Two Lifers! (sort of)

After tidying up a few things at home I set out to Dungeness to see the long-staying odd female Stonechat variant that had had recently been DNAd as stejnegeri.

I hadn’t got far when I saw the escaped Greater Rhea along Fowlmere Road! Not something you see every day, so I stopped and got a photo as it ran – top-speed – across the fields below Foxton Woods.

Carrying on to Dungeness, I eventually found where I was supposed to go and spent the next couple of hours chasing the Stejneger’s Stonechat. It was associating with a male Common Stonechat, and although they often perched on bushes as Stonechats do, they were always distant and vary wary and mobile making it a bit of a challenge and photographing them even more difficult. A Peregrine was also noted.

Dungeness
31 December 2016 13:44 - 16:50
Cloudy 6C 8SW
Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Kestrel, Peregrine, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, Stonechat, Siberian Stonechat (stejnegeri)

 

 

 

Edit (01/01/2017): A much better picture from Adrian Webb who I was standing next to when he took it.

Edit (05/01/2017): The Rhea eventually got caught.

Edit (18/01/2017): The DNA analysis on the Stonechat was redone as there was doubt as to why it should be Stejnegeri. It turned out to be an aberrant Common Stonechat!

Horsey

At my parent’s house with the boys (Michelle ill). Mum decided she’d like to go to Horsey to see the Seals. So off we went. Nice sunny afternoon and saw a few birds, including two Short-eared Owls and at least ten Red-throated Divers offshore. Lots of Seals obviously, mostly Grey, but also one Common.

Horsey
28 December 2016 12:05 - 15:30
Sunny after heavy frost 1C 4S
Pink-footed Goose, Red-throated Diver, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Sanderling, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Wren, Starling, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Grey Seal, Harbour Seal

Fowlmere

Last gasp year-tick when a Bittern flew in front of the hide at dusk. Excellent views. A Kingfisher also brightened up an otherwise misty late afternoon.

Fowlmere
27 December 2016 14:40 - 16:34
Misty -3 3SW
Teal, Mallard, Pheasant, Bittern, Little Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard (heard), Water Rail (heard), Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Owl, Kingfisher, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer (heard), Reed Bunting, Muntjac

Peregrine in Cambridge

A new bird for the Botanic Gardens during an afternoon stroll around. Peregrine seen flying over towards the city. Presumably the “Cathedral” bird.

Cambridge Botanic Gardens
23 December 2016 14:30 - 15:10
Overcast 9C 14SW
Peregrine, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Great Tit, Wren, Blackbird, Robin, Goldfinch (heard)

Barcelona Dip

Last afternoon in Barcelona and we thought we’d all catch the train to Vallvidrera. Myself and Tom were going to look for Red-billed Liothrix whilst Michelle and Sam could relax in the park. We left in light rain, but by the time we got there half an hour later, this had changed to heavy rain. The park wasn’t what we’d expected either. Nothing wrong with it but we thought it was going to be more of a provincial town park rather than a woodland walkers/cycling park. And the rain was getting worse. There were also no cafes or bars for Michelle and Sam to sit in, and so after half an hour they’d had enough and returned to the city. Myself and Tom carried on but it was futile. The rain was occasionally torrential, and birding pretty impossible. After an hour, seeing only some Serins and a Crested Tit we called it a day and headed back.

Vallvidrera
19 December 2016 14:30 - 15:15
Torrential rain 13C 11NW
Mallard, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Jay, Firecrest, Blue Tit (heard), Crested Tit, Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler (heard), Blackbird, Robin, Grey Wagtail (heard)

Llobregat Delta

On holiday with the family in Barcelona to watch the Barcelona derby. Took the morning out to try and find Moustached Warbler in the Llobregat Delta next to the airport. Getting to the airport was easy enough (same train as we’d come on a couple of nights ago). Getting from the airport to the adjacent wetlands was problematic. In the end I had to get a taxi for €20 and worry about how to get back again later (a combination of two buses).

Finding the Warbler wasn’t easy and in the end I had to settle for brief flight views as one flew into the bottom of some reeds before disappearing. Not ideal, and I’ll have to see another someday, but just about tickable.

A great site though. Crag Martins, a single Red-rumped Swallow, Firecrest, Great White Egret, Water Pipits, and two Black-necked Grebes were some of the highlights. A Common Darter was also seen. Probably the only one I’m likely to see in mid-December.

Llobregat
18 December 2016 09:45 - 13:00
Patchy cloud 14C 14NW
Greylag Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Water Rail (heard), Moorhen (heard), Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Firecrest, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler, Robin, Grey Wagtail (heard), Pied Wagtail (heard), Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Reed Bunting, Cormorant (sinensis), Stonechat (rubicola), Moustached Warbler, Spotless Starling

Foxton

No birding as such, but a Red Kite low over the garden, a Fox in the fields, and a Winter Moth on the cabin window.

Foxton

Quieter than last Sunday afternoon with no sign of the Merlin. Highlights were a Grey Wagtail at the sewage works and two Treecreepers (one heard only) along different parts of the Hoffer Brook.

Foxton Sewage Works
11 December 2016 12:37 - 13:17
Mostly sunny 9C 10SW
Mallard, Buzzard, Moorhen (heard), Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Great Tit (heard), Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting

Foxton
11 December 2016 14:07 - 16:27
Patchy cloud 13C 9SW
Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant (heard), Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Wren, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrush (heard), Robin, Dunnock (heard), Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting, Grey Squirrel, Fallow Deer

Dusky Thrush

Although I had seen the Kent bird in 2013, it had been accepted by the BBRC, and was on my list, I was never really happy with it as I thought it probably had Naumann’s influence in it. With that in mind, and having a free day, I travelled with Michelle to the lovely village of Beeley in the southern section of the Peak District in Derbyshire. Michelle found a very tasteful coffee shop, and I saw the Dusky Thrush. A good morning.

After a coffee and making a donation to Dukes Barn who had kindly let us into their grounds and pretty much organised the whole event, we briefly headed to Bakewell before going on a walk around the grounds of Chatsworth House. Finally we headed back to Bakewell where Michelle looked around the shops whilst I found a pub to watch the football scores come in. A good day!

Beeley
10 December 2016 10:15 - 12:00
Mostly sunny 12C 12W
Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Dusky Thrush, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Robin, Grey Wagtail (heard), Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch

Chatsworth House
10 December 2016 13:30 - 15:45
Overcast with light drizzle 11C 12W
Mallard, Pheasant, Buzzard, Kestrel, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit (heard), Great Tit (heard), Wren (heard), Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Robin, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Grey Squirrel, Sika Deer

Fog

No birds!

Lots of House Sparrows roosting in the garden Bay Tree though, making a racket late afternoon. Difficult to tell how many. Maybe 50?

Botanic Gardens (semi) Rares

The Botanic Gardens pond is being drained and dredged for the first time in it’s history. It’s now a couple of weeks underway and the lack of water is attracting birds to the mud. Unusual visitors included a Grey Wagtail, Little Egret (first time I’ve seen one actually in – as opposed to flying over – the gardens) and two Grey Herons (first time I’ve seen more than one bird). Didn’t have a ‘proper’ camera, but took a record shot of the Egret…

Cambridge Botanic Gardens
05 December 2016 14:31 - 13:59
Hazy cloud 3C 2E
Little Egret, Grey Heron, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Coal Tit (heard), Blackbird (heard), Robin, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch (heard), Grey Squirrel

Foxton Rares

Found two in one afternoon! Went out on a sunny afternoon heading for the fields on the east side of the village. The hill leading up to Rowley’s Hill held several hundred small birds: Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Yellow Hammers, Corn Buntings, Reed Buntings, and Linnets. It looked so promising that when I got to the bottom corner I decided to walk back to Foxton to check the Hoffer Brook and give it another circuit. Good decision as on the second time around, an adult male Merlin flew from the top of the hill and perched in the Hawthorn hedge leading down the hill. Hopefully it will be around for a bit with the ample food source available.

At dusk, I noticed many small birds flying into the corner at the end of Hall Farm track. Mostly Buntings and Finches, but also a Tree Sparrow.

Both the Merlin and the Tree Sparrow were only my second for Foxton.

Foxton

A walk around the sewage farm area produced a Chiffchaff just north of the pond. First overwintering record in Foxton?

Foxton
24 November 2016 15:24 - 16:13
Overcast 7C 11NE
Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Buzzard (heard), Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Wren, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Chaffinch

Fowlmere

Fowlmere first thing. Cold and misty. Lots of Thrushes and a (or some?) flyover (presumed Lesser) Redpoll, my first of the year here, though unfortunately not seen in the gloom.

Fowlmere
23 November 2016 07:59 - 09:02
Misty 4C 8NE
Teal, Mallard, Pheasant, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Kestrel, Water Rail, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker (heard), Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark (heard), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Wren, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Dunnock (heard), Greenfinch (heard), Linnet, Lesser Redpoll (heard), Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Fallow Deer, Muntjac

Forster’s Tern

My second UK Forster’s Tern, the first being 17 years ago, also in Essex just down the road from this one at Mistley Quay on the Stour Estuary. Nice place, nice bird, though took a bit of waiting around in the cold for.

Mistley
20 November 2016 13:21 - 15:56
Misty with drizzle 5C 1SE
Mute Swan, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Pintail, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, Forster's Tern, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Kingfisher, Goldcrest (heard), Starling, Grey Wagtail (heard), Pied Wagtail

Little Egrets

Four Little Egrets in flight, seen from the train near Addenbrooke’s on my way in Cambridge this morning.

Foxton Birding

Messed about in front of the computer for a bit making a Foxton Birding Site Map!

Hartlepool Headland

Went to Hartlepool Headland with Mathew Mellor to see the Eastern Black Redstart and do some sea-watching. Reasonably successful in both. Got the Redstart and got several reasonable but brief views early on before it became elusive.

Sea-watching produced…

Little Auk x 4
Glaucous Gull 1st winter
Sooty Shearwater x 1
Arctic Skua x 1
Bonxie c.20
Velert Scoter x 1
Red-throated Diver x c.10

Also many Kittiwakes going through (1 Sabine’s reported with them) and several Gannets, Auks etc.

A number of Purple Sandpipers were on the beach and showed very nicely. The waves were also spectacular!

Hartlepool Headland
06 November 2016 09:15 - 14:10
Heavy rain showers 8C 20NE
Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Scaup, Eider, Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Goldeneye, Red-throated Diver, Sooty Shearwater, Cormorant, Shag, Sparrowhawk, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Turnstone, Purple Sandpiper, Redshank, Arctic Skua, Great Skua, Razorbill, Little Auk, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Glaucous Gull, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Blackbird, Redwing, Robin, Black Redstart (rufiventris), Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit

Fowlmere

First visit to Fowlmere for some time. A late Chiffchaff was the highlight. Also one of the Barn Owl young was outside the nest-box.

Stopped by along Fowlmere Road to scan a field being ploughed with a large number of Gulls on…

Black-headed Gull x c.200
Lesser Black-backed Gull x c.30 (mostly adults)
Herring Gull x c.10 adults
Yellow-legged Gull x 1 adult.

Fowlmere
04 November 2016 13:41 - 14:45
Rain 8C 4NE
Greylag Goose, Teal, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Buzzard (heard), Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Barn Owl, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit (heard), Skylark (heard), Cetti's Warbler (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare (heard), Redwing, Robin (heard), Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting (heard), Rabbit

Fowlmere Road
04 November 2016 14:50 - 15:00
Rain
Pheasant, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Carrion Crow

Autumnal Colours

Lovely colours in the Botanic Gardens during a lunchtime walk in Cambridge. Not many birds though

Cambridge Botanic Gardens
03 November 2016 13:40 - 14:05
Clear 8C 8SW
Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Blue Tit (heard), Wren, Blackbird (heard), Robin, Grey Squirrel

Isabelline Wheatear

First ever inland record of an Isabelline Wheatear apparently and not too far away – between Ely and the Ouse Washes – so gave it a go. Present since Thursday, but not identified until Friday, and not twitchable until yesterday (but I had things on). Watched it for about an hour at fairly close range.

Then called in at Foxton Sewage Works. A single Grey Wagtail present. Think I’m going to check out this site more this winter.

Wardy Hill
30 October 2016 12:05 - 14:35
Patchy cloud 17C 4SE
Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Skylark, Isabelline Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Reed Bunting

Foxton Sewage Works
30 October 2016 14:20 - 14:45
Overcast 16C 4SE
Cormorant, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove, Carrion Crow, Starling, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch

Cornwall (Day 7)

Last day. After packing and a lazy breakfast we went to nearby Pendeen for half an hour or so for a quick look around. Nothing doing really.

Then attempted the Hudsonian Whimbrel again. There were half a dozen other birders present and after about 30-40 minutes of looking it was picked up. We all watched it for about 20 minutes and people were happy with it, but I said we really need to see it fly. Although I’d not seen any white on the rump, I wasn’t 100% convinced, expecting a slightly paler bird below than the rather more warmish brown on this bird. The head pattern was possibly less distinct than expected as well. Everyone was happy for me to go onto the beach and encourage it to fly so off I went. When it flew, the white rump gave it away as a Eurasian Whimbrel! Has there actually been a Hudsonian Whimbrel here recently? Surely most Whimbrels should be well on their way to Africa by now? Were people just assuming that the Whimbrel present was the Hudsonian? Either way, with time pressing on, I decided to press on.

Stopped at the Hayle for a few minutes as there was a crowd of people looking at something. I was hoping it would be the Franklin’s Gull that had been found yesterday but had not so far been seen today. It wasn’t, they were watching a Spoonbill. I had a quick look at it and did a quick scan before moving on as I wanted to get the long-staying Pelican which was recently spending it’s time on the Camel Estuary.

After dropping Michelle and Sam off at nearby Padstow, I went to look for the Pelican. I wasn’t entirely sure of the directions and the bird could wander widely. I found a good vantage point opposite Cave Cove where it was seen yesterday afternoon and was soon joined by another birrder who had been present at the Whimbrel sighting. He said he’d just seen it drift up this way, and we soon got on it over by the far bank (north side) of the esturary. We watched it for about 30 seconds before it took flight, initially heading towards us, giving excellent views, before turning left and heading up stream and out of view. That was close(!) but after several months of it being in Cornwall, Dalmation Pelican was now on the list, even if it is only pencilled in.

Then back to Padstow for an excellent dinner at the Old Custom House before the long drive home.

Pendeen
28 October 2016 11:15 - 12:15
Overcast 12C 9SW
Gannet, Cormorant, Kestrel, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Chough, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Wren, Blackbird, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Chaffinch, Linnet

Perranuthnoe
28 October 2016 12:30 - 13:30
Patchy cloud 13C 9SW
Gannet, Cormorant, Little Egret, Kestrel, Grey Plover, Whimbrel, Curlew, Turnstone, Common Sandpiper, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Chaffinch

Hayle Estuary
28 October 2016 13:45 - 14:00
Patchy cloud 13C 9SW
Canada Goose, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Spoonbill, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Linnet

Camel Estuary
28 October 2016 14:45 - 15:30
Patchy cloud 13C 9SW
Mute Swan, Mallard, Little Egret, Dalmatian Pelican, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, Herring Gull, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, Pied Wagtail

Cornwall (Day 6)

A family day with a bit of birding. Went to Cot whilst waiting for them to get ready. Very quiet.

Then went to St. Michael’s Mount and Marazion. Then attempted the Hudsonian Whimbrel nearby at Perranuthnoe. No joy, think the tide was wrong. Reported there later on. A Yellow-browed Warbler was heard.

Then went to Porthgwara and walked to St. Levan and back with a cream tea at the Minack Theatre half way. Yellow-browed Warbler still present by the church.

Cot Valley
27 October 2016 08:50 - 10:25
Overcast 12C 12SW
Buzzard (heard), Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chiffchaff (heard), Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch

Perranuthnoe
27 October 2016 13:00 - 13:45
Cloudy 13C 6SW
Little Egret, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Curlew, Turnstone, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Skylark, Swallow, Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff (heard), Blackcap (heard), Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin (heard), Dunnock (heard), Rock Pipit, Chaffinch

Porthgwarra
27 October 2016 15:00 - 16:30
Cloudy 12C 6SW
Kestrel, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Blackcap (heard), Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Stonechat, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Rabbit, Grey Seal

St. Levan
27 October 2016 16:30 - 17:30
Cloudy 12C 6SW
Gannet, Shag, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff (heard), Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch

Cornwall (Day 5)

Slogged all day. Dawn until dusk. Porthgwara, and walked to St. Levan and back. Three Yellow-browed Warblers (shocking photo) and another Pasty.

Porthgwarra
26 October 2016 08:15 - 15:30
Sunny intervals with occasional showers 15C 7SW
Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Golden Plover, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Chough, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Long-tailed Tit, Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap (heard), Dartford Warbler, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Rabbit, Red Admiral

St. Levan
26 October 2016 15:30 - 17:30
Mostly sunny 14C 9SW
Buzzard, Kestrel, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Swallow, Long-tailed Tit, Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap (heard), Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Rabbit, Red Admiral

 

Cornwall (Day 4)

Got up at a reasonable time and walked to Kenidjack. Birded the fields on the way and got to the valley just as the sun poked through: The beginning of  a gloriously sunny morning.

Lots of birds but nothing special apart from the same stuff I found the other day: Siberian Chiffchaff, possible (probable?) Siberian Lesser Whitethroat, and Yellow-browed Warbler.

Walked back to St. Just and got a pasty for lunch and had a change of clothes into shorts. Then all of a sudden, the fog came in. Birded Cot for a couple of hours and then Nanquidno until half an hour before dusk. Think the fog killed the birding, particularly late at Nanquidno when there was no activity whatsoever. Another odd-sounding Chiffchaff (abietnus?) was the only interesting observation.

Kenidjack Valley
25 October 2016 08:05 - 12:20
Misty start but brightening with a high of 16C 8SSW
Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Chough, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Siberian Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch (heard), Rabbit, Large White, Red Admiral

Cot Valley
25 October 2016 13:01 - 14:51
Misty 14C 5SSW
Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chiffchaff, Wren, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Red Admiral

Nanquidno
25 October 2016 15:45 - 17:48
Mist/fog. 10C 4S
Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap (heard), Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail (heard), Chaffinch, Rabbit

Cornwall (Day 3)

Slow start. Day looked grey and wet. Bed looked warm and cosy. When I eventually got up and drove to Porthgwara things didn’t immediately speed up. Picked up a Redstart by the carpark, but little else. Bumped into Cornish birder John Ryan who I went to Kazakhstan many years ago and we had  quick chat before the rain came in and we went our separate ways.

After a pasty in the cafe I walked over to St. Levan where I found a Yellow-browed Warbler by the church. The only other bird of interest was a very odd sounding Chiffchaff. The “hweet” call was reversed with a down-slur rather than an up-slur. But it looked like a very typical collybita and I assume that’s what it was.

Back at Porthgwara things got more interesting. A chap from Berkshire, Dave Rymes (nice chap, down with his family) had just found a Pallas’s Warbler by the Doctor’s House. However, despite looking for the best part of half an hour, neither of us, nor two other young birders (who needed it) could find it. We did manage to see a rather dull looking Yellow-browed Warbler though.

Having seen Pallas’s Warbler recently, I strolled off to “60 foot cover”. A Tawny Owl (!) was calling from there and I managed to find another Yellow-browed. A different bird as it was much brighter (quite like the bird I’d seen at St. Levan earlier). I was again joined by Dave and told him about the Yellow-browed when the Pallas’s Warbler popped out! It performed well until dusk, though unfortunately the other two birders weren’t present to see it.

Given the lack of reports from elsewhere in Cornwall, Pallas’s Warbler was probably, ignoring Scilly, the bird of the day in the county.

Porthgwarra
24 October 2016 09:30 - 13:45
Changeable; bright sunshine and torrential rain 11C 5S
Gannet (heard), Grey Heron, Kestrel, Peregrine, Golden Plover, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chough (heard), Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Robin, Redstart, Stonechat, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Red Admiral

St. Levan
24 October 2016 13:45 - 16:00
Mostly sunny but occasional light rain 12C 5S
Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Red Admiral

Porthgwarra
24 October 2016 16:00 - 19:38
Patchy cloud 10C 5S
Kestrel, Snipe, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Tawny Owl (heard), Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Pallas's Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Red Admiral

Cornwall (Day 2)

Decided to go for another car-less day and started by walking from St. Just to Nanquidno, birding en-route. Unfortunately the easterly wind was picking up all the time, and by the time I got to the valley it was quite hard work. I managed to find a Yellow-browed Warbler and, like yesterday, a couple of late House Martins went through, but that was about it.

Walked back via the coastal route and up Cot Valley but the wind was very strong so decided to head back to the house where I met the others and we went for Sunday lunch the next village to the north,  Botallack. We walked there across the fields from St. Just but on the way back went via a longer circular route along the coast via Kenidjack, Cape Cornwall, and Cot.

I obviously kept half an eye open for birds, but with 40+mph winds I didn’t see a lot. We arrived home shortly after 4pm just before heavy rain. Birding over for the day. The forecast is for rain all night, clearing first thing and the wind dropping considerably.

St. Just
23 October 2016 08:30 - 09:30
Patchy cloud 12C 25E
Buzzard, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Red Admiral

Nanquidno
23 October 2016 09:30 - 11:18
Patchy cloud 12C 35E
Gannet, Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, House Martin, Yellow-browed Warbler, Blackcap (heard), Wren (heard), Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing (heard), Robin, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit (heard), Chaffinch, Red Admiral, Rabbit 

Cornwall (Day 1)

Down in Cornwall for another autumn with Michelle and Sam. Last minute thing, this time staying in St. Just. Shocking drive down the previous afternoon and evening, so after awaking late, decided to leave the car where it was and walk for the day. Not too bad a one…

Started by walking to the Cot Valley. Pretty quiet, a single Firecrest and a heard-only Yellow-browed Warbler the only birds of note. Then walked back to meet Michelle for late brunch.

After that, I headed back to the Cot Valley (two more Firecrests) before walking around past Cape Cornwall to Kenidjack.

Whilst thinking to myself that I’d seen very few Chiffchaffs today, I looked in the last set of trees by the end house in the valley (normally the best spot), and it was full of Warblers, mostly Chiffchaffs. But best of all, as well as a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Willow Warbler, an interesting looking Lesser Whitethroat, and several Goldcrests, it held a Siberian Chiffchaff.

A completely monotone individual, probably the best I’ve seen in Britain, reminiscent of the first I ever encountered in Nepal, many years ago: Just grey and white, like a black and white photo. No hint of yellow or green at all, even on the wings and tail. Played call to it and, the first time at least, it came in looking very interested (though to be fair, a Collybitta also came in when I tried again sometime later). Got some poor quality photographs…

Took some better ones of a nearby male Kestrel sometime afterwards…

The Lesser Whitethroat was a very pale individual. Combined with the time of year, the location, and the company it was with, there has to be a reasonable chance that it is a Siberian (blythi) Lesser Whitethroat.

Cot Valley
22 October 2016 09:15 - 11:50
Overcast 12C 12E
Gannet, Buzzard (heard), Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, House Martin, Yellow-browed Warbler (heard), Chiffchaff (heard), Blackcap, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Rock Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Red Admiral

Cot Valley
22 October 2016 13:15 - 14:15
Overcast 12C 11E
Gannet, Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail (heard), Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Red Admiral

Cape Cornwall
22 October 2016 14:15 - 15:15
Overcast 11C 11E
Gannet, Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Raven, Wren, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Rabbit

Kenidjack Valley
22 October 2016 15:15 - 18:00
Overcast 11C 11E
Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Raven, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chiffchaff, Siberian Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail (heard), Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Rabbit

Edit (23/10/2016): The Siberian Chiffchaff is still reported as being present, along with a probable Siberian Lesser Whitethroat.

Fowlmere

A quick walk around at dusk. Not a lot apart from a Little Egret.

Fowlmere
17 October 2016 17:35 - 18:20
Patchy cloud 14C 8SW
Greylag Goose, Teal, Mallard, Pheasant, Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Water Rail (heard), Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Tawny Owl (heard), Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest (heard), Blue Tit (heard), Great Tit, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Wren (heard), Blackbird, Redwing, Robin (heard), Dunnock (heard), Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting (heard), Brown Hare, Grey Squirrel, Common Rat, Fallow Deer

Languard

Was pouring down with rain in the morning and I was very tired from the day before so didn’t get out until the afternoon. Decided to give Languard a go as obviously didn’t have time to get to anywhere else on the coast. Should probably have just done some local birding instead. Very disappointing. Hardly any migrants at all. The complete opposite of Spurn the day before. Wind had changed from an Easterly to a Southerly and obviously Languard, although it can turn stuff up, just isn’t Spurn.

Landguard
16 October 2016 14:04 - 16:51
Patchy cloud with occasional light drizzle 15C 17S
Brent Goose, Kestrel, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Robin, Dunnock (heard), House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Linnet (heard), Rabbit

Spurn

Decided to stay overnight near Spurn so I could spend the full day there today. Arrived at dawn and it was packed with birds. Hundreds of Thrushes (mainly Redwings, but quite a few Fieldfare as well as Blackbirds and Song Thrushes). All coming in off the sea along with Robins, Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs. Birds were everywhere!

Parked and started at the Canal Scrape carpark where a Dusky Warbler had been seen the day before. No joy, but found a couple of Twite. Then began a long slow walk to the point (about 3.5 miles away), birding on the way. Highlights of the walk down were two fly-over Lapland Buntings together, at least ten Bramblings and a similar number of Mealy Redpolls, three Short-eared Owls, two Woodcocks and Redstart and Black Redstarts.

I stopped for lunch at the lighthouse before moving on to the point. When I did arrive at the point I was told that an amazing three Dusky Warblers were present (an even more impressive total of seven – including the three at the point – were on the Spurn peninsula). I managed to see two of them in the couple of hours I spent at the point and got a (very) poor photo of one…

… and a rather better photo of a showy Robin whilst waiting for it to reappear…

The point was full of birds but, in comparison to the Triangle, hardly any birders. With so much cover and so many birds, but with so few birders, who knows what may have been found if people had been prepared to make the 7 mile return trip?

After a couple of hours I made a (slightly faster) walk back as I had to get across before high tide. Once back in the Triangle, I tried for a Radde’s without success and then joined in a flushing of a Locustella that was eventually forced into the net. Unfortunately it turned out to be a Grasshopper Warbler (people were obviously hoping for more), so I didn’t go to the release at Church Field as I’d had enough of walking.

Left about 6pm for the drive home, rather tired having been on my feet all day.

Spurn
15 October 2016 07:10 - 17:50
Drizzle in morning, brightening later with sunny afternoon 11C 14E
Mute Swan, White-fronted Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Redshank, Woodcock, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Swallow, Dusky Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Grasshopper Warbler, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Black Redstart, Redstart, Stonechat, Wheatear, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Brambling, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Twite, Lapland Bunting, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Brown Hare, Western Roe Deer, Mealy Redpoll