Birding highlights in Cornwall September 2022

 September weather started with strong southerly wind associated with monsoon-like conditions. Mid month was dominated by an easterly airflow.  The month ended with strong north-westerlies and heavy rain.

Waders took a leading role on the 1st with at least six Pectoral Sandpipers in the county including four at Siblyback Res. A brief Temminck's Stint at Drift was belatedly identified from photo's but could not be refound. Curlew Sandpipers were found at the normal wader hotspots indicating a good breeding season. All but one were first year birds.

Cornwall's 11th Blyth's Reed Warbler appeared in the famous Nanjizal nets on the 2nd. This site is the only location for all eleven records to date and now competes head on with Fair Isle and North Ronaldsay for this species.  Quite an astonishing feat in itself. A Melodious Warbler was also keeping company with the Blyth's.  (All previous Blyth's Reed records HERE ).

A Greenish Warbler was found next day at Nanjizal though it avoided the nets. Nevertheless, it was the first record for the patch and just the 10th for Cornwall. (Previous Cornwall records HERE).  Staying with rare passerines, a first year Citrine Wagtail was found at Walmsley sanctuary on the 3rd. This is Cornwall's 21st record.

First winter Blyth's Reed Warbler, Nanjizal, picture K Wilson.

First winter Citrine Wagtail, Walmsley, picture courtesy Adrian Langdon.

An incredible seawatch from the Lizard Point on the 3rd will remain in the memory bank for years to come. An astonishing 652 Great Shearwaters, 65 Balearic, 36 Sooty, 12 Cory's, an adult Sabine's Gull and two Wilson's Petrels were logged.  The cream on the cake though arrived two days later. A Band-rumped Petrel (previously Madeiran Petrel) was seen close inside the Manxie line, just beyond the reef at Lizard Point. If accepted by the authorities, this will be just the 4th for Cornwall. A Long-tailed Skua was also logged on the 5th.  A second Madeiran Petrel was seen off Killigerran Head at midday on the 5th. The timings cancel out any thought of duplication.

The southerly wind continued to push uncommon seabirds towards the south coast on the 4th. Porthgwarra did reasonably well with 132 Great Shearwater, six Cory's, three Grey Phalarope and eight Arctic Terns.  A Black Tern appeared at Drift Res., an unusual site for this species.

Cornwall's second Blyth's Reed Warbler of the year was found at a private site at the Lizard (7th). This is potentially the 12th county record and first away from Nanjizal.

The wind turned westerly on the 7th. As expected, two Leach's Petrels were seen off East Pentire. A Long-tailed Skua and 120 Great Shearwaters were logged off Porthgwarra. Low numbers of Cory's continued to be seen from the normal westerly headlands. 

The wind continued in a WNW direction on 8th and 9th September, delighting Pendeen seawatchers. The 8th started slowly in the morning. So slow that several birders left the site by midday. The wind changed subtly back to West in the afternoon resulting in a stunning passage of 20 Sabine's Gulls, five Leach's Petrels, a Roseate Tern, three Pomarine and three Long-tailed Skuas, 150 Storm Petrel, 37 Arctic Skua, 10 Cory's and 29 Great Shearwaters. Not to be outdone, Trevose, Fistral and St Agnes all recorded a Sabine's Gull and Leach's Petrels.

The following day (9th) continued with light WNW winds resulting in similar species variety but lower numbers. Nevertheless, a respectable ten Sabine's Gulls, ad Pomarine Skua, juv Long-tailed Skua, three Grey Phalaropes, three close Leach's Petrels, 38 Arctic Skua, 47 Arctic Tern, Black Tern and a couple handfuls of large shears completed a superb seawatching phase.

The first Yellow-browed Warbler of the Autumn made its way to Nanjizal on the 11th along with a Wryneck and a whopping 254 Blackcap and 57 Sedge Warbler. The latter species has seen a record 3000 individuals ringed this Autumn.  The Citrine Wagtail continued to be seen daily at Walmsley and a new Pectoral Sandpiper was found at Calstock wetlands.

The second Ortolan of the year was found near Three Chimneys on the 12th, a juv Bluethroat at Nanjizal and a juv Red-backed Shrike at Pendeen. All stayed for one day only. A Dotterel flew high over Park Head. This north coast site has had some dedicated watching recently. Patch work clearly pays as each visit turns up migrants. A first year Common Rosefinch was found at Chapel Porth on the 13th. Despite the name, this species is far from common. Just one or two Cornwall records annually is the norm.

The third Blyth's Reed Warbler of the year was claimed on the 14th at Windmill Farm. A Red-necked Phalarope was found feeding on the mud at low tide on Carnsew Pool. Sadly a misidentification delayed locals enough time to connect with this Cornwall mega. Unfortunately, it was flushed by a Peregrine and never seen again. To put this species in perspective, I've seen just two birds in 50 years. The second Greenish Warbler of the year was found at St. Levan. No fewer than five Ospreys were dotted around the county with two at Tresemple Pool giving a masterclass in fishing on the 17th.

A juv Night Heron appeared at Nanjizal, Cornwall's most reliable site for this species (18th). A Melodious Warbler was found in the willows just north of Kynance Cove. This patch is fast becoming the Lizard hippolais capital, following an adult Icterine there earlier. The second Yellow-browed Warbler was found at the Lizard and was in line with a notable fall on the English East coast. An early Lapland Bunting was also found on the Lizard.  Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day on the 19th was a Jack Snipe feeding at the edge of the mud at Drift Res.  The species is normally secretive so one feeding in the open was quite a sight.

Treraven Meadows hosted a Pectoral Sandpiper on the 23rd. Curiously, all of the Pectoral Sandpipers to date have occurred in East Cornwall. Two Glossy Ibis were at nearby Chapel Amble.  A Melodious Warbler was found at Soapy Cove, Lizard and a Sabine's Gull was seen off Pendeen. A male Surf Scoter with 109 Common Scoter was found here next day.

Some brief excitement came from Bray's Cott area on the 24th when a Pallid Harrier was reported. Analysis of photos showed some anomolies though. The general opinion was a 2nd cal year male Montagu's / Pallid Harrier hybrid.

Two Yellow-browed Warblers were found at Porthgwarra and Nanjizal on the 25th and two more the following day at Pendeen and Porthallow.  A stunning Ring Ouzel showing characteristics of the alpestris race was found at Kenidjack. A Red-breasted Flycatcher was found at the Penryn Uni campus, most likely arriving on the same weather system as the ouzel and yellow-broweds.

Ring Ouzel, Kenidjack, Sep 2022, picture courtesy Nigel Rogers.

The wind turned north westerly to north on the 26th resulting in a good seawatch at Pendeen. 47 Cory's Shearwater, juv Sabine's Gull, Long-tailed Skua and a sprinkling of Grey Phalaropes were logged.

A significant movement of 458 Balearic Shearwaters on the 30th was logged at Porthgwarra along with a Sabine's Gull. A further 66 Balearics were seen off Pendeen with two Pomarines Skuas. A solid claim for the third Band-rumped Petrel of the month came from St Ives Island on the 30th.

Finally, the second Red-necked Phalarope of the year was found at Lizard point, spending two days there, delighting Cornish listers needing this rare phalarope.

Bird of the month: Band-rumped Petrels at the Lizard, Killigerran and St Ives.

Runners-up: several candidates including three Blyth's Reed Warblers, Citrine Wagtail, two Red-necked Phalaropes and two Greenish Warblers.

Blyth's Reed Warbler in Cornwall

 Blyth's Reed Warbler is a species of Least Concern according to Birdlife International. The species breeds in temperate Asia and Eastern Europe and winters in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka where it is one of the most common wintering warblers. Its range is expanding westwards and this accounts for the increase in records in the UK and in Cornwall.

There are twelve records to September 2022 with the first being as recent as 2015.  Nanjizal holds the trump card as all of the first eleven records have been recorded here. 

Cornwall records:

2022: Lizard Village, seen in private garden, 7th Sep.

2022: Nanjizal, first year, trapped, 2nd Sep.

2021: Nanjizal, first year, trapped, 25th Oct.

2020: Nanjizal, trapped, 21st July.

2019: Nanjizal, first year, trapped, 27th Aug.

2019: Nanjizal, first year, trapped, 30th Sep.

2019: Nanjizal, first year, trapped, 2nd Oct.

2019: Nanjizal, first year, trapped, 27th Oct.

2017: Nanjizal, adult male, trapped, 8th Jul.

2017: Nanjizal, first year, trapped, 26th Aug.

2017: Nanjizal, first year, trapped, 17th Oct.

2015: Nanjizal, first year, trapped, 2nd Sep.

Blyth's Reed Warbler (L) compared to Reed Warbler. Pics by S Rogers and K Wilson.

Birding highlights in Cornwall October 2021

 The month started with strong westerly winds.  Seawatching from north coast headlands was the order of the day.  Mid month was extremely un-autumnlike with calm and warm conditions. The month ended with strong westerly wind and heavy rain.

A high count of 420+ Balearic Shearwaters were seen from Pendeen on the 1st. The first returning Caspian Gull of the season was found at Red River, Marazion (1st).  A Long-tailed Skua was seen at Downderry on the 2nd.

A Red-breasted Flycatcher was found in the 60ft cover at Porthgwarra and another at Nanjizal.  A Rustic Bunting was also found at Nanjizal on the 4th.

The 5th saw a 33mph NW gale sweep through Cornwall.  Pendeen was the place to be.  A Barolo Shearwater was seen well just past the rocks at midday by three lucky observers from the lower slope.  A decent movement of skuas included one Pomarine, 34 Arctic and 30 Great Skua, whilst at Pentire a Long-tailed Skua was seen. Three juv. Sabine's Gulls and five Leach's Petrels were also seen at Pendeen. Two more Leach's were seen at St Ives and another from St Agnes head.  A Grey Phalarope was found on Cot Valley pond.  The juv Spoonbill continued to be reported from Marazion Marsh.  Events slowed down by next day, but a juv Pomarine Skua and 106 Common Scoter were seen from Pendeen.

At least two Glossy Ibis's were roaming the county with one still in West Penwith and another at Walmsley/Chapel Amble area.  Four Cattle Egrets at Carne Creek (7th) were the start of the now annual influx followed the next day by 19 at Trewornan, Wadebridge.  Numbers will surely build at this now regular site.

The first Richard's Pipit of the Autumn was found at St.Agnes Head (8th) and likewise the first Red-breasted Flycatcher of the season at Land's End (9th). A second RB 'Fly was found at St Levan (14th). At least one juv. Rosy Starling was commuting between Trevescan and Ardensawah Farm.

Sunday 10th October was a notable day. A Black-browed Albatross was reported sitting on the sea off Pendeen for ten minutes before drifting off west. Presumably this is the same bird which summered at Bempton.  Of all the hours spent here by keen local seawatchers, it was found by four visitors in a north-easterly light breeze!

The 10th was also notable for a pipit movement.  Richard's were seen or heard at Land's End, Porthgwarra, Sennen and St Levan.  A possible Olive-backed Pipit was heard over Nanjizal and another or same over Maen Cliff, Sennen.  A sound recording of the Nanjizal bird is being verified.

Two Nearctic waders appeared in the county on the 11th.  A juv Lesser Yellowlegs was found at Walmsley and a juv. Semipalmated Sandpiper at Carnsew Pool.  The latter bird was found in the exact same location as one in 2020.  Carnsew is fast becoming THE place to find rare waders in West Penwith.  The yellowlegs relocated to Clapper Marshes on the 16th.  One can only imagine the excitement at Walmsley hide on the 11th as no less than 17 Cattle Egret, a Great White Egret and a Glossy Ibis were also seen with the yellowlegs!

Another Semipalmated Sandpiper was present on the Camel on the 13th and presumably the same bird then reappearing at Walmsley on the 17th.  A Pectoral Sandpiper was found at Stithians Res.  Nanjizal hosted three star birds including Red-throated Pipit, Olive-backed Pipit and a Common Rosefinch.  Red-throat is a really difficult bird to catch up with in Cornwall, with the majority being found on call. 

Yet another Olive-backed Pipit was sound recorded on the 14th at Park Head.  2021 is by far the best year on record for this species. Indeed, my first was only back in May at Kenidjack.

Two Ring-necked Ducks were found at Dozmary on the 17th.  Porthgwarra has generally been quiet but a Woodlark and two Lapland Buntings appeared in the area (17th).

The wind turned westerly on the 20th.  Seawatching at Pendeen produced a late Great Shearwater, 37 Sooty Shearwaters and a Sabine's Gull.  The following day an estimated 60,000 auks, mainly Guillemot, passed Pendeen.  A Little Auk was found on the 23rd at Land's End.  Little Auk is quite a rarity in Cornwall; this one must have been associated with the Guillemot movement the previous day.  Late October and November is the peak period for auks as they migrate to winter further south.

The first major rarity of October was found at Calartha, Pendeen on the 22nd. A mobile and somewhat elusive first winter Brown Shrike was eventually pinned down and identified in the bracken and bramble area opposite Calartha wood.  This species is fast becoming a regular, annual visitor in the UK with at least 39 records to 2020. The Pendeen bird is the 6th record for Cornwall following the first at Kynance in 2009.  Brown Shrike has now occurred in three of the last four years in Cornwall.  A Radde's Warbler was also found on the Lizard.

Nanjizal finally came up trumps with a Blyth's Reed Warbler on the 25th.  This important ringing station is the only place that all ten county records have been found.  All have been ringed but as yet, no controls.  The following day an equally rare Marsh Warbler was found in the nets. Yellow-browed Warbler has been scarce this year so one at Porthgwarra and one at Porthcurno were notable (25th).

Cornwall's third Buff-bellied Pipit was found on the Lizard on 30th. Whilst this is a great Nearctic passerine find, local birders were really hoping for a long overdue dendroica!  Of interest, Nearctic passerines are extremely rare on the Lizard with one local birder saying the pipit was just his second.  Two Glossy Ibis remained at Walmsley to the month end and a mobile American Golden Plover was in the Porthgwarra and Chapel Carn Brae area (30th).

Bird of the Month: Brown Shrike at Pendeen.

Runners-up Semipalmated Sandpiper at Carnsew, Blyth's Reed Warbler at Nanjizal and Barolo Shearwater off Pendeen, Buff-bellied Pipit at Lizard.

1w Brown Shrike, Pendeen, pic by Steve Rogers

Blyth's Reed Warbler at Nanjizal, Oct 2021, Pic courtesy Kester Wilson