Apologies to those booked on this Saturdays (21st) Cornwall Birding Pelagic but we have had to cancel due to a combination of high wind and 7.5m swell, which would make for a fairly unpleasant trip. The conditions are looking good for seawatching from Porthgwarra tho with the first real southerly winds this August.

Porthgwarra - Great Shearwater (4) past Gwennap Head by 1500hrs. Also Balearic Shearwater (39) , Sooty Shearwater (8) , Manx Shearwater (406), Great Skua (9), Storm Petrel (9), Med Gull (5), Arctic Tern (4) and Puffin (2) past Porthgwarra between 0640-1415hrs

Hayle – Whimbrel and Kingfisher from Ryans Field this morning. Black-tailed Godwit (1), Bar-tailed Godwit (2), Med Gull (2), Dunlin (6), Ringed Plover (8), Little Egret (4) and Greenshank (5) on main estuary.

Marazion – Birds trapped and ringed at Marazion Marsh RSPB this morning were; Reed Warbler (5),  Sedge Warbler (10), Cetti’s Warbler,  Blue Tit (2) and a Reed Bunting. (Thanks D.Flumm)

Stithians - Little Ringed Plover (juv), Wood Sandpiper (2), Greenshank (2) and Common Sandpiper at Golden Lion cutoff. Greenshank and Dunlin (5) at southern end. (Thanks S.Williams)

Lizard Point – Balearic Shearwater (2), Manx Shearwater (19) in 40mins this morning (Thanks D.Chaney)

Bass Point – Balearic Shearwater (2), Manx Shearwater (30+) and Great Skua (Thanks D.Chaney) 

Davidstow - Dunlin and Wheatear (5) at Davidstow Airfield (Thanks C.Selway)

Botallack - Basking Shark (6+) off Botallack at 1130hrs

Porthgwarra – possible *YELKOUAN SHEARWATER* past Gwennap Head today. Also Balearic Shearwater (8), Sooty Shearwater (6), Manx Shearwater (438), Arctic Tern (4) and Storm Petrel (4).

St Ives – Storm petrel (25+), Great Skua, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Balearic Shearwater (2+) and Manx Shearwater from Cornwall Birding Pelagic this morning.

Stithians Reservoir – Wood Sandpiper (1) and Ruff (1) at Golden Lion cuttoff this morning (Thanks D.Jenkins)

Marazion – Birds trapped and ringed at Marazion Marsh RSPB today were Sedge Warbler (33), Reed Warbler (10), Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Swallow (2) and a Blue Tit. (Thanks D.Flumm)

Drift - Little-ringed Plover (juv), Green Sandpiper (2), Common Sandpiper and Greenshank (2) at Drift reservoir late afternoon (Thanks S.Williams)

Falmouth - Med Gull (ad) at Swanpool, on beach

St.Ives – Balearic Shearwater, probable Sooty Shearwater and Manx Shearwater (c.75) past St.Ives island (Thanks L.Langley)

Stithians - Wood Sandpiper (2), Greenshank (3), Snipe (3), Teal (4) and Pochard (5) at Stithians reservoir (Thanks D.Eva per Stithians Birdwatching)

St.Just - Great Shearwater flew west past Cape Cornwall at 1700hrs. Also Basking Shark

Porthgwarra – Balearic Shearwater (19), Sooty Shearwater , Manx Shearwater (171) and Med Gull past Gwennap Head by 2000hrs

Stithians – Wood Sandpiper and Greenshank (2) at Stithians reservoir at Golden Lion cut off this morning. Wheatear, Green Sandpiper and Greenshank (2) from Stuart Hutchings Hide (M.Curtis, A.Hugo)

Porthgwarra - Balearic Shearwater (15), Storm Petrel (2) and Med Gull past Gwennap Head in 12.5rs (Seawatch SW). Balearic Shearwater (8), Great Skua and Basking Shark past Hella Point between 1100-1630hrs

Pendeen - Pomarine Skua, Balearic Shearwater (5), Great Skua, Manx Shearwater (122) and Basking Shark past Pendeen Watch between 1530-1800hrs

Wadebridge - Spotted Redshank, Green Sandpiper (3), Snipe (5) and Black-tailed Godwit (2) at Amble Marshes this evening (Thanks C.Selway)

Marazion Marsh RSPB - OSPREY flew west past RSPB office towards Penzance 12:50-12:55 hrs mobbed by gulls, Juv Marsh Harrier at 09:30hrs over reedbed and Little Egret (6). Also Bar-tailed Godwit,  Dunlin (5), Turnstone (7) and Ringed Plover (3) on Marazion Beach. Male Ruddy Darter again (first sighting since 2nd August) but unfortunately in a ringing ride, not publically accessible. (Thanks D.Flumm)

Falmouth - Tree Pipit flew over Swanpool. Also Great Skua and Arctic Tern

St.Ives - Arctic Skua (2), Sooty Shearwater, Great Skua (3), Manx Shearwater (55), Whimbrel and Greenshank (5) past St.Ives island (Thanks L.Langley)

Camel Estuary - possible **AUDOUIN’S GULL** (imm) at north end of Camel Estuary, north of Padstow at Tregirls  beach, flew north towards Stepper Point at 1515hrs. Also Quail accidentally flushed from dunes. (D.Julian per CBWPS)

Stithians – Wood Sandpiper (3) this morning at Golden Lion Cutoff. Also Green Sandpiper (2) and Greenshank (2). Greenshank (2), Common Sandpiper and Ringed Plover at Southern causeway.  (Thanks M.Curtis) Redshank also at Golden Lion cutoff at 1230hrs (Thanks S.Taylor)

St.Just – Marsh Harrier flew north over Cot Valley at 1030hrs

Penzance –  Juv Marsh Harrier drifted slowly west 13:15-13:35 hrs from Longrock to Gulval to Bone valley (seen from Tescos on seafront) (Thanks D.Flumm)

Sancreed – Spotted Flycatcher in private garden (Thanks D.Flumm)

Godolphin Hill – Wheatear, 10 Whitethroat. (Thanks D.Flumm)

Porthgwarra - Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher (3), Whitethroat (80) and Tree Pipit (2) on moor in sallows, north of Halfway wall

Pendeen – Balearic Shearwater (8), Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater (243), Storm Petrel, Black Tern, Arctic Tern (8), Great Skua (3) and Med Gull (juv) past Pendeen watch between 0655hrs-midday

Drift - Green Sandpiper (12) , Greenshank (2) and Black-tailed Godwit at Drift Reservoir

Wadebridge - Green Sandpiper (3), Black-tailed Godwit (3), Dunlin and Med Gull (ad) between Amble Marshes and the Dam (Thanks C.Selway)

Porthgwarra - Balearic Shearwater (16), Manx Shearwater (1392), Storm Petrel (3), Great Skua (5), Arctic Skua and Med Gull (3) past Gwennap Head in 12.5hrs (Seawatch SW)

Marazion - CATTLE EGRET reported at Marazion (per Sennen Cove Birding)

Stithians – Wood Sandpiper (2) at Golden Lion cut off this morning. Also Greenshank and Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Raven (8) and Marsh Tit. Green Sandpiper in Chapel Bay (Thanks M.Curtis and Stithians Birdwatching)

Pendeen - Balearic Shearwater (17), Sooty Shearwater (7), Manx Shearwater (2325), “Blue” Fulmar, Arctic Skua (4), Great Skua (3) and Med Gull (3.juv) flew past Pendeen watch between 0605-1255hrs

Porthgwarra - Balearic Shearwater (14), Manx Shearwater (c.3223) and Great Skua past Gwennap head by 1930hrs

Redruth – Raven (36) in flock at Trevisky nr Lanner early afternoon (Thanks K.Glazier)

Pendeen - Pomarine Skua, Balearic Shearwater (3) and Sooty Shearwater (c.6) flew past Pendeen Watch this morning

Drift - Little-ringed Plover (juv) in NW arm of Drift reservoir

Stithians - Greenshank and Ringed Plover at Stithians reservoir from Stuarts hide at 0700hrs (Stithians Birdwatching)

Porthgwarra - Balearic Shearwater (8), Manx Shearwater (1382) and Med Gull (2.juv) flew past Gwennap Head

St.Ives – Balearic Shearwater (18), Sooty Shearwater (6), Manx Shearwater (3500), Great Skua and Arctic Skua, Common Tern, Oystercatcher (14), Raven (3) and an Ocean Sunfish past St.Ives Island. Also Wheatear. (Thanks V.Stratton)

Padstow - Balearic Shearwater (3), Med Gull (5.juv) ,  Oystercatcher (200+), Gannet (300+), Manx Shearwater (100+)  past Rumps Point this morning. Also Ocean Sunfish (Thanks C.Selway)

St Ives – Probable Cory’s Shearwater past St Ives Island (tho distant) this evening. Also Balearic Shearwater (2), Manx Shearwater (204) and Sandwich Tern. Bottlenosed Dolphin (8). (Thanks G.Jones) Arctic Tern past at midday.

Pendeen - Balearic Shearwater (30) past Pendeen watch by 1400hrs. Also Sooty Shearwater (22), Great Skua and Manx Shearwater (4000+)

Sennen - Balearic Shearwater (2) past Sennen Cove this morning. Also Med Gull (11+)

Hayle - Med Gull (5+) on Hayle Estuary RSPB from Lelant station. Also Black-tailed Godwit. Common Sandpiper (2), Oystercatcher (18), Dunlin (4), Curlew (89), Black-headed Gull (102), Lesser Black-backed Gull (12) and Whimbrel (5) on Ryans Field. (Thanks V.Stratton)

Porthgwarra - Balearic Shearwater (22), Sooty Shearwater (7), Great Skua, Manx Shearwater (2428), Med Gull (5.juv) and Greenshank past Gwennap Head (Seawatch SW)

St.Just – Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater (1400) and Common Dolphin (30) past Cape Cornwall between 1300-1600hrs

St Just – Chough (5) at Bottallock this morning (Thanks M.Curtis)

Wadebridge - Little Stint still at Walmsley today. Also Wood Sandpiper again.

Drift – *GREAT-WHITE EGRET* still at Drift Reservoir at the Red Lodge. (showing very well from hide this afternoon. Also Common Sandpiper (3) and Green Sandpiper (2)(Thanks V.Stratton and D.Nicholson)

Bude - *GREAT-WHITE EGRET* at Maer Lake this evening. Also Green Sandpiper (Thanks C.Selway)

The Lizard – Cory’s Shearwater (1), Sooty Shearwater (7), Balearic Shearwater (16), Storm Petrel (5), Common Scoter (6), Puffin (2) and an Ocean Sunfish from Bass Point today (13.00 – 19.00hrs) (Thanks I.Maclean)

Wadebridge – Little Stint (juv) still at Walmsley Sanctuary this morning. Also Garganey and Wood Sandpiper.

Pendeen – Great Shearwater past Pendeen Watch at 08.42hrs. Also Balearic Shearwater (3), Sooty Shearwater and Manx Shearwater (300).

St Ives – Balearic Shearwater (2) past St Ives Island (14.00-16.30hrs) Also Manx Shearwater (150) and Great Skua (3) (Thanks G.Jones)

There is still time to get involved with the BTO’s new bird atlas. There are, surprisingly, quite a lot of tetrads that are not covered in the county so if you think you can help with a couple of trips per year to fill in the gaps, go to the Atlas website via the link below:

http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk/bto-bird-atlas-2007-2011/

Drift - *GREAT-WHITE EGRET* at north end of Drift reservoir, at far end of NW arm from hide late afternoon. view only from hide. Also Common Sandpiper (5) and Spotted Flycatcher (2) (Thanks V.Stratton)

Marazion - *GREAT-WHITE EGRET* at Marazion Marsh RSPB at 1230hrs

St.Ives – HONEY BUZZARD (ad male) flew over town centre mobbed by gulls at 13.50hrs before circling Rosewall Hill and heading south towards Marazion (Thanks V.Stratton). Balearic Shearwater (4), Manx Shearwater (500+), Great Skua, Med Gull (3) and Black-tailed Godwit (5) flew past St.Ives Island in 3.5hrs this morning (Thanks D. Nicholson)

Penzance – Arctic Skua over Penzance prom this evening (Thanks D.Nicholson)

Wadebridge - Little Stint (juv), Wood Sandpiper (juv) and Garganey (2) at Walmsley Sanctuary this morning. Little Owl briefly in private garden in Wadebridge (Thanks C.Selway)

Porthgwarra - Balearic Shearwater (46), Sooty Shearwater (12), Storm Petrel (4), Whimbrel (2) and Manx Shearwater (1491) flew past Gwennap Head in 11.5hrs (Seawatch SW)

Scillonian crossing – Balearic Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater (2), Storm Petrel (25), Great Skua and Manx Shearwater (100+) off Tater Du lighthouse from Scillonian III

Sennen - Med Gull (19) in Sennen Cove

Wadebridge - Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper (4), Med Gull (juv) at Walmsley Sanctuary this morning (Thnks C.Selway)

Porthgwarra - Balearic Shearwater (16), Sooty Shearwater (3), Manx Shearwater (708), Great Skua (2) and Med Gull (2.juv) flew past Gwennap Head

Stithians – Green Sandpiper (6) at Stithians Lake this morning (Thanks M.Curtis)

Lands End – Balearic Shearwater (2) flew southwest past Land`s End (per Sennen Cove Birdwatching)

The Lizard - probable YELKOUAN SHEARWATER flew past Lizard Point between 0900-1145hrs. Also Balearic Shearwater (15), Sooty Shearwater (5), Great Skua (3), Storm Petrel (3), Common Scoter (4) and Common Tern (Thanks D.Chaney)

Pendeen - Balearic Shearwater (10), Sooty Shearwater, Great Skua and Storm Petrel flew past Pendeen Watch by midday

Wadebridge - Wood Sandpiper (juv) at Walmsley Sanctuary this morning. Also Whimbrel (Thanks.C.Selway). Med Gull (2.2s), Dunlin (87) and Whimbrel (10) on Dinham flats this evening (Thanks D.Julian)

Porthgwarra – Balearic Shearwater (24), Sooty Shearwater (9), Storm Petrel (8), Great Skua (2) and Med Gull (3.juv) past Gwennap Head

Porthgwarra - probable YELKOUAN SHEARWATER (2) past Gwennap Head at 1628hrs and 1705hrs, showing well. SABINE’S GULL off cove at 1000hrs. Great Shearwater past at 1230hrs. Also Balearic Shearwater (230), Storm Petrel (140), Sooty Shearwater (73), Great Skua (29), Puffin (3), Arctic Tern (7), Whimbrel (4) and Med Gull (3) past Gwennap Head

Wadebridge - Garganey still at Walsmley Sanctuary

Scillonian Crossing - Sooty Shearwater and Great Skua between Mousehole and Tater Du lighthouse from Scillonian III

The African Bird Club is making available for purchase a number of the orginal plates from The Birds of Africa which Martin Woodcock has refused to sell until recently. You can view the paintings at

http://www.africanbirdclub.org/club/paintingsales.html

or via the ABC home page at

http://africanbirdclub.org/

This is a great opportunity to own a original painting from one of the most significant works to be published in recent years. All commission from sales will go into our Conservation Fund to support ornithological projects in Africa

I hope you will take advantage of this rare opportunity.

Regards

Keith Betton
Chairman
African Bird Club

St Ives – Peregrine (2 ads + 2 juvs), Kestrel (5) and Raven (2) at Buttermilk Hill. Also good passage of Willow Warblers and Whitethroats over the moor. (Thanks V.Stratton)  Also Sooty Shearwater and Storm Petrel (3) past St Ives Island this morning. (Thanks Cook et al)

Hayle - Med Gull (3) and Whimbrel (2) on Hayle Estuary this morning. (Thanks H.Cook et al))

The Lizard – Wood Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper at Windmill farm NR on northern Dragonfly pond approach with caution (Thanks H.Cook et al)

Porthgwarra - Sooty Shearwater (6), Balearic Shearwater (5), Storm Petrel (15), Puffin and Great Skua (2) flew past Gwennap Head between 0630-0930hrs (Thanks T.Jones)

St Ives - Storm Petrel (17), Sooty Shearwater (7), Balearic Shearwater (2), Med Gull and Whimbrel past St Ives Island (Thanks H.Cook et al). Also Green Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper at Trewey Pool and Peregrine (2 ads and 2 juvs) and Whimbrel (5) at Clodgy Point (Thanks V.Stratton)

Marazion – Dunlin (12), Sanderling (2), Turnstone, Ringed Plover (17), Med Gulls (ad, 2nd-summer & 3 juvs) on beach this morning (Thanks D.Flumm)

Padstow - Balearic Shearwater (2), Sooty Shearwater, Arctic Skua, Kittiwake (200+), Yellow-legged Gull (ad) flew past Rumps Point this afternoon (Thanks C.Selway)

Pendeen - Balearic Shearwater (30+), Sooty Shearwater (24+), Storm Petrel (30+), Arctic Skua (3), Great Skua (2), Puffin and Manx Shearwater (10,000+) flew past Pendeen Watch between 0615-1130hrs

For those of you who didn’t know, we have our own page on Facebook.

Cornwall Birding on Facebook

We also have a Pelagics page;

Cornwall Birding Pelagics Facebook Group

and now our campaign to help with the organising of the 2012 Scillonian III Pelagic. We hope The IoS Steamship Company take us up on the offer!! Please show your support by joining our group.

Vote for Cornwall Birding!!