St Gothian Sands near Gwithian, Godrevi Head, Mutton Cove, Bartinney Downs and Castle, Crowns Engine Houses, Botallack Mine and Lanyon Quoit, Cornwall, Britain.

More Choughs and a few sites in West Cornwall.

Trip to Uk, Day Twenty Five.

 

Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax).

We again headed out for the North Coast and started off the day at St Gothian Sands where we parked on the roadside and walked out to a pool which was surrounded by Dunes, we started with nice views of a couple of Ravens (Cuervo / Corvus corax) one of which sat for us but was in some deepish grass, Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii) and Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).

Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax).

Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii).

Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii).

On the pool we soon found several Tufted Ducks (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus), Lesser (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Great Black-backed Gulls (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) and out on the more gravel and dune areas Rook (Graja / Corvus frugilegus), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and Common Starling (Estornino Pinto / Sturnus vulgaris).

Roosting Eurasian Oystercatchers (Ostrero Euroasiatico / Haematopus ostralegus).

Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

We crossed the Red River and walked out on to the headland firstly along the coastal cliffs where we saw lots of roosting Eurasian Oystercatchers (Ostrero Euroasiatico / Haematopus ostralegus), Shag (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), a high flying Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and a couple of Atlantic Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) out at sea.

Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

We started cutting across the grassy areas to Mutton Cove, on the way we saw two more Red-billed Chough but they were flushed by a couple of walkers before we got to them, however we were to catch up with them again up on the grass above Mutton Cove where they performed very well for us, it was just a shame the light was so bad.

Atlantic Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus).

Once we had got some shots we looked down onto Mutton Cove where there were a few more Atlantic Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) and feeding Ruddy Turnstones (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres).

Godrevi Lighthouse.

We took the coastal route back around the head getting views of the Godrevi Lighthouse and masses of Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) battling there way South West against the stong wind. As we returned to the car we also had several Gull Species, Rock Pipit (Bisbita Costero / Anthus petrosus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus). 

Crown Engine Houses Botallack Mine.

We reached the car and then Steve took us out to a spot on Bartinney Downs where in the past he had seen Short-eared Owl (Buho Campestre / Asio flammeus) hunting during the day but after a good walk around the site we had to accept that they just were not hungry enough to venture out in the windy conditions. We did see Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and Sparrowhawk (Gavilán Común / Accipiter nisus) which were new for the day.

Another bit of Botallack Mine at the top of the Cliffs.

Our next stop was at the famous Crown Engine Houses along the coast near Botallack and what a spot it is, so pleased we got to see these bit of Cornish history in such stunning locations.

Remains of an ancient megalithic tomb, Lanyon Quoit.

Remains of an ancient megalithic tomb, Lanyon Quoit.

Remains of an ancient megalithic tomb, Lanyon Quoit.

Our final stop of the day was at another bit of Cornish history but somewhat older, just off the roadside Steve took us to Lanyon Quoit, the remains of an ancient megalithic tomb with yet another Engine house off in the distance but I cannot remember the name of this one but sure Steve will tell me at some point. A brilliant day in even more great locations, Thanks Lynn and Steve.

Ryan's Field, Hayle Estuary, Carnsew Pool, Copperhouse Creek and back again and Jubilee Pool, Penzance, Cornwall, Britain.

Big day in Pastyland, no chance of a dip but will they be as good as I remember ?????

Trip to UK, Day Twenty Four.

 

Male Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Anas penelope) with three Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca).

We made our way over to the North coast and towards the town of Hayle, one of my regular birding spots 20 years ago when Jayne and I used to be down in Cornwall at every opportunity. 

Two Male and a Female Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Anas penelope).

Steve parked by Ryan's Field and we walked out to the hide but it was rather quiet as it was low tide so I guess most species had moved out to feed, however we did see half a dozen or so Bar-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colipinta / Limosa lapponica), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Black-headed (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus).

We left the hide and took the track to the road, on the way we saw a really nice flock of feeding Siskin (Jilguero Lúgano / Carduelis spinus) in a small Alder tree as well as Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) in the Brambles.

Pale-bellied Brent Geese (Barnacla Carinegra / Branta bernicla hrota).

We crossed B3301 and spent a while scanning through the birds out on the estuary, Eurasian Wigeon (Sibón Europeo / Anas penelope) and Eurasian Teal (Cerceta Común / Anas crecca) were by far the commomest species there but as we scanned we also found a smart Pale-bellied Brent Geese (Barnacla Carinegra / Branta bernicla hrota), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo), Common Redshank (Archibebe Común / Tringa totanus), Eurasian Curlew, Eurasian Oystercatcher (Ostrero Euroasiatico / Haematopus ostralegus), Dunlin (Correlimos Común / Calidris alpina), Grey Plover (Chorlito Gris / Pluvialis squatarola), Black-headed, Mediterranean (Gaviota Cabecinegra / Larus melanocephalus), Herring, Lesser (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus) and both Meadow (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis) and Rock Pipit (Bisbita Costero / Anthus petrosus).

Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta).

A little further along the road we crossed the road again and looking into Ryan's field from the opposite side finding a group of Black-tailed Godwits (Aguja Colinegra / Limosa limosa), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone) and a Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea).

Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia).

Greenshank (Archibebe Claro / Tringa nebularia).

We walked on and the took a track out onto the bar which makes Carnsew Pool a pool and followed it right around to the far end, on the way we had nice views of Dunlin, Eurasian Curlew, Grey Plover, Great Cormorant, Shag (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Little Grebe (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis), Little Egret, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and on the grass areas at the far end a few Rooks (Graja / Corvus frugilegus) which allowed Steve and I to get a few shots.

Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata).

Rook (Graja / Corvus frugilegus).

Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Next came the main event of the day, a visit to Philps Pasty shop which only disappointed in one respect as they didn't have any Large Beef Cornish Pasties left so I had to make do with a medium.

I did mean to take a shot of the Pasty but By the time I remember it had gone.

We got the Pasties and a pack of Saffron Buns and walked down to the next part of Copperhouse Creek where we sat on a wall in a nice spot and waited for them to cool slightly before tucking in but had a Saffron Bun as a starter to keep us going.

Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres).

Ruddy Turnstone (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres).

I am very pleased to report that yes they are still as good as I remember and probably tasted even better as it had been so long since my last one, which was probably 2001 / 2 when Jayne and I did a trip to the Scillies.

Shags (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis).

Once we had eaten we retraced our steps along the Estuary back to the car and then went down the road to Penzance to check the rocks around Jubilee Pool, an open air swimming pool made for hardier people than me in October.

Shags (Cormorán Mondudo / Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Great Cormorant (Cormorán Grande / Phalacrocroax carbo) and a Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Reidora / Chroicocephalus ridibundus) with St Michaels Mount in the back ground.

We parked and checked the rocky beach around the out side of the pool where we found several Ruddy Turnstones (Vuelvepiedras Común / Arenaria interpres), Shag, Great Cormorant, Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus) and all 5 Gulls you would most expect.

We took some shots of the Turnstones before having a coffee in the swimming pool bar and then headed back to the house after another very nice day.

North Cornwall Coast, Cornwall, Britain.

Walking along parts of the Cornish Coastal foot path looking for Chough.

Trip to UK, Day Twenty Three.

 

Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo).

The first birding of the day was done in Lynn and Steve's garden where we started the day list off with Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Rook (Graja / Corvus frugilegus), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Pied Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla yarrellii), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) in the back garden.

Atlantic Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus).

As we were loading up ready to head out I also added Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos) and 40 or so flyover Redwing (Zorzal Alirrojo / Turdus illacus).

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

After a shortish drive we arrived out on the coast just a little way South-west of Porthtowan where we did a short bit of the coastal foot path and found Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Meadow Pipit (Bisbita Pratense / Anthus pratensis), Lesser (Gaviota Sombria / Larus fuscus) and Great Black-backed Gull (Gavión Atlántico / Larus marinus), on a pool in Sally's Bottom a Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus) and out to sea a bobbing Atlantic Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus).

Wheal Coates.

Wheal Coates.

We returned to the care and moved a short way North to Chapel Porth beach where we parked and then walked out to Wheal Coates, in the car park we had the first of a few quite tame Rock Pipits (Bisbita Costero / Anthus petrosus) which are one of my favorite species.

Steve and Lynn near Wheal Coates.

Steve and Myself at Wheal Coates.

We did the walk out along the coast to Wheal Coates which is quite a stunning spot where we spent a while taking photographs before returning to the car park for a second dose of Rock Pipit photography and Lunch sat on the wall above the beach. 

Rock Pipit (Bisbita Costero / Anthus petrosus).

Rock Pipit (Bisbita Costero / Anthus petrosus).

Rock Pipit (Bisbita Costero / Anthus petrosus).

Rock Pipit (Bisbita Costero / Anthus petrosus).

Rock Pipit (Bisbita Costero / Anthus petrosus).

There were quite a few people of the beach but the Pipits performed well and from time to time stood still long enough for me to get some shots, by far the best so far of this species for me.

Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera).

Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus).

Fox Moth (Macrothylacia rubi).

We again returned to the car and then did a bit of a drive down to Kynance Cove on the Western side of the Lizard still searching for the Cornish Chough. We again parked in the National Trust car park and then went for a walk along the coast.

Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo).

We first walked down to a point where you could see down into the cove but then went South as we were checking the grassy slopes for Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) a bird I had long wanted to see in the county as the species had not recolonized when I used to regularly visit.

Looking down into a busy Kynace Cove, so we went the other way.

Pentreath Beach.

We soon found the first of quite a few Fox Moth (Macrothylacia rubi) Catapillars,  Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) and before too long a very noisy pair of Chough came over us calling, a great moment, we also saw Sea Campion (Silene uniflora) and Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima) before we reached the car and headed to Helston boating lake to see what was on the water.

Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

We walked the full loop of the pool seeing a very smart but so I am told a plastic Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca), Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Canada Geese (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis), Mute Swan (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor), Black-headed (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) and Herring Gulls of different ages.

Ferruginous Duck (Porrón Pardo / Aythya nyroca) male.

Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula) Male.

Canada Goose (Barnacla Canadiense /Branta canadensis).

Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus).

Herring Gull (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus).

Travelling down to Cornwall, Dozmary Pool and Pendeen, Cornwall, Britain.

A few long over due days with good friends Lynn and Steve in Cornwall.

Trip to Uk, Day Twenty Two.

 

Brown Shrike (Alcaudón pardo / Lanius cristatus).

Lynn and Steve had travelled up from Cornwall a couple of days earlier to be at the Memorial for Jayne yesterday, so I was going to meet them on the way down as they were starting off from Cannock and I went across country to avoid the M6.

Brown Shrike (Alcaudón pardo / Lanius cristatus).

Through messages we managed to sort out that we would be at Taunton Dean services about the same time and as it worked out I got there about 20 minutes before they arrived so I got a coffee and once Lynn and Steve were there I had another before we headed off South again to our next stop which was at Dozmay Pool where I was hoping to see some of the four reported Ring-necked Ducks (Porrón acollarado / Aythya collaris).

Brown Shrike (Alcaudón pardo / Lanius cristatus).

On the way I picked up Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Rook (Graja / Corvus frugilegus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) and at the pool we soon found all 4 Ring-necked Ducks as well as Tufted Duck (Porrón Monudo / Aythya fuligula), Northern Shoveler (Pato Cuchara / Anas clypeata), Herring (Gaviota Argéntea Europea / Larus argentatus) and Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Northern Lapwing (Avefria Europea / Vanellus vanellus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata).

Brown Shrike (Alcaudón pardo / Lanius cristatus).

Again we continued on to Lynn and Steve's place where we parked my motor up and after a drink we headed straight out for my fourth lifer of the trip, a very smart Brown Shrike (Alcaudón pardo / Lanius cristatus) which had been along the lane down to Pendeen for a few days. We arrived at the spot and the Shrike was UTB within just a few minutes and we had good views through the scope but it was a bit distant so it was record shots only again.

Brown Shrike (Alcaudón pardo / Lanius cristatus) through the scope.

In the same area we also saw Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) and a very distant Northern Gannet (Alcatraz Atlántico / Morus bassanus).

Brown Shrike (Alcaudón pardo / Lanius cristatus) through the scope.

We headed back to the house where we saw a few bits in the garden including Rook, Jackdaw, Robin, Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and a couple of flyover Siskins (Lúgano / Carduelis spinus).