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.

Birding highlights in Cornwall January 2022

 January started mild with fairly settled weather with a north-east to easterly airflow.  End of the month was clear and colder, though temperatures never dropped below zero.

The mini influx of Tundra Bean Geese continued over from December.  The three birds at the Lizard were present on the 1st but a New Year's Day shooting party spooked them.  Presumably the same three relocated to Upper Tamar Lake and were on show to the month-end.  Two more left Walmsley Sanctuary at first light mid month. An impressive flock of 16 Russian White-fronted Geese spent a few days in the field opposite Croft Pascoe.

The adult Ring-billed Gull and the wintering Great White Egret spent the month at Hayle Estuary.  Cattle Egrets were recorded in high numbers with 34 at St Clement and another 41 at Walmsley.  Egrets are expanding their range northwards with unprecedented numbers and records being broken.  The Great White Egret is the first instance of a bird actually overwintering at a favoured site in the county.  Whilst many species are declining, egrets seem to be increasing.

A male Green-winged Teal was found at Devoran on the 2nd but disappeared after a few days.  Keeping with the duck theme, five Ring-necked Ducks were seen at Dozmary Pool on the 2nd.  Even more strange were three hybrids with a drake Tufted Duck at Foxhole mid-month.  Presumably they have bred somewhere fairly close.

The White-tailed Eagle from the Isle of Wight introduction scheme continued to be seen in the Colliford area, eventually hitting the local BBC news. The new breed of photo-birder was soon accused of photo-baiting the bird for a closer pic and news since was suppressed.

An unusual sighting of Grey Phalarope was found at Marazion Marsh on the 4th but it only stayed for an hour.  "Grey Phals" winter in the Atlantic and can be seen during strong winter gales.  This one though was a pure fluke chance find by Graham Lawlor.

A possible Pacific Diver was reported from the Charlestown area on the 4th.  The Mount's Bay Pacific Diver has failed to show this season, which ends its 13 years of consecutive appearances.  

The over-wintering Rosy Starling continues at Boscaswell, Pendeen. Five Swallows favoured Sainsbury's at Penzance.

Walmsley recorded an astonishing 18 Glossy Ibis on the 6th. In common with the increase of egrets, Glossy Ibis' also seem to be on the rise.

Pendeen and St Ives were the places to be for seawatching.  A reasonable westerly wind on the 9th pushed a couple Little Auks in close, whilst an above average movement of divers included eight Black-throated, six Great Northern, nine Great Skuas, five Manx and a Glaucous Gull.  Five White-fronted Geese put in an appearance at Walmsley.

Divers have been in relatively short supply this winter.  Pendower scored well on the 10th with 12 Great Northern and five Black-throats, one Red-necked Grebe, two Slavonian Grebe and 12 Common Scoter.  These numbers are well down on previous years though. Perhaps the mild weather is just too mild to push divers south.  Two first winter (2nd cal year) Glaucous Gulls and a Little Gull were in the Newlyn area.

The presumed returning Black Guillemot off Swanpool appeared on the 11th and was joined by another on the 20th. The first Yellow-browed Warbler of the year was found on the 12th at St Austell sewerage works.  Just two Bitterns were recorded during January, one at Walmsley on the 12th and another photographed at Par beach pool. Another Yellow-browed Warbler was found at Crackington on the 16th.

At least three Red-necked Grebes were recorded on the 14th: singles at Hannafore, Torpoint and Helford. The Pendower bird on the 10th could be a fourth bird. Hannafore is well known for grebes; in addition to the Red-necked, a Black-necked, 11 Great Crested, five Little and a Slavonian were recorded on the 16th.  61 Avocet were also available for year listers at nearby Wacker Quay.

The first Balearic Shearwater of the year was seen from the Mermaid 2 in Mount's Bay on the 17th.

The Dusky Warbler found at Tregilliow, St Erth in December was still wintering in the area and was re-found on the 19th.  140 Avocet were counted at Kingsmill Lake and represents an important count.

An unseasonal Ring Ouzel was found feeding in Porth Loe valley, Porthgwarra on the 22nd. This record joins other out-of-context "summer" migrants this winter including the Hoopoe in North Cornwall in December and a dozen Swallows in Penzance. Two Black Guillemots off Swanpool could be the first flock in Cornwall?

The wintering Avocet on Truro River continued to be seen with the 120 Black-tailed Godwits until the month end. Occasional Avocets are seen on passage around Hayle but the returning Truro bird is the furthest westerly wintering Avocet in the UK. 

A first winter male Surf Scoter and Velvet Scoter were found at Pentewan on the 24th. An adult Iceland Gull favoured Cape Cornwall golf course at the end of the month but was also seen in Newlyn harbour on Sunday 23rd.

The month ended with two Little Buntings, one at Goss Moor (30th) and another off Bosisto Lane.  Presumably both are (returning?) wintering birds to their favoured areas.

Surf Scoter and Velvert Scoter, Pentewan, Jan 2022. (pics by M. Spicer).

Bird of the month: Surf Scoter at Pentewan.

Runners up: Dusky Warbler wintering at Tregilliowe, influx of Bean Geese plus unseasonal Ring Ouzel at Porthgwarra, high numbers of Glossy Ibis and a wintering Great White Egret.