Cornwall (Day 8)

After awaking to an incredible sunrise (actually a bit before the sun came up)…

…I had a last walk around Mousehole. Seemed to be a lot less Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs and no Firecrests.

 

After packing and loading the car, the three of us went to Porthgwara for a walk. Similar picture there, though lots of Chaffinches through and another Dartford Warbler.

    

After a final pastie at the Porthgwara shop, I persuaded them we’d drive around to St. Levan before the journey home as a Barred Warbler and Rose-coloured Starling had been seen there. An hour or so later, having seen neither, I gave up with a Black Redstart being the only bird of note.

Stopped off at Hayle and managed to see the 2W Ring-billed Gull as well as two Spoonbills before pressing on.

Mousehole
31 October 2015 08:10 - 08:58
Patchy cloud 16C 10SE
Cormorant, Shag, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Chiffchaff, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock (heard), Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet

Porthgwara
31 October 2015 11:05 - 13:30
Mostly sunny 17C 8SE
Pheasant, Shag, Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Dartford Warbler, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Redwing, Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Red Admiral, Common Darter

St. Levan
31 October 2015 13:45 - 14:50
Sunny 16C 8SE
Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Black Redstart, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Red Admiral

Hayle
31 October 2015 15:30 - 16:16
Sunny 16C 8SE
Greater Canada Goose, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Spoonbill, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Skylark, Starling, Meadow Pipit, Linnet

Cornwall (Day 7)

Spent the whole day birding Porthgwara. A misty start, brightening later, then misty again in the afternoon. Highlights were a Dartford Warbler (thought it may be something better first of all – apparently they now breed here), Short-eared Owl (awful shot in the mist below), Black Redstart, and the usual Firecrest.

 

    

Porthgwara
30 October 2015 07:53 - 17:18
Overcast for most of day with some sea fog 15C 17S
Pheasant, Gannet, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine, Golden Plover, Snipe, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Short-eared Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chough, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Dartford Warbler, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch (heard), Grey Seal

Cornwall (Day 6)

Despite finding another Yellow-browed Warbler and a good number of Firecrests, seemed a bit slow. Started at Mousehole as I needed to drop Michelle in Penzance to catch the bus to St. Ives. I then did St. Levan, followed by some lunch and Nanjizal (nothing seen, though I found out later that they – presumably the ringers – had a Pallas’s as well as two Yellow-browed). I went to Porthgwara last thing but stuff was already going to bed.

Took photo of a Peacock that I quite like: The green grass contrasting the red tones…

 

Mousehole
29 October 2015 07:46 - 09:29
Overcast 11C 5W
Cormorant, Shag, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Redwing (heard), Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail (heard), Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch (heard)

St. Levan
29 October 2015 10:37 - 12:56
Overcast 13C 5W
Herring Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Fallow Deer, Migrant Hawker

Nanjizal
29 October 2015 13:37 - 16:03
Hazy 14C 9SW
Greater Canada Goose, Pheasant, Buzzard, Herring Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch (heard), Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Migrant Hawker

Porthgwara
29 October 2015 16:14 - 16:55
Patchy cloud 12C 8SW
Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit, Great Tit (heard), Skylark (heard), Long-tailed Tit (heard), Chiffchaff, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Grey Seal

Cornwall (Day 5)

A very good day. Awoke very early, so I took a picture of Jupiter and Venus together over the sea…

I’d planned to go with Michelle and Sam to Marazion after breakfast so, being awake early went out locally around Mousehole. A good choice. Found a new path with some good habitat just beyond our house towards Love Lane. Gave it a quick go before continuing West towards Lamorna. Usual stuff, but found today’s first Firecrest (poor photo below). Then on the way back gave the newly discovered path another go and found not only another Firecrest, but a Yellow-browed Warbler too!

After a late breakfast we then headed to Marzion. After walking to St. Michael’s Mount and having a bite to eat I birded the RSPB reserve whilst Michelle and Sam walked around the town. Not much to report bird-wise, but I took a picture of what I thought would be the last Dragonfly I’d see for this year (Common Darter)…

However, a few minutes later I found another one, and then a Southern Hawker, a species I’d not seen for a number of years.

Next, after dropping Sam back at Mousehole, Michelle and I carried on to St. Just, where she looked around, whilst I did Cot Valley. Got the usual Firecrest, as well as Black Redstart and Rock Pipit on the rocks by the sea.

With it being a bit slow, I made the decision to try for the 3rd winter American Herring Gull that had been present in the afternoon at nearby Jerico Farm a few days ago. Another good choice. Despite a soaking and not seeing it until pointed out to me by a couple of very helpful birders, I eventually got on the text-book 3rd winter bird and even got to see it fly. Description is exactly as per the Collin’s guide. Indeed, the illustration – although obviously not(!) – looks like it could have been based on that bird. Then back to meet Michelle who was sheltering from the rain in the King’s Arms for a celebratory pint of Tribute.

Mousehole
28 October 2015 07:44 - 09:55
Patch cloud 11C 11W
Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (heard), Firecrest, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Skylark (heard), Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wren, Robin (heard), Chaffinch, Red Admiral

Marazion
28 October 2015 12:05 - 12:55
Patchy cloud 14C 12W
Mute Swan, Teal, Mallard, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven (heard), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark (heard), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin (heard), Dunnock (heard), Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Linnet, Red Admiral, Southern Hawker, Common Darter

Cot Valley
28 October 2015 13:50 - 15:43
Patchy cloud 14C 12W
Kestrel, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Chough, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Red Admiral

St. Just
28 October 2015 16:04 - 16:50
Overcast with heavy showers 11C 11W
Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, American Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Rook, Starling, Meadow Pipit

Cornwall (Day 4)

Birded two of my favourite valleys today: Nanquidno and Kenidjack. Fun, but a bit slow. The obligatory Firecrest was found in both valleys and a White Wagtail. Took some nice photos in Kenidjack…

  

Nanquidno
27 October 2015 08:51 - 12:57
Drizzle and heavy rain, clearing later 16C 12SE
Gannet, Grey Heron (heard), Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chough, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Skylark (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Linnet, Brown Hare, Red Admiral

Kenidjack
27 October 2015 13:15 - 17:19
Patchy cloud 16C 12SE
Gannet, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Chough, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff (heard), Blackcap, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail (alba), Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Rabbit

Cornwall (Day 3)

Birded from dawn till dusk (well, 9am till dusk; still taking it easy as it’s my birthday!) Hard work in poor weather. Gannets close in-shore after a windy night. A total of four Firecrests seen and a Ring Ouzel. The pond at Porthgwara was birdy (two Firecrests plus the Ouzel) and there were a ton of Goldcrests around and also, unlike yesterday, a lot of Chiffchaffs which is encouraging.

The pond at Porthgwara has a new (well, since I was last there a year ago),  and rather bizarre sign, to discourage thieves. I couldn’t actually see much to take apart from the sign itself, but assuming there was, I’m not sure the sign would deter them?

 

Earlier in the day, I had to shelter in the twin caves at the top of the beach to have my pasty and coffee (fortunately I caught the shop before it gave up trading for the day). Later, when I returned, the cave to the beach was partly under the tide, something I’ve not seen before; presumably a very high tide due to the full moon.

St. Levan
26 October 2015 09:04 - 11:26
Overcast with showers, sometimes heavy 14C 16SE
Gannet, Buzzard, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff (heard), Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Linnet

Porthgwara
26 October 2015 11:26 - 15:28
Rain, sometimes heavy 14C 16SE
Gannet, Shag, Kestrel, Merlin, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff (heard), Wren, Starling, Ring Ouzel, Blackbird, Redwing, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Linnet

St. Levan
26 October 2015 15:30 - 16:20
Drizzle 13C 14SE
Herring Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch

Porthcurno
26 October 2015 16:30 - 17:15
Patchy cloud 13C 10SE
Pheasant, Buzzard, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock (heard), Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Rabbit

Cornwall (Day 2)

A lazy start. I was tired so had a lay in and then breakfast with Michelle from our bedroom window in Mousehole…

A lovely day but no birds. . Not a single Chiffchaff all day. Best bird was a Firecrest I found at Porthgwara in the morning. Came back at lunchtime for a Sunday Lunch with Michelle and Sam and then did Nanjizal last thing.

Porthgwara
25 October 2015 10:06 - 12:52
Sunny 18C 13SW
Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Blackbird, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail (heard), Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood

Nanjizal
25 October 2015 14:55 - 17:11
Cloudy 12C 18SE
Pheasant, Buzzard, Kestrel, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Chough, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit (heard), Wren, Blackbird, Robin, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail (heard), Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Linnet

Cornwall (Day 1)

Left home around 7am with Michelle and Sam for a week in Cornwall. Slow drive due to traffic. Stopped off at Hayle to look for a Ring-billed Gull. Didn’t see, but think I was looking on wrong section of Hayle. Did find three Mediterranean Gulls (two adults and a 2nd winter).

Dropped Michelle and Sam off at our house for the week (great place, amazing views!) in Mousehole before continuing to Porthgwarra. Very quiet, though did have brief views of a Firecrest (only ‘Crest actually seen).

Hayle
24 October 2015 13:30 - 14:00
Patchy cloud after rain 12C 10W
Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Starling, House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch

Porthgwara
24 October 2015 15:15 - 17:45
Patchy cloud 13C 8W
Buzzard, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (heard), Firecrest, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit (heard), Chiffchaff, Wren (heard), Starling, Blackbird, Robin (heard), Stonechat, Dunnock (heard), House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch

Yellow-legged Gull

Feeling pretty ill (very heavy cold) but needed to get out so went for a slow walk around Foxton with Michelle. Two adult Yellow-legged Gulls were loafing on the field South-West of Foxton Woods with c.200 Lesser Black-backed . Also 24 Grey Partridges, three Buzzards, c.200 Lapwing and c.100 Golden Plover (the distant Fowlmere flock), and three Corn Buntings and a Yellowhammer.

Foxton

A couple of rides around the ‘circuit’ today. No rares, but 55 Grey Partridges, c.75 Skylarks, and c.150 Linnets were impressive totals. Also around 20 Golden Plovers, around 20 Meadow Pipits, the usual few Corn Buntings, and a single Red Kite. Also, an impressive sunset…

Starlings

Nice Starling flock tonight at Fowlmere at dusk. Numbers have obviously built up over the last few days I’ve been away. Not a lot else apart from about 150 Golden Plover still on the field leading to the reserve.

Shepreth L-Moor
12 October 2015 12:57 - 13:40
Patchy cloud 13C 7N
Pheasant, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit, Great Tit (heard), Wren, Blackbird, Dunnock (heard), Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Rabbit, Speckled Wood

Fowlmere
12 October 2015 17:30 - 18:43
Overcast with some very light drizzle later on 9C 7N
Greylag Goose, Greater Canada Goose, Teal, Shoveler, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Water Rail, Moorhen, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Tawny Owl (heard), Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit (heard), Great Tit (heard), Long-tailed Tit (heard), Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin (heard), Dunnock (heard), Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit (heard), Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting (heard), Rabbit, Brown Hare, Fallow Deer (heard)

Languard Goldcrests

Had planned a day on the North Norfolk or Suffolk coast. But weather didn’t look too promising for migrants so had gone to the pub the night before instead. The next day the weather had changed slightly and Norfolk was turning up goodies: Red-flanked Bluetail, Radde’s Warbler to name two. But by that time it was too late to go so I headed for the nearest bit of coast available: Languard, not the nicest of sceneries, but only about an hour away. Nothing too special in four or so hours there, but I’ve never seen so many Goldcrests before in one day. Obviously a big fall. They ringed over a hundred (I saw at least that many) as well as a single Firecrest (i didn’t). Also a large number of Robins and the first Brent Geese of the autumn,

Landguard
11 October 2015 12:09 - 16:15
Patchy cloud 12C 12NE
Brent Goose, Cormorant, Kestrel, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Rabbit, Large White, Small White, Peacock

Shepreth L-moor and Fowlmere

Shepreth L-moor for the second time this week at lunchtime. Hoping for a Yellow-browed again in the Sycamores. There must be one lurking somewhere.

Went to Fowlmere after work. Looking through the Golden Plovers for the third time this week (seemed slightly fewer tonight, though still over 100). Hoping for a Lesser amongst them! Scanned the flock twice, no joy. Then a huge female Peregrine flew over the field (poor record shot below). Interesting behaviour from the Goldies. All the other birds went up, the 100+ Lapwings and the similar number of Starlings. Both had obviously spotted the Peregrine before I had. The Goldies however didn’t go up, but instead, went down; crouching on the ground keeping very low so as to almost not be seen. Then they obviously realised the score, the threat was from above, and took off too.

After several minutes the Lapwings and Starlings came back down, some distance away from the Peregrine that had decided to sit in the field (without prey). The Goldies carried on somewhere (I didn’t see where as was watching the Peregrine). The birds on the ground seemed wary after that, always keeping an eye on the Peregrine. Over ten Hares were in the field too.

The reserve held little, though a Tawny Owl was heard at dusk after dark and there were lots of medium-sized bats (another poor record shot below).

Shepreth L-Moor
08 October 2015 12:41 - 13:33
Patch cloud 15C 6NW
Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wren (heard), Blackbird, Robin, Meadow Pipit (heard), Chaffinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer (heard), Rabbit, Brimstone, Small White

Fowlmere
08 October 2015 17:31 - 19:06
Patchy cloud 15C 6NW
Teal, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant (heard), Kestrel, Peregrine, Water Rail (heard), Moorhen, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Tawny Owl (heard), Green Woodpecker (heard), Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff (heard), Wren (heard), Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock (heard), Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer (heard), Rabbit, Brown Hare, Fallow Deer, Muntjac