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.