Cornwall Birding

Davidstow Airfield - probable Isabelline Wheatear with Wheatear at 2015hrs by pool near control tower.
Hayle Estuary - Garganey (1), Med Gull (ad and 1st Sum), Knot (3), Black-tailed Godwit (1), Ringed Plover (30+)

Wader selection at Hayle Estuary (photos:M.Halliday)
Nanquidno - Pied Flycatcher (1), Wheatear (2), Chough (5+)
Kenidjack - Spotted Flycatcher (2), Willow Warbler (2), Peregrine (2), [...]

A Wilson’s Phalarope at Crowdy Reservoir in 1981 remained until 5th September, two Wilson’s Petrels flew past St Ives in 1986 and thirteen years ago today a Pacific Golden Plover was on the Hayle Estuary in 1994.

Hayle Estuary - Buff-breasted Sandpiper again on main estuary in longer grass from Old Quay House. And Sum Plum. Knot
Marazion - Spotted Crake 2nd bird caught and ringed on the Marsh this Autumn (thanks K.Wilson)

Spotted Crake, Marazion Marsh this evening (Photos:P.Freestone)
Goonhilly - Pied Flycatcher (1) (thanks K.Wilson)
Stithians Reservoir - Snipe (3), Common Sandpiper (1) (thanks [...]

A Least Sandpiper at Landulph in 1991 was the fourth record for the County. A NUTCRACKER at Porthgwarra was part of the famous 1968 influx. A Fea’s Petrel flew past Porthgwarra in 2008.

Hayle Estuary -   BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER  at Carnsew Pool at 1950hrs but not seen since. (thanks S.Williams and K.Dutton) Garganey with 11 teal from Old Quay House Car Park.
 
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Carnsew Pool this evening (Photos:Sam Williams)
Hayle Estuary - Knot (3), Black-tailed Godwit (2), Bar-tailed Godwit (1), Sanderling (6+), Dunlin (30+), Ringed Plover (30+), Little Egret (20) (Thanks M.Halliday [...]

A Black Stork was at St Buryan in 1993.

Very little to report today:
Camel Estuary - Peregrine, Golden Plover (15), Little Egret (15) (thanks R.Scott)
Sennen Cove -  Med Gull (1st wint)
Hayle  - Med Gull (ad and 1st Wint) (no sign of possible Semipalmated Sandpiper)
 

An Albatross sp. at Marazion in 1964 could not be positively identified. Two Wilson’s Phalaropes have occured on this date, one at Stithians Reservoir in 1980 and one at Ponsandane in 1962. The latter remained util 25th August.

Very little action on the seawatching front today:
Porthgwarra - Balearic Shearwater (5), Tree Pipit (4), Storm Petrel (1), Yellow-legged Gull (1), Whimbrel (2) 
Rame Head to Looe - From trawler today - Manx Sh’water (3), Storm Petrel (8), Common Swift (1), Wheatear (1), Curlew (1), Lesser-black backed Gull (15), Great black backed Gull (6) (thanks C.Buckland)

Another seabird [...]

Walmsley Sanctuary - Marsh Harrier (fem), Ruff (juv)
Lands End - Montagu’s Harrier (ringtail), Tree Pipit (6), ‘Flava’ Wagtail (1)
Davidstow Airfield - Knot (2 juv)
Hayle Estuary - possible SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (adult) at Carnsew Pool this evening flew to estuary mouth when flushed by peregrine. Good numbers of Ringed Plover and Dunlin arrived late afternoon, Greenshank (2), [...]

A GREAT-SPOTTED CUCKOO was at Stithians Reservoir in 1970, was the second record for the County.

Landulph Marsh - Knot (6)
Hayle Estuary - Med Gull (3)

Tintagel - Balearic Sh’water (3), Sooty Sh’water (4), Manx Sh’water (175) past Barras Nose
Rame Head - Balearic Sh’water (3),Storm Petrel (50+) from Trawler at midday (thanks C.Buckland)
St Ives Island - Sooty Sh’water (1), Storm Petrel (2)
Porthgwarra - Balearic Shearwater (11), Sooty Shearwater (2), Manx Shearwater (154), Great Skua (2), Common Scoter (1)

Portugal in November, what’s it like for birding? Having just got back from 2 weeks there I found it excellent, with good numbers and variety of birds in many areas along the Algarve.
I managed 133 species without trying to rattle up a large list, going more for photography and spending most of my time on [...]

A Lesser Yellowlegs at Drift in 1989 remained until the 5th September and a Gull-billed Tern was at Marazion in 1980.

Sennen Cove - Med Gull (4) this morning

This evenings Pelagic fro St Mary’s has been cancelled due to inclement weather.

Porthgwarra - Highlights from the SEAWATCH SW team at Gwennap Head today include: Sooty Sh’water (5), Balearic Sh’water (6), Manx Sh’water (270), Storm Petrel (100), Common Scoter (2), Great Skua (1), Med Gull (juv), Kittiwake (40), Sandwich Tern (9), Common Tern (13), Whimbrel (7)
Pendeen - Balearic Sh’water (1), Sooty Sh’water (4), Great Skua (3) past between 11.00 - [...]

St Mary’s - Med Gull (ad and 2nd wint) at Porthloo Beach this morning.

There is a Pelagic trip from St Mary’s quay at 1700hrs today on board ‘The Sapphire’ (weather dependant)