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