Walmsley Sanctuary and Middle Chapel Amble, Cornwall, Britain.

Birding on the North coast of the county.

 

Walmsley from the tower hide.

We were off up to the North off the county today to visit two areas of wetlands I like very much, we parked and Steve met up with a guy he knew Dave Thomas and we all made our way out onto the reserve seeing Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), European Herring (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) and Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) before we reached the first hide.

Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago).

From the hide we had Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Mareca penelope), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Spatula clypeata), Canada (Barnacla Canadiense / Branta canadensis) and Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser),  Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo) and Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus).

Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Mareca penelope), Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta), Tufted Duck (Porrón Moñudo / Aythya fuligula) and Gadwall (Anade Friso / Mareca strepera).

After a while we walked around to the tower hide, on the way I heard a squealing Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus) and from the hide added Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Northern Pintail (Ánade Rabudo / Anas acuta), Tufted Duck (Porrón Moñudo / Aythya fuligula), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Mareca strepera), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Curlew (Zarapito Real / Numenius arquata), Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis) and as we walked back to the car European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone) and 4x Stock Doves (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas).

Before we left the area Dave suggested we had a look at another hide on the other side of the road so we set off along some wet field edges before reaching the spot which gave us a nice view out over the River Camel, it was low tide so the mud was exposed and we found Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Common Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia), more Eurasian Curlew, a single Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) but best of all was a large flock of around 600 European Golden Plover (Chorlito Dorado Europeo / Pluvialis apricaia) which something had flushed up.

Mute Swans (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor) and Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Mareca penelope).

On the walk back to the cars we saw a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) before we drove around to Middle Chapel Amble and walked out onto the marshes there where there was a very muddy path out to another hide.

From the hide we didn't add any new bird species but I was very pleased to see my first Cornish Otter (Nutria / Lutra lutra) but it unfortunately played hard to get and as soon as it appeared it went back into cover. 

The view from the Middle Chapel Amble Hide.

As we walked back to the cars we saw a Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), Common Gorse (Ulex europaeus) and Butterbur (Petasites hybridus).

We were back at the house before dark and spent some time checking the feeders adding Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Coal Tit  (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater) and Rook (Graja / Corvus frugilegus).

Later we settled down with a few drinks and watched some movies before welcoming in 2025 saving ourselves for a big day in the Pub tomorrow 😀😀😀😀.

Marazion RSPB, Marazion Beach, Ryan's Fields RSPB and The Old Quay House Inn end of the Hayle Estuary, Rinsey Head and the Boating Lake in Helston, Cornwall, Britain.

A grey, damp but enjoyable day. 

Ebird List for Marzion RSPB.

Ebird List for Ryan's Field.

Ebird List for Hayle Estuary.

European Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus).

We started the morning by having breakfast and watching the garden feeders for a while seeing Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus) and Coal Tit  (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Rook (Graja / Corvus frugilegus), European Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula).

European Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus).

St Michael's Mount.

Once we were sorted we headed down to the RSPB Marazion reserve where after parking we walked along the road and into the reserve, as we walked we saw Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii) and European Herring Gull on the car park.

Ryan's Field RSPB.

From the road over looking the pools we added Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense / Branta canadensis), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca), Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Mareca penelope), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Water Rail (Rascón Europeo / Rallus aquaticus), Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiático / Haematopus ostralegus), Eurasian Curlew (Zarapito Real / Numenius arquata), Common Snipe (Agachadiza Común / Gallinago gallinago), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Carrion Crow.

Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Mareca penelope) and a Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus).

Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Mareca penelope) male.

On the edge of the reed beds we picked up Cetti's Warbler (Cetia Ruiseñor / Cettia cetti), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), European Stonechat (Tarabilla Europea / Saxicola rubicola) and a fly through Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus).

Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca).

Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus).

Out on the beach and sea as we walked back we saw Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus), Common Scoter (Negrón Común / Melanitta nigra) and a couple of European Rock Pipits (Bisbita Costero / Anthus petrosus).

The Hayle Estuary.

We crossed to the Northern coast seeing Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Three-cornered Leek (Allium triquetrum), Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

Wheal Prosper Tin Mine.

Wheal Prosper Tin Mine with Trewavas head behind.

At our first stop on the North Coast, Ryan's Field RSPB we found several new species including Common Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Bar-tailed Godwit (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris) and Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) along with more Canada Geese, Eurasian Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Black-headed Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Magpie, Carrion Crow and European Robin.

Wheal Prosper Tin Mine.

Porthleven from Trewavas head.

We left the hide and walked out to the Estuary where we scanned the tidal mud flats adding Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Eurasian Spoonbill (Espátula Común / Platalea leucorodia), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) and Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris).

Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus).

Also seen were more Common Shelduck, Eurasian Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Black-headed Gull, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, Common Redshank, Northern Lapwing, Dunlin, Great Black-backed, Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail.

European Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus).

European Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus).

Our next stop was out on the coast at Rinsey Head where we walked along the coastal footpath passing Wheal Prosper Tin Mine on our way out to Trewavas head, on the way we saw a pair of Cornish Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Northern Raven (Cuervo grande / Corvus corax), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus) and European Shag (Cormorán Moñudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis).

Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos).

Our final stop of the day was at the Boating Lake in Helston where Steve and I did a loop before checking the trees at the side of the sewage works, species seen included Tufted Duck (Porrón Moñudo / Aythya fuligula), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Spatula clypeata), Common Sandpiper (Andarrios Chico / Actitis hypoleucos) and Eurasian Jay (Arrendajo Euroasiático / Garrulus glandarius).

Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor).

We returned to the house where we had another nice meal, a drink or two and warmed up.

Travelling down to Cornwall, Godolphin Hill, Godolphin Cross, Cornwall, Britain.

Heading down to see friends Lynn and Steve in Pasty Land.

 

Lynn and Steve crossing one of the Cornish hedges.

I set off at around 07:00 and apart from some roadworks in Devon and the engine warning light coming on again as I slowed down to 50MPH through them all went well, on the way I saw Rook (Graja / Corvus frugilegus), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and European Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris) and Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo).

I reached Lynn and Steve's even with the lady on Google Maps taking me along a very narrow set of lanes in one piece but with the warning light still on, I parked and forgot about it for a few days.

Lynn and Steve made me very welcome as always and after a bit of lunch we headed out for a walk around the bottom of Godolphin Hill, the tracks were very muddy and it did it's best to rain but we still had a good stretch of the legs which was great after being sat in the car for several hours.

Common Gorse (Ulex europaeus) in flower.

During the walk we saw Carrion Crow, Western Jackdaw, Eurasian Magpie, Common Buzzard, Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus), Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Long-tailed Tit (Mito Común / Aegithalos caudatus), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Common Buzzard, Common Daisy (Bellis perennis), Common Gorse (Ulex europaeus),  Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) and several Dandelion's of some sort. 

We returned to the house and chatted whilst watching what came into the garden feeders, species included Eurasian Blue, Great and Coal Tit  (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), Eurasian Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Curruca capirotada), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis) and House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus).

It tasted as good as it looked and smelt even better.

Later we had one of the best Cornish Pasties I have ever had, hand made by Lynn, they tasted amazing and where huge but I did my best, later we just relaxed and had a Cider or two.

as I say, "I did my best"

West Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, Britain.

Looking for Gulls in the cold fog.

 

West Park in the grey.

I drove up to West Park on the outskirts of Wolverhampton where I was hoping for a Caspian Gull (Gaviota del Caspio / Larus cachinnans) which had been around for a while but unfortunately I could not find it, partly due to being rubbish with Gull Identification.

West Park.

I did however see Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus), European Herring (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Canada (Barnacla Canadiense / Branta canadensis) and Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Tufted Duck (Porrón Moñudo / Aythya fuligula), Northern Shoveler (Cuchara Común / Spatula clypeata), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii).

Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus).

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus).

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus).

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus).

Perton, Staffordshire, Britain.

Out for Lunch with Mom and John.

 

After a morning visit to Aldi, Mom, John and I went for Lunch at the Pear and Partridge in Perton where we had a nice meal and a pint.

Cannock Chase and Lichfield area, Staffordshire, Britain.

A lovely day with the Family.

 

Fin, Zach, Ryan and Alan.

I  spent the morning at Mom's and then headed off over to Cannock Chase where I met up with Alan, Becki, the boys and the dogs, we parked at Birches Valley Forest Center and then walked out to Stony Brook and to the stepping stones where we had a great time in the water.

Whilst there  heard and saw Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Eurasian Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Eurasian Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos).

We returned to the cars and then I followed them back to their house where we had a very nice evening with the kids and their Christmas presents and plenty of food, thanks Becki.

Albrighton and Donington Nature Reserve, Albrighton, Shropshire, Britain.

A Christmas Morning Walk before a nice day at Mom's.

Ebird List for the Reserve.

Ebird List for Green Lane.

 

Hazel Catkins.

I started the day with a walk up to Donington Church Yard where I checked all was good with Jayne's plaque and then went for a walk around the Nature Reserve and later the pond, as I walked I saw Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Western Jackdaw (Grajilla occidental / Corvus monedula), Eurasian Magpie (Urraca Común / Pica pica), Common Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Eurasian Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Fieldfare (Zorzal Real / Turdus pilaris), Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus), Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris), Eurasian Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), European Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Periparus ater), Eurasian Blue (Herrerillo Común / Cyanistes caeruleus), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and a nice Marsh Tit (Carbonero Palustre / Poecile palustris), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), European Goldfinch (Jilguero Europeo / Carduelis carduelis), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Eurasian Wren (Chochin paleártico / Troglodytes troglodytes), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and a Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egretta garzetta) which I thought was going to land but it was flushed off by a couple of Woodpigeons.

Marsh Tit (Carbonero Palustre / Poecile palustris).

Marsh Tit (Carbonero Palustre / Poecile palustris).

Marsh Tit (Carbonero Palustre / Poecile palustris).

Once I returned to Mom's we chilled for a while and then had a very nice Christmas Lunch along with a bottle of my favourate Marques de Caceres wine.

Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris).

Later I went for another walk up to the end of Green Lane as I was rather full, along the way I saw House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Common Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus), European Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Chloris chloris), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas) and a large female type Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus).

Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus).

Once I was home we chilled and had a nice evening of Cards and drink.