Cornwall Birding

Lingering rarities included the Ring-necked Duck at Stithians and the flock of Cattle Egrets at Drift. The Ring-billed Gull was seen intermitantly at Stithians and the Hume’s Leaf Warbler was at Tehidy on the 1st. Elsewhere on the 1st, Iceland Gulls were at Sennen, Newlyn and Walmsley Sanctuary and a Glaucous Gull was at Crowdy [...]

Todays Birding highlights in Cornwall include:
Drift - *CATTLE EGRET* (12) still in fields at Treganhoe Farm.
Penzance - *CATTLE EGRET* (13) still in fields south of track to Boscreege Farm near New Mill.
Helston - WOODCHAT SHRIKE still between south end of Loe Pool and Tye Rocks.

Woodchat Shrike at Loe Bar (Photo:B.McGeough)
Newlyn - Iceland Gull still in [...]

A short but entertaining holiday report on a fortnight in Greece by young Devon birder Jyothi Ray…… 

Todays Birding highlights on the Isles of Scilly include:
Bryher - **PALLID SWIFT** still at 16.25hrs over Porth Killier and showing well.
St Mary’s - *LESSER YELLOWLEGS* on Porth Hellick Pool from Sussex hide and showing well then at Lower Moors this evening.

Three Black-winged Stilts were at Marazion in 1983 and a Boneparte’s Gull was in the harbour at Penzance in 2001. A Little Bunting was trapped and ringed at Sennen in 2003 and a 1st summer Laughing Gull was at the Heliport in Penzance in 2006.

Below are photographs kindly submitted by R.Bullock of a Jackdaw at Copperhouse Library Car Park on 12th April showing characteristics of the ‘Nordic’ race Corvus m.monedula. Any thoughts?

possible ‘Nordic’ Jackdaw, Copperhouse (Photos:R.Bullock)

Todays Birding highlights in Cornwall include:
Penzance - *CATTLE EGRET* (10+) in fields south of track to Boscreege Farm near New Mill.
Lands End - WOODCHAT SHRIKE (fem) still in fields east of cycle track tho elusive.
Wadebridge - Wood Sandpiper and Knot at Dinham Flats today.
Marazion - Arctic Skua past bay and Whimbrel (100+) on beach.

Todays Birding highlights on the Isles of Scilly include:
St Mary’s - **PALLID SWIFT** over Penninis Head for 10 minutes at 14.30hrs but no sign since.
Bryher - **PALLID SWIFT** again over Gugh Bar at 17.25hrs.

An Alpine Swift was over The Lizard in 1990 and a Night Heron was nearby at Croft Pascoe in 2001. Nanquidno had a Corncrake in 2004. In 2006 there was a Red-throated Pipit on the coast path between Nanjizal and Porthgwarra, and a Kumlien’s Gull and Common Crane were reported from the latter site.

Todays Birding highlights in Cornwall include:
Drift - *CATTLE EGRET* (10+) in fields at Treganhoe Farm today.
Penzance - *CATTLE EGRET*(14+) in fields at Boscreege Farm nr New Mill today.
Hayle Estuary - RING-BILLED GULL (1s) at Copperhouse Creek this afternoon. Wood Sandpiper and Ruff on Ryan’s Field.
Sennen - WOODCHAT SHRIKE again on wires near Trinity Cottage, also [...]

Todays Birding highlights on the Isles of Scilly include:
St Agnes - **PALLID SWIFT** between Turk’s Head and Gugh Bar 1700 - 2005hrs.
St Mary’s - Iceland Gull again on Golf Course. Hoopoe reported at The Garrison this morning. Golden Plover (12) on Airfield in afternoon.
Bryher - WOODCHAT SHRIKE (fem) by Campsite and Golden Oriole.

Porthgwarra held a Great-spotted Cuckoo in 1978 and a Little Shearwater flew past Gwennap Head in 2005.

Todays Birding highlights in Cornwall include:
Penzance - *CATTLE EGRET* (10+) still near Newmill at Boscreege Farm
Lands End - WOODCHAT SHRIKE still on hedges and wires between Trinity Cottages and Sennen Post Office, viewed from A30. Also Short-eared Owl over Treeve Common and Wheatear (35), Sedge Warbler (10+) and Swift (2)

Short-eared Owl (M.Halliday) and Woodchat Shrike (J.Rowe) [...]

Todays Birding highlights on the Isles of Scilly include:
St Mary’s - *WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER* at end of runway 27. Take footpath towards Giants Castle to view gorse on right after 40yrds. (No further sign by midday) *CATTLE EGRET* flew past Porthloo towards Golf Course at 09.30hrs. Iceland Gull on Newford Island this morning.
Bryher - WOODCHAT SHRIKE (fem) by campsite [...]

Over the past six seasons the pair of wild choughs on The Lizard has successfully raised 24 young, many of which have survived to adulthood and recolonised other stretches of Cornwall’s coast. Come to the chough watchpoint at the National Trust’s, Southerly Point. Information wardens will update you on all the latest chough news and [...]

Join the RSPB guides on a return trip (Fridays only until October 17th) on the Scillonian lll, to look for gannets, guillemots and other seabirds, as it crosses to the island of St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly. Departs Penzance 9.15 am (6.30 am Fri 2 May). Trip time 2 hours 40 min. Return sailing departs [...]

Guided Walks and Events in Cornwall for the month of May include:

Subalpine Warblers were on The Lizard in 1987 and 2003 and a Night Heron was at Penzance in 1987.

Todays Birding highlights in Cornwall include:
Lands End - *BEE-EATER*(3) flew south over complex at 11.15hrs also WOODCHAT SHRIKE (fem) in bushes along cycle track near dump and Cuckoo.
Drift - *CATTLE EGRET* (7) in fields at Treganhoe Farm this morning
Penzance - *CATTLE EGRET* (14) this morning still east of Newmill in field south of track to [...]

Todays Birding highlights on the Isles of Scilly include:
St Marys - *CATTLE EGRET*in cattle field at Trewince then flew south this evening. Jackdaw at Longstones Heritage Center, also Swift (2) over. Marsh Harrier over Borough Farm at midday and Cuckoo. Iceland Gull (2) on Golf Course this afternoon. Short-eared Owl over field behind High Lanes [...]