longest grass. Whilst walking over there a pipit flew up from the long grass and gave a clear "shreep"...the RICHARD'S PIPIT! it flew high over my head and drop back on the other side of the field. Over the next half an hour I saw it twice more as it flew from field to field. Also a Whinchat and 2 Wheatears.
Lastly, I went further south to Porthgwarra. It was fairly quite at first with a couple of Goldcrests and a Blackcap near the car park. 2 Choughs flew over the cliffs and Stonechats were everywhere. Things got very exciting at one point when I flushed a large pipit looking bird from the footpath above the valley. Views were extremely brief. So much so that, at first, I wasn't sure what family the bird belonged too. As I turned the corner of the footpath it flew up from by my feet and down into the valley. Despite looking around the area for a good hour I never saw it again...one that slipped through the net perhaps? After getting a bit lost for a while I made my way back to Porth Loe and found a few birders watching the Red-backed Shrike. I joined them and had great views of the juvenile in the valley.

Rose-coloured Starling

Richard's Pipit (record shot)

Red-backed Shrike