| 17th, October 2007 - Scillies (St Mary's), for the day (again!) With 2 Blackpoll Warbler still present and ferry prices over to the Isles of Scilly so cheap, I headed out on an early morning once again. Good news is that one of these stunners showed well at the Garrison even allowing a few photos to be taken. A wander around the Garrison headland produced a Tree Pipit amongst lots of Meadow Pipits, Stonechats, a Kezza and my first Clouded Yellow Butterfly of the year. On to the Lower Moors through Hugh Town where the Wilson's Snipe was proving tricky to see and nail the identity of. The number of tail feathers theory (cough cough) was impossible in the field. Then just after I said to myself, only five more minutes here, it lifted its wing and showed plenty of barring, much different to its neighbours at the waters edge. A Greenshank put on a good show right in front of the hide. Dipped the Grey-cheeked Thrush (again) but other people had had similar luck with this elusive yank. The 3hr boat trip back was going rather slowly until I found a juvenile Pomarine Skua. A dark phase bird which flew much more like a Bonxie than an Arctic Skua, with a deep chested appearance and pale flashes on the underwing. It was very exciting to find something to add to the large list of twitched birds that day. Common Dolphins put on a great show at the side of the boat and with several more skuas before docking in Penzance it had been a great day and great weather. Local Bird News - Stithians Reservoir - 1 Wood Sandpiper (Juv, from south end still) |
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| October 2007 Archive |
| 2nd, October 2007 It's been a few frustrating days since the last visit to the patch. There's always plenty of variety at College Reservoir to keep returning visits full of interest and today both the specialities showed well. 2+ Marsh Tits flitted along rather like goldcrests amongst the tit flocks and were often calling along the northern walk of the reservoir. The other special bird of the area is the Kingfisher; a single bird caught the light on its iridescant blue back as it flew over the calm, still water and water lillies. 4 Wigeon were present at the edge of the water, the first of the autumn and good to see, a couple of weeks earlier than their arrival last year too. Coots had risen to 11 now. 5 Cormorants fought it out for the best perch in their favoured roosting trees on the island. As one juvenile was pushed over 5 meters down into the water, its sparring partner called loudly, his raucous fulmar like call sounding so prehistoric, very entertaining to watch and hear! Local Bird News - Swanpool - 1 Med Gull (on the lake) |
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| 3rd, October 2007 I was tempted over the Falmouth boundary once again today with the first intended target being Marazion Marsh RSPB in Mounts Bay. Skulking upto the edge of the reeds and peering over, there was an awesome Spotted Crake. This was a bird i've been after for a long time and didn't see on several occasions last year at 'unbirdly' hours of the day. This was a tiny bird, smaller than a blackbird. It had wonderfully cryptic pluamge on closer inspection, lines of spots on the belly, throat and rather scalloped on the wings and back. Flicks of the tail showed a buff colour on the underside. Reeds in the mist-shrouded reserve dropped with dew which also showed up spiders webs very well, a very atmospheric morning on the reserve. Other birds here included 6 Water Rails (4 calling at the same time from different locations and 2 seen with the crake), 3+ Cetti's Warblers (their explosive song making any birder on the hunt jump out of their skin!), 5 Little Egrets, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Teals, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Bullfinches, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Stonechats, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 15 Meadow Pipits (overhead) and a few remaining Swallows flying in and out of the mist. Onto Lands End. The moorland here was cloaked in birds. Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Goldfinches, and returning Wheatears were all present in large numbers and held a single Tree Pipit. A fair few miles walking were wasted on an effort to find a Buff-breasted Sandpiper near Sennen, a bird which will no doubt elude me for another year. This didnt dampen the spirits though in Sennen Cove there was at least 1 Med Gull (2w) and heading back towards Lands End a Stoat, Fox and Grey Seal were all very confiding (as the photo of the stoat shows!). Another wonderful day in Cornwall came to an end with another sneaky peak at the Spotted Crake, where it was showing even better! Great birding. |
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| 4th, October 2007 Local Bird News - Stithians Reservoir - Wood Sandpiper (no more details available as yet) Penryn River - Little Gull (1w) |
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| 5th, October 2007 Heading out to Devoran (north of Penryn) for the first time, I was hoping to see plenty of waders which have so far eluded me in the Falmouth area. A lovely sunny morning and the area was full of Meadow Pipits, Grey+Pied Wagtails, 3 Skylarks, 4 Linnets, 12 Ravens (in one big flock!) and many more common birds. As the tide started rushing up the gutters and spilling over the mudflats, birds were pushed into smaller areas and groups of ducks and waders flew upstream to this high tide roost site. Best of the bunch was a single Knot, 3 Bar-tailed+6 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Greenshanks and 5 Dunlins. As the birds settled into large groups, a Peregrine appeared over the valley side and plunged down to the roosting birds. Teals, gulls and waders were everywhere as the dark bullet of a falcon flew through at high speed but didnt come off lucky that time. News of an interesting wader at Stithians prompted the next port of call. After quite a while in the southern hide a juvenile Wood Sandpiper appeared over a weed infested bank and fed happily amongst 6 Lapwings, 2 Shovelers and 6 Wigeons. A hopefull sign of birds on the move into the area was a group of 15 Tufted Ducks further out on the water. Another great birding day and all within touching distance of Falmouth. |
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| 7th, October 2007 Today entailed a proper grilling of the patch (Argal and College Reservoirs) to see what was about after several days on non patching by anyone. There could have been anything there! College was only slightly better than the last visit with 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Kingfisher, c20 Coots, 4 Wigeons, 13 Canada Geese, 1 Curlew, 2 Mute Swans, 4 Mallards and new in, a Tufted Duck and first of the autumn. Argal was on fire though, not literally but just crammed with birds which is very unusual. The circular walk around the res. produced 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Cormorants, c30 Black-headed Gulls, c200 Herring Gulls, 2 Buzzards, 3 Bullfinches, 3 Goldfinches, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests, 32 Starlings, 4 Jays, c50 Swallows, 20+ Meadow Pipits and a Mediterranean Gull (adult winter) amongst the huge numbers of gulls for this site. Perhaps there had been a bit of a fall but it's great to see so many birds present here for a change! Local Bird News - Stithians Reservoir - 1 Wood Sandpiper + 1Greenshank (from southern end still) |
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| 10th, October 2007 Local Bird News - College Reservoir - 1 Marsh Tit Gyllyngvase Beach - 7 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plover + 9 Rock Pipits Swanpool - 1 Med Gull + 1 Water Rail |
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| 13th, October 2007 As I write this excerpt on paper (published here in all its online glory), I wonder why on earth the whole of Penryn Town has no internet yet all the phones work. It's a funny one, a strange querk of living in Cornwall! Even the birds are querky 'down ere'. As i learnt the harsh reality of the net being down on a c1 mile walk, a Chiffchaff was proclaiming his territory for the ... winter ahead! Meadow Pipits feasted on insects, everywhere. The plague proportions of this species will not endear them to many people but with my eyes open for any American Buff-bellied Pips that might hopefully drop in I was most grateful. |
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| 12th, October 2007 - Scillies (St Mary's), for the day. What a day. The boat ride from Penzance aboard the Scillonian III was suprisingly good, with a Sooty Shearwater, 2 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Arctic Skuas, c25 of both Harbour Porpoises and showy Common Dolphins. Around Wolf Rock a shout went up of Minke Whale and I caught a glimpse as its spine fell beneath the waves, a cool beast. Setting foot on St Mary's for the first time and seeing this holy place in british birdwatching terms finally in reality was very exciting. It seems i'd picked a stonking day to go for a day trip with reports of Wilsons Snipe, 2 Blackpoll Warblers, Grey-cheeked Thrush, Red-throated Pipit and a Penduline Tit. That's where my bad luck began. All either had flown off 15 minutes earlier or flown over. Every mega I searched for with time ticking down vanished. Still, this amazing place produced the goods and I saw a Woodchat Shrike devour a Wren, an Osprey fly over at close range and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers. When the Robins and House Sparrow piped down there was a constant chorus of Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Siskins, Skylarks and Redwings calling whilst flying over on migration. Other birds about included 1 Black Swan, 5 Common Scoter, 2 Kestrel, 9 Greenshanks, 1 Snipe, 5 Turnstone, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Linnet. Any other day, any other place and that is amazing birding, that's how brilliant these islands are for the lost amongst our avian friends. I got lost but reached the boat with minutes to spare till departure from Hugh Town quay. My mixed emotions on my success but just a small chuck of my student loan less. Plans are in place to go back next week so watch this place! |
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| 15th, October 2007 Local Bird News - Stithians Reservoir - 1 Wood Sandpiper (Juvenile, from southern end still) |
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| 19th, October 2007 Long time no walk at College Res. Suddenly the majority of leaves have fallen and the paths are covered. Autumn has also brought in more birds to the water. New in, a Great-crested Grebe, gracefully swam through the lilles often disappearing beneath the water to feed. 4 Wigeon and 30+ Coots were now present with plenty of Herring Gulls. I sat down just to look through the gulls and a Kingfisher appeared from nowhere. It performed superbly, hovering only meters away before flying off low over the water with bursts of short glides on stiff wings. A Raven, 4 Linnets, 3 Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Pied Wagtails followed suit, flying past but none quite as extravagantly. At Argal Res. there was nearly nothing but then something caught my attention near the dam which turned out to be a mixed charm of Goldfinches and Siskins. Siskin is a new Cornwall bird for me so to see them 'good and proper' at close range, rather than flying over was nice. To finish a good walk off, a Marsh Tit called along the track at College Res. on the way back home. |
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| 20th, October 2007 Todays excursion to St Mawes was just a bird finding and relaxing walk. Arriving on terra firma over the other side of the Fal from Falmouth was a good feeling. Time to explore. Straight away in the bay a 2nd winter Med Gull was obvious, dip feeding over the water and allowing close scutiny of this plumage state. Their flight style distinctly resembles a Little Egret and more so in colour than the Med Gulls' close relation, the Black-headed Gull. 2 more adult Med Gulls showed up reinforcing this as a great spot for this smart species. Walking north along the footpath which follows the Fal and the Carrick Roads, it was obvious there was a good movement of birds. 4 Raven, 5 Skylarks, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Siskins (from the recent influx), 4 Linnets, 10+ Goldfinch, 2 Stonechat, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and plenty of flyover Meadow Pipits. A tit flock caught my attention and careful scrutiny revealed 6 Long-tailed Tits and some calling crests. During a second completely random search of the flock on a hunch a few minutes later revealed a cool FIRECREST. Bird of the trip for me. Local Bird News - Gyllyngvase Beach - 8 SPOONBILLS (flew SW at 10am) Penryn - 30+ Fieldfares (first flock of the autumn passed over early morning) |
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| 21st, October 2007 Local Bird News - College Res. - 1 Kingfisher, 2 Marsh Tit, 27 Wigeon, c40 Coot |
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| 23rd, October 2007 Headed out this morning to a spot called Allet (home of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust) in the heartland of Cornwall. Rolling ploughed fields formed a patchwork. In one of these fields rested an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, apparently. The Golden Plover flock numbering an impressive c400 were fairly easy to find as they were very flighty but never allowing very close approach. In flight they coalesced into a shimmering ball as their white underwings caught the early morning sun, stunning! The scope came in handy whenever they settled for a closer look for the potenial vagrant in their midst. Skylarks, Linnets and Meadow Pipits alighted atop the furrows and showed well with so many birds being in the area. A male Pheasant was a pleasant suprise in one of the fields as were 3 Ravens which performed overhead on the long walk back to Truro. A Grey Wagtail and Nuthatch was also seen. Dipping when putting in so much effort to get there can be frustrating but with such beautiful surroundings and great wildlife everywhere it's fairly easy to recover! |
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| 25th, October 2007 After the first real cold snap of the autumn I was interested to see if anything had turned up at the patch (College Res.). There was no sign of an increase in numbers of ducks but plenty of gulls were present including 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. I've noticed a lag effect before with ducks, turning up usually a few days after a cold snap and not straight away. Walking along the boardwalk towards Argal a screaching noise piped up, a Water Rail! New bird for the patch and one that I wasnt expecting to be next one the list here. A Marsh Tit, Coal Tit and Goldcrest showed amongst the tit flocks so a good walk overall. |
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| 29th, October 2007 Just a quick stroll to College and Argal Res's this morning, running the gautlet that is the A39 both ways, as my new route this year dictates. Mightily releaved to have dodged a lorry (just) I set up the scope and scanned. The Great Crested Grebe was still evident out on the water amongst Coots, Wigeon and mixed Gulls. Further along the shoreline a Water Rail called again to my excitement but penetrating into the exterior of the marsh didnt reveal views. However, 4 Teal showed here, an area to be checked more regularly! Other birds around included a Marsh Tit, Skylark, Coal Tit, and an impressive 38 Curlew feeding in the fields by Antron Farm up the valley side from College Res. Local Bird News - Stithians Reservoir - 1 Wood Sandpiper (juv still present at the south end) |
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| 30th, October 2007 A trip down the Lizard beckoned this afternoon, in a car, phwoar!! Travelling in style and the t-shirt wearing weather was brilliant, there's nothing better. At Mullion Cove the moorland held typical birds of coastal areas including 4 Ravens, 1 Kestrel, 4 Stonechat, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Goldfinch, and 4 Shag. Didn't get too long here as we'd set off well after lunch and with the clocks changing the sun was descending pretty sharpish. Walking back to the car content with what i'd seen, I noticed a small looking passerine on the roof of a house in Mullion Cove valley. I nearly didnt raise the bins to bother, it was just another Pipit, probably. But the rigmorals of birding forced me to take a peek and it turned out to be a female Black Redstart! What a buzz and soon realised i've not seen one this year, year tick! The valley held a Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Jackdaws, a Woodpigeon and House Sparrows but it just seemed to have the potenial of the West Cornwall Valleys. I shall return, one day! |
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| 31st, October 2007 Plans to circumnavigate Stithians Res. were put on hold this morning after the bus failed to materialise, i'm not happy! A walk along the river Penryn seemed a pleasant reactive option, then getting the ferry over to Falmouth from Flushing. Along the river there were a Water Rail (in the reeds in the first tidal creek), 2 Greenshanks, 7 Turnstones, 2 Med Gulls (ad.w), and a Stock Dove, a decent amount of uncommon birds for the area. Plenty of Meadow Pipits are now in the area with a few Redwings and a single Skylark and Grey Wagtail in the air. Being in Falmouth after the ferry crossing I couldn't give up the chance to visit Swanpool and it was very worthwhile. At Gyllyngvase beach there were 2 Stonechats in the weedy scrub up from the beach showing very well. Having already been treated to one Water Rail near Penryn another two were heard and seen at Swanpool along with a cracking Kingfisher, making the best of a day with rubbish public transport! |
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