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St Mawes is a lovely area with the best birds probably being seen in winter including the odd grebe and flocks of mergansers using the protected bay for resting on. Med gulls are becoming more common here with at least 2 present in autumn. Down on the rocks there are the common waders like curlew and oystercatcher but there could be a godwit amongst them at low tide and if around, the little egret will stick out on the black rocks. A recent local addition came in the form of a pair of Peregrines which can be seen along the coastal walk or even on top of the dockyard cranes over in Falmouth but St Mawes is the best place to look for them, just take the footpath, up north along the estuary.
There is good viewing from the stone pier where you would be better off with a scope for scanning the water but shags are often close in with a family of mute swans. Look right (West) from here into the Fal itself and seabirds are often pushed into this 3rd largest natural harbour in the world.
Past rarities are few but off Rosemullion head (the promontary protecting St Mawes) there have been Pomarine Skua (2006), Osprey and Hobby (2006), Little Auk (2005), All 3 diver species have been seen and Storm Petrels also from the headland. The bay attracts Med Gulls. |
